GB2331499A

GB2331499A - Display hanger and interconnected packs thereon

Info

Publication number: GB2331499A
Application number: GB9724732A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Anthony Hawkins; Michelle Williams
Original assignee: Mainetti UK Ltd
Current assignee: Mainetti UK Ltd
Priority date: 1997-11-25
Filing date: 1997-11-25
Publication date: 1999-05-26
Anticipated expiration: 2017-11-25
Also published as: GB2331499B; GB9724732D0; GB2331499A9

Abstract

A vending display apparatus 20 is disclosed for a plurality of articles 23, wherein each article 23 is displayed within a respective bag 22 in use of the apparatus. The apparatus 20 comprises a plurality of bags 22 and a hanger 10 including the hook 11 and a plurality of support members 13. Each support member 13 is adapted to support a respective bag 22, wherein the bags 22 are connected to form a strip which is removable from the hanger 10. Each bag 22 is at least partially visible when mounted to the hanger 10, although they may overlap. Bags 22 may be removed individually by means of semi-perforation at their interconnections. The support members may comprise horizontal projections or rails. The articles 23 may be garments such as briefs or socks, or food products such as portions of flavourings.

Description

23314.99 DISPLAY HANGER The present invention relates to vending display

apparatus for multiple articles, and relates particularly, but not exclusively, to garments such as briefs or socks which are purchased in multiple packs.

Vending display apparatus for packs of socks or briefs are known which comprise a cardboard formation having a row of boxes suspended from a hook or eye. This prior art arrangement has several disadvantages. Firstly, customers often open the upper package to inspect the contents, which detracts from the tidy appearance of a display. In addition, the goods taken from the store by the customer include bulky cardboard packaging which must be subsequently discarded. Furthermore, cardboard packs are also susceptible to crushing.

According to the present invention there is provided a vending display apparatus for a plurality of articles, wherein each article is displayed within a respective bag in use of the apparatus, the apparatus comprising a plurality of bags, and a hanger including an engagement and a plurality of support members, each said support member being adapted to support a respective bag, wherein said bags are connected to form a strip which is removable from the hanger, and each said bag is at least partially visible when mounted to the hanger.

By providing a strip of bags which is removable from the hanger, this gives the advantage that the hanger may be recycled, minimising wastage of materials. The articles may also be retained by a custom er in bags until use.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is arranged so that the strip of bags and articles contained therein may be separated manually from the hanger during sale.

The bags are preferably arranged in overlapping manner on the hanger.

This provides the advantage of enabling several bags to be visibly arranged on a single hanger in a relatively small volume, thus enabling a variety of such articles to be displayed by means of a single apparatus.

In preferred embodiments of the invention the strip of bags may be pulled from the hanger in a single movement.

The articles socks and the like which are usually sold in multiple packs. Alternatively, individually packaged food products, eg portions of flavourings may be applied in apparatus embodying the invention.

In preferred embodiments of the invention the hanger includes a frame member and a plurality of support members.

Each support member may comprise one or more projections extending f rom the f rame member and adapted to engage the strip of bags.

Each support may comprise a substantially horizontally extending rail adapted to be received in use in a folded portion of the strip of bags.

Alternatively, each support member may comprise two inwardly facing projections adapted to be received in use in a folded portion of the strip of bags.

In preferred embodiments the supports extend substantially parallel to each other to define apertures therebetween.

The apertures are preferably dimensioned to allow filled bags to be withdrawn from engagement with the hanger, for example at the point of sale.

The strip of bags preferably comprises a plurality of pockets, each said pocket defining a bag for a respective article, wherein adjacent pockets are separated by detachable connecting portions.

The connecting portions may comprise webs or ribbons.

The strip of bags may be semi -perforated between each bag and connecting portion.

In a preferred embodiment, one end of the strip of bags includes a formation defining a surface adapted to carry information, for example publicity, safety information or details of the size, composition, etc of the article.

Publicity or technical data may be provided on each bag.

may be textile goods for example briefs, 7 1 This gives the advantage of reinforcing brand recognition by a customer after sale, of reinforcing customer compliance with safety regulations or simply allowing a customer to discriminate between different articles within a pack, whereas previously known packaging is usually only considered by a customer while on the display stand. Separately packaged articles can thus be retained for future use without removal of publicity, safety or other material.

Each bag preferably has an longitudinally of the strip of bags.

The -opening may be closed by a flap and may be provided with a self adhesive composition.

The engagement of the hanger may comprise a hook, an eye or other formation adapted to allow the display apparatus to be releasably supported by a rack, rail, runner, carousel or other carrier for textile or other merchandise within a vending outlet.

The hanger may include a display mounting, for example adjacent the hook or other engagement, adapted to receive an information carrying surface of the strip of bags wherein that the surface may be released as the strip of bags is withdrawn from the hanger.

