The present invention relates generally to the field of point of purchase displays for products, and more specifically to a point of purchase display for infant's and children's gear products.
Point of purchase displays are advertisements that can be positioned near or on a product that is being sold in a retail environment, so that potential purchasers may view the display with the product at the time of making a purchase decision. Many known point of purchase displays are formed from rigid plastic or cardboard, paper, or other materials, which can be easily damaged and/or are limited in their size, shape, attachment and positioning on the product, and present challenges in packaging and shipping the displays with the products.
It is often desirable to attach a point of purchase display to the product during the manufacture and/or packaging of the product for shipment to a retailer. But the size and shape of such displays typically are limited to the size and shape of the product's box or other packaging. For example, folding a typical rigid point of purchase display panel to fit within a product package that is smaller than the display size may damage the display and/or cause the display to be less visually appealing when set up at the retail site. Packaging a paper display with the product may cause the display to be wrinkled, creased, torn or otherwise disfigured during transport.
Furthermore, because packaging size is typically minimized for efficiency in delivery and storage of products, it has now been found desirable to provide point of purchase displays for a product that are larger than the product's packaging would otherwise allow. It has also been found that assembly and attachment of point of purchase displays to a product at a retail site can be expensive and require additional labor and logistics, either on the part of the retailer if they will do so, or on the part of manufacturers' representatives who are required to travel to the retail sites.
Accordingly, it can be seen that needs exist for an improved point of purchase display. It is to the provision of an improved point of purchase display meeting these and other needs that the present invention is primarily directed.
In example embodiments, the present invention provides a point of purchase display for coupling to a commercial product on display at a retail store. In one aspect, the invention relates to a point of purchase display for coupling to a commercial product including a flexible and wrinkle-resistant sheet material and at least one coupling member for coupling the sheet material to the commercial product. In example forms, the sheet material has indicia displayed thereon. In one example form, the sheet material is formed from a 50 D 160 gm/yd polyester trilobal tricot material and the at least one coupling element is in the form of a micro tag.
In another aspect, the invention relates to a point of purchase system for display at a retail store or other site, the system including a collapsible product, a flexible and wrinkle-resistant display, and at least one coupling element for coupling the display to the collapsible product. The collapsible product is generally movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration and includes at least one rigid structural member and at least one flexible fabric or soft goods component. The display preferably includes indicia thereon related to one or more features or characteristics of the product. In example forms, the display remains coupled to the collapsible product in both the collapsed configuration and the expanded configuration, wherein in the collapsed configuration the display is generally compacted, collapsed or bunched together, and wherein in the expanded configuration the sheet material is expanded to display the indicia thereon, for example on one or more flat, planar, wrinkle-free display surfaces. In one form, the sheet material is formed from a 50 D 160 gm/yd polyester trilobal tricot material and the at least one coupling element is in the form of a micro tag.
In still another aspect, the invention relates to a method of assembling and packaging commercial goods. The method generally includes providing a commercial product, the commercial product being reconfigurable between a compact collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; providing a display associated with the product, the display being formed from a substantially flexible and wrinkle-resistant material; positioning the commercial product in the expanded configuration; coupling the display to the commercial product; repositioning the commercial product into the collapsed configuration; and packaging the commercial product in combination with the display. In example forms, the commercial product comprises a children's gear product such as a collapsible play-yard, crib or sleeper. In one form, the display material is in the form of polyester trilobal tricot.
In yet another aspect, the invention relates to a method of marketing a collapsible commercial product. The method generally includes providing a substantially flexible and wrinkle-resistant display having indicia thereon; coupling the display to the collapsible commercial product; collapsing the collapsible commercial product to a collapsed configuration, the display collapsing and bunching together into a compact state to conform to the collapsed configuration of the product wherein at least a portion of the indicia of the display is generally hidden or obscured from visibility from a viewpoint external of the product; packaging the collapsed commercial product in packaging materials; shipping the collapsed commercial product to a retail store or other site; removing the collapsed commercial product from the packaging materials; expanding the collapsed commercial product to an expanded configuration, the display expanding therewith to conform to the expanded configuration wherein the indicia thereon becomes visible from a viewpoint external of the product; and displaying the commercial product at the retail store in combination with the display. In example forms, the collapsible commercial product is in the form of a children's gear product. In one example form, the display is formed from a polyester trilobal tricot material.
In still another aspect, the invention relates to a method of delivering information to a consumer. The method generally includes providing a commercial product on display at a retail store, the commercial product being movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; and providing a substantially flexible and wrinkle-resistant display having indicia thereon, the display being coupled to the commercial product, wherein when the commercial product is in the expanded configuration the display is expanded to fully display the indicia thereon, and wherein when the commercial product is in the collapsed configuration the display is generally compacted or bunched together such that at least a portion of the indicia is no longer visible.
These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be understood with reference to the drawing figures and detailed description herein, and will be realized by means of the various elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following brief description of the drawings and detailed description of the invention are exemplary and explanatory of preferred embodiments of the invention, and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patents and other publications identified in this specification are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.
Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.
