Display Bin with Pusher Attachment

This U.S. patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 (e) to U.S. Provisional Application 63/652,676, filed on May 28, 2024. The disclosure of this prior application IS considered part of the disclosure of this application and IS hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The present disclosure relates generally to a display bin including a pusher attachment interface.

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure and is not necessarily prior art.

Shelving is used extensively for stocking and storing products or merchandise in a variety of stores. Such shelving may include a flat shelf or rack and a forward feed device configured to bias products towards a front-facing edge of the shelving. In particular, the forward feed devices are used to automatically move merchandise forward on a shelf after an item is removed, thereby maintaining a continuous product facing

In some instances, forward feed devices may be utilized for conveying products with soft packaging, such as bagged deli product. Because such soft packaging lacks rigid structure, these products have a tendency to shift or compress on a shelf, which may lead to jamming or misalignment of the products within the forward feed device. Accordingly, while known display systems have proven useful for their intended purpose, there remains a need in the art for a product display system that accommodates improved storage and dispensing of soft packaging.

An aspect of the disclosure includes a bin for a merchandising system. The bin has a base panel including a top side defining a product receiving area and an opposite bottom side, one or more support rails extending along the top side, and a coupling system including one or more coupling elements each supported by the top side of the base panel adjacent to one of the one or more support rails.

This aspect of the disclosure may include one or more of the following features. In some examples, each of the one or more support rails defines a convex rail surface extending along the top side. In some implementations, the convex rail surface extends continuously from a first end of the base panel to a second end of the base panel. Optionally, each of the one or more support rails defines a concave channel extending along the bottom side.

In some configurations, the bin includes one or more walls extending from the base panel to at least partially surround the product receiving area. In some examples, the one or more walls includes a front wall extending from a first end of the base panel to a first height and a pair of sidewalls extending from opposite sides of the base panel to a second height that is greater than the first height.

In some configurations, the bin includes a track bearing disposed adjacent to a front end of the base panel and configured to mate with a corresponding track member. In some configurations, the track bearing includes a rail extending along the bottom side of the base panel from a first side of the base panel to a second side of the base panel. Optionally, track bearing includes a slot extending along the rail from the first side of the base panel to the second side of the base panel. In some implementations, the track bearing includes an engagement member extending from the front end of the base panel and operable to move between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a merchandising system including a bin having a base panel and a plurality of walls extending from the base panel to define a product receiving area, one or more support rails extending along the base panel, and a pusher coupling system including one or more coupling members each supported by the base panel adjacent to one of the one or more support rails. The merchandising system further includes a conveyor system removably coupled to one of the one or more coupling members.

This aspect of the disclosure includes one or more of the following optional features. In some examples, each of the one or more support rails defines a convex rail surface extending along a top side of the bin. In some implementations, the conveyor system includes a conveyor track and a biasing member configured to translate along the conveyor track between a front end of the bin and a rear end of the bin. In some examples, the conveyor track of the conveyor system is removably attached to the one of the one or more coupling members. In some implementations, each of the coupling members includes an elongate coupling rib extending in a lateral direction from at least one of the support rails, and wherein the conveyor track is slidably attached to the one of the one or more coupling members. In some examples, the biasing member includes a pusher having a biasing element configured to bias the pusher towards the front end of the bin.

In some implementations, the plurality of walls includes a front wall extending from a first end of the base panel to a first height and a pair of sidewalls extending from opposite sides of the base panel to a second height that is greater than the first height. In some examples, the merchandising system further includes a track, wherein the bin further includes a track bearing disposed adjacent to a front end of the base panel and mated with the track. In some examples, the track bearing includes a rail extending along a bottom side of the base panel from a first side of the base panel to a second side of the base panel. In some configurations, the track bearing includes an engagement member extending from the front end of the base panel and operable to move between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration.

The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

Example configurations will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of configurations of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example configurations may be embodied in many different forms, and that the specific details and the example configurations should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure.