This provides the advantage of enabling use of an apparatus in which information is not carried on the hanger itself, thus facilitating re-use of the hanger without any necessity for removal of information carried on adhesive labels or the like.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of exampl e only and not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

opening extending Figure 1 is a front view of a hanger forming part of a vending display apparatus of a first embodiment of the present invention; Figures 2a is a front view of the vending display apparatus of a first embodiment of the invention; 1 Figure 2b is a side view of the vending display apparatus of Figure 2a; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the vending display apparatus of Figures 2a and 2b in use; Figures 4a, 4b and 4c illustrate the use of the vending display apparatus of Figures 2a and 2b at the point of sale; Figure 5a is a front view of a vending display apparatus of a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 5b is a rear view of the vending display apparatus of Figure Sa; Figure Sc is a perspective view of the vending display apparatus of Figures Sa and 5b in use; Figures 6a is a front view of a vending display apparatus of a third embodiment of the invention; and Figure 6b is a side view of the vending display apparatus of Figure 6a.

with reference to Figure 1, there is shown a hanger part, designated generally by reference numeral 10, of a vending display apparatus. The hanger has an engagement 11 in the form of a hook, a f rame 12 and a series of support members 13 extending generally horizontally between the sides of the frame 12. The support members 13 are generally parallel to each other and define apertures 14 between them. The hanger also has a display mounting 15 adapted to receive an information carrying surface as will be described later. The hanger is made of a plastics material, and is preferably made of a recyclable plastics material.

With reference to Figures 2a and 2b there is shown a front view and side view respectively of a vending display apparatus embodying the present invention and designated generally by reference numeral 20. The apparatus 20 comprises hanger 10 and a strip of bags, designated generally by reference numeral 21. The frame 12 includes a pair of side members 26 which extend out from the plane defined by the support members 13 and the front surface of the frame 12. The side members 26 help to locate the strip of bags correctly when attached to the frame 12.

The strip 21 of bags comprises a number of bags 22 (five bags 22 are shown in Figures 2a and 2b although any number may be used), and each bag contains an article 23 of the multiplicity of articles being displayed. Each bag 22 consists of a pocket and adjacent pockets are separated by detachable connecting portions 24. The connecting portions may comprise webs or ribbons and are semi-perforated so that the individual bags can be easily detached.

one end of the strip 21 includes a formation 25 defining a surface adapted to carry information relating to the articles being displayed. Preferably the strip of bags is made of a plastics material and more preferably of polypropylene.

The support members 13 of the hanger 10 are adapted to support the strip 21 of bags 22 when it is attached to the hanger, and the apparatus 20 is arranged so that the strip of bags and articles 23 contained in the bags may be separated manually from the hanger during sale. When the strip of bags 21 is attached to the hanger 10, the formation 25 defining an information carrying surface engages the display mounting 15 of the hanger so that information is displayed.

A first bag 22 adjacent the information carrying surface 25 extends through a f irst aperture 14 of the hanger and a connecting portion 24 between the first and second bag of the strip folds back and over the top and behind a first support member 13. The second bag 22 then extends through a second aperture in the hanger and a connecting portion between the second and third bag folds back and over the top and behind a second support member. A third and fourth bag similarly extend through respective apertures connected by connecting portions folded over support members until the f if th bag extends through the last aperture of the hanger. This folded strip configuration allows the series of bags to be supported by the hanger 10 while still being manually separable from the hanger during sale.

I Figure 3 shows a strip of bags 21 during the process of being manually removed form the hanger 10 by disengaging each bag 22 from its respective aperture 14 in the frame 12. Each bag has an.opening 27 extending longitudinally of the strip 21 with a flap 28 provided with a self adhesive composition closing the opening. The strip is semi-perforated 29 across its width between each bag and connecting portion so that the individual bags can be easily detached.

Use of the vending display apparatus will now be described with reference to Figures 4a, 4b and 4c. Figure 4a shows the vending display apparatus 20 of Figures 2a and 2b as it would appear to a consumer. The apparatus would be attached to a rack, rail, runner, carousel or other display stand (not shown) by the hook 11 so that the apparatus can be removed and taken to the point of sale.

The display apparatus 20 displays product information on the information carrying surface 25 which is viewable in the display mounting. As only the bottom bag 22 is easily accessible, customers may inspect the goods manually from the bottom bag without degrading the appearance of the rest of the display apparatus 20, which often happens when customers manually inspect items in conventional multipack display apparatus. Hence the articles 23 may be inspected but without damaging the appearance of the display.

As illustrated in Figure 4b, on presenting the apparatus at the point of sale, a sales assistant disengages the bags from their respective apertures 14 in the hanger 10 and disengages the information bearing surface 25 from the display mounting 15. The hanger 10 is retained and the strip of bags 21 is given to the customer.

