Abstract:
A merchandiser ( 10 ) is disclosed having a main body ( 20 ), top shelf ( 110 ) and bottom shelf ( 31 ). A slidable graphics panel ( 90 ) with a bumper ( 100 ) formed in the back thereof is positioned such that the interlocking channels ( 60,61 ) permit the graphics panel ( 90 ) to move between upper and lower positions relative to the main body ( 20 ). When the graphics panel ( 90 ) is in the upper position, the wares ( 200 ) on the bottom shelf ( 31 ) are viewable to potential purchasers and when the graphics panel ( 90 ) is in the lower position, the wares ( 200 ) on the upper shelf are viewable to potential purchasers. A sample opening ( 80 ) is also constructed in the body ( 20 ) wherein a product sample ( 200 ) may be conveniently removed, tested or demonstrated and returned to the merchandiser ( 10 ).

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to currently pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/815,690 filed Jun. 22, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a container or merchandiser that both supports product and advertising. The advertising includes a movable front graphics panel covering or exposing product firmly supported and displayed on either a top shelf or a bottom shelf.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Merchandisers have become very popular as retailers try to attract customers to products. The merchandisers come in all sizes and colors. Typical merchandisers support product thereon or therein and are free standing or supported on or to conventional shelving. Customized merchandisers are frequently very attractive and sized for specific product. As a result, because product can be stored, shipped and displayed in them, they simplify the distributor&#39;s or manufacturer&#39;s shipping and the retailers&#39; storing, unloading and displaying of product. Significantly, they also appeal to consumers as they look nice and display goods in a customized and appealing manner.  
         [0004]     Regrettably, there is a trade-off with respect to standard merchandisers, that being advertising or graphics on the one hand and, on the other hand, product support. Specifically, the more graphics used on the front of the display, the fewer products that can be displayed, and the more products displayed in the display, the less graphics that can be used. If a display has a front panel with advertisement thereon, product generally cannot be displayed behind the panel. Typically, product is displayed above and below the front advertising panel on internal shelves or hooks. Accordingly, there is a need for a more versatile display maximizing the graphics or advertising on the front thereof and the amount of product displayed therein or thereon.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The present development is an improvement upon existing display systems or merchandisers. In the preferred embodiment, three blanks are constructed to form three components of the merchandiser, namely the main body, the movable/slidable graphics panel, and the top shelf. The top shelf is attached to the main body and supports and displays goods thereon. A bottom shelf is constructed in the main body to likewise support and display goods. Channels attached to the front of the main body and to the back of the graphics panel interlock with one another permitting the graphics panel to move between upper and lower positions. In the upper position, the wares supported on the bottom shelf are viewable to customers and potential purchasers; and in the lower position, the wares supported on the upper shelf are viewable to customers and potential purchasers.  
         [0006]     The blank of the main body is further constructed to include a sample opening wherein a product sample may be conveniently removed, tested or demonstrated, and returned to the main body. For example, if the items to be housed by the merchandiser are a brand of hand lotion, a sample lotion container may be placed in the sample opening for potential purchasers to access, test and replace. Additionally, a brochure carrier may be attached to the merchandiser adjacent the goods being displayed and the sliding graphics panel.  
         [0007]     Keeping this in mind, a first aspect of the present invention is directed to a merchandiser for displaying items. The merchandiser comprises a main body enclosure and a graphics panel. The main body enclosure has a front surface and defines a first cavity separated from a second cavity by a partition. The cavities are recessed to hold items for display. The graphics panel is slideably attached to the main body enclosure and is used to selectively cover one of the first and second cavities while revealing the other of the first and second cavities.  
         [0008]     Further to this aspect of the invention, the main body may have a first pair of channels attached to the main body on opposing sides of at least one of the first and second cavities. The graphics panel is slideable within the first pair of channels to selectively cover one of the first and second cavities. The graphics panel may have a second pair of channels attached thereto. The second pair of channels traverse within the first pair of channels to selectively cover one of the first and second cavities.  
