AU2010201277B2

AU2010201277B2 - Merchandise display and selection system

Info

Publication number: AU2010201277B2
Application number: AU2010201277A
Authority: AU
Inventors: David Allen Abbruzzese; Tricia Bouras; Ashley Renee Hayzlip
Original assignee: HBI Branded Apparel Enterprises LLC
Current assignee: HBI Branded Apparel Enterprises LLC
Priority date: 2010-03-30
Filing date: 2010-03-31
Publication date: 2011-11-24
Anticipated expiration: 2030-03-31
Also published as: US20110240576A1; AU2010201277A1

Abstract

Abstract of the Disclosure A merchandise display and selection system for apparel is provided, comprising a merchandise display space holding color-coded transparent apparel display packages, 5 and a sizing and selection grid positioned proximate the display space displaying combinations of sizes for the articles of apparel. A color-code is associated with each combination of sizes, and corresponds to the color-coding on the color-coded transparent apparel display packages. 10 A consumer of apparel selects a color-code from the sizing and selection grid corresponding to one of the combinations of sizes and thereafter selects one of the transparent apparel display packages corresponding to the color-code and the desired color of the article of 15 apparel. 2237101_1 (GHMatters) 31/03/10

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicant(s): HBI Branded Apparel Enterprises, LLC Invention Title: Merchandise display and selection system The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: - 2 MERCHANDISE DISPLAY AND SELECTION SYSTEM Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the field of retail merchandising of apparel, and, in particular, to a 5 merchandise display and selection system for women's intimate apparel. Background of the Invention Rapid expansion of the world economy and international markets over the last few decades has resulted in an 10 exponential growth in the number and availability of consumer goods, from automobiles, to household goods, to personal items including clothing and accessories. As a result, competition for retail floor, shelf, and rack space has been fierce, while at the same time pressuring 15 retailers to maintain large inventories to accommodate the wide selection of products now available to consumers. At the same time, the wide selection of products has led to confusion and bewilderment of the consuming public. For instance, the many women's intimate apparel 20 styles, sizes, and colors on display in large retail stores, in combination with a multitude of different packaging types for each style and/or color, is frustrating to consumers who simply desire to quickly and easily select and purchase a particular style, in a 25 particular color, and in an appropriate size. Additionally, many consumers, who are not familiar with a particular brand or style of apparel may wish to inspect and touch/feel the item before purchasing it to determine if the article has the desired features and 30 feel. This is often not possible unless the seal on the package is impermissibly broken. What is needed is an apparel system where a consumer 223710_1 (GH[Maners) 31103/10 - 3 can quickly inspect an article, and then ascertain the correct size, color, and location of an article of apparel at the point-of-purchase in a display. Summary Of The Invention 5 The present invention is directed to a merchandise display and selection system for apparel, including a retail display, and a sizing and selection grid located on the display. The display includes an apparel display space with multiple transparent apparel display packages 10 being displayed therein. Each transparent apparel display package is dimensioned for containing at least one article of apparel of at least one selected color, and is color coded to identify the size of the article(s) of apparel contained therein. 15 The sizing and selection grid includes multiple combinations of sizes for the articles of apparel, and a color-code associated with each combination of sizes, the color-code corresponding to the color-coding on a display package. 20 A consumer of apparel selects a color-code from the sizing and selection grid corresponding to one of the combinations of sizes, and thereafter selects one of the transparent apparel display packages corresponding to the color-code from the sizing and selection grid in the 25 desired color. Various features and aspects of the invention will become apparent upon review of the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described as 30 follows. Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a front perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of the merchandise display and selection system 22371011 (GIHMattcrs) 31/03/10 according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a front perspective view of an alternative exemplary embodiment of the merchandise display and selection system according to the present invention. 5 Figure 3 is a front perspective view of another alternative exemplary embodiment of the merchandise display and selection system according to the present invention, representing a stand-alone display. Figure 4 is a front view of an exemplary sizing and 10 selection grid according to the present invention, for brassieres. Figure 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary transparent color-coded apparel display package. Figure 6 is a front perspective view of the 15 merchandise display and selection system of Figure 1, illustrating the display and merchandising of panties. Figure 7 is a front perspective view of the merchandise display and selection system of Figure 1, illustrating the display and merchandising of women's 20 shapewear. Detailed Description Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below and illustrated in the accompanying figures. The embodiments described are only for purposes 25 of illustrating the present invention and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention, which, of course, is limited only by the claims below. Other embodiments of the invention, and certain modifications and improvements of the described embodiments, will occur 30 to those skilled in the art, and all such alternate embodiments, modifications, and improvements are within the scope of the present invention. 