US20060261025A1 - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

A display device has an outer corrugated housing and one or more plastic shelves removably received within the housing. Printed material such as advertisements or promotions for products stored within the display can be applied to the corrugated housing. The plastic shelving within the corrugated housing can be used with other corrugated housings featuring different products, while the corrugated housings previously used with the shelving can be disposed of after a product promotion has expired.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention is directed to improved display devices, and in particular improved display devices formed from a corrugated outer shell or housing. Known display devices, including corrugated displays, are exemplified by the following United States patents: U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,860,305; 3,877,396; 4,080,023; 4,469,231; 4,498,593; 4,515,421; 4,574,709; 4,763,579; 4,785,944; 5,405,192; 5,580,022; 5,706,959; 6,006,926; 6,068,140; and 6,539,879.
• It is the primary object of the present invention to provide an improved display device formed from permanent re-usable shelving removably received within a replaceable or disposable outer housing to permit a retailer, or a marketer providing a retailer with the display device, to apply an advertisement for promotional material to the outer housing promoting specific products contained within the display, and thereafter replacing the outer housing with a different outer housing bearing promotional and advertising materials for a different product to be promoted in a subsequent promotion. Because the outer housing is formed from an inexpensive disposable material such as corrugated paper or cardboard, it can be discarded after it is replaced by a different outer housing promoting a different product, thereby eliminating the need for a retailer or product marketer to store or return the original outer housing. However, the removable permanent shelving is reusable in different displays having different corrugated outer housings promoting different products, thereby resulting in cost savings to a retailer when changing in-store displays.
• Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following discussion in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• A display device, and in particular, and in-store retail display, includes an outer shell or housing, preferably formed from a lightweight disposable material such as corrugated paper or cardboard, and one or more shelves, preferably formed from a lightweight, permanent, high strength material such as injection molded plastic, are removably receivable within the outer housing. Printed indicia, such as advertising or promotional materials for one or more products supported on the shelves of the display, is applied to the outer housing. The outer housing also includes means for removably mounting the shelves therein, and for varying the arrangement of shelves within the outer housing.
• When a product promotion has been concluded, the shelves within the outer housing can be removed from the display and stored for re-use with a different outer housing for promoting different products in a subsequent promotion. The lightweight outer housing, which is formed from an inexpensive material such as corrugated paper or cardboard can be discarded after the product promotion, thereby eliminating the need for a retailer or product marketer to store the outer housing. A carrying case for the removed shelving enables the retailer to conveniently and compactly store and transport the shelves from a prior display for re-use in a future display with a different outer housing promoting a different product.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the assembled display in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the display illustrated byFIG. 1;
• FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the display illustrated byFIG. 1;
• FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the display illustrated byFIG. 1 showing a pair of casters mounted to the bottom surface of the front of a lower tray;
• FIG. 5 illustrates a top plan view of the display illustrated byFIG. 1 showing the top shelf assembled in the display;
• FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom plan view of the display illustrated byFIG. 1 showing casters mounted at the four corners of the bottom surface of the lower tray of the assembled display;
• FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a carrying case for the trays of the display illustrated byFIG. 1 after the trays have been removed from the display;
• FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom plan view of the carrying case illustrated byFIG. 7;
• FIG. 9 illustrates a top plan view of the carrying case illustrated byFIG. 7;
• FIG. 10 illustrates a front elevational view of the carrying case illustrated byFIG. 7 shown resting on its top surface; and
• FIG. 11 illustrates an end elevational view of the carrying case illustrated byFIG. 7.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
• FIG. 1 illustrates an assembled display in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The display is generally designated byreference numeral2 and includes an outer housing generally designated byreference numeral4. The outer housing is formed from a rear wall designated byreference numeral6 and two opposed sidewalls generally designated byreference numeral8. As shown byFIG. 1, thesidewalls8 are substantially perpendicular to the plane of therear wall6, and extend forwardly of therear wall6 to define an opened front surface. As will be discussed in greater detail below, theouter housing4 of the display is preferably formed from a lightweight, inexpensive disposable paper material such as cardboard or corrugated, and thesidewalls8 andrear surface6 are integrally joined to each other.
• Still referring toFIG. 1, a plurality of trays are removably received within theouter housing4 through the opened front surface of the outer housing.Reference numeral10 designates an upper tray of the assembleddisplay2,reference numeral12 designates a lower tray of the assembled display, andreference numeral14 designates intermediate trays received within the assembled display. AlthoughFIG. 1 illustrates threeintermediate trays14 disposed between the upper and lower trays, this is for illustrative purposes only and any number of intermediate trays can be received within the assembled display.
