Product display and merchandizing device, system, and method

Abstract

This disclosure presents a product display and merchandising device, system and method that may include multiple such product displays and merchandising devices, and a method for dispensing products to customers using such product display and merchandising device. The merchandising system may efficiently utilize storage space and provide an aesthetic display by automatically aligning different products to a front display surface. The merchandising system may use multiple holders or clips on a conveyor belt to hang and display products. A customer may pull and remove a front piece of the products. As the customer pulls the front piece of merchandise or product, the action moves the conveyor belt and brings a next piece of products forward, to the position that the front piece of the product previously occupied. As such, the merchandising system may enable customers to freely remove products and maintain a tidy and neat display of the products.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for displaying and storing merchandise, the device comprising:
 a conveyor belt;   a first holder positioned adjacent the conveyor belt, the first holder frictionally contacting a first merchandise item engaged thereon;   a second holder positioned adjacent the conveyor belt, the second holder frictionally contacting a second merchandise item engaged thereon;   a first roller in a rotational coupling arrangement with the conveyor belt such that the conveyor belt is at least partially supported by the first roller and at least partially wraps around the first roller, the first roller positioned between a product access side of the device and a hidden side of the device;   a front portion; and   a back portion;   wherein the first or second holder is positioned on the hidden side of the device, wherein the first and second holders positioned adjacent the conveyor belt are configured to move with the conveyor belt as the conveyor belt moves at least partially around the first roller,   wherein movement of the first or second holder in a first direction causes the conveyor belt to move with the first roller to move the first and second holders, and   wherein the first and second holders are accessible to receive a force causing movement of the conveyor belt when the first or second holder is positioned on the product access side of the device.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the conveyor belt includes a plurality of inward facing protrusions and the first roller includes a gear having outward facing teeth engageable with the plurality of inward facing protrusions of the conveyor belt. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of inward facing protrusions of the conveyor belt includes receiving holes for receiving and securing the first and second holders therein. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a frame extending between the front portion and the back portion of the device, the frame at least partially covering the hidden side of the device such that the first or second holder positioned on the hidden side of the device is not exposed; and
 wherein the frame includes a first half and a second half, the first half including a first axis support to receive the first roller, a guide rail for guiding the first and second holders, and a hanger for hanging the frame onto an external member.   
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the hanger includes a channeled ceiling comprising a channel therein, the channel insertable onto the external member which includes a rod portion. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor for measuring a movement of the first or second holder, the movement indicative of the first and second holders moved from the product access side of the device toward the hidden side of the device. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second holders include one or more of a clip, a hook, a hanger, a magnetic surface, a horseshoe shaped support, clasp, angled bar, an open clip arranged to be placed in an open position when the first or second merchandise item is removed from the first or second holder, respectively. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the conveyor belt includes a plurality of square holes and the first and second holders include corresponding handles insertable into the plurality of square holes. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the conveyor belt is a chain. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the conveyor belt may move in the first direction and in a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction. 
     
     
         11 . A method for displaying and dispensing merchandise, the method comprising:
 securing a first and second merchandise item to a first and second holder, respectively, secured to a conveyor belt, the first and second holders frictionally contacting the first and second merchandise items engaged thereon, wherein the first and second holders are exposed on a product access side, the product access side opposite a hidden side;   receiving a pulling force at the first merchandise secured to the first merchandise item secured to the conveyor belt, the first holder positioned on the product access side; and   moving the first holder upwards toward the hidden side in response to receiving the pulling force and releasing the first merchandise item, and wherein, in response, the second holder positioned behind the first holder is moved to a position at or adjacent where the first holder was previously positioned.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 receiving a second pulling force at the second merchandise item that is secured to the second holder secured to the conveyor belt; and   moving the second holder upwards in response to receiving the second pulling force and releasing the second merchandise item,   wherein, in response, the first holder is moved behind an information display, and a third holder secured to the conveyer belt and positioned behind the second holder is moved to a position at or adjacent where the second holder was previously positioned, the third holder securing a third merchandise item.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the conveyor belt is supported by a frame, the frame defining the product access side and the hidden side. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising counting a number of emptied holders secured to the conveyor belt for inventory purposes. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising counting a number of holders secured to the conveyor belt that still contain merchandise for inventory purposes. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein releasing a front merchandise item further comprises moving a back merchandise item to a position occupied by the front merchandise item before receiving the pulling force at the back merchandise item as a result of a rotation of the conveyor belt. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising counting a number of holders having released a merchandise item and reporting the number to an accounting processor for accounting. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising displaying a digital image or video clip at the information display. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein moving the first holder upwards in response to receiving the pulling force further includes moving the first holder secured to the conveyor belt behind an information display. 
     
     
         20 . A system for displaying and storing merchandise, the system comprising:
 one or more racks structured and arranged to mount one or more merchandise display devices, the one or more merchandise display devices comprising:   a conveyor belt;   a first holder positioned adjacent the conveyor belt, wherein the first holder is configured to engage a first piece of merchandise and support the first piece of merchandise;   a second holder positioned adjacent the conveyer belt, wherein the second holder is configured to engage a second piece of merchandise and support the second piece of merchandise;   a first roller in a rotational coupling arrangement with the conveyor belt such that the conveyor belt is at least partially supported by and at least partially wraps around the first roller;   a front portion;   a back portion;   wherein the first roller is positioned between a product access side and a hidden side,   wherein the first and second holders positioned adjacent the conveyor belt are configured to move when the conveyor belt as the conveyer belt moves at least partially with the first roller,   wherein movement of the first or second holder in a first direction causes the conveyor belt to move with the first roller to move the first and second holders, and   wherein the first or second holder is accessible to receive a force causing movement of the conveyor belt when the first or second holder is positioned on the product access side; and   one or more information displays positioned adjacent the front portion of at least one of the one or more merchandise display devices, wherein the one or more information displays substantially hides the hidden side and the first holder positioned thereon.   
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the first and second holders release the first and second pieces of merchandise being held by the first and second holders when the first and second pieces of merchandise receive a pulling force away from the first and second holders. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein an emptied one of the first or second holder positioned before a loaded one of the first or second holder holding a piece of merchandise is moved behind the one or more information displays when the loaded one of the first or second holder receives a pulling force towards the one or more information displays, and releases the piece of merchandise. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the first and second holders have a full length and are hinged and configured to allow the first and second holders to rotate relative to the conveyor belt such that a clearance height for holders moved behind the one or more information displays is less than the full length of the first and second holders. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 20 , further comprising a frame arranged to allow the first roller to be spaced between the front and back portions for use with conveyor belts of different lengths, such that a different number of holders may be installed on the conveyor belts of different lengths, the frame defining the product access side and the hidden side; and
 wherein the first roller is positioned between the product access side of the frame and a hidden side of the frame, such that the frame at least partially covers the hidden side such that the first holder positioned on the hidden side of the frame is not directly accessible, and   wherein the frame and the one or more information displays substantially hides the hidden side of the frame and the first holder positioned thereon.   
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the one or more merchandise display devices further comprises a hanger bracket for engaging the one or more racks, the hanger bracket including a slot having an opening less than a diameter of a metal bar of the one or more racks, the slot receiving the metal bar by a friction fitting.