Magnetic display tray

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a magnetic display tray for receiving rectangular greeting card boxes for display at a point of sale. The magnetic display tray includes a body that has a plurality of side walls with depressions formed therein. The body further includes a plurality of partitions that define rectangular channels for receiving the greeting card boxes. At least one magnet is adhered to the body for removably securing the body to a metal shelving surface at the point of sale.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tray for displaying product in a store. More specifically, the present invention relates to a tray for displaying boxed material, such as greeting card packages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Greeting cards can be packaged and displayed at a point of sale in boxed sets, such as boxes of Christmas cards or other holiday cards. However, it is not uncommon for customers to disturb the boxes, thereby creating disorder in stores as they shop. For example, customers often handle such boxes and then replace them on a shelf incorrectly. As another example, it is not uncommon for customers to inadvertently knock the boxes from the shelf. It is desirable to display products such as boxed greeting cards at the points-of-sale in an orderly and space-efficient manner. It is also desirable to display these boxes in such a manner that they can be advantageously viewed, secured in place, and easily replaced to an orderly and secure position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages and shortcomings of the problems of the prior art by providing a magnetic display tray for displaying a plurality of greeting card boxes in an orderly arranged manner atop a metal shelving surface at a point of sale. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the magnetic display tray includes a tray body and at least one magnet adhered to the body for removably securing the body to the metal shelving surface at the point of sale.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the body includes a plurality of side walls that define a perimeter of the body and that have a plurality of depressions formed therein. The body further includes a plurality of partitions extending from a first one of said side walls to a second one of said side walls to define a first substantially rectangular channel and a second substantially rectangular channel parallel with respect to the first substantially rectangular channel. A plurality of alternating crest areas and trough areas extend between the first one of the side walls and the second one of the side walls. Each one of the trough areas has a seating surface that further define one of the channels corresponding thereto. At least one magnet is secured to at least one of the trough areas, such as by an adhesive or other suitable means.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, each one of the depressions of the body includes a recess and a ridge complementary thereto. A second magnetic display tray can be provided with a plurality of depressions also each having a recess and ridge complementary thereto. The depressions of the first tray cooperatively mate with the depressions of the second tray, such that the trays are conveniently stacked for space-efficient shipping.

Additional features, functions and benefits of the magnetic display tray will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, particularly when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of exemplary embodiment(s) considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a magnetic display tray constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic display tray being shown in combination with a plurality of rectangular packages;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the magnetic display tray shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the magnetic display tray shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a right side elevational view of the magnetic display tray shown in FIG. 1, a left side elevational view being identical thereto;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the magnetic display tray shown in FIG. 1, a rear elevational view being identical thereto;

FIG. 6 is a sectional elevational view showing the magnetic display tray of FIG. 1, the section having been taken along section line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a sectional perspective view showing the magnetic display tray of FIG. 1, the section having been taken along section line 7-7 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a magnetic display tray having a body that is formed of a transparent material;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the magnetic display tray of FIG. 8 with boxes of greeting cards removably received therein, the magnetic display tray being shown positioned atop a shelf having a metal shelving surface at a point-of-sale;

FIG. 10A is a partially exploded view of the magnetic display tray of FIG. 1 in combination with a second magnetic display tray that is in aligned with the magnetic display tray of FIG. 1 for stacking thereon; and

FIG. 10B is an assembly view of the magnetic display trays of FIG. 10A having a stacked orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a magnetic display tray 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown to include a body 12, a magnetic strip 14, and an adhesive layer 16. As will be discussed below with further detail, the body 12 is configured for secure placement on a metal shelving surface by means of the magnetic strip 14, which is adhered to an underside of the body 12 by the adhesive layer 16. The magnetic display tray 10 is shown in combination with a plurality of greeting card boxes 18 that are removably received into the body 12 for display at a point-of-sale.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 10B, the body 12 is unitarily formed of a plastic material. The body 12 is shown to be oblique in FIGS. 1-6 and 10A-10B for the purpose of facilitating consideration and discussion of the drawings. However, it shall be understood that the body 12 can be transparent and/or translucent as shown in FIGS. 7-9.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, the body 12 has a center area 20. The center area 20 extends from a first perimeter wall 22 along a first axis A1 to a second perimeter wall 24 that is substantially parallel to the first perimeter wall 22. The center area 20 also extends along a second axis A2, perpendicular to the first axis A1, from a third perimeter wall 26 to a fourth perimeter wall 28 that is substantially parallel to the third perimeter wall 26 and substantially perpendicular to the first perimeter wall 22 and the second perimeter wall 24.