2237101_1 (GHMattcrs) 31/03/10 - 5 Referring to the Figures in general, and to Figure 1, in particular, the present invention is directed to an apparel merchandise display and selection system, shown generally as 100. In one embodiment, the merchandise 5 display and selection system comprises a display space 120, and a plurality of tubular apparel display packages 160 for brassieres. As used herein, the term "display space" refers to racks, shelves, mounting surfaces, grid walls, tables, bins, aisle endcaps, etc., or combinations 10 thereof, including stand-alone and supported display configurations. In the system shown in Figure 1, the display space 120 comprises a vertical grid-wall 121 of the type that are conventionally used in retail stores for the mounting and 15 display of hanging apparel. A plurality of horizontal shelves 123 are mounted on the grid wall 121 for supporting a plurality of product bins 124, and in the embodiment shown, one or more garment hanging fixtures 128. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1, the 20 bins 124 are gravity-fed for the dispensing of the tubular apparel packages; however, the system 100 is not limited thereto. By "gravity-fed," it is meant that the bins 124 slope downwardly from the rear to the front so that the packages 160 in the bins 124 will move downwardly toward 25 the front of the display space 120 when a package 160 is removed from the front of the bin 124. As discussed in greater detail below, a point-of-purchase sizing and selection grid 140 is affixed on at least one of the product bins 124. 30 While the system 100 is exemplary of the display and selection of intimate apparel, in this case brassieres, the present invention is not limited thereto. Rather, other items of apparel, where the size is dependent upon two or more measurements/variables, are properly within 35 the scope of the present system 100. 223710_i (GHMatters)31/03/10 - 6 The embodiment of Figure 1 further comprises hanging unpackaged samples 180, e.g., brassieres, on garment hanging fixtures 128 that are affixed to the upper portion 122 of the display space 120, above the gravity-fed bins 5 124. This permits potential consumers to visually inspect and touch/feel the same brassieres that are packaged in the transparent apparel display packages 160 before deciding on whether and what to purchase. An alternative embodiment of the system 100 of Figure 10 1 is shown in Figure 2, in which the apparel merchandise display and selection system 100 is incorporated into a larger conventional display system 200. As shown, brassieres 180 on one portion of the grid wall 121 are displayed in conventional fashion on hanging fixtures 128, 15 with hanging unpackaged samples 180 on the opposite portion of the grid wall 121 displayed above their associated gravity-fed bins 124. Alternatively, the system 200 of Figure 2 could comprise two or more side-by side arrays (not shown) of product bins 124, in lieu of 20 the plurality of hanging fixtures 128 that are not necessarily associated with the display and selection system 100 of the present invention. Turning now to Figure 3, a stand-alone embodiment of the present invention, shown generally as 300, is directed 25 to an apparel merchandise display and selection system comprising a display stand 320, a point-of-purchase sizing and selection grid 340, and a plurality of tubular apparel display packages 360. The display stand 320 comprises a header 322, a base 30 323, a plurality of shelves, or bins 324, and in the embodiment shown, one or more garment hanging fixtures 328 upon which unpackaged brassieres 380 are displayed. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 3, the bins 324 also are gravity-fed for the dispensing of the tubular 35 apparel packages. A variety of store, brand, pricing, 2237101_1 (GHMattus) 31/03/10 - 7 etc. indicia (not shown) also may be displayed on the empty spaces of the header 322. To assist in the selection of the correct size, point of-purchase sizing and selection grids 140, 340 are 5 provided. In the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2, the point-of-purchase grid 140 are affixed to the front, or lip 124a of the product bins 124. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the sizing and selection grid 340 is affixed to, or printed on, the header 322 of the display stand 320 10 and/or the front 324a of one or more product bins 324. The sizing and selection grid 140, 340 serves multiple purposes. First, in the case of brassieres, it reduces a large number of torso band length and cup sizes into a smaller number of overlapping, but suitable sizes. 15 Further, it provides a color-coded system to assist a consumer in quickly and easily locating the proper size product. By way of example, and as best shown in Figure 4, a sizing and selection grid 140 for brassieres illustrates 20 how sixteen band length and cup size combinations may be reduced to five exemplary color-coded sizes. For example: Bands 30 and 32, Cups A and B = Extra Small (XS) Band 34, Cups A and B, and Band 36, Cup A = Small (S) Band 34, Cup C, and Band 36, Cups B and C = Medium (M) 25 Band 38, Cups B and C, and Band 40, Cup B = Large (L) Band 40, Cup C, and Band 42, Cups B and C = Extra Large The brassieres included in this exemplary sizing and selection grid 140 are wireless, i.e., they do not include 30 underwires for additional support. Wireless brassieres will fulfill up to what is referred to "full" cup; i.e., C cup, sizing needs. Market research shows that sizes up to a C cup represent about half of the consumer population for brassieres. As will be appreciated, for larger cup 2237101_1 (GHMatters) 31/03/10 - 8 sizes with underwires, the point-of-purchase