WO2008029405A2

WO2008029405A2 - Point of sale display and system for displaying a product for sale

Info

Publication number: WO2008029405A2
Application number: PCT/IL2007/001100
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sammy Nidam; Nadav Sharabi; Nir Novak
Original assignee: Sammy Nidam; Nadav Sharabi; Nir Novak
Priority date: 2006-09-06
Filing date: 2007-09-06
Publication date: 2008-03-13
Also published as: IL177910A0; WO2008029405A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a point of sale display and system for attracting the attention of a consumer to a product on a product display support that is mobile, flexible in its use with different size products, and can be used with non-fiat shelves. The invention comprises a display platform comprising at least one set of electrically conductive tracks; a power source operationally connected to the conductive tracks for supplying power thereto; and a consumer attracting feature mountable on the tracks intended to be associated with the product whereby when the feature is mounted on the tracks the power source powers the feature The attracting feature may be directly associated with each product, for example, a sticker applied to the product by the manufacturer or seller (e.g. an electroluminescent sticker or one with conductive ink, electroluminescent ink, LEDs, means for broadcasting sounds or words -typically pre-recorded, etc).

Description

POINT OF SALE DISPLAY AND SYSTEM FOR DISPLAYING A

PRODUCT FOR SALE

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a point of sale display for displaying goods and products for sale.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the competitive world of product sales, it is a distinct advantage for one's products to stick out and attract the eye of a customer. For such purpose, manufacturers make product containers that are designed to attract the eye and merchants design displays and shelving with the same purpose. For example, such displays may include colorful signs that indicate a product is on sale or the product's attributes; coupon dispensers with blinking lights or those that make sounds; shelves that are adapted for illuminating the products; and the like.

An example of the latter type of display is disclosed in WO 2005/034585 (Koninklijke Philips Electronics) - a dynamically illuminated product display system apparatus and method. The display is a store shelf adapted for connection to a power source and having a series of electrical contacts arranged on the upper surface of the shelf. The system includes a product package comprising an electroluminescent material and electrical contacts on a bottom surface thereof intended for interfacing with the shelf s electrical contacts so that the electroluminescent material (e.g. conductive ink, LEDs, flashing light) lights up. According to a best mode, the product package is flat so as to accommodate electrical contact between the package's contacts and those of the store shelf.

Another example of a device for attracting the attention of shoppers is disclosed in EP 0 900 971 providing a lighting device for a cabinet. The device consists of a plurality of LEDs fixed on the surface of a glass plate which are electrically connected to conductor tracks disposed on the glass plate as a thin invisible layer. The glass plate can be used as a frame or display window pane to illuminate the display, or for advertising purposes, as the conductor tracks do not affect the optical characteristics of the glass plate as they are essentially invisible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a point of sale display and system for attracting the attention of a consumer to a product on a product display support. The term "product display support" will be used in the specification and claims in its broadest sense and includes, for example, store shelves, hanging supports (e.g. peg board, etc), counter-top product displays, and the like.

As such, the invention provides a point of sale display for attracting a potential consumer to a product having packaging, the display comprising: a display platform adapted to be independent of a product display support and to rest thereon or there-against, the display platform comprising at least one set of electrically conductive tracks; a power source operationally connected to the conductive tracks for supplying power thereto; and a consumer attracting feature mountable on the tracks intended to be associated with the product whereby when the feature is mounted on the tracks the power source powers the feature.

According to another embodiment, the point of sale display is adapted for use in combination with a product having packaging with a consumer attracting feature for attracting a potential consumer, the display comprising: a display platform adapted to be independent of a product display support and to rest thereon or there-against, the display platform comprising at least one set of electrically conductive tracks adapted for electrical contact with the consumer attracting feature; and a power source operationally connected to the conductive tracks for supplying electricity thereto whereby when the product is placed on the tracks the feature is powered by the power source. By another aspect, the present invention provides a system for displaying a product, the system comprising: a display according to any of the previous claims; and a product having packaging comprising electrical contacts intended for operational connection with the sets of conductive tracks, the product further comprising a consumer attracting feature electrically connected to its electrical contacts such that when the product is placed on the tracks the feature is powered by the power source.

