BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to improved display devices, and in particular improved display devices formed from a corrugated outer shell or housing. Known display devices, including corrugated displays, are exemplified by the following United States patents: U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,860,305; 3,877,396; 4,080,023; 4,469,231; 4,498,593; 4,515,421; 4,574,709; 4,763,579; 4,785,944; 5,405,192; 5,580,022; 5,706,959; 6,006,926; 6,068,140; and 6,539,879.
It is the primary object of the present invention to provide an improved display device formed from permanent re-usable shelving removably received within a replaceable or disposable outer housing to permit a retailer, or a marketer providing a retailer with the display device, to apply an advertisement for promotional material to the outer housing promoting specific products contained within the display, and thereafter replacing the outer housing with a different outer housing bearing promotional and advertising materials for a different product to be promoted in a subsequent promotion. Because the outer housing is formed from an inexpensive disposable material such as corrugated paper or cardboard, it can be discarded after it is replaced by a different outer housing promoting a different product, thereby eliminating the need for a retailer or product marketer to store or return the original outer housing. However, the removable permanent shelving is reusable in different displays having different corrugated outer housings promoting different products, thereby resulting in cost savings to a retailer when changing in-store displays.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following discussion in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A display device, and in particular, and in-store retail display, includes an outer shell or housing, preferably formed from a lightweight disposable material such as corrugated paper or cardboard, and one or more shelves, preferably formed from a lightweight, permanent, high strength material such as injection molded plastic, are removably receivable within the outer housing. Printed indicia, such as advertising or promotional materials for one or more products supported on the shelves of the display, is applied to the outer housing. The outer housing also includes means for removably mounting the shelves therein, and for varying the arrangement of shelves within the outer housing.
When a product promotion has been concluded, the shelves within the outer housing can be removed from the display and stored for re-use with a different outer housing for promoting different products in a subsequent promotion. The lightweight outer housing, which is formed from an inexpensive material such as corrugated paper or cardboard can be discarded after the product promotion, thereby eliminating the need for a retailer or product marketer to store the outer housing. A carrying case for the removed shelving enables the retailer to conveniently and compactly store and transport the shelves from a prior display for re-use in a future display with a different outer housing promoting a different product.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the assembled display in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the display illustrated by FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the display illustrated by FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the display illustrated by FIG. 1 showing a pair of casters mounted to the bottom surface of the front of a lower tray;
FIG. 5 illustrates a top plan view of the display illustrated by FIG. 1 showing the top shelf assembled in the display;
FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom plan view of the display illustrated by FIG. 1 showing casters mounted at the four corners of the bottom surface of the lower tray of the assembled display;
FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a carrying case for the trays of the display illustrated by FIG. 1 after the trays have been removed from the display;
FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom plan view of the carrying case illustrated by FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 illustrates a top plan view of the carrying case illustrated by FIG. 7;
FIG. 10 illustrates a front elevational view of the carrying case illustrated by FIG. 7 shown resting on its top surface; and
FIG. 11 illustrates an end elevational view of the carrying case illustrated by FIG. 7.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION FIG. 1 illustrates an assembled display in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The display is generally designated by reference numeral 2 and includes an outer housing generally designated by reference numeral 4. The outer housing is formed from a rear wall designated by reference numeral 6 and two opposed sidewalls generally designated by reference numeral 8. As shown by FIG. 1, the sidewalls 8 are substantially perpendicular to the plane of the rear wall 6, and extend forwardly of the rear wall 6 to define an opened front surface. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the outer housing 4 of the display is preferably formed from a lightweight, inexpensive disposable paper material such as cardboard or corrugated, and the sidewalls 8 and rear surface 6 are integrally joined to each other.
Still referring to FIG. 1, a plurality of trays are removably received within the outer housing 4 through the opened front surface of the outer housing. Reference numeral 10 designates an upper tray of the assembled display 2, reference numeral 12 designates a lower tray of the assembled display, and reference numeral 14 designates intermediate trays received within the assembled display. Although FIG. 1 illustrates three intermediate trays 14 disposed between the upper and lower trays, this is for illustrative purposes only and any number of intermediate trays can be received within the assembled display.
