The invention relates generally to a display system and more particularly to a system for displaying, housing and/or storing one or more items.
Retail stores are often faced with the conflict of apportioning storage space versus space dedicated to the sales floor where customers can roam. Goods are often packed for transport in the most cost effective manner. When displayed for sale, however, good are often displayed in what is typically a much more aesthetic manner. Thus, floor space is typically split between storage areas for receiving and storing goods in their shipping containers and the sale floor where they are displayed in a more pleasing environment conducive to shopping.
Accordingly, it has been determined that it is desirable to provide a system for overcoming drawbacks in conventional systems for shipping, storing and displaying goods that helps eliminate the distinction between areas needed for storage and areas needed to display goods for sale.
A display system is provided for shipping products to a retail location and displaying those products, such as pet beds, wherein the display system and the products to be displayed can be shipped and displayed in a single container. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the container can convert from a shipping box to a combined storage and display system. Systems in accordance with the invention help optimize the use of retail floor space. They can also help insure that products are displayed as the manufacturer intended. Systems in accordance with the invention can also reduce waste. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the container is in the form of a box comprising cardboard, corrugated paper or other relatively inexpensive material that can hold its shape and can be easily disposed of.
The products to be shipped, stored and displayed in systems in accordance with the invention can also be compressed. For example, their volume can be reduced by half or approximately one third or less of the volume otherwise occupied by the uncompressed product. Therefore, the system can provide an increased efficiency in shipping and displaying the product by reducing the packaging required for transport as well as reducing the storage area required to store the products not being displayed.
Also, by providing a display system built for the product being shipped in the container, the manufacturer can control the type, standard, size, etc. of the manner in which the products are displayed and stored. Such a system can also promote product recognition by maintaining a constant style of display throughout various vendors, retailers, regardless of location.
One embodiment of the invention provides a box having flaps that can be folded to create the display, while maintaining many of the products inside the box. By way of non-limiting example, the box can include four top flaps which fold onto themselves to form a display platform above the storage portion of the box containing the products stored therein. The flaps are preferably folded outward and down the external side of the box and secured thereto, for example, via an adhesive, hook, notch and so forth. A display section is preferably included. A display section or portion can be secured over the box, to a side of the box, preferably in an upright position. The display section can be aligned with the sides of the box to which it is attached. The display portion can include one or more, preferably two, side flaps which can be connected to the two adjacent sides of the box, which preferably improves maintaining the adjacent flap in the upright position. Inventory can be stored under the display section and displayed on top of it.
With systems in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, the box is opened, folded into proper configuration and used as a display. When empty, it can be disposed of, providing a disposable display. Such a display system can significantly reduce cost by eliminating the need for separate shipping containers and display assemblies.
Alternatively, the top of the box can be discarded after opening the box. A separate header can be provided, preferably including a plurality of flaps such that the header can sit on, straddle, or otherwise be attached to the box.
The flaps preferably include graphic design, for example, corresponding to the product being displayed in the box. Thus, if the product is a pet bed that is used in a home, the graphics can suggest a home, depict a home or a part of a home or have some other marketing relationship with the goods to be displayed.
The box is preferably made of a material that is relatively inexpensive. It should be made of easy to dispose of materials, such as cardboard. Once all the products in the box are depleted, the box can be discarded.
Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide a display system that is relatively simple to set up and remove.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a product package system that reduces waste.
Other objects, features, and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economics of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following drawings in which:
Systems in accordance with the invention include a box and individually packaged goods in the box. The box can include a display portion constructed and arranged to be configured into a display configuration. The display portion an be formed by folding out flaps of the box, by including display portions as separate items in the box or combinations of the two. The box is shipped to a retail location that can have a storage area and a customer access area where customers can access items on display. The display portion is arranged into its display configuration and can be placed on or attached to the box. This attachment can be via adhesive, tab and slot attachment or both. some but not all of the individually packaged products are removed from the box and removing them from their individual packages (if any). They are then arranged on the display portion on the box. The box is located in the customer access area of the sales floor. As products are removed from the display portion, additional products from the box are removed and placed on the display portion. When all of the products are gone from the box and the display portion, the box and display portion can be removed from the customer access area. The products can be in a compressed state of less than about 50% of their uncompressed volume and put in their uncompressed state on the display area. In one embodiment of the invention, the products comprise pet beds and the display area depicts at least a portion of a house. The box and display area can be made of cardboard.
Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, techniques, systems and operating structures in accordance with the present invention may be embodied in a wide variety of forms and modes, some of which may be quite different from those in the disclosed embodiment. Consequently, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative, yet in that regard, they are deemed to afford the best embodiments for purposes of disclosure.
The following presents a detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention.
In one embodiment of the invention, a shipment of product is shipped to a retailer in a shipping box that can be a rectangular shaped box. The dimensions of the box should be optimized to fit the shipping pallet. In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the box is 34″×24″×23″. The top panel of the box can be taped, stapled or otherwise retained in place. When it is desired to display the shipped items, the box can be brought to the display floor. The top panel can be pivoted up about 90° along one of its four edges, exposing a front facing side. Up to all four panels can be folded down and adhere flat to the outside of the shipper box, exposing the graphics portion of the display. An optional insert can be removed from the shipper box and unfolded out of the shipper to allow for more area for product and possible graphics panels. The insert preferably includes tabs to couple it via slots with the side panels of the shipper to mount the display portion to the top of the shipper. Inventory can be kept within the shipper until ready to be put on the display section.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the product is compressed prior to shipping, thus increasing the number of products that can fit in the container. Preferably, the products are compressed to a compressed state having a volume of about one half, about one third or less of the volume of the product in the uncompressed state.
A header from the shipper can fold up to provide the option of added graphics area. The shipper panels can be folded flush to the outside of the shipper and adhesive can be used to keep them flat. One or more products can be removed from the container, and, if in the compressed state, some or all the products are preferably uncompressed prior to being displayed.
A display system 100 in accordance with and embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
Preferably the product is compressed, for example, vacuum compressed and sealed, to a compressed volume of approximately a third of the volume of the product in the uncompressed state. More preferably, the product can be compressed to about 15% of the size of the product in the uncompressed state. Straps, a container, wraps, a bag or other restraining mechanisms can be used to retain the product in the compressed state. A combination of restraining mechanisms can also be used.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the product is a mattress for a pet bed. Preferably, once the retaining device is removed, for example, by taking the mattress out of the container, releasing the straps, etc., the mattress can expand to its natural uncompressed state. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the mattress is expanded naturally without the use of an external device. Alternatively, an expanding device may be used. This expanded state is preferably naturally maintained and is further substantially maintained while in use. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the volume of the mattress in the compressed state can be approximately 5 to 50% of the expanded state, more preferably approximately 14 to 30%, most preferably approximately 20 to 25%.
Preferably, the products are packaged in groups, such that one or more groups of products can be opened and displayed at a time, and the remaining groups of products can be maintained, preferably in the compressed state, within container portion 110. Display system 100 can preferably display one group of products at a time. Therefore, once the retailer, vendor, etc. receives display system 100, an employee can set up display system 100 and remove one group of products from container portion 110 and place it in display portion 120 in the uncompressed state. This can help reduce confusion associated with determining how many products to display at a time. Once the first group of products is removed from display portion 120, or if only one product is left, etc. according to the preference of the retailer, vendor, etc., a second group of products can be removed from container portion 110 and placed in display portion 120. This process can be repeated until container portion 110 is depleted of products, after which display system 100 can be discarded, recycled or returned to the vendor for further use.
Once the supply of products of a display system 100 is depleted, it can be replaced with a new display system 100 for the same product, preferably providing the same or similar design in display portion 120. Because display system 100 can be replaced constantly, it does not require extensive maintenance and thus the cost of displaying and storing the products can be reduced. Additionally, display system 100 can encourage product recognition by encouraging various retailers, regardless of size, location, etc. to display the product in a common, uniform manner. Because display system 100 is integrated with container 110 in which the products are shipped, the retailers do not incur any additional cost for displaying the products, and thus the retailers can be encouraged to utilize display system 100 to display the products.
