Patent Application
20070056878
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material, which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the United States Patent and Trademark Office files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a device for displaying personal care items and, more particularly, to a retail display device for securely presenting for trial use samples of personal care items such as, for example, cosmetic products, solid fragrances, and the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is commonplace to find devices for displaying personal care items in retail environments. For example, cosmetic products such as lipstick, mascara, face powders, nail varnishes, and the like, are typically displayed and a sample presented to potential customers for trial use prior to purchase. Given the number of different shades and intensities of various personal care products, consumers understandably wish to observe how a given product looks and/or smells when applied to their skin as the appearance and/or scent of such products often vary depending on characteristics of particular customers.
Many retail environments provide a sample product to the customers for trial use out of their inventory of products for sale. As can be appreciated, once used in such a sample capacity, the product becomes a not-for-sale sample product. One problem with such an approach is the large expense of providing such not-for-sale sample products of each and every one of the myriad colors, shades and scents available for each product. This expense alone dissuades many stores from offering product samples.
Another perceived problem associated with the not-for-sale sample approach is that some potential purchasers steal a percentage of such samples. Since a not-for-sale sample product is an otherwise fully acceptable retail product, there is an incentive to remove the sample from the retail environment particularly when the product is relatively expensive. To curve such theft, many retailer environments attempt to secure the not-for-sale samples. However, a balance must be struck between providing convenient access to product samples and securing such samples. If security measures are unduly cumbersome, customers will not try product samples and sales of such products can be adversely impacted. Cumbersome security measures can also cause difficulty to retailers as they attempt to disengage the measures to provide new samples or to refresh existing samples. As a result, retailers have realized that less secure measures, while user-friendly and relatively easy to operate, are ineffective at preventing theft.
Accordingly, efforts have been made to minimize the expense of offering product samples. That is, rather than removing product from an otherwise saleable condition or devising cumbersome security measures, retailers have turned to alternate products that are specifically designed for use as samples. For example, it is well known to use a paper product such as a card or strip that is scented with a fragrance offered for sale. The fragrance cards may be sprayed or dampened with a selected fragrance or may include microcapsules that can be crushed to release the fragrance enclosed therein. A prospective customer may sample the product on the card to determine whether it is satisfactory for purchase. A perceived disadvantage of such alternative products is that the fragrance employed on the alternative product often fades soon after it is provided for sampling (requiring repeated restocking of “fresh” samples) or is limited to provide a reduced formulation of the fragrance that can be stored within the microcapsules (typically of a diameter of only about a few microns). Another perceived disadvantage is that it is often difficult for a consumer to apply the fragrance to their skin (e.g., transfer the fragrance from the cards to their skin), so that consumers often do not know how the fragrance matches their particular body chemistry. Accordingly, even with a retailer's best efforts, potential customers do not experience the true scent of a selected fragrance.
Some retailers have employed another alternative product sample specifically designed to address, at least in part, the above noted true scent deficiency. The retailers provide semi-solid fragrances in containers or modules, generally referred to in the art as a “godet.” The semi-solid fragrance formulation can be designed to more closely approximate the formulation of the products offered for sale. Typically, godets storing solid fragrance are arranged on a tray and presented to potential customers for trial use prior to purchase. The inventors have realized that solid fragrance samples may be a preferred approach as prospective consumers are better able to control the area in which the solid is applied. The controlled application is seen as an improvement over conventional uses of spray fragrance samples where control over the location of a sprayed fragrance is more difficult to manage. In other words, application of a fragrance with a spray often results in covering a large area, thus limiting the number of fragrance that can be sampled before different samples overlap and produce different results. With solid fragrance samples, an increased number of samples can be tried in a given area, which may lead to a better shopping experience for prospective consumers. While the use of solid fragrance samples presented in godets may provide at least a solution to the true scent deficiency, providing effective measures for securing the sample godets still remains a problem.
Therefore, the inventors have realized that there remains a need for an improved retail display device for securely presenting for trial use samples of personal care items such as, for example, cosmetic products, solid fragrances, and the like.
The present invention is directed to a display device assembly for personal care items to be sampled. The display device assembly includes a body having an upper surface and a platform extending vertically up and horizontally away from the upper surface. The body includes a plurality of seats extending vertically down from the upper surface. Each of the seats defines an interior cavity. The display device assembly also includes a plurality of godets. Each godet defines an interior cavity for storing the personal care items. When assembled the godets are disposed within the seats of the body. The display device assembly further includes a godet cover plate having a plurality of openings. Each of the openings of the godet cover plate correspond to one of the plurality of seats. In one embodiment, the godet cover plate is rotatably mounted to the body. When assembled the godet cover plate rest on the upper surface of the body to secure the godets within the seats. At least one fastener locks the godet cover plate to the upper surface of the body.
