GB2303786A - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to devices for displaying articles, eg articles for sale, and particularly to devices for displaying articles such as purses, wallets, handbags and the like. The invention provides a display device formed from a flexible elongate planar member 20 having a first loop 15 formed between first and second ends 25, 35 thereof, wherein, in use, the first and second ends 25, 35 are retained together so as to form a second loop 10 capable of retaining an article to be displayed, wherein further the first loop 15 is formed by fastening together first and second portions 65, 70 of the member 5 by means selected from stitching, crimping and/or welding, and the second loop 10 is formed, in use, by engaging co-acting retaining means 30, 40 provided on or near the first and second ends 25, 35.

Description

DISPLAY DEVICE The present invention relates to devices for displaying articles, eg articles for sale, and particularly, though not exclusively, to devices for displaying articles such as purses, wallets, handbags and the like.

In displaying for sale articles, such as those noted above, a number of different criteria need to be addressed if the article is to appeal to a potential customer. For example, the customer needs to be provided with relevant information, eg trade mark, descriptive, pricing information, etc. Ideally the articles should be able to be examined by the customer prior to purchase. The display device may also require to provide bar code information. In the interests of optimising the space available for displaying the articles it is advantageous to present them in a neat and compact way, eg from a hanging rail.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a display device for articles, eg wallets, purses, handbags and the like, which seeks to meet at least some of the aforementioned criteria.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a display device formed from a flexible elongate planar member having a first loop formed between first and second ends thereof, wherein, in use, the first and second ends are retained together so as to form a second loop capable of retaining an article to be displayed, wherein further the first loop is formed by fastening together first and second portions of the member by means selected from stitching, crimping and/or welding, and the second loop is formed, in use, by engaging co-acting retaining means provided on or near the first and second ends.

The aforementioned device has been found in tests to provide strength of support and ease of use.

The first loop may be used to hang the display device from a rail, hook or the like.

In a preferred embodiment the fastening means comprise heat sealing of the first and second portions together.

The co-acting retaining means may advantageously comprise at least one tab and at least one slot provided on either of the first and second ends, the at least one tab being releasably retainable with the at least one slot.

Advantageously the first loop is provided with first and second aligned apertures.

The first loop may be provided with sales information.

Preferably the planar member may be manufactured from a plastics material, and more preferably acetate.

Advantageously the planar member is at least partially transparent.

Preferably the first end of the planar member is provided with a plurality of substantially equally spaced slots which, in conjunction with at least one tab provided on the second end, allow the size of the second loop to be varied.

Each of the plurality of slots may be uniquely identifiable by means of indicia, eg numbers, printed onto the device adjacent each slot.

Such indicia may assist a person using the device to suitably adjust the size of the second loop such that a particular category of article is a tight fit within the second loop.

In a preferred embodiment the second end of the planar member is provided with two opposingly directioned tabs.

Alternatively the second end of the planar member may be provided with one or other of the aforementioned opposingly directioned tabs.

Preferably the tab(s) may be barbed to aid their retention within the slots.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of forming a display device for displaying an article, the method comprising the steps of: providing a flexible elongate planar member; forming a first loop between first and second ends of the member by fastening together first and second portions of the member by means selected from stitching, crimping and/or welding; forming a second loop capable of retaining the article by engaging co-acting retaining means provided on or near the first and second ends.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided an article displayed by means of a display device, the display device being formed from a flexible elongate planar member having a first loop formed between first and second ends thereof, wherein, in use, the first and second ends are retained together so as to form a second loop capable of retaining an article to be displayed, wherein further the first loop is formed by fastening together first and second portions of the member by means selected from stitching, crimping and/or welding, and the second loop is formed, in use, by engaging co-acting retaining means provided on or near the first and second ends.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of displaying an article comprising the steps of: providing a display device formed from a flexible elongate planar member having a first loop formed between first and second ends thereof, wherein, in use, the first and second ends are retained together so as to form a second loop capable of retaining an article to be displayed, wherein further the first loop is formed by fastening together first and second portions of the member by means selected from stitching, crimping and/or welding, and the second loop is formed, in use, by engaging co-acting retaining means provided on or near the first and second ends; receiving the article between the first and second ends; engaging the co-acting retaining means so as to form the second loop;; suitably positioning the display device so as to display the article.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which are shown: Fig 1 a representation of a display device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention in a disassembled form; Fig 2 the device of Fig 1 in an assembled form; Fig 3 a representation of an alternative tab provided with barbs comprising parts of an altered embodiment of the display device of Fig 1; Figs 4A, B a representation to actual scale of first and second legs, respectively, of a display device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention in a form ready for use.

Figs 5A, B a representation to actual scale of first and second legs, respectively, of a display device in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention in a form ready for use.

Referring to Figs 1 and 2 there is shown a display device, generally designated 5, according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The device 5 is formed from a flexible elongate planar member 20 having a first support first loop 15 formed between first and second ends 25, 35 thereof and wherein, in use, the first and second ends 25, 35 are retained together so as to form a second article receiving loop 10 capable of retaining an article to be displayed. The first loop 10 is formed by fastening together first and second portions 65, 70 of the member 20 by stitching crimping or welding, while the second loop 10 is formed by engaging at least one tab 40 in at least one slot 30 provided on either of the first and second ends 25, 35.

In this embodiment the planar member 20 is made from a transparent plastic material. Further in this embodiment the first end 25 of the planar member 20 is provided with a plurality of equally spaced slots 30, while the second end 35 of the planar member 20 is furnished with a pair of opposingly directioned semi-circular tabs 40, 45. The first tab 40 extends from the second end 35 of the planar member 20, the second tab 45 being formed as a result of a semicircular incision being made in the planar member 20.

