US20090115299A1

US20090115299A1 - Merchandise Display

Info

Publication number: US20090115299A1
Application number: US11/936,527
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael Hart Ricereto
Original assignee: Newell Operating Co
Current assignee: Newell Operating Co
Priority date: 2007-11-07
Filing date: 2007-11-07
Publication date: 2009-05-07
Also published as: CA2611355A1; CA2611355C

Abstract

A merchandise display has a frame assembly supporting a plurality of drawers. Each drawer is slidably supported in the frame assembly between a closed position and an open position. The drawer defines a compartment adapted to contain packages of the product. The drawer supports a sample product visible to a consumer wherein the sample product corresponds to the packages of the product. The sample product is adapted to be grasped by the consumer to place the drawer in the open position. A first drawer defines a first compartment and a second drawer defines a second compartment. The second drawer has a portion being spaced a predetermined distance from the first drawer. The predetermined distance is sized such that the second compartment is visible to the consumer and requiring the second drawer to be in the open position for a hand of the consumer to reach into the second compartment.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to a merchandise display and more particularly to a merchandise display having an improved configuration for consumers to select merchandise contained in the display.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Merchandise displays are well known for displaying goods to consumers. Merchandise displays provide space for storing inventory, aid stores in organizing goods, and aid consumers in the process of identifying and selecting goods. The displays can further increase overall sales of goods. Current merchandise displays, however, possess various shortcomings for consumers. The displays do not allow for suitable interaction with the product being displayed. This limits the ability of consumers in making purchasing decisions. Current display configurations further to do not sufficiently invite the consumer to interact or otherwise handle the product being displayed. Other displays do not provide enough flexibility in changing the configuration of the display.
Thus, while merchandise displays according to the prior art provide a number of advantageous features, they nevertheless have certain limitations. The present invention seeks to overcome certain of these limitations and other drawbacks of the prior art, and to provide new features not heretofore available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a merchandise display having enhanced features for use by consumers and store owners.
According to one aspect of the invention, the merchandise display displays product and has a frame assembly and a drawer slidably supported in the frame assembly between a closed position and an open position. The drawer defines a compartment adapted to contain packages of the product. The drawer supports a sample product visible to a consumer wherein the sample product corresponds to the packages of the product. The sample product is adapted to be grasped by the consumer to place the drawer in the open position providing access to the compartment to select packages of product therein.
According to another aspect of the invention, a plurality of drawers are vertically spaced along the frame assembly. Each drawer is slidably supported in the frame assembly between the closed position and the open position, and each drawer defines a compartment therein.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the plurality of drawers comprises a first drawer defining a first compartment and a second drawer defining a second compartment. The second drawer has a portion being spaced a predetermined distance from the first drawer. The predetermined distance is sized such that the second compartment is visible to the consumer from a front of the second drawer and requires the second drawer to be in the open position for a hand of the consumer to reach into the second compartment.
According to another aspect of the invention, each drawer supports a sample product visible to the consumer, the sample product corresponding to packages of product adapted to be contained in respective compartments of the drawers. Each sample product is adapted to be grasped by the consumer to place the respective drawer in the open position providing access to the respective compartments.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the frame assembly has an upper portion supporting a display panel visible to a consumer. The upper portion defines a first groove and a second groove spaced below the first groove at a predetermined spacing. The display panel has a first end and a second end defining a height. The first end is positioned in the first groove and the second end is positioned in the second groove. The height is less than the predetermined spacing such that a gap is maintained between a base of the first groove and the first end wherein the display panel can be raised wherein the first end is moved into the gap wherein the second end can clear the second groove to allow removal of the display panel from the frame assembly. The display panel is selectively reinsertable into the grooves from a front of the frame assembly.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the first groove is positioned at a front portion of the frame assembly and the second groove is spaced from the front portion of the frame assembly.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the frame assembly has a base having a front extension. The front extension provides additional stability and may be adapted to be stepped on by a consumer.
