Patent Application
20160051065
Pictures, picture frames (oftentimes including pictures), artwork, and similar products are generally packaged and transported in cardboard packaging, which allows viewing of the products while at the same time protecting the edges and corners of the products from damage. Whether or not such products are wrapped in cardboard packing, the size and weight of such products has created difficulties in effectively displaying these products in a retail setting. The products are often stacked on the floor or placed on a shelf for viewing by potential consumers.
In other instances, the products are hung from retail supports to be viewed by potential consumers. When the products are hung, hangers or other mechanisms facilitating such hanging often protrude from the edges of the products. These protrusions create awkwardly sized products to pack and ship, which, in turn, increases expenses generally associated with packing and shipping the associated products.
One aspect of the present invention relates to a merchandise hanger including a coupling member and a support interface member. The coupling member includes a cross component, a latch component, and a flexible strap. The cross component includes an elongated panel and a track section, wherein the elongated panel defines latch-receiving apertures extending through the elongated panel. The latch component including an elongated plate and opposing hooks extending rearwardly from the elongated plate. The flexible strap extends from the cross component to the latch component to couple the cross component to the latch component. The coupling member is configured to be folded about the flexible strap to move the opposing hooks of the latch component into alignment with the latch-receiving apertures of the cross component. The opposing hooks are configured to move through the latch-receiving apertures to couple the cross component to the latch component. The support interface member is slidably received within the track section of the coupling member and is configured to hang from a support structure in a hanging position and being configured to slidably transition between a storage position and the hanging position. Other related products, retail display assemblies, and methods are also disclosed and provide additional advantages.
Embodiments of the invention will be described with respect to the figures, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, and in which:
Merchandise hangers provide effective mechanisms for hanging products for retail sale from retail display support structures. In one embodiment, each merchandise hanger is configured to transition from a shipping position, in which the merchandise hanger is maintained substantially entirely within a footprint of a corresponding product or item of merchandise, and a display or hanging position, in which the merchandise hanger protrudes from a perimeter of the corresponding product to facilitate hanging the product from the support structure incorporated into the corresponding retail display. The transition of the merchandise hanger between shipping and hanging positions allows the products with merchandise hangers to be provided in compact sizes and shapes for shipping and transportation while still providing an effective interface to support the products in a retail display. In one example, the merchandise hanger is formed or molded from a single material, such as plastic, etc. in a manner providing a cost effective, easy to use, and aesthetically pleasing hanger for the corresponding product.
Turning to the figures,
Each packaged product assembly 10 includes a product 20, a package 22, and a hanger 24. Product 20 is any suitable product, for example, being offered for retail sale, and in one embodiment, is a substantially two-dimensional item with relatively small thickness such as a frame, framed object or art, wall hanging, message board, book, shadow box, office product, etc. Package 22 at least partially wraps around product 20 to maintain product 20 therein and/or to protect edges and/or corners thereof. Additionally referring to
In one embodiment, hanger 24 more specifically includes a first or coupling member 30 and a second or support interface member 32. Coupling member 30 is configured to be secured to package 22 in a substantially static manner. Support interface member 32 is at least partially received by coupling member 30 and is configured to linearly translate up and down, thereby, transitioning hanger 24 between the storage position and the hanging position. Additionally referring to
Elongated panel 50 is a substantially planar portion of coupling member 30 and defines a first or front surface 54 and a second or rear surface 56 opposite front surface 54. Elongated panel 50 further defines a first longitudinal or top edge 62, which, in one example, is substantially linear, for instance, where elongated panel 50 is substantially rectangular in shape. Elongated panel 50 is largely continuous other than defining a latch-receiving aperture(s) 64 and, in one example, a recess 68 having an aperture 70 formed therein.
Each latch-receiving aperture 64 and aperture 70 extends entirely through a thickness of elongated panel 50, that is from front surface 54 to rear surface 56, while recess 68 only interrupts rear surface 56 of elongated panel 50. Each latch-receiving aperture 64 defines an outside edge nearest the closer of lateral ends 60, which, in one example, is substantially linear. In one example, elongated panel 50 defines two latch-receiving apertures 64 each positioned near a different one of lateral ends 60 of elongated panel 50. Aperture 70 is positioned between the two-latch receiving apertures 64 and, in one embodiment, is configured to receive a fastener (not shown) to add to the securement of hanger 24 to package 22. Recess 68 extends around aperture 70 with a larger overall diameter than recess 68. In one example, aperture 70 and recess 68 are eliminated.