Referring to, a retail environmentincluding an example of a merchandising systemaccording to the present disclosure is generally shown. As shown, the merchandising systemmay be installed on a top surfaceof a retail shelf, or other suitable base surface. The shelfmay be located in a store or other suitable location where consumers are able to purchase merchandise. As shown in, the top surfaceof the shelfextends from a front edgeto an opposite rear edge. As discussed throughout, the direction from the front edgeto the rear edgedefines a longitudinal direction Dwhile the direction parallel to the front edgeand the rear edgedefines a lateral direction D. In some implementations, the shelfmay include aperturesextending through the top surfaceand arranged in series adjacent to at least one of the front edgeand the rear edgeof the shelf. Portions of the merchandising systemmay be secured to the shelfvia fasteners engaging with the apertures. The merchandising systemmay be secured to the shelfin any suitable manner, and the merchandising systemmay be selectively detached from the shelfand moved, for example, to another shelf or other surface.

Referring still to, the merchandising systemincludes a bindefining a product receiving area A, a conveyor systemdisposed within the product receiving area A, and a track systemthat is attached to the shelfand slidingly engages the bin. While the merchandising systemis shown in assembled configuration in, each of the bin, the conveyor system, and the track systemmay provided as individual components for assembly. As discussed in greater detail below, the merchandising systemis configured to optimize conveyance of soft-sided packaging, such bags or pouches used for deli products. The merchandising systemis provided as a modular system, whereby one or more of the binscan be removably and slidably coupled to the trackto permit the bins to translate in the lateral direction Dalong the shelf. Further, one or more of the conveyor systemsare configured to be removably and slidably attached within the product receiving area A of the binto accommodate different sizes and quantities of products P.

Referring to, the binand components thereof will be described relative to a front end, a rear enddisposed on an opposite end from the front end, a left sideextending between the front endand the rear end, and a right sidedisposed on an opposite side of the bin from the left sideand extending between the front endand the rear end. A distance from the front endto the rear enddefines a lengthwise direction of the bin, which extends parallel to the longitudinal direction Dwhen the binis installed on the shelf. A distance from the left sideto the right sidedefines a widthwise direction of the bin, which extends parallel to the lateral direction Dwhen the binis installed on the shelf. Features of the binmay also be described relative to a top sidethat defines the product receiving area A and an opposite bottom sidethat faces the top surfaceof the shelfwhen the binis installed on the shelf.

The binincludes a base paneland, optionally, one or more walls,,,extending from the base panelto define the product receiving area A. The base panelextends from the front endof the binto the rear endof the binand from the left sideof the binto the right sideof the bin. The base panelincludes a top facedisposed on the top sideof the base paneland a bottom facedisposed on the opposite bottom side, whereby a distance from the top faceto the bottom facedefines a thickness of the base panel.

The one or more walls,,,includes at least a front wallextending from the top side of the base panelat the front end. The one or more walls may further include a rear wallextending from the top faceof the base panelat the rear end, opposite the front wall. A left sidewallextends between and connects the front walland the rear wallalong the left side, while an opposing right sidewallextends between and connects the front walland the rear wallalong the right side. In some examples, one or more of the walls may be omitted to provide a peripheral opening into the product receiving area A along a side of the bin. For example, the binmay be provided without the rear wall. In the illustrated example, the walls,,,each extend from the base panel to an upper peripheral edge, which is collectively defined by upper terminal ends of the respective walls,,,.

As shown in, the front wallextends a first height Hfrom the top faceto the upper peripheral edgeand the remaining walls,,each extend a second height Hfrom the top faceto the upper peripheral edge, which is greater than the first height H. Thus, a portion of the upper peripheral edgedefined by the front wallmay be offset below the portions of the upper peripheral edgedefined by the sidewalls,to define a recessfor accessing the product receiving area A at the front endof the bin. Optionally, the upper peripheral edgemay define a pair of gussetsformed at opposite front corners of the binand connecting the first height Hof the front wallto the second heights Hof each of the sidewalls,. The gussetsprovide increased strength between the walls,,and provide the recesswith a tapered profile for guiding products P into the product receiving area A.

The sidewalls,and the rear wallmay include additional features for improving ergonomics and operation of the bin. For example, each of the walls,,includes a plurality of ventsformed through the thickness of the wall,,to facilitate improved airflow into the product receiving area A. This is particularly helpful in refrigerated environments to improve circulation of refrigerated air through the product receiving area A. At least one of the walls,,may further include a handledisposed adjacent to the upper peripheral edge. While the illustrated example shows the handleformed in the rear wall, the binmay include handles formed in the sidewalls,. The handle of the present example is formed as an aperture extending through a thickness of the rear wall, which is sized and positioned to form an ergonomic grip structure between the aperture and the upper peripheral edge.