In one embodiment, the display device assembly further includes a cover rotatably mounted to the body. When assembled, the cover encloses the upper surface of the body to protect the personal care items stored in the godets. In one embodiment, the cover is comprised of a plurality of individual covers each corresponding to one of the plurality of godets.
In one aspect of the invention, a system for displaying personal care items in a retail environment is disclosed. The system includes a display fixture for presenting the personal care items to prospective consumers for purchase and a plurality of display device assemblies as described above coupled to at least one surface of the display fixture in at least one of a side-by-side or a stacked arrangement. In one embodiment, the display fixture is comprised of a personal care item service counter having a plurality of the display device assemblies coupled thereto. The service counter includes features to assist prospective consumers make purchases of personal care item by allowing the consumers to view the selected samples of the personal care items once applied. In another embodiment, the display fixture is comprised of a display rack having a plurality of shelves, at least one shelf having a plurality of the display device assemblies coupled thereto.
In another aspect of the invention, a display device assembly for a personal care item to be sampled includes a housing having an upper surface, a seat extending vertically down from the upper surface and a wall extending vertically up from the upper surface. The display device assembly also includes a godet defining an interior cavity for storing the personal care item. When assembled, the godet is disposed within the seat of the housing. The display device assembly further includes a godet retaining cover having an opening corresponding to the seat and a hook protruding from a perimeter of the godet retaining cover. When assembled the godet retaining cover rests on the upper surface of the housing and is held by frictional force of the hook and the wall of the housing such that the godet is secured within the seat.
The features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood when the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments given below is considered in conjunction with the figures provided.
In these figures like structures are assigned like reference numerals, but may not be referenced in the description of all figures.
As illustrated in
As is generally known, the godets 30 are suitable for storing personal care items such as, for example, cosmetic products, solid fragrance, and the like. For clarity, the personal care items are not shown. As is shown in
A godet cover plate 50 includes a plurality of apertures 52 (e.g., apertures 52A-52D shown) corresponding to the plurality of seats 20. The godet cover plate 50 is mounted to the intermediate wall 18 of the body 12 for example, by a hinge attachment 54A and 54B as is known in the art, to permit the godet cover plate 50 to rotate down (e.g., close) to rest on the upper surface 14. In this closed position, the godets 30 are secured within the seats 20 of the body 12 and cannot be removed without raising (e.g., opening) the godet cover plate 50. The apertures 52 of the godet cover plate 50 permit convenient access to the interior cavity 35 of the godet 30 and the personal care items stored therein. In one embodiment, the godet cover plate 50 includes a plurality of recesses 56 for receiving fasteners 58 such as, for example, screws, pins or dowels, for locking the godet cover plate 50 over the upper surface 14 of the body 12 to maintain the closed position and prevent opening of the godet cover plate 50 and removal of godets 30 by unauthorized persons. As should be appreciated, authorized personnel are permitted to unlock the godet cover plate 50 by removing the fasteners 58, raising the godet cover plate 50 and replenishing one or more of the personal care items within the godet 30. In one embodiment, individual ones of the godets 30 are replaceable. In another embodiment, the godets 30 can be refilled with personal care items.
A cover 60 is releasably fastened to the rear wall 19 of the body 12. In one embodiment, the cover 19 is mounted to the rear wall 19 of the body 12 by, for example, a hinge attachment 21A and 21B as is known in the art, to permit the cover 19 to be rotated down and enclose the upper surface 14. In one embodiment, the cover 60 encloses the upper surface 14 and the platform 16. In the enclosed position, the contents of the retail display device 10, e.g., the personal care items stored within the godets 30 are protected from contaminates and/or evaporation to provide, for example, a longer product life cycle. It should be appreciated that while shown in
In one aspect of the invention, the display device 10 includes a mounting bracket 70. In one embodiment, the mounting bracket 70 includes a first leg 72 that is substantially horizontal and a second leg 74 that extends vertically from the first leg 74 at an angle. In one embodiment, the second leg 74 extends vertically from the first leg 72 at an angle of about forty-five degrees (45°). As shown in
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the components of the display device 10, e.g., the base 12, the godets 30, the godet cover plate 50, the cover 60 and the mounting bracket 70, are formed of a synthetic plastic material of relatively high strength such as, for example, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polystyrene or the like. Preferably, the godet cover plate 50 and the cover 60 are transparent such that prospective purchasers may view the personal care items disposed within the display device 10.