         [0009]     The graphics panel of this aspect may further have an exposed surface for displaying information and an opposing back surface. The back surface includes a member or rear bumper extending outwardly therefrom and located within one of the first and second cavities and adjacent to the partition separating the first and second cavities.  
         [0010]     The merchandiser may still further comprise a first display condition wherein the first cavity is at least substantially fully covered by the graphics panel and a second display condition wherein the first and second cavities are at least partially covered by the graphics panel. Here, the member projecting outwardly from the opposing surface of the graphics panel is adjacent the partition in the first display condition and spaced a distance from the partition in the second display condition. The second display condition is created as the graphics panel slides downwardly covering at least a portion of the first cavity and the second cavity. The graphics panel may slide downwardly automatically as items are removed from the second cavity. Accordingly, the member projecting outwardly from the back surface and along a bottom edge of the graphics panel engages items within the second cavity to retain the graphics panel in one of the first display or second display conditions. After a predetermined number of items are removed from the second cavity, the graphics panel slides downwardly to reveal the contents of the first cavity.  
         [0011]     The merchandiser of this aspect may further comprise a third display condition wherein the second cavity is at least substantially fully covered by the graphics panel and the first cavity is at least substantially fully exposed. The second cavity may have a surface opposite the partition separating the first and second cavities. The member projecting outwardly from the opposing surface of the graphics panel engages the surface opposite the partition in the third display condition to retain the merchandiser in the third display condition. In the third display condition, the graphics panel has slid downwardly substantially fully covering the second cavity with the first cavity substantially uncovered.  
         [0012]     A second aspect of the invention is directed to a display packaging. The display packaging comprises a main body enclosure, a graphics panel and first and second pairs of C-shaped channels.  
         [0013]     The main body enclosure is constructed from a single folded blank of a paper product. The main body enclosure has opposing top and bottom surfaces separated by opposing front and back surfaces, separated by opposing left and right surfaces and defining a first cavity located above a second cavity. Each cavity is recessed in the main body portion. The cavities are separated by a partition constructed from a single folded blank of a paper product.  
         [0014]     The graphics panel is constructed from a single folded blank of a paper product and slideably attached to the main body enclosure to selectively cover one of the first and second cavities while revealing the contents of another of the first and second cavities. The graphics panel includes a top surface for displaying product information and a back surface with a rear bumper extending outwardly therefrom into one of the first and second cavities and adjacent the partition separating the first and second cavities.  
         [0015]     The first pair of C-shaped channels are attached to a surface of the main body on opposing sides of at least one of the first and second cavities. The second pair of C-shaped channels are attached to a surface of the graphics panel, each channel of the second pair of C-shaped channels traversing within a corresponding channel of the first pair of C-shaped channels.  
         [0016]     This aspect of the invention may further include first, second and third display conditions. The first display condition occurs when the graphics panel at least substantially fully covers the first cavity while the second cavity is at least substantially uncovered. The second display condition occurs when the graphics panel has slid downwardly covering at least a portion of the first cavity and the second cavity. The third display condition occurs when the graphics panel has slid downwardly substantially covering the second cavity and the first cavity is substantially uncovered. In this aspect, the rear bumper engages items within the second cavity to retain the graphics panel in one of the first display or second display conditions, and the graphics panel slides downwardly when a predetermined number of items are removed from the second cavity.  
         [0017]     Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a display packaging for selectively displaying a plurality of items. The display packaging comprises a main body, a partition, and a graphics panel.  
         [0018]     The main body has opposing top and bottom surfaces separated by opposing front and back surfaces which are separated by opposing left and right surfaces. The main body defines an upper cavity aligned with a lower cavity. Each cavity is recessed in the main body. The upper cavity has a plurality of upper cavity items housed therein, and the lower cavity has a plurality of lower cavity items housed therein.  
         [0019]     The partition separates the upper cavity from the lower cavities. At least one of the plurality of upper cavity items is supported in the upper cavity by the partition.  
         [0020]     The graphics panel is slideably attached to the main body to selectively cover one of the upper and lower cavities while revealing another of the upper and lower cavities. The graphics panel has a top surface for displaying product information and a back surface. The back surface has a rear bumper extending outwardly therefrom into the lower cavity and supported by an uppermost item of the plurality of lower cavity items.  
