Display

Abstract

A modular display including a product display panel, at least one product display unit and an indicia display panel. The at least one product display unit and the indicia display panel may be secured to the product display panel in a wide variety of configurations to tailor the modular display to the particular product(s) held by the display. Components of such a customized display may include trays, shelves and/or hangers.

Description

This non-provisional application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/548,617, filed Feb. 27, 2004 and entitled “Display,” the entire contents of which are incorporated by this reference.

BACKGROUND

For merchants, it is often desirable to receive products in a condition that allows the merchant to quickly and efficiently unpack the products from the shipping container and display them at a store in a manner that is eye-catching or otherwise attractive to a potential customer. Historically, product has been shipped pre-loaded in a product display. Receiving product shipped in this manner may be beneficial to the merchant because it reduces the amount of time spent unpacking, organizing and arranging the product. For pre-loaded displays, the merchant may simply remove the display from its shipping container, remove various packing materials used to prevent shifting or damage during shipment, assemble the various components of the display, and set the display out in a desired location in the store.

Previous pre-loaded displays may be undesirable. Such units are relatively complex and require a large number of parts, some of which are necessary to prevent shifting or damage to product during shipment. Previous pre-loaded displays were constructed of corrugated cardboard and intended for a single use. Consequently, changing the configuration of a previous display required manufacturing all new corrugated pieces. Because the previous display units are constructed of corrugated cardboard, they may be subject to damage during transport if not protected by additional materials.

Because the conventional display units require a large number of parts, they are relatively expensive, require the maintenance of a large inventory of parts, and are relatively time consuming to assemble and pack for shipment. Also problematically, the packing materials used to prevent shifting and damage will typically be discarded after shipment, resulting in excess material waste and requiring the merchant (or the merchant's employee) to spend time and effort removing and disposing of the packing materials. Also problematically, conventional displays formed of corrugated cardboard are more complex to set up, increasing the likelihood that steps or parts of the display will be left out, contrary to the intention of how the display should be used. Ensuring that a product display is used by merchants in the manner intended by the manufacturer or distributor has been a significant problem in the past.

SUMMARY

Displays according to various embodiments of the present invention may be formed from a minimal number of modular, plastic components. In some embodiments, varying the type, location, spacing and number of display components allows optimization of the display for the specific type of product to be displayed. That optimization may include avoiding the need for packing materials to prevent shifting and damage to product during shipment, maximizing the capacity of the display for the particular product to be displayed, creating the appearance that the display is fully stocked even when a significant amount of product is removed, and/or displaying the product in a manner that will be attractive to potential consumers. Displays according to various embodiments of the present invention, because they may be modularly assembled from a relatively small number of components, are relatively inexpensive and efficient to assemble and may easily be customized to a number of different configurations.

Displays according to embodiments of the present invention may include one or more product display panels, shelves, trays, hangers, and/or indicia display panels, in various quantities, combinations, locations, orientations and configurations. Indicia display panels may be a riser mounted to the display that includes indicia that may be related to the product held by the display. The indicia display panel may be mounted to the display prior to shipment, increasing the probability that the merchant will use the display in the intended manner. Use of indicia display panels in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention may also beneficially allow customizing the displays on a mass scale at a relatively low cost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a modular display according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a rear perspective view of the modular display shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of a product display panel of the modular display shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a right side view of the product display panel shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of the product display panel shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a hanger bar of the modular display shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a tray of the modular display shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 shows a rear perspective view of the tray shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 shows a side view of a single pronged hanger usable with a modular display in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a rear view of an indicia display panel of the modular display shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 shows a bottom view of the indicia display panel shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 shows a side view of a modular display in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, with the indicia display panel in a non-upright orientation.

FIG. 13 schematically shows a modular display in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention in a countertop configuration.

FIG. 14 schematically shows a modular display in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention shown in a configuration wherein the modular display is supported by a support structure.

FIG. 15 shows a modular display configured with two trays and an indicia display panel fixedly mounted to a product display panel.

FIG. 16 shows a modular display configured with one tray, six single-pronged hangers and an indicia display panel hinged to the product display panel.

FIG. 17 shows a modular display configured with six single-pronged hangers, one tray and an indicia display panel fixedly mounted to the product display panel.

FIG. 18 shows a modular display configured with eighteen single-pronged hangers and an indicia display panel hinged to the product display panel.

FIG. 19 shows a modular display configured with three trays and an indicia display panel hinged to the product display panel.

FIG. 20 shows a modular display configured with one tray, six single-pronged hangers and an indicia display panel fixedly mounted to the product display panel.

FIG. 21 shows a modular display configured with nine single-pronged hangers and an indicia display panel hinged to the product display panel.