Each track section 52 includes an offset or interior sidewall 80, a rear wall 82, and an exterior sidewall 84. In one example, interior sidewall 80 extends from one of lateral ends 60 of elongated plate 50 rearwardly to intersect with rear wall 82 opposite elongated panel 50. Each rear wall 82 extends from the corresponding interior sidewall 80 longitudinally away from elongated panel 50 to intersect exterior sidewall 84, and exterior sidewall 84 extends forwardly from the corresponding rear wall 82. In one example, exterior sidewall 84 extends forwardly terminating near or in the same plane as a front surface 54 of elongated panel 50. In this manner, track section 52 defines a channel 88 between interior sidewall 80, rear wall 82, and exterior sidewall 80 of each track section 52 and open forwardly and at a top and bottom thereof. In one embodiment, exterior sidewall 84 additionally includes a cam or tab 86 (e.g.,
Strap 44 extends from top edge 62 of elongated panel 50 of rear cross component 40 to latch component 42. More specifically, in one embodiment, strap 44 defines a first end 90, which is coupled to elongated panel 50, and a second end 92, which is coupled to latch component 42. Strap 44 is an elongated, for example, substantially rectangular and flexible member, that is readily bendable over itself and has a width less than each of rear cross component 40 and latch component 42. In one embodiment, strap 44 extends substantially perpendicularly to the extension of elongated panel 50. Strap 44 includes an intermediate or thinned section 94 spaced between and from each of first end 90 and second end 92 that has a smaller material thickness than other portions of strap 44, in one embodiment. Thinned section 94 facilitates bending of strap 44 especially bending of strap 44 over itself
In one embodiment, latch component 42 is coupled to second end 92 of strap 44 and includes, an elongated plate 100 and opposing latches or hooks 102. Elongated plate 100 is substantially planar defining a first surface 104, a second surface 106 opposite and, in one example, substantially parallel to first surface 104 and extends between two opposing lateral ends 108. Elongated plate 100 extends substantially parallel to elongated panel 50 of rear cross component 40 and/or substantially perpendicularly to strap 44, in one embodiment. In one example, at least second surface 106 of elongated plate 100 is substantially coplanar with at least a portion of strap 44 adjacent elongated plate 100.
Each opposing hook 102 includes an offset wall 110 and a return flange 112. Offset wall 110 extends from a different one of lateral ends 108 away from second surface 106 of elongated plate 100. Return flange 112 extends outwardly, that is away from the other one of opposing hooks 102 from and end of offset wall 110 opposite elongated plate 100. In one embodiment, return flange 112 defines a free edge 114 opposite offset wall 110 and facing toward second surface 106. In one example, each of opposing hooks 102 is sized to fit within a corresponding one of latch-receiving apertures 64 as will be further described below.
In one example, latch component 42 additionally defines a center or otherwise positioned recess 116 and an aperture 118 centered within recess 116. Recess 116 and aperture 118 are positioned between, for example, centered between, opposing hooks 102. Aperture 118 extends from first surface 104 to second surface 106, and recess 116 extends from second surface 106 toward, but not all the way to, first surface 104. In one embodiment, recess 116 is sized and shaped substantially identically to recess 68 and/or aperture 118 is sized and shaped substantially identically to aperture 70. Aperture 118 is configured to receive a fastener (not shown) to add to the securement of hanger 24 to package 22. Recess 116, more particularly, extends around aperture 118 with a larger overall diameter than recess 116. In one example, aperture 118 and recess 116 are eliminated.
In one example, latch component 42, rear cross component 40, and/or strap 44 are longitudinally centered relative to one another. Coupling member 30 is configured to fold about intermediate section 94 of strap 44 such that each of opposing hooks 102 passes through a corresponding one of latch-receiving apertures 64 hooking on rear surface 56 about an outer edge of latch-receiving apertures 64 to maintain coupling member 30 in the folded position as will be described further below with use of hanger 24. In one embodiment, coupling member 30 is formed as a single piece of injection or otherwise molded material. While coupling member 30 is primarily described with rear cross component 40 including latch-receiving apertures 64 and latch component 42 including opposing hooks 102, in one embodiment (not illustrated), the reverse is true and rear cross component 40 includes opposing hooks 102 and latch component 42 includes latch-receiving apertures 64. Other variations are also contemplated.
Support interface member 32 defines a front surface 130, which is substantially planar, and a second surface 132, which is substantially planar, according to one embodiment. In one example, support interface member 32 is formed as a closed shape, such as a rectangular closed shape, defining a bottom or interference bar 134, a top or support interface bar 136, and opposing sidebars 138 each extending from a different end of interference bar 134 to a corresponding different end of support interface bar 136. In one embodiment, support interface member 32 defines an opening 139 between interference bar 134, support interface bar 136, and opposing sidebars 138. Each of interference bar 134, support interface bar 136, and/or opposing sidebars 138 is substantially linear in one example. Interference bar 134 defines a top longitudinal surface or edge 140 facing support interface bar 136, and support interface bar 136 defines a bottom longitudinal surface or edge 142 facing interference bar 134.