sizing and selection grid 140 would involve a larger number of combinations. As illustrated schematically in Figure 4 by graphic 5 markings, a different color is associated with each size; e.g., Red for Extra Small, Orange for Small, Yellow for Medium, Green for Large, and Blue for Extra Large; however, any combination of colors could be selected so long as the ordinary consumer would be able to visually 10 distinguish between the different colors to easily make a selection. Further to providing a simplified sizing and selection system, by combining a large number of band length and cup sizes into a much smaller number of color-coded sizes in 15 accordance with the present invention, a retailer is now required to maintain a much smaller inventory to support a relatively large range of sizes of brassieres. Here, for example, the retailer has to maintain an inventory in only five sizes versus sixteen. Accordingly, a smaller amount 20 of retail floor, shelf, or rack space is required, and restocking of the display space 120, 320 is substantially less labor intensive. Turning now to Figure 5, one exemplary embodiment of the apparel display package 160 of the present invention 25 is shown. As shown, the apparel display package 160 comprises a transparent tube 161 having end caps 163 for packaging and/or removal of the article of apparel therein. In this embodiment, the apparel comprises a wireless brassiere 180, which is visible through the 30 transparent tube 161. A package label 165 is enclosed within the transparent tube 161 and includes a colored band 165a, which corresponds to one of the color codes, and thus a size, on the sizing and selection grid 140, 340. In the embodiment shown, the colored band 165a 35 corresponds to the color for a Large size brassiere on the 2237101_1 (GHMatters)31/03/10 - 9 sizing and selection grid 140, 340. Supplemental indicia 165c illustrating 'L' for the Large size brassiere, and a pictorial representation 165e of the style of brassiere contained within the transparent tube 161, as well as any 5 other desired indicia, may be included on the label 165. Referring again to Figures 1 through 3, one exemplary display arrangement is illustrated. While the colors of the brassieres are not illustrated, each bin 124, 324 may contain transparent apparel display packages 160, 360 of 10 the same color brassieres, but of different sizes, as indicated by the colored bands 165a, 365a. Alternatively, each bin 124, 324 may hold packages 160, 360 with brassieres of different colors and of the same size, or brassieres of different colors in different sizes. In 15 alternative embodiments, a transparent apparel display package may contain more than one similar item of apparel, such as two or more brassieres of more than one color, all of the same size. As used herein, the term "similar" refers to the same type of item of apparel; e.g., 20 brassieres, panties, sheapwear, etc. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the merchandise display and selection system 100, 300 is not limited to brassieres. As shown, other types of women's intimate apparel also may be displayed and selected in a similar 25 fashion. For example, and as shown in Figure 6, a display and selection system 600 is shown for women's panties 680, incorporating the same display space 620 and plurality of transparent tubular apparel display packages 660 that are used for brassieres. Similarly, a display and selection 30 system 700 may be provided for articles of women's shapewear 780a, 780b, as shown in Figure 7. The exemplary embodiments shown and described herein are in no way limiting in the types and styles of women's intimate apparel that may be merchandised in accordance with the 35 present invention. As those skilled in the apparel arts will appreciate, the point-of-purchase sizing and 2237101_1 (GHMttcrs)3 1/03/10 - 10 selection grids 640, 740 are tailored for the specific type of apparel, where two or more variables are combined into a grid to help the consumer easily determine the proper size for the chosen article. For panties, for 5 example, those variables may include, normal pant size, e.g., 4, 6, 8, 10 ... 16; normal panty size, e.g., Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large; degree of fit/support, e.g., Light, Moderate, Firm; degree of stretchability, etc., among others. With respect to shapewear, the combination 10 of variables may comprise variables from both brassieres and panties, depending upon the specific article (upper or lower torso) of shapewear being merchandised. In use, a potential consumer would approach the display 120, 320, 620, 720 to inspect and/or touch/feel 15 the hanging unpackaged samples 180, 380, 680, 780 if available. Otherwise, the consumer would inspect the article of apparel by viewing it through the transparent apparel display packages 160, 360, 660, 760. If the consumer desires to purchase one of the brassieres, the 20 consumer will refer to the sizing and selection grid 140, 340, 640, 740 to ascertain which of the color-coded sizes satisfies the fit requirements. Having identified the appropriate color code, the consumer will then select a transparent apparel display package 160, 360, 660, 760 25 corresponding to the size from the bin 124, 324, 624, 724 of the desired color. Although the present invention has been described with an exemplary embodiment, it is to be understood that modifications and variations may be utilized without 30 departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as those skilled in the art will readily understand. Such modifications and variations are considered to be within the purview and scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 35 In the claims which follow and in the preceding 223710 1_ I (GHManers) 31/03110 - 11 description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, 5 i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not 10 constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. 2237101_1 (GHManers) 31/03/10

