Abstract: A holder for sheet or strip shaped information carriers, includes a transparent front plate (1) and a back support plate (2) adapted to be mounted on a support (5, 5a-5c), especially a shelf edge. A hinge coupling (3) interconnects the front plate (1) with the support plate (2) in such manner that the front plate (1) can be moved between a use-position (FIG. 1) in which the front plate (1) is parallel with the support plate (2) and can retain information carriers between the plates (1,2), and a position for exchange of information carriers (FIG. 2) in which the front plate (1) is pulled down from the use-position and tilted forwardly from the support plate (2). The coupling (3) is preferably adapted to permit forwardly tilting of the front plate (1) only after the same has been moved a certain distance down from the use-position. The information carriers are e.g. labels containing price information and/or other product information.

Abstract: A sign system for conveying merchandise identifying and pricing information. A frame is provided having viewing regions for supporting and displaying information. Contained within at least one of the viewing regions are alphameric or numeric symbols which are contained on longitudinally extending strips of polymeric material which are characterized as comprising score portion of two or more substantially parallel extending cuts which pass through a substantial but not total thickness of the strip. Alphameric or numeric symbols which are not to be viewed are hidden behind those which are to be viewed by folding the vertically extending strip along the score portion.

Abstract: A shopping reminder device is provided which consists of a pair of rectangular lengthwise plates, with shorter top and bottom ends. Each plate has two columns of a plurality of spaced apart slots. A list of purchasable items is imprinted with each item adjacent each slot on each plate. Fasteners are for securing the plates together, with each plate in a raised position. A plurality of slide members are utilized with each slide member engaged within one of the slots on each plate. The slide members can be positioned to the left and right in the slots to indicate which items are to be purchased.

Abstract: A changeable copy sign assembly comprising a plurality of wafers each bearing a single indicium on a relatively opaque background. The wafers and a backing strip are removeably retained to a face plate of the assembly at an elongated, window-like opening, and the backing strip comprises opaque makings for preventing the leakage of light between adjacent wafers.

Abstract: A price board is described comprising a holder (10) for carriers for representing price information and/or other article information made up of a plurality of characters. At least the carriers for representing the individual characters at the points of the price information are cassettes (12) which are connectable to the holder (10) and each of which contains a complete set of all characters to be represented with them.

Abstract: The rear surfaces of sign component pieces carry printed alignment indicating direction indicia in the form of arrowheads that are of a dark color and have a glossy surface luster while the front surfaces of the pieces carry a printed background of the same color but having a flat surface luster. The direction indicia serve to indicate the alignment of the pieces for proper insertion into a changeable sign and for proper shearing from a large sheet during manufacture. The dark color and glossy surface luster reduce eye strain during the shearing of manufacture.

Abstract: A display element mounting arrangement provides a pair of display holders for frictionally-engaging and supporting an elongated display element at its opposite ends. The display holders are adapted to be mounted on and frictionally secured to a support member, such as a circuit board. Each display holder includes a display-engaging portion and a support member-engaging portion. The display-engaging portion includes four walls which define a chamber into which an end of the display is inserted. Friction tabs in the chamber aid in retainedly engaging the display. The support member-engaging portion includes a leg adapted to extend through and move in a slot which extends inward from an edge of the circuit board. A foot formed on the end of the leg is so spaced from the display-engaging portion as to provide frictional engagement between it and the circuit board.

Abstract: The price display module has a clear plastic light pipe and support member mounted on the back of a bezel to display an indicia on the pre-coiled strip through the bezel aperture and illuminated by light piped through the member from the back light source to the front of the member. The coiled ends of the strip are supported by and separated by the pipe so the illumination of the displayed indicia is uniform.

Abstract: An assembly for providing a visually discernible indicator and a bar code in association with goods to be sold, includes a tray having opposing side walls and a front panel containing the bar code in association with the goods; first and second clips secured to the opposing side walls, respectively, and each having a flange having an aperture therein; and an indicator panel containing the visually discernible indicator and including opposite tabs pivotally mounted within the first and second apertures so as to pivotally mount the indicator panel between a first position in covering relation to the front panel, and thereby in covering relation to the bar codes, and a second position exposing the front panel and bar codes.

Abstract: A price chip support strip of simplified construction has positive engagement with guide and retention tracks of a strip support frame. Individual price chips are conveniently removed and inserted at the front of the price chip support strip. An effective light seal is assured by the structure.