A display system 200 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention is shown in
The display portion 220′ is preferably included within box 300 and can be removed therefrom. Each wall 222′, 224′ of the display portion 220′ can thereafter be attached to a wall of the container portion 210′, for example, via a plurality of tabs and recesses. In the embodiment shown, the side walls 224′ of the display portion 220′ includes a plurality of tabs 229′ which can be inserted into the corresponding recess of the corresponding wall of the container portion 210′. Rear wall 222′ of display portion 220′ can also include a plurality of tabs or it can be formed integrally with the corresponding wall of the container portion 210′. Alternatively, one or more walls 222′, 224′ of the display portion 220′ can extend downward and adjacent to the respective wall of container portion 210′ and can be affixed thereto using adhesives or other suitable manner. Another embodiment of display portion 220′ can sit on or straddle container portion 210′.
In the embodiment of the invention shown in
In accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention, a shelf portion can be provided to cover the top of the container portion 210′. Accordingly, the products being displayed can be supported by the shelf portion such that all the products are visibly displayed rather than placed inside the container portion 210′ in which the products may not be as visible. The shelf portion can be included in box 300 or it can be provided independently without deviating from the scope of the invention.
Whereas walls 222′, 224′ of display portion 220′ are shown as being positioned to be aligned with the respective walls of the container portion and at 90 degree angles, it is to be understood that walls 222′, 224′ can be constructed and arranged to be positioned at various angles to the walls of the container portion as well as to each other.
Additionally, display system 200′ preferably comprises a relatively inexpensive material, so that the displayer can discard the display system 200′ once all the products are sold or otherwise removed from the display system 200′. Alternatively, the display system 200′ can be reused, either for the same product or for another product as desired. Non-limiting examples of suitable material for the display system 200′ include cardboard, paper board, and corrugated paper, which are durable enough for shipping and flexible enough for folding and unfolding. Preferably, the material is stiff enough so that the tabs 226′ can retain their shapes and maintain the respective wall 224′ in the desired position with respective to the corresponding wall of the container portion.
In accordance with an embodiment of display system 200′, the top of box 202′ can be removed, and an instruction sheet can be provided inside box 202′ explaining how display system 200′ can be set up. The top of box 202′ that is removed can be discarded, and can have a depth of approximately 1 to 5, or preferably 3 inches. Preferably, display portion 220′ is positioned within the depth, such that the top most product in box 202′ is substantially flush with the top of container portion 210′. Such an arrangement may be preferable to maximize visibility of the product within box 202′. Furthermore, a removable top and a separate display portion 220′ can reduce the amount of material used. For example, the display portion 220′ can be made of a thinner material than desirable for box 202′.
Panels 222″, 224″ are preferably placed above container portion 210″ as shown in
Rear panel 222″ can include a top panel 246″ that can be folded away from container portion 210″ until top panel 246″ is aligned with rear panel 222″. As shown in
Preferably, a plurality of products are provided within box 202″ that can be removed from their packaging and thereafter displayed in display system 200″. Referring to
Referring to
An embodiment of the system 300 in accordance with the invention can be provided as a kit, wherein all the components are included within the same box and an instruction sheet for assembling, arranging, etc. the system is provided. The instructions can be provided in the form of a pamphlet, on the side of a box, on a card, etc.
Alternatively, one or more of the top flaps can be used as the display section without rather than a separate display section.
The example provided and the numbered elements are merely exemplary, as a matter of application specific to design choice, and should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention in any way. Thus, while there have been shown and described and pointed out novel features of the present invention as applied to preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the drawings, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the disclosed invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/042,452, filed Apr. 4, 2008, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61042452 | Apr 2008 | US |