As there is no permanent record on the hanger 10 of the goods previously displayed by it, the hanger can be easily recycled without the need for either careful segregation of recycled hangers so that they are re-used for identical goods, or removal of labels, stickers or the like from the hanger and replacement of the labels, stickers or the like. Recycling of the hanger is thus greatly facilitated. Furthermore, as the hanger can be made of a substantially rigid plastics material, there is less scope for crush damage of the display apparatus as commonly occurs for cardboard based display apparatus. In addition, as the hanger 10 is retained at the point of sale, the customer does not have to take away any excess packaging.

As illustrated in Figure 4c, the individual bags 22 of the strip 21 may be separated by virtue of the semi-perforated connecting portions so that the customer is provided with individually packaged articles 23. Each bag may bear printed information relating to the goods or advertising thereby reinforcing brand identity with the customer. The individual packaging of the articles allows the articles to be conveniently carried by the customer while being kept clean. Each bag has an end opening with a flap secured in place by a self adhesive material so that the article can be removed from its bag when required.

Referring to Figures Sa to 5c, in which parts common to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4 are denoted by like reference numerals but increased by 100, a vending display apparatus 120 comprises a hanger 110 and a strip 121 of bags 122. The hanger 110 has a label area 130 arranged between the hook 111 and the frame 112 thereof. As is most clearly shown in Figure 5c, the hanger 110 comprises a' central spine member 131 from which pairs of rib members 132 extend laterally. Each of the rib members 132 has an inwardly directed portion 133 at the distal end thereof for gripping a respective connecting portion 124 between adjacent bags 122. As can be seen from Figure 5b, the strip 121 of bags 122 is mounted to the hanger 110 from one side thereof, the connecting portions 124 being easily mounted to the inwardly directed portions 133.

Figures 6a and 6b, in which parts common to the embodiment of Figures 5a to 5c are denoted by like reference numerals but increased by 100, show a vending display apparatus 220 of a third embodiment of the invention. The hanger_210 includes a belt 250 having a first part 251 which extends from the top of the hanger 210 and over the front of the strip 221 of bags 222 to be joined to a second part 252 of the belt by a releasable snap-fit type connector 253. The belt 250 helps to maintain the strip 221 of bags in place and keep the tidy appearance of the display apparatus 220. 1

Claims

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the above

embodiments have been described by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departure from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended Claims.

CLAIMS 1. A vending display apparatus for a plurality of articles, wherein each article is displayed within a respective bag in use of the apparatus, the apparatus comprising a plurality of bags, and a hanger including an engagement and a plurality of support members, each said support member being adapted to support a bag, wherein said bags are connected to form a strip which is removable from the hanger, and each said bag is at least partially visible when mounted to the hanger.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is arranged so that the strip of bags and articles contained therein may be separated manually from the hanger during sale.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bags are arranged in overlapping manner on the hanger.
4. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the strip of bags may be pulled from the hanger in a single movement.
5. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the articles are textile goods, for example briefs, socks or the like.
6. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein individually packaged food products, eg portions of flavourings, are applied in the apparatus.
7. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hanger includes a frame member and a plurality of support members.
8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein each support member comprises one or more projections extending from the frame member and adapted to engage the strip of bags.
9. An apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein each support member comprises a substantially horizontally extending rail adapted to be received in use in a folded portion of the strip of bags.
10. An apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein each support member comprises two inwardly facing projections adapted to be received in use in a folded portion of the strip of bags.
11. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the supports extend substantially parallel to each other to define apertures therebetween.

1
12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the apertures are dimensioned to allow filled bags to be withdrawn from engagement with the hanger, for example at the point of sale.
13. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the strip of bags comprises a plurality of pockets, each said pocket defining a bag for a respective article, wherein adjacent pockets are separated by detachable connecting portions.
14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the connecting portions comprise webs or ribbons.
15. An apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the strip of bags is semi-perforated between each bag and connecting portion.
16. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one end of the strip of bags includes a formation defining a surface adapted to carry information, for example publicity, safety information or details of the size, composition, etc of the article.
17. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein publicity or technical data is provided on each bag.
18. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each bag has an opening extending longitudinally of the strip of bags.
19. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the opening is closed by a flap and is provided with a self adhesive composition.
20. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the engagement of the hanger comprises a hook, an eye or other formation adapted to allow the display apparatus to be releasably supported by a rack, rail, runner, carousel or other carrier for textile or other merchandise within a vending outlet.
21. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hanger includes a display mounting, for example adjacent the hook or other engagement, adapted to receive an information carrying surface of the strip of bags wherein the information carrying surface may be released as the strip of bags is withdrawn from the hanger.
22. A vending display apparatus for a plurality of articles, wherein each article is displayed within a respective bag in use of the apparatus, the apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.