A plurality of generally rectangular shaped locking flaps designated by reference numeral 16 are defined in the rear wall 6 of the outer housing 4 by partially punching out portions of the rear wall 6. The flaps 16 cover complementary shaped openings defined in the rear wall 6, and remain attached to the rear wall by an upper score. Although the flaps 16 are only illustrated behind the top tray 10 and the upper intermediate tray 14 shown in FIG. 1, flaps 16 are defined in the rear wall 6 of the housing 4 behind each of the trays which are removably received within the housing. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the openings are provided to receive tabs extending from the rear ends of each of the trays 10, 12 and 14 for removably mounting the trays within the housing when the display is in its assembled configuration as illustrated by FIG. 1, and the flaps 16 covering the openings are provided to releasably lock the tabs of the trays into the rear wall 6 of the housing 4.
A plurality of generally rectangular shaped openings 18 are defined proximate to the front of the right sidewall 8 of the outer housing as illustrated in FIG. 1. Although not shown in this drawing figure, a plurality of corresponding openings are also defined proximate to the front of the left sidewall 8 of the housing 4 illustrated by FIG. 1. The openings 18 in the right sidewall 8 are in axial alignment with the openings defined in the left sidewall 8 of the housing 4. As will be discussed herein, the openings defined in the right and left sidewalls 8 of the housing 4 are provided to receive corresponding tabs extending from the left and right sides of the respective trays 10, 12 and 14 for removably mounting the trays within the housing 4 in the assembled configuration of the display as illustrated by FIG. 1. The corresponding openings near the forward ends of the sidewalls 8 are preferably defined in a portion of each sidewall designated by reference numeral 20 which is folded back against itself to form a pocket or column proximate to the front of the sidewall to enhance the structural stability of the assembled display. A top portion 22 of each sidewall 8 is rolled down over the top of the sidewall to finish the top of the sidewalls and enhance the structural stability thereof. Preferably, both the column 20 and the top portion 22 are retained in their respective folded positions by glue. Although FIG. 1 illustrates only a rolled portion 22 at the top of the right sidewall 8, a corresponding rolled portion 22 is also provided at the top of the left sidewall.
Although the flaps 16 and the openings defined in the rear wall 6 and sidewalls 8, respectively, are shown as being rectangular in shape, this is for illustrative purposes only. The flaps and openings can be formed in any configuration provided that the configuration of the openings accommodates the tabs extending from the trays as will be discussed herein.
As noted, the outer housing 4 is preferably formed from a lightweight, inexpensive, disposable material such as cardboard or corrugated. However, the trays 10, 12 and 14, which are removably insertable into the outer housing 4, are preferably formed from a permanent, reusable material, as for example, lightweight, high strength, injection molded plastic. In this manner, the outer housing can be formed with printed material or indicia advertising and promoting products contained within the assembled display. Once the advertising promotion has concluded, the shelves are removed from the housing, and the housing can be discarded. The shelves can be re-used with another housing promoting a different product, or can be stored for use with another housing promoting a different product at the appropriate time in the future.
FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the display shown by FIG. 1. FIG. 2 illustrates tabs 26, extending from the rear ends of the upper tray 10 and the intermediate trays 14 as shown in FIG. 1, removably received within the corresponding openings defined in the rear wall 6. The tabs are provided to removably mount the trays within the housing. The tabs 26 extend through the openings in the rear wall 6 of the housing 4 and are folded downwardly with respect to the trays 10 and 14. Preferably, the tabs are oriented at a perpendicular angle relative to the plane of the trays. The flaps 16 cover the openings to releasably lock the tabs extending from the trays through the openings in the rear wall. FIG. 2 illustrates that three openings are defined in the rear wall 6 for each of the trays 10 and 14, and that three tabs 26 extending from the rear ends of the trays are received in the corresponding openings and releasably locked in position by the flaps 16 by pivoting the flaps to cover the openings. This is for illustrative purposes only, and the number of openings and flaps for each tray, and the corresponding number of tabs extending from the rear end of each tray, can be varied.