In accordance with a particular embodiment, the conductive tracks are easily adjustable on the display's platform in order to allow use of the point of sale display with a wide variety of product sizes.

Advantages of the point of sale display of the present invention include, that it is mobile (i.e. can be moved from shelf to shelf), it is flexible in its use with different size products as it is adapted so that the conductive tracks and it can be used with non-flat shelves (e.g. shelves made in a grid or grill configuration).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be more clearly understood upon reading of the following detailed description of non-limiting exemplary embodiments thereof, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Fig. IA is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a point of sale display according to the present invention;

Fig. IB is an exploded perspective view comprising the display of Fig. IA with a product for display having a customer attracting feature; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a point of sale display according to the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a side perspective view of a modification of the embodiments illustrated in Figs. IA, IB and 2; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of another modification of the embodiments of Figs. IA, IB and 2;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the point of sale display of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a modification of the embodiment of Fig.

5;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the point of sale display of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring first to Fig. IA, there is shown an embodiment of a point of sale display for attracting a potential consumer to a consumer item, such as a product 10 (seen in Figs. IB and 2-7). The display of this embodiment is adapted to rest upon a variety of product display supports such as a store shelf, etc. and to be independent thereof. In other words, the display merely rests upon the store shelf and can be moved from one shelf to another as need or preference may warrant although the display may comprise means for attaching to the store shelf

- in a temporary (i.e. removable) fashion or permanently attached (not shown).

The display can also be adapted to rest against a product display such as against a hanging board, as described below with reference to Fig. 7.

The display comprises a display platform 12, which is typically a thin layer and may be a flexible or rigid layer, which comprises at least one set of electrically conductive tracks 14 mounted thereon (three sets are shown in Fig. IA). Each set of electrically conductive tracks 14 comprises individual tracks 14a and 14b which are typically essentially parallel to each other. The display further comprises a power source 16 for supplying electricity to the conductive tracks 14 and conductive connection strips 18 for operationally connecting the power source to the conductive tracks. The power source 16 is schematically illustrated in the figures and can be constituted by means such as batteries, electrical mains and the like.

It is noticed that each of the tracks 14a and 14b has an extending end 20, that interface with the connection strips 18 and a shorter end 22 that does not extend as far as the strips. The extending end 20 is shown as L-shaped for emphasis and which may potentially improve contact with the strips 18, as there is more surface area touching the strips for making better contact, although this is not a necessary condition.

It is a particular feature of the display that the sets of tracks 14 can be disposed at various locations along the display platform 12 in order to provide flexibility corresponding to the size of the product 10, as will now be discussed. For convenience of manufacture and adjustment, the tracks 14 can be disposed on a platform or track support 24. The tracks 14 can be (electrically/conductively) attached or held to the strips 18 by simply folding the track support 24, with the stipulation that the attachment allows for electrical conductivity between the tracks and strips.

Alternatively, the strips 18 may comprise a track positioning arrangement, for example, a plurality of connectors such as dimples 26 for helping position the tracks 14 along the strips. The tracks 14 may comprise a corresponding members (not shown) to facilitate such locating. Corresponding to the dimples 26 are corresponding members, for example button-like protrusions (not seen). Other examples of means for facilitating the positioning of the tracks 14 along the strips 18 include magnets or various other connector means such as snaps, hook-and-loop fasteners, clips and the like. The afore-mentioned connector means need not be located at the interface between the tracks 14 and the strips 18 and therefore need not be electrically conducting.

