Device for loading merchandise onto pegboard display
The present invention relates to a device for holding and facilitating the unloading therefrom of packaged merchandise onto a display peg. The device includes a gathering mechanism for gathering together a group of packages such that hanging holes provided in individual packages are aligned so as to permit the gathered packages to be applied to a display peg together with the device.
Latest Patents:
- Instrument for endoscopic applications
- DRAM circuitry and method of forming DRAM circuitry
- Method for forming a semiconductor structure having second isolation structures located between adjacent active areas
- Semiconductor memory structure and the method for forming the same
- Electrical appliance arrangement having an electrical appliance which can be fastened to a support element, in particular a wall
This is a non-provisional application relating to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/281,083 filed Apr. 3, 2001.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to devices for displaying packaged merchandise and, more particularly, to devices for loading packaged merchandise onto pegboard displays.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONPegboard displays have been popular in the retail industry for displaying lightweight merchandise. Typically, merchandise packages are loaded individually onto pegboard displays. As a result, the conventional loading method is inefficient and time-consuming. Given the narrow profit margin on which most retail outlets operate, cost saving in this activity is desirable.
A recent solution to the problem mentioned above has been the “power panel”. The “power panel” is a ready made package of a number of loaded pegs in a box, which is simply hung up on a shelf wall. This displaying method has disadvantages in that it is expensive and does not provide means of recharge if there is a substantial difference in the sale of different items in the panel.
Various devices have also been developed for facilitating the loading of merchandise onto a display peg. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,143,772 discloses a device having a plug which connects by a cord through a rear hole of a cup-shaped coupler. The plug and coupler can be joined together to form a loop that holds merchandise. The coupler can be separated from the plug and connected to the end of a display peg, so that the merchandise can slide onto the peg. Because the device needs to be uncoupled prior to the loading of the merchandise onto a display peg, the merchandise loading process is made rather complicated and/or inefficient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention overcomes the disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art discussed above by providing a new and improved device for holding and facilitating the unloading therefrom of packaged merchandise onto a display peg. More particularly, the device includes a gathering mechanism for gathering together a group of packages such that hanging holes provided in individual packages are aligned so as to permit the gathered packages to be applied to a display peg together with the device. In accordance with the present invention, the gathered mechanism can include an open loop or a closed loop.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFor a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring to
In use, the packages 20 are pre-assembled as a unit by the band 12 and then shipped to a retail outlet or store. In order to load the packages 20 onto a peg hook 22 at the retail outlet, with the band 12 held by a hand 24 of a user (see
It should be appreciated that the present invention provides numerous advantages over the prior art discussed above. For instance, because the packages 20 are gathered together as a single assembly (i.e., the holes 18 of the packages 20 are aligned and ganged together) and then shipped to a retail outlet, loading of the packages 20 onto the peg hook 22 can be achieved in a simple and efficient manner. That is, the free end 26 of the peg hook 22 is aligned with the holes 18 of the packages 20 and is then inserted therethrough in a substantially single motion or step. Moreover, because only the band 12 is used for quick and easy loading of the packages 20, the present invention provides a cost-effective loading method.
It should be noted that the present invention can have numerous modifications and variations. For instance, the band 12 can be replaced with any fastening members, such as links, cables, ropes, fasteners, clips, etc. In such circumstances, as used herein, the term “band” shall mean to include any such fastening members. The band 12 can also be made from a number of materials (e.g., metal or non-metal wires, plastic films, cardboard or paper bands). In this regard, it is noted that such fastening members can be designed to maintain the holes 18 of the packages 20 in their aligned and clustered form without directly engaging the holes 18, as will be illustrated hereinbelow. The band 12 can also be made to form a loop in many different ways (e.g., the band can be glued, stitched, tied or clipped). Further, the band 12 can be used in connection with many different types of packages or items, such as polybags, paper or cardboard headers or boxes. For example, in
In use, the end 214 is passed through holes 218 of merchandise packages 220 and is then inserted into the slit 236a. Thereafter, the end 214 is moved into the opening 236b such that the tabs 238 are received in the notches 234 (see
With reference to
In order to pre-assemble the packages 420 into a shipping and loading unit, the strip 412 is inserted through holes 418 of the packages 420 and folded along the fold line 446. The tapered end 414 is then inserted into the slit 436 (see
With reference to
Referring to
Now referring to
In order to pre-assemble merchandise packages 720 into a shipping and/or loading unit, the rubber band 712 is releasably tied around upper end 753 of the packages 720. More particularly, a portion 754 of the rubber band 712 located opposite the tab 752 is passed through holes 718 of the packages 720. The portion 754 is then passed through the rubber band 712 and pulled out so as to form a releasable knot 755 tying the upper ends 753 of the packages 720 to one another (see
It should be noted that the rubber band 712 can be replaced with bands made from other materials. For instance, the band 712 can be made from any rubber-like natural or synthetic materials, plastics, textile materials coated with rubber or latex materials, etc. Regardless of the material used for making the band 712, the band 712 should preferably be provided with a sufficient coefficient of elasticity or friction so as to maintain the knot 755 during the shipping of the packages 720 to a retail outlet.