Abstract: An identification tag for articles and containers, which is characterized by a base tag member having an extended leg for attachment to an article or looping through the handle of a container, the base tag member further provided with spaced indicia areas for identifying the article or the contents of the container and staggered snap openings extending through opposite faces of the base tag member for receiving at least a top cap member and preferably, a top cap member and a bottom cap member, each cap member having multiple snaps for engaging the snap openings and provided with a window which is aligned with selected ones of the indicia areas when the cap members are snapped on opposite faces of the base tag member.

Abstract: A price cassette (1) is described which comprises a moulding (2) in which a plurality of parallel wells (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19) at least partially open towards the cassette front side and separated from each other by webs (9, 10, 11, 12, 13) are disposed for receiving price and/or information tags (31). The price cassette is provided with a cover (20) which is connected to the moulding and is adapted to be placed against the cassette front side for covering the wells. The cover comprises transparent window areas (22, 23) through which the price and/or information tags can be read. The wells at the moulding are open over their entire length towards the cassette front side and the webs between the wells at least along a portion of their front faces (32) facing the cassette front side are formed in arrowhead shape.

Abstract: An improved price display system for a multi-level merchandising machine in which the prices of articles at the respective levels are electronically displayed individually at locations immediately adjacent to the levels. Both the prices and the displays can be changed in a rapid and expeditious manner from a station within the machine cabinet. In addition, both the mode of operation and the compartment size of a level can be displayed and changed. The system may be provided with a timer for automatically changing all prices at a predetermined time. The system employs a small number of conductors to control a large number of displays.

Abstract: A holder for manually adjustable self-coiling tapes is mounted on shelf moldings in retail outlets by means of a pair of gripping edges projecting from the base of the holder the space between which may be varied by means of an adapter and which are engaged by a pair of spaced gripping ledges forming integral parts of the shelf molding the space between which may vary, the adapter unit having a pair of angularly related strips and being interrelated with a holder gripping edge so as to afford an additional edge to be gripped by one gripping ledge of the shelf molding. According to one embodiment of the invention a removable yieldable insert is provided for mounting on the holder and includes projections on opposite edges thereof for engaging opposite edges of the tapes thereby to position the tapes longitudinally of the holder.

Abstract: A plurality of flexible strips are included in a changeable character display device. Each strip has a series of display portions that are longitudinally arranged on a strip. A guide panel of the device includes respective pairs of apertures arranged laterally in a row. Each respective pair of apertures is associated with a respective one of the flexible strips. Each flexible strip is arranged to have a viewable display portion situated between the individual ones of the associated pair of apertures whereby the respective displayed portions of the plurality of strips form lateral rows. The non-displayed portions of the respective flexible strips extend rearwardly through the associated pair of apertures. A guide channel member includes a laterally-extending channel that receives the non-displayed portions of the flexible strips and clusters them together in a lateral direction.

Abstract: In the fabrication process of the integrated circuit manufacturing there used to be an inconvenience in handling the many of the cassette of the wafers. By using the color coded cassette of the present invention the personnel can distinguish and identify the correct status of the wafers in the cassette in the fabrication process. The personnel can sort and transport the wafers in the cassette depending on the status of the process shown in the color code. The color coding cassette of the present invention employs several colors for coding on the side of the cassette. The change and display of the proper color code are operated by the handy knobs attached to each color coding piece. The colors are differently painted from every other color to distinguish itself from every other code. They are green, white, yellow and red, for example. This color coding technology can be embodied by injection moulding of the plastic. It cost less expenditure.

Abstract: A concealed inventory control device for readily identifying and accounting for objects arranged in sequential front to back and side to side alignment comprising a mechanism for readily identifying the objects arranged from front to back and side to side on a mechanism for supporting the objects, a mechanism for concealing the mechanism for readily identifying, a mechanism for moving the mechanism for readily identifying between a first viewable position and a second non-viewable position, and a mechanism for holding the means for readily identifying in the second non-viewable position.

Abstract: A display device comprising a display panel having a window therein, a flat continuous tape in the form of a mobius strip having indicia on both sides thereof, and a support member removably secured to the display panel such that a portion of the tape is supported between the display panel and the support member so that a portion of the tape and the indicia thereon are displayed in the window.

Abstract: Pricing modules of the type having precoiled numeric indicia tapes are slidably held in guide channels of a mounting trackway assembly. Additional guide channels in the trackway assembly receive customized alpha indicia strips forwardly of the pricing modules. Pricing module locator notches are provided in wall portions of the trackway assembly to interlock with spring locking elements on each pricing module to properly position each module along the mounting trackway assembly. Multiple sections of the mounting trackway assembly can be provided in interlocking engagement.

Abstract: A holder having a chamber that is recessed and has compartments in which indicia elements having engaging projections are received. The compartments have access openings in opposed walls of the chamber that are bendable to increase the size of the compartments for easy insertion of the indicia elements thereinto and removal of the same therefrom.