In one embodiment, two or more of the display devices 10 are placed in side-by-side or a stacked arrangement such that a multitude of personal care items samples are presented to potential consumers. For example,
In accordance with the present invention, the seat 420 stores a corresponding godet 430. The seat 420 includes a floor 422 and a surrounding wall 424 that defines an interior portion of the seat 420 and couples the seat 420 to the upper surface 414 of the housing 412. In one embodiment, an upper portion of the surrounding wall 424 includes a recess 426 about a periphery of the seat 420 for receiving a feature of the godet 430 such that, once installed in the seat 420, the godet 430 lies below or at least within a same plane as the upper surface 414 of the housing 412. Preferably, the recess 426 includes a forward portion 428.
As is generally known, the godet 430 is suitable for storing personal care items such as, for example, cosmetic products, solid fragrance, and the like. For clarity, the personal care items are not shown. As is shown in
A godet retaining cover 450 includes a first aperture 452 corresponding to the seat 420, a second aperture 454 corresponding to the aperture 412A in the forward portion of the housing 412, and a third aperture 456 corresponding to the aperture 412B in the rear portion of the housing 412. In one embodiment, a hook 458 protrudes from a perimeter of the godet retaining cover 450. The godet retaining cover 450 is mounted to the housing 412 such that the cover 450 rests on the upper surface 414 within the periphery of the upper surface 414 and is held by, for example, frictional force of the hook 458 and the wall 418 of the housing 412. In accordance with the present invention, when mounted to the housing 412, the godet retaining cover 450 secures the godet 430 within the seat 420 of the housing 412 such that the godet 430, and personal care item stored therein, cannot be removed from the retail display device 410. The first aperture 452 of the godet retaining cover plate 450 permits convenient access to the interior cavity 435 of the godet 430 and the personal care items stored therein.
A cover 460 is releasably fastened to the housing 412. In one embodiment, the cover 460 is mounted within the aperture 412B in the rear portion of the housing 412 by, for example, a hinge attachment 462 as is known in the art, to permit the cover 460 to be rotated down from an open position to an enclosed position such that the godet retaining cover 450, godet 430 as well as the upper surface 414 and wall 418 of the housing 412 are enclosed. In the enclosed position, the contents of the retail display device 410, e.g., the personal care items stored within the godet 430, are protected from contaminates and/or evaporation to provide, for example, a longer product life cycle. In the open position, potential consumers may sample the personal care items within the godet 430 accessible through the corresponding aperture 452 in the godet retaining cover 450.
In one embodiment, the cover 460 includes a lip 464 that extends horizontally from the cover 460 in a direction away from an outer perimeter of the housing 412. As should be appreciated, the lip 464 assists a potential consumer lifting the cover 460 and rotating the cover 460 to the open position. Alternatively, the lip 464 assists the consumer in closing the cover 460. In one embodiment, graphical and/or textual indicia 466 (
In one aspect of the invention, the display device 410 includes a backer board 470. The backer board 470 includes a plurality of locations (e.g., four locations 471A-471D shown) adapted to receive a plurality of the housings 412. In one embodiment, the backer board 470 includes a securing platform 472 having an aperture 474 for receiving a fastener 476 such as, for example, a screw, pin or dowel, for locking the housing 412 to the backer board 470 (and/or mounting bracket described below) and preventing removal of the housing 412 and godet 430 by unauthorized persons. As should be appreciated, authorized personnel are permitted to unlock and remove the fastener 476 to remove and/or replace individual ones of the housings 412. In one embodiment, the backer board 470 is of a curved shape to improve visibility of the contents of the housing 412 (e.g., the personal care items stored in the godet 430). In one embodiment, graphical and/or textual indicia 478 (
In one embodiment, the retail display device 410 includes a mounting bracket 480. The mounting bracket 480 receives the backer board 470 and provides a platform such that the permits the backer board 470 to be fastened to a supporting surface in the retail environment such as, for example, a counter, display case, shelf or the like. In one embodiment, the mounting bracket 480 includes a plate 482 that extends vertically from a rod 484 at an angle. In one embodiment, the plate 482 extends vertically from the rod 484 at an angle of about forty-five degrees (45°). As shown in
As with the display device 10, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the components of the display device 410, e.g., the housing 412, the godet 430, the godet retaining cover 450 and the cover 460, are formed of a synthetic plastic material of relatively high strength such as, for example, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polystyrene or the like. In one embodiment, the components are molded. Preferably, the godet retaining plate 450 is transparent such that prospective purchasers may view the personal care items disposed within the display device 410.
As shown in
One or more embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, many construction techniques and materials may be utilized. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.
This patent application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of copending, U.S. Provisional Patent Applications, Ser. No. 60/674,121, filed Apr. 22, 2005, and Ser. No. 60/781,010, filed Mar. 10, 2006, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60674121 | Apr 2005 | US | |
| 60781010 | Mar 2006 | US |
