Patent Grant
8118164
This invention relates generally to a display, and more specifically to a product display assembly that provides increased stability and visibility to the product while on the display.
A number of challenges arise in the area of product transport and display. Typically, a plurality of packed products are loaded onto a support medium (for example, a pallet), overwrapped, loaded onto a truck, transported to a retail location and, in the case of club stores, the pallet display assembly is then simply placed on the retail floor and unwrapped for customers to purchase.
One of the components of a wrapped product pallet is a pallet cover which is used to shield the product packages on a first pallet from the effects of having a second pallet stacked on top of the first pallet. In many instances, the pallet cover is simply a piece of cardboard which is simply removed and discarded from the pallet and product packages once the product arrives at the retail location.
In addition, in many retail settings, and especially in club store-type settings, a product display assembly may not be visible to the consumer from a relatively far distance because many other products are. Specifically, when a consumer is looking at a series of palletized products from a distance, the standardized width and height of a palletized product often fails to allow one product to stand out from each other. The addition of additional components to a pallet in order to draw attention to the pallet from a distance may be possible.
Retailers have a vested interest in optimizing the stability and visibility of a product display assemblies impact product revenue, manufacturers and retailers have a vested interest in displaying product packages in the most effective way possible. That being said, presenting and maintaining effective displays may provide obstacles for a retailer. For instance, because many product display assemblies involve the stacking of a plurality of packages, the inclusion of an overly elaborate display component to a product display assembly may cause the product display assembly to be relatively unstable. Further, in-store compliance with an elaborate product display assembly may be an issue. A retailer may be hesitant to require its employees to spend an inordinate amount of time to set up a product display assembly. As a result, an elaborate product display assembly may go unassembled or elements of an older, simpler, product display for the same product may be reused to avoid the extra work associated with assembling a newer, more complicated, product display. Consequently, the retailer and producer may unintentionally fail to give the consumer the best possible first-impression of a product as possible.
Thus, there exists the need for a system and method of effectively displaying product packages such that provides a relatively high level of support to the packages, provides a relatively high visual appeal/high level of visibility to consumers, and is relatively easy to set up (allows for a relatively high level of in-store compliance) that minimizes the amount of extraneous materials to provide cost savings to the producer, and eventually the consumer.
In one nonlimiting embodiment, the present invention is directed to a product display assembly having an x-axis, y-axis, z-axis, x-y-plane, x-z-plane, and y-z plane. The product display assembly further comprises a base, a plurality of product packages having a product space, and a support stem. The support stem further comprises one or more hingedly attached flaps wherein the one or more flaps are foldable to extend beyond the product space.
In another nonlimiting embodiment, the present invention is directed to a support stem for a product display assembly. The support stem has an x-axis, y-axis, z-axis, and x-z plane. The support stem comprises one or more hingedly attached flaps and the one or more flaps are extendable to be substantially coplanar with the x-z plane of the support stem.
In yet another nonlimiting embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method for marketing a palletized product wherein the method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a pallet; (b) providing a plurality of product packages on the pallet; wherein the plurality of product packages define a product space; (c) providing a support stem between at least two of the plurality of product packages; wherein the support stem further comprises one or more hingedly attached flaps that are extendable beyond the product space; (d) providing an outer wrap around the plurality of packages and the support stem; and (e) delivering the palletized product packages to a retail location to display the product packages.
As defined herein, “product display assembly” or “pallet display assembly” refers to a group of components that may be used to store, transport, and/or consumer product packages. In one embodiment, a product display assembly of the present invention comprises a base, a plurality of consumer products or consumer product packages, and a support stem. In another embodiment, a product display assembly may further comprise a plastic overwrap or any other outer covering known to one of skill in the art. One of skill in the art may appreciate that an overwrap may be used to secure a plurality of products or product packages on a base during transport.
As defined herein, “product space” refers to the available volume of space to be occupied by one or more product packages in a product display assembly. The product space comprises a maximum length boundary, maximum width boundary, and maximum height boundary—all of which may be defined by the total length, width and height, respectively, of the plurality of product packages in the product display assembly.
As defined herein, “base” refers to a supporting medium for a product, product package, or plurality of products or product packages. In one embodiment, a base is a pallet. In another embodiment, a base is a retail shelf unit. In yet another embodiment the base is a shelf tray.
