Shelf divider system

Abstract

There is provided a shelf divider system for organizing, moving, and displaying merchandize items on a store shelf. A plurality of dividers attach perpendicularly to a plurality of base strips by inserting knobs on the dividers into mating holes in the base strips. Each adjacent pair of dividers forms a channel for the merchandise. Merchandize carriers slide over the base strips between each adjacent pair of dividers. A pull strap is attached to the front end of each carrier for pulling it forward for moving the merchandize items forward on the shelf. The pull straps have longitudinal grooves therein for dividing the pull straps longitudinally into two narrower pull straps. The merchandize items are prevented from falling from the front of the shelf by transparent guards attached to guard holders. The shelf divider system may be attached to the shelf by clips, which attach a base strip to the shelf.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Not Applicable. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not Applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] 1. Field of the Invention [0004] The present invention relates generally to retail store product storage and display, and, more specifically, to a shelf divider system for organizing, moving, and displaying merchandize items on a store shelf. [0005] 2. Description of the Related Art [0006] In grocery stores and general merchandize and department stores, retail merchandize is often stocked and sold on open shelves where the items are freestanding. Store personnel must arrange, organize, and straighten the merchandize item by item so that it is readily displayed and visible to the shopper. This process is known as “facing, fronting, or zoning,” and normally occurs during off-peak hours, as does restocking, reordering, and inventory management. Freestanding merchandize presents a problem for consumers wh...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] The present invention addresses the aforementioned need. According to one embodiment of the invention, a shelf divider system is provided for organizing, moving, and displaying merchandize items on a store shelf. A plurality of dividers attach perpendicularly to a plurality of base strips by inserting knobs on the dividers into mating holes in the base strips. Each adjacent pair of dividers forms a channel for the merchandize. Merchandize carriers slide over the base strips between each adjacent pair of dividers. A pull strap is attached to the front end of each carrier for pulling it forward for moving the merchandize items forward on the shelf. The pull straps have longitudinal grooves therein for dividing the pull straps longitudinally into two narrower pull straps. The merchandize items are prevented from falling from the front of the shelf by transparent guards attached to guard holders. In one embodiment, the shelf divider system is attached to the shelf by clips, which attach a base strip to the shelf.

[0011] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a shelf divider system that separates, organizes, and displays merchandize items on a store shelf. It is another object of the invention to provide a shelf divider system that provides a merchandize channel or track in which merchandize items are organized in order and separated from unlike products. It is another object of the invention to provide a manual means for moving merchandize items forward so that the items will be prominently displayed and not be lost near the back of shelves or unreachable on the higher shelves. It is another object of the invention to provide a shelf divider system that conserves shelf space by eliminating wasted space between rows of different products stored on a shelf. It is a further object of the invention to provide a shelf divider system that can be quickly assembled and installed on or removed from a store shelf without the need for tools or separate fasteners. Other objects of the invention are apparent from the following description, the claims set forth below, and the accompanying drawings.

Problems solved by technology

Freestanding merchandize presents a problem for consumers when different types or brands of products become mixed or lost in a jumble behind other products.

Also, after the frontmost items are removed from the shelf by purchasers, the remaining items are often not within view or easily accessible by later shoppers.

Items located on the upper shelves often cannot be reached.

Some use clear plastic dividers to separate different types of product, but have no means for conveying the rear merchandize to the front.

However, due to spring failure or a product too heavy to be pushed forward, these systems are often not effective in moving the remaining product to the front of the shelf.

However, all of the prior art devices have significant drawbacks that have limited their widespread commercial use.

Images