         [0021]     This packaging further comprises a starting and an ending display condition. The starting display condition occurs when the graphics panel at least substantially fully covers the upper cavity while the lower cavity is at least substantially uncovered. The ending display condition occurs when graphics panel has slid downwardly at least substantially fully covering the lower cavity and the upper cavity is at least substantially uncovered. The ending display condition is also created automatically as a predetermined number of lower cavity items is removed from the lower cavity.  
         [0022]     The packaging may include an intermediate display condition. The intermediate display condition occurs when the graphics panel has slid downwardly covering at least a portion of the upper cavity and at least a portion of the lower cavity. The intermediate display condition is created automatically as a first predetermined number of lower cavity items, less than the predetermined number of items required to cause the ending display condition, is removed from the lower cavity.  
         [0023]     Other advantages and aspects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following description of the drawings and the detailed description of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0024]     To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective representation of the merchandiser with the front panel in its upper position or first display condition;  
         [0026]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective representation of the merchandiser with the front panel in its lower position or third display condition;  
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the blank used to make the body of the merchandiser showing scores, cuts and fold lines;  
         [0028]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the blank used to make the top shelf or partition of the merchandiser showing scores, cuts and fold lines;  
         [0029]      FIG. 5  is a is a top plan view of the blank used to make the graphics panel of the merchandiser showing scores, cuts and fold lines;  
         [0030]      FIG. 6  is a further representation of the front of the base, with the graphics panel removed, and back of the graphics panel;  
         [0031]      FIG. 7  is a detail of the C-channels secured to the base and graphics panel;  
         [0032]      FIG. 8  is front perspective view of the merchandiser of the present invention with the front panel in its upper position or first display condition;  
         [0033]      FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of the of the merchandiser of the present invention with the front panel in its intermediate or second display condition; and,  
         [0034]      FIG. 10  is a front perspective view of the of the merchandiser of the present invention with the front panel in its lower position or third display condition. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0035]     While this invention is susceptible of embodiments 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 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. The present invention has the following main components and techniques for forming, constructing and using the assembly.  
         [0036]      FIGS. 1-2  and  6 - 10  show the merchandiser  10  of the present invention. It includes three main components a body  20 , a graphics panel  90  and a top shelf  110 . Each blank ( FIGS. 3-5 ) used for forming the merchandiser  10  includes cut lines (solid black lines) and fold lines (broken lines). Preferably, the fold lines are scored or weakened by well-known techniques to facilitate folding and assembly. The blank for the main body  20  can be folded so as to form a front surface  21 , back surface  22 , right side surface  23 , left side surface  24 , bottom surface  25  and top surface  26 . Tabs X are created in the blank, along with slots Y. Flaps W are also created to reinforce the constructed structure. When assembled, a product cavity  30  ( 30 A being the top cavity and  30 B being the lower cavity) is formed in the front of the merchandiser. In addition, a bottom shelf or bottom supporting surface  31  is formed. The blank for the top shelf  110  is folded and attached via tabs and slots, or by adhesives, to the back  22  surface of the assembly  10  so as to form a top supporting surface  111 .  
         [0037]     The body  20  is an enclosure having opposing top and bottom surfaces  26 , 25  separated by the opposing front and back surfaces  21 , 22 , which are separated by the opposing right and left surfaces  23 , 24 . The main body enclosure  20  defines the upper cavity  30 A and lower cavities  30 B. The upper cavity  30 A is aligned with the lower cavity  30 B. Each cavity  30 A, 30 B is recessed within the main body enclosure  20 . The top shelf  110  acts as a partition separating the upper and lower cavities  30 A, 30 B. It should be noted that while the upper and lower cavities are shown as single cavities, they can each have partitions therein so as to support multiple cavities therein to further segregate and display items.  