To form the planar member 20 into the display device 5, a fold, designated 50, is introduced in said member 20 such that two (first and second) "legs" 55, 60 of dissimilar length are produced. Facing first and second portions 65, 70 on each leg 55, 60 are fastened together to produce the first loop 15 of the device 5, said first loop 15 being defined by the fold 50 and the fastened sections 55, 60.

Said portions 55, 60 may be fastened by means of stitching, crimping or welding. The device 5 so formed may be sold to an end user.

The end user may subsequently use the device 5 as follows. An article (not shown) to be displayed is received between ends 25 and 35. The tabs 40, 45 may then be releasably engaged in the slots 30 to provide the second loop 10. The provision of a plurality of slots 30 allows the size of the second loop 10 to be varied according to the dimensions of the article to be received therein.

The first loop is further provided with first and second aligned holes 80 to enable the display device 5 and associated article to be supported on a hook or rail (not shown).

Fig 3 shows an altered embodiment of a tab 85 for use in the device 5. The tab 85 may be provided at the second end 35 of the planar member 20 and fashioned such that a waist 90 is provided between a bulbous portion 95 of the tab 85 and the end 35 of the planar member 20. This has the effect of providing the tab 85 with a pair of rounded barbs 100 which aid in the retention of the tab 85 within a slot 30. A tab similar to the tab 85 hereinbefore described may advantageously replace tab 40 of the device 5 of Fig 1.

Alternatively, a tab of the type of tab 85 may replace the tab 45 of the devices of Fig 1, or indeed both tabs 40 and 45.

Referring now to Figs 4A and B there is shown a second embodiment of a display device 5', according to the present invention. This second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, and like numerals post-scripted with a "' " have been used to refer to like parts.

As can be seen from Figs 4A and B the slots 30' are numbered to assist assembly workers adjust the second loop to the correct size for a given article, eg purse or wallet.

The portions 65', 70' are fastened by means of heat bonding. The process comprises bringing the portions 65', 70' into contact and bringing a heated object, eg a heated metal bar into proximity therewith. The heat transferred to the portions 65', 70' causes the plastic (PVC) to melt such that when cooled to room temperature the portions 60', 70' are bonded together.

As can be seen from Figs 4A and 4B the bar may be so shaped and/or selectively applied to the device 5' so as to provide the bonded portions 65', 70' with a "stitched" look.

Referring now to Figs 5A and B there is shown a third embodiment of a display device 5", according to the present invention. Again like numerals are used to refer to the parts, but post-scripted with a "".

The embodiments of the invention hereinbefore described are given by way of example only, and are not meant to limit the scope thereof.

It should be appreciated that the present invention provides a particularly beneficial "wrap around" display device over those known in the art. This is particularly so in terms of strength and ruggedness of the device, in use.

Claims (16)

1. A display device formed from a flexible elongate planar member having a first loop formed between first and second ends thereof, wherein, in use, the first and second ends are retained together so as to form a second loop capable of retaining an article to be displayed, wherein further the first loop is formed by fastening together first and second portions of the member by means selected from stitching, crimping and/or welding, and the second loop is formed, in use, by engaging co-acting retaining means provided on or near the first and second ends.

2. A display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first loop is used to hang the display device from a rail, hook or the like, in use.

3. A display device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fastening means comprise heat sealing the first and second portions together.

4. A display device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the co-acting retaining means comprise at least one tab and at least one slot provided on either of the first and second ends, the at least one tab being releasably retainable with the at least one slot.

5. A display device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first loop is provided with sales information.

6. A display device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the planar member is manufactured from a plastics material, eg acetate.

7. A display device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the planar member is at least partially transparent.

8. A display device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first end of the planar member is provided with a plurality of substantially equally spaced slots which1 in conjunction with at least one tab provided on the second end, allow the size of the second loop to be varied.

9. A display device as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of slots is uniquely identifiable by means of indicia, eg numbers, printed onto the device adjacent each slot.

10. A display device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second end of the planar member is provided with two opposingly directioned tabs.

11. A display device as claimed in any of claims 3, 8 or 9, wherein the, at least one tab(s) is barbed to aid retention within the respective slot.

12. A method of forming a display device for displaying an article, the method comprising the steps of: providing a flexible elongate planar member; forming a first loop between first and second ends of the member by fastening together first and second portions of the member by means selected from stitching, crimping and/or welding; forming a second loop capable of retaining the article by engaging co-acting retaining means provided on or near the first and second ends.

13. An article displayed by means of a display device, the display device being formed from a display device formed from a flexible elongate planar member having a first loop formed between first and second ends thereof, wherein, in use, the first and second ends are retained together so as to form a second loop capable of retaining an article to be displayed, wherein further the first loop is formed by fastening together first and second portions of the member by means selected from stitching, crimping and/or welding, and the second loop is formed, in use, by engaging co-acting retaining means provided on or near the first and second ends.

14. A method of displaying an article comprising the steps of: providing a display device formed from a flexible elongate planar member having a first loop formed between first and second ends thereof, wherein, in use, the first and second ends are retained together so as to form a second loop capable of retaining an article to be displayed, wherein further the first loop is formed by fastening together first and second portions of the member by mean selected from stitching, crimping and/or welding, and the second loop is formed, in use, by engaging co-acting retaining means provided on the first and second ends; receiving the article between the first and second ends; engaging the co-acting retaining means so as to form the second loop; suitably positioning the display device so as to display the article.

15. A display device as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs 1, 2, Fig 3, Figs 4A and B, or Figs 5A and B.

16. A method of forming a display device as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs 1, 2, Fig 3, Figs 4A and B, or Figs 5A and B.