James Philip Close

US Patent:

6719151, Apr 13, 2004

Filed:

Jul 31, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/918843

Inventors:

James Garth Close - Georgetown TX 78628

International Classification:

A47F 500

US Classification:

211 593, 312 71, 211119003

Abstract:

A device, system, and method system for manually arranging products on a display shelf without requiring additional shelf width. The product containers, such as jars, cans, and bottles, may be pulled forward toward the front of the display shelf by pulling a front member which is attached to two slide rails which fit into the vacant spaces near the bottom of rounded container sides. In an alternate embodiment, a base is provided to elevate the containers, and the slide rails slide underneath the container. The slide rails are attached to a rear member which engages the rear of the last product container in the row, and pushes the containers forward as the front member is pulled away from the display shelf. The device may be a wire frame which may include side covers of various shapes and sizes.

US Patent:

8038017, Oct 18, 2011

Filed:

Jan 16, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/623397

Inventors:

James Garth Close - Georgetown TX, US

Assignee:

Close in Solutions, LLC - Austin TX

International Classification:

A47F 1/04

US Classification:

211 593, 211119005, 221197, 221198, 206774, 206526, 206817

Abstract:

A spring alignment mechanism utilizes a guide inserted into a display carton below merchandise items. A spring-driven rear pull member travels on the guide so that as items are removed from the carton, remaining items are pulled forward. In one example, the guide is inserted between the bottom of merchandise items and the carton bottom. In another example, merchandise items are supported on cardboard support rails built into the bottom of the carton, or provided on a carton insert; and the guide is inserted between the cardboard support rails.

US Patent:

20040020879, Feb 5, 2004

Filed:

Mar 18, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/392162

Inventors:

James Close - Georgetown TX, US

International Classification:

A47F001/00

US Classification:

211/059300, 312/071000

Abstract:

A device, system, and method for manually arranging products on a display shelf. A plastic ridged base may be cut to a desired display shelf width along preformed notches and then be placed on the display shelf. Excess base width may serve as a rear backing element to support row partitions. The ridges support merchandise and permit a pull member to rest between ridges. The pull member may be manually pulled to bring merchandise to the front of a row. The ridges may be universal, or may be of specific dimensions for items such as soup cans or baby food jars.

US Patent:

20040178158, Sep 16, 2004

Filed:

Mar 29, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/811659

Inventors:

James Close - Georgetown TX, US

International Classification:

A47F007/00

US Classification:

211/059300

Abstract:

A device, system, and method system for manually arranging products on a display shelf without requiring additional shelf width. The product containers, such as jars, cans, and bottles, may be pulled forward toward the front of the display shelf by pulling a front member which is attached to two slide rails which fit into the vacant spaces near the bottom of rounded container sides. In an alternate embodiment, a base is provided to elevate the containers, and the slide rails slide underneath the container. The slide rails are attached to a rear member which engages the rear of the last product container in the row, and pushes the containers forward as the front member is pulled away from the display shelf. The device may be a wire frame which may include side covers of various shapes and sizes.

US Patent:

20050098515, May 12, 2005

Filed:

Jan 15, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/716258

Inventors:

James Close - Georgetown TX, US

International Classification:

A47F005/00

US Classification:

211059300, 211184000

Abstract:

A device, system, and method for manually arranging products on a display shelf. A plastic ridged base may be cut to a desired display shelf width along preformed notches and then be placed on the display shelf. Excess base width may serve as a rear backing element to support row partitions. The ridges support merchandise and permit a pull member to rest between ridges. The pull member may be manually pulled to bring merchandise to the front of a row. The ridges may be universal, or may be of specific dimensions for items such as soup cans or baby food jars. Narrow base sections may be extruded and snapped together to form a desired base unit width. A spring or elastic active alignment device may be used on the base to move display items forward on a shelf.

US Patent:

20050161413, Jul 28, 2005

Filed:

Dec 1, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/000596

Inventors:

James Close - Georgetown TX, US

International Classification:

B42F001/00

US Classification:

211051000

Abstract:

An elastic alignment mechanism utilizes cloth elastic strips to pull a rear engagement element toward the front of a display carton. As items are removed from the carton, remaining items are pulled forward. In one embodiment, the items may rest on the bottom of the carton, and the products are pulled by a rear engagement member, such as plastic or cardboard, which is pulled by elastic strips which are secured to the front of the carton. In one embodiment, the mechanism includes a reusable support base, and the elastic strip is provided below the row of items. The strip may be wound around one or more sheaves to decrease the required working range of the elastic. In one embodiment, cardboard support ribs are built into the bottom of the carton, so that the elastic strip may be provided below the items which are supported on the ribs.

US Patent:

20050258113, Nov 24, 2005

Filed:

May 2, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/120232

Inventors:

James Close - Georgetown TX, US
Scott Duff - Round Rock TX, US

International Classification:

A47F001/04

US Classification:

211059300

Abstract:

A device, system, and method system for manually aligning merchandise items in a display box. The merchandise is supported above the base of the container with product support rails. A pull member is positioned between the support rails. Merchandise is pulled forward by pulling the pull member forward. The pull member may be positioned before or after merchandise is placed in the box or carton. Multiple rows of merchandise may be provided.

US Patent:

20130037562, Feb 14, 2013

Filed:

Oct 17, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/275199

Inventors:

James Garth Close - Burnet TX, US

International Classification:

A47F 1/12
B65D 85/00

US Classification:

221279, 206774

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.