Merchandising system

Abstract

Systems and methods for merchandising products are disclosed. A merchandising system for containers of consumer product such as food stuffs, the containers each having a body and a feature, includes a base configured to be coupled to a structure with a non-invasive fastener, and a first retainer and a second retainer each selectively coupled to the base. Each retainer comprising a pair of opposed projections configured to retain the container duct. The pair of opposed projections forms an opening through which containers are received and retained by the pair or projections.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A merchandising system for containers of consumer product such as food stuffs, the containers each having a body and a feature, the merchandising system comprising: 
 a base configured to be coupled to a structure with a non-invasive fastener; and    a first retainer and a second retainer each selectively coupled to the base, each retainer comprising a pair of opposed projections configured to retain the container duct;    wherein the pair of opposed projections forms an opening through which containers are received and retained by the pair or projections.    
     
     
         2 . The merchandising system of  claim 1  wherein the first retainer and second retainer comprise clips.  
     
     
         3 . The merchandising system of  claim 1  wherein the opposed projections comprise flexible members.  
     
     
         4 . The merchandising system of  claim 3  wherein the opposed projections comprises a plastic material.  
     
     
         5 . The merchandising system of  claim 1  wherein the opposed projections comprise curved members.  
     
     
         6 . The merchandising system of  claim 1  wherein the opposed projections are configured to retain the container with a holding force developed by a spring action of the pair of opposed projections when a container is inserted into the retainer.  
     
     
         7 . The merchandising system of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a first aperture provided in the base; and  
 a first pair of prongs provided on the first retainer configured to fit through the first aperture and selectively couple the first retainer with the base.  
 
     
     
         8 . The merchandising system of  claim 7  further comprising: 
 a second aperture provided in the base; and  
 a second pair of prongs provided on the first retainer configured to fit through the second aperture and selectively couple the first retainer with the base.  
 
     
     
         9 . The merchandising system of  claim 1  wherein the base is configured to be coupled to the structure in a substantially vertical orientation, and wherein the first and second retainers selectively retain containers at an angle inclined relative to vertical.  
     
     
         10 . The merchandising system of  claim 9  wherein the angle is between 15 and 75 degrees.  
     
     
         11 . The merchandising system of  claim 1  wherein the first and second retainers are configured to retain containers at the feature of the container.  
     
     
         12 . The merchandising system of  claim 11  wherein the feature of the container is at least one of a concave portion, a neck, and a necked down portion.  
     
     
         13 . The merchandising system of  claim 1  wherein the non-invasive fastener comprises a suction cup.  
     
     
         14 . The merchandising system of  claim 1  wherein the structure is at least one of a wall, a glass surface, a shelf and another merchandising system.  
     
     
         15 . The merchandising system of  claim 1  further comprising a treatment provided on an inside portion of the pair of projections, wherein the treatment is configured to provided enhanced gripping of the containers.  
     
     
         16 . A display for presenting and storing product containers, the display comprising: 
 a base;    a first clip removably coupled to the base;    a second clip removably coupled to the base;    wherein the first clip and the second clip are each configured to selectively secure product containers;    wherein the first clip and the second clip are each configured to selectively couple substantially around the product container.    
     
     
         17 . The display of  claim 16  wherein the first clip and the second clip each further comprise: 
 a first arm portion; and  
 a second arm portion;  
 wherein the product container may be selectively secured to the clip by placing the product container through an opening between the first arm portion and the second arm portion.  
 
     
     
         18 . The display of  claim 17  wherein the product container selectively secured to the clip further comprises the first arm portion being provided on a side of the product container, and the second arm portion being provided on an opposite side of the product container.  
     
     
         19 . The display of  claim 17  wherein the first arm portion further comprises a first flange provided on an end of the first arm portion and the second arm portion further comprises a second flange provided on an end of the second arm portion.  
     
     
         20 . The display of  claim 16  further comprising a first interface provided between the base and first clip and a second interface provided between the base and the second clip.  
     
     
         21 . The display of  claim 20  wherein the first interface is provided on the first clip and the second interface is provided on the second clip.  
     
     
         22 . The display of  claim 21  wherein the first interface comprises at least one set of prongs and the second interface comprises at least one set of prongs.  
     
     
         23 . An apparatus for displaying and storing product containers on a structure, the apparatus comprising: 
 means for supporting a product container;    a base selectively coupled to the means for supporting the product container; and    means for selectively coupling the base to the structure;    wherein the means for supporting the product container is configured to selectively retain and display the product container;    wherein the means for supporting the product container is configured to selectively couple substantially around the product container.    
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23  wherein the means for supporting a product container comprises a clip.  
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 23  wherein means for selectively coupling the base to the structure further comprises a suction cup.