GB2307201A

GB2307201A - Unitary support device for display of merchandise

Info

Publication number: GB2307201A
Application number: GB9523514A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gary Briscoe
Original assignee: Alpha Packaging & Design Limit
Current assignee: Alpha Packaging & Design Limit
Priority date: 1995-11-17
Filing date: 1995-11-17
Publication date: 1997-05-21
Also published as: GB9523514D0

Abstract

A device for supporting items of merchandise for display and self-service, comprising a sheet (10) of translucent semi-rigid PVC vacuum formed such that a number of forwardly projecting protrusions (11) formed by deformation of the sheet material project outwardly to support items of merchandise such as a film box (12). Also, lateral protrusions (13) may be provided to afford further stabilising support for the items. The sheet (10) may have one or more apertures (18) in its upper edge region whereby several such sheets with items supported thereon may be displayed on outwardly projecting rods.

Description

SUPPORTING DEVICE FOR ITEMS OF MERCHANDISE THIS INVENTION concerns a device for supporting items of merchandise for display and self-service.

Many products today are packaged in blister packs or cardboard containers, often including a horizontally elongate slot whereby such packages may be mounted in rows on horizontal bars or rods from which the merchandise may be withdrawn by the customer.

An aperture generally referred to as a Euroslot is common for this purpose and consists of an elongate transverse slot typically of some 25mm long and 6mm in depth with an upper semi-circular recess in its central region having a depth of a further 5mm. Thus, the package may be mounted selectively on a single rod or on a pair of rods formed as a U-shaped member in plan.

In some cases it is desired to mount merchandise packaged in this way, in vertical or horizontal rows of a plurality of similar products. For ease of storage and transportation a single panel may mount, for example, some 10 or so such similar products.

Panels or strips for this purpose must include one or more rows of protrusions on which the products are mounted prior to suspension of the panel on outstanding rods. Known forms of strip or panel of this kind include those which are cut to produce inter-engaging tongues and recesses which when the strip or panel is bent are opened up to receive, in frictional engagement, an item of merchandise. Such devices suffer from the disadvantage that once an item has been removed it is difficult for it to be repositioned should the customer have a change of mind and decide not to purchase the product.

Another known form of display strip is produced by injection moulding from a rigid plastics material and incorporates a row of protruding hooks or clips adapted to grip a flat part of the packaging of the products. Once again, these devices are unreliable in their ability to retain the products neatly in a uniform array, and further present difficulties for the customer who may wish to replace an item after removing removed it from the panel or strip.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for supporting items of merchandise for display and selfservice, which overcomes some of the aforementioned disadvantages and comprises a sheet or strip of material having at least one supporting protrusion permanently formed thereon by deformation of the sheet material.

Preferably, the sheet material is plastics and the or each protrusion is vacuum formed integrally therewith without cutting or otherwise rupturing the material of the sheet, several such protrusions being formed on the sheet to afford suspensive and laterally stabilising support for multiple items of merchandise.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying isometric drawing which illustrates a panel on which may be suspended and retained nine photograph films mounted in cardboard boxes each having an upstanding flap with a so-called Euroslot for location of the item which, as illustrated, may be provided in three lateral rows each of three items.

The device comprises a sheet 10 of a plastics material such as semi-rigid PVC which is vacuum formed such that nine protrusions 11 are integrally formed in relief at the front of the panel by deformation of the material thereof during the vacuum forming process, each of the protrusions 11 being equivalent in configuration and dimensions to a Euroslot in a film package, an example of which is illustrated at 12 mounted on one of the protrusions 11.

In the vacuum forming process there are also formed a plurality of upright laterally spaced further protrusions 13 which, as can be seen, lie in pairs alongside the film packages to afford further stabilising support therefor. For convenience, upright side protrusions 15 are also provided and serve to enhance the rigidity of the sheet.

This is further enhanced by a stepped portion 16 in the region of the upper row of three protrusions 11. The bottom row of three protrusions 11 are disposed along the bottom of the panel whereby the bottom row of packages may be suspended without side support. The sheet or panel 10 is provided adjacent its top with a pair of Euroslots 18 or other apertures, spaced apart laterally whereby the panel may be suspended on a pair of hooks or rods.

Preferably, the protrusions 11 are slightly inclined upwardly from a plane normal to the plane of the sheet to assist in retaining the packages thereon, although in most cases there is a sufficient degree of frictional retention of the cardboard packaging over the protrusions.

The device as illustrated is designed and adapted to support, for display, an array of nine photographic films in separate boxes or alternatively horizontal or vertical rows each consisting of a pack of three films to be sold simultaneously.

Removal and replacement of the packages with respect to the panel is an easy operation whereby customers may replace an item of merchandise if they decide not to make a purchase after removing it from the sheet.

Since the device is made from an entirely transparent or at least largely translucent PVC material several such sheets may be mounted in superimposed relationship on outstanding rods or wires whereby customers can easily see further merchandise behind the front sheet or panel.

It is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only. For example, the protrusions 11 and 13 may be of different shape according to the items of merchandise to be supported thereon and the lateral-support protrusions may be omitted if the products are sufficiently stable and supported by the suspending protrusions. More or less than three rows, both vertically and horizontally, may be provided and if required several such panels may be mounted side-by-side or one above another to present a more extensive display.

The device is entirely manufactured in a single vacuum forming process wherein protrusions and recesses may be provided as required to suit the particular merchandise to be displayed.

A device made in accordance with this invention is considerably less expensive to produce than an equivalent device formed by injection moulding with protruding hooks or clips and is more readily used by both packaging staff and customers when compared with devices which must be manipulated to reveal interengaging cut tongues and recesses. The device is formed rather like a blister pack except that the products are mounted for display on the front, or relieved face, of the sheet as opposed to beneath the protrusions as in the case of a container pack.

Claims

CLADS

1. A device for supporting items of merchandise for display and self-service comprising a sheet or strip of material having at least one supporting protrusion permanently formed thereon by deformation without rupturing of the sheet material.

2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the sheet material is plastics and the or each protrusion is vacuum formed integrally therewith.

3. A device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein several protrusions are formed on the sheet to afford suspensive and laterally stabilising support for multiple items of merchandise.

4. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the sheet material is semi-rigid PVC.

5. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the protrusions are integrally formed in relief at the front of the sheet or strip of material, at least some of the protrusions being equivalent in configuration and dimensions to a Euroslot.

6. A device according to any preceding claim, including a plurality of upright laterally spaced further protrusions configured and arranged to lie in pairs alongside items of merchandise to afford stabilising support therefor.

7. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the sheet or strip is provided adjacent a top edge thereof with at least one Euroslot or other aperture whereby the panel may be suspended on a hook or rod.

8. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said at least one supporting protrusion is inclined upwardly from a plane normal to the plane of the sheet or strip to assist in retaining items thereon.

9. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the sheet or strip of material is translucent.