FIG. 22 shows a modular display configured with one tray, three one-pronged hangers and an indicia display panel fixedly mounted to the product display panel.

FIG. 23 shows a modular display with one tray, two one-pronged hangers, and an indicia display panel fixedly mounted to the product display panel.

FIG. 24 shows a modular display configured with nine one-pronged hangers and an indicia display panel fixedly mounted to the product display panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a modular display 10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, modular display 10 includes a product display panel 12, a single product display unit 14, and an indicia display panel 16. The product display unit 14 shown in FIG. 1 is a tray 18 secured to a front surface 20 of product display panel 12, although other product display units 14, such as shelves and hangers discussed further below, could also be used. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, indicia display panel 16 is hinged to an upper portion of product display panel 12 and positioned in an upright orientation. The configuration of modular display 10 shown in FIG. 1, with a single product display unit 14 in the form of a tray 18 and an indicia display panel 16 hinged to the upper portion of product display panel 12, is only one of a wide variety of configurations possible for modular display 10. As discussed in greater detail below, the modular display 10 can be assembled in a large number of different configurations to customize the display 10 to the type, size and shape of the product(s) to be held by the display 10.

Preferably, some or all of the components of modular display 10 are formed from a high impact, recyclable plastic in either vacuum or injection molding operations. However, other materials and processes may also be used. For instance, some heavy duty applications may require the use of metals or other materials having relatively high strengths. Other, less rigorous, applications may use lighter materials, such as paperboard or laminated materials, for the display 10 components. In some instances, components of display 10 may be manufactured from a combination of materials. In the embodiments shown in the Figures, components of modular display 10, such as indicia display panel 16, tray 18 or other components, include a number of apertures 22, reducing the amount of materials required to manufacture the components and reducing the overall weight of the display 10.

Product display units 14, such as trays, shelves, hangers or other structures, can be secured to product display panel 12 in a wide variety of combinations, numbers, and locations. To facilitate this modularity, product display panel 12 includes a plurality of attachment sites 28 to receive and secure product display units 14. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of attachment sites 28 are a number of slots 28 extending through product display panel 12. As shown, slots 28 are disposed on product display panel 12 in a number of columns extending longitudinally along the length of product display panel 12. However, attachment sites 28 may be located on or in product display panel 12 in any desired orientation, shape, configuration, number or location, such that product display panel 12 can be associated with product display units 14 in a variety of configurations. Product display panel 12 may be formed in any size or shaped desired. For example, product display panel may be 24 inches, 48 inches or just a few inches in length.

In addition to attachment sites 28, product display panel 12 may include other features. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, product display panel 12 may also include a resilient flange 60 disposed at an upper portion of the panel, the purpose of which is discussed further below. As shown in FIG. 4, Product display panel 12 may also have a number of horizontal grooves 90 extending across it. Grooves 90 may give the panel a textured appearance and/or may lessen the visual impact of attachment sites 28. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 through 5, product display panel 12 includes edge members 98 extending perpendicularly along two edges of the planar surface of product display panel 12. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the product display panel 12 includes ribs 24 extending from rear surfaces of the panel 12. Ribs 24, edge members 98, or other suitable features or structures, may increase the strength and rigidity of product display panel 12.

Product display panel 12 may also include a hanger bar 32, such as the hanger bar shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 2, hanger bar 32 may be secured to a rear portion of product display panel 12. Hanger bar 32 may include notched portions 34 to receive ribs 24 extending from product display panel 12. It is preferable that the portions of ribs 24 approximate the area where hanger bar 32 is secured do not extend as far as other portions of ribs 24 to allow hanger bar 32 to be mounted within the cavity defined by the edge members 98 of panel 12. Hanger bar 32 includes apertures 36, or other appropriate structures, to receive hooks, clips or other devices suitable for securing modular display 10 to a support structure, such as a power wing (as shown in FIG. 14). According to certain embodiments, hanger bar may include circular apertures or key-hole shaped apertures for receiving screw or nail heads to facilitate securing modular display 10 to a wall or other similar structure.

In addition to varying the locations and orientations of product display units 14 by selecting different attachment sites 28, other aspects of product display units 14 may also be varied to further customize modular display 10. Multiple tray 18 or shelf sizes are useable with modular display 10 to account for products of varying dimensions. Hangers 38 may include one prong, as shown in FIG. 9, or may include multiple prongs. Combinations of hangers 38, trays 18, shelves, and other structures can be used to efficiently display and hold different types of products on a single modular display 10.

