DISPLAY FOR SHEET GOODS

Abstract

A sample display unit for sheets goods that is easy to transport and assemble, sturdy to withstand a plurality of sheet goods for a lengthy time, and capable of containing advertisements. The sample display unit for sheet goods has a rectangular body, a shelf, and a header. The rectangular body includes a back panel, a face panel, and side panels with inclined top edges. The shelf partitions the rectangular body into an upper sample display container and a lower enclosure. The shelf is also provided at a suitable height to allow the sheet goods such as desk mats, floor mats, carpet mats and chair mats to be removed with ease. In one embodiment, a support base can be situated within the lower enclosure to provide support for the shelf and the display unit. In another embodiment, a frame can be used to support the shelf and the display unit. When sheet goods are contained within the upper sample display container, the products can be easily removed from the shelf without having to lift the sheet goods over an edge or a lip. The sample display unit may also include graphical indicia relating to the product.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to, and claims all available benefits from, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/841,426 filed Aug. 31, 2006.

BACKGROUND

The present invention is directed to a display unit for various products and, specifically, to display sheet goods such as desk mats, floor mats, carpet mats and chair mats used to protect an underlying surface. In particular, the present invention relates to a display system having features that enhance the ease of displaying and handling, and improve the marketability of such sheet goods.

Display units are used to display and support products in various locations, such as a retail store, an office store, a convention, a club store or a mass merchandiser. Some display units are also used as shipping containers for products, especially when these products are small in size, such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,350,281 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,435,351. U.S. Pat. No. 4,350,281 discloses a one-piece shipping container/display unit for shipment, handling and display of articles as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The shipping container/display unit is constructed of a corrugated container formed from a unitary blank. The shipping container/display unit includes a pair of side and end walls integrally connected to form a bottom closure flap and top closure flap. As shown in FIG. 2 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,350,281, the side walls have an integrally connected side wall liner flap that functions as double wall construction. In addition, the bottom closure is constructed of bottom closure flaps to function as double wall construction. Double wall construction may be wasteful and unnecessary, especially when a display unit is not shipped as an assembled unit and is supported by other means when assembled.

Each bottom closure flap of shipping container/display unit forms a relatively short partial end wall liner suited to provide a minimum end wall remainder as shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 12 and 14 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,350,281. The end wall, however, compels the user to lift the article before removing the article from the shipping container/display unit. This can be very cumbersome, especially when only a few articles remain within shipping container/display unit, or when the product is shaped awkwardly. Furthermore, the shipping container/display unit must be used with other containers or another structure to provide the articles at a suitable elevation. An elevation is suitable when, while a user is removing the article from the shipping container/display unit, the user avoids much bending at the waist or of the back.

Additionally, when products are larger in size, the products are typically shipped separately from the display units. When shipped separately, the display units, then, are assembled at the destination where the products will be sold. To illustrate, FIG. 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,773 discloses such product display and support carton. The product display and support carton includes a display box and an opposed pair of dividers that define at least two separate product receiving compartments. The display box comprises of a bottom panel and an upwardly extending wall panel, which together form a product carrying enclosure. The product carrying enclosure is further divided by dividers that define at least two separate product receiving compartments.

In addition, the display box has an open top defined by a top wall panel edge disposed opposite the bottom panel, and the product carrying enclosure is inclined at an angle to the vertical when the bottom panel is on a horizontal surface. The upwardly extending wall panel is preferably defined by an upwardly and rearwardly inclined front wall, an upwardly and rearwardly inclined rear wall, and a pair of generally parallel side walls. The front wall comprises of a product restraining wall. However, the front wall forces the article to be lifted before being removed from the shipping container/display unit. Moreover, the product carrying enclosure does not provide products at a suitable elevation.

When display units support larger products, the display units often need reinforcement or extra support. The extra support also typically raises the product above ground level in order for displayed products to be easily removed. U.S. Pat. No. 4,193,652 discloses in FIGS. 8 and 9 such sample display case that incorporates a pedestal. The sample display case provides an upwardly open, transversally partitioned box preferably made of exteriorly decorated corrugated paper box board. The box has upper and lower edges which are protected and reinforced with square hoop-like metal frames. Dividers are hung from the metal frames. The sample display case may be free-standing or pedestal-supported, e.g., upon a similar case turned on its side or upon a vertical axis cruciform support. Samples of carpet are stowed in the individual upwardly open cells defined between the box sides and partitions are individually accessible. While the pedestal may provide the products at a suitable elevation, walls of the box do not allow the product to easily slide away when the product is removed horizontally from the container, and do not allow accessibility to the products from the side of the sample display case.

