US3200960A

US3200960A - Display devices

Info

Publication number: US3200960A
Application number: US192909A
Authority: US
Inventors: Banse George
Original assignee: National Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: National Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1962-05-07
Filing date: 1962-05-07
Publication date: 1965-08-17
Anticipated expiration: 1982-08-17

Description

Aug. 17, 1965 G. BANSE 3,200,960

DISPLAY DEVICES Filed May 7, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 f CORNER IRONs J7 III R Q Q VI|7-2'/2 vII7-2 2 ZINC ZINC zINC CORNER CORNER CORNER I v IRON IRON IRON [3x5 3x5 3x4 II [I m E VII7-3 V1l5- 2 7 ZINC ZINC Ill/I v CORNER CORNER IRON IRON I L Ge o zye Aug. 17, 1965 G. BANSE DISPLAY DEVICES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 7, 1962 VENTOR.

N, a fm 136 601291? g figwz Aug. 17, 1965 G. BANSE 3,200,969

DISPLAY DEVICES Filed May 7, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 II N 5! INVENTOR Gear 6 flange 1 17 JwZZQ OMS United States Patent rats May 7, 1%2, Ser. No. 192,909 4 Claims. cl. 211-59 This invention relates to display devices for packages of merchandise and has to do more particularly with a device for conveniently and attractively displaying merchandise inclosed in bag or envelope-type containers.

Many small articles or sets of articles of merchandise are commonly packaged in bag or envelope-type containers formed at least in part by transparent material so that the articles are visible through the walls of the container. Such packages are commonly displayed on flat counters but in such case the packages do not present an attractive appearance and the packages are not arranged so that the contents are readily visible. Moreover, where a number of different items are displayed on a single counter, it if often ditlicult for the customer to locatethe particular article desired. Where the different varieties of articles are segregated in separate compartments, it is often necessary for the customer to pick up one or more packages to select the desired package. In such case, it is difficult to prevent the packages from being returned by the customers to the wrong compartment after inspection.

I have found that in all stores there are a number of areas where merchandise can be displayed and arranged conveniently in quantity for the customer to select the desired item, which areas are currently not used for display and storage of merchandise and therefore are wasted areas. One such area is the space in front of a tier of shelves. Often the shelves are open in order to display the merchandise but it is usually difficult to display a large number of packaged items on shelves so that all the items are readily visible. Moreover, the space in front of the shelves is not utilized.

Another available area is the space above counters on which merchandise is displayed. Some utilization of this space is currently made by using tree-like display stands but such stands, as now constructed, often have large bases which take up considerable counter space. Moreover, the articles are not attractively displayed on such stands and it is usually difilcult to readily inspect the line of goods displayed and quickly and easily select the desired item.

Many stores have cabinets for goods which cabinets are closed by swinging doors. An attempt to utilize the space in the front of the doors has been made by displaying unpackaged samples individually thereon, with articles being stored in the cabinets behind the doors. Thus, when a sale is to be made the salesman must open the door and remove from the cabinet an article similar to the one selected by the customer.

Furthermore, in many stores there is a considerable amount of wall space where there are no shelves or cabinets. An attempt to use this space has been made by attaching specimens of articles on the wall. Such articles are merely for display and it is necessary for the customer to seek elsewhere in the store for the article to be pur chased.

In accordance with my invention, I provide a panel device of convenient size, carrying a plurality of hangers, each capable of holding a plurality of packages of merchandise contained in bag or envelope-type containers, the hangers being so arranged that the packages on adjacent hangers do not overlap but are separated whereby the contents of the front packages of those on each hanger are readily visible. The panel device is of such size that it can conveniently be supported in position to utilize space which otherwise is wasted or is used merely for display and not for dispensing merchandise to be sold. For example, the panel may be suspended from the front edge of one or more shelves of a tier and overhang the space between the shelf and the next lower shelf. The panel may be of such size and so suspended that it can readily be swung up to permit access to the underlying space between the shelves. In other embodiment, the panel may be suspended from a frame mounted on a counter and located over the counter. In another use, the panel may be mounted either movably or fixedly on the front of a cabinet door. In a generally similar manner, the panel may be supported on the wall of the store.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved display device for merchandise.