         [0038]     Turning to  FIG. 3  and the blank for the body  20 , the structure is generally formed around the back panel  40  which forms the back surface  22 . The right side panels  41 , 42 , 43 , 44  are folded so as to form the right side  23  of the body  20 . Leading panels  42 , 62  also support a C-channels  60  (solid line). The bottom panels  45 , 46 , 47  are folded to form the bottom surface  25  and bottom support surface  31  for the body  20 . A bottom lip  33  is also formed in front of the bottom support surface  31  to contain the product ( 200 A,  200 B) supported on the support surface  31  and prevent the product from inadvertently falling from the shelf. And, top panels  47 , 48  are folded to form the top surface  26  of the system  20 . Finally, left side panels  61 - 70  are folded to form the left side  24  of the body  20 , including the sample opening  80 . Leading panel  62  also supports a C-channel  60 .  
         [0039]     The graphics panel  90  is slideably attached to the main body enclosure  20  to selectively cover one of the upper and lower cavities  30 A, 30 B while revealing another of the upper and lower cavities  30 A, 30 B. This will be described in more detail in conjunction with  FIGS. 8-10 . The graphics panel  90  has a top surface or front panel  91  for displaying product information and a back surface of the front panel  91  has a member or rear bumper  100  extending outwardly from the back surface into one of the cavities, preferably the lower cavity  30 B.  
         [0040]     The graphics panel  90  is constructed separately from the main body enclosure  20 . The blank is shown in  FIG. 4  and the front in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and the back in  FIG. 6 . The blank  90  specifically includes the front panel  91  with opposed side panels  92  and a top panel  93  folded and adhered to the front panel  91 . Lower panels  94 - 99  are folded and adhered to the front panel  91  so as to form the rear bumper  100  (see  FIG. 6 ). This bumper  100  acts as a stop for the graphics panel  90  as it is slid up and down relative to the main body enclosure  20  as will be described in more detail below. The graphics panel  90  has a length substantially less than a height of the main body enclosure  20 .  
         [0041]     The back side of the graphics panel  90 , namely the side facing the body  20 , also supports C-channels  61  (solid line).  
         [0042]     The graphics panel  90  is slideably attached to the main body enclosure using the first and second pairs of C-shaped channels  60 , 61 . The positioning and construction of the C-channels  60 , 61  are shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Each C-channel  60 , 61  takes the general shape of a “C” having a support member  65 , extension  66  and interlocking flange  67 . Each support member is adhered to the supporting surface  42 , 62 , 92  by adhesive or otherwise. As show in the figures, the preferred embodiment employs double-sided foam tape  63 . The C-channels  60  attached to the body  20  are substantially vertical and parallel to one another; similarly, the C-channels  61  attached to the graphics panel  90  are substantially vertical and parallel to one another. The length and spacing between the C-channels are matched so that C-channels  60  of the body  20  can mate or couple with the C-channels  61  of the graphics panel  90 .  
         [0043]     As further shown in  FIG. 7 , the opposed C-channels  60 , 61  are associated with each other and communicate, or interconnect, with one another such that the flange  67  of each rides in the pocket formed between the flange  67  and support member  65  of the other. With C-channels interlocking, the graphics panel  90  is movable between an upper position ( FIG. 1 ) and a lower position ( FIG. 2 ). In the upper position, the bumper  100  formed on the back of the graphics panel  90  contacts the top shelf  110 , and in the lower position, the bumper  100  contacts the lower support surface  31 . The assembly&#39;s front graphics panel  90  is also capable of automatically moving. The top surface of the goods  200 B on the bottom support surface  31  contact the bottom of the rear bumper  100  and hold it, as well as the graphics panel  90 . When the goods are removed from the bottom support surface  31  and the assembly, the rear bumper  100  is no longer supported by the goods and the weight of the panel  90  permits it to slide down so that the bottom surface of the rear bumper  100  contacts the bottom support surface  31  thereby exposing the product  200 A on the top shelf support surface  111 .  
         [0044]     The blank for the top shelf  110  is shown in  FIG. 4  with the panels shown and fold lines shown in broken lines. The shelf  110  is folded to form a top supporting surface  111  and an upper lip  125  to permit the secure supporting of product thereon. It is further folded to form a strong base structure and to allow tabs X,  123  to cooperate with slots in the back panel  40  of the base  20 .  