As defined herein, “product” refers to any article or item which may be supported on a base. In a first exemplary embodiment the product may be a laundry product such as a laundry detergent and/or fabric softener. In one embodiment, a product refers to a consumer paper product which may be selected from the group consisting of: disposable absorbent articles, bathroom tissue, napkins, paper towel products, facial tissues, wipes, the like, and combinations thereof. In another embodiment, a product refers to a feminine care product which may be selected from the group consisting of: disposable absorbent articles, sanitary napkins, tampons, interlabial products, incontinence articles, liners, the like, and combinations thereof. In another embodiment, a product refers to a baby care product which may be selected from the group consisting of: disposable absorbent articles, diapers, training pants, incontinence articles, wipes, the like, and combinations thereof.
As defined herein, “product packaging” refers to any container, package or other suitable enclosure for one or more products. In one embodiment, a product packaging comprises an overwrap. In another embodiment, a product package comprises a box or carton. In another embodiment still, a product package comprises a plastic container.
As defined herein, “product package” refers to any one or more products enclosed in any one or more product packaging media. In an embodiment of the invention, product packages in a product display assembly may be selected from the group consisting of: product packages of different sizes, product packages containing different products, product packages having different counts of the same product, product packages having different product sizes, and combinations thereof. In still another embodiment, product packages in a product display assembly are the same dimensions.
As defined herein, “support stem” refers to a unit which may be positioned between one or more product packages in a product display assembly. The support stem may provide the benefit of an additional degree of stability to a product display assembly because it may prevent product packages from shifting relative to each other. In one embodiment a support stem comprises an x-direction, y-direction, z-direction, y-z plane, x-y plane and x-z plane. In the exemplary embodiment, the support stem has a relatively high area in the x-y plane and may be relatively thin in the z-direction. In one embodiment, the support stem is from about 1 ft to about 8 ft in the x-direction. In another embodiment, the support stem is from about 3 ft to about 5 ft in the x-direction. In one embodiment, the support stem is 1 ft to about 8 ft in the y-direction. In another embodiment, the support stem is from about 3 ft to about 5 ft in the y-direction. In one embodiment, the support stem is from about 1 inch to about 10 inches in the z-direction (thickness). In another embodiment, the support stem is from about 2 inches to about 6 inches in the z-direction. In one embodiment, the support stem is rectangular in the x-z plane and has small feet, or some other vertical balance and/or support mechanism to “stand” the support stem on a base.
As defined herein, “flap” refers to at least one portion of a foldable pallet cover which may contain one or more visual elements. In one embodiment, a flap is mechanically attached to a support stem at the top-side of the support stem (i.e., the end in the +z direction of the support stem). In another embodiment, a flap is hingedly attached to the support stem such that the flap is foldable about the intersection between the flap and the support stem (i.e., the hinge.)
As defined herein, “adhesive” refers to a composition which demonstrates connection when applied to another material or composition generally (e.g. material is not specially selected). Adhesive compositions connect to other materials or compositions generally and no particularly selected properties of the other material or composition are necessary to demonstrate a general tendency to adhere.
As defined herein, “cohesive” refers to a material which demonstrates surface interaction (in terms of connection of one surface to another) when applied to a specially selected material. An A-A type cohesive material will fasten or form a connection primarily to itself or to similarly structured materials. Generally, such materials are substantially non-tacky (such as to skin) at room temperature even under some pressure. An A-B type cohesive material demonstrates surface interaction properties where material A will stick to different material B. However, A may also attach to A and B may attach to B. An A-B type cohesive system could also exist where type A material may attach to material of type A or type B, but the B type material will not attach to itself or other materials other than A. Materials which are designed to receive (i.e. allow the surface interaction) with a particular cohesive material, but which themselves will not connect with any other materials (or itself) are still considered “cohesive materials” within the meaning of this specification when they act as the target surface for a specific cohesive engaging material.
In one embodiment the support stem further comprises one or more flaps which may extend beyond the maximum height boundary of the product space. In one embodiment the flaps are fold-able such that the flaps may be positioned to be flush with the product packages. Without wishing to be limited by theory, it is thought that by providing such foldable flaps, the product display assembly may be easily provided with an overwrap and impart an additional degree of stability to the product display assembly during transport. Further, upon removal of the overwrap and set-up in the retail location, the flaps may be extended above the maximum height boundary to provide for a visual element to the product display assembly.
