Abstract:
A one-piece, easily erected, collapsible cardboard display for merchandise. Shelves formed from its rear and front panels attach to a longitudinally displaceable center panel providing support for the device and facilitating assembly and disassembly thereof.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    There are no related applications. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
       [0003]    None. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention relates to display devices, and more particularly, to a foldable, portable cardboard display for supporting articles of merchandise. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Corrugated fiberboard (i.e., cardboard) is a well-known structural material commonly used for manufacturing storage boxes and the like. The relative inexpense of the material, its structural qualities, and the ease with which it can be manipulated has resulted in an ever growing number of items manufactured from it. The use of this material in merchandising displays is well known and range from its use as a structural component with an advertising message to various support structures for display of merchandise in an aesthetically pleasing manner. In general, these merchandising displays are box-like structures with bins or shelves sized to hold the merchandise for sale. The displays can be quite bulky and difficult to transport in their assembled state and hence are generally shipped flat and assembled at the point of use. The displays, however, often consist of multiple pieces and, as these displays become ever more sophisticated, the degree of expertise and training necessary to assemble them increases accordingly. 
         [0006]    What is currently needed is a merchandising display device that is easy to assemble, yet equally sturdy and aesthetically pleasing in use. Preferably, the device ships flat for easier transport and is then assembled on site when needed. More preferably, the device can also be easily disassembled and re-used. Any such display should be easy to manufacture and its design should entail a minimum of wasted material during construction. 
         [0007]    Collapsible displays that may be used for merchandising are known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 2,150,743 issued Mar. 14, 1939 is a foldable display device for merchandise constructed from a single sheet of material. The device includes front and rear members “foldably connected” to one another at opposing edges and an “upright sheet member” displaced between them. Flap-like shelves cut from the center panel form shelves that are attached to the front member and the floors of the pockets at the front side are formed from foldable flaps  20  cut from an upright sheet member  21 . The shelves of the &#39;743 patent are formed from the apparatus&#39; center panel and the material is cut out to create the openings in its exterior panels. Additional material must also be affixed to the center panel. In contrast, the present invention utilizes material from its exterior panels to form its shelves, thereby minimizing waste and simplifies construction by eliminating the need for additional materials to form its rearward facing shelves. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,246 issued Aug. 8, 1989 is a free standing device for supporting and displaying merchandise. Shelves cut from and hingedly attached to its front and rear walls partially overlap and interlock to form individual shelving units. No center panel is used to coordinate positioning of the shelves or for additional support, and the strength of the shelving is therefore limited. 
         [0009]    Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 1,625,294 issued Apr. 19, 1927, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,848,371 issued Feb. 1, 2005 are heavier duty structures, and in the &#39;294 patent is made from sheet metal. Both employ centrally hinged folding shelves. Like the &#39;246 patent discussed above, no center panel is present and the strength of the shelves is due exclusively to the interlocking of their components, therefore limiting their ability to support substantial merchandise weight. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention is a multi-shelved merchandising display made from corrugated cardboard or a similar lightweight board-like material. In its collapsed state it is substantially flat thereby minimizing the space needed for storage and ensuring easier transport. When needed, the apparatus is assembled by simply squeezing its sides towards one another or displacing a central panel, thereby extending its front and rear panels causing the attached shelves to position themselves in a horizontal orientation. Locking tabs in the center panel interlock with slots formed in the side panels of the display in order to lock it into place. 
         [0011]    The instant invention is simple to manufacture, minimizes waste, is easy to assemble, and otherwise solves the aforementioned problems noted in the discussion of the prior art. The primary superstructure of the device is die-cut from a single sheet of corrugated cardboard and folded along score or fold lines to create its front, rear, and side panels. Its center panel may also be cut from the same sheet of cardboard material. Whereas previously known devices utilize shelves formed from a center panel, thereby requiring additional materials and additional manufacturing steps, the instant invention employs flap-like shelves cut into its front and rear panels. The free ends of these shelves are then attached to the center panel in order to support them when assembled. In assembling the display, the user need only displace the center panel lengthwise or press the sides of the device towards one another. Movement of the center panel thereby erects the display, including positioning the shelves in a generally horizontal position. 
         [0012]    Known display devices require that apertures be cut from the front and rear panels for access to the shelves formed from the center panel, with the additional result that the waste material from creating these apertures is usually discarded. Forming the shelves of the instant invention from the front and rear panels of the device also creates the apertures through which items displayed on the shelves may be accessed or more clearly visualized, thereby minimizing waste and the materials needed for manufacture. Additionally, the present design allows the center panel to remain intact, if desired, (i.e., without shelves cut therefrom) in order to maximize the structural rigidity of the device. 
         [0013]    It is an object of the invention to provide an inexpensive display device which is sturdy in construction and capable of supporting the weight of the articles of merchandise being exhibited thereon. 