With reference to
In order to assemble packages 920 into a shipping and loading unit, with the body 912 positioned on a front side 958 of the packages 920, the finger 956c is inserted through holes 918 of the packages 920 and placed on a rear side 959 of same. The fingers 956a, 956b are also placed over upper ends 953 of the packages 920 and are positioned on the rear side 959 (see
Now referring to
In use, packages 1020 are loaded onto the loop 1050 (see
With reference to
In use, the upper portions 1153 of the packages 1120 are inserted into the notch 1163. Due to the V-shape of the notch 1163, the upper portions 1153 of the packages 1120 are funneled into the opening 1164. When the upper package portions 1153 are placed in the opening 1164 (see the broken line representation of the body 1112 in
A merchandise loading/unloading device 1210 constructed in accordance with a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention is shown in
Now referring to
In use, the clip 1512 is mounted to upper portions 1553 of the packages 1520. More particularly, after the packages 1520 are arranged such that holes 1518 of the packages 1520 are aligned with each another and clustered together, the clip 1512 is mounted to the upper portions 1553 so as to immobilize same with respect to one another. In this manner, while the clip 1512 is mounted above the holes 1518 and does not hence directly interact or engage with same, the holes 1518 remain aligned and clustered during shipping and loading.
The loading device 1610 is adapted for use in connection with merchandise packages 1620 having openings 1675 in addition to mounting holes 1618 (see
Now referring to
It should be noted that the present invention can have further modifications and variations in addition to those discussed above. For instance, two or more of the devices of the embodiments shown in
It will be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such variations and modifications, including those mentioned above, are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims
1. A device for holding and facilitating the unloading therefrom of packaged merchandise onto a display peg, comprising gathering means for gathering together a group of packages such that hanging holes provided in individual packages are aligned so as to permit the gathered packages to be applied to a display peg together with said device.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said gathering means can be disabled after said device is applied to a display peg, whereby the gathered packages are released onto the display peg for individual dispensing therefrom.
3. A device according to claim 2, further comprising a handle member sized and shaped so as to permit said device to be gripped by a user for manual application to a display peg.
4. A device according to claim 3, wherein said gathering means includes a looped member sized and shaped so as to pass through the aligned hanging holes of the gathered packages.
5. A device according to claim 4, wherein said looped member is made from a band of flexible material which is folded over onto itself.
6. A device according to claim 5, wherein said looped member is formed from a folded over section of said band.
7. A device according to claim 6, wherein said folded over section is formed by a pair of juxtaposed segments of said band.
8. A device according to claim 7, wherein said juxtaposed segments are releaseably attached to each other.
9. A device according to claim 8, wherein said juxtaposed segments are releaseably attached to each other by a fastener member.
10. A device according to claim 9, wherein said fastener member is a staple.
11. A device according to claim 8, wherein said juxtaposed segments are releaseably attached to each other by adhesion.
12. A device according to claim 8, wherein said band includes a pair of opposed ends, said ends forming said juxtaposed segments.
13. A device according to claim 12, wherein said opposed ends form said handle member.
14. A device according to claim 8, wherein said band includes a pair of opposed ends, one of which forms one of said juxtaposed segments, the other of said juxtaposed segments being formed by a portion of said band intermediate said ends thereof.
15. A device according to claim 14, wherein the other of said opposed ends is a free end which forms said handle member.
16. A device according to claim 8, wherein said band includes a pair of opposed ends, each of said juxtaposed segments being formed by a corresponding portion of said band intermediate said opposed ends thereof.
17. A device according to claim 16, wherein said opposed ends are free ends which cooperate with each other to form said handle member.
18. A device according to claim 8, wherein said band includes at least one fold line intermediate a pair of opposed ends of said band.
19. A device according to claim 4, wherein said looped member includes guiding means for guiding said device onto a display peg.
20. A device according to claim 4, wherein said band includes a pair of opposed ends, one of which is sized and shaped so as extend through an opening in said band to thereby form said looped member.
21. A device according to claim 20, wherein said opening is formed in the other of said opposed ends of said band.
22. A device according to claim 21, wherein said one end extends through said opening far enough to form said handle member.
23. A device according to claim 22, wherein said opposed ends are releaseably interlocked to each other by an interference fit.
24. A device according to claim 20, wherein said opening is formed intermediate said opposed ends of said band.
25. A device according to claim 24, wherein said opening is spaced far enough from said opposed end of said band such that said opposed end forms said handle member.