Referring to, the top faceof the base panelincludes a support bedconfigured to slidably support a plurality of the products P within the product receiving area A. In the illustrated example, the support bedis embodied as a plurality of elongate support ribs,-each extending along the longitudinal direction Dfrom a first end,-to a second end,-(). The plurality of elongate support ribsincludes a left side support ribdisposed adjacent to the left sidewall, a right side support ribdisposed adjacent to the right sidewall, and one or more of intermediate support ribsdisposed between the left side support riband the right side support rib. While the illustrated example shows two intermediate support ribs, the binmay include more or less intermediate support ribsto accommodate different widths of the bin(e.g., a wider binwill include additional intermediate support ribs). The support ribs-are arranged in series between the left sidewalland the right sidewall, whereby center axes A-Aassociated with the apexes of adjacent ones of the support ribs-are spaced apart from each other by a common distance D. The spacing is configured such that apexes of two or more of the support ribs-support the product P when the product P is placed on the conveyor system, which may be disposed between adjacent support ribs-

As shown, an upper surface,-of each of the support ribs-each includes an arcuate or convex cross-sectional profile extending continuously from the first end,-at the front wallto the second end,-at the rear wall. In the illustrated examples, the support ribs-are formed as hollow bodies, whereby the support ribs-include the convex upper surfaces-and a complementary concave bottom surface,-formed in the bottom faceof the base panel. However, in other examples, the support ribs-may be formed as independent elements that are attached to the top faceof the base panelwithin the product receiving area A. Optionally, the upper surfaces-of the support ribs-may include a material having a lower coefficient of friction than the material forming the base paneland/or the walls,,,. For example, the support ribs-may be formed of a low-friction material or include a low-friction lubricant, coating, or film.

Referring to, the binfurther includes a conveyor coupling systemconfigured for removably attaching one or more of the conveyor systemswithin the product receiving area A of the bin. In the illustrated example, the conveyor coupling systemincludes one or more coupling memberseach configured for removably attaching one of the conveyor systemsbetween adjacent ones of the support ribs-. The conveyor coupling membersinclude elongate rails having a longitudinal axis that extends along the lateral direction Dfrom each of the support ribs-. As shown, the elongate rails of the coupling membersextend continuously between and connect adjacent ones of the support ribs-adjacent to the front wall. However, the coupling membersmay be positioned at other locations along the longitudinal direction D, such as at an intermediate position centered between the front walland the rear wall. Optionally, multiple ones of the coupling membersmay be arranged in series along the longitudinal direction Dfor attaching a single conveyor system.

Referring to the cross section of, the elongate rail of the coupling memberis configured to provide a snap-fit with a corresponding one of the conveyor systems, whereby the conveyor systemcan be secured to the coupling memberby pressing the conveyor systemonto the coupling memberto engage a retention feature of the conveyor systemwith the coupling member, and can be disengaged from the coupling memberby pulling the conveyor systemfrom the coupling memberto disengage the retention feature of the conveyor systemfrom the coupling member. The coupling memberincludes a coupling member baseand a coupling member headextending upwardly from the coupling member baseto a distal end. The coupling member headincludes a front faceextending from the coupling member baseto the distal endand defining a relief or undercut adjacent to the coupling member base. The coupling member headfurther includes a rear facedisposed on an opposite side form the front faceand extending from the coupling member baseto the distal end. The rear faceof the coupling member headis rearwardly offset along the longitudinal direction Dfrom a rear edge of the coupling member baseto define a lip. As shown inand discussed in greater detail below, the front undercutand the rear lipcooperate to provide a retention interface for securing the conveyor systemto coupling member.

Referring still to, the binfurther includes a track bearingconfigured to slidably couple the binto the track. Thus, when the binis installed on the track, the track bearingprovides a sliding interface with the trackto secure the longitudinal and rotational position of the binwhile allowing the binto translate along the lateral direction D. As shown in, a length Lof the track bearingextends along the longitudinal direction Dfrom a front bearing facedefined by the front wallof the binto a rear bearing face, which faces and is spaced apart from a front edge of the coupling member baseby a rear track slotconfigured to slidably receive a rear wallof the track. As shown in, the track bearingmay be provided as a segmented structure, whereby individual segments of the track bearingare disposed on the bottom faceof the base panelbetween adjacent ones of the support ribs-. Alternatively, the track bearingmay be a continuous structure extending along the bottom faceor one or more of the segments may be omitted.