Thus, there is a need for a display system that allows sheet goods to be easily removed without lifting the sheet goods over an edge or lip. It is also desirable that the sheet goods be provided at a suitable elevation. Furthermore, there is a need for a display system that can ship separately as a kit in a minimum amount of space and that is lightweight and easy to assemble.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A sample display unit of the present invention can comprise a rectangular body, a shelf, and a header. The rectangular body can include a back panel, a face panel, and two upstanding side panels having a top edge. The top edge of the side panels can be inclined to face frontward toward the face panel. The shelf can partition the rectangular body into an upper sample display container and a lower enclosure. Furthermore, the header can extend upwardly from the back panel. The face panel has a top edge that can be lower than the elevation of the shelf. In addition, the face panel can be substantially perpendicular to the shelf. The shelf is intended to support sheet goods at a convenient height for selection by a customer of the goods.

In accordance with one embodiment, the sample display unit can further comprise of a support base that occupies the lower enclosure of the rectangular body. The support base can comprise of a plurality of substantially parallel first sheets transversely interconnected to at least one second sheet. The first and second sheets can have at least one slot where the slots of the first and second sheets interconnect.

In accordance with another embodiment, the sample display unit can further comprise of a frame. The frame comprises of a pair of side uprights and a platform. The side uprights can have at least one girder and can support the side panels. The platform connects the girders and can support the side uprights and the shelf. Additionally, the display can comprise of at least one crosspiece that connects the side uprights. The crosspiece can support the side uprights and at least one of the face panel, the back panel, or the header, or any combination.

In accordance with another embodiment, the sample display unit can comprise rectangular body, a pair of shelves separated by a header. The rectangular body can include a back panel, a pair of facing panels, and two upstanding side panels joining the facing panels to each other and to the back panel. A top edge of the side panels can be inclined to face away from the back panel and toward the facing panels. The shelves can partition the rectangular body into a pair of sample display containers and a lower enclosure. Furthermore, the header can extend upwardly from the back panel. The facing panels can have a top edge that can be lower than the elevation of the shelves. In addition, the facing panels can be substantially perpendicular to the shelves. The shelves are intended to support sheet goods on opposite sides of the header at a convenient height for selection by a customer of the goods

The sample display unit can also contain graphical indicia relating to the product. The graphical indicia can be found on one side or on both sides of the header, the back panel, the face panel, and the side panels. Furthermore, the sample display unit can further comprise of a product sample. The product sample can be placed on and removed from the upper sample display container.

One advantage of the present invention is the ease of handling the product when being removed. Another advantage is the ease of shipping and handling of the sample display unit. Also an advantage is the ease of conversion of the sample display unit from shipment to an attractive commercial display of the products. Other features of the present display stands and the corresponding advantages of those features will be come apparent from the following discussion of preferred embodiments of the present invention, exemplifying the best mode of practicing the present invention, which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sample display unit of the present invention with a support base.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the support base in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sample display unit of the present invention with a frame.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the display unit with a frame in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another sample display unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A better understanding of the present invention will now be had upon reference to the following description of preferred embodiments, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views and different embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a first sample display unit 10 comprises of a rectangular body 12, a shelf 14, and a header 16. The rectangular body 12 includes a back panel 20, a face panel 22, and two upstanding side panels 24, 26 having top edges 25, 27 respectively. At least a portion of the top edges 25, 27 can be inclined to face frontward toward the face panel 22 so that a user has accessibility to the products 110, such as sheet goods, from the side if needed. The shelf 14 partitions the rectangular body 12 into an upper sample display container 28 and a lower enclosure 29. The shelf 14 is intended to support products 110 in the nature of sheet goods, such as floor mats, desk chair mats, or the like, at a convenient height for selection by a customer of the goods.

Furthermore, the header 16 extends upwardly from the back panel 20. The header is mainly used for advertising the sheet goods on display. The back panel 20 has a top edge 21, and a highest point 19 of the top edges 25, 27 of the side panels 24, 26 can be at least as high as the top edge 21 of the back panel 20. The header 16 can extend upwardly from the top edge 21 of the back panel. In addition, the header 16 and the back panel 20 can be co-planar. In some embodiments, the header 16 and the back panel 20 are one piece, and the header 16 and the back panel 20 can be separated by a fold-line.

The face panel 22 has a top edge 23, and the top edge 23 is lower than the elevation of the shelf 14. The face panel 22 is also substantially perpendicular to the shelf 14. The side panels 24, 26 have a front edge 30, 31 respectively. The front edges 30, 31 meet the top edges 25, 27 of the side panels to form vertices 32, 34 respectively. The vertices 32, 34 can be at least as high as the top edge 23 of the face panel.

In accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, the sample display unit 10 can further comprise of a support base 40 that occupies the lower enclosure 29 of the rectangular body as shown in FIG. 1. According to FIG. 2, the support base 40 can comprise of a plurality of substantially parallel first sheets 42 transversely interconnected to at least one second sheet 44. Each of the first sheet 42 and second sheet 44 can have at least one slot 46 where the slot or slots of the first sheet 42 interconnect with slot or slots of the second sheet 44. The support base 40 should be sufficiently strong to resist the load of the shelf 14, the display unit 10, and sheet goods, yet sufficiently light weight to avoid contributing significantly to the overall load. Thus, the support base 40 and the first display unit 10 should be made of any lightweight, sturdy material known in the art. For example, various combinations of corrugated board prepared in a standard manner, fiberboard, paper, plastic or metal.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a second sample display unit 10 comprises of a rectangular body 12, a shelf 14, and a header 16. The rectangular body 12 includes a back panel 20, a face panel 22, and two upstanding side panels 24, 26 having top edges 25, 27 respectively. At least a portion of the top edges 25, 27 can be inclined to face frontward toward the face panel 22. The shelf 14 partitions the rectangular body 12 into an upper sample display container 28 and a lower enclosure 29. The shelf 14 can be made of any light weight material that sufficiently supports the load of sheet goods, such as particle board, corrugated board, fiberboard, plastic or metal.

Furthermore, the header 16 extends upwardly from the back panel 20. The back panel 20 has a top edge 21, and a highest point 19 of the top edges 25, 27 of the side panels 24, 26 can be at least as high as the top edge 21 of the back panel 20. The header 16 can extend upwardly from the top edge 21 of the back panel. In addition, the header 16 and the back panel 20 can be co-planar.

The face panel 22 has a top edge 23 that is substantially perpendicular to the shelf 14 and the top edge 23 is lower than the elevation of the shelf 14. The side panels 24, 26 have a front edge 30, 31 respectively. The front edges 30, 31 meet the top edges 25, 27 of the side panels to form vertices 32, 34 respectively. The vertices 32, 34 can be at least as high as the top edge 23 of the face panel.

The second sample display unit 10 can further comprise of a frame 60 as shown in FIG. 4. The frame 60 can comprise of a pair of side uprights 62, 64 and a platform 70. The side uprights 62, 64 each can have at least one girder 63, 65 respectively. The girders 63, 65 primarily support the platform 70. Furthermore, the side uprights 62, 64 can support the side panels 24, 26 respectively. The platform 70 can connect the girders 63, 65 and can support the side uprights 62, 64 and the shelf 14. Additionally, the sample display unit 10 can comprise of at least one crosspiece 80 that connects the side uprights 62, 64. (Three crosspieces 80a, 80b, 80c are shown in FIG. 4). The crosspiece 80 can support the side uprights 62, 64 and at least one of the face panel 22, the back panel 20, or the header 16, or any combination. The frame 60 can be made of various materials known in the art to be rigid and light, such as metal, plastic, wood, etc. In accordance with FIGS. 3 and 4, the frame consists of metal tubing.

As shown in FIG. 5, a third sample display unit 10 comprises of a rectangular body 12, a pair of shelves 14 separated by a header 16. The rectangular body 12 includes a back panel 20, a pair of face panels 22, and two upstanding side panels 24, 26 having top edges 25, 27 respectively. At least a portion of the top edges 25, 27 can be inclined toward the adjacent face panel 22 so that a user has accessibility to the sheet goods from either side, if needed. The shelves 14 partition the rectangular body 12 into an upper sample display container 28 and a lower enclosure 29. The shelves 14 are intended to support products 110 in the nature of sheet goods, such as floor mats, desk chair mats, or the like, at a convenient height for selection by a customer of the goods.

Furthermore, the header 16 extends upwardly from the back panel 20. The header 16 is mainly used for advertising the sheet goods on display. The back panel 20 has a top edge 21, and a highest point 19 of the top edges 25, 27 of the side panels 24, 26 can be at least as high as the top edge 21 of the back panel 20. The header 16 can extend upwardly from the top edge 21 of the back panel. In addition, the header 16 and the back panel 20 can be co-planar. The header 16 and the back panel 20 can be formed of one piece, and the header 16 and the back panel 20 can be separated from each other by a fold-line coincident with top edge 21.