Product Display Assembly
In the exemplary embodiment the product display assembly 10 further comprises a support stem 40. In the exemplary embodiment, the support stem 40 may be positioned between two or more product packages 20. One of skill in the art will appreciate that the support stem 40 may be positioned at the end, or edge, of the product space 22. The support stem 40 may further comprise one or more flaps 42. The flaps 42 may be a continuation of the support stem 40, or may be a separate component from the support stem 40 that is hingedly attached to the support stem 40. In the exemplary embodiment the flaps 42 are foldable about the point of connection between each flap 42 and the support stem 40 such that the body of the flaps 42 may rest upon the top x-y plane of the product space 22 during transport, and the flaps 42 may be extended above the maximum height boundary Hmax upon arrival, and display in, a retail location. Without wishing to be limited by theory, it is thought that by providing a support stem 40 and/or foldable flaps 42, the product display assembly will be provided with additional levels of stability for the product display assembly 10 during transport and while the product display assembly 10 is on display in the retail location.
In addition, the foldable flaps 42 that may extend beyond the width, length and/or height boundaries of the product space 22 and/or product display assembly 10 may provide producers of products the opportunity to include additional information, advertising, or visibility to the product display assembly 10. As described supra a flap refers to at least one portion of a foldable pallet cover which may contain one or more visual elements. Without wishing to be limited by theory, it is thought that there can be a significant cost savings provided to product manufacturers and producers by reusing a pallet cover as a part of a product display assembly 10 rather than discarding a pallet cover and providing an additional product display member.
One of skill in the art will appreciate that although
In one embodiment, the adhesive 43 is covered by a removable layer that facilitates the application of adhesive at the user's leisure. One of skill in the art will appreciate that any appropriate fastening means that is known in the art may be used to fasten one or more flaps 42 together. For example, a mechanical fastener such as a snap may be used. In another embodiment, one or more magnets may be used.
Support Stem
In one embodiment the flaps 42 may have adhesive 43 or some other fastening or bonding means (for example, cohesive, Velcro™, snaps, the like, and combinations thereof) disposed on the inner surface 42B of the flap 42 and one or more visual elements 48 on the outer surface 42A of the flap. Without wishing to be limited by theory, it is thought that by fastening or bonding two or more flaps 42 together, the flaps 42 will be rigid and extend above the product space (
Nonlimiting examples of materials from which the support stem may be constructed include, but are not limited to: metal, wood, plywood, corrugated cardboard, plastic, the like, and combinations thereof.
Base
In one embodiment of the invention, the base is a pallet. Exemplary pallets are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,413,737 and 5,582,113. The base may have dimensions of from about 25″ (0.635 m) to about 65″ (1.651 m) in width. In another embodiment of the invention, the base is from about 30″ (0.762 m) to about 60″ (1.524 m) in width. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the base is from about 40″ (1.016 m) to about 50″ (1.27 m) in width. In one embodiment of the invention, the base is from about 20″ (0.508 m) to about 60″ (1.524 m) in length. In another embodiment of the invention, the supporting medium is from about 25″ (0.635 m) to about 55″ (1.397 m) in length. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the supporting medium is from about 30″ (0.762 m) to about 45″ (1.143 m) in length.
In another embodiment, the base is a retail shelf assembly.
In still another embodiment shown in
Support Stem with Feet
A reinforcement frame 85 may be comprised of a plurality of rods, bars, poles, shafts, dowels, the like, and combinations thereof. A reinforcement frame may be constructed from any material including metal, wood, plywood, corrugated cardboard, plastic, the like, and combinations thereof. A reinforcement frame may have any dimensions suitable for the desired application. Again, one of skill in the art will appreciate that specific geometries of a reinforcement frame will depend on the size and/or configuration of the product packages.
