Abstract:
A retail display provides a simulation of stacked, palletized goods. The display simulates stacked bulk goods in bulk with a fabric cover draped on a tubular frame, where graphics and/or designs are applied to the fabric cover to simulate images of goods or stacks of goods. The fabric cover can be secured to the frame, both of which can be secured separately or together to a pallet as a support. The fabric cover and frame can be implemented in various shapes and sizes to accommodate different pallet sizes while simulating stacked bulk goods. The display eliminates the risks involved in providing actual bulk goods in palletized form for marketing and promotion purposes. The fabric cover is provided with various features, such as wind slits or rain holes to permit the display to withstand various environmental conditions.

Description:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0001]    (N/A) 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Retailer displays often seek to capture the attention of the public regarding products or sales offered by the retailer. In some instances, retailers offer goods as part of a display, where the goods are stacked in bulk. The bulk goods, often stacked on a pallet to permit ease of transport, often serve several purposes. For example, the product can be relatively easily obtained by a customer for purchase, by the customer selecting the product themselves from the bulk display. In addition, the bulk arrangement serves as a display for the product that is often easily recognizable by the public, and can inform the public of the availability of the product, or of sales or specials for the product. 
         [0003]    One arrangement often used by retailers to help market products is to place bulk goods outside a retail establishment. 
         [0004]    By placing the bulk goods outside of the store, the retailer can attract attention to the product, potentially for consumers that are not presently intending to or actually shopping at the store. Again, the bulk items are often placed on pallets for ease of transportation, and can also often be used to support sales banners or flyers to inform potential customers about specials or sales for the product. 
         [0005]    The bulk goods being placed on the pallet to permit ease of transportation is often helpful to the retailer in terms of preparing the store for opening and closing. The retailer will often transport palletized bulk goods from inside a store location to an outside location to prepare for opening the store, or after the store is opened. The retailer also often returns the bulk palletized goods to an interior of the store before or after the end of store hours. The purpose of the transport of the bulk goods, which is often done using a forklift and forklift operator, is to ensure that the goods are secured when the store is closed, and to make the goods available for sales and marketing purposes when the store is open. 
         [0006]    Generally, the retailer does not wish to leave the bulk goods outside of the store when the store is closed, due to security concerns. However, it can be sometimes challenging to transport bulk goods from inside the store to a display area outside the store, and then return the bulk goods to the inside of the store at the time the store is closing. The challenge can be somewhat significant if there are a number of bulk goods that are to be transported between the inside of the store and a display area outside of the store. Therefore, in addition to the security risks discussed above, retailers face challenges in promoting goods with exterior bulk displays that can represent handling costs. 
         [0007]    In addition to the above-mentioned challenges, bulk goods being placed outside the store are somewhat susceptible to damage from an outdoor environment, as well as from mishaps that can occur with vehicles or customers accidentally contacting and damaging the bulk goods. For example, snow, rain, direct sunlight, extremes of high and low temperatures and other environmental conditions can lead to damage to goods or packaging material, resulting in a loss for the retailer. Moreover, bulk goods outside a store are often near parking areas, with the attendant risk of being impacted by vehicles, resulting in damage to the goods or packaging. Likewise, pedestrian shoppers may hit the bulk goods with shopping carts or carriages, for example, again resulting in possible damage to goods or packaging. It would be desirable to attain the advantages of bulk good advertising and marketing at an exterior of a retail establishment, without the attendant risks of loss or damage. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In accordance with the present disclosure, systems and methods for simulating bulk goods are described. A simulated bulk goods display is provided for simulating the appearance of bulk goods for retail purposes, such as marketing and promotion. The simulated bulk goods may be embodied in a relatively inexpensive form to permit retailers to reduce the costs of marketing and promotion in relation to bulk goods displays. The bulk good simulation also avoids the risks associated with security or damage when maintaining bulk product outside the store or when the store is closed. The simulated bulk goods also provides the function of marketing or promoting products, as well as drawing attention to the store and specials or sales offered by the store. 