Trays 18 or shelves may be formed in any desired shape or configuration such that they can display product in a pleasing and organized manner to a consumer. Tray height, width, depth, and shape may all be varied. The tray 18 shown in FIGS. 7-8 includes a plurality of upstanding walls 40, although walls 40 are not necessary in every embodiment. For example, according to some embodiments, tray 18 could be converted to a shelf by omitting the walls 40 of the tray. Depending on the type, shape and size of the product to be displayed, it may be desirable to use a shelf instead of a tray 18, or a tray 18 instead of a shelf. Trays or shelves may include sub-dividers, partitions, indentions, and apertures for receiving product.

The tray 18 shown in FIG. 8 includes a plurality of projections 42 extending from a rear surface. Projections 42 may be positioned to correspond to the locations and orientations of the attachment sites 28 on the product display panel 12. The interaction of projections 42 with attachment sites 28 locates and/or secures the tray 18 to the product display panel 12. Some of the projections 42 may be resilient arms 44 that include protrusions 46 at distal ends. Protrusions 46 may engage portions of the product display panel 12 when resilient arms are inserted into attachment sites 28, securing tray 18 to panel 12. Other structures or devices could also be used to secure tray 18 or other product display units 14 to attachment sites 28, for instance, hooks extending from the tray could interact with attachment sites 28 in the product display panel to secure the two together. In additional embodiments, other mechanical fasteners, such as nuts and bolts or other structures, could be used to secure product display units 14 to attachment sites 28.

Hangers 38, like trays 18, may include a number of projections 42, some of which are resilient arms 44, for locating and securing the hangers 38 to the product display panel 12. In the embodiment shown on FIG. 9, securing hanger 38 to product display panel 12 positions the stem 48 of hanger 38, such that the stem extends away from product display panel 12 in a somewhat upward direction, although stem 48 could extend in a perpendicular, or even downward direction if desired. Hanger 38 may include a rib 50 to increase rigidity and may have an upturned end 52 for retaining products on the hanger 38 until such time as a consumer desires to remove the product. In the embodiment shown on FIG. 9, hanger includes a single stem 58, although hanger 38 may include multiple stems 58 (i.e. be “multiple pronged”). For example, in some embodiments, hanger 38 may include three prongs extending from a single unit.

Indicia display panel 16 is another component securable to product display panel 12. FIG. 10 shows an indicia display panel 16 securable to product display panel 12 in a number of different configurations. For example, indicia display panel 16 may be hinged to product display panel 12 such that the indicia display panel 16 can be rotated to an upright orientation when in use, but rotated to a non-upright position (such as is shown in FIG. 12) to reduce the display's overall size for storage or shipment. In FIG. 10, a pair of pins 54 extend from lower portions of the indicia display panel 16 any may interact with apertures located in product display panel 12 to hinge indicia display 16 to product display panel 12. Rotating indicia display panel 16 to an upright orientation positions the front surface of the panel above the top of the product display panel 12, such as is shown in FIG. 13. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a resilient arm 58 disposed on the indicia display panel 16 engages a flange 60 on product display panel 12 to secure indicia display panel 16 in its upright orientation.

In other configurations, the indicia display panel 16 shown in FIG. 10 may be fixedly mounted to the front surface of product display panel 12, such as is shown in FIGS. 15, 17, 20, and 22-24. Preferably, resilient arms 94, shown best in FIG. 10, engage attachment sites 28 to secure the indicia display panel 16 to the product display panel 12, although indicia display panel 16 can be fixed to product display 12 in any desired manner. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, flattened surfaces 92 project from the rear of indicia display panel 16 to facilitate mounting the indicia display panel 16 (which includes a curved surface in the embodiments shown) to the product display panel 12. In other embodiments, indicia display panel 16 does not include a curved surface and therefore may not need flattened surfaces 92.

Indicia may be associated with indicia display panel 16 in any desired manner. Indicia may indicate the type of product held by the display 10 or other relevant information or graphics. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, indicia display panel 16 includes a plurality of tabs 64 for receiving a flexible member, such as paperboard or the like, with indicia printed on it. In other embodiments, a front surface of indicia display panel 16 may be a solid surface with indicia directly printed on it. Regardless of how indicia display panel 16 is secured to the display 10, indicia display panel 16 may be secured to the display 10 prior to shipment to the merchant, increasing the likelihood that the merchant will use the indicia in the intended manner.

Modular display 10 may be assembled in a wide variety of configurations. For example, modular display 10 can be used as a freestanding countertop display as shown in FIG. 13, or may be used in conjunction with support structure 66, as shown in FIG. 14. In the countertop configuration shown in FIG. 13, the bottom of the product display panel 12 and the bottom of the product display unit 14 support the modular display 10 in an upright orientation. Optionally, modular display 10 may be secured to the countertop using a hook and loop fastener or other materials or devices to further stabilize the display. In the configuration shown in FIG. 14, the hanger bar 32 (such as the one shown in FIG. 6) secures modular display 10 to supporting structure 66. In other embodiments, display 10 can be secured to a support structure 66 in other conventional or non-conventional manners. Support structure 66 may be any structure that provides support, including a wall, structures extending from a wall, floor standing structures (such as the power wing shown in FIG. 14), or any other suitable structure.

