WO2006134312A1

WO2006134312A1 - Merchandising display element

Info

Publication number: WO2006134312A1
Application number: PCT/GB2005/003286
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christopher Gerrard Hood
Original assignee: Alplas Limited
Priority date: 2005-06-13
Filing date: 2005-08-24
Publication date: 2006-12-21
Also published as: GB0724346D0; GB0511940D0; GB2441470A; GB2441470B

Abstract

A merchandising display element (10) comprises a base plate (11), and a flap (18). The base plate (11) has an aperture (27) formed generally centrally therein, whilst the flap (18) has a protruding stud (29) of complementary size and shape to said aperture (27) formed generally centrally thereon. The flap (18) is hingedly mounted on an edge (14) of the base plate (11) and adapted for movement between an open position and a closed position. When in its closed position, the flap (18) overlies the base plate (11), and the stud (29) is received in the aperture (27) in a snap-fitting arrangement. In use, a length of line (45) passes through the aperture (27) and is secured therein by the stud (29) so that the merchandising display element (10) can be deployed on the line (45). Attachment means (33) are provided on the base plate (11) to enable attachment of the display element (10) to a merchandising item or to a ceiling or other structure from which the line (45) is to be suspended.

Description

Merchandising Display Element

This invention relates to a merchandising display element. In particular, the invention relates to a merchandising display element comprising a hook or hanger adapted to be deployed on a length of line such as nylon monofilament.

The in-store display of advertising or promotional signage relating to merchandise is beneficial in many retail environments. Such displays may be used, for example, to draw the customers' attention to a particular product range, or to publicise special offers. However, in many retail environments, the available floor or wall space for such promotional displays is severely limited, since the retailer will be understandably reluctant to compromise on product display capacity in order to accommodate the signage.

An effective answer to this shortage of display space is to suspend promotional signs and the like from the ceiling of the store, on one or more lengths of line. The term "line" is used herein to encompass string, cord, wire, filament, thread, rope, cable and any other suitable flexible tension member. In order to facilitate connection of the promotional display to the line, a connecting element is required. Often, the promotional display will take the form of a poster or printed sign, held within a poster hanger provided with one or more receiving elements each adapted to communicate with a connecting element.

Known connecting elements tend to involve multipart mechanisms for fastening the element to the line, in order to provide the necessary grip strength. Examples of such mechanisms include screw fastenings, sprung clutch mechanisms, serrated knuckles and wedge-locking mechanisms. A cruder though widely used alternative is to fasten the connecting element to the line simply by tying a knot in the line. The present invention seeks to provide a simple lightweight connecting element, for use particularly - though not exclusively - with nylon monofilament lines and for the hanging of poster-type displays. The present invention further seeks to provide a connecting element which will enable quicker, easier and simpler levelling and hanging of in-store displays than is currently achievable with known connecting elements. The present invention further seeks to provide a connecting element which enables simultaneous levelling and fastening in a one-handed operation, and which may easily and conveniently be disengaged and redeployed.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a merchandising display element comprising:

- a base plate having an aperture formed generally centrally therein;

- a flap hingedly mounted on an edge of the base plate and adapted for movement between an open position and a closed position wherein at least a potion of said flap overlies at least a portion of the base plate;

- a protruding stud formed generally centrally on the flap, said stud being of complementary size and shape to the aperture, and adapted to be received therein in a snap-fitting arrangement when the flap is in its closed position; and

- attachment means provided on the base plate to enable attachment of the display element to a merchandising item; and wherein said merchandising display element is adapted to be deployed on a length of line such that said line passes through the aperture and is secured therein by the stud when the flap is in its closed position. The attachment means provided on the base plate preferably also enables attachment of the display element to a ceiling or other structure from which the line is to be suspended.

The merchandising display element is held on the line using the frictional resistance between the stud and the aperture to achieve the required grip. For added grip strength, it is envisaged that the line may be passed through the aperture two or more times before being secured in position by closing the flap.

Whilst the present invention has been developed with the hanging of poster-type promotional displays in mind, it is envisaged that the element may also be utilised or adapted for the display of lightweight products. The term "merchandising" is therefore utilised herein to encompass both promotional merchandising displays and lightweight items of merchandise.

The base plate may preferably further comprise a tubular collar formed as an axial extension of the aperture. This enables the stud to be more securely received therein when the flap is in its closed position.

A protruding lip may preferably be formed along an edge of the base plate, said lip having a guide channel to receive the line. The passage of the line through both the guide channel and the aperture ensures that the merchandising display element is correctly aligned when in use, and thus that the attachment means is correctly oriented.