         [0009]    According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the simulated bulk goods display is embodied in a fabric cover draped over a framework to give the appearance of a three dimensional volume of a stack of products as bulk goods. The fabric may be patterned with designs that give the appearance of products stacked as bulk goods. The designs provided to the fabric may simulate products that are being marketed or promoted by the store, so that the bulk goods display appears as a stack of the products being marketed or promoted. 
         [0010]    According to another aspect, the bulk goods display includes a frame that may be composed of tubular members joined together to form a three dimensional volume over which a fabric may be draped to simulate stacked products as bulk goods. The tubular members may be composed of various corner and side elements with tubular connection regions being configured to receive other tubular members to permit construction of the frame. According to an aspect of the disclosure, the frame describes a three dimensional volume that is a right rectangular space. According to another aspect, the frame has a base region, the area of which is greater than about one square foot. 
         [0011]    According to another aspect, the present disclosure provides a thin pliable material shaped to simulate products stacked in bulk. The material can be arranged around a frame to give the appearance of products stacked in bulk. The material may include attachment mechanisms to permit the material to be attached to the frame or to base elements upon which the frame may rest. In addition, or alternately, attachments may be provided to the frame and/or material placed around the frame to permit the frame and/or material to be secured to a pallet. 
         [0012]    According to another aspect, the frame, and/or material placed around the frame, can be reconfigured for different size bulk displays by adjusting the tubular elements of the frame and the material placed around the frame. The framework and material may, for example, be sized to the pallet to more closely simulate products stacked in bulk on a pallet. Moreover, the appropriately sized frame and material can be attached to the pallet to permit the display to be transported in the same way that stacked bulk goods on a pallet might be transported. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The presently disclosed systems and methods are described in greater detail below, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0014]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are perspective views of a display configuration in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a central frame joint in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a corner frame joint in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a central frame joint in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 5 and 6  are perspective views of corner frame joints in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of a connector in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 7B  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the connector shown in  FIG. 7A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 29/403,052, filed Sep. 30, 2011, entitled Simulated Bulk Goods Display, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0022]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated as displays  100  and  120 , respectively. Displays  100 ,  120  each include a respective frame  102 ,  122 , that supports a respective fabric cover  104 ,  124 . Each of displays  100 ,  120  is sized and shaped to conform to a respective pallet  106 ,  126 . Although shown incompletely in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B, each of fabric covers  104 ,  124  is provided with indicia to make each fabric cover  104 ,  124  appear as a stack of goods in bulk. For example, fabric cover  104 ,  124  may be provided with graphics  101 ,  121  that simulate boxes of soft drinks, or with a soft drink company logo or with other designs and/or indicia that simulate an outward appearance of a stack of products. 
         [0023]    Fabric covers  104 ,  124  include wind slits  108 ,  128  that are in the form of half circles to create openings through fabric cover  104 ,  124 . Wind slits  108 ,  128  provide a path for wind to pass through displays  100 ,  120  to reduce wind force exerted on displays  100 ,  120 . Wind slits  108 ,  128  thus contribute to reducing the loading on frames  102 ,  122  to permit display  100 ,  120  to remain upright as a three dimensional right rectangular space. Winds slits  108 ,  128  are generally evenly distributed around upright surfaces of fabric cover  104 ,  124 , and may be spaced approximately  16  inches from each other on a given surface of fabric cover  104 ,  124 . Wind slits  108 ,  128  may be provided as half circles, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B, or in any other shape that permits the fabric of fabric cover  104 ,  124  to be displaced to form a passage for wind. 
         [0024]    Fabric covers  104 ,  124  also include rain holes  109 ,  129  arranged on an upper surface  103 ,  123  of fabric covers  104 ,  124 . Rain holes  109 ,  129  are provided in locations that may be unsupported by frames  102 ,  122 , where the potential for water collection in an outdoor environment is potentially greater. Rain holes  109 ,  129  are through openings in respective surfaces  103 ,  123  to permit water to drain from surfaces  103 ,  123  rather than potentially collect in pools. 