         [0045]      FIGS. 8-10  generally show the unit  10  with the wares or products  200 A, 200 B stored thereon. Specifically, the upper cavity  30 A houses a plurality of upper cavity items  200 A for display, and the lower cavity  30 B houses a plurality of lower cavity items  200 B for display. The upper cavity items  200 A are supported by the top shelf  110 , preferably atop the supporting surface  111 . The lower cavity items  200 B are supported by the bottom support surface  31  within the lower cavity  30 B opposite the top shelf  110 . The rear bumper  100  is supported in the lower cavity  30 B by at least one of the lower cavity items  200 B.  
         [0046]      FIGS. 8-10  illustrate a means for selectively displaying the upper cavity items  200 A and the lower cavity items  200 B. For example,  FIG. 8  shows the graphics panel  90  in the upper position or starting display condition;  FIG. 9  shows the graphics panel  90  in the center position or intermediate display condition; and  FIG. 10  shows the graphics panel  90  in the lower position or ending display condition. In addition, a brochure holder  300  is shown and can be affixed to a front panel of the base  20 .  
         [0047]     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , in the starting display condition, the graphics panel at least substantially fully covers the upper cavity  30 A and the upper cavity items  200 A. The lower cavity  30 B is at least substantially uncovered so that the lower cavity items  200 B are on display. The lower cavity items  200 B are generally accessible while the upper cavity items  200 A are concealed by the graphics panel  90  and are generally inaccessible. The rear bumper  100  is positioned within the lower cavity  30 B and adjacent the partition or top shelf  110 .  
         [0048]     As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , in the intermediate display condition, the graphics panel  90  has slid downwardly covering at least a portion of the upper cavity  30 A and at least a portion of the lower cavity  30 B. This condition is created automatically as a first predetermined number of the lower cavity items  200 B are removed from the lower cavity allowing the rear bumper  100  to descend within the lower cavity  30 B to increase a distance, or cause a space, between the top shelf  110  and the rear bumper  100 . Accordingly, the graphics panel  90  slides downwardly along the face of the merchandiser  10 . In this position, items  200 A, 200 B stored within the upper and lower cavity  30 A, 30 B are simultaneously accessible and on display.  
         [0049]     As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , in the ending display condition, the graphics panel  90  has slid downwardly at least substantially fully covering the lower cavity  30 B and the upper cavity  30 A is at least substantially uncovered. This condition is also created automatically as a second predetermined number of lower cavity items  200 B are removed from the lower cavity  200 B. This second predetermined number of lower cavity items  200 B is generally a greater than the first predetermined number and preferably exhausts the supply of items available within the lower cavity  30 B. Thus, no items remain in the lower cavity  30 B on which to support the rear bumper  100 , and the rear bumper  100  descends the length of the lower cavity  30 B to rest or be supported upon the bottom support surface  31 . The upper cavity  30 A is then fully uncovered to display all of the remaining upper cavity items  200 A.  
         [0050]     It should be noted that the sample opening or cavity  80  remains uncovered regardless of the position of the graphics panel  90 .  
         [0051]     Additional tabs and slots on the back panel  40  permit one to secure the assembly  10  to wing rack displays (wire and other types) and other displays well known in the industry for displaying merchandise. Ties, hooks, mounts, wing clips, and other conventional fasteners may also be used to accomplish this. To mount to wing rack displays, the assembly  10  is can be sized so as to have a height of 24″ and width of 14″. Other sizes can also be constructed for other types of display. In addition, for free standing displays, a base can be constructed to support the assembly  10 .  
         [0052]     The terms “first,” “second,” “upper,” “lower,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” etc. are used for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the embodiments in any way. The term “plurality” as used herein is intended to indicate any number greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively as necessary, up to an infinite number. The terms “joined” and “connected” as used herein are intended to put or bring two elements together so as to form a unit, and any number of elements, devices, fasteners, etc. may be provided between the joined or connected elements unless otherwise specified by the use of the term “directly” and supported by the drawings.  
         [0053]     While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, it is recognized that numerous modifications and variations can be made without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.