Support interface bar 136 additionally defines a top surface or edge 144 generally facing in a direction opposite bottom edge 142. In one embodiment, support interface bar 136 includes an intermediate or linear portion 146 and two arches 148. Each of the two arches 148 extends outwardly from a different end of linear portion 146. Each arch 148 extends upwardly from linear portion 146, for example, each substantially maintaining an overall height dimension of support interface bar 136. Each arch 148 defines a concavity or cove 150 therebelow that is vertically offset from bottom edge 142, which is, more particularly, defined by linear portion 146, and is open toward interference bar 134. In one example, linear portion 146 of support interface bar 136 additionally defines an indentation 151 including a recessed surface 152 and opposing side edges 154 extending from recessed surface 152 to front surface 130. Recessed surface 152 is, in one embodiment, substantially parallel with each of front surface 130 and second surface 132 and is exposed toward front surface 130. In one example, indentation 151 is longitudinally centered between arches 148. Indentation 151 is at least as wide, as measured from one side edge 154 to the other side edge 154, as a width of strap 44 and, in one instance extends from top edge 144 to lower edge 142 of support interface bar 136, more particularly, linear portion 146 thereof.
In one example, each of opposing sidebars 138 of support interface member 32 defines a front facing groove 160 in the form of an indentation from an outermost side edge of each opposing sidebar 138 adjacent a front corner thereof. Each front facing groove 160 is elongated, for instance, extending along at least about 40% of, and in one example, at least about 50% of, the height of the corresponding opposing sidebar 138. Due to the location of each front facing groove 160, each opposing sidebar 138 forms a coupling flange or rail 162 along a rear side thereof adjacent front facing groove 160. In this manner, a front surface 164 of coupling rail 162 could also be considered a rear wall of front facing groove 160. In one example, coupling rail 162 includes a break or intermediate void 166 near, but spaced upwardly from a bottom of coupling rail 162 and front facing groove 160. Void 166 extends from rear surface 132 through front surface 164.
Support interface member 32 additionally defines a front U-shaped channel 170 and a rear U-shaped channel 172. Front U-shaped channel extends substantially vertically along a majority of a height of each of opposing sidebars 138 and substantially horizontally along nearly all of a width of interference bar 134 to continuously extend from end to end. Front U-shaped channel 170 is open to front surface 130. A rear U-shaped channel 172 is substantially identical to front U-shaped channel 170, but extends from and is open to second surface 132 rather than first surface 130. In this manner, each of front U-shaped channel 170 and rear U-shaped channel 172 reduces the amount of material needed to form hanger 24. In one example, support interface member 32 includes only one or none of front U-shaped channel 170 and rear U-shaped channel 172.
In one example, support interface member 32 includes protrusions or ramps 174 within rear U-shaped channel 172 and extending rearwardly therefrom. Each ramp 174 is positioned near a different opposing top end of rear U-shaped channel in one embodiment. Each ramp 174 is substantially identical and includes an incline surface 176 and a stop surface 178. Inclined surface 176 is also the top surface of the corresponding ramp 174 and tapers from its top edge to a rearmost point of the corresponding ramp 174. Stop surface 178 is also the bottom surface of the corresponding ramp 174 and is substantially horizontal or tapered from its bottom edge to the rearmost point of the corresponding ramp 174. In one embodiment, support interface member 32 is formed as a single piece of injection or otherwise molded material.
