Merchandise display tray with spring-loaded pusher plate

Abstract

An apparatus for displaying a plurality of merchandise packages is provided. The apparatus comprises a substantially horizontal lower surface, a substantially vertical front plate portion connected to the lower surface, and a substantially vertical rear plate portion connected to the lower surface. The front plate portion has at least one dimension substantially smaller than a corresponding dimension of each merchandise package. A substantially vertical pusher plate is slidably mounted to the lower surface and a resilient member attached to the tray, the resilient member being adapted to urge the pusher surface toward the front plate portion.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for displaying a plurality of merchandise packages, the apparatus comprising: 
 a substantially horizontal lower surface;    a substantially vertical front plate portion connected to the lower surface, the front plate portion having at least one dimension substantially smaller than a corresponding dimension of each merchandise package;    a substantially vertical rear plate portion connected to the lower surface;    a substantially vertical pusher plate slidably mounted to the lower surface; and    a resilient member adapted to urge the pusher plate toward the front plate portion.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein, each merchandise package has a first width, and the front plate portion has a second width substantially smaller than the first width.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the front plate portion is integrally connected to the lower surface.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rear plate portion is integrally connected to the lower surface.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rear plate portion includes a stairstep-shaped region adapted to fit within a horizontal channel in a substantially vertical wall surface.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient member is a coil spring.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient member includes a hooked end attached to the forward plate portion and a coiled portion disposed between the pusher plate and the rear plate portion.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the forward plate portion includes a slot, and the hooked end of the resilient member engages the slot.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each merchandise package has a first height, and the front plate portion has a second height substantially smaller than the first height.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the forward plate portion includes an upper, substantially horizontal, flange extending toward the rear plate portion.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for displaying a plurality of merchandise packages, the apparatus comprising: 
 a fixed tray portion, the fixed tray portion including a substantially horizontal lower surface, a substantially vertical front plate portion connected to the lower surface, the front plate portion having at least one dimension substantially smaller than a corresponding dimension of each merchandise package, and a substantially vertical rear plate portion connected to the lower surface;    a substantially vertical pusher plate slidably mounted to the lower surface; and    a resilient member adapted to urge the pusher plate toward the front plate portion.    
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein, each merchandise package has a first width, and the front plate portion has a second width substantially smaller than the first width.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the rear plate portion includes a stair step-shaped region adapted to fit within a horizontal channel in a substantially vertical wall surface.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the resilient member is a coil spring.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the resilient member includes a hooked end attached to the forward plate portion and a coiled portion disposed between the pusher plate and the rear plate portion.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the forward plate portion includes a slot, and the hooked end of the resilient member engages the slot.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein each merchandise package has a first height, and the front plate portion has a second height substantially smaller than the first height.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the forward plate portion includes an upper, substantially horizontal, flange extending toward the rear plate portion.