In a first embodiment of the present invention, the attachment means comprises a hook extending from the base plate. This embodiment is intended for use with poster hangers, or other merchandising elements, having loops, rings or eyes for receiving a hook therein. The hook may also be used to engage with loops, rings or eyes provided on a ceiling or other structure from which the line is to be suspended.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, the attachment means comprises a slide hanger, adapted to be received in a complementary groove formed on a merchandising item, such as a poster hanger.

Since the merchandising element is intended for use in the display of lightweight merchandising items and is likely to be utilised with clear nylon monofilament line, the element may desirably be formed from plastics material, and preferably clear plastics material.

Whilst the line will preferably be nylon monofilament, it may also be selected from twisted fibre cord, cotton fibre, string and any other suitable flexible tension member.

It is envisaged that the merchandising display element according to the first aspect of the present invention may be supplied together with a suitable length of line as a merchandising display assembly kit.

Therefore, according to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a merchandising display assembly kit comprising:

- a merchandising display element as hereinbefore described; and

- a length of line for the deployment of said merchandising display element.

The line may be selected from nylon monofilament, twisted fibre cord, cotton fibre, string and any other suitable flexible tension member. Most preferably the line is nylon monofilament. In order that the present invention may be fully understood, preferred embodiments thereof will now be described in detail, though only by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a merchandising display element according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a front view of the merchandising display element of Figure 1 , with the flap in its open position;

Figure 3 is a rear view of the merchandising display element of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a merchandising display element according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a front view of the merchandising display element of Figure 4, with the flap in its open position;

Figure 6 is a rear view of the merchandising display element of Figure 5; and

Figure 7 is an illustrative sequence of views showing a process of deploying the merchandising display element of Figures 1 to 3 on a line ready for use.

Referring simultaneously to Figures 1 to 3, there is shown a merchandising display element, generally indicated 10, according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The element 10 has a generally shield- shaped, planar base plate 11 having an inner face 12 and an outer face 13, and bound by first and second rectilinear side edges 14, 15, an upper edge 16, and a curved lower edge 17.

A flap 18 is attached to the first side edge 14 of the base plate 11 via a hinge 19. The flap 18 is also generally planar, having an inner face 21 and an outer face 22, and generally shield-shaped, being bound by upper and lower rectilinear edges 23, 24, a first side edge 25 (attached to the hinge 19) and a curved second side edge 26. In practice, the hinge 19 may be no more than a flexible or thinner region of the sheet plastics material from which the base plate 11 and the flap 18 are formed, said hinge region 19 being bound by the first side edge 14 of the base plate 11 and the first side edge 25 of the flap 18.

An aperture 27 is formed generally centrally on the base plate 11 , extending through the inner face 12 and outer face 13, which is provided with a collar 28 forming an axial extension of the aperture 27. The inner face 21 of the flap 18 has a protruding stud 29 formed generally centrally thereon, said stud 29 being of complementary size and shape to the aperture 27.

As indicated by double-headed arrows in Figure 1 , the flap 18 is mounted for movement about the hinge 19 between an open position in which the stud 29 is free of the aperture 27, and a closed position in which the stud 29 is received within the aperture 27. When in its fully open position, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the flap 18 may lie substantially alongside the base plate 11 , with the respective inner faces 21 , 12 and the respective outer faces 22, 13 effectively constituting one continuous planar surface. When the flap 18 is in it closed position, as will be discussed in more detail below with reference to Figure 7, the respective inner faces 21 , 12 of the flap 18 and the base plate 11 overlie one another in abutting contact.

The upper edge 16 of the base plate 11 is further provided with a protruding lip 31 which overhangs the inner face 12 of the base plate 11 , so as partially to enclose the flap 18 when in its closed position. The lip 31 has a guide channel 32 formed therein, said channel 32 being adapted to receive a section of nylon monofilament or other line (not shown) on which the merchandising display element 10 is to be deployed. The passage of the line through both the guide channel 32 and the aperture 27 enables correct alignment and levelling of the element 10.

A display hook 33 is formed integrally with the base plate 11 , and extends downwardly therefrom, effectively forming an extension of the first side edge 14 of the base plate 11. The hook 33 is adapted to engage with a loop, ring or eye (not shown) formed on a poster hanger (not shown), but may be utilised in connection with other merchandising items, or to engage with a loop, ring or eye provided on a ceiling (not shown) or other structure from which the line is to be suspended.

Referring now simultaneously to Figures 4 to 6, there is shown a merchandising display element, generally indicated 40, according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment 40 is broadly similar to the first embodiment 10 described above with reference to Figures 1 to 3, and the majority of that description applies equally to the second embodiment. Where applicable like reference numerals are used to identify like components.