According to another aspect of the invention, the drawer has at least one divider positioned in the compartment wherein the compartment comprises a plurality of compartments. The drawer has a plurality of channels wherein the channels receive the divider wherein the compartment is divided into a plurality of compartments.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the drawer has a front facing member defining an upwardly facing surface. The upwardly facing surface has indicia thereon relating to the product adapted to be contained in the compartment of the drawer.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, the merchandise display includes a plurality of merchandise displays positioned adjacent one another.
These and other objects and advantages will be made apparent from the following description of the drawings and detailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a merchandise display according to the present invention and showing a consumer selecting goods contained in the display;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a merchandise display according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the merchandise display shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the merchandise display shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of a drawer of the merchandise display shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the drawer shown in FIG. 5 and showing packages of product contained in the drawer;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the drawer shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a partial enlarged perspective view of an upper portion of the merchandise display shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a partial enlarged side elevation view of an upper portion of the merchandise display shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 10 is a partial side cross-sectional view of the merchandise display shown in FIG. 2 and showing a hand of a consumer selecting products contained in the drawer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.
A display for merchandising products is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 2 shows a merchandise display, generally designated with the reference numeral 10. FIG. 1 shows a plurality of merchandise displays 10 positioned adjacent one another to form a further merchandise display, generally designated with the reference numeral 10′. The modularity of the merchandise display 10 allows increased flexibility for store owners and better experiences for consumers as discussed further below. In one exemplary embodiment, the merchandise display 10 is used to display cabinet hardware such as cabinet knobs and pulls in a retail setting. It is understood that the display 10 can also be used in merchandising various other types of products.
As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the merchandise display 10 generally includes a frame assembly 12 and a plurality of drawers 14 supported by the frame assembly 12. As discussed in greater detail below, the drawers 14 are slidably supported in the frame assembly between a closed position (FIG. 2) and an open position (FIGS. 1 and 10). The number of drawers 14 supported by the frame assembly 12 can vary, and in one exemplary embodiment, eight drawers 14 are slidably supported by the frame assembly 12.
The frame assembly 12 generally includes a base 16, a first side panel 18, a second side panel 20 and a back panel 22, which generally connect together to form a box-like structure defining a chamber 24 that receives the drawers 14 therein. A top panel (not shown) can be positioned over the top of the frame assembly 12 if desired. The base 16 has a forward extension portion defining an upwardly facing planar surface 26 or step portion 26. The forward extension portion of the base 16 provides additional overall stability to the frame assembly 12. The upwardly facing planar surface 26 may be a metal surface or support a metal insert for protection and durability. The first side panel 18 and the second side panel 20 extend upwardly and generally perpendicular from the base 16. The side panels 18, 20 may have cut-out portions (not shown) to define handles for moving the display 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the components of the frame assembly 12 can be connected by any of a variety of fastening methods including, but not limited to, screws, nails, adhesives, cooperating bracket structures and the like. As can be appreciated from FIG. 2, the components are connected to form the box-like structure defining the chamber 24 receiving the drawers 14 therein. It is understood that the width of the base 16 and height of the panels 18, 20 can vary as desired to alter the overall size of the display. In one exemplary embodiment, the width of the display is approximately 24 inches and the overall height of the display 10 is 83 inches. The depth of the display 10 accommodating the drawers 14 may be approximately 17 inches in one embodiment.