Fig. IB is an exploded view showing the point of sale display together with the product 10 wherein it is seen that the product comprises a consumer attracting feature 28 which may be directly associated with each product 10 (i.e. integral thereto), for example, a sticker (e.g. an electroluminescent sticker or one with conductive ink, electroluminescent ink, LEDs, means for broadcasting sounds or words - typically pre-recorded, and the like). Such a sticker may comprise a logo, an advertisement or a sign, e.g. "sale", and can be applied to the product 10 by the manufacturer or seller. The customer attracting feature 28 is powered by the power source 16 when the feature is placed on the tracks 14 - in particular, when a lower member 30 of the feature spans the individual tracks 14a and 14b to close the electrical circuit.

Figs. 6 and 7 also illustrate exemplary embodiments wherein the consumer attracting feature 28 is integral to the product 10.

Fig. 2 is another embodiment of the point of sale display wherein the display itself comprises the consumer attracting feature 28 associated with the product 10 intended to attract the attention of a shopper or customer (not shown). The feature 28 may, at the lower member 30 thereof, be attached to the track 14 (and preferably at several locations along the track where products are displayed for sale). Again, the member 30 of the attracting feature 28 is designed such that when the feature is placed on the track 14, it bridges the individual tracks 14a and 14b and an electrical circuit is formed whereby the feature is powered by power source 16. The feature 28, typically a plurality of features for each point of sale display, may be located along the first row of the display, the row most visible to the customer, in which case only one set of tracks 14 may be appropriate, although a plurality thereof may none-the-less be present.

It should be understood that the feature 28 may be of various sizes, shapes and characteristics, and it can be integral to the product 10 (i.e. sold therewith), as shown in Fig. IA or a part of the display platform 12 - as shown in Fig. 2, among others). When the consumer attracting feature 28 is part of the platform 12, it may be adapted to bend down when a customer removes the product 10 from the shelf. With reference to Fig. 3, the display comprises a modified track support

32 with a positioning stopper 34 for helping to position the products 10 at appropriate locations on the tracks 14 to help ensure proper electrical contact with the tracks. Appropriate sizing of the lower member 30 of the consumer attracting feature 28 may alone facilitate suitable positioning of the product 10 on the track 14 so as to close the electrical circuit and power the consumer attracting feature 28, however, the afore-mentioned stopper(s) 34 may be of assistance. It should be understood that the function of the stoppers 34 may be constituted by a variety of means and, for example, may be attached to or a part of the display platform 12.

Fig. 4 there is shown a point of sale display wherein the tracks 14 are aligned front to back, i.e. are essentially perpendicular to the "front row" of the display platform 12, rather than parallel thereto as previously illustrated in Figs.

IA, IB and 2. As before, the tracks 14 can be moved to accommodate products of different sizes, in particular different widths in this case.

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrates further embodiments of the point of sale display of the present invention wherein the platform is a 3 -dimensional display platform 12a and 12b, respectively, comprising recesses. The 3-dimensional display platform 12a and 12b is typically molded and therefore rigid or semi- rigid. The recesses may be of various shapes, for example, elongated recess 36a as shown in Fig 4, individual recesses 36b wherein they are each adapted to receive one product 10, and the like.

Fig. 7 illustrates yet another embodiment of the point of sale display of the present invention wherein the sets of tracks 14 are positioned on a display platform 12c, which is adapted to rest against a hanging type display support, illustrated as a peg board 38. The peg board 38 comprises hangers 40 on which run part of the tracks 14 (not seen), in order to bring electricity to the feature.

The tracks 14 typically run along the top of the hangers 40 such that when the products 10 are hung thereon, electricity flows from the battery 16 to the consumer attracting feature 28 whereby the feature will light up, flash, change colors, make a sound or recorded words, etc, or any combination thereof.

It should be understood that there are various point of sale displays / systems that can be devised according to the present invention and that the above described embodiments are merely explanatory. For example, the display system may further comprise a motion or location detector for detecting the presence of a potential consumer, at which point it may activate the consumer attracting feature.