The center area 20 is designed and configured to removably receive the greeting card boxes 18 (or similarly-shaped boxes) by defining a plurality of alternating crest areas 30 and trough areas 32. Each one of the crest areas 30 extends parallel to the first axis A1 from the first perimeter wall 22 to the second perimeter wall 24. Each one of the crest areas 30 is substantially parallel to each other one of the crest areas 30, and is spaced at intervals extending from the third perimeter wall 26 to the fourth perimeter wall 28. Each one of the crest areas 30 is co-planar with respect to each other one of the crest areas 30 along a geometric plane (not designated).

Partitions 38 (designated in FIG. 6) extend perpendicularly from each one of the crest areas 30 to each one of the trough areas 32 adjacent thereto. Each one of the partitions 38 is planar and extends parallel with respect to each other one of the partitions 38. Each one of the partitions 38 has a first partition surface 40 and a second partition surface 42 opposite thereto (designated in FIG. 3). The magnetic display tray 10 has an elevation H, which is defined by the partitions 38, the first perimeter wall 22, the second perimeter wall 24, the third perimeter wall 26, and the fourth perimeter wall 28 (designated in FIGS. 4-6).

Continuing with reference to FIGS. 1-6, the trough areas 32 extend in the same direction as the first axis A1 from a first trough end wall 44 to a second trough end wall 46 opposite thereto. The trough areas 32 are spaced at intervals from the third perimeter wall 26 to the fourth perimeter wall 28. Each one of the trough areas 32 is co-planar with respect to each other one of the trough areas 32 and parallel with respect to the crest areas 30. Each one of the trough areas 32 cooperates with the first partition surfaces 40 adjacent thereto and the trough end walls 44, 46 adjacent thereto to define a substantially rectangular channel 48 for removable reception of the greeting card boxes 18.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, each one of the trough area 32 includes a seating surfaces 50 facing one of the corresponding channels 48 and further includes an underside surface 52 opposite the seating surface 50. Each one of the trough areas 32 is separated from each other one of the trough areas 32 by a groove 54, which is an open space defined by and between one of the second partition surfaces 42, another of the second partition surfaces 42 adjacent thereto, and the corresponding one of the crest areas 30 extending therebetween.

As shown in FIGS. 6-7, each one of the trough areas 32 form an angle θ₁ with respect to each of the trough end walls 44, 46 corresponding thereto, and an angle θ₂ with respect to the partitions 38 corresponding thereto. Moreover, each one of the partitions 38 form an angle θ₃ with respect to the trough end walls 44, 46 corresponding thereto. Each one of the angles θ₁, θ₂, and θ₃ is preferably about ninety degrees (90°). The resulting shape of the channel 48 facilitates removable reception of the rectangular greeting card boxes 18 from the second perimeter wall 24 across the length of the body 12 to the first perimeter wall 22, such that the greeting card boxes 18 are maintained in a substantially upright position, e.g., at the normal angle with respect to the trough areas 30.

Referring to FIG. 3, each one of the perimeter walls 22, 24, 26, 28 includes an outer perimeter wall surface 58 and an inner perimeter wall surface 60. Spaces 62 are formed between the inner perimeter wall surface 60 of the first perimeter wall 22 and the trough area end walls 44, the inner perimeter wall surface 60 of the second perimeter wall 24 and the trough area end walls 46, the inner perimeter wall surface 60 of the third perimeter wall 26 and the outer partition surface 42 adjacent thereto, and the inner perimeter wall surface 60 of the fourth perimeter wall 28 and the outer partition surface 42 adjacent thereto.

Referring to FIG. 7, the perimeter walls 22, 24, 26, 28 have depressions 66 formed therein. Each one of the depressions 66 include a recess 68 formed along the corresponding outer perimeter wall 62 and a ridge 70 formed along the corresponding inner perimeter wall surface 60 opposite the recess 68. The ridge 70 preferably defines the recess 68 and is complementary thereto.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate a second magnetic display tray 110 of the present invention. Elements illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B of the magnetic display tray 110 which correspond either identically or substantially to the elements described above with respect to the magnetic display tray 10 of FIGS. 1-9 have been designated by corresponding reference numerals increased by one hundred. Unless otherwise stated, the magnetic display tray 110 of FIGS. 10A and 10B is constructed and assembled and operates in the same basic manner as the magnetic display tray 10 of FIGS. 1-9.

Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, the depressions 66 of one magnetic display tray 10 advantageously provide for interaction with the depressions 166 of another like magnetic display tray 110 for stacking. When the first magnetic display tray 10 is stacked atop the second magnetic display tray 110, the ridges 70 on the magnetic display tray 10 are pressed into the recesses (not designated) of the depressions 166 of the second magnetic display tray 110. The ridges 70 of the magnetic display tray 10 and the recesses of the second magnetic display tray 110 cooperatively mate to releasably secure the body 12 of the first magnetic display tray 10 to a body 112 of the second magnetic display tray assembly 110. In this manner, the magnetic display trays 10, 110 occupy less space for shipment and are more securely transported to a point-of-sale.