• A plurality of generally rectangular shaped locking flaps designated byreference numeral16 are defined in therear wall6 of theouter housing4 by partially punching out portions of therear wall6. Theflaps16 cover complementary shaped openings defined in therear wall6, and remain attached to the rear wall by an upper score. Although theflaps16 are only illustrated behind thetop tray10 and the upperintermediate tray14 shown inFIG. 1,flaps16 are defined in therear wall6 of thehousing4 behind each of the trays which are removably received within the housing. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the openings are provided to receive tabs extending from the rear ends of each of thetrays10,12 and14 for removably mounting the trays within the housing when the display is in its assembled configuration as illustrated byFIG. 1, and theflaps16 covering the openings are provided to releasably lock the tabs of the trays into therear wall6 of thehousing4.
• A plurality of generally rectangularshaped openings18 are defined proximate to the front of theright sidewall8 of the outer housing as illustrated inFIG. 1. Although not shown in this drawing figure, a plurality of corresponding openings are also defined proximate to the front of theleft sidewall8 of thehousing4 illustrated byFIG. 1. Theopenings18 in theright sidewall8 are in axial alignment with the openings defined in theleft sidewall8 of thehousing4. As will be discussed herein, the openings defined in the right andleft sidewalls8 of thehousing4 are provided to receive corresponding tabs extending from the left and right sides of therespective trays10,12 and14 for removably mounting the trays within thehousing4 in the assembled configuration of the display as illustrated byFIG. 1. The corresponding openings near the forward ends of thesidewalls8 are preferably defined in a portion of each sidewall designated byreference numeral20 which is folded back against itself to form a pocket or column proximate to the front of the sidewall to enhance the structural stability of the assembled display. Atop portion22 of eachsidewall8 is rolled down over the top of the sidewall to finish the top of the sidewalls and enhance the structural stability thereof. Preferably, both thecolumn20 and thetop portion22 are retained in their respective folded positions by glue. AlthoughFIG. 1 illustrates only a rolledportion22 at the top of theright sidewall8, a corresponding rolledportion22 is also provided at the top of the left sidewall.
• Although theflaps16 and the openings defined in therear wall6 andsidewalls8, respectively, are shown as being rectangular in shape, this is for illustrative purposes only. The flaps and openings can be formed in any configuration provided that the configuration of the openings accommodates the tabs extending from the trays as will be discussed herein.
• As noted, theouter housing4 is preferably formed from a lightweight, inexpensive, disposable material such as cardboard or corrugated. However, thetrays10,12 and14, which are removably insertable into theouter housing4, are preferably formed from a permanent, reusable material, as for example, lightweight, high strength, injection molded plastic. In this manner, the outer housing can be formed with printed material or indicia advertising and promoting products contained within the assembled display. Once the advertising promotion has concluded, the shelves are removed from the housing, and the housing can be discarded. The shelves can be re-used with another housing promoting a different product, or can be stored for use with another housing promoting a different product at the appropriate time in the future.
• FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the display shown byFIG. 1.FIG. 2 illustratestabs26, extending from the rear ends of theupper tray10 and theintermediate trays14 as shown inFIG. 1, removably received within the corresponding openings defined in therear wall6. The tabs are provided to removably mount the trays within the housing. Thetabs26 extend through the openings in therear wall6 of thehousing4 and are folded downwardly with respect to thetrays10 and14. Preferably, the tabs are oriented at a perpendicular angle relative to the plane of the trays. Theflaps16 cover the openings to releasably lock the tabs extending from the trays through the openings in the rear wall.FIG. 2 illustrates that three openings are defined in therear wall6 for each of thetrays10 and14, and that threetabs26 extending from the rear ends of the trays are received in the corresponding openings and releasably locked in position by theflaps16 by pivoting the flaps to cover the openings. This is for illustrative purposes only, and the number of openings and flaps for each tray, and the corresponding number of tabs extending from the rear end of each tray, can be varied.
• Still referring toFIG. 2,casters24 are mountable to thebottom tray12 received within thehousing4. The casters permit the assembled display to be easily transported from one location to another. As will be discussed herein and as further illustrated byFIG. 6 of the drawing, one caster is mounted to each corner of the lower surface of thebottom tray12.
• As shown inFIG. 2, the lower orbottom tray12 is removably received within therear wall6 of the housing by one rectangular shapedtab26 which is longer than thetabs26 extending from the rear ends of thetop tray10 and theintermediate trays14, respectively. Thesingle tab26 of thelower tray12 is received within a single, complementary configured opening or slot17 defined near the bottom of therear wall6 of thehousing4. Thesingle tab26 extending from the lower tray is preferably oriented perpendicular to the lower tray. However, unlike thetabs26 extending from thetrays10 and14 which are oriented in a downward direction relative to the respective trays, thesingle tab26 extending from thelower tray12 is oriented upwardly relative to thelower tray12. The upward orientation of the tab of the lower tray tends to support the weight of the assembled display which is displaced onto thelower tray12 by the supportingcasters24 which are mounted to the bottom surface of the lower tray. Three flaps designated byreference numeral19 are partially punched from therear wall6 of the housing, and remain attached to the housing by lower scores. Theflaps19 are pivoted into a position in which theslot17 is partially closed so as to releasably lock the upwardly orientedtab26 of the lower tray in thelower slot17.