Furthermore, the display can be adapted so that when a product is taken, the electrical change (resistance/voltage/current) can trigger, a message (such as

"thank you") to the customer, which in addition to providing a pleasant feedback, may deter theft. The electrical change could also be used for inventory purposes whereby the electrical change is used to count the number of products taken. This feature may also be used as a tool to monitor theft in that a store can monitor whether the number of taken products equals the amount paid for at the check out/cashier.

Thus, the present apparatus and method can be embodied in a variety of aspects falling within the scope of the present invention, mutatis mutandis.

Claims

1. A point of sale display for attracting a potential consumer to a product having packaging, the display comprising: a display platform adapted to be independent of a product display support and to rest thereon or there-against, 5 said display platform comprising at least one set of electrically conductive tracks; a power source operationally connected to said conductive tracks for supplying power thereto; and a consumer attracting feature mountable on said tracks intended to be associated with said product whereby when said feature is mounted on the tracks said power source powers the feature.

10 2. The display according to claim 1, wherein the display platform and sets of conductive tracks are adapted to facilitate the adjustment of the said tracks.

3. The display according to claim 1, wherein the tracks are connected to the power source by connection strips and said connection strips comprise a track positioning arrangement to help position the tracks.

15 4. The display according to claim 3, wherein the track positioning arrangement comprises one of: snaps, hook-and-loop fasteners, clips, a bending arrangement, magnets, and the like.

5. The display according to claim 1, wherein the display platform is molded into a configuration comprising recesses suitable for a product to rest thereon or

- 20 therein.

6. The display according to claim 1, wherein the consumer attracting feature is integral to the packaging of the product.

7. The display according to claim 1, wherein the consumer attracting feature is attached to at least one set of tracks of the platform.

25 8. The display according to claim 1, wherein the consumer attracting feature comprises one of electroluminescent ink, conductive ink, a light, flashing light, an LED, a means for broadcasting sound(s) and/or words, or a combination thereof.

9. The display according to claim 1, wherein the product display support is a store shelf or a hanging support.

10. A point of sale display for use in combination with a product having packaging with a consumer attracting feature for attracting a potential consumer, the display comprising: a display platform adapted to be independent of a product display support and to rest thereon or there-against, said display platform comprising at least one set of electrically conductive tracks adapted for electrical contact with said consumer attracting feature; and a power source operationally connected to said conductive tracks for supplying electricity thereto whereby when said product is placed on said tracks the feature is powered by said power source.

11. A system for displaying a product, the system comprising: a display according to any of the previous claims; and a product having packaging comprising electrical contacts intended for operational connection with the sets of conductive tracks, the product further comprising a consumer attracting feature electrically connected to its electrical contacts such that when the product is placed on the tracks the feature is powered by the power source.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the display platform and sets of conductive tracks are adapted to facilitate the adjustment of the said tracks.

13. The system according to claim 11, wherein the tracks are connected to the power source by connection strips and said connection strips comprise a track positioning arrangement to help position said tracks.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the track positioning arrangement comprises one of: snaps, hook-and-loop fasteners, clips, a bending arrangement, magnets, and the like.

15. The system according to claim 11, wherein the display platform is molded into a configuration comprising recesses suitable for a product to rest thereon or therein.

16. The system according to claim 11, wherein the consumer attracting feature is integral to the packaging of the product.

17. The system according to claim 11, wherein the consumer attracting feature is attached to at least one set of tracks of the platform.

18. The system according to claim 11, wherein the consumer attracting feature comprises one of electroluminescent ink, conductive ink, a light, flashing light, an LED, a means for broadcasting sound(s) and/or words, or a combination thereof.

19. The system according to claim 11, wherein the product display support is a store shelf or a hanging support.

20. The system according to claim 11, wherein the system further comprises a location detector for detecting the proximity of a shopper.

21. A point of sale display for attracting a potential consumer to a product having packaging substantially as herein described.

22. A point of sale display for use with a product having packaging with a consumer attracting feature for attracting a potential consumer substantially as herein described.

23. A system for displaying a product substantially as herein described.