Abstract: A device for displaying the names of items and their prices uses a generally planar panel that has pairs of parallel tracks on its rear side and parallel guide channels on its front side. There is an elongated aperture in the panel between each pair of tracks and guide channels. Strips bearing printed item names and other information are inserted in the channels. The strips have variable numbers of either apertured or transparent windows aligned with the aperture. A tape carrier for tapes bearing indicia such as numerals for composing prices that are displayed through the windows is engageable with the rear tracks by means of its inherent flexure property. Divider members engage the carrier with a snap action and they create channels in conjunction with the carrier surface for guiding and restraining the edges of the tapes against all but longitudinal movements.

Abstract: Indicia display means comprising an indicia-bearing member having one or more sets of visible indicia located thereon in predetermined locations, and a mask member arranged to overlay the indicia-bearing member, the mask member having perforations or openings at predetermined locations to expose selected ones of said visible indicia. The mask member may be provided with a mirror image set of said indicia on the reverse side of the mask member to assist in locating the site of said openings or perforations in the mask member. The location of the indicia, the color, and/or the color of the background and/or the color of the mask areas may be used to convey information, in addition to the values assigned to the indicia themselves.

Abstract: A sign holder for a packet of planar members bearing characters for display. Deformable material having a sheet portion has a pocket for receipt of the packet. The pocket has a front retaining wall formed from the sheet portion to prevent the packet from moving out of the pocket in a front direction. The pocket also has, pressed from the sheet portion in a direction away from the front direction, the following: First and second opposed and spaced apart side walls, and a third side wall located in the pocket intermediate the first and second side walls. The first, second and third side walls retain the packet in directions transverse to the front direction. First, second and third backing walls are connected, respectively, to the first, second and third side walls. The first, second and third backing walls inhibit movement of the packet in a direction opposite to the front direction. At least one gap substantially separates the first, second and third backing walls from each other.

Abstract: A carton serving as a container for a food product, such as a hamburger. The carton in one embodiment is of the so-called clamshell type and includes an upper lid and a lower tray, both the lid and the tray being of generally truncated pyramidal shape. The novel feature of the clamshell carton permits the packager of the food product to indicate on the carton the type of food product therein. One panel of the carton carries a plurality of shutter panels, the shutter panels overlying and normally covering indicia on an indicia panel. With the packaging of a particular food product in the carton, any one of the plurality of the shutter panels is swung out so as to expose corresponding indicia on the indicia panel. By virtue of this construction, a single carton may be employed for the packaging of a variety of generally similarly sized food products.

Abstract: This invention relates to a display device having a self storing changeable message appearing on a display element that may be folded for insertion into a mounting member having two opposing flanges defining a channel and when the display element is engaged with the channel a selected portion of message printed thereon is displayed.

Abstract: A display device such as is used to display automobile service station price data in which a support surface (26) provides a display area (22,23,24,25) and an adjustable information strip (39) is slideable across the support face to present different information characters (40) in the display area and a reflective surface carried by the support face to reflect light through either translucent characters on opaque background areas of the strip or through translucent background areas of the strip having opaque characters.

Abstract: The invention includes a display device having a support structure including an opening forming a display window and a spring roll visible through the window, the spring roll including display characters along its length and comprising material having the property of tending to form coils at its opposite ends. The display device also includes a spring roll carrier for supporting the spring roll closely adjacent the rearward surface of the window, this carrier including a planar member having a planar forward surface positioned closely adjacent but rearwardly of the window.

Abstract: A device for displaying price and like information wherein the figures to be displayed are contained on a series of panels folded into two stacks so that the top panel in each stack combines to make a display area and display one complete figure. The outside edge of each stack of folded panels are retained in a frame to dispose the top panel of each stack in the said display area. The outside edges of each stack are retained in the frame as aforesaid in opposed channels and a user can, by depressing the panel on the top of a stack actuate the edge of the depressed panel out of its channel, turn it over and insert it into the other channel whereby to change the panels on the top of each stack and, at the same time, change information conveyed by the top panels.

Abstract: A display device such as is used to display information relating to the description and price of goods for sale comprises a translucent facia panel (12) providing the front face of a display cabinet behind which is mounted one or more cartridges (16,17) each carrying self-coiling information strips (27,28,29) readily adjustable so that the information regarding the goods may be quickly and easily changed, the cartridges being mounted on mounting panels (24) spaced from the facia (12) so that the cartridges (16,17) are located within the space between the mounting panels and the facia of the cabinet.