• FIG. 3 is a right side elevational view of the housing of the assembled display illustrated byFIG. 1 of the drawing.FIG. 3 illustrates theflaps16 and19 covering the openings defined in therear wall6 of the housing, and also illustrates two of the fourcasters24 which are mounted to the corners of thebottom tray12 removably received within the display for transporting the assembled display along a supporting surface.
• FIG. 4 illustrates a front elevational view of the assembled display illustrated byFIG. 1. As previously discussed, the upper ortop tray10, theintermediate trays14, and the lower orbottom tray12 are removably mounted within the outer housing by tabs extending from the rear and sides of the trays received in openings defined in therear wall6 andsidewalls8 of the outer housing, respectively. Theflaps16 covering the openings in therear wall6 for receiving the tabs extending from thetop tray10 and theintermediate trays14 are visible because, as previously discussed, the tabs extending from those trays are oriented downwardly and substantially perpendicular to the plane of the trays. However, the threeflaps19 covering the largersingle opening17 receiving the tab extending from thelower tray12 are not visible inFIG. 4 because, as also discussed above, the tab extending from the rear of the lower tray is oriented substantially perpendicular and upward relative to the plane of the lower tray for supporting the weight of the assembled display as a result of thecasters24 mounted to the bottom surface of the lower tray. Therefore, thelarger opening17 in therear wall6 receiving the upwardly extending tab from thelower tray12, and the threeclosed flaps19, are blocked by the lower tray itself and are not visible inFIG. 4.
• FIG. 4 illustrates that the forward end of at least some of the trays removably received within the outer housing defines a front channel designated byreference numeral28. InFIG. 4, theintermediate trays14 and thelower tray12 define front channels. However, this is for illustrative purposes only, and the forward end of theupper tray10 can also define a front channel. The purpose of the front channel is to receive tags, labels, or markers relating to the products contained in the assembled display. This information includes pricing, product descriptions, and promotional information. Preferably, tags, markers and labels bearing the displayed information are removably received within thechannels14 so that they may be replaced with tags, markers or labels bearing different information when the trays are used in connection with different promotions of different products.
• FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the assembled display as illustrated byFIG. 1, showing thetop tray10 removably mounted proximate to the top of theouter housing4.FIG. 5 illustrates the threetabs26 extending from the rear of thetop tray10 through the corresponding openings in therear wall6 of the housing for removably mounting the top tray to the outer housing. Additionally,FIG. 5 illustrates twoopposed side tabs30 extending outwardly from opposed sides of thetop tray10 proximate to the front end thereof. Theside tabs30 are removably received within theopenings18 defined in the opposed sidewalls8 of the housing4 (SeeFIG. 1), and together with therear tabs26, removably mount thetop tray10 within thehousing4. Thetop tray10, like theintermediate trays14 and thelower tray12, is formed from a lightweight, but high-strength durable material, as for example, injection molded plastic. Preferably, the tabs extending from the trays are integrally formed together with the tray. Each tray includes two diagonal supportingmembers32 which intersect at the center of the tray and extend to the respective corners of the tray, and are integrally connected to thefront end34, therear end36, and theopposed sides38 defining the perimeter of the tray. However, as illustrated byFIG. 5, much of the surface area of the tray is cored-out (as illustrated by reference numeral40) to reduce the cost of production of the tray but not reduce the strength of the tray.
• FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of thebottom tray12 removably mounted proximate to the bottom of thehousing4 of the assembled display illustrated byFIG. 1. The same reference numerals used inFIG. 5 are also used inFIG. 6 to designate corresponding elements.FIG. 6 illustrates the fourcasters24 which are mounted to the corners of the bottom surface of thebottom tray12 for transporting the assembled display illustrated byFIG. 1 along a supporting surface.FIG. 6 further illustrates that only asingle mounting tab26 extends from the rear end of thebottom tray12 through a single opening defined near the bottom of therear surface6 of thehousing4. Thesingle tab26 of therear tray12 is significantly larger than each of themultiple tabs26 extending from the rear ends of theintermediate trays10 and thetop tray12. The bottom tray is designed in this manner since it must support the weight of the entire assembled display which is displaced onto the bottom tray as a result of the supportingcasters24 mounted to the lower surface of the bottom tray. Preferably, the tab extending from the bottom tray is integrally formed together with the bottom tray itself, and the tab extends in an upward perpendicular direction relative to the plane of the bottom tray. The larger opening17 (FIG. 2) defined in therear wall6 of thehousing4 for removably receiving thelonger tab26 extending from the rear end of thebottom tray12 is designed to accommodate thelonger tab16 of the bottom tray, and the threeflaps19 are pivotable into a position to partially close theopening17 to releasably lock the longer tab of the bottom tray into thelarger opening17 near the bottom of the rear wall of the housing (FIG. 2).