Once so positioned, at 206, coupling member 30 rotated clockwise, for example, as indicated by the arrow in
At 210, hanger 24 is coupled with package 22 as illustrated with additional reference to
Package 22 defines holes 308 near a top edge of the package 22. Each hole 308 is sized and shaped and spaced from the other hole 308 to snugly receive one of opposing hooks 102 of latch component 42. In one example, package 22 includes a fold over flap 310 at a top edge thereof as shown in
At 210, opposing hooks 102 of latch component 42 of coupling member 30 are moved from a rear side of backer panel 300 through apertures 308. Hooks 102 are biased outwardly, but are configured to flex inwardly slightly to allow opposing hooks 102 to move through apertures 308. When each hook 102 is positioned through one of apertures 308, its bias pushes the corresponding hook 102 outwardly in a manner securing backer panel 300 between free edge 114 of each hook 102 and exterior surface 304 of backer panel 300 as illustrated in
At 212, rear cross component 40 is folded rearwardly about intermediate section 94 of strap 44 over latch component 42 to align latch-receiving apertures 64 of rear cross component 40 with opposing hooks 102 and to wrap strap 44 around top edge 318 of backer panel 300. In one embodiment, a length of strap 44 facilitates coupling of hanger 24 to backer panel 300, more particularly, strap 44 serves to prevent placement of hanger 24 too low on backer panel 300 by interacting with top edge 318 of backer panel 300. Hanger 24 would be considered too low on backer panel 300 if, even when support interface member 32 is in the hanging position, support interface bar 136 of support interface member 32 does not extend far enough over top edge 318 of backer panel 300 to allow support structure 16 (
Rear cross component 40 is moved toward elongated pate 100 such that hooks 102 once again flex inwardly to pass through latch-receiving apertures 64 of rear cross component 40 and flex outwardly once through latch-receiving apertures 64 at 214. In this manner, free edges 114 of hooks 102 interface with rear surface 56 of rear cross component 40 adjacent outer edges of latch-receiving apertures 64 to secure rear cross component 40 to latch component 42 with backer panel 300 interposed therebetween. In one example, hooks 102, more particularly, offset wall 110, is sized such that rear cross component 40 is maintained abutting backer panel 300 and backer panel 300 is maintained abutting elongated plate 100 of latch component 42 as shown for example, in the cross sectional view of FIG. 18 and
When hanger 24 is secured to package 22, a portion of each opposing sidebar 138 of support interface member 32 is maintained between the corresponding track section 52 of rear cross component 40 and exterior surface 304 of backer panel 300. Support interface member 32 is thereby able to slide up and down relative to coupling member 30 between the storage position of
At 216, product 20 is coupled to package 22. Product 20 is any suitable member, for example, a frame, artwork, wall hanging, etc., having a front surface 330 and a rear surface 332 opposite front surface 332. Front surface 330 is the surface that will be visually presented to potential consumers or other viewers during hanging, in one example. Rear surface 332 faces backer panel 300, and is secured to package 22, for example, with securement features 302, such that rear surface 332 abuts exterior surfaces 316 of one or more flaps 310 and elongated plate 100 of latch component 42 is interposed between backer panel 300 of package 22 and rear surface 332 of product 20 as shown in
Hanger 24, more particularly, support interface member 32 is moved to the storage position in 218 by linearly sliding support interface member 32 relative to rear cross component 40 of coupling member 30. In one embodiment, interaction between interference bar 134 and top edge 62 of rear cross component 40 of coupling member 30 limits downward movement of support interface member relative to coupling member 30. In the storage position, in one embodiment, support interface member 32 is entirely positioned below folded top edge 318, that is, within the overall footprint of package 22 and/or of backer panel 300. At 220, packaged product assembly 10 is transported to its desired display location. At 222, support interface member 32 is slid linearly upwardly into the hanging position, in which at least support interface bar 136 thereof extends above folded top edge 318 beyond the footprint of backer panel 300. In one example, sliding support interface member 32 into the hanging position moves ramps 174 upwardly past top edges of track sections 52 by slightly pushing rear walls 82 of track sections 52 rearwardly via movement of inclined surfaces 176 of ramps 174 on rear walls 82. Sliding support interface member 32 into the hanging position moves ramps 174 above track sections 52 such that stop surfaces 178 of ramps 174 rest on top edge of rear walls 82 when support interface member 32 is released. The interaction between ramps 174 and the top edge of rear walls 82 facilitate maintaining hanger 24 in the hanging position even prior to hanging support interface member 32 on support structure 16 or other supporting member.
In one example, ramps 174 are sufficiently small in size to allow support interface member 32 to be moved back to the storage position by application of sufficient downward force to support interface member 32 to cause rear walls 82 of track sections 52 of rear cross component 40 to flex rearwardly and allow ramps 174 to slide downwardly just in front of rear walls 82. In this manner, ramps 174 prevent or decrease the occurrences in which support interface member 32 would inadvertently slide down to a storage positioned while packaged product assembly 10 is being hung, thereby, increasing the usability of the hanger 24.
At 224, a support structure 16 is slid through opening 139 of support interface member 32 above folded top edge 318 of package 22 to interface with lower edge 142 of support interface bar 136 such that packaged product assembly 10 is hung from support structure 16. In one example each of the two parallel rods 18 of support structure 16 is positioned within a different one of coves 150 defined by support interface bar 136 to provide rotationally stable hanging of packaged product assembly 10. Following use, hanger 24 optionally can be transitioned, that is slid, back to the storage position.
Although the invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments, such embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered to limit the invention. Various alternatives and other modifications within the scope of the invention in its various embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill.
