Merchandising system

Abstract

A merchandising system for presenting and storing articles. The merchandising system comprises a plurality of bases including a first base and a second base for supporting the articles and a first connector configured to removably couple the first base to the second base. The plurality of bases comprise side supports for coupling with the first connector. The first connector comprises portions configured to engage the side supports of the plurality of bases. The first connector is adapted to support the first base in an upper position relative to the second base and the second base in a lower position relative to the first base when the portions of the first connector configured to engage the side supports of the plurality of bases are coupled to the apertures of the plurality of bases.

1 . A merchandising system for presenting and storing articles comprising: 
 a plurality of bases including a first base and a second base for supporting the articles;    a first connector configured to removably couple the first base to the second base;    wherein the plurality of bases comprise side supports for coupling with the first connector;    wherein the first connector comprises portions configured to engage the side supports of the plurality of bases; and    wherein the first connector is adapted to support the first base in an upper position relative to the second base and the second base in a lower position relative to the first base when the portions of the first connector configured to engage the side supports of the plurality of bases are coupled to the apertures of the plurality of bases.    
   
   
       2 . The merchandising system of  claim 1  wherein the first connector couples to the first base and the second base at interfaces.  
   
   
       3 . The merchandising system of  claim 2  wherein the first connector comprises the interfaces.  
   
   
       4 . The merchandising system of  claim 3  wherein the interfaces are grooves that engage portions of at least one of the first base and the second base.  
   
   
       5 . The merchandising system of  claim 2  wherein the at least one connector comprises a base, a frame, and two sides.  
   
   
       6 . The merchandising system of  claim 5  wherein the first connector engages the second base along the base and the two sides of the first connector.  
   
   
       7 . The merchandising system of  claim 6  wherein the first connector engages the first base along the two sides and the frame.  
   
   
       8 . The merchandising system of  claim 2  wherein each of the plurality of bases comprise an assembly for advancing the articles from a back end to a front end of each of the plurality of bases.  
   
   
       9 . The merchandising system of  claim 8  wherein the assembly for advancing the articles comprises a pusher device that provides a biasing force against the articles.  
   
   
       10 . The merchandising system of  claim 9  wherein the assembly for advancing the articles provides a biasing force from the back end of each of the plurality of bases toward the front end of each of the plurality of bases along a slot located on each of the plurality of bases.  
   
   
       11 . The merchandising system of  claim 1  wherein the first base and the second base further comprise apertures and base connectors.  
   
   
       12 . The merchandising system of  claim 11  wherein the first and second base may be coupled together by inserting the base connectors of one of the first base and the second base into the apertures of the other of the first base and the second base.  
   
   
       13 . The merchandising system of  claim 12  wherein the first base and the second base are positioned side-by-side when the base connectors of one of the first base and the second base are inserted into the apertures of the other of the first base and the second base.  
   
   
       14 . The merchandising system of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a third base and a fourth base;    a second connector;    wherein the third and fourth base comprise side supports for coupling with the second connector;    wherein the second connector comprises portions configured to engage the side supports of the third and fourth base; and    wherein the second connector is adapted to support the third base in an upper position relative to the fourth base and the fourth base in a lower position relative to the third base when the portions of the second connector configured to engage the side supports of the third base and the fourth base are coupled to the side supports of the third base and the fourth base.    
   
   
       15 . A merchandising system for presenting and storing products comprising: 
 a first tray for holding products;    a second tray for holding products;    a first set of connectors configured to removably couple the first tray to the second tray;    wherein the first tray and the second tray comprise side supports for coupling with the first set of connectors;    wherein the first set of connectors comprise portions configured to engage the side supports of the first tray and the second tray; and    wherein the first set of connectors are adapted to support the first tray in an upper position relative to the second tray and the second tray in a lower position relative to the first tray when the portions of the first set of connectors configured to engage the side supports of the first tray and the second tray are coupled to the apertures of the first tray and the second tray.    
   
   
       16 . The merchandising system of  claim 15  further comprising a third tray, a fourth tray, and a second set of connectors;  
     wherein the first tray, second tray, third tray and fourth tray comprise apertures and tray connectors.  
   
   
       17 . The merchandising system of  claim 16  wherein the first tray is coupled to the third tray by way of the tray connectors of one of the first tray and the third tray being inserted into the apertures of the other of the first tray and the third tray so that the first tray and the third tray are positioned side-by-side.  
   
   
       18 . The merchandising system of  claim 17  wherein the second tray is coupled to the first tray by way of the first set of connectors so that the second tray is positioned above the first tray.  
   
   
       19 . The merchandising system of  claim 18  wherein the third tray is coupled to the fourth tray by way of the second set of connectors so that the fourth tray is positioned above the third tray.  
   
   
       20 . The merchandising system of  claim 19  wherein the second tray is coupled to the fourth tray by way of the tray connectors of one of the first tray and the third tray being inserted into the apertures of the other of the second tray and the fourth tray so that the second tray and the fourth tray are side-by-side.  
   
   
       21 . The merchandising system of  claim 15  wherein each of the connectors of the first set of connectors is configured to couple with at least one of the first tray and the second tray by way of snap-fit.  
   
   
       22 . A merchandising system for articles comprising: 
 a first set of platforms for holding articles including a first platform and a second platform;    a first set of connectors configured to couple the first platform to the second platform in a multi-level arrangement wherein one of the first platform and the second platform is positioned above the other of the first platform and the second platform;    wherein the first platform and the second platform comprise apertures and connectors for coupling the first platform and the second platform together side-by-side;    wherein the first platform and the second platform comprise side supports for coupling to the first set of connectors;    wherein the first platform and the second platform are adapted to either be coupled in the multi-level arrangement by way of the first set of connectors, or side-by-side by way of apertures and platform connectors; and    wherein the first platform and the second platform further comprise an assembly for advancing the articles from a back end to a front end of the first platform and the second platform.