Abstract: A device such as an earring card having a main panel adapted to display jewelry articles while oriented in a generally vertical position by suspension from a rod or the like. Preferably, the upper portion of the main panel adjacent to a centrally disposed display area includes a pair of vertically spaced, parallel, outwardly extending flanges, which in combination with that portion of the main panel disposed therebetween form a slot or groove adapted to receive a secondary panel on which advertising or other identifying material may be placed. Accordingly, the secondary panel is removable such that the indicia may be changed without modifying the package. Means for preventing the lateral movement of the second panel with respect to the first is provided either in the form of an upwardly extending tab adapted for receipt in an opening in one of the flanges or by means of a plurality of serrations provided on opposite edges of the second panel for frictional engagement with the flanges.

Abstract: A sign for carrying changeable inserts having a metal base plate of resilient material on which are formed a plurality of clips providing gripping engagement of an insert of sheet material to carry said insert removable upon a surface of the base plate. The clips each have a tab integral with the base plate. The tabs each extend above the surface and open onto said surface. Each tab resiliently bears against marginal portions of the insert sheet material for gripping engagement thereof. Said tabs are joined to the base plate by a zone of merger having compound curvature for nonlinear distribution of bending forces upon bending of said tab. Dimples upon opposite sides of each clip coact with the tab for providing more secure engagement of the insert.

Abstract: An index tab for a file folder includes an integral base member adapted to be affixed to the file folder. The base member includes a relatively flat base portion engageable with a surface of the file folder, the base portion having a pair of opposed strip engageable notches at opposite edges of the member. The base portion further includes at least one ear means bent about the base portion and engageable with an opposite surface of the file folder. A rotatable strip of flexible material circumscribes the base portion and engages within the opposed strip engageable notches. The strip carries a series of indentifying indicia. The ear means, in one version, can be bent about a fixed axis and a point on the strip is rotatable within a plane which is perpendicular to the fixed axis. In another version, a point on the strip is rotatable within a plane which is parallel to the fixed axis.The rotatable strip can include alphanumeric indicia such as numerals, months, years, dates, and color.

Abstract: A retail store having a computer, point-of-sale terminals, and product code readers at the point-of-sale terminals, includes an electronic price display system. The display system has plural display units, with one display unit at each of the locations in the store where items are held for sale. The computer controls both the prices which are displayed by the display units and the prices which are charged to customers at the point-of-sale terminals. The display units are connected in electrical series by a data transmission line, and price information is transmitted by the computer over the transmission line to the display system in the same order as the display units are connected.

Abstract: A reminder device adapted to be carried on a vehicle's dashboard in front of the vehicle's steering mechanism in such a position as to reflect upwardly onto the inside of the windshield at a position where same can be viewed and read by the driver. The reminder device includes structure movable between a reminder position in which a message reverse-printed on the structure is readable in the windshield as reflected, and a storage position in which the message reverse-printed on the structure is not readable.

Abstract: A display unit for gas pump counters and the method of formation thereof are presented. The display unit converts a conventional three digit gas pump display unit to a four digit display unit by forming a fourth digit display window in existing gas pump units and then covering the windows with a uniform mask to present a uniform appearance.

Abstract: This invention pertains to an electronic price display unit which can be remotely addressed and in which the price displayed can be remotely set. Such a device is particularly useful in a retail sales business in a system employing a central computer, point-of-sale terminals, and product code readers, because it ensures that the price displayed for an item is identical to the price actually charged for the item.

Abstract: A price indicia holder for use in sign frames in stores for facilitating easy change of price information, and the resulting interchangeable sign. The indicia holder fits in the top of the sign frame suspended by means of an outwardly extending flange. The holder includes a pocket along its lower edge to receive the bottom edges of interchangeable price indicia elements. The indicia holder occupies half or less of the frame to permit display of related product information. The indicia holder may be used in single or double face signs.

Abstract: Parking cards for displaying prepaid parking time periods. The card is in the form of a strip of tearable material having month, day and hour indicia printed on separate areas thereof, each of the indicia areas being formed with tear lines enabling the user to tear away a part of the card along selected tear lines to identify the month, day and expiration hour of the prepaid parking time period, this tearing away producing a readily-discernible irreversible alteration in the card.

Abstract: A method production of a composite photograph containing at least two images, i.e. a mark image and a holder image, and a method for distinguishing images in said composite photograph, said photograph being composed of alternate strips containing elements of the holder identify photograph and strips containing elements of validity check mark photograph, all strips being disposed at equal intervals from one another, and said photograph of the holder being hidden by said check mark photograph when viewed normally, and to be discernible only when viewed through a lenticular lens.