As further shown in FIGS. 2-4, the frame assembly 12 has a lower portion 28 and an upper portion 30. The frame assembly 12 further has a front portion 32. A display panel 34 is supported by the frame assembly 12 at the upper portion 30. As described in greater detail below, the display panel 34 is used to contain additional graphics, pictures or other information related to the merchandised products. As further shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 8 and 9, the upper portion 30 of the frame assembly 12 defines a first groove 36 and a second groove 38. In an exemplary embodiment, the first side panel 18 and the second side panel 20 cooperate to form the first groove 36 and the second groove 38. The first groove 36 has a top portion 40 or base 40 and the second groove 38 has a bottom portion 42 or a base 42. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, additional structures may be included to assist in forming the grooves 18, 20. For example, a molding member 44 is connected to the side panels 18, 20 at the upper portion 30 and defines a facing surface 46 of the first groove 36. An inclined member 48 is also incorporated into the upper portion 30. As further shown in FIGS. 4 and 9, the first groove 36 is positioned proximate a top of the upper portion 30 and at the front portion 32 of the upper portion 30. The second groove 38 is positioned below the first groove 36 a predetermined distance or spacing D. The second groove 38 is further positioned a distance spaced away from the front portion 32 and towards a rear of the frame assembly 12. Thus, as discussed in greater detail below, the display panel 34 is angled downwardly towards the base 16. It is understood that the frame assembly 12 can be made from various suitable materials including wood or plastic materials.
FIGS. 1, 2 and 5-7 further disclose the drawers 14 slidably supported in the frame assembly 12. Each drawer 14 has a front wall 50, a rear wall 52 and a first side wall 54 and a second side wall 56. The walls 50, 52, 54, 56 are connected together at their extremities to form a compartment 58. The drawer 14 further has a front facing surface or front panel 60 connected to the front wall 50. It is understood that the front panel 60 and the front wall 50 can be a combined, integral structure in an alternative embodiment. The front panel 60 could also be eliminated wherein the front wall 50 provides a front facing surface of the drawer 14. The side walls 54, 56 and rear wall 52 have a drawer height h that generally define a maximum height of the drawer 14. As seen in FIG. 7, the side walls 54, 56 taper down towards a front portion of the drawer wherein the front wall 50 has a reduced height h′ in comparison to the drawer height h. The front panel 60 may be dimensioned similarly to the front wall 50 and may include a slight overhang. This configuration will assist in defining a space or an access opening as described in greater detail below. It is understood that the drawers 14 can be made from various suitable materials including wood or plastic materials.
The front panel 60 supports the product to be contained in the compartment 58. For example, a sample cabinet pull or knob SP is mounted on the front panel 60 by known means such as screws or the like. The front panel 60 defines an upwardly facing surface 64 that supports indicia 66 relating to the products contained in the compartment 58. When facing the display 10 at a distance, the upwardly facing surface 64 is generally not fully seen by a consumer or user, until either the drawers 14 are pulled to an open position or the drawers 14 are approached at close range. The indicia 66 can include product names, dimension information, pricing, pictures or graphics and the like. The front panel 60 may also have a particular surface treatment such as a maple or cherry finish similar to wood cabinets. Alternative embodiments may include surface treatments of other premium or basic finishes, surfaces, colors and materials (e.g., pine, oak, birch, particle board, or other wood products, melamine or other plastic products, aluminum, steel or other metal products).
As further shown in FIGS. 5-7, the front wall 50 and rear wall 52 have a plurality of corresponding channels 68 that can receive a divider 70 to further section the compartment 58 as desired. It is understood that the side walls 54, 56 can also have channels 68 if desired.
As discussed and further shown in FIGS. 5-7, the rear wall 52 and majority portions of the side walls 54, 56 generally define a maximum height h of the drawer 14. A front portion of the drawer 14 that generally corresponds to the front wall 50 and front panel 60 has a panel height h′. It is understood that the panel 60 has a slight overhang (FIG. 10) that in one exemplary embodiment may be approximately 0.25 inches. The height h′ is less than the maximum height h of the drawer 14. This provides a space S at the front of the drawer 14. In one exemplary embodiment, the maximum height h of the drawer is approximately 6.5 inches, and the difference between the maximum height h and the panel height h′ is approximately 2.283 inches. As will be discuss in greater detail below, the space S may be approximately 2.283 inches. If desired, this dimension may be increased by approximately 10%. In addition, the width W of the drawer 14 such as shown in FIG. 3 may be approximately 24 inches in one exemplary embodiment, recognizing that the actual width of the compartments may be somewhat less as there is some overhang on the sides of the front panel 60. The width W is set in this fashion as it corresponds to a popular width for many kitchen drawers or drawers located in other rooms of a home or building.