The second embodiment 40 differs from the first embodiment 10 in that the display hook 33 is replaced by a slide hanger 41. The slide hanger 41 effectively also forms a rectilinear lower edge 42 of the base plate 11 , replacing the curved lower edge 17 of the first embodiment 10. The base plate 11 is instead formed with tapered shoulders 43 to maintain its shield-shaped appearance. The slide hanger 41 is a generally rectangular strip having a flexible foot 44 at each end thereof. The hanger 41 is designed to be received in a complementary groove (not shown) formed in a poster hanger (not shown), though as with the hook 33 of the first embodiment it may also be utilised with other merchandising items.

The process of deploying the merchandising display element on a line will now be described in detail with reference to Figure 7. The process is described here with reference to the first embodiment 10 as described above with reference to Figures 1 to 3, however it will be appreciated that the following description applies equally to the second embodiment 40 as described above with reference to Figures 4 to 6.

As indicated in Step A of Figure 7, the merchandising display element 10, with its flap 18 in the open position, is first threaded onto a pre-hung length of nylon monofilament 45, or other line material. The line 45 is passed through the aperture 27 from the inner face 12 of the base plate 11 , and out through the collar 28 extending from the outer face 13 of the base plate 11.

The portion of the line 45 emerging from the collar 28 is then pulled tight with one hand, whilst the other hand is used to slide the merchandising display element 10 up or down the line 45 into the required position, as indicated by the large double-headed arrows in Step B. The line 45 is located in the guide channel 32, to ensure that the element 10 is correctly aligned and level.

Once the element 10 is in the desired position, the flap 18 can then be brought into its closed position, as illustrated by the small double-headed arrows in Step B. This may again be done using one hand, whilst pulling the line 45 tight with the other hand. As shown in Step C, the flap 18 is snapped into position by applying pressure^' with the thumb of one hand to the outer face 22 of the flap 18. The line 45 is now held in position in the aperture 27, by virtue of the frictional resistance between the stud 29 and the aperture 27 and its collar 28, and consequently the manual tension applied to the lower portion of the line 45 can now be released. For additional grip strength, the line 45 emerging from the collar 28 can be wound around to pass through the guide channel 32 and the aperture 27 a second time, before snapping the flap 18 shut.

Finally, as shown in Step D, the excess line 45 emerging from the aperture 27 may be cut off near the collar 28 and disposed of. As explained above, the merchandising display element 10_. of the present invention relies on a frictional resistance grip between the stud 29 on the flap 18 and the aperture 27 and its collar 28 on the base plate 11 to secure the line 45 in position. This means that, once it is no longer desired to display a particular merchandising item in a particular location, the flap 18 may simply be re-opened, thus releasing the grip on the line 45. The merchandising display element 10 may then be redeployed in another location.

The suspension of the merchandising display element 10 on a length of line 45 is described above such that the element 10 is oriented with the hook 33 lowermost, so as to engage with a loop, ring or eye (not shown) formed on a poster hanger (not shown) or other merchandising item. It will be appreciated however, that the element 10 may instead be deployed on the line 45 such that the element 10 is oriented with the hook 33 uppermost so as to engage with a loop, ring or eye (not shown) provided on the ceiling (not shown) of the retail environment, or other structure from which the merchandising item is to be suspended.

Lengths of line 45 may thus be suspended with an element 10 at each of the ceiling end and the merchandising end, or with an element 10 at the ceiling end and a different connector, such as the merchandising display element 40 of the second embodiment described above, at the merchandising end.

Claims

1. A merchandising display element comprising:

- a base plate having an aperture formed generally centrally therein;

- attachment means provided on the base plate to enable attachment of the display element to a merchandising item; and wherein said merchandising display element is adapted to be deployed on a length of line such that said line passes through the aperture and is secured therein by the stud when the flap is in its closed position.

2. A merchandising display element as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the attachment means provided on the base plate also enables attachment of the display element to a ceiling or other structure from which a line is to be suspended.

3. A merchandising display element as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the base plate further comprises a tubular collar formed as an axial extension of the aperture, thereby further to secure the stud when received therein.

4. A merchandising display element as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the base further comprises a protruding lip having a guide channel to receive said line.

5. A merchandising display element as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment means comprises a hook extending from the base plate.

6. A merchandising display element as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the attachment means comprises a slide hanger, adapted to be received in a complementary groove formed on a merchandising item.

7. A merchandising display element as claimed in any of the preceding claims, formed from plastics material.

8. A merchandising display element as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said line is selected from nylon monofilament, twisted fibre cord, cotton fibre and string.

9. A merchandising display element as claimed in claim 8, wherein said line is nylon monofilament.

10. A merchandising display assembly kit comprising:

- a merchandising display element as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7; and

- a length of line for the deployment of said merchandising display element.

11. A merchandising display assembly kit as claimed in claim 10 wherein said line is selected from nylon monofilament, twisted fibre cord, cotton fibre and string.

12. A merchandising display assembly kit as claimed in claim 11 , wherein said line is nylon monofilament.