FIGS. 15-24 illustrate examples of various configurations of modular display 10. Based on the particular product for display, a desirable configuration may be chosen to maximize the capacity of the display, allow for the display to be shipped fully loaded without the need for excessive amounts of protective packaging, and/or to arrange the products in a manner that appears attractive even when a significant amount of product is removed. By shipping the display fully loaded and minimizing the necessary components, the retail establishment employee will be able to set up the display with minimal effort.

Changes, modifications, additions, or deletions may be made to the inventions described above and claimed below without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A modular display, comprising:

(a) a product display panel comprising a front surface and a plurality of attachment sites;

(b) at least one product display unit, the at least one product display unit attachable to the product display panel at one or more of the attachment sites; and

(c) an indicia display panel associated with the product display;

wherein the modular display comprises at least a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the first configuration of the modular display comprises a freestanding configuration and wherein the second configuration of the modular display comprises a modular display supported by a support member.

2. The modular display of claim 1, wherein the indicia display panel is hinged to the product display panel and wherein the indicia display panel is positionable in an upright orientation wherein at least a portion of the indicia display panel is above the product display panel.

3. The modular display of claim 1, wherein the indicia display panel is fixedly mounted to the product display panel.

4. The modular display of claim 1, wherein the support member comprises a floor display, a wall, or a structure associated with a wall.

5. The modular display of claim 4, wherein the floor display comprises a power wing display.

6. The modular display of claim 1, wherein the at least one product display unit comprises at least one hanger, at least one tray or at least one shelf.

7. The modular display of claim 6, further comprising a second product display unit.

8. The modular display of claim 7, wherein a first of the at least one product display unit comprises a plurality of hangers and wherein a second product display unit comprises a plurality of trays or shelves.

9. The modular display of claim 1, wherein the plurality of attachment sites further comprise a plurality of slots formed in the product display panel and wherein the at least one product display unit further comprises a plurality of projections, wherein the plurality of projections protrude from a rear portion of the product display unit and interact with at least some of the slots to position the product display unit on the product display panel.

10. The modular display of claim 9, wherein at least one of the plurality of projections further comprises a resilient arm comprising a protrusion protruding from a distal end of the resilient arm, the protrusion facilitating securing the product display unit to the product display panel.

11. The modular display of claim 1, wherein the indicia display panel comprises a plurality of tabs, the tabs positioned to secure a flexible member bearing an indicia to the indicia display panel.

12. The modular display of claim 1, wherein indicia is printed on the indicia display panel.

13. A method of shipping and displaying products, the method comprising:

(a) assembling a modular display, the modular display comprising: (i) a product display panel comprising a front surface and a plurality of attachment sites; (ii) at least one product display unit, the at least one product display unit attachable to the product display panel at one or more of the attachment sites; and (iii) an indicia display panel associated with the product display panel;

(b) securing the plurality of product display units to the product display panel in a manner to substantially maximize the capacity of the modular display for holding and displaying a plurality of products before shipping the modular display;

(c) loading the modular display with the plurality of products before shipping the modular display;

(d) shipping the modular display to a merchant; and

(e) displaying the modular display at a retail point of sale.

14. The method of shipping and displaying products of claim 13, wherein assembling the modular display further comprises associating the indicia display panel with the product display panel such that the indicia display is capable of being rotated, and wherein displaying the modular display at a retail point of sale further comprises rotating the indicia display panel to an upright position.

15. The method of shipping and displaying products of claim 13, wherein assembling the modular display further comprises fixedly mounting the indicia display panel to the product display panel.

16. The method of shipping and displaying products of claim 13, wherein assembling the modular display further comprises securing a flexible member bearing an indicia to the indicia display panel.

17. The method of shipping and displaying products of claim 13, wherein assembling the modular display further comprises printing an indicia onto the indicia display panel.

18. The method of shipping and displaying products of claim 13, wherein displaying the modular display at the retail point of sale further comprises securing the modular display to a support member.

19. The method of shipping and displaying products of claim 18, wherein securing the modular display to the support member further comprises securing the modular display to a floor display, a wall, or a structure associated with a wall.

20. The method of shipping and displaying products of claim 13, wherein displaying the modular display at the retail point of sale further comprises positioning the modular display on a counter top surface.