26. A device according to claim 25, wherein said one end is releaseably retained within said opening by friction.
27. A device according to claim 26, wherein said band includes at least one fold line intermediate said opposed ends thereof, said at least one fold line facilitating the formation of said looped member.
28. A device according to claim 27, wherein said at least one fold line includes a first fold line and a second fold line, said first and second fold lines cooperating to impart a triangular shape to said looped member.
29. A device according to claim 4, wherein said looped member is a closed loop made from a material having sufficient elasticity to permit said closed loop to be tied into a knot to thereby form said looped member.
30. A device according to claim 29, wherein said closed loop is a rubber band having a tab attached thereto, said tab facilitating the unknotting of said looped member.
31. A device according to claim 4, wherein a portion of said looped member functions as said handle member.
32. A device according to claim 4, wherein said looped member includes a pair of opposed ends which can be engaged with each other.
33. A device according to claim 32, wherein said looped member is made from a twist tie, whereby said opposed ends can be twisted about each other.
34. A device according to claim 33, wherein said twisted ends of said twist tie form said handle member.
35. A device according to claim 32, wherein said looped member is made from a horseshoe-shaped element having sufficient resiliency such that said opposed ends thereof can be crossed over each other, whereby they are releaseably interlocked.
36. A device according to claim 35, wherein said crossed-over ends of said horseshoe-shaped element form said handle member.
37. A device according to claim 31, wherein said looped member is an open loop which includes a substantially U-shaped element having a pair of legs.
38. A device according to claim 37, wherein one of said legs of said U-shaped element is connected to an inverted U-shaped element sized and shaped to function as said handle member.
39. A device according to claim 38, wherein said U-shaped element and said inverted U-shaped element are made from a unitary piece of bendable metallic wire.
40. A device according to claim 37, wherein one of said legs of said U-shaped element has a free end which is resiliently biased against the other of said legs.
41. A device according to claim 40, wherein said one leg of said U-shaped element is sufficiently long to function as said handle member.
42. A device according to claim 4, wherein said looped member includes a relatively flexible planar body having first and second fingers formed on an interior portion of said body and extending in a first direction and a third finger positioned between said first and second fingers and extending in a second direction opposite said first direction.
43. A device according to claim 42, wherein said first and second fingers are bendable such that they can be positioned on one side of the grouped packages when said body is positioned on an opposite side of the grouped packages and said third finger is sized and shaped such that it can pass through the aligned hanging holes of the gathered packages for positioning on said one side of the grouped packages.
44. A device according to claim 43, wherein said body includes an aperture sized and shaped so as to receive a display peg.
45. A device according to claim 44, wherein an upper edge of said body functions as said handle member.
46. A device according to claim 4, wherein said looped member includes a relatively rigid planar body having a central opening sized and shaped so as to receive upper portions of the grouped packages and a V-shaped notch formed in a lower end of said body and communicating with said central opening.
47. A device according to claim 46, wherein said central opening includes a lateral section extending toward a lower corner of said body, said lateral section of said opening being sized and shaped so as to receive the upper portions of the grouped packages when said body is arranged in a perpendicular orientation relative to the grouped packages with said lower corner extending through the aligned hanging holes of the grouped packages.
48. A device according to claim 47, wherein said body has an upper corner diagonally opposite said lower corner thereof, said upper corner being sized and shaped to function as said handle member.
49. A device according to claim 4, wherein said looped member includes a substantially open body member positionable on one side of the grouped packages and a tongue formed integrally with said body member, said tongue being sufficiently flexible such that it can pass through the aligned hanging holes of the grouped packages for positioning on an opposite side of the grouped packages.
50. A device according to claim 49, wherein said body member includes a pair of legs which converge to form a handle member.
51. A device according to claim 4, wherein said body is made from a substantially planar sheet of relatively rigid material having an upper edge which functions as said handle member.
52. A device according to claim 51, wherein said body includes inhibiting means, located adjacent said upper edge thereof, for inhibiting the inadvertent release of the grouped packages from said device.
53. A device according to claim 4, wherein said looped member is a spring clip having a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape, said spring clip including a pair of legs, each leg having a free end which is resiliently biased toward the free end of the other leg, said legs cooperating to grip the grouped packages therebetween.
54. A device according to claim 53, wherein said spring clip includes a pair of grip members, each grip member being attached to a corresponding one of said legs such that said legs are urged away from each other in response to the movement of said grip members toward one another.
55. A device according to claim 54, wherein said grip members cooperate to function as said handle member.
56. A device according to claim 55, wherein said spring clip includes inhibiting means for inhibiting the inadvertent release of the grouped packages from said device.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 3, 2002
Publication Date: Feb 3, 2005
Patent Grant number: 7028376
Applicant:
Inventor: Henry Mattesky (Ramsey, NJ)
Application Number: 10/116,719