Another object is to provide a display device for merchandise whereby packages of merchandise can be displayed in quantity and in readily visible condition.

Another object is to provide a display device for merchandise which device is of such construction that it can be readily supported in front of the space between two superposed shelves, or hung over a counter or attached to the front of a door or to a wall.

Another object is to provide display device for merchandise which is capable of being located in areas which otherwise represent wasted space in a store.

Another object is to provide a display device for merchandise which is so constructed as to permit merchandise to be readily arranged thereon with different items disposed in predetermined locations.

Another object is to provide a display device for merchandise which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and install and which is highly eflicient to display the merchandise and at the same time to maintain a plurality of items of various kinds in position for ready access by a clerk or a customer.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description taken in connection with the appended drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational View of a panel device constructed in accordance with the invention and carrying a plurality of packages of merchandise;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged View of a section taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1; r

FIG. 3 is a top view of the portion of the structure shownin FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing one mode of mounting the panel devices and showing one of the panel devices rocked outwardly from its normal position;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing particularly the method of supporting the panel device from a shelf;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a second mode of mounting the panel devices;

FIG. 7 isan enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view through a portion of the structure of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary front elevational. view showing a third mode of mounting the panel devices; U

FIG. 9 is a view of a section taken along line 9-- of PEG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of a detail of the structure of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view show. ing a fourth mode of mounting the panel device.

The invention is particularly well adapted for use in the display and dispensing of small articles or sets of articles contained in bag-like or envelope-like containers of a type hereinafter described more in detail. It is particularly well adapted for displaying and dispensing pack ages containing small items of builders hardware and is shown in connection there-with although it will be understood that it may be used in displaying and dispensing other small articles.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the merchandise package ltl includes a normally flat bag-like portion 11 formed of transparent material such as a known plastic and having an open upper end through which the articles of merchandise are inserted. The upper end is closed by a strip 12 of relatively more rigid material such as cardboard which is folded over the end of the bag 11 and secured thereto as by staples 13. The member 12 thus not only serves to close the bag 11 but serves as a semi-rigid means for suspending the bag from a supporting member. To this end the member 12 is formed with an elongated slot 14 and the corresponding portions of the bag are formed with similar slots (not shown).

Differently sized containers are used for different sizes of merchandise as illustrated particularly in FIG. 1 of the drawings. However, the slots 14 in each case preferably are the same size for a purpose which will hereinafter appear.

A panel device is provided for supporting a number of packages of merchandise for displaying the same and permitting them to be dispensed directly from the panel device. The panel device includes a panel board or member 15 formed of rigid material such as wood, plywood, wallboard or other material of sufficient rigidity to serve the purposes hereinafter explained. The panel member is preferably of such size that it can be conveniently carried and placed in position but at the same time is sufficiently large and strong to support a plurality of packages of merchandise. It will 'be understood that the panel member may be made in a wide variety of sizes and shapes although preferably it is made in a square or rectangular shape. One size of panel board which has been found suitable for the present invention is a board 14 inches high, 18 inches long and A2 inch thick. A board of this size is sufficiently large to display in laterally spaced relation approximately eight or ten stacks of merchandise packages of a size appropriate to many different varieties of merchandise items and sufficiently strong to support at least ten or twelve packages in each stack.

While the panel device may be supported in any one of a number of different ways by various types of supporting means, I prefer to provide it with at least two spaced openings 16 near the top therethrough of sufficient size to receive screws, nails, hooks orother fastening devices of conventional construction so that it can readily be attached to a supporting means without the necessity for performing any further operations on the board after it has been made and supplied to a user.

For the purpose of supporting merchandise packages on the panel member 15 a plurality of hangers 17 are provided, one of which is shown in detail in FIGS. 2 and 3. The hanger is formed preferably of strong, rigid material such as steel and is of generally hairpin shape and includes a pair of generally straight legs 18 joined 'by an arcuate portion 19. The major portions of the legs 18 are straight and generally parallel but preferably diverge slightly away from the arcuate portion 19. The leg portions lie in the same plane except for the extreme end portions thereof adjacent the arcuate portion 1 which end portions together with the arcuate portion 19 are bent out of the plane of the major portions of the legs. The arcuate portion 1) provides a certain amount of resiliency. Each of the free end portions of each leg is formed with a straight portion 20 bent out of the plane of the major leg portion slightly less than 90 as seen particularly in FIG. 2 of the drawings. Outwardly beyond the portion 20 is a portion 21 extending at a slightly more than 90 angle from the portion 20. The extreme end portion 22 of the leg extends from the portion 21 at an angle of slightly more than 90.