The frame assembly 12 and drawers 14 are fabricated and constructed as is known. As discussed and can be appreciated from FIGS. 1, 2 and 10, the frame assembly 12 slidably supports the drawers 14. To this end, cooperative structure known in the art, such as conventional drawer slides, are connected between the frame assembly 12 and drawers 14. The drawer slides/components are shown schematically in FIGS. 4 and 7. Thus, the drawers 14 are slidably supported by the frame assembly 12 between a closed position (FIG. 2) and an open position (FIGS. 1 and 10). Other slidable support structures could also be used for the drawers. For example, the drawers 14 could each be supported by and slide on a platform mounted within the frame assembly 12 (shown schematically in FIG. 10). The drawers 14 may also be slidably mounted within the frame assembly 12 to be sloped towards the back of the frame assembly 12. In one embodiment, the drawers 14 may have a one degree slope, which assists in placing the drawer 14 in the closed position. It is understood that the drawers are made from materials weighing what a typical kitchen drawer would weigh in an actual home. The drawer slides are also selected to be typical slides one would use in a typical kitchen drawer. It is further understood that the frame assembly 12 can be dimensioned to support varying numbers of drawers 14. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the frame assembly 12 supports eight drawers 14. The drawers 14 are vertically spaced along the side panels 18, 20. As can be appreciated from FIGS. 1-3 and 10, the respective front panels 60 of adjacent drawers 14 are spaced a predetermined distance that generally is proximate to the distance S as previously discussed. Similarly, the distance S is provided between the top surface of the front panel 60 of the uppermost drawer and the inclined member 48 proximate the upper portion of the frame assembly 12. The predetermination of the distance S will be described in greater detail below.
The drawers 14 of the display 10 are further set up for use by consumers. As shown in FIG. 6, packages of product P are loaded into the drawers 14. A sample product SP, that corresponds to the packages of product P that are contained in the respective drawer 14, is mounted to the front panel 60. As can be appreciated from FIGS. 6 and 7, as the drawer 14 can be partitioned with the divider 70, different sample products SP, SP2 can be mounted to the front panel 60. Packages of product P2 corresponding to the second sample product SP2 are contained in the compartment adjacent or behind the second sample product SP2 mounted on the panel 60. Other drawers 14 are set up in similar fashion with other packages of product P and sample products SP. It is further understood that multiple displays 10 can be placed adjacent one another to form the display 10′ such as shown in FIG. 1. Multiple displays 10 can be provided with multiple display panels 34 and drawers 14 in the form of a kit to be configured as desired by a store owner. Multiple drawers 14 are useful as changes in the sample product SP can be made on respective front panels 60 in a remote location and an entire drawer 14 changed out when changing the merchandising display 10.
In the configuration provided by the display 10,10′ of the present invention, a consumer can readily peruse several different products for potential purchase. The sample products SP are mounted on the respective front panels 60 visible to the consumer. As discussed, in one exemplary embodiment, the display 10, 10′ is used to merchandise products in the form of cabinet pulls and cabinet knobs. As discussed, the front panels 60 are provided with a surface finish that may correspond to a cabinet or cabinet drawer one might find in a residential setting, such as in a kitchen, bathroom or the like. This visual representation aids the consumer in a purchasing decision.
Other structural configurations of the display 10, 10′ further aid the consumer in purchasing decisions. As discussed, the front portions of the drawers 14 provide the space S or access opening into the drawers 14 as viewed from a front of the display 10. The space S may be considered to be proximate the difference between the maximum height of the drawer h and the height of the front wall 50 h′, thus providing the access opening into the drawer 14. As can be appreciated from FIG. 10, the front panel 60 overhangs a short distance downwards, wherein the space S may also be considered to be the space between adjacent drawers that are vertically-spaced, e.g., the space between the vertically facing surface 64 of one front panel 60 and a bottom edge of an adjacent front panel 60. In certain exemplary embodiments, the space S may be generally the same if measured in either way. The space S provides the opening into the drawer 14. As can be appreciated from FIGS. 1-5, 7 and 10, the space S is large enough to allow the consumer to see that the drawers 14 contain packages of product P for purchase. The space S, however, is controlled so that it