Three sided and extended merchandising display with insertion channels for product identification and advertisement

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6675978
  • Patent Number
    6,675,978
  • Date Filed
    Monday, March 4, 2002
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, January 13, 2004
    21 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Examiners
    • Stodola; Daniel P.
    • Novosad; Jennifer E.
    Agents
    • Gifford, Krass, Groh, Sprinkle, Anderson & Citkowski, P.C.
  • CPC
  • US Classifications
    Field of Search
    • US
    • 211 571
    • 211 189
    • 211 1811
    • 211 591
    • 211 103
    • 211 8601
    • 211 8701
    • 211 192
    • 248 174
    • 248 152
    • 248 300
    • 248 22031
    • 248 22041
    • 248 22042
    • 248 22043
    • 312 108
    • 312 128
    • 312 2571
    • 312 258
    • 312 262
    • 040 64202
    • 040 657
    • 040 672
    • 403 DIG 11
    • 403 DIG 13
    • 403 DIG 14
    • 403 364
    • 024 673
    • 024 67 R
    • 024 346
    • 024 326
    • 024 455
    • 024 522
    • 024 545
  • International Classifications
    • B42F100
Abstract
A product display assembly for use with an upwardly extending support surface, such as a wing rack assembly having a surface defined by a plurality of spaced apart grid portions. A planar shaped and elongate extending back panel includes a plurality of apertures formed therethrough at spaced apart intervals, the apertures receiving inserting and engaging ends of product display hangers. First and second side panels are provided, each likewise planar shaped and elongate extending, and each further exhibiting an arcuate shape in cross section. Clasp portions are defined along the arcuate extending edges of the side panels and receivingly engage opposite extending side edges of the back panel insertingly received between inwardly facing surfaces of the clasp portions. Spaced apart and opposing channel defining portions extend from outwardly facing surfaces of the side panels for supporting and displaying advertisement placards.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




The present invention relates generally to merchandise display assemblies. More particularly, the present invention discloses a product display assembly, having a substantially “U” shape in cross section, and being constructed of individual and planar shaped back and side panels. The back panel is capable of being secured to a vertically extending and existing merchandising display surface and includes apertures at spaced apart intervals for receiving product hangers. The side panels are further interlockingly engaged along opposite edges of the back panel and each is further capable of supporting insert graphics/advertisements associated with volumes of merchandise supported upon the product hangers.




2. Description of the Prior Art




The prior art is well documented with examples of merchandising display assemblies. Conventional merchandise displays are typically provided in the form of gondola units having horizontal shelving portions. Such existing gondola displays further include features such as side and edge wing rack assemblies.




Due to limitations in the product carrying capacity of existing gondola displays, attempts have been made to increase the capacity of the existing gondola display through the provision of additional displays, typically those attachable to the existing gondola. An example of such a merchandising display is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,024,230, issued to Menaged et al., and which teaches a vertically extending and substantially tubular display member spaced a given distance from the gondola by a series of interconnecting and horizontal extending support members. An additional example of such a merchandising display is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,286, issued to Shea.




The nature of the merchandising display assemblies as shown in Menaged and Shea is their particular ability to project and space the vertical display portion a distance from the forward facing edge of the gondola display. As such, these display assemblies are not well suited for securing to the side or aisle edge locations of the gondola, and in particular to existing wing rack assemblies which may be associated with the gondola upright displays. This is so in particular because the space requirements along the aisle edges are much tighter than between the aisles and, given the configuration of the prior art merchandising displays, the possibility of accidental damage and/or injury exists. Additionally, conventional merchandising displays usually do not provide adequate product identification or advertisement indicia, these often being critical in the ability to successfully market impulse and point-of-sale merchandise often displayed upon such merchandise extension assemblies.




Another example of the relevant prior art is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,316, issued to Harbour et al., and which teaches a product merchandising display unit with replaceable product graphics. Harbour teaches a product module including at least one elongated product channel defined by a pair of laterally spaced upstanding side walls and a substantially planar product supporting floor portion extending therebetween. Each product channel includes a product graphic panel which is removably attachable to the front portion of each product channel via different constructional arrangements. Product graphic panels are dimensioned to attach to the front portion of a particular product channel, the graphic panel substantially overlaying the product identification and graphics associated with the lead product container positioned within that particular product channel.