The panel member 15 is provided with a plurality of pairs of openings 25 extending therethrough and of such size and locations as to receive the free end portions of the hangers 17 respectively. The openings 25 may be spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the normal distance between the leg portions 13 so that when the end portions are inserted in the openings, the legs are slightly expanded away from each other and exert a cor responding gripping action on the panel member 15.

When the hanger 17 is in position on the panel member 15 as seen particularly in FIGS. 2 and 3, the portions 21 of each leg are located in correspondingly disposed openings 25. The extreme end portions 22 extend along the rear face of the panel member 15 and the portions 20 extend along the front face of the panel member 15. Thus, the major portion of the hanger member extends outwardly from the front face of the panel member 15 and is inclined slightly upward in an outward di rection.

In the use of the panel device 5 it is suitably supported in an upright position with its front face in a generally vertical plane. One or more merchandise packages 11 are hung on each of the hangers 17 by passing the opening over the outer end of the hanger. In the preferred utilization of the panel device, packages of similar items of merchandise are suspended from a single hanger. In order to facilitate the desired arrangement of the pact ages on the panel device, the face of the panel member 15 is provided in indicia 30 under each hanger corresponding to indicia 31 appearing on the rear face of the portion 12 of the package. For the purposes of illustration, one of the merchandise packages in FIG. 1 is shown with its rear face outwardly and showing the indicia thereon corresponding to the indicia (not shown) appearing on the face of the panel member 15 under the hanger 17 on which the package is hung. Ordinarily, however, the package is hung on the hanger so the front face, which normally carries the manufacturers identity, is exposed and the rear face with the indicia number does not show.

The hangers 17 are preferably so arranged on the panel member 15 that when the packages are hung on their respective proper hangers, packages on adjacent hangers are slightly spaced so that they do not overlie one another. Thus, the merchandise is fully displayed and the packages can be conveniently removed from their respective hangers.

The panel device 5 is of such size and construction that it may be supported in any one of a number of different locations within a store and particularly in locations where the space otherwise would not be utilized.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a cabinet 40 comprising a plurality of shelves two of which, 41 and 42, are shown, which shelves are adapted to merchandise, usually cartons or other packages. Such carton may contain packages of merchandise such as the packages 10. Depending upon the length of the shelves, one or more panel devices 5 are suspended from the front edge of one or more of the shelves and in a position to overlie the front portion of the space between such shelf 41 and the underlying shelf 42. Thus, the panel device 5 is not only maintained in position to display the articles of merchandise carried thereon and permit the clerk or customer to remove thedesired packages therefrom but also the panel device serves to cover the space between the shelves and thus present a more attractive appearance than where such space is not covered.

For the purpose of permitting ready access to

shelves

41 and 42, the panel member is swingably supported from the front edge of the shelf by a plurality of screw hooks 43, each having a threaded portion (not shown) adapted to be screwed into the edge of the shelf, a straight portion 44 and an upturned end 45. This arrangement permits the panel device 5 to be readily suspended from the shelf 41 and to be rocked into position (as shown in FIG. 4) permitting the removal of merchandise from the shelf 42. Also if desired, when it becomes necessary to replenish the stock on the shelf 42, the panel device :or devices 5 can be entirely removed from the cabinet.