• As discussed, preferably the tab extending from thebottom tray12 is oriented in an upward direction relative to the plane of the bottom tray for supporting the assembled display as a result of the supportingcasters24 mounted to the corners of the bottom surface of the bottom tray. However, it is also within the scope of the present invention to produce the bottom tray with means for adjusting the position of the tab relative to the tray. Such means include conventional pivot elements or hinges for pivotably mounting the tab to the bottom tray, or in the alternative, forming the tab and bottom tray with a living hinge. In this manner, if desired, thebottom tray12 can be mounted to therear wall6 of the housing with the tab extending downwardly and not upwardly, relative to the plane of the bottom tray.
• FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a carrying case used in connection with the present invention. As discussed herein, the trays removably received within the housing of the assembled display, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are intended to be re-used with different outer housings for different promotional displays. The carrying case illustrated byFIG. 7 permits the trays of the assembled display to be stored and transported for future use subsequent to their removal from an assembled display. The carrying case illustrated byFIG. 7, designated byreference numeral42, is generally rectangular in configuration to conform to the configuration of the trays removed from the assembled display to be stored therein. The carrying case is preferably formed from an inexpensive material, such as corrugated paper or cardboard. The carrying case includes afront surface44, a correspondingrear surface45, aright end46, and a correspondingleft end47. The top surface of the carrying case is formed from afirst panel48 extending from theright end46, asecond panel50 extending from theleft end47, and a generally centrally disposed recessedportion52. The recessed portion is defined from aflap54 extending downwardly frompanel50 along a fold line; aflap56 extending downwardly frompanel48 along a fold line; the inner, centrally disposed upper surfaces of the front andrear walls44 and45 of the carrying case; and a bottom surface defined by afirst panel58 extending inwardly from thefront surface44 and asecond panel59 extending inwardly from therear surface45. A carryinghandle60 extends upwardly from the center of the bottom surface of the recess, and is disposed between the side flaps54 and56 extending downwardly from thepanels50 and48 of the top surface of the carrying case. The upwardly orientedhandle60 retains the side flaps54 and56 in the closed position illustrated byFIG. 7 when thehandle60 is in the upright position relative to thebottom surface58, as shown inFIG. 7. When it is desired to open the carryingcase42, the side flaps54 and56, respectively, are pushed outwardly towards the ends of the case to permit thetop panels50 and48 to be pivoted open. Thepanels58 and59 defining the bottom surface of the recessedportion52, each of which carries a half section of thehandle60, are then pivoted relative to thefront surface44 andrear surface45, respectively, of the carrying case to open the recessed center region of the case. When thepanels48,50,58 and59 are pivoted into their respective opened positions, the entire top of the carrying case is opened to provide access to the contents therein.Circular openings61 are defined in thetop panels48 and50 to facilitate opening and closing of these panels.
• Thehandle60 is multi-functional. It provides means for transporting the carrying case, and also provides means for releasably locking the carrying case in its assembled, operation configuration.
• FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the carrying case shown byFIG. 7. The bottom of the carrying case is formed from twobottom panels62 joined together along acentral seam64 to form a flat bottom surface.
• FIG. 9 illustrates a top plan view of the carrying case shown byFIG. 7. The carrying case is formed from front andrear surfaces44 and45, and opposed side surfaces46 and47.Top panels48 and50 define the recessedportion52 therebetween, and handle60 extends upwardly from the center of the bottom surface of the recessed portion defined byadjacent panels58 and59 to releasably lock the side flaps54 and56 in their closed position as shown byFIG. 7.
• As most clearly shown byFIG. 9, thehandle60 is formed from two identical half handle sections designated byreference numerals63 and65.Handle section65 extends upwardly from the free end ofpanel58, whilehandle section63 extends upwardly from the free end ofpanel59. Thehandle sections63 and65 are in alignment when the carrying case is in its closed position as shown byFIG. 9.
• FIG. 10 illustrates a front elevational view of the carrying case illustrated byFIG. 7 resting on its top surface, andFIG. 11 illustrates a right end elevational view of the carrying case illustrated byFIG. 7.
• When not in use, the carrying case can be folded flat and stored. When in its assembled operating configuration as shown inFIG. 7, a plurality of carrying cases can be stacked atop each other as a result of the recessed handle.
• Other modifications and advantages of the display and carrying case disclosed herein falling within the scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, although the discussion discloses that the outer housing of the assembled display is preferably formed from a cardboard or corrugated paper material, the housing can also be formed from other known, inexpensive or disposable materials. Similarly, although the trays removably received in the assembled display are preferably formed from a lightweight, high strength, inexpensive, re-usable plastic material, the trays can be formed from other known permanent and re-usable materials. The number and configuration of the mounting tabs extending from the trays, and the corresponding flaps/openings in the outer housing can also vary from that illustrated in the accompanying drawings and discussed herein in connection with the preferred embodiments of the present invention.
• Accordingly, the description of the preferred embodiments herein in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, is intended to be illustrative only, and not restrictive of the scope of the invention, that scope being defined by the following claims and all equivalents thereto.