         [0014]    It is another object of this invention to provide an attractive display device for arranging articles of merchandise thereon. 
         [0015]    It is yet another object of this invention to provide a box-like display device having display niches, pockets, or shelves therein for the merchandise. 
         [0016]    It is still another object of this invention to provide a merchandising display device having article displaying areas on opposing front and rear sides. 
         [0017]    It is another object of this invention to provide a display device suitable for displaying articles of merchandise. 
         [0018]    It is a further object of this invention to provide a display device which is easily set up and collapsed by simple folding operations and when set up in its display position, is locked against being collapsed accidentally. 
         [0019]    It is an object of this invention to provide a display device which is easily collapsed for transport and is reusable. 
         [0020]    It is yet another object of this invention to provide a merchandising display which is easy to assemble and does not require any particular degree of skill or training to assemble. 
         [0021]    It is another object of this invention to provide a corrugated cardboard merchandising display which is simple to manufacture, with minimum waste. 
         [0022]    The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the inventive display device; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is a partially collapsed perspective view of the display invention shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a front elevation of the display invention shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the display invention shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the primary die-cut sheet of the display invention shown in  FIGS. 1-4 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the center panel of the display invention shown in  FIGS. 1-4 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the display invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  is a partially collapsed perspective view of the display invention shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 9  is a front elevation of the display invention shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 10  is a top plan view of the display invention shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 11  is a top plan view of the primary die-cut sheet of the display invention shown in  FIGS. 7-10 ; and, 
           [0034]      FIG. 12  is a top plan view of the center panel of the display invention shown in  FIGS. 7-10 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0035]    While the invention is described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, it is not intended that the present invention be so limited. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalent arrangements as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
         [0036]    This invention may be constructed from any board-like material that is amenable to precision cutting and is easily foldable. In preferred embodiments, the invention is manufactured from corrugated cardboard. The invention may also be constructed from fiberboard, pulpboard, or corrugated board. 
         [0037]    The preferred embodiment of the apparatus and best mode is rendered in  FIGS. 1 through 6 . An alternative embodiment is depicted in  FIGS. 7 through 12 . The elements described herein apply to both the aforementioned preferred and alternative embodiments. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 1-2  are perspective views of the preferred embodiment. In  FIG. 1 , the display device  100  is depicted fully erect and ready for use.  FIG. 2  is a partially collapsed view  101  of the display device. The present device is constructed with a rear panel  20 , front panel  30 , and side panels  40  comprising its superstructure. Flap-like shelves  31  are formed from the rear  20  and front  30  panels with a leading edge section  32  being the remainder of the respective rear panel  20  and front panel  30  after shelf  31  has been folded back. The leading edge section  32  is perpendicular to the ground with biased end cuts  35  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  which allow it to be folded in a recessed manner back into the side panels  40  so that it will not engage passersby. A trapezoidal shaped center panel engagement flap  34  is also formed on the trailing end section of the shelves which facilitates mounting of the shelves  31  to a center panel  41 . The center panel engagement flaps  34  have a length which is less than the shelf length, with the top of the flaps  34  or trailing end being positioned adjacent the bottom of the center panel apertures  45 . The center panel  41  is longitudinally displaced during erection and disassembly of the apparatus  100  and serves to position and provide support to the shelves  31  at their trailing end section  34 . Locking tabs  43  on the center panel  41  engage locking slots  42  cut formed along score lines  47  in the side panels  40  of the device to lock the device in its erect position. The top and bottom tabs  43  define an upper vertical slot  48  while the middle tab  43 A has a trapezoidal shape without a slot. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 5-6  show the die cut material from which the display device  100  is constructed. Solid lines indicate cuts through the material. Dashed lines indicate score lines or creases created, for example, by embossing pressure or by a plurality of periodic incisions along the desired crease. Apertures  44  are formed in the side panels  40  of the display  100  to create an aesthetically pleasing effect and allow viewing of the stored merchandise. Center panel apertures  45  permit the viewing of merchandise on either the rearward facing or forward facing shelves  31  and eliminate weight. The center panel apertures  45  facilitate use of each adjacent rearward facing shelf  31  as a single contiguous shelf The shelves  31  which are formed from the rear and front panels  20 ,  30  of the device are single piece shelves. It is also clear from these figures that in order for the device to function properly, the depth of the shelves  31  formed from the rear and front panels  20 ,  30  are approximately one half the width of the side panels  40 . 