As best shown in, the track bearingincludes one or more engagement membersdisposed along the front walland configured to engage with a front wall of the track. In the illustrated example, a single engagement memberincludes a resilient tabextending downwardly from the front wallto a distal endat or above a bottom surface of the track bearing. The resilient tabincludes one or more protuberancesextending from the front endadjacent to the distal end. In use, the protuberancesinterface with teeth of the track to resist lateral movement of the binalong the track. Thus, in a natural state, the resilient tabis provided in a forward position () and the protuberancesare mated with (i.e., received between) the teethof the track. As a lateral force is applied to the binto move the binin the lateral direction D, the teeth of the trackbias the protuberancesand the distal endof resilient tabflexes rearwardly to allow the protuberancesto pass over the teethin the lateral direction D. In addition to providing resistance to maintain the binsat a preferred lateral position, the protuberancesfurther provide audible feedback to indicate when the binsare being moved along the track.

Referring to, the conveyor systemis configured to be removably attached to the binvia the conveyor coupling systemand is generally configured to convey or bias products in the longitudinal direction Dtowards the front wall. In the illustrated example, the conveyor systemincludes a pusher systemhaving a pusher trackand a pusher paddleslidably mounted to the pusher track. The pusher paddleincluding a biasing elementthat applies a continuous biasing force to the pusher paddlein the longitudinal direction Dto bias the pusher paddletowards the front wallof the binwhen the pusher systemis assembled with the bin.

The pusher trackis an elongate track having a length that extends from a first endto a second end. The pusher trackis configured as a T-track having a lower railan upper bedwaydisposed on top of the lower railand extending continuously from the first endto the second end. The first endof the pusher trackincludes a pusher couplerconfigured to interface with the coupling membersof the conveyor coupling system. Particularly, as shown in, the pusher couplerincludes a forward coupler guideand a rearward coupler guidespaced apart from the forward coupler guideby a coupler slotconfigured to slidably receive the coupling member headof the coupling memberof the bin. The coupler slothas a width Wthat is larger than a width of the coupling member head(i.e., distance from front faceto rear face) to provide a slip fit between the coupling member headand the coupler slot.

The rear coupler guidefurther includes a resilient locking fingerthat extends from a bottom side of the bedwayto a lower distal endhaving a locking flangethat projects in a forward direction from the distal end. As shown in, the locking flangeis configured to engage the rear lipof the coupling member headwhen the pusher systemis attached to the coupling member, whereby an upper surface of the locking flangeinterfaces with a lower surface of the rear lipto restrict removal of the pusher systemin the vertical direction. As shown in, the upper surface of the locking flangeis formed at an oblique, declining angle relative to the bottom surface of the rear lip. Thus, when an upward force is applied to the pusher system, the upper surface of the locking flangecontacts the lower surface of the rear lipand the differences in surface angles causes the locking flangeto be biased rearwardly, allowing removal of the pusher systemwithout additional tools. This connection means may be referred to as a “snap fit,” whereby the pusher systemcan be “snapped” into engagement by pressing the locking flangepast the rear lipand can be “snapped” out of engagement by pulling the pusher systemto overcome the resiliency of the locking finger. Optionally, the pusher trackmay include one or more handlesextending laterally from the lower rail. The handlesprovide areas where the pusher trackcan be gripped by a user to pull the pusher trackfrom the coupling members.

With continued reference to, the pusher paddleincludes a carriageslidably coupled to the bedwayof the pusher trackand a pusher wallattached to the carriage. In the illustrated example, the pusher walldefines a substantially planar front pusher surfaceextending in a transverse direction relative to the bedwayof the track. Here, the front pusher surfacefaces the front wallof the binto define the product receiving area A between the pusher walland the front wall. In use, the pusher paddleis configured to translate along the bedwaysuch that an effective length LA of the product receiving area A increases and decreases to accommodate the products that are received within the product receiving area A. In other words, the pusher paddlemay be translated in a first longitudinal direction Daway from the front wallto increase the effective length LA of the product receiving area A when products are loaded into the merchandising system, and may be translated in a second longitudinal direction Dtowards the front wallto decrease the effective length LA of the product receiving area A as products are removed from the merchandising system. Thus, the pusher paddleis operable to maintain stocked products at a forward-most position against the front wall.