Claims

1. A merchandise display and selection system for apparel, comprising: (a) a merchandise display, comprising: 5 an apparel display space; a plurality of transparent apparel display packages in the apparel display space; each of the plurality of transparent apparel display packages dimensioned for containing at least one 10 article of apparel of at least one selected color; each of the plurality of transparent apparel display packages being color-coded to identify the size of the at least one article of apparel to be contained therein; 15 (b) a visual point-of purchase sizing and selection grid positioned proximate the display space and comprising: a plurality of combinations of size variables for the articles of apparel; 20 a plurality of color-codes associated with the combinations of size variables, each one of the plurality of color-codes corresponding to the color-coding on at least some of the plurality of transparent apparel display packages; and wherein 25 a consumer of apparel selects a color-code from the visual sizing and selection grid corresponding to one of the combinations of size variables and thereafter selects one of the transparent apparel display packages corresponding to the color-code from the visual sizing and 30 selection grid, and the desired color of the article of apparel contained in the transparent apparel display package.

2. The merchandise display and selection system of Claim 1, wherein the display space is selected from the 35 group consisting of racks, shelves, tables, bins, walls, 2883907_1 (GHMatlers) P83794.AU -13 encaps, and combinations thereof.

3. The merchandise display and selection system of Claim 1 or 2, wherein the merchandise display further comprises a base and a header, with the display space 5 therebetween.

4. The merchandise display and selection system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transparent apparel display packages contain similar items of apparel. 10

5. The merchandise display and selection system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the color coded transparent packages are tubular.

6. The merchandise display and selection system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the display 15 space comprises a plurality of gravity-fed trays.

7. The merchandise display and selection system of Claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of gravity-fed trays holds transparent apparel display packages containing apparel of the same color, each transparent 20 apparel display package containing a different size.

8. The merchandise display and selection system of Claim 6 or 7 wherein the visual sizing and selection grid is affixed on at least one gravity-fed tray.

9. The merchandise display and selection system 25 according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the items of apparel are selected from the group consisting of brassieres, panties, and shapewear.

10. The merchandise display and selection system of Claim 9, wherein the items of apparel are brassieres and 30 the plurality of combinations of sizes comprise torso band lengths and cup sizes.

11. The merchandise display and selection system 2883907_1 (GHMatters) P83794.AU -14 according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a plurality of hanging unpackaged samples for inspection by customers, the plurality of hanging unpackaged samples being of similar colors and styles of articles of apparel 5 contained in at least some of the plurality of color-coded transparent apparel display packages.

12. A merchandise display and selection system for apparel substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

2883907.1 (GHManers) P83794.AU