CONVERTIBLE DISPLAY

Abstract

A convertible display includes a six faces. A first removable section includes portions of the fourth, fifth, and sixth faces. The first removable section has two perforated lines extending an entire width of the fourth face, a perforated line defined in the fifth face, and another perforated line defined in the sixth face. A second removable section includes portions of the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth faces. The second removable section has a perforated line extending an entire width of the third face. A third removable section includes a portion of the sixth face and shares a border with the second removable section. A fourth removable section includes a portion of the fifth face and shares a border with the second removable section.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Non-provisional Utility Patent Application Number 18/895,035 filed September 24, 2024, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to displays for selling merchandise at, for instance, a checkout counter.

SUMMARY

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a convertible display including: a first face; a second face extending orthogonally relative the first face; a third face disposed opposite the first face and extending parallel relative thereto; a fourth face disposed opposite the second face and extending parallel relative thereto; a fifth face extending orthogonally relative the first face, the second face, the third face, and the fourth face; a sixth face disposed opposite the fifth face and extending parallel relative thereto; a first removable section including a portion of the fourth face, the fifth face, and the sixth face, the first removable section having a perimeter including two perforated lines extending an entire width of the fourth face, a perforated line defined in the fifth face, and another perforated line defined in the sixth face; a second removable section including a portion of the third face, the fourth face, the fifth face, and the sixth face, the second removable section having a perimeter including a perforated line extending an entire width of the third face; a third removable section including a portion of the sixth face, the third removable section sharing a border with the second removable section; and a fourth removable section including a portion of the fifth face, the fourth removable section sharing a border with the second removable section.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a convertible display, further including an aperture defined in the fifth face, the aperture disposed between the portion of the fifth face of the first removable section and the portion of the fifth face of the fourth removable section; and an aperture defined in the sixth face, the aperture disposed between the portion of the sixth face of the first removable section and the portion of the sixth face of the third removable section.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a convertible display, wherein the first removable section is removably coupled to the second removable section along one of the two perforated lines of the first removable section extending the entire width of the fourth face.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a convertible display, wherein the second removable section forms two corners of the convertible display.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a convertible display, wherein the entire convertible display is formed of a single sheet of material.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a convertible display, wherein the material includes a paper product.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a convertible display capable of being selectively positioned on a support surface in a first display mode and a second display mode, the convertible display including: a first portion to contact the support surface in the first display mode; a second portion to contact the support surface in the second display mode; a first removable section including a panel disposed opposite the second portion, the first removable section configured to be removed to convert the convertible display into the first display mode; a second removable section including a panel disposed opposite the first portion and a panel disposed opposite the second portion, the first removable section and the second removable section configured to be removed to convert the convertible display into the second display mode; a third removable section including a panel disposed perpendicular to the first portion and the second portion; and a fourth removable section including a panel disposed perpendicular to the first portion and the second portion, the fourth removable section disposed opposite the third removable section.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a convertible display, wherein the convertible display includes an overall rectangular prism shape, a length of the convertible display is configured to extend orthogonally relative the support surface with the convertible display in the first display mode, and the length of the convertible display is configured to extend parallel relative the support surface with the convertible display in the second display mode.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a convertible display, wherein the first portion includes a first face of the rectangular prism shape, and the second portion includes a second face of the rectangular prism shape, the second face extending orthogonally relative the first face.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a convertible display, wherein the first portion further includes a plurality of feet extending beyond the first face, the plurality of feet to engage the support surface.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a convertible display, further including a third face disposed opposite the first face and extending parallel relative thereto, a fourth face disposed opposite the second face and extending parallel relative thereto, a fifth face extending orthogonal relative the first face, the second face, the third face, and the fourth face, a sixth face disposed opposite the fifth face and extending parallel relative thereto, and wherein the second removable section includes a majority of the fourth face.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a convertible display, wherein the second removable section includes a majority of the third face.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a convertible display, wherein the first removable section is coupled to the second removable section along a perforated line that extends an entire width of the fourth face.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a convertible display, wherein the first removable section includes a portion of the fourth face, the fifth face, and the sixth face.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a convertible display, wherein the second removable section includes a portion of the third face, the fourth face, the fifth face, and the sixth face.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a convertible display, wherein each of the first removable section and the second removable section are irreversibly removable.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a convertible display, wherein the second removable section is larger than the first removable section.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a convertible display including: a first removable section having a rectangular middle portion and two curved end portions coupled to the rectangular middle portion; a second removable section sharing a border with the rectangular middle portion of the first removable section; apertures defined in the convertible display, each aperture sharing a respective border with a corresponding one of the two curved end portions of the first removable section; a third removable section sharing a border with a corresponding one of the apertures, the third removable section also sharing a border with the second removable section; a fourth removable section sharing a border with a corresponding one of the apertures, the fourth removable section also sharing a border with the second removable section.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a convertible display, wherein each of the apertures is crescent shaped.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a convertible display, wherein the third removable section includes an end disposed adjacent a corresponding one of the apertures, the end of the third removable section forming a pull tab; and the fourth removable section includes an end disposed adjacent a corresponding one of the apertures, the end of the fourth removable section forming a pull tab.

