Ventilated merchandising system

Abstract

A ventilated merchandising system for products displayed in merchandise coolers such as refrigerator or freezer cases. One embodiment of the merchandising system includes a base member and a platform coupled to the base member such that air can flow between the platform and the base member. One or more plenum plates can be coupled to the base for directing air between the platform and the base member. A pusher plate may also be coupled to and movable along the platform for advancing products along the platform. A baffle system that may be coupled to a merchandising tray and a method of distributing air flow within a merchandise cooler unit are also provided.

1 . A merchandising system comprising:
 a base member;   a platform coupled to the base member, wherein a gap between the platform and the base member allows air to flow between the platform and the base member; and   a pusher plate, the pusher plate coupled to the platform and movable along the platform for advancing products along the platform.   
   
   
       2 . The merchandising system of  claim 1 , wherein the platform is selectably slidable on the base member. 
   
   
       3 . The merchandising system of  claim 1 , wherein the platform includes a separator coupled to the base member and a tray coupled to the separator to support products to be displayed. 
   
   
       4 . The merchandising system of  claim 3 , wherein the tray includes a channel along which the pusher plate is moveable. 
   
   
       5 . The merchandising system of  claim 3 , further comprising one or more arms coupled to the tray for supporting products, the arms adjustable to accommodate products of varying sizes. 
   
   
       6 . The merchandising system of  claim 1 , further comprising a front plate for retaining products, the front plate coupled to the platform and including one or more vents to allow air to flow through the front plate. 
   
   
       7 . The merchandising system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more plenum plates coupled to the base member for directing air into the gap. 
   
   
       8 . The merchandising system of  claim 7 , wherein the plenum plates include fingers for directing air into the gap, wherein the fingers may be snap-fit on to vertical wires of a display grid. 
   
   
       9 . A merchandising system comprising:
 a base member;   a platform coupled to the base member, the platform moveable relative to the base member and formed to support products to be displayed; and   one or more plenum plates coupled to the base member for directing air between the platform and the base member.   
   
   
       10 . The merchandising system of  claim 9 , wherein the platform includes a separator coupled to the base member and a tray coupled to the separator to support products to be displayed. 
   
   
       11 . The merchandising system of  claim 10 , wherein the separator is selectably slidable on the base member. 
   
   
       12 . The merchandising system of  claim 9 , further comprising a front plate for retaining products, the front plate coupled to the platform and including one or more vents to allow air to flow through the front plate. 
   
   
       13 . The merchandising system of  claim 9 , wherein the plenum plates include fingers for directing air between the platform and the base member, wherein the fingers may be snap-fit on to vertical wires of a display grid. 
   
   
       14 . A merchandising system comprising:
 a base member;   a platform coupled to the base member such that a gap is formed between the platform and the base member; and   one or more plenum plates coupled to the base member for directing air into the gap.   
   
   
       15 . The merchandising system of  claim 14 , further comprising one or more arms coupled to the platform for supporting products, the arms adjustable to accommodate products of varying sizes. 
   
   
       16 . The merchandising system of  claim 14 , further comprising a front plate for retaining products, the front plate coupled to the platform and including one or more vents to allow air to flow through the front plate. 
   
   
       17 . A baffle system that may be coupled to a merchandising tray, the baffle system comprising:
 a base member, the base member having a gap that allows air to flow through the base member;   one or more wings coupled to the base member; and   wherein coupling the baffle system to a merchandising tray allows air to flow beneath products supported on the merchandising tray.   
   
   
       18 . The baffle system of  claim 17 , further comprising one or more wing extensions moveably coupled to the wings. 
   
   
       19 . The baffle system of  claim 17 , further comprising one or more plenum plates coupled to the base member for directing air into the gap. 
   
   
       20 . The baffle system of  claim 19 , wherein the plenum plates include fingers for directing air into the gap. 
   
   
       21 . The baffle system of  claim 20 , wherein the fingers may be snap-fit onto vertical wires of a display grid. 
   
   
       22 . A method of distributing air flow within a merchandise cooler unit having a plurality of merchandising systems installed therein, the method comprising the steps of:
 capturing cold air produced by the merchandise cooler unit;   directing the captured cold air into a gap between a base member and a platform of each of the merchandising systems in the merchandise cooler;   allowing the directed cold air to flow through the gap between the base member and the platform, thereby cooling products displayed on the merchandising system.   
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein plenum plates coupled to the base member help capture and direct the cold air into the gap between the base member and the platform.