Product information assembly

Abstract

A product information assembly, including a main body portion, a self-coiling information sheet, and a mounting structure. The main body portion may define a slot. The self-coiling information sheet may extend through the slot and may include a first end retained behind the main body portion and a second end positioned in front of the main body portion. The self-coiling information sheet may be operative in a display mode in which substantially all of the self-coiling information sheet is extended in front of the main body portion and a coiled mode in which substantially all of the self-coiling information sheet is coiled behind the main body portion.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/757,804 filed Jan. 10, 2006 which application is herein expressly incorporated by reference.

INTRODUCTION

Today's self-service retail industry demands efficient promotion and display of various products. The merchandise display capacity of a self-service retail store is inherently limited by the store's square footage of interior space. Similarly limited is the space for product information, including but not limited to information concerning a product's location within a store and/or details about particular products offered for sale.

It remains a need in the pertinent art to provide an improved product information assembly.

SUMMARY

The present teachings provide a product information assembly. In one particular application, the product information assembly may be used in combination with a grocery cart. The grocery cart is of a conventional type adapted to be nestably stacked with similar grocery carts when not in use. The product information assembly may include a main body portion, a mounting portion, and a self-coiling information sheet. The mounting portion may extend from the main body portion and may secure the product information assembly to a laterally extending handle of the grocery cart. The mounting portion may define a mounting portion pivot axis which allows the main body portion to rotate between a first position and a second position. The first position is an operative position. The second position allows nesting of the grocery cart with a similar grocery cart, for example. The self-coiling information sheet may extend through a slot in the main body portion and includes a first end retained behind the main body portion in a second end in front of the main body portion. The self-coiling information sheet is operative in a display mode in which substantially all of the self-coiling information sheet may be extended in front of the main body portion and in a coiled mode in which substantially all of the self-coiling information sheet is coiled behind the main body portion.

The present teachings generally provide a product information assembly, including a main body portion, a self-coiling information sheet, and a mounting structure. The main body portion may define a slot. The self-coiling information sheet may extend through the slot and may include a first end retained behind the main body portion and a second end positioned in front of the main body portion. The self-coiling information sheet may be operative in a display mode in which substantially all of the self-coiling information sheet is extended in front of the main body portion and a coiled mode in which substantially all of the self-coiling information sheet is coiled behind the main body portion. The mounting structure interconnects the main body portion to one of a pegboard, a shelf, or a structural upright.

The present teachings also provide a method of providing product information on a grocery cart. The grocery cart is of the conventional type adapted to be nestably stacked with similar grocery carts when not in use. The method includes the step of providing a product information assembly including a main body portion defining a slot and a self-coiling information sheet extending through the slot. The self-coiling information sheet includes a first end retained behind the main body portion and a second end in front of the main body portion. The self-coiling information sheet may be operative in a display mode in which substantially all of the self-coiling information sheet is extended in front of the main body portion and in a coiled mode in which substantially all of the self-coiling information sheet is coiled behind the main body portion. The method may additionally include the step of mounting the main body portion to a laterally extending handle of the shopping cart. The method may further include the step of moving the main body portion from a first position to a second position to accommodate nesting of the shopping cart with another similar shopping cart.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a product information assembly according to the teachings of the present invention, a self-coiling information sheet of the product information assembly shown in a coiled mode.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the product information assembly, the self-coiling information sheet shown in a display mode.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the product information assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an environmental view illustrating a product information assembly of the present invention mounting to a laterally extending handle of an exemplary shopping cart.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a pair of shopping carts, each shopping cart provided with a product information assembly in accordance with the present invention, the shopping carts shown nested such that one of the product information assemblies rotates from a first position to a second position to accommodate the nesting.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a product information assembly of the present invention shown operatively connected to a pegboard.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a product information assembly of the present invention shown operatively connected to an underside of a shelf.

FIG. 7B is another perspective view of the product information assembly of FIG. 7A, shown removed from the exemplary environment for purposes of illustration.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of another product information assembly of the present invention shown operatively attached to a front surface of a shelf.

FIG. 8B is another perspective view of the production information assembly of FIG. 8A, shown removed from the shelf for purposes of illustration.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of another production information assembly shown operatively attached to a wire shelf.

FIG. 9B is another perspective view of the production information assembly of FIG. 9A, shown removed from the wire shelf for purposes of illustration.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another production information assembly of the present invention shown operatively secured to a structural upright.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another product information assembly in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 12A is another perspective view of a product information assembly construction in accordance with the present invention shown operatively associated with a structural upright.

FIG. 12B is another perspective view of the product information assembly of FIG. 12A, shown removed from the structural upright for purposes of illustration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

With initial reference to FIGS. 1-3, a product information assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated and generally identified at reference character 10. The product information assembly 10 is generally shown to include a main body portion 12, a mounting portion 14, and a self-coiling information sheet 16. The main body portion 12 may be constructed of plastic, laminated cardboard, or other suitable material. The main body portion 12 may define a slot 18.

