Spring driven method and apparatus for in-carton display and fronting of merchandise items
AssigneeClose in Solutions, LLC
InventorJames Close
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A spring alignment mechanism utilizes a guide inserted into a display carton below merchandise items. A spring-driven rear pull member travels on the guide so that as items are removed from the carton, remaining items are pulled forward. Merchandise items with rounded edges may rest on the directly on the carton, so that the guide may be inserted beneath the items. Other items may be supported on cardboard support ribs built into the bottom of the carton or provide on a carton insert.
Claims20
A spring driven alignment mechanism for pulling forward items in a display carton, the carton having a length, a front, and a rear the spring driven alignment mechanism comprising
- a guide comprising
- a front end, and
- a rear end;
- and
- a spring comprising
- a first end secured to the guide in proximity to the front end of the guide, and
- a coiled portion positioned between the pull plate and the rear end of the guide, such that coiled portion engages the rearmost item in the carton and forces the item toward the front of the display carton.
A spring driven alignment system comprising
- a carton comprising
- a plurality of merchandise items.
- a bottom,
- a front,
- a rear,
- a first side, and
- a second side;
- a guide comprising
- a front end,
- a rear end;
- and
- a spring comprising
- a first end secured to the guide in proximity to the front end of the guide, and
- a coiled portion positioned between the pull plate and the rear end of the guide, such that coiled portion engages the rearmost item in the carton and forces the item toward the front of the display carton.
A method of aligning merchandise items in a display carton, the method comprising
- providing a plurality of merchandise items in a partially opened display carton, the carton having a front, a first side, a second side, and a length;
- providing a spring alignment mechanism comprising
- a guide comprising
- a front end,
- a rear end;
- and
- a spring comprising
- a first end secured to the guide in proximity to the front end of the guide, and
- a coiled portion positioned between the pull plate and the rear end of the guide, such that coiled portion engages the rearmost item in the carton and forces the item toward the front of the display carton;
- placing the spring alignment mechanism in the partially opened display carton so that the rear pull member is positioned to the rear of the merchandise items, such that as a merchandise item is removed, the spring alignment mechanism pulls the rear pull member toward the front of the display carton, thereby aligning the remaining merchandise items toward the front of the display carton.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.