U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,003 issued to Gebka, teaches a strip merchandise hanger and label holder adapted to be removably secured to a horizontally extending shelf and perpendicular to the front edge thereof. The hanger includes a central upstanding label holder, both surfaces of which can be provided with merchandising indicia. A transparent label cover enables the label holder to carry adhesive or non-adhesive labels or signs. A pair of spaced hooks are provided below each label-receiving surface to support, in depending fashion, strip merchandisers carrying a multiplicity of products.




SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION




The present invention discloses a product display assembly which is particularly suited for securing to the side or aisle edge locations of a gondola, and in particular to existing wing rack assemblies which may be associated with the gondola upright displays. Alternatively, the product display assembly is capable of being supported in freely upstanding fashion from a floor or counter supporting surface. In either variant, the product display assembly is capable of supporting volumes of typically smaller sized and impulse purchase merchandise and to do so in combination with incorporating unique product advertisement and graphic displays.




The product display includes three individual, assembleable, planar shaped and elongated panels, each typically constructed of an extruded and substantially rigid, plasticized material. The panels include an interconnecting back panel and a pair of opposing side panels which, upon assembly with opposite extending edges of the back panel, defines a substantially “U” shape in cross section.




The back panel is capable of being secured to a vertically extending and existing merchandising display surface, such as again a wing rack display associated with a gondola unit or other conventional shelving support. The back panel includes apertures at spaced apart intervals for receiving product hangers and such as which may secure through the back panel and to appropriate support surfaces located along the wing rack or suitable gondola support.




The side panels are further configured such that they interlockingly engage along opposite edges of the back panel. In the preferred embodiment, the side panels are each arcuately configured in cross section and terminate, along one extending edge thereof, in spaced clasp portions, defining an inward channel therebetween for grippingly receiving the back panel. Outwardly facing surfaces of each of the side panels each further define insert receiving channels, running along their substantial axial length, and which are capable of supporting appropriately sized inserts displaying graphics and/or advertisements associated with the volumes of merchandise supported upon the product hangers.




Additional variants of the invention further include the back panel and side panels being extruded in an integral “U” configuration. Also, it is contemplated that the side panels can be ultrasonically welded to the back panel. In addition to mounting the product display to an aisle way extending wing rack display of a conventional gondola support, additional mounting variants afforded by the present invention include mounting the product display to such as the associated side extending edges of a typical gondola shelving support, as well as to both single slotted and double slotted vertically extending back plate portions of the gondola display.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:





FIG. 1

is an assembled perspective view of the product display assembly according to the present invention;





FIG. 2

is an exploded perspective of the product display assembly and showing the manner in which the opposing side panels and product hangers secure to the back panel, as well as the assembly of the product identification/graphics inserts according to the present invention;





FIG. 3

is a top view of the product display and which illustrates the interlocking relationship of the back panel with the side panels;





FIG. 4

is a further environmental view, in perspective, of the product display assembly according to the present invention and which is secured to a surface of an edge extending wing rack associated with a conventional gondola upright;





FIG. 5

is an environmental view, in perspective, of the product display assembly according to a further application of the present invention and which is secured, by virtue of first and second spaced apart and horizontally extending arms, to a single-slotted and vertically extending back plate of the conventional gondola upright;





FIG. 6

is an environmental view, in perspective, of the product display assembly according to a yet further application of the present invention and which is secured to side extending edges of the shelving portions associated with the conventional gondola upright; and





FIG. 7

is a yet further environmental view, again in perspective, of the product display assembly according to a still further application of the present invention and which is secured to a vertically extending and double slotted back plate.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




Referring now to

FIGS. 1-4

, a product display assembly is illustrated at


10


which is particularly suited for securing to the side or aisle edge locations of a gondola


12


, and in particular to existing wing rack assemblies, such as referenced at


14


and which may be associated with the gondola upright displays. In particular, the wing rack


14


may be constructed of any overall shape and may include a plurality of interconnected and spaced grid portions, such as referenced at


16


,


18


,


20


, et seq. in FIG.


4


.




As further best illustrated in

FIG. 4

, the wing rack


14


is secured to a side edge location of the gondola


12


, however it is understood that the product display assembly


10


may be utilized with any suitable upwardly extending support surface. Alternatively, and as previously discussed, the product display assembly is capable of being supported in freely upstanding fashion from a floor or counter supporting surface (not shown). In this fashion, the product display assembly


10


supports volumes of typically smaller sized and impulse purchase merchandise and does so in combination with incorporating unique product advertisement and graphic displays.




