Method And Apparatus For Displaying Articles For Sale Within A Shelf Structure

Abstract

A shelf structure is disclosed including multiple module units that are vertically arranged, where a module unit is adapted to receive articles at each article's location of manufacture to be displayed for purchase in a retail store from the module unit. The module unit includes a main body with at least one hollow section defining an article storage location, where the hollow section is enclosed within a number of panels. A top panel vertically engages and supports an adjacent base panel of another module unit. The shelf structure includes transfer means to engage a material handling device to move the module unit. When multiple module units are stacked in a vertical arrangement, articles displayed within each module unit are freely accessible by a member of the purchasing public in the retail store, when at least one of the panels of the module unit has been removed.

1 . A shelf structure comprising:
 a plurality of module units vertically arranged, said module units being adapted to receive individual articles at each article's location of manufacture, said articles ultimately to be displayed for purchase in a retail store from said module unit, wherein each module unit comprises:
 a main body with at least one hollow section defining an article storage location, said hollow section being enclosed within a plurality of panels comprising a top panel, a base panel, a pair of opposing side panels, a front panel and a back panel opposing the front panel, wherein said top panel is adapted to vertically engage and support an adjacent base panel of another module unit, and 
 transfer means adapted to engage a material handling device to move said module unit; 
   wherein when the plurality of module units are stacked in a vertical arrangement, articles displayed within each of the plurality of module units are freely accessible by a member of the purchasing public in the retail store, when at least one of said plurality of panels of the module unit has been removed.   
   
   
       2 . The shelf structure of  claim 1 , wherein at least two of the plurality of module units are vertically arranged in a column. 
   
   
       3 . The shelf structure of  claim 2 , wherein the column is adapted to laterally engage an adjacent column such that an array of columns form at least a part of an aisle in the retail store. 
   
   
       4 . The shelf structure of  claim 3 , wherein the transfer means includes spacing to receive a fork of a fork lift. 
   
   
       5 . The shelf structure of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the plurality of module units further comprises:
 a series of grooves and ridges, corresponding with similarly defined grooves and ridges of an adjacent module unit, such that when the module units are vertically arranged, a mating relationship between the grooves and ridges of said module units assists in stabilizing the mated module units from lateral movement.   
   
   
       6 . The shelf structure of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of side panels of each module unit includes a plurality of external facing grooves and ridges configured for a mating relationship with the plurality of external facing grooves and ridges of the side panel of an adjacent module unit when said module units are positioned side by side. 
   
   
       7 . The shelf structure of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of side panels comprises: a mating upper shoulder and a mating lower shoulder configured for a mating relationship when at least two of the plurality of module units are stacked in a vertical arrangement. 
   
   
       8 . The shelf structure of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the panels is configured to be removable individually and independently to provide access to the hollow section. 
   
   
       9 . The shelf structure of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of module units is adapted to receive frozen refrigerated products by having the base panel perforated to allow passage of refrigerated air flow. 
   
   
       10 . The shelf structure of  claim 9 , wherein a plurality of ventilation recesses are located on the back panel of at least one of the plurality of module units. 
   
   
       11 . The shelf structure of  claim 1 , wherein each module unit is collapsible. 
   
   
       12 . The shelf structure of  claim 1 , wherein an external framework forms a skeleton support arrangement within an aisle of the retail store to slidably receive at least one of the plurality of module units. 
   
   
       13 . The shelf structure of  claim 1 , wherein each module unit includes a coding means for identifying and quantifying the articles within said module unit. 
   
   
       14 . A method for managing display of articles for sale in a retail store, within a module unit, comprising:
 packing of the articles for display in the retail store into the module unit at the article's original complete manufacturing or processing location;   arranging said module units vertically to form a column;   transporting the column to a storage location within the retail store or a waiting location at a suitable warehouse of the retail store; and   placing the column within an aisle of the retail store to display said articles for sale.