This disclosure relates generally to a display hanger and, more specifically to an improved display hanger for supporting an article, the display hanger having built-in stress-relief to distribute force across the display hanger to reduce adhesion failure and avoid separation of the display hanger.
Retailers utilize a variety of devices in order to display and discourage theft of their goods. For example, display hangers are often utilized to support an article being sold by hanging it on a display unit. One type of display hanger used for displaying fashion accessories is a “fold-over” display hanger, so named because the hanger begins as a flat sheet that is cut into a particular shape which is then folded over and secured with adhesive to create the display hanger. The folding, or creasing of the sheet is generally done by hand, and the number of creases or folds can vary greatly depending upon the design of the display hanger. This type of display hanger can be utilized for a variety of accessory items, such as scarfs, hair accessories, necklaces and the like, is cost effective and utilizes minimal display space at retail with optimal product exposure. Two such display hangers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,593,025 and 7,015,815, which are also owned by the Applicant of the present disclosure.
Display hangers may optionally incorporate an electronic article surveillance (EAS) sensor, or other security sensor such as an RFID sensor, that is attached to the display hanger. These types of sensors are typically secured to the hanger and are either removed or rendered inactive at checkout. One common form of EAS sensors is a flat, thin, flexible rectangular member that is applied adhesively to a flat or curved exterior surface of the article or the hanger. In some cases the sensors are visible to consumers, and in other cases the sensors are hidden from view in order to prevent unauthorized removal. In either case, if the sensors are not rendered inactive or removed, they will be sensed by the system causing an alarm to signal to be activated, for example when the consumer exits the store. Article display hangers having security sensors perform the function of both supporting and displaying the article while also protecting it from theft.
Conventional fold-over display hangers begin flat, may be assembled by hand, can be made from coated cardboard or plastic, and secured by adhesive once folded.
It has been discovered that adhesive failures most commonly occur as a wedge at the leading edge of the adhesive bond where higher stresses often occur causing separation (i.e., leading edge adhesive failure).
In order to relieve the stress in the area of the leading edge to prevent a separation wedge from forming, the display hanger of the present application includes a first and a second panel, at least one stress-relief member or tab formed in at least one of the first or second panel of the display hanger, the at least one stress-relief member having an inner surface that is secured to an inner surface of an opposing panel of the hanger, for example by an adhesive substance. The provision of at least one stress-relief tab in one panel of the display hanger moves the stress point away from the leading edge of the adhesive and more evenly distributes the force across a wider area of the base of the display hanger, with no “wedge effect” to cause adhesive separation. The result is that the adhesive is under lower stress, thus allowing the fold over to perform without failure in less than desirable situations because the display hanger material becomes the point on failure instead of the adhesive bond.
In one embodiment, the at least one stress-relief member is a single tab that is generally centrally located from either edge of the second or rear panel, and may have a generally rectangular or somewhat arcuate or curved shaped, or other shape as may be appropriate.
In another embodiment, the at least one stress-relief tab includes a pair of side stress-relief tabs that are located on either side of the rear panel and extend inwardly from either edge, the side tabs having a generally rectangular or somewhat arcuate or curved shape, or other shape as may be appropriate.
The stress-relief display hanger described herein provides the functionality and other advantages associated with a conventional fold-over display tag while providing reduced stress at the leading edge of the adhesive to provide for a more secure display tag with reduced chance of failure. The lower stress also allows for the use of lower strength adhesive with performance that has been shown to outperform conventional fold-over display hangers in a side-by-side test.
The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee. Various aspects of at least one embodiment are discussed below with reference to the accompanying figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles disclosed herein. The figures are included to provide an illustration and a further understanding of the various aspects and embodiments, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, but are not intended as a definition of the limits of any particular embodiment. The figures, together with the remainder of the specification, serve to explain principles and operations of the described and claimed aspects and embodiments. In the figures, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every figure.
The phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Any references to examples, embodiments, components, elements or devices described herein referred to in the singular may also embrace embodiments including a plurality, and any references in plural to any embodiment, component, element or device herein may also embrace embodiments including only a singularity. References in the singular or plural form are not intended to limit the presently disclosed device, its components, structure, or elements. The use herein of “including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. References to “or” may be construed as inclusive so that any terms described using “or” may indicate any of a single, more than one, and all of the described terms. In addition, as used herein the term “article” refers to any item or product supported on a display hanger, and is not limited to the particular articles disclosed herein. As also used herein, the terms “EAS sensor” or “EAS marker” are used in the conventional sense to mean any of a number of electronic article surveillance sensors, as would be known to those of skill in the art. For example, the EAS sensor may comprise a ferro magnetic member. EAS sensors are widely available and may be purchased from such companies as Sensormatic Electronics Corporation of Boca Raton, Fla., but are not limited thereto and may include any other type of sensor for deterring theft of an article.