A plurality of panel devices 5 also can be supported above a counter of the type which is normally utilized for displaying and dispensing articles of merchandise. The space above such counters can be utilized for displaying and dispensing packages from the panel device without unduly interfering with the use of the counter. To this end, a frame 5'9 is supported on a counter 51 and upstands from the counter in a position to support the panel device 5 above the counter at such location as to not interfere unduly with the utilization of the counter. The frame 50 may be constructed in any convenient manner and preferably is formed from pipe or rod stock with suitable supporting and connecting members. For example, the frame 50 preferably includes two upright end portions or uprights 57 (one of which is shown) supported in sockets 52, secured to the top of the counter 51. Connected between and supported by the uprights 51 is an upper horizontal portion or member 53 from which one or more panel devices 5 are suspended. The panel devices are suspended from the horizontal portion 53 in any suitable manner in order to provide maximum utilization of the space above the counter. Where the counter is exposed on both sides, two panel devices 5 are suspended in back to back relation as seen in FIG. 6.

The panel members may be, conveniently suspended from the horizontal portion 53 by hooks 54 of generally U shape having hooked end portions 55 adapted to extend through the openings 25 in the panel members 15. In order to stabilize the panel device 5 and prevent undue swinging when the packages are placed on or removed from the hangers 17, the frame is provided with a second horizontal portion or member 56 connected between the uprights 51 and at a location well below the upper horizontal member 53 but above the lower ends of the panel device 5 so that the inner faces of the panel device are positioned to abut such lower horizontal portion 56.

In many stores there are cabinets either against the walls or in the aisles which are provided with hingedly mounted swinging doors. In accordance with the present invention, the faces of such door are utilized for supporting one or more panel devices on each door. Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown a cabinet 60 having doors 61 mounted as by hinges 62 for swinging movement between open and closed position. Such doors often have a recessed center panel 63 of lesser thickness than the surrounding frame portions 64.

The upper panel device 5 as shown in FIG. 8 may be attached to the door 61 by screws 65 extending through the panel member and screwed into the upper portion of the frame portion 64 of the door, the space between the rear face of the panel member and the center panel 63 serving to accommodate the inner bent-up ends of the hooks 17.

Where the door is provided with a recessed panel, such as panel 63, the panel device 5 below the upper one may be attached in the manner shown in FIG. 10. In this construction, the panel member 15 is attached to the door panel 63 by screws 66 which extend through the panel member 15 and are threaded into the door panel 63 with spacing collar 67 being provided between the panel member 15 and the door panel 63. The spacing collar is of such length as to provide suflicient spacing between the rear face of the panel member 15 and the front face of the door panel 63 to accommodate the inner ends of the hanger 17.

It will be understood that in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the panel device may be secured to the sides of the door frame portion 64 by screws (not shown) extending through the panel member adjacent its side edges. However, this necessitates either providing screw holes or screwing the screws through the material of the panel member which is not as convenient as the use of preformed openings 25 described in connection with the panel device shown in FIG. 1.

Where the doors 61 have flush type front faces, the panel devices may be secured thereto by the use of screws and collars such as shown in FIG. 10.

The panel device of the present invention may be supported on a wall of the store conveniently by the use of a so-called Peg Board. Such a construction is shown in FIG. 11 to which reference is now made. The Peg Board '70 is formed in the usual manner and includes a flatfaced, thin-walled member formed of material of suitable rigidity such as wallboard and having a plurality of openings 72 therein extending over a substantial portion or all of its area. Conventionally, such openings are equally spaced and sufficiently close together to permit the attachment of items to the board in any one of a number of desired locations. The Peg Board 70 is supported from a wall '13 preferably by a construction generally similar to that shown in FIG. 10 and including a screw 74 threaded into the wall and passing through a collar '75 which serves to space the Peg Board from the face of the wall 73.

The panel device 5 is attached to the Peg Board 70 by two or more hooks (one of which is shown). Each hook includes a straight portion 81 adapted to lie against the face of the Peg Board, a hook portion 82 extended to adapt through the opening 25 and an offset portion 33 extended through one of the openings 72in the Peg Board and to engage the rear face of the Peg Board. It will be seen that the hook St is so constructed that when it is in its position on the Peg Board, it serves to space the panel member 15 from the front face of the Peg Board sufficiently to accommodate the extreme end portions 22 of the hangers 17.