Still referring to FIG. 2, casters 24 are mountable to the bottom tray 12 received within the housing 4. The casters permit the assembled display to be easily transported from one location to another. As will be discussed herein and as further illustrated by FIG. 6 of the drawing, one caster is mounted to each corner of the lower surface of the bottom tray 12.
As shown in FIG. 2, the lower or bottom tray 12 is removably received within the rear wall 6 of the housing by one rectangular shaped tab 26 which is longer than the tabs 26 extending from the rear ends of the top tray 10 and the intermediate trays 14, respectively. The single tab 26 of the lower tray 12 is received within a single, complementary configured opening or slot 17 defined near the bottom of the rear wall 6 of the housing 4. The single tab 26 extending from the lower tray is preferably oriented perpendicular to the lower tray. However, unlike the tabs 26 extending from the trays 10 and 14 which are oriented in a downward direction relative to the respective trays, the single tab 26 extending from the lower tray 12 is oriented upwardly relative to the lower tray 12. The upward orientation of the tab of the lower tray tends to support the weight of the assembled display which is displaced onto the lower tray 12 by the supporting casters 24 which are mounted to the bottom surface of the lower tray. Three flaps designated by reference numeral 19 are partially punched from the rear wall 6 of the housing, and remain attached to the housing by lower scores. The flaps 19 are pivoted into a position in which the slot 17 is partially closed so as to releasably lock the upwardly oriented tab 26 of the lower tray in the lower slot 17.
FIG. 3 is a right side elevational view of the housing of the assembled display illustrated by FIG. 1 of the drawing. FIG. 3 illustrates the flaps 16 and 19 covering the openings defined in the rear wall 6 of the housing, and also illustrates two of the four casters 24 which are mounted to the corners of the bottom tray 12 removably received within the display for transporting the assembled display along a supporting surface.
FIG. 4 illustrates a front elevational view of the assembled display illustrated by FIG. 1. As previously discussed, the upper or top tray 10, the intermediate trays 14, and the lower or bottom tray 12 are removably mounted within the outer housing by tabs extending from the rear and sides of the trays received in openings defined in the rear wall 6 and sidewalls 8 of the outer housing, respectively. The flaps 16 covering the openings in the rear wall 6 for receiving the tabs extending from the top tray 10 and the intermediate trays 14 are visible because, as previously discussed, the tabs extending from those trays are oriented downwardly and substantially perpendicular to the plane of the trays. However, the three flaps 19 covering the larger single opening 17 receiving the tab extending from the lower tray 12 are not visible in FIG. 4 because, as also discussed above, the tab extending from the rear of the lower tray is oriented substantially perpendicular and upward relative to the plane of the lower tray for supporting the weight of the assembled display as a result of the casters 24 mounted to the bottom surface of the lower tray. Therefore, the larger opening 17 in the rear wall 6 receiving the upwardly extending tab from the lower tray 12, and the three closed flaps 19, are blocked by the lower tray itself and are not visible in FIG. 4.
FIG. 4 illustrates that the forward end of at least some of the trays removably received within the outer housing defines a front channel designated by reference numeral 28. In FIG. 4, the intermediate trays 14 and the lower tray 12 define front channels. However, this is for illustrative purposes only, and the forward end of the upper tray 10 can also define a front channel. The purpose of the front channel is to receive tags, labels, or markers relating to the products contained in the assembled display. This information includes pricing, product descriptions, and promotional information. Preferably, tags, markers and labels bearing the displayed information are removably received within the channels 14 so that they may be replaced with tags, markers or labels bearing different information when the trays are used in connection with different promotions of different products.
FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the assembled display as illustrated by FIG. 1, showing the top tray 10 removably mounted proximate to the top of the outer housing 4. FIG. 5 illustrates the three tabs 26 extending from the rear of the top tray 10 through the corresponding openings in the rear wall 6 of the housing for removably mounting the top tray to the outer housing. Additionally, FIG. 5 illustrates two opposed side tabs 30 extending outwardly from opposed sides of the top tray 10 proximate to the front end thereof. The side tabs 30 are removably received within the openings 18 defined in the opposed sidewalls 8 of the housing 4 (See FIG. 1), and together with the rear tabs 26, removably mount the top tray 10 within the housing 4. The top tray 10, like the intermediate trays 14 and the lower tray 12, is formed from a lightweight, but high-strength durable material, as for example, injection molded plastic. Preferably, the tabs extending from the trays are integrally formed together with the tray. Each tray includes two diagonal supporting members 32 which intersect at the center of the tray and extend to the respective corners of the tray, and are integrally connected to the front end 34, the rear end 36, and the opposed sides 38 defining the perimeter of the tray. However, as illustrated by FIG. 5, much of the surface area of the tray is cored-out (as illustrated by reference numeral 40) to reduce the cost of production of the tray but not reduce the strength of the tray.
FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of the bottom tray 12 removably mounted proximate to the bottom of the housing 4 of the assembled display illustrated by FIG. 1. The same reference numerals used in FIG. 5 are also used in FIG. 6 to designate corresponding elements. FIG. 6 illustrates the four casters 24 which are mounted to the corners of the bottom surface of the bottom tray 12 for transporting the assembled display illustrated by FIG. 1 along a supporting surface. FIG. 6 further illustrates that only a single mounting tab 26 extends from the rear end of the bottom tray 12 through a single opening defined near the bottom of the rear surface 6 of the housing 4. The single tab 26 of the rear tray 12 is significantly larger than each of the multiple tabs 26 extending from the rear ends of the intermediate trays 10 and the top tray 12. The bottom tray is designed in this manner since it must support the weight of the entire assembled display which is displaced onto the bottom tray as a result of the supporting casters 24 mounted to the lower surface of the bottom tray. Preferably, the tab extending from the bottom tray is integrally formed together with the bottom tray itself, and the tab extends in an upward perpendicular direction relative to the plane of the bottom tray. The larger opening 17 (FIG. 2) defined in the rear wall 6 of the housing 4 for removably receiving the longer tab 26 extending from the rear end of the bottom tray 12 is designed to accommodate the longer tab 16 of the bottom tray, and the three flaps 19 are pivotable into a position to partially close the opening 17 to releasably lock the longer tab of the bottom tray into the larger opening 17 near the bottom of the rear wall of the housing (FIG. 2).
As discussed, preferably the tab extending from the bottom tray 12 is oriented in an upward direction relative to the plane of the bottom tray for supporting the assembled display as a result of the supporting casters 24 mounted to the corners of the bottom surface of the bottom tray. However, it is also within the scope of the present invention to produce the bottom tray with means for adjusting the position of the tab relative to the tray. Such means include conventional pivot elements or hinges for pivotably mounting the tab to the bottom tray, or in the alternative, forming the tab and bottom tray with a living hinge. In this manner, if desired, the bottom tray 12 can be mounted to the rear wall 6 of the housing with the tab extending downwardly and not upwardly, relative to the plane of the bottom tray.
FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a carrying case used in connection with the present invention. As discussed herein, the trays removably received within the housing of the assembled display, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are intended to be re-used with different outer housings for different promotional displays. The carrying case illustrated by FIG. 7 permits the trays of the assembled display to be stored and transported for future use subsequent to their removal from an assembled display. The carrying case illustrated by FIG. 7, designated by reference numeral 42, is generally rectangular in configuration to conform to the configuration of the trays removed from the assembled display to be stored therein. The carrying case is preferably formed from an inexpensive material, such as corrugated paper or cardboard. The carrying case includes a front surface 44, a corresponding rear surface 45, a right end 46, and a corresponding left end 47. The top surface of the carrying case is formed from a first panel 48 extending from the right end 46, a second panel 50 extending from the left end 47, and a generally centrally disposed recessed portion 52. The recessed portion is defined from a flap 54 extending downwardly from panel 50 along a fold line; a flap 56 extending downwardly from panel 48 along a fold line; the inner, centrally disposed upper surfaces of the front and rear walls 44 and 45 of the carrying case; and a bottom surface defined by a first panel 58 extending inwardly from the front surface 44 and a second panel 59 extending inwardly from the rear surface 45. A carrying handle 60 extends upwardly from the center of the bottom surface of the recess, and is disposed between the side flaps 54 and 56 extending downwardly from the panels 50 and 48 of the top surface of the carrying case. The upwardly oriented handle 60 retains the side flaps 54 and 56 in the closed position illustrated by FIG. 7 when the handle 60 is in the upright position relative to the bottom surface 58, as shown in FIG. 7. When it is desired to open the carrying case 42, the side flaps 54 and 56, respectively, are pushed outwardly towards the ends of the case to permit the top panels 50 and 48 to be pivoted open. The panels 58 and 59 defining the bottom surface of the recessed portion 52, each of which carries a half section of the handle 60, are then pivoted relative to the front surface 44 and rear surface 45, respectively, of the carrying case to open the recessed center region of the case. When the panels 48, 50, 58 and 59 are pivoted into their respective opened positions, the entire top of the carrying case is opened to provide access to the contents therein. Circular openings 61 are defined in the top panels 48 and 50 to facilitate opening and closing of these panels.
The handle 60 is multi-functional. It provides means for transporting the carrying case, and also provides means for releasably locking the carrying case in its assembled, operation configuration.
FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the carrying case shown by FIG. 7. The bottom of the carrying case is formed from two bottom panels 62 joined together along a central seam 64 to form a flat bottom surface.
FIG. 9 illustrates a top plan view of the carrying case shown by FIG. 7. The carrying case is formed from front and rear surfaces 44 and 45, and opposed side surfaces 46 and 47. Top panels 48 and 50 define the recessed portion 52 therebetween, and handle 60 extends upwardly from the center of the bottom surface of the recessed portion defined by adjacent panels 58 and 59 to releasably lock the side flaps 54 and 56 in their closed position as shown by FIG. 7.
As most clearly shown by FIG. 9, the handle 60 is formed from two identical half handle sections designated by reference numerals 63 and 65. Handle section 65 extends upwardly from the free end of panel 58, while handle section 63 extends upwardly from the free end of panel 59. The handle sections 63 and 65 are in alignment when the carrying case is in its closed position as shown by FIG. 9.
FIG. 10 illustrates a front elevational view of the carrying case illustrated by FIG. 7 resting on its top surface, and FIG. 11 illustrates a right end elevational view of the carrying case illustrated by FIG. 7.
When not in use, the carrying case can be folded flat and stored. When in its assembled operating configuration as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of carrying cases can be stacked atop each other as a result of the recessed handle.
Other modifications and advantages of the display and carrying case disclosed herein falling within the scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, although the discussion discloses that the outer housing of the assembled display is preferably formed from a cardboard or corrugated paper material, the housing can also be formed from other known, inexpensive or disposable materials. Similarly, although the trays removably received in the assembled display are preferably formed from a lightweight, high strength, inexpensive, re-usable plastic material, the trays can be formed from other known permanent and re-usable materials. The number and configuration of the mounting tabs extending from the trays, and the corresponding flaps/openings in the outer housing can also vary from that illustrated in the accompanying drawings and discussed herein in connection with the preferred embodiments of the present invention.
Accordingly, the description of the preferred embodiments herein in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, is intended to be illustrative only, and not restrictive of the scope of the invention, that scope being defined by the following claims and all equivalents thereto.