The face panels 22 have a top edge 23. The top edges 23 can be parallel to each other and at the same elevation as the shelf 14. The face panels 22 can also be substantially perpendicular to the shelf 14. The side panels 24, 26 have edges 30, 31 respectively. The edges 30, 31 meet the top edges 25, 27 of the side panels to form vertices 32, 34 respectively. The vertices 32, 34 can be at least as high as the top edge 23 of the face panels 22. Like the first embodiment of the present invention, the sample display unit 10 of the third embodiment can further comprise of a support base 40 that occupies the lower enclosure 29 of the rectangular body as shown in FIG. 2. The support base 40 can comprise of a plurality of substantially parallel first sheets 42 transversely interconnected to at least one second sheet 44 as shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively, the third display unit can be formed with frame as shown in FIG. 4. The support base 40 having either construction can be conveniently supported on a standard pallet 41. Additionally, a pair of the display units 10 shown in FIGS. 1-4 can also be conveniently supported on a standard pallet 41 in like manner.

The sample display units can also contain graphical indicia 90 relating to the products 110. According to FIG. 1, the graphical indicia can be found on one side or on both sides 91, 92 of the header 16, both sides 93, 94 of the back panel 20, both sides 95, 96 of the face panel 22, and both sides 97, 98 and 99, 100 of the side panels 24, 26 respectively.

Furthermore, the first and second sample display unit 10 can further comprise of a product sample 110, typically sheet goods, such as floor mats, desk chair mats, etc. The product sample 110 can be placed on the shelf 14, and removed from the upper sample display container 28 without encountering any obstruction along the top edge 23. Additionally, the product sample can be available at a suitable elevation, namely the shelf can be at a height between about 18-30 inches to facilitate customer selection.

Regarding the comparative height of the vertices 32, 34, as shown in FIG. 3, the vertices 32, 34 are shown to be higher than the top edge 23 of the face panel. However, in FIG. 1, the vertices 32, 34 to be substantially the same height as the top edge 23 of the face panel as shown in FIG. 1. Moreover, the top edges 25, 27 shown in FIG. 1 are entirely inclined, while the top edges 25, 27 in FIGS. 3 and 4 are partially inclined. Also shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the top edges 25, 27 of the side panels 24, 26 are substantially the same height as the top edge 21 of the back panel 20. The embodiments in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 also show the header 16 extending upwardly from the top edge 21 of the back panel 20 and the header 16 as coplanar with the back panel 20. Additionally shown In FIG. 4, the header 16 can also be supported by the side uprights 62, 64.

The sample display unit 10 can be shipped separate from the sheet goods. If this is the case, the sample display unit 10 will be shipped as components forming a kit. When the sample display unit kit arrives at a destination, the kit is located near where the display will be used. If the sample display unit 10 is similar to the first embodiment, then the sample display unit would be shipped in a few components including the support base 40. The rectangular box 12 would then be assembled, as well as the support base 40. The shelf 14 and header 16 would then be placed at their respective locations. Next, the rectangular box 12 would be placed on top of the support base 40. Minor movement may be needed to position all the pieces in the correct fashion. Lastly, the sheet goods 110 are stacked on top of the shelf 14, and the sample display unit 10 is ready for use.

If, however, the sample display unit 10 is similar to the second embodiment, then the sample display unit 10 would be shipped as several components in a kit as shown in FIG. 4. When the sample display unit kit arrives at a destination, the kit is located near where the display will be used. First, the side uprights 62, 64 including the girders 63, 65 are placed upright and are oriented in a way that the girders face the inside. Next, the platform 70 is attached to the girders 63, 65 in between the side uprights 62, 64. The shelf 14 is then attached to the platform 70. The crosspieces 80 are then attached to the side uprights 62, 64. Subsequently, the side panels 24, 26, the face panel 22, the back panel 20, and header 16 are attached to the side uprights 62, 64 and crosspieces 80. Once setup, the sample sheet goods 110 are placed on top of the shelf 14 and the sample display unit 10 is ready for use.

Thus, after setup the sample display unit 10 allows sheet goods to be easily removed. A user can easily slide the sheet goods 110 from the stack without having to lift the sheet goods 110 over an edge or lip. This is accomplished by lowering the top edge 23 of the face panel 22 below the elevation of the shelf 14. Also, the user can access the sheet goods 110 from the sides because of the inclined top edges 25, 27 of the side panels 24, 26. Furthermore, the user is provided the sheet goods at a suitable elevation. This is accomplished by designing the shelf 14 to be at a certain distance from the floor in order to alleviate the need to bend at the back or waist. Because the sample display unit 10 can be separated into components, a user could easily ship the sample display unit 10 as a kit and assemble on site. Lastly, both the support base 30 and the frame 60 provide sufficient support for a plurality of sheet goods, while being light weight.