Other features and aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a convertible display in a vertical orientation prior to removal of any removable sections.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the convertible display of FIG. 1 with the first removable section removed, thereby showing the convertible display in a first display mode.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the convertible display of FIG. 1 in a horizontal orientation prior to removal of any removable sections.

FIG. 4 is perspective view of the convertible display of FIG. 3 with the first and second removable sections removed, thereby showing the convertible display in a second display mode.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the convertible display of FIG. 4 shown with the products removed.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the convertible display of FIG. 5 illustrating the internal cavity of the convertible display.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the convertible display of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the convertible display of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a single sheet of material cut to form the convertible display of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a single sheet of material cut to form another convertible display.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a convertible display made from the single sheet of material of FIG. 10, the convertible display in a vertical orientation prior to removal of any removable sections.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the convertible display of FIG. 11 with the first removable section removed, thereby showing the convertible display in a first display mode.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the convertible display of FIG. 11 in a horizontal orientation prior to removal of the second removable section and with the third removable section partially removed.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the convertible display of FIG. 13 with the first, second, third, and fourth removable sections removed, thereby showing the convertible display in a second display mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The disclosure is capable of supporting other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, a convertible display 100 is shown. The convertible display 100 includes a first face 102, a second face 104, a third face 106, a fourth face 108, a fifth face 110, and a sixth face 112 to form a rectangular prism. The second face 104 extends orthogonally relative the first face 102. The third face 106 is disposed opposite the first face 102 and extends parallel relative the first face 102. The fourth face 108 is disposed opposite the second face 104 and extends parallel relative the second face 104. The fifth face 110 extends orthogonally relative the first face 102, the second face 104, the third face 106, and the fourth face 108. The sixth face 112 is disposed opposite the fifth face 110 and extends parallel to the fifth face 110.

In the illustrated embodiment, the convertible display 100 includes a first removable section 114 and a second removable section 116. The first removable section 114 as shown includes a portion of the fourth face 108, a portion of the fifth face 110, and a portion of the sixth face 112. The perimeter of the first removable section 114 is formed by perforated lines and extends in a straight line across an entire width of the fourth face 108 adjacent a section of the convertible display 100 that remains in place after removal of the first removable section 114, in a curved line on the fifth face 110, in another straight line across the entire width of the fourth face 108 adjacent the second removable section 116, and in a curved line on the sixth face 112. The two straight lines defined in the fourth face 108 are parallel to each other in the illustrated embodiment.

The second removable section 116 in the illustrated embodiment includes a portion of the third face 106, a portion of the fourth face 108, a portion of the fifth face 110, and a portion of the sixth face 112. The perimeter of the second removable section 116 is formed by perforated lines and extends from the curved line of the first removable section 114 (defined in the fifth face 110) in a straight line across a majority of the length of the fifth face 110 to the third face 106, in a straight line across an entire width of the third face 106, in a straight line across a majority of the length of the sixth face 112 to the curved line of the first removable section 114 (defined in the sixth face 112). This arrangement provides a second removable section 116 that constitutes two of the four corners of the rectangular prism that forms the general shape of the convertible display 100. The illustrated embodiment also includes the second removable 116 section being larger than the first removable section 114, as well as forming a majority of the third face 106 of the convertible display 100 and a majority of the fourth face 108 of the convertible display 100.