becomes apparent to the consumer that the space S is not large enough for a hand to cleanly pass through the space S or access opening at the front portion of the drawer 14 for complete unfettered access into the compartment 58 of the drawer 14. Thus, the consumer can see the packages of product P in the drawers 14 but realizes that because the space S is too small to reach into the drawer 14 when the drawer 14 is in the closed position, the drawer 14 must be pulled out into the open position. Accordingly, as can be appreciated from FIG. 10, it becomes intuitive to the consumer that the consumer must grasp the sample product SP to open the drawer 14 in order gain access and fully reach into the drawer 14. Grasping the sample product SP further aids in the consumer making a purchasing decision as the consumer can get a “tactile feel” of how the sample product SP functions in the hand in opening the drawer 14. Consumers recognize that in addition to the overall aesthetic appearance of the product SP, the functionality including the feel of the product is important in making a purchasing decision. In this configuration of the display 10 of the present invention, a consumer must actually use the product SP to gain access to packages of the product P. As discussed and shown, this is achieved by controlling the space S so that a consumer can see into the drawers 14, but realizing that the space S is too small to reach fully into the drawer 14, the consumer pulls the drawer 14 to the open position by grasping the sample product SP. In addition, because the drawer 14 is structured and slidably mounted to the frame assembly 12 in a fashion that mimics a typical drawer, for example, in a kitchen of a home, the consumer is provided with a further enhanced “feel” for the operation and function of the product when grasping the sample product SP to pull the drawer 14 to the open position.
In general terms, the space S, or access opening, is large enough for a user to see into the compartment 58, but is not large enough for a hand of the user to fit completely into the compartment 58. This determination for the space S has been arrived at through testing to satisfy the above conditions for a user to be able to see into the compartment 58 but having to open the drawer 14 to gain unfettered access into the drawer 14. In one exemplary embodiment, the space S may be approximately 2.283 inches, generally corresponding to the difference in the maximum height h of the drawer 14 and the panel height h′. The 2.283 inch dimension of the space S could be increased if desired by approximately 10%. As previously noted, the front panel 60 may slightly overhang downwards from the front wall 50 of the drawer 14 a short distance. The drawers 14 may be spaced and configured such that a distance DS is provided from a bottom edge of one front panel 60 to a bottom edge of an adjacent front panel 60 (FIG. 3). The distance DS may be approximately 7 inches in one exemplary embodiment. Accordingly, in one exemplary embodiment of the display 10, the front panel 60 may take up approximately 67% of the front portion of the drawer 14, or the space S takes up approximately 33% of the spacing between adjacent drawers 14. It is understood that these percentages can vary consistent with dimensional variations of the front panel 60, drawer height h and vertical spacing of the drawers 14. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, it is further understood that the space S can also be provided with the uppermost drawer 14, wherein a space S is provided between the uppermost panel 60 and the inclined member 48. Generally, it is understood that the space S or access opening into the compartment of each drawer 14 is controlled such that a user can see into a compartment, but realizes that a hand cannot reach fully into the compartment wherein the drawer 14 must be pulled open to gain full access. In addition, the ability of the drawers 14 to be placed in the open position further allows a retail operator, or third party re-stocking service provider, to more easily restock compartments 58 of the drawers 14 with new packages of product P when compartments 58 become empty. Thus, the space S also indicates to the party assigned to re-stocking the drawers with additional packages of product P that the drawers 14 should be pulled to the open position for re-stocking. Accordingly, the space S is sized such that it is intuitive for customers, re-stockers or other users to pull the drawers 14 to the open position to gain access to the drawers 14 rather than attempting to reach into the drawer 14 through the space S.
As can be appreciated from FIGS. 1-3 and 7, the positioning of the labels 66 allows a consumer to see the labels in certain instances. When viewing the display at a distance from a front of the display 10, the labels are generally not viewable such that the consumer can readily read the indicia on the labels. Once the consumer opens the drawer 14, the labels can be readily seen.
While the merchandise display 10 can be used for a variety of types of products. In one exemplary embodiment, the display 10 is used for cabinet hardware such as cabinet pulls and cabinet knobs. Display of cabinet hinges is also possible. In addition, while drawers 14 are provided that slide between open and closed positions, other structures could be used having compartments for holding packages of product. For example, compartments could be provided having hinged doors to simulate a kitchen cabinet having a cabinet knob or pull as well as a cabinet hinge. The consumer would use the sample product on the door to gain access into the compartment 58 to gain access into the compartment to select packages of product.