The foregoing detailed description should be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting. The following claims, including all equivalents, define the spirit and scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A sample display unit comprising: a rectangular body including a back panel, a face panel, and two upstanding side panels having a top edge, wherein a portion of the top edge of the side panels is inclined to face toward the face panel; a shelf partitioning the rectangular body into an upper sample display container and a lower enclosure; and a header extending upwardly from the back panel.

2. The sample display unit in claim 1, wherein the back panel has a top edge, and the top edge of the side panels has a highest point which is at least as high as the top edge of the back panel.

3. The sample display unit in claim 2, wherein the highest point of the top edge of the side panels is substantially the same height as the top edge of the back panel.

4. The sample display unit in claim 1, wherein the face panel having a top edge is substantially perpendicular to the shelf and the top edge of the face panel is lower in elevation than the shelf.

5. The sample display unit in claim 1, wherein the entire top edge of the side panels is inclined to face frontward.

6. The sample display unit in claim 1, wherein the side panels have a front edge, and the front edge of the side panels meets the top edge of the side panels to form a vertex, wherein the vertex is at least as high as the top edge of the face panel.

7. The sample display unit in claim 6, wherein the vertex is substantially the same height as the top edge of the face panel.

8. The sample display unit in claim 1, wherein the header extends upwardly from the top edge of the back panel and the header and the back panel are co-planar.

9. The sample display unit in claim 1 or 4 further comprising of a support base occupying the lower enclosure and supporting the shelf.

10. The sample display unit in claim 9, wherein the support base comprises of a plurality of substantially parallel first sheets transversely interconnected to at least one second sheet.

11. The sample display unit in claim 9, wherein the support base comprises of a plurality of first sheets, arranged front-back and substantially parallel, transversely interconnected to a plurality of second sheets, arranged side-side and substantially parallel.

12. The sample display unit in claims 10 or 11, wherein the first sheets and the second sheets have at least one slot, and the first and second sheets are attached by transversely interconnecting the slots of the first sheet and the second sheet to form the support base.

13. The sample display unit in claim 9, wherein the header and the back panel are one piece, and the header and the back panel are separated by a fold-line.

14. The sample display unit in claim 1 or 4 further comprising of a frame comprising: a pair of side uprights having at least one girder and a platform connecting the girders, wherein the platform supports the side uprights and the shelf, and the side uprights support the side panels.

15. The sample display unit in claim 14 further comprising of at least one crosspiece connecting the side uprights, wherein the crosspiece supports the side uprights and at least one of the face panel, the back panel, or the header.

16. A sample display unit comprising: a rectangular body including a back panel, at least one face panel having a top edge, and two upstanding side panels having a top edge, wherein a portion of the top edge of the side panels is inclined to face toward the at least one face panel; at least one shelf partitioning the rectangular body into an upper sample display container and a lower enclosure, and wherein the at least one face panel has a top edge substantially perpendicular to the at least one shelf and the top edge of the at least one face panel is lower in elevation than the at least one shelf; a header extending upwardly from the back panel; and a support base occupying the lower enclosure and supporting the shelf, wherein the support base comprises of a plurality of substantially parallel first sheets transversely interconnected to at least one second sheet.

17. A sample display unit comprising: a rectangular body including a back panel, a face panel having a top edge, and two upstanding side panels having a top edge, wherein a portion of the top edge of the side panels is inclined to face toward the face panel; a shelf partitioning the rectangular body into an upper sample display container and a lower enclosure, wherein the face panel having a top edge is substantially perpendicular to the shelf and the top edge of the face panel is lower in elevation than the shelf; a header extending upwardly from the back panel; and a frame comprising of a pair of side uprights having at least one girder, wherein the side uprights support the side panels, a platform connecting the girders, wherein the platform supports the side uprights and the shelf, and at least one crosspiece connecting the side uprights, wherein the crosspiece supports the side uprights and at least one of the face panel, the back panel, or the header.

18. The sample display unit in claims 1, 9, 14, 16 or 17, wherein at least one side of the header, the back panel, the face panel, and the side panels has graphical indicia relating to the product.

19. The sample display unit in claims 1, 9, 14, 16 or 17, further comprising of at least one sample, wherein the sample is placed on and removed from the upper sample display container.

20. The sample display unit in claim 16 having a pair of face panels and a pair of shelves separated by the back panel and header.