The convertible display 100 is capable of being selectively positioned on a support surface in a first display mode (FIG. 2) and a second display mode (FIG. 4). With reference to FIG. 2, in the first display mode, the first removable section 114 is removed by tearing along the perforated lines that form the perimeter of the first removable section 114. Stated another way, the first removable section 114 may be irreversibly removed from the convertible display 100. The convertible display 100 is then positioned such that a first portion rests on the support surface. In some embodiments, this first portion may include the first face 102 itself, but in the illustrated embodiment, the first portion includes a plurality of feet 118 that extend beyond the first face 102 and are spaced around the bottom perimeter of the convertible display 100. The feet 118 rest on the support surface and thereby stabilize the convertible display 100 in the first display mode (FIG. 2).

With reference to FIG. 4, in the second display mode, the second removable section 116 is removed by tearing along the perforated lines that form the perimeter of the second removable section 116. In some embodiments, if the first removable section 114 has not already been removed, the first removable section 114 may also be removed along with the second removable section 116. Stated another way, in the second display mode both of the first and second removable sections 114, 116 may be irreversibly removed from the convertible display 100 or only the second removable section 116 may be irreversibly removed from the convertible display 110. Either before or after removing the removable section(s) 114, 116, the convertible display 100 is placed on the support surface with a second portion resting on the support surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the second portion includes the second face 104, but other embodiments may include feet 118 as shown for the first face 102 or some other type of feature to elevate or otherwise support the bottom of the convertible display on the support surface.

Because the illustrated embodiment of the convertible display 100 is generally in the shape of a rectangular prism, the length of the convertible display is arranged to extend orthogonally relative the support surface when the convertible display is in the first display mode (FIG. 2), and the length of the convertible display 100 is arranged to extend parallel relative the support surface when the convertible display 100 is in the second display mode (FIG. 4).

As shown in FIGS. 5-8, the convertible display 100 may include internal features, such as a divider 124 to arrange the products 122 appropriately. The divider 124 may further serve to strengthen the structural integrity of the convertible display 100.

With the above-described embodiments, two methods or modes of operation for using a convertible display 100 are possible. In accordance with a first method or mode of operation, only the first removable section 114 is removed to form an opening 120 to access products 122 disposed inside the convertible display 100. Either before or after removing the first removable section 114, a user may place the convertible display 100 on a support surface (such as a checkout counter) such that the first portion of the convertible display 100 rests on the support surface. In this arrangement shown in FIG. 2, the convertible display 100 is in a gravity feed mode. Upon removal of one of the products 122 from the convertible display, the remaining product 122 falls toward the support surface under the force of gravity. In accordance with a second method or mode of operation, the convertible display 100 is oriented such that a second portion of the convertible display 100 rests on the support surface. Either before or after rotating the convertible display 100, the user may remove the second removable section 116 to configure the convertible product display 100 as shown in FIG. 4. For the configuration shown in FIG. 4, both the first and second removable sections 114, 116 can be removed together.

With reference to FIG. 9, a cut pattern 126 is shown. This cut pattern 126 allows the convertible display 100 to be manufactured from a single sheet of material. The material may be any appropriate material or combination of materials including, for instance, paper, cardboard, card stock, or some other foldable and tearable material.

Turning now to FIG. 10, another cut pattern 226 is shown, which corresponds to another embodiment of the convertible display 200. This second embodiment of the convertible display 200 has many features in common with the convertible display 100 discussed above. These common features will not be explained in detail again in the interest of brevity, but common features will be given a number that is the same as the corresponding feature in the convertible display 100 above but has a value that is increased by one hundred.