In addition, the display panel 34 can be easily mounted on the frame assembly 12. As shown in FIGS. 4, 8 and 9, a top end of the display panel 34 is inserted into the first groove 36. As the height H of the display panel 34 is less than the distance D between the first groove 36 and the second groove 38, clearance is provided such that a lower end of the display panel 34 can be inserted into second groove 38. The top portion of the display panel 34 can rest against front portion 46 of the first groove 36. Indicia provided on the display panel 34 is angled downwardly towards the consumer and easily visible. If a retailer wishes to change the display panel 34, the structure provides an easy change out procedure. Thus, as shown in FIG. 9, because of the gap G provided between the top end of the display panel 34 and the top portion of the first groove 36, the top end can be slid upwards against the base 40 or top end of the first groove 36. This movement provides clearance for the lower end of the display panel 34 to be easily removed from the second groove 38 and therefore removed from the frame assembly 14. Different display panels 34 having other indicia as desired by the retailer can then be easily installed in the frame assembly 12.
Finally, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the base 16 provides the extension member at the lower portion 28 of the base 16. Because the frame assembly 12 supports a plurality of drawers 14 in vertically-spaced fashion, a user may have trouble accessing the uppermost drawers 14 of the display 10. The user can use the extension member as a step to better see into and access the uppermost drawers. The extension member further provides increased stability for the frame assembly 12. In addition, carts used by consumers or supply carts used by re-stockers may abut the extension member and remain spaced from the front panels 60 of the drawers 14.
The merchandise display 10 of the present invention provides several benefits and advantages. The overall configuration provides a clean, sharp and aesthetically pleasing look for consumers while also providing enhanced functionality for consumers to select the merchandised product, and retail operators to re-stock the drawers. As shown in FIG. 1, sample products are cleanly displayed while packages of product are initially generally hidden from view. The openings provided to the drawers are sized such that it is readily apparent that the consumer must pull the drawer to an open position in order to gain access into the compartment of the drawer. In doing so, the consumer must use the sample product to pull the drawer to the open position thereby requiring the consumer to use the product under consideration for purchase. This enhances the decision-making process for the consumer as not only can the consumer readily see the product, but also gains a “feel” of the product in use. Through testing by the inventor hereof, it has been found that the configurations of the front portions of the drawers and particular spacing and dimensions discussed herein, these benefits are achieved. Thus, setting the space S makes it intuitive to the vast majority of would be users of the display to pull the drawers open to gain access to the drawers rather than attempting to reach into the drawer through the space S. Also, the drawers are sized and weighted and further use drawer slides to mimic a typical drawer that may be found in, for example, a kitchen. The action of the drawers of the display is very similar to a kitchen drawer, which assists a consumer in making a selection of product displayed by the display. In addition, the display panel construction in the upper portion of the frame assembly provides structure to easily remove and re-install the display panels. The display panels do not need separate hardware fasteners such as brackets or screws to be mounted to the frame assembly. Prior art display panels typically require separate fasteners making replacement of the panels difficult and cumbersome. The modular configuration of the merchandise display allows multiple displays to be placed adjacent one another such as shown in FIG. 1, offering greater flexibility for store owners in creating additional display configurations. Labels that typically include pricing information and product identification are generally more hidden from view when a user views the merchandise display from the front of the display which is more pleasing to the consumer. The indicia is not viewable until a user is immediately adjacent the display or when the drawer is opened. In prior art displays, such labels are often displayed facing a front of the display. This reduces the overall aesthetic appearance of the display as the display view appears more cluttered and unorganized than the clean, crisp view as shown in FIG. 1. The merchandise display also allows a user to step upon the extension member to gain better access to the uppermost drawers. The extension member also provides additional stability to the frame assembly.
While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.