While as above stated, it may be found desirable to make minor modifications in the manner of supporting the panel device as for example when it is to be attached to a door, ordinarily it will not be necessary to make any changes or modifications in the panel device to adapt it for support from any one of a large number of different types of supports. Thus, the panel device can be delivered to the retailer by the manufacturer in condition for supporting it in any one of a number of desired locations. It is only necessary then for the retailer to mount the panel device and the packages of merchandise on the panel device and preferably in the locations indicated by the several indicia provided on the face of the panel member.

I claim:

1. Apparatus of the type described comprising,

a panel member, and

a support for said panel member,

said panel member having a plurality of openings therethrough,

a plurality of hanger brackets removably mounted on said panel member in said openings in a geometric pattern determined by the arrangement of said openings in said panel member,

a plurality of packages supported on said hangers,

said hangers being spaced apart a sufficient distance such that the packages supported thereby do not overlap one another,

said panel carrying indicia thereon under each hanger corresponding in identity to the article in the package suspended from the corresponding hanger and in position to be overlaid by the package,

said support including a plurality of vertically-spaced,

horizonal shelves, and suspension means for suspending said panel member from the front edge of an upper shelf in position and overlying the next lower shelf to thereby openly display said panel member and packages in a convenient ordered arrangement.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said suspension means includes a member engaging said panel member as the upper portion thereof for rockable movement of said panel member upwardly away from said next lower shelf.

3. A display device comprising a panel member and a support member,

said panel member having a plurality of openings therethrough,

a plurality of packages supported on said hangers,

said hangers being spaced apart a sufiicient distance such that the packages supported thereby do not overlap one another,

said support member including a plurality of verticallyspaced, horizontal shelves and suspension means for suspending said panel member from the front edge of an upper shelf in position to overlie the next lower shelf, to thereby provide a convenient and ordered display device for said packages. I

4-. A display device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said suspension means engages said panel member at the upper portion thereof for rockable movement of said panel member upwardly away from said next lower shelf.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/36 Eastman. 5/08 Pleister 248-61 9/09 Hiss 248-61 11/ 09 Peirce 248-61 12/ 1 2 Francis 40-129 10/27 Alheit 312-1404 1/30 Reid 312-1404 1/31 Hobbs 40-128 12/33 Bodkin 248-223 7/41 DArcey 312-138 5/46 Burkhard 248-220 2/ 49 Schneider 211-113 4/50 Luitjens et al 40-128 10/52 Mapson 211-113 11/55 Harwood et al 211-182 11/57 Samuels 248-223 7/60 Parker 248-214 11/60 Hofirnan 211-59 3 /62 Shape 248-220 X 6/63 Berman 211-182 FOREEGN PATENTS 6/55 France.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

FRANK L. ABBGTT, Examiner.

Claims

1. APPARATUS OF THE TYPE DESCRIBED COMPRISING, A PANEL MEMBER, AND A SUPPORT FOR SAID PANEL MEMBER, SAID PANEL MEMBER HAVING A PLURALITY OF OPENING THERETHROUGH, A PLURALITY OF HANGER BRACKETS REMOVABLY MOUNTED ON SAID PANEL MEMBER IN SAID OPENINGS IN A GEOMETRIC PATTERN DETERMINED BY THE ARRANGEMENT OF SAID OPENINGS IN SAID PANEL MEMBER, A PLURALITY OF PACKAGES SUPPORTED ON SAID HANGERS, SAID HANGERS BEING SPACED APART A SUFFICIENT DISTANCE SUCH THAT THE PACKAGES SUPPORTED THEREBY DO NOE OVERLAP ONE ANOTHER, SAID PANEL CARRYING INDICIA THEREON UNDER EACH HANGER CORRESPONDING IN IDENTITY TO THE ARTICLE IN THE PACKAGE SUSPENDED FROM THE CORRESPONDING HANGER AND IN POSITION TO BE OVERLAID BY THE PACKAGE, SAID SUPPORT INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF VERTICALLY-SPACED, HORIZONTAL SHELVES, AND SUSPENSION MEANS FOR SUSPENDING SAID PANEL MEMBER FROM THE FRONT EDGE OF AN UPPER SHELF IN POSITION AND OVERLYING THE NEXT LOWER SHELF TO THEREBY OPENLY DISPLAY SAID PANEL MEMBER AND PACKAGES IN A CONVENIENT ORDERED ARRANGEMENT.