The cut pattern 226 in FIG. 10 includes two apertures 228, each aperture 228 disposed on a respective end of the first removable section 214. With reference to FIG. 11, in this second embodiment of the convertible display 200, the presence of these apertures 228 results in straight perforated lines on each of the fifth and sixth faces 210, 212 instead of curved perforated lines. Of course, some embodiments may include smaller or differently arranged apertures 228 that would allow for the existence of one or more curved perforated lines at the ends of the first removable section 214. These apertures 228 allow for easier removal of the first removable section 214 and/or of the third and fourth removable sections 230, 232 on the fifth and sixth faces 210, 212, which will be discussed in more detail below. As can be seen in FIG. 11, the apertures 228 allow a user to insert a finger into the respective aperture 228 and pinch/grasp the end of the first removable section 214.

Once the user has pinched the end of the first removable section 214, the user may pull on the end of the first removable section 214 to begin removing it and thereby tearing along the pair of parallel perforated lines that extend along the entire width of the fourth face 208 between the fifth and sixth faces 210, 212. These apertures 228 are located on the fifth and sixth faces 210, 212 of the convertible display 200. The apertures 228 are crescent shaped in the illustrated embodiment, but they may be other shapes. The user may pull on only one end of the first removable section 214 to remove it or may pull simultaneously or alternatingly on both ends of the first removable section 214 to remove it.

The convertible display 200 further includes a third removable section 230 on the sixth face 212 and a fourth removable section 232 on the fifth face 210. In the illustrated embodiment, these sections 230, 232 are mirrored versions of each other. The solid lines partially bordering the third and fourth removable sections 230, 232 are relatively weak compared to the remainder of the material forming the convertible display 200. In some embodiments, these bordering lines may be fully cut lines, partially cut lines (e.g., score lines) extending through less than the full thickness of the material, perforated lines, indented lines, or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, apertures 228 enable a user to access an end of the third removable section 230 and an end of the fourth removable section 232 from the apertures 228 and pull on the end to remove the respective section 230, 232. The ends of the third and second sections 230, 232 form respective pull tabs. The user may choose to pull on the pull-tab end of the third and/or fourth removable sections 230, 232 prior to removal of the first removable section 214 or after removal of the first removable section 214. Once the first removable section 214, the third removable section 230, and the fourth removable section 232 have been removed, only a single, straight perforated line remains to be torn to remove the second removable section 216. This arrangement may allow a user to simply pull the second removable section 216 to tear the perforated line, but a user may also choose to fold the material along the perforated line to further weaken the connection of the second removable section 216 and the remainder of the convertible display 200 prior to removal. In some cases, a user may instead remove the third and fourth removable sections 230, 232 before removing the first and second removable sections 214, 216. After the third and fourth removable sections 230, 232 have been removed, the user may remove the first and second removable sections 214, 216 as a single piece.

The convertible displays 100, 200 have been described in the context of the illustrated embodiments, but other embodiments are contemplated herein. For instance, some embodiments may include curved or angular perforated lines forming the perimeter of the removable sections 114, 116, 214, 216, 230, 232 rather than the illustrated perforated lines. Other three-dimensional shapes such as a semicircular prism, a pentagonal prism, a hexagonal prism, or the like are also contemplated herein. Rather than feet engaging the support surface, each portion configured for engagement with the support surface may include a face of the convertible display 100, 200 that is at least slightly concave or otherwise recessed, thereby allowing for wider tolerances in manufacturing while still providing a stable structure. Various features of the disclosure are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A convertible display comprising:

a first face;

a second face extending orthogonally relative the first face;

a third face disposed opposite the first face and extending parallel relative thereto;

a fourth face disposed opposite the second face and extending parallel relative thereto;

a fifth face extending orthogonally relative the first face, the second face, the third face, and the fourth face;

a sixth face disposed opposite the fifth face and extending parallel relative thereto;

a first removable section including a portion of the fourth face, the fifth face, and the sixth face, the first removable section having a perimeter including two perforated lines extending an entire width of the fourth face, a perforated line defined in the fifth face, and another perforated line defined in the sixth face;

a second removable section including a portion of the third face, the fourth face, the fifth face, and the sixth face, the second removable section having a perimeter including a perforated line extending an entire width of the third face;

a third removable section including a portion of the sixth face, the third removable section sharing a border with the second removable section; and

a fourth removable section including a portion of the fifth face, the fourth removable section sharing a border with the second removable section.