In one application, the main body portion may include a width of approximately 6.25 inches and a height of approximately 3.0 inches. The upper portion of the mounting portion 14 may taper to a dimension of approximately two inches adjacent the mounting portion 14. The slot 18 may be approximately 5.0 inches. The slot 18 may be a closed slot. Alternatively, the slot 18 may be partially open so long as it functions in cooperation with the information sheet 16 generally in the manner discussed below.

The mounting portion 14 extends from the main body portion 12. The mounting portion 14 may define a mounting portion pivot access X which allows the main body portion to rotate between a first position. The mounting portion 14 may be secured to the main body portion 12 with adhesive. Alternatively, the mounting portion 14 may be secured to the main body portion 12 and other matter well known in the art or integrally formed with the main body portion 12.

The self-coiling information sheet 16 may include information in the form of product description or the locations of items within a store. For example, the information may identify the location of various items within a grocery store. Alternatively, the information may include product description of products offered for sale within the store. The information may also include information relating to sales.

The self-coiling information sheet 16 may include a first end 20 retained behind the main body portion 12 and a second end 22 disposed in front of the main body portion 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the self-coiling information sheet may be operative in a display mode in which substantially all of the self-coiling sheet 16 is extended through the slot 18 and disposed in front of the main body portion 12. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the self-coiling information sheet may also operative in a coiled mode in which substantially all the sheet 16 is coiled behind the main body portion 12. In one particular application, the self-coiling information sheet 16 may include a width of approximately 4.8 inches and a length of approximately 11 inches.

The first end 20 of the sheet 16 may be secured to a retention element 24 in the form of a tube, plate or other suitable structure. The retention element 24 is sized to accommodate coiling about the retention element 24 and further sized to preclude advancement of the second end 22 through the slot 18. The retention element 24 effectively defines a coil access about which the sheet 16 coils in the coiled mode as shown in FIG. 3. A grasping element 26 may be adhesively or otherwise suitably secured to the second end 22 of the sheet 16. The grasping element provides a member for manually pulling the sheet 16 from the coiled mode to the display mode. The grasping element 26 is sized to prevent the second ends 22 of the sheet 16 from passing through the slot 18 upon coiling of the sheet 16. One suitable self-coiling sheet 16 is commercially available from Spring-Roll of Winder, Ga. Other sheets 16 may be used within the scope of the present invention.

Turning to the environmental use of FIGS. 4 and 5, the product information assembly 10 of the present invention is shown to be associated with a shopping cart 30. The shopping cart 30 will be understood to be exemplary in nature. In this regard, the subject invention may be used with various shopping carts. Insofar as the present invention is concerned, it will be understood that the shopping cart is conventional in construction. As illustrated, the shopping cart 30 conventionally defines an upper storage basket 32 with a rear wall 34. The rear wall 34 is conventionally moveable from the use position (shown in FIG. 4) to a generally horizontal position to accommodate nesting of the shopping carts 30 (shown in FIG. 5).

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the product information assembly 10 may be secured to a laterally extending handle 36 of the cart 30. In this regard, the mounting portion 14 of the product information assembly 10 includes an upper adhesive member 38 which may be secured to an underside of the handle 36. In this orientation, the pivot access X defined by the mounting portion 14 is oriented substantially parallel to an axis defined by the handle 36. The main body portion normally extends downwardly from the handle (as shown in FIG. 4) to provide product information to a user. When the shopping carts 30 are nested, the mounting portion 14 allows the main body portion 12 to rotate to a nested or second position.

With reference to FIGS. 6-12A-B, various other product information assemblies 10 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention are shown. The product information assemblies 10 are shown in simplified form but will be understood to include a self-coiling information sheet 16 similar to that described above with reference to FIGS. 1-3

As shown in FIG. 6, the product information assembly 10 includes a mounting structure 50 for securing the main body portion 12 to a peg board 52. The mounting structure 50 may include a bracket 54 for engaging holes of the peg board 52 and an arm 56 extending between the bracket and the main body portion 12. The arm may terminate in a place 58 which may be adhesively or otherwise suitably secured to a rear surface of the main body portion 12. One suitable mounting bracket is commercially available from T. M. Shea Products, Inc. of Troy, Mich.

With particular reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B, another product information assembly is illustrated. The product information assembly 10 is shown in FIG. 7A secured to an underside of a shelf 60. The product information assembly 10 includes mounting structure in the form of a bracket 62. The bracket includes a first generally planar end 64 and a second generally planar end 66. The first generally planar end 64 may include apertures for aligning with holes on the shelf 60. The first generally planar end 64 may be positioned between the shelf and conventional fasteners 68 and may pass through aligning holes in the end 64 and the shelf 60. The second planar end 66 may be adhesively or otherwise suitably secured to a rear surface of the main body portion 12.

With reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B, another product information assembly 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. The product information assembly 10 may include a mounting structure in the form of a bracket 70 for securing the main body portion to a front surface of a shelf 60. Such brackets are conventionally known in the art as C-channel brackets. The bracket 70 includes a planar face 72 which may be adhesively or otherwise suitably secured to a rear surface of the main body portion 12.

Turning to FIGS. 9A and 9B, another product information assembly 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. The product information assembly 10 may include a mounting structure in the form of a bracket 80 for securing the main body portion 12 to a wire self 82.

With reference to FIG. 10, another product information assembly 10 in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. The product information assembly 10 may include a mounting block 90 for adhesively securing to a flat mounting surface 92 and a rear of the main body portion 12.

Turning to FIG. 11, another product information assembly 10 in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. The product information assembly 10 may include a mounting structure. The mounting structure may include a bracket 102 and a suction cup 104 and the main body portion 12. The bracket may include a first planar surface 106 which received an extension from the suction cup 104 through an aperture and a second planar 108 which is adhesively or otherwise suitably secured to a rear side of the main body portion 12. The first and second ends 106 and 108 may be parallel to one another.

Turning to FIGS. 12A and 12B, another product information assembly 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. The product information assembly 10 may include a mounting structure in the form of a bracket 110 for inner connecting the main body portion 12 with an upright structural number.

The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary arrangements of the present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims, that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A product information assembly in combination with a grocery cart, the grocery cart of the type adapted to nestably stack with similar grocery carts, the product information assembly comprising:

a main body portion defining a slot;

a mounting portion extending from the main body portion and securing the product information assembly to a laterally extending handle of the grocery cart, the mounting portion defining a mounting portion pivot axis which allows the main body portion to rotate between a first position and a second position, the first position being an operative position and the second position allowing nesting of the grocery cart with a similar grocery cart; and

a self-coiling information sheet extending through the slot and including a first end retained behind the main body portion and a second end in front of the main body portion, the self-coiling information sheet operative in a display mode in which substantially all of the self-coiling information sheet is extended in front of the main body portion and a coiled mode in which substantially all of the self-coiling information sheet is coiled behind the main body portion.

2. The product information assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting portion is adhesively secured to the shopping cart.

3. The product information assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting portion is adhesively secured to the main body portion.

4. The product information assembly of claim 1, wherein the information sheet coils about a coil axis, the coil axis being substantially parallel to the mounting portion pivot axis.

5. The product information assembly of claim 1, wherein the handle of the grocery cart extends along a handle axis, the mounting portion pivot axis being substantially parallel to the handle axis.

6. The product information assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting portion defines a fold line at the mounting portion pivot axis.

7. A product information assembly comprising:

a main body portion defining a slot;

a self-coiling information sheet extending through the slot and including a first end retained behind the main body portion and a second end in front of the main body portion, the self-coiling information sheet operative in a display mode in which substantially all of the self-coiling information sheet is extended in front of the main body portion and a coiled mode in which substantially all of the self-coiling information sheet is coiled behind the main body portion; and

a mounting structure for interconnecting the main body portion to one of a pegboard, a shelf, or a structural upright.

8. The product information assembly of claim 7, wherein the mounting structure includes an adhesive element for attachment to the main body portion.

9. The product information assembly of claim 7, wherein the mounting structure includes a bracket connected to the main body portion.

10. The product information assembly of claim 9, wherein the bracket is adapted to engage holes of a pegboard.

11. The product information assembly of claim 10, wherein the mounting structure further includes an arm extending from the bracket.

12. The product information assembly of claim 9, wherein the bracket is adapted to releasably connect to a shelf.

13. The product information assembly of claim 12, wherein the bracket is adapted to attack to an underside of the shelf.

14. The product information assembly of claim 12, wherein the bracket is adapted to attack to a front surface of the shelf.

15. The product information assembly of claim 12, wherein the bracket is adapted to attach a wire shelf.

16. The product information assembly of claim 12, wherein the mounting structure further includes a suction cup, the bracket connecting the suction cup and the main body portion.

17. A method of providing product information on a grocery cart, the grocery cart of the type adapted to nestably stack with similar grocery carts, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a product information assembly including a main body portion defining a slot and a self-coiling information sheet extending through the slot and including a first end retained behind the main body portion and a second end in front of the main body portion, the self-coiling information sheet operative in a display mode in which substantially all of the self-coiling information sheet is extended in front of the main body portion and a coiled mode in which substantially all of the self-coiling information sheet is coiled behind the main body portion;

mounting the main body portion to an internally extending handle of the shopping cart; and

moving the main body portion from a first position to a second position to accommodate nesting of the shopping cart with another similar shopping cart.

18. The method of providing product information on a shopping cart of claim 17, wherein the step of moving the main body portion from a first position to a second position includes the step of rotating the main body portion about a pivot axis.

19. The method of providing product information on a shopping cart of claim 18, wherein the pivot axis is substantially parallel to the laterally extending handle.

20. The method of providing product information on a shopping cart of claim 19, wherein the step of mounting the main body portion to a laterally extending handle of the shopping cart includes the step of providing a mounting portion, the mounting portion defining a fold line at the pivot axis.