A substantially planar shaped and elongate extending back panel


22


is provided, the back panel


22


preferably being constructed of one-piece plasticized extrusion and exhibiting a generally rectangular configuration. It is however also understood that the back panel


22


, as well as the remaining components of the product display, may also be constructed of any other appropriate material such as including a lightweight metal or other material. Pluralities of apertures are formed through the back panel at spaced apart intervals and, as best illustrated in

FIG. 2

, include individual pairs


24


,


25


,


26


, et seq. of apertures along the overall axial length of the back panel. Merchandise display hangers are illustrated at


30


,


32


,


34


, et seq., and each is configured for engageably receiving through an associated pair of the defined apertures. In particular, and referring specifically to first selected display hanger


30


, it includes a miniaturized display portion


36


, a merchandise hanger portion


38


, a base support portion


40


and a pair of angled tabs


42


which extend rearward from the base support and which insert through the selected pair of apertures defined in the back panel.




Referring again to

FIG. 4

, an advantage achieved in securing the display assembly


10


against the wing rack


14


, through the use of the display hangers


30


,


32


,


34


, et seq., resides in the ability of the angled tabs (e.g. again illustrated at


42


for first selected hanger


30


) to abuttingly engage against a rear side of a selected one of the spaced apart grids (see again by example at


16


in FIG.


4


). In this manner, the individual hangers acquire the strength of the underlying wing rack


14


in its product carrying capacity and, in combination with the graphics carrying and advertising ability of the product display assembly, provide for extremely effective point of sale merchandising of various types of smaller high-volume products.




Also defined in the back panel


22


, at likewise spaced apart intervals, are elongated slots, such as illustrated at


44


and


46


, the purpose of the slots being to support mounting clips (see at


48


and


50


in FIG.


4


). The mounting clips


48


and


50


, as again illustrated in phantom in

FIG. 4

, are configured in a modified “S” shape and, upon insertion through an associated slot defined in the back panel


22


, suspend the display from selected pairs of the wire grids and such as are shown by pairs


49


and


51


of the grids associated with the mounting clips


48


and


50


, respectively.




A pair of first


52


and second


54


side panels are provided, each defining an elongate and, for the most part, generally planar shape which is consistent with that of the back panel


22


. The side panels


52


and


54


are also preferably constructed of one piece extruded materials, however may further include a bending (generally 90°) extending portion terminating in an arcuate extending edge, such as illustrated generally at


56


for first side panel


52


and at


58


for second side panel


54


. It is also understood that the overall configuration of the side and back panels can be according to any desired cross sectional shape, such also including shape 90° bends, generally curved connections, and other types of open facing polygonal cross sections.




Each of the arcuate extending edges


56


and


58


are further defined by spaced clasp portions (see pairs of clasp portions


60


and


62


) defined along the respective arcuate extending edges


56


and


58


of the side panels


52


and


54


. The opposite extending edges of the back panel


22


, see at


64


and


66


, insertingly engage between the inwardly facing and predetermined spaced surfaces of said clasp portions


60


and


62


. Individual pluralities of serrations


68


and


70


(see in particular the side cutaway of

FIG. 3

) may extend from at least one of the inwardly facing surfaces of the individual pairs


60


and


62


of clasp portions, the serrations


68


and


70


resistively engaging the inserting side edges of the back panel. It is also contemplated that the ability to assemble the back panel


22


and side panels


52


and


54


, in the manner illustrated, provides for easier manufacturing, shipping and product display set-up.




The preferred manner of assembling the side panels


52


and


54


with the opposite side edges


64


and


66


of the rear panel


22


in the manner shown above provides the specific advantage of permitting the product displays to be shipped in bulk (in a disassembled condition) and quickly set up at the retailer location. It is however also envisioned that other assembly variants may be adopted for constructing the overall elongated and “U” shaped body of the product display, these including such as extruding as one piece the “U” shaped body with a desired cross sectional profile. An additional envisioned variant includes, similarly to the disclosed variant, assembling together individual back and side panels, with the further step of ultrasonically welding the side and back panels to achieve the desired integral shape. Other and additional variants are also possible for assembling the product display within the scope of the present invention.




As illustrated in each of the associated figures, spaced apart and opposing channel defining portions are provided along at least the outwardly facing surfaces of the assembled side panels


52


and


54


. The channel defining portions are further identified as pairs of opposing and arcuate shaped projections, see at


65


for first side panel


52


and at


66


for second side panel


54


.