Referring to, the carriageincludes a carriage basedisposed on the top side of the bedwayand a pair of side bearingseach configured to slidingly engage a respective side the bedway. As best shown in, the side bearingsextend from opposite sides of the carriage baseto respective distal ends, which include retainers configured to interface with the bedwayto retain the carriageon the bedwaywhen the merchandising systemis assembled. The carriage basefurther includes a pair of gussetsconnecting a top surface of the carriage baseto a rear surface of the pusher wallto provide increased strength and rigidity along the pusher wall. The gussetsmay be spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction to define a receptaclefor receiving a biasing element.

With continued reference to, the biasing elementincludes a first portion coupled to the pusher paddleand a second portion coupled to the first endof the pusher track, and is configured to provide a continuous biasing force to the pusher paddlein the first direction D. In the illustrated example, the biasing elementincludes a constant force spring having a coil portionmounted in the receptacleof the pusher paddleand a free endattached to the first endof the pusher track. Thus, the biasing elementis configured to provide a constant biasing force to the pusher paddlein the forward direction along the pusher track. While the illustrated example shows the biasing elementas a constant-force spring having the coil portion mounted on pusher paddle, other types of biasing elements may also be utilized to apply the biasing force to the pusher paddle.

Optionally, the pusher systemmay include a pusher wall adapterconfigured to slide onto the pusher wallto provide the pusher systemwith a larger front pusher surface. The pusher wall adapterincludes a plurality of retainersarranged to define a first front wall socketand a second front wall socketextending perpendicular to the first front wall socket. Each of the pusher wall sockets,are configured to slidably receive the pusher wallof the pusher system. In use, a user can rotate the front wall adapterninety degrees to select which of the pusher wall sockets,receives the pusher wall. Thus, the user can select whether to utilize the different widths of the pusher wall adapter. Each of the pusher wall sockets,may include a resilient stopper tabthat extends into the pusher wall socket,to limit insertion of the pusher walland to property position the pusher wall adapteron the pusher wall.

As best shown in, the trackincludes a track base, a front wall, and a rear wall. When the trackis installed on the shelf, the front wallis closer to the front edgeof the shelf(i.e., the customer's vantage point) than the rear wall. The front wallof the trackextends along a front edge of the track baseand is spaced apart from the rear wallto define a track channelconfigured to slidably receive the track bearingof the bin.

The front walldefines a front engagement surfaceextending along the lateral direction and the rear walldefines a rear engagement surfaceextending parallel to and facing the front engagement surfaceacross the channel. When the merchandising systemis assembled, the track guideof the binis received within the channelsuch that the engagement membersinterface with (i.e., selectively engages) the front engagement surfaceand rear engagement surfaceinterfaces with (e.g., selectively contacts) the rear engagement surface.

The front engagement surfaceis defined by the front wall. In the illustrated example, the front engagement surfaceis recessed within front wallsuch that the front walldefines a top lipspaced apart from the baseto define a gap configured to capture the protuberancesbetween the top lipand the base. In some examples, the front engagement surfaceincludes a plurality of teethdisposed between the top lipand the baseand facing the rear engagement surface(i.e., towards the channel). As discussed above, the plurality of teethare configured to be selectively engaged by the protuberancesof the binto resist lateral movement of the binalong the track.

The selective engagement of the protuberancesand the teethallow the binto be translated along the track. In some implementations, the resilient tabthe protuberancesmove toward and away from the teeth(i.e., toward and away from the customer's vantage point) such that, when the binis urged in a lateral or horizontal direction by a user along the track, the protuberances—via flexing of the resilient tab—selectively disengage a first portion of the teethand, when the user ceases to exert a force upon the bin, the protuberances—via resiliency of the resilient tab—re-engage with a second portion of the teethto secure the binin the desired position along the track.

In use, the merchandising systemprovides a modular system that allows soft-packaged products to be easily stocked, stored, and dispensed to customers. By forming a modular system, binscan be easily stocked with products at a remote area from the shelf (e.g., a stock room) and can be provided to the shelf in a stocked state, rather than individually stocking products at the shelf. Further, providing the binswith the support bedfacilitates movement of the soft-sided packages P within the product receiving area A. An additional benefit of the merchandising systemis that it provides a modular conveyor systemthat can be installed, removed, or reconfigured within the binto accommodate different stocking patterns.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary configurations only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular articles “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. Additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” “attached to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, attached, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” “directly attached to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

The terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections. These elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed herein could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example configurations.

The foregoing description has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular configuration are generally not limited to that particular configuration, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected configuration, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.