Claims

1. A merchandise display for a product, the display comprising:

a frame assembly;

a drawer slidably supported in the frame assembly between a closed position and an open position, the drawer defining a compartment adapted to contain packages of the product, the drawer supporting a sample product visible to a consumer, the sample product corresponding to the packages of the product, wherein the sample product is adapted to be grasped by the consumer to place the drawer in the open position providing access to the compartment.

2. The merchandise display of claim 1 wherein the drawer comprises a plurality of drawers vertically spaced along the frame assembly, each drawer slidably supported in the frame assembly between the closed position and the open position, each drawer defining a compartment therein.

3. The merchandise display of claim 2 wherein the plurality of drawers comprises a first drawer defining a first compartment and a second drawer defining a second compartment, the second drawer having a portion being spaced a predetermined distance from the first drawer, the predetermined distance sized such that the second compartment is visible to the consumer from a front of the second drawer and requiring the second drawer to be in the open position for a hand of the consumer to reach into the second compartment.

4. The merchandise display of claim 1 wherein the drawer provides a space at a front portion of the drawer, the space being sized such that the compartment is visible to the consumer from a front of the drawer and requiring the drawer to be in the open position for a hand of the consumer to reach into the compartment.

5. The merchandise display of claim 1 wherein the frame assembly has an upper portion supporting a display panel visible to a consumer.

6. The merchandise display of claim 5 wherein the upper portion defines a first groove and a second groove spaced below the first groove at a first predetermined spacing,

the display panel having a first end and a second end defining a height, the first end positioned in the first groove and the second end positioned in the second groove, the height being less than the predetermined spacing such that a gap is maintained between a base of the first groove and the first end wherein the display panel can be raised wherein the first end is moved into the gap wherein the second end can clear the second groove to allow removal of the display panel from the frame assembly and the display panel being selectively reinsertable into the grooves from a front of the frame assembly.

7. The merchandise display of claim 6 wherein the first groove is positioned at a front portion of the frame assembly and the second groove is spaced from the front portion of the frame assembly.

8. The merchandise display of claim 1 wherein the frame assembly has a base, the base having a front extension.

9. The merchandise display of claim 1 wherein the drawer has at least one divider positioned in the compartment wherein the compartment comprises a plurality of compartments.

10. The merchandise display of claim 1 wherein the drawer has a front facing member defining an upwardly facing surface, the upwardly facing surface having indicia thereon relating to the product adapted to be contained in the compartment of the drawer.

11. The merchandise display of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of merchandise displays positioned adjacent one another.

12. A merchandise display for products, the display comprising:

a frame assembly;

a first drawer slidably supported in the frame assembly between a closed position and an open position, the drawer defining a first compartment adapted to contain packages of a product;

a second drawer slidably supported in the frame assembly between a closed position and an open position, the second drawer defining a second compartment adapted to contain packages of a second product, wherein a portion of the second drawer is spaced a predetermined distance from the first drawer, the predetermined distance sized such that the second compartment is visible to a user from a front of the drawers and requiring the second drawer to be in the open position for a hand of the user to reach fully into the second compartment.

13. The merchandise display of claim 12 wherein the first drawer supports a sample product visible to a user, the sample product corresponding to the packages of the product, wherein the sample product is adapted to be grasped by the user to place the first drawer in the open position providing access to the first compartment.

