Spring driven method and apparatus for in-carton display and fronting of merchandise items

Abstract

A spring alignment mechanism utilizes a guide inserted into the rear of a retail-ready display carton. The guide is inserted below merchandise items, so that a spring-driven rear pull member engages the rear-most merchandise item. The pull member travels on the guide so that as items are removed from the carton, remaining items are pulled forward in the display carton. This system facilitates the use of retail-ready packaging, so that cartons of merchandise items may be placed on a shelf without removing the individual items.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A spring driven alignment system comprising
 a carton comprising
 a row of merchandise items, 
 a substantially closed bottom, 
 a front, 
 a rear with a rear slot or opening, 
 a first side, and 
 a second side; 
   an elongated guide inserted at least partially through the rear slot or opening under the row of merchandise items and supported on the bottom of the carton, the guide comprising
 a front end, 
 a rear end; and 
   a pull plate;   a spring comprising
 a first end secured to the guide in proximity to the front end of the guide, and 
 a coiled portion positioned between the pull plate and the rear end of the guide, such that coiled portion drives the pull plate to engage the rearmost item in the carton and force the rearmost item toward the front of the carton. 
   
     
     
         10 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The spring driven alignment system of  claim 9  wherein the carton rear slot or opening is formed by removing a perforated section of a carton rear wall. 
     
     
         23 . The spring driven alignment system of  claim 9  wherein the carton rear slot or opening is formed by partially removing a perforated section of a carton rear wall. 
     
     
         24 . The spring driven alignment system of  claim 9  wherein the carton rear slot or opening is formed by providing a gap between folded rear carton flaps. 
     
     
         25 . A retail ready carton for use with a spring driven alignment device, the carton comprising
 a row of merchandise items;   a substantially closed bottom;   a front;   a rear with a rear slot, the rear slot configured to accept an elongated guide inserted through the rear slot under the row of merchandise items and supported on the bottom of the carton, and a spring-driven pull plate;   a first side; and   a second side.