As best further illustrated in

FIG. 2

, a graphics/advertisement display, illustrated in reduced length at


68


and typically associated with the merchandise to be carried upon the display, is provided and may be seated against an associated facing surface of a side panel (by reference example to side panel


52


) and by slidingly engaging within the channel defined between the projections


65


, and further typically in a friction holding fashion. It is also understood that, in addition to the channel defining portions, other means for securing the graphics/advertisement displays can be utilized, these including clips, hooks or other types of fasteners.




Referring to

FIG. 5

an environmental view, in perspective, is illustrated of a modified variant


70


of the product display assembly according to a further application of the present invention. The product display


70


includes a modified and widened back panel


72


, to opposite ends of which are engaged first


74


and second


76


side panels. The side panels


74


and


76


are constructed substantially identically to those illustrated and described at


52


and


54


in the first preferred variant such that a repetitive description is unnecessary.




Additionally, the back panel


72


includes two individual and vertically extending rows of closely spaced apertures defined therethrough which are hidden from view but are evidenced by the engagement of separate rows


30


,


32


,


34


and


30


′,


32


′,


34


′ of the product display hangers in the manner indicated in FIG.


5


. It is also envisioned that the individual rows of apertures can also be defined by widened slotted portions and reference is made to slots


75


and


77


defined towards the upper end of the back panel


72


in FIG.


5


.




The conventional gondola upright in

FIG. 5

includes such features as a pegboard surface


78


and, more particularly relevant to the indicated variant, a vertically extending back plate


80


including, on a specified face thereof, a plurality of single and spaced apart slots


82


. The product display variant


70


includes a pair of first


83


and second


84


spaced apart and horizontal/elongate extending support arms.




Each of the support arms


83


and


84


is preferably defined as a substantially flatted plate in cross section and each terminates at a mounting end in a single slot mounting portion, see further at


86


for arm


83


and at


88


for arm


84


, the single slot mounting portions in turn being engageable with selected ones of the vertically spaced apart and extending apertures


82


of the single-slotted and vertically extending back plate of the conventional gondola upright. The back panel


72


of the display variant


70


is secured in abutting fashion to the elongate extending arms


83


and


84


and, viewing the first arm


83


, this is accomplished again through the use of the “S” shaped mounting clips


48


and


50


as previously described and which engage, through opposite ends with both the slotted portions


75


and


77


in the back panel


72


and extending locations of the arm


83


. Referring to the second extending arm


84


in

FIG. 5

, tie straps


90


and


92


are employed to extend through additional holes (or pairs of holes


93


and


95


as illustrated) and in order to affix the product display


70


securely to the extending arms


83


and


84


.




Referring now to

FIG. 6

, an environmental view is illustrated in perspective at


96


of a further mounting variation of the product display assembly according the present invention and which is secured to side extending edges


98


and


100


, respectively, of associated shelving portions


102


and


104


of the conventional gondola upright. As with the variant described in reference to

FIG. 5

, the existing gondola support again includes a pegboard surface


78


and, more particularly relevant to the indicated variant, a vertically extending back plate


80


including, on a similarly specified face thereof, a plurality of single and spaced apart slots


82


.




The display assembly in the mounting application


96


is again as substantially illustrated in the variant of FIG.


5


and includes the modified and widened back panel


72


, to the opposite ends of which are engaged the first


74


and second


76


side panels. The back panel


72


again includes two individual and vertically extending rows of closely spaced apertures, represented in

FIG. 6

at


106


and


108


, and which support individual ones of the rows


30


,


32


,


34


and


30


′,


32


′,


34


′ of the product display hangers in the manner indicated. It is again envisioned that the individual rows of apertures can also be defined by widened slotted portions and reference is made to identically configured slots


75


and


77


defined towards the upper end of the back panel


72


in FIG.


6


.




The “S” shaped mounting clips


48


and


50


are again indicated, as previously described, and engages through first selected ends with both the slotted portions


75


and


77


in the back panel


72


. An elongated hanger is illustrated at


110


and which extends through apertures


112


and


114


defined in upper edge locations of the side panels


74


and


76


. The hanger


110


also includes substantially looped ends


116


and


118


which provide abutting support between the product display and the shelving portions


102


and


104


. Terminating portions of the looped ends


116


and


118


, see respectively at


120


and


122


, extend through associated apertures located in the top edge surface of the shelving portion (in this case the upper shelf indicated at


102


) concurrently with second selected and curved ends of the mounting clips


48


and


50


engaging intermediate locations of the hanger


110


to support the display assembly.