Generally described, the present invention comprises a point of purchase display for coupling to a commercial product on display at a retail store. In example forms, the commercial product is a children's gear product. Preferably, the display is formed from a flexible, compactable and wrinkle-resistant material. In one example form, the display is coupled to the product during the production or manufacture of the product, and the display remains coupled thereto until being removed after the product is purchased. In some example forms, the product on display (having the point of purchase display coupled thereto) is not for sale (e.g., an in-store sample) and is generally thrown away after the product is no longer being sold at the retail store. Preferably, the display is capable of being folded, crumpled, collapsed, compacted or bunched together when the product is collapsed and packaged and unfurled or opened into an intact and unwrinkled state when the product is erected and placed on display at a retail store or other display site, all while remaining coupled to the product.
With reference now to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout the several views,
The display 10 is preferably formed from a flexible and wrinkle-resistant material. Thus, despite the display 10 being deformed, folded, crumpled or bunched together when the product P is collapsed while being packaged and shipped (see
Preferably, indicia 14 can be printed or otherwise applied on a display surface of the display 10 for advertisement or instructional purposes, which may include product branding, graphical illustrations, written material, etc. For example, the indicia 14 can include certain aspects or benefits of the product P, instructions on how to use the product P, or other graphics or written material for advertisement or branding purposes. In example forms, the indicia 14 can be printed on the display 10 using a paper print process, a transfer printing process, or by dye sublimation. Optionally, other printing techniques may be employed. In alternative embodiments, the indicia 14 can be adhered to the display by gluing, tacking, or other coupling methods. Further optional, additional accessory advertisements can be provided on the display 10, which can include “try-me” or example alternative fabrics/materials that are being used with the product 10 (e.g., soft goods or available as options, allowing the customer to touch the materials and see them up close), or a quick response code (QR code) to link the user to additional advertising material online or elsewhere.
In the example embodiment depicted in
In example embodiments, the grommets 16 are generally formed from a rigid material and spaced inwardly relative to the two corners of the bottom portion of the display 10. In one form, the grommets are spaced inwardly about 1″, more preferably about 2″, and more preferably about 3″-5″. Optionally, the grommets 16 may be provided along other portions of the display 10. For example, in one example form, the sides of the display can be folded over and stitched or hemmed (see dashed line) to provide clean edges, and the grommets 16 can be positioned to be generally adjacent the edges. Optionally, the grommets 16 may be formed from other less rigid materials to provide a range of flexibility. As depicted in
In example forms, as briefly described above, the product P is collapsible and capable of moving between a collapsed configuration and an expanded or in-use configuration, and the display 10 coupled thereto is preferably folded or bunched together when the product P is in the collapsed configuration and unfolded, fully opened or expanded when the product P is in the in-use configuration, with the unfurling of the display being linked or coupled to expansion of the product such that opening of the display is automatically carried out by expansion of the product. Thus, the configuration of the display 10 (e.g., bunched together or unfolded) generally depends on and is driven by the configuration of the product P (e.g., collapsed or expanded). For example, as depicted in
Packaging materials such as a bag, carton or box 50 are preferably provided to package the product P for shipping to the retail store or other distribution center. As depicted in
In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of assembling and packaging commercial goods. In one example form, the method comprises providing a commercial product, the commercial product being positionable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; providing a display, the display being substantially flexible and wrinkle-resistant; positioning the commercial product in the expanded configuration; coupling the display to the commercial product; positioning the commercial product in the collapsed configuration; and packaging the commercial product. Optionally, the display can be coupled to the product when the product is in either of the semi-collapsed or collapsed configurations.
In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of marketing a collapsible commercial product. In one example form, the method comprises providing a substantially flexible and wrinkle-resistant display having indicia printed thereon; coupling the display to the collapsible commercial product; collapsing the collapsible commercial product to a collapsed configuration, the display collapsing to conform to the collapsed configuration; packaging the collapsed commercial product and display in packaging materials; shipping the collapsed commercial product and display to a retail store; removing the collapsed commercial product and display from the packaging materials; expanding the collapsed commercial product to an expanded configuration, and causing the display to expand to conform to the expanded configuration wherein the indicia printed thereon is visible; and displaying the collapsible commercial product at the retail store.
In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of delivering information to a consumer. In one example form, the method comprises providing a commercial product on display at a retail store, the commercial product being movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; and providing a substantially flexible and wrinkle-resistant display having indicia thereon, the display being coupled to the commercial product, wherein when the commercial product is in the expanded configuration the display is expanded to display the indicia thereon, and wherein when the commercial product is in the collapsed configuration the display is generally compacted or bunched together such that at least a portion of the indicia on the display is no longer visible from an external vantage point.
In additional example embodiments, the display 10 can be shaped and sized as desired. For example, optional shapes of the display 10 can include rectangular, square, hexagonal, polygonal, circular, oval, irregular, or other desired shapes. Preferably, the size of the display 10 can be configured to cover all or a portion of at least one side (front, back, ends, top or bottom) of the product P, and in some example forms the display 10 is configured to cover at least two or more adjacent side portions. Optionally, two or more displays 10 can be provided to separately cover at least portions of two or more sides of the product P. Furthermore, the display may optionally comprise one or more animated or lenticular displays, which may be used to produce a three-dimensional image or animation.
While the invention has been described with reference to preferred and example embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications, additions and deletions are within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.
This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 14/300,542, filed Jun. 10, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/834,481 filed Jun. 13, 2013, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
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Child | 14995377 | US |