         [0040]    The apparatus is assembled by simply affixing assembly flap  50  of the die cut sheet to the opposing free end of the sheet thereby forming a box structure. The side panels  40  are folded along the longitudinal side panel score lines  47 , which during disassembly facilitates collapsing the box. The center panel  41  is then inserted and the trailing end section or center panel engagement flaps  34  of the shelves  31  are then affixed to the center panel  41  such that, when erected, the shelves  31  are in a generally horizontal position with the center panel engagement flaps  34  parallel and adjacent the center panel  41 . Locking slots  42  incised in the side panels  40  congruent with the side panel score lines  47  engage locking tabs  43  and  43 A on the center panel  41  maintaining the apparatus in an erect sturdy position. It is noted that the general position of the shelves  31  relative to the base of the display  100  may be varied according to the positioning of the center panel engagement flaps  34  on the center panel  41 . Mounting the center panel engagement flaps  34  at relatively higher or lower positions on the center panel will result in shelves  31  having a forward or rearward cant as desired. 
         [0041]    To operate the preferred embodiment  100 , one need only press the initially folded side panels  40  towards one another thereby causing the center panel  41  and shelves  31  attached thereto to move downward until locking tabs  43  of the center panel  41  engage the locking slots  42  of the side panels  41 . Simple manipulation of the locking tabs  43  and slots  42  locks the apparatus  100  in its fully erect position with generally flat, horizontal shelves ready to display the desired merchandise. 
         [0042]      FIGS. 7-8  are perspective views of an alternative embodiment. In  FIG. 7 , the display device  102  is depicted fully erect and ready for use.  FIG. 8  is a partially collapsed view  103  of the display device. The apparatus is constructed with a rear panel  120 , front panel  130 , and side panels  140  comprising its superstructure. Flap-like shelves  131  are formed from the rear  120  and front  130  panels with their leading ends sections  132  being the remainder of the respective panel  120 ,  130  after shelf  131  has been folded back. The leading end section  132  of the shelf  131  is perpendicular to the ground with biased end cuts  135  which allow it to be folded in a recessed manner back into the side panels  140  so that it will not engage passersby, as is seen in  FIG. 8 . A trapezoidal center panel engagement flap or rear end section  134  is also formed from the rear and front panels  120 ,  130 , which facilitates mounting of the shelves  131  to a center panel  141 . The flap  134  is folded downward from the plane of the shelf  131 . The center panel engagement flaps  134  have a length which is less than the shelf length, with the top of the flaps  134  being positioned above the top of the center panel apertures  145 . The center panel  141  is longitudinally displaced during erection and disassembly of the apparatus  102  and serves to position and provide support to the shelves  131  at their trailing end sections  134 . Locking tabs  143  in the center panel  141  engage locking slots  142  cut along score lines  147  in the side panels  140  of the device to lock the device in its erect position. The locking tabs  143  define a downwardly oriented slot  148 , as shown in  FIG. 12 , which allows the center panel  141  to be secured in locking slots  142  of side panels  140 . 
         [0043]      FIGS. 11-12  show the die-cut material from which the present display device is constructed. Similar to  FIGS. 5-6 , solid lines indicate cuts through the material and dashed lines indicate score lines or creases. Center panel apertures  145  permit the viewing of merchandise on either the rearward facing or forward facing shelves  131 , eliminate weight, and facilitate use of each adjacent rearward facing and forward facing shelf  131  as a single contiguous shelf. 
         [0044]    The display device  102  is assembled by simply affixing assembly flap  150 , shown in  FIG. 11 , of the die cut sheet to the opposing free end of the sheet thereby forming a box structure. The side panels  140  are folded along the longitudinal side panel score lines  147 , which during disassembly facilitates collapsing the box. The center panel  141  is then inserted and the center panel engagement flaps  134  of the shelves  131  are affixed to the center panel  141  such that the shelves  131  are in a generally horizontal position with the center panel engagement flaps  134  parallel and adjacent the center panel  141 . Locking slots  142  formed in the side panels  140  engage locking tabs  143  of the center panel  141  thereby maintaining the apparatus in its erect position. 
         [0045]    Embodiment  102  is assembled similarly to display  100  by displacing its center panel  141  upward, thereby causing the initially folded side panels  140  of the device to unfold into their erect position. The shelves  131  of the embodiment  102  move upwards in conjunction with the upward displacement of its center panel  141  until they reach their erect, generally horizontal position thereby forming lipped display surfaces which may be locked into place via a set of locking tabs  143  and locking slots  142 . Because the center panel  141  and shelves  131  are displaced upwardly in the alternative embodiment  102 , an additional display bin  121  is created on the top-most shelf  131 A and the upper portions of the apparatus&#39; rear, side, and front panels  120 ,  140 ,  130  define an open-topped, flat bottom volume. The upper portions of the rear, side, and front panels  120 ,  140 ,  130  are then simply folded onto themselves to create an aesthetically pleasing display bin  121 . The bottom portion of rear and front panels  120  and  130  are cut out at  125  to form the appearance of legs  126 . 
         [0046]    The principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification. However, the invention should not be construed as limited to the particular embodiments which have been described above. Instead, the embodiments described here should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Variations and changes may be made by others without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims: