Stacked product array with enhanced visibility and recognition
A stacked product array possesses a plurality of individual products. Each individual product contains a visible graphic designed such that each visible graphic is different. However, when the individual products are aligned together at least one edge of each visible graphic matches at least one edge of at least one other visible graphic. So, when the individual products are stacked appropriately the combination of the visible graphics forms at least one continuous larger visible graphic whose area is larger than the average area of the visible graphics. A process for enhancing the visibility and recognition of a sacked product array is also provided.
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This application is a being filed under 35 U.S.C. 120 and is a continuation of PCT Application No. IB2006/054857, filed Dec. 14, 2006, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/754,064 filed on Dec. 27, 2005, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/754,144 filed on Dec. 27, 2005 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/845569 filed on Sep. 19, 2006.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to packages. Specifically, the present invention relates to packages containing artwork.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONProducts such as laundry detergents, cereals, tissues, etc. are often sold as individual products which are often stacked together in the store, during shipment, etc. Such products are often contained in boxes. Typically, each box then contains an identical graphic (i.e., artwork) thereupon which identifies the product, provides information to the consumer, and may also provide aesthetic benefits. However, in many stores, especially in, for example, warehouse stores, supermarkets, and/or club stores such as Wal-Mart, Carrefour, Target, Kroger, Aldi, Tesco, Sam's Club, Costco, etc., many thousands of products are displayed simultaneously, leading to low visibility for individual products. Similarly, with the growing incidence of some stores marketing and displaying their own products in colors and packages which are increasingly similar to those of consumer products companies' products, it is becoming increasingly difficult and time consuming for consumers to easily see, recognize and find the products they desire.
Various methods for increasing visibility and recognition of products are known such as using specially-designed display cases, separate signs hung above or from the products, shelf-stickers, televisions, etc. However, such methods require additional materials other than the product themselves. Such methods may also take up additional floor space and/or store volume which is essentially “dead-space” which can not be used to store or display actual products for sale, and thereby decreases floor utilization efficiency.
Accordingly, the need exists for a method and apparatus for enhancing the visibility and recognition of a stacked product array in a store, and especially a warehouse store, a supermarket or a club store.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a stacked product array which possesses a plurality of individual products. Each individual product contains a visible graphic designed such that each visible graphic is different. However, when the individual products are aligned together at least one edge of each visible graphic matches at least one edge of at least one other visible graphic. So, when the individual products are stacked appropriately the combination of the visible graphics forms at least one continuous larger visible graphic whose area is larger than the average area of the visible graphics.
The present invention also relates to a process for enhancing the visibility and recognition of a sacked product array by providing a plurality of individual products, each of which contains a visible graphic which is different. At least one edge of each visible graphic matches at least one edge of at least one other visible graphic. The individual products are stacked together such that the combination of the visible graphics forms at least one continuous larger graphic whose area is larger than the average area of the visible graphics.
It has now been found that since the area of the continuous larger visible graphic is significantly larger than the average area of the visible graphics, the visibility and recognition of the array of products is significantly increased. Such an improved stacked product array also helps a consumer recognize the product from farther away and also to more quickly “cut through the visual clutter” in the store, in order to find a desired product in a crowded warehouse store, supermarket, or club store.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSWhile the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description of the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals identify like elements, and wherein:
The figures herein are not necessarily drawn to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONAs used herein, the term “comprising” means that other steps, ingredients, elements, etc. which do not adversely affect the end result can be added. This term encompasses the terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of”.
As used herein with respect to any specific stacked product array, the terms “deep” and “deeper” indicates farther away from a viewer (see point A in
As used herein, the term “matches” and various forms thereof such as “matching” mean that when an edge of a visible graphic is correctly aligned with the corresponding edge of another visible graphic, the patterns, colors, lines, and/or visual elements of each of the visible graphics together form what appears to be a continuous image. See, for example, the discussion relating to edges 113a′ and 113c′ in
As used herein, the terms “stack appropriately” and “stacked appropriately” indicates that the individual products with their visible graphics are aligned and stacked, at least initially, in a manner consistent with forming, and so as to form, the desired continuous larger visible graphic.
As used herein, with respect to any specific stacked product array, the term “tall” indicates up-and-down from the point of view of a viewer (see point A in
As used herein with respect to any specific stacked product array, the term “wide” indicates from left-to-right from the point of view of a viewer (see point A in
Stacked product arrays are common in large stores, especially at the ends of rows, or in the aisles and open areas where they are intended to draw attention. Such displays are also often used for special promotions or sales. However, with the growth in floor space of the larger stores combined with the proliferation of such stacked products, it can be increasingly difficult to rapidly recognize and identify specific desired products. Previously, problems such as a lack of visibility was addressed by preparing special advertising materials and in-store materials such as hanging flags, special display cases, and even placing television screens to attract and hold the attention of customers. However, such methods may be expensive and add extra expense over and beyond the price of the individual products themselves. Such use of additional in-store materials can also reduce the profitability of each square meter of floor space as costs tend to increase, and as floor space is taken up with non-saleable goods. Thus, dead-space is decreased, and existing floor space may be used more efficiently and profitably.
The present invention provides a way of using the actual individual products to be sold as a larger advertising medium by forming a continuous larger visible graphic, and thereby reducing or eliminating the need for additional in-store promotion materials. Especially in a typical large warehouse store, such a continuous larger visible graphic may be more easily seen from a distance whereas multiple smaller graphics would be lost in the visual clutter of the store.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a stacked product array having enhanced visibility and recognition which contains a plurality of individual products, each individual product comprising a visible graphic. When the individual products are aligned together at least one edge of each visible graphic matches at least one edge of at least one other visible graphic. In contrast to typical in-market products, each visible graphic is different, so that when the individual products are stacked appropriately the combination of the visible graphics forms at least one continuous larger visible graphic. In order to be effective, the area of the continuous larger visible graphic is larger than the average area of the visible graphics.
Turning to the figures,
In
In
The continuous larger visible graphic of
Behind and immediately deeper than the first stacked product array in
While not shown in the Figures herein, it is contemplated that even with only 8 boxes as in
In the embodiment of
In
The stacked product array is typically at least two individual products wide and at least two individual products tall. Without intending to be limited by theory, it has been found that increasing both the height and width can significantly enhance visibility and recognition of a product in a store-like environment, as compared to merely increasing height or width, alone. This is true even if the total area of the continuous larger visible graphic is the same. i.e., a 2×2 stack is more visible and recognizable than a 4×1 row or a 1×4 column. In an embodiment herein, the stacked product array is from about 2 to about 9, or from about 3 to about 5 individual products wide In an embodiment herein, the stacked product array is from about 2 to about 9, or from about 3 to about 5 individual products tall. In another embodiment herein, the stacked product array contains from about 4 to about 81, or from about 6 to about 45, or from about 9 to about 25 individual products. In an embodiment herein, the area of the continuous larger visible graphic is from about 4 times to about 81 times, or from about 6 to about 45 times, or from about 9 to about 25 times larger than the average area of the visible graphics.
In the embodiment of
Such a stacked product array may be stacked appropriately by hand, by a machine during the production process, etc. In an embodiment herein, the stacked product array is stacked appropriately in a shipping container, such as a cardboard box or a shrink-wrapped film, which is appropriately sealed and shipped to the store. The shipping container serves multiple purposes, such as protection of the individual products during shipping and handling, assuring that the stacked product array stays stacked appropriately, etc. Upon arrival in the store, a store employee or other individual removes at least a portion of the shipping container (i.e., by removing one or more side panels of the cardboard box or cutting away the shrink-wrap) to reveal the continuous larger visible graphic. Such an embodiment is especially advantageous as it significantly reduces work in the store to set up the stacked product array, and also provides a stacked product array which serves a double purpose as a display counter. The shipping container may also contain a separate visible graphic thereupon. In an embodiment herein, a stacked product array is further stacked on top of at least one other stacked product array so as to more efficiently use the floor space and also increase the visibility of the stacked product arrays from a distance. While the embodiments in the Figures all show rectangular or square stacked product arrays, other shapes and configurations are also specifically encompassed herein, such as, for example, pyramids, globes, circles, triangles, etc. Furthermore, it is recognized that the continuous larger visible graphic herein need not be in the same vertical or horizontal plane, and thus such a continuous larger visible graphic is specifically encompassed herein.
In an embodiment herein, the individual products are packages which contain multiple items therein each of which is further intended for individual sale.
EXAMPLE 1 A first stacked product array according to
A manufacturing line assures that the individual products are stacked appropriately such that the combination of the visible graphics forms a single continuous larger visible graphic of the Ariel logo and the Atomium. The area of the continuous larger visible graphic is about 4 times lager than the average area of the visible graphics. A second stacked product array is then provided and stacked immediately deeper to the first stacked product array, and a third stacked product array is provided and stacked immediately deeper to the second stacked product array. The manufacturing line then forms a cardboard box shipping container around the set of three stacked product arrays. The shipping container contains easy-tear perforations and tape around the base to allow someone to easily remove the side panels to display the continuous larger visible graphic without having to separately take each individual product out of the shipping container and re-stack them appropriately. The shipping container also contains an Ariel logo and Atomium on 4 sides thereof. The shipping container containing the three stacked product arrays is then shipped via standard transportation to a warehouse store for display and sale.
EXAMPLE 2 A stacked product array according to
A stacked product array according to
All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this written document shall govern.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.
Claims
1. A stacked product array having enhanced visibility and recognition comprising a plurality of individual products, each individual product comprising a visible graphic, wherein when the individual products are aligned together at least one edge of each visible graphic matches at least one edge of at least one other visible graphic, wherein at least one visible graphic is different from at least one other visible graphic, wherein the individual products are stacked appropriately the combination of the visible graphics forms at least one continuous larger visible graphic wherein the area of the continuous larger visible graphic is larger than the average area of the visible graphics.
2. The stacked product array according to claim 1, wherein the stacked product array is at least two individual products wide and two individual products tall.
3. The stacked product array according to claim 1, wherein the products are in the form of boxes.
4. The stacked product array according to claim 2, wherein the stacked product array is at least three individual products wide.
5. The stacked product array according to claim 2, wherein the stacked product array is at least three individual products tall.
6. The stacked product array according to claim 1, wherein the area of the continuous larger visible graphic is from about 4 times to about 81 times larger than the average area of the visible graphics.
7. The stacked product array according to claim 6, wherein the stacked product array comprises from about 4 to about 81 individual products, and wherein the products are in the form of boxes.
8. The stacked product array according to claim 3, wherein the boxes contain laundry detergent therein.
9. The stacked product array according to claim 1, wherein the dimensions of each individual product are substantially identical.
10. The stacked product array according to claim 1, wherein the shape of each individual product is substantially identical.
11. The stacked product array according to claim 1, wherein the continuous larger visible graphic is a non-repetitive continuous larger visible graphic.
12. The stacked product array according to claim 1, wherein it is located in a warehouse store.
13. The stacked product array according to claim 1, wherein each individual product is removably stacked.
14. The stacked product array according to claim 1, further comprising a shipping container, wherein the stacked product array is stacked appropriately in the shipping container such that the continuous larger graphic is formed.
15. A set of stacked product arrays comprising a first stacked product array according to claim 1, and a second stacked product array according to claim 1 stacked immediately deeper.
16. The set of stacked product arrays according to claim 15, wherein the first stacked product array comprises a first set of individual products which form the continuous larger visible graphic, wherein the continuous larger visible graphic is a first continuous larger visible graphic, and wherein the second stacked product array comprises a second set of individual products stacked immediately deeper than the first set of individual products, and wherein at least one individual product in the second set of individual products comprises the same visible graphic as a corresponding individual product from the first set of individual products, such that if the corresponding individual product is removed, the visible graphic from the individual product from the second set of individual products can appear to form part of the first continuous larger visible graphic.
17. The stacked product array according to claim 16, wherein the second stacked product array comprises a second continuous larger visible graphic and wherein the first continuous larger visible graphic is the same as the second continuous larger visible graphic.
18. The stacked product array according to claim 1, wherein each individual product further comprises a separate visible graphic, and wherein each separate visible graphic is the same.
19. The stacked product array according to claim 1, wherein each visible graphic matches at least two other visible graphics.
20. The stacked product array according to claim 1, wherein at least 25% of the visible graphics are different from every other visible graphic.
21. The stacked product array according to claim 1, wherein at least 50% of the visible graphics are different from every other visible graphic.
22. The stacked product array according to claim 1, wherein at least 75% of the visible graphics are different from every other visible graphic.
23. The stacked product array according to claim 1, wherein each visible graphic is different from every other visible graphic.
24. A process for enhancing the visibility and recognition of a stacked product array comprising the steps of:
- A. providing a plurality of individual products, each individual product comprising a visible graphic, wherein at least one edge of each visible graphic matches at least one edge of at least one other visible graphic, and wherein each visible graphic is different; and
- B. stacking the individual products together such that the combination of the visible graphics forms at least one continuous larger visible graphic,
- wherein the area of the continuous larger visible graphic is larger than the average area of the visible graphics.
25. A continuous larger visible graphic having enhanced visibility and recognition comprising a plurality of visible graphics aligned together so as to form the larger visible graphic, each visible graphic being attached to an individual product wherein at least one visible graphic is different from at least one other visible graphic, wherein at least one edge of each visible graphic matches at least one edge of at least one other visible graphic and wherein the area of the continuous larger visible graphic is larger than the average area of the visible graphics.
26. The continuous larger visible graphic according to claim 25, wherein when the visible graphics are aligned they form a stacked product array.
Type: Application
Filed: May 30, 2007
Publication Date: Oct 18, 2007
Applicant:
Inventor: Rhinn Piczon (Quezon)
Application Number: 11/807,723
International Classification: B65D 65/38 (20060101);