14. The merchandise display of claim 12 wherein the second drawer supports a second sample product visible to a user, the second sample product corresponding to the packages of the second product, wherein the second sample product is adapted to be grasped by the user to place the second drawer in the open position providing access to the second compartment.

15. The merchandise display of claim 13 wherein the frame assembly has an upper portion supporting a display panel visible to a user.

16. The merchandise display of claim 15 wherein the upper portion defines a first groove and a second groove spaced below the first groove at a first predetermined spacing,

the display panel having a first end and a second end defining a height, the first end positioned in the first groove and the second end positioned in the second groove, the height being less than the predetermined spacing such that a gap is maintained between a base of the first groove and the first end wherein the display panel can be raised wherein the first end is moved into the gap wherein the second end can clear the second groove to allow removal of the display panel from the frame assembly, the display being selectively reinsertable into the grooves from a front of the frame assembly.

17. The merchandise display of claim 16 wherein the first groove is positioned at a front portion of the frame assembly and the second groove is spaced from the front portion of the frame assembly.

18. The merchandise display of claim 12 wherein the frame assembly has a base, the base having a front extension.

19. The merchandise display of claim 12 wherein the predetermined distance is in the range from approximately 2.283 inches to approximately 2.511 inches.

20. A merchandise display for a products, the display comprising:

a frame assembly having an upper portion supporting a display panel visible to a consumer, the upper portion defining a first groove and a second groove spaced below the first groove at a first predetermined spacing;

a display panel having a first end and a second end defining a height, the first end positioned in the first groove and the second end positioned in the second groove, the height being less than the predetermined spacing such that a gap is maintained between a base of the first groove and the first end wherein the display panel can be raised wherein the first end is moved into the gap wherein the second end can clear the second groove to allow removal of the display panel from the frame assembly, the display panel being selectively reinsertable into the grooves from a front of the frame assembly; and

a plurality of drawers slidably supported in the frame assembly between a closed position and an open position, the drawers being spaced along the frame assembly, each drawer defining a compartment adapted to contain packages of a respective product.

21. The merchandise display of claim 20 wherein the display panel is angled downwardly.

22. The merchandise display of claim 20 wherein the first groove is positioned at a front portion of the frame assembly and the second groove is spaced from the front portion.

23. The merchandise display of claim 20 wherein the display panel is reinsertable into the frame assembly wherein the first end is inserted completely into the first groove thereby providing clearance for the second end to be inserted into the second groove.

24. The merchandise display of claim 20 wherein the first end rests against a front surface of the first groove.

25. A merchandise display for cabinet hardware, the display comprising:

a frame assembly comprising:

a base;

a first side panel and a second side panel connected to the base, wherein at an upper portion of the frame assembly the side panels define a first groove at a front portion of the frame assembly and the side panels further define a second groove spaced from the front portion of the frame assembly and spaced below the first groove at a predetermined spacing;

a display panel having a first end and a second end defining a height, the first end positioned in the first groove and the second end positioned in the second groove, the height being less than the predetermined spacing such that a gap is maintained between a base of the first groove and the first end wherein the display panel can be raised into the gap wherein a the second end can clear the second groove to remove the display panel from the grooves, the display panel being selectively reinserted into the grooves from a front of the frame assembly; and

a plurality of drawers slidably supported by the frame assembly between a closed position and an open position, each drawer being vertically spaced along the frame assembly, each drawer defining a compartment adapted to contain packages of respective products, each drawer supporting a respective sample product visible to a consumer, the respective sample product corresponding to the respective packages of product, wherein the respective sample product is adapted to be grasped by the consumer to place the respective drawer in the open position to gain access to the compartment, wherein each drawer has a front panel, the respective front panel being spaced a predetermined distance from an adjacent drawer, wherein the predetermined distance is sized such that the respective compartment is partially visible to the consumer and requiring the drawer to be in the open position for a hand of the consumer to fully reach into the compartment, the front panel of each drawer defining an upwardly facing surface that supports indicia relating to the product adapted to be contained in the drawer.