Finally, and referring to

FIG. 7

is a yet further environmental view is illustrated in perspective at


124


of an application of the product display assembly according to a still further variant. In the variant


124


, the conventional support includes a vertically extending back plate


126


, upon a selected face of which is defined double slotted rows of apertures


128


,


130


, et seq. in a vertical direction of the back plate


126


from a top end downwardly.




The product display in the application of

FIG. 7

is substantially as previously described and again includes a back panel


22


and arcuately configured and affixable side panels


52


and


54


. As also previously described, display hangers


30


,


32


,


34


, et seq. are provided and the associated pairs of rearwardly extending and angled tabs (see again at


42


such as in the exploded view of

FIG. 2

) each insert within and abuttingly engage a selected horizontally disposed pair of the apertures defined in the back plate


126


. Without limitation, other and additional mounting variants are possible for supporting the product display as described herein.




Having described my invention, additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains and without deviating from the scope of the appended claims.



Claims
  • 1. In combination, a product display assembly and an upwardly extending support surface, said display assembly comprising:a substantially planar shaped and elongate extending back panel, a plurality of apertures being formed through said back panel at spaced apart intervals, said apertures receiving inserting ends of product display hangers; a first side panel and a second side panel, each of said side panels being elongate extending and each further exhibiting an arcuate bend in cross section; engaging means for securing axially extending elongate and cross sectionally arcuate extending edges of said side panels to opposite extending side edges of said back panel and by which said side panels extend outwardly with respect to said back panel; and receiving means associated with said side panels for supporting and displaying advertisement placards.
  • 2. The product display assembly as described in claim 1, said engaging means further comprising clasp portions defined along said axially extending and arcuate extending edges of said side panels, said opposite extending edges of said back panel insertingly engaged between inwardly facing surfaces of said clasp portions.
  • 3. The product display assembly as described in claim 2, further comprising serrations extending from at least one of said inwardly facing surfaces of said clasp portions, said serrations resistively engaging said side edges of said back panel.
  • 4. The product display assembly as described in claim 1, said receiving means further comprising spaced apart and opposing channel defining portions extending along a length of at least one facing surface of each of said side panels.
  • 5. The product display assembly as described in claim 1, the upwardly extending support surface further defining a wing rack assembly having a surface defined by a plurality of spaced apart grid portions, said inserting ends of said product display hangers including angled tabs which, upon insertion through said back panel, engage a selected one of the spaced apart grid portions.
  • 6. The product display assembly as described in claim 5, further comprising elongated slots defined in the back panel at spaced apart intervals, mounting clips being configured in a modified “S” shape and, upon insertion through an associated slot defined in said back panel, suspending said product display assembly from a further selected one of said grid portions.
  • 7. The product display assembly as described in claim 1, the upwardly extending support surface further defining a single-slotted and vertically extending back plate, first and second spaced apart and horizontally extending arms extending from said back plate and engaging said back panel of said product display assembly.
  • 8. The product display assembly as described in claim 1, the upwardly extending support surface further defining a vertically extending and double slotted back plate, said product display hangers extending through said back panel to support said product display assembly upon the double slotted back plate.
  • 9. The product display assembly as described in claim 1, the upwardly extending support surface further defining a side extending edge of at least one shelving portion, said back panel being supported in abutting fashion upon the extending edges of the shelving portions.
  • 10. The product display assembly as described in claim 1, said product display assembly exhibiting a specific size and shape, each of said back panel and said first and second side panels being constructed of a plasticized extrusion panel.
  • 11. The product display assembly as described in claim 1, said product display assembly exhibiting a substantially “U” shape in cross section.
  • 12. In combination, a product display assembly and an upwardly extending support surface, the upwardly extending support surface further defining a wing rack assembly having a surface defined by a plurality of spaced apart grid portions, said product display assembly comprising:a substantially planar shaped and elongate extending back panel, a plurality of apertures being farmed through said back panel at spaced apart intervals, said apertures receiving inserting and engaging ends of product display hangers; a first side panel and a second side panel, each of said side panels being elongate extending and substantially planar, a portion of each of said panels further exhibiting an arcuate shape in cross section; engaging means for securing said arcuate extending portions of said side panels to opposite extending side edges of said back panel and so that said side panels extend outwardly from said back panel, said engaging means further comprising spaced apart clasp portions defined along said arcuate extending edges of said side panels, said opposite extending edges of said back panel insertingly engaged between inwardly facing surfaces of said clasp portions; and receiving means associated with said side panels for supporting and displaying advertisement placards, said receiving means further comprising spaced apart and opposing channel defining portions extending axially along at least outwardly facing surfaces of said side panels.
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