Claims (20)

1. A display device, said device comprising:

a housing formed from a disposable material, and

at least one tray removably receivable within said housing, said tray being formed from a re-usable material.

2. The device as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said housing is formed from a paper material.

3. The device as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said housing is formed from a corrugated paper material.

4. The device as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said tray is formed from a plastic material.

5. The device as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said housing is formed from a paper material, and said tray is formed from a plastic material.

6. The device as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said at least one tray has at least one tab extending therefrom, and said housing has at least one opening defined therein for receiving said tab, wherein said tab is removably mounted in said housing by inserting said tab into said opening.

7. The device as claimed inclaim 6, further including at least one locking flap removably covering said at least one opening in said housing, said at least one locking flap formed from material punched from said housing to define said at least one opening.

8. The device as claimed inclaim 6, wherein said tab is integrally formed with said tray.

9. The device as claimed inclaim 6, wherein said display includes a top tray, a bottom tray, and at least one intermediate tray disposed between said top and said bottom trays.

10. The device as claimed inclaim 9, further including means mounted to said bottom tray for transporting said display.

11. The device as claimed inclaim 10, further including means for adjusting the direction which said tab extends from said bottom tray.

12. The device as claimed inclaim 10, wherein said means for transporting includes a plurality of casters mounted to said bottom tray.

13. A method of re-using components of a display device, the steps of said method comprising:

providing a first disposable housing having printed indicia applied thereto,

removably mounting at least one re-usable tray in said first housing for supporting thereon a product corresponding to said indicia applied to said first housing, and

removably mounting said at least one re-usable tray in a second disposable housing having printed indicia different from said printed indicia on said first disposable housing applied thereto for supporting thereon a product corresponding to said printed indicia applied to said second housing.

14. The method as claimed inclaim 13, further comprising the step of:

disposing of said first housing after said at least one tray has been removed therefrom.

15. The method as claimed inclaim 13, further comprising the step of:

forming said first and second housings from a paper material.

16. The method as claimed inclaim 13, further comprising the step of:

forming said at least one tray from a plastic material.

17. The method as claimed inclaim 13, further comprising the step of:

forming said first and second housings from a corrugated paper material, and

forming said at least one tray from a plastic material.

18. The method as claimed inclaim 13, further comprising the step of:

storing said at least one removable tray in a storage container after said at least one tray has been removed from said first housing.

19. A carrying case for storing and transporting at least one tray removed from an outer housing of a display device, said carrying case comprising:

a top surface defining a recessed portion, and

a carrying handle mounted within said recessed portion of said top surface.

20. The carrying case as claimed inclaim 19, wherein said top surface further includes at least one flap movable between a closed position and an opened position, said handle adapted to releasably retain said at least one flap in said closed position.

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