2. The convertible display of claim 1, further comprising an aperture defined in the fifth face, the aperture disposed between the portion of the fifth face of the first removable section and the portion of the fifth face of the fourth removable section; and an aperture defined in the sixth face, the aperture disposed between the portion of the sixth face of the first removable section and the portion of the sixth face of the third removable section.

3. The convertible display of claim 1, wherein the first removable section is removably coupled to the second removable section along one of the two perforated lines of the first removable section extending the entire width of the fourth face.

4. The convertible display of claim 1, wherein the second removable section forms two corners of the convertible display.

5. The convertible display of claim 1, wherein the entire convertible display is formed of a single sheet of material.

6. The convertible display of claim 5, wherein the material includes a paper product.

7. A convertible display capable of being selectively positioned on a support surface in a first display mode and a second display mode, the convertible display comprising:

a first portion to contact the support surface in the first display mode;

a second portion to contact the support surface in the second display mode;

a first removable section including a panel disposed opposite the second portion, the first removable section configured to be removed to convert the convertible display into the first display mode;

a second removable section including a panel disposed opposite the first portion and a panel disposed opposite the second portion, the first removable section and the second removable section configured to be removed to convert the convertible display into the second display mode;

a third removable section including a panel disposed perpendicular to the first portion and the second portion; and

a fourth removable section including a panel disposed perpendicular to the first portion and the second portion, the fourth removable section disposed opposite the third removable section.

8. The convertible display of claim 7, wherein the convertible display includes an overall rectangular prism shape, a length of the convertible display is configured to extend orthogonally relative the support surface with the convertible display in the first display mode, and the length of the convertible display is configured to extend parallel relative the support surface with the convertible display in the second display mode.

9. The convertible display of claim 8, wherein the first portion includes a first face of the rectangular prism shape, and the second portion includes a second face of the rectangular prism shape, the second face extending orthogonally relative the first face.

10. The convertible display of claim 9, wherein the first portion further includes a plurality of feet extending beyond the first face, the plurality of feet to engage the support surface.

11. The convertible display of claim 9, further comprising a third face disposed opposite the first face and extending parallel relative thereto, a fourth face disposed opposite the second face and extending parallel relative thereto, a fifth face extending orthogonal relative the first face, the second face, the third face, and the fourth face, a sixth face disposed opposite the fifth face and extending parallel relative thereto, and wherein the second removable section includes a majority of the fourth face.

12. The convertible display of claim 11, wherein the second removable section includes a majority of the third face.

13. The convertible display of claim 11, wherein the first removable section is coupled to the second removable section along a perforated line that extends an entire width of the fourth face.

14. The convertible display of claim 11, wherein the first removable section includes a portion of the fourth face, the fifth face, and the sixth face.

15. The convertible display of claim 14, wherein the second removable section includes a portion of the third face, the fourth face, the fifth face, and the sixth face.

16. The convertible display of claim 7, wherein each of the first removable section and the second removable section are irreversibly removable.

17. The convertible display of claim 7, wherein the second removable section is larger than the first removable section.

18. A convertible display comprising:

a first removable section having a rectangular middle portion and two curved end portions coupled to the rectangular middle portion;

a second removable section sharing a border with the rectangular middle portion of the first removable section;

apertures defined in the convertible display, each aperture sharing a respective border with a corresponding one of the two curved end portions of the first removable section;

a third removable section sharing a border with a corresponding one of the apertures, the third removable section also sharing a border with the second removable section;

a fourth removable section sharing a border with a corresponding one of the apertures, the fourth removable section also sharing a border with the second removable section.

19. The convertible display of claim 18, wherein each of the apertures is crescent shaped.

20. The convertible display of claim 18, wherein the third removable section includes an end disposed adjacent a corresponding one of the apertures, the end of the third removable section forming a pull tab; and the fourth removable section includes an end disposed adjacent a corresponding one of the apertures, the end of the fourth removable section forming a pull tab.