A first embodiment of a stress-relief display hanger 10 for supporting an article such as a necklace, jewelry, scarf, hair accessories, or the like, is illustrated in
In the present embodiment, the stress-relief tab 16 is a single tab that is generally centrally located from either edge 14e of the rear panel. The at least one stress-relief tab 16 may also include a hinged portion 18 that aids in allowing the stress-relief tab 16 to flex inward, toward the inner surface 12a of front panel 12. Either side of the hinged portion 18 may optionally also include a pair of openings or holes 17 on either end of the hinged portion 18 that may be provided to help prevent tearing of the stress-relief tab 16. Holes 17 are optional and may be eliminated, as desired. An EAS marker (not shown) may also optionally be secured to the display hanger 10, on any of the inner surfaces 12a, 14a, outer surfaces 12b, 14b, or base 20, in order to deter theft of the display hanger and the article, as would be known to one of skill in the art.
Referring now to
As shown in
Referring now to
Each of the pair of stress-relief tabs 116 is flexed inwardly until the inner surface 116a of the pair of stress-relief tabs 116 are secured by adhesive to the inner surface 112a of the front panel 112. Portions of the rear panel 114 adjacent the pair of stress-relief tabs 116, including the central, trapezoid shape 119 below the upper portion 114c, may be intentionally not secured to the front panel in order to better distribute stress to the base 120 of the display hanger. The resulting display hanger likewise displays good adhesive properties with reduced risk of failure, as described herein above.
Referring now to
Referring now to
In the present embodiment, the stress-relief display hanger 610 additionally includes a securing member 623 supported thereon to aid in securing the article 628 to the hanger 610. In the present embodiment, the securing member 623 is a cable tie received through a pair of openings 624 in the body of the hanger 610. Alternatively, the securing member 623 may be any type of flexible, tear resistant strap, tie or other element either separate or unitary with the hanger 610, as would be known to those of skill in the art. In the present embodiment, the securing member 623 and openings 624 are located in the lower portion of the rear panel 614d adjacent to the base 620, but may alternatively be located anywhere that the inner surfaces 612a, 614a are not adhered to each other. The securing member 623 and openings 624 may also be located on the base 620. Although received through openings 624 in the present embodiment, the securing member 623 may be secured or supported by the base 620 in alternate ways, including by the use of slots, or adhesive, or by being formed as a single, unitary member as part of the display hanger 610.
Referring now to
Assembly of the stress-relief display hanger will now be described with reference to
A portion of the front panel is then secured to a portion of the rear panel of the hanger. To secure the front and rear portions, adhesive 15 is exposed or disposed, for example by removing a protective covering or otherwise applying the adhesive, as known to those of skill in the art. As described above, the adhesive may be positioned on at least the inner surface 16a of the at least one stress-relief tab 16, or on the inner surface 12a of the panel to which the stress-relief tab 16 is secured during use. Adhesive may additionally be disposed on other portions of the inner surfaces 12a, 14a of the front and/or rear panels 12, 14 of the display hanger, provided that at least a portion of the lower portion of the front and/or rear panels remain adhesive-free in order to create an opening or void 26 for receiving the article to be supported therein. Once exposed, the inner surface 12a of the front panel 12 and the inner surface 14a of the rear panel 14 are folded inwardly and secured to each other. The inner surface 16a of the at least one stress-relief tab 16 is also secured by the adhesive to the opposing inner surface 12a or 14a of the panel to which the stress-relief tab 16 is secured during use. When stress is applied to the stress-relief hanger 10, such as through a heavy article 628 or a consumer attempting to remove the article 628, the stress is distributed away from the leading edge of the adhesive 151 eliminating the “wedge effect” allowing the fold over to perform without failure. An EAS marker may additionally be secured to the stress-relief display hanger 10 on any surface to deter theft.
The provision of at least one stress-relief tab moves the stress point away from the leading edge of the adhesive and more evenly distributes the force across a wider area of the base of the display hanger, with no “wedge effect” to cause adhesive separation. The result is that the adhesive is under lower stress thus allowing the fold over to perform without failure in less than desirable situations because the display hanger material becomes the point on failure instead of the adhesive bond.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, the materials disclosed herein may be readily changed, as may the dimensions and geometric configurations. The display hanger may be a different configuration other than fold-over hangers, provided there is a front and rear panel secured together that need stress mitigated. If a fold-over hanger is utilized the number of folds, pleats, or creases may range in number, without limitation, and is also not limited to a particular shape, design or style. The stress-relief tab locations and shapes can vary depending upon the design of the display hanger and can be utilized with existing designs of hanger. The disclosure is not limited to any particular display hanger shape or size. In addition, although a hinged portion is shown and described, other ways of allowing the stress-relief tabs disclosed herein to flex inwardly may be provided, including the absence of a hinged portion and flexing by provision of the tab alone. Finally, although shown as a unitary piece, the display hanger may be formed of one or more separate pieces.
This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/076,963, filed Nov. 7, 2014 and entitled “Stress Relief Display Hanger,” which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62076963 | Nov 2014 | US |