Pallet Cover
As described supra, some embodiments of the present invention may be used as a cost saving to the product manufacturer or producer. It is thought that such a cost saving may be achieved by providing
Transport and In-Store Set-Up
As described supra, it may be necessary for a producer of product to transport a product display assembly from a manufacturing or production facility to a retail location. For example, a product display assembly may need to be loaded onto a truck, transported across state or national borders, unloaded at a retail location, moved around within the retail location, and then placed on display at the retail location for sale to customers.
In order to facilitate the exemplary transport process, it may be advantageous to provide an outer covering to the product display assembly. In fact, one of skill in the shipping art will appreciate that such a process is commonly performed by either providing a crate for a plurality of product packages, or by providing an overwrap, or any other suitable physical constraint, to the product display assembly. An exemplary method and apparatus for providing an overwrap to a pallet assembly is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,594,970. Further, it is thought that it is easiest to provide an outer covering if the product display assembly—especially the product space—conforms to a regular geometric figure with relatively flat surfaces, such as a rectangular prism or a cube.
By providing visual elements in the form of a foldable flap attached to a support stem, the inventors observe the unexpected benefit of being able to position the foldable flap(s) to be flush with the outer surface of the product space, thus providing a flat surface to make it relatively simple for an overwrap to be utilized.
It is also observed that a product display according to the present invention is more stable compared to a prior art palletized product wherein a plurality of packages are supported by only a base. Without wishing to be limited by theory, it is thought that the support stem provides stability to the plurality of packages. For example, by providing a support stem that is rigid in the x-z plane, it is surprisingly discovered that the packages is relatively more stable when subject to forces with an element normal to the x-z plane—despite the fact that the support stem is not mechanically integrated to the base, or pallet, itself.
Further, when unloaded at the retail location, a product display assembly according to the present invention may provide the advantage of being relatively easy to set up. In one embodiment, upon arrival at the retail location a product display assembly, a overwrapped product display assembly may be uncovered (i.e., the overwrap is removed from the product display assembly) and the foldable flaps, which may be configured to be flush with the product space during transport, may be folded and configured to extend beyond the product space with relative ease.
Without wishing to be limited by theory, it is thought that a product display assembly having minimal non-integrated componentry for set-up will encourage retailers to provide a complete set-up of the product display assembly. It is thought that by providing a product display assembly which is overly cumbersome to configure or which have an inordinate number of components to a retailer, the retailer may be discouraged from setting up such a complicated display and prefer to reuse an existing display from the same product. It is known to those of skill in the retail display arts that the complexity of certain product display assemblies often requires manufacturers to incur additional costs to ensure proper set-up of the product display assembly.
By providing a product display assembly having an integrated, easy to set-up visual component, which also provides the unexpected benefit of increased stability, it is thought that a manufacturer will be able to increase in-store compliance for set-up while reducing costs associated with in-store compliance.
Additionally, a product display assembly of the present invention is thought to be advantageous because the stems are self-supporting. In other words, the display remains intact despite the removal of product packages from the product display assembly. Without wishing to be limited by theory, it is thought that a disadvantage of a prior art display assembly wherein a signage or other visual element that is simply placed on top of a stack of product packages ex post facto is that the signage or other visual element will lose its visibility as product packages are removed from the display assembly.
Business Method
In one embodiment, an exemplary product display assembly of the present invention may be utilized as follows: In a first step, a base—such as a pallet—may be provided. In a second step, a plurality of product packages may be loaded, or otherwise provided, on the base or pallet. The plurality of product packages may define a product space. In a third step, a support stem may be provided to the assembly. As described supra, the support stem may be placed at any location suitable within the plurality of product packages, but in the exemplary embodiment, the support stem may be provided such that the body of the support stem is coplanar with the x-z plane (
In optional sixth and seventh steps (respectively), once at the retail location the outer wrap and/or overwrap may be removed from the product packages and/or product display assembly and, once the outer wrap and/or overwrap is removed, the flaps may be extended beyond the product space for display in the retail location.
It is noted that terms like “specifically,” “preferably,” “typically”, “generally”, and “often” are not utilized herein to limit the scope of the claimed invention or to imply that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to the structure or function of the claimed invention. Rather, these terms are merely intended to highlight alternative or additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particular embodiment of the present invention. It is also noted that terms like “substantially” and “about” are utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation.
The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm”.
All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this written document shall govern.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.
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| 20100044250 A1 | Feb 2010 | US |