Referring to FIGS. 1-8, the magnetic display tray 10 includes a magnet, such as the magnetic strip 14, adhered and/or otherwise secured to the body 12. The magnetic strip 14 is substantially rectangular in shape and dimensioned to fit on the trough area underside surface 52, such that the magnetic strip 14 extends substantially from the first perimeter wall 22 to the second perimeter wall 24. The magnetic strip 14 is secured to the trough area underside surface 52 by means of an adhesive layer 16 (shown and designated in FIG. 1). The adhesive layer 16 includes any one or more of a variety of suitable adhesives known in the art. The adhesive layer 16 is shown to be continuous and substantially rectangular in shape, but can be discontinuous and/or have any suitable shape.

Referring to FIG. 9, a plurality of the magnetic display trays 10 are shown to be transparent and are positioned at the point-of-sale in combination with greeting card boxes 18 and a plurality of shelves 74. Each one of shelves 74 has a metal shelving surface suitable for cooperating with the magnetic strip 14 to magnetically and releasably secure the body 12 of the magnetic display tray 10. In use, the magnetic display tray 10 is securely placed on one of the shelves 74, and greeting card boxes 18 are removably received in each one of the rectangular channels 48 of the body 12 in orderly rows for display.

It will be understood that that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention. For example, the magnetic display tray 10 could display products other than greeting card boxes. The magnetic strip 14 could be fastened to the body 12 using a variety of adhesives and/or other securing means, and more than one magnetic strip 14 can be used to increase stability. All such variations and modifications, including those discussed above, are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A magnetic display tray for receiving rectangular greeting card boxes, comprising: a body having a first side wall, a second side wall opposite said first side wall, and a plurality of partitions extending from said first side wall to said second side wall to define a first channel and a second channel parallel with respect to said first channel; and at least one magnet secured to said body for removably securing said body to a metal shelving surface at a point of display.

2. The magnetic display tray of claim 1, wherein said first channel is a substantially rectangular channel, and wherein said second channel is a substantially rectangular channel.

3. The magnetic display tray of claim 1, wherein said body includes a plurality of trough areas extending between said first side wall and said second side wall, each of said trough areas extending from one of said plurality of partitions to another one of said plurality of partitions adjacent thereto.

4. The magnetic display tray of claim 3, wherein each one of said trough areas has a seating surface further defining one of said first channel and said second channel.

5. The magnetic display tray of claim 4, wherein each one of said trough areas has an underside surface opposite said seating surface, said magnet being secured to said underside surface of at least one of said trough areas.

6. The magnetic display tray of claim 5, including an adhesive layer securing said magnet to said underside surface.

7. The magnetic display tray of claim 3, wherein said body includes a plurality of crest areas extending between said first side wall and said second side wall, each of said crest areas extending from one of said plurality of partitions to another one of said plurality of partitions adjacent thereto.

8. The magnetic display tray of claim 7, wherein said plurality of crest areas alternate with respect to said plurality of trough areas.

9. The magnetic display tray of claim 1, wherein said first side wall and said second side wall have a plurality of depressions formed therein.

10. The magnetic display tray of claim 9, wherein each one of said plurality of depressions includes a recess and a ridge complementary thereto.

11. The magnetic display tray of claim 9 in combination with a second magnetic display tray, wherein said second magnetic display tray includes a second body having a second plurality of depressions that cooperate with said plurality of depressions to releasably secure said body to said second body.

12. The magnetic display tray of claim 1 in combination with the rectangular greeting card boxes.

13. The magnetic display tray of claim 1 in combination with the metal shelving surface.

14. A magnetic display tray for receiving rectangular greeting card boxes, comprising: a first body having a plurality of side walls having a first plurality of depressions formed therein and defining a perimeter of said first body, a plurality of partitions extending from a first one of said side walls to a second one of said side walls to define a first substantially rectangular channel and a second substantially rectangular channel parallel with respect to said first substantially rectangular channel, a plurality of alternating crest areas and trough areas extending between said first one of said side walls and said second one of side walls; and at least one magnet adhered to at least one of said trough areas for removably securing said body to a metal shelving surface at a point of sale.

15. The magnetic display tray of claim 14, wherein each one of said trough areas has a seating surface further defining one of said channels corresponding thereto.

16. The magnetic display tray of claim 14, wherein each one of said first plurality of depressions includes a recess and a ridge complementary thereto.

17. The magnetic display tray of claim 14 in combination with a second magnetic display tray, wherein said second magnetic display tray includes a second body having a second plurality of depressions that cooperate with said first plurality of depressions to releasably secure said first body to said second body.

18. The magnetic display tray of claim 14 in combination with the rectangular greeting card boxes.

19. The magnetic display tray of claim 14 in combination with the metal shelving surface.