         [0025]    Fabric covers  104 ,  124  may also be composed of a porous, permeable or semi-permeable material to permit fluid passage, including passage of air and water. For example, fabric covers  104 ,  124  may be composed of loosely woven or knitted material that provides for gaps to permit passage of air and water, which can obviate the provision of wind slits  108 ,  128  or rain holes  109 ,  129 . Other types of known fluid permeable, semi-permeable or otherwise porous materials may be used in accordance with the present disclosure, as is know to those of ordinary skill in the art. As an example, fabric covers  104 ,  124  may be composed of semi-rigid screen material that permits the passage of air and water to decrease wind force experienced by displays  100 , 120 , as well as avoid pooling of liquid on a top surface of displays  100 ,  120 . Such material can be provided with graphics or designs that do not interfere with the porous, permeable or semi-permeable nature of the material, while also presenting the appearance of a stack of bulk goods. 
         [0026]    Fabric covers  104 ,  124  include straps  105 ,  125  for securing fabric covers  104 ,  124  to frames  102 ,  122  and/or pallets  106 ,  126 . 
         [0027]    Straps  105 ,  125  may have any type of fastener suitable for securing straps  105 ,  125  to frames  102 ,  122  and/or pallets  106 ,  126 , such as hook and loop, snap, buckle, and any other type of fastener that can function in such capacity. Straps  105 ,  125  help to maintain fabric covers  104 ,  124  in position on frames  102 ,  122  to maintain the appearance of stacked bulk goods. Straps  105 ,  125  may also be used to contribute to retaining fabric covers  104 ,  124  to respective pallets  106 ,  126 , as well as being used to retain frames  102 ,  122  to respective pallets  106 ,  126 . 
         [0028]    Frames  102 ,  122  are illustrated in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B as being constructed of tubular members joined together at various joints, such as corner joints  212 ,  232  and central joints  210 ,  230 . Display  100  in  FIG. 1A  is illustrated as having a generally square horizontal cross section, so that central joint  210  and corner joint  212  form right angles with upright and vertical members that meet at respective central and corner joints  210 ,  212 . 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , central joint  210  and corner joint  212  are respectively illustrated. In  FIG. 2 , central joint  210  provides five receptacles  220  for tubular members used to form frame  102 . Receptacles  220  are arranged at right angles with an adjoining receptacle  220 . Central joint  210  is illustrated as being symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane bisecting a central receptacle  222  and at least two horizontal receptacles  224 . Central joint  210  may be oriented to have central receptacle  222  directed vertically upward or downward, or horizontally, to permit connection with tube members to construct frame  102 . Central joint  210  also includes upright panels  226  that are arranged between central receptacle  222  and base receptacles  224  to increase rigidity and support for maintaining receptacles  220  in right angle orientation with each other. Central joint  210  also is provided with base panels  228  that provide rigidity and support for maintaining base receptacles  224  in a right angle orientation with each other. Base panels  228  also include openings  227 , which are through openings that can accept screws, nails or other fasteners to securely fasten central joint  210  to pallet  106  ( FIG. 1A ), for example. Openings  227  may also be used to secure fabric cover  104  to central joint  210 , especially when central joint  210  is oriented with central receptacle  222  in a downward vertical direction, or in a horizontal direction. 
         [0030]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, receptacles  220  may be configured to be tapered or ribbed to obtain a compression fit with an inserted tubular member used to construct frame  102 . Receptacles  220  are thus configured to function as retainers to fasten and secure tubular members to central joint  210 . Any type of known configuration for receptacles  220  and ends of the tubular members that permits cooperation between the tubular members and receptacles  220  to fasten the tubular members to central joint  210  may be used. For example, an outer diameter of an end of a tubular member may be ribbed (not shown) to cooperate with ribs or a taper (not shown) disposed on an inner diameter of receptacles  220 . In general, the tubular members are joined to central joint  210  to contribute to forming a generally rigid structure for frame  102  to permit display  100  to bear loading forces in the form of wind or water, including snow or ice, without separating the tubular member from central joint  210 . 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , corner joint  212  is configured to provide the same features and configurations as central joint  210  described above, in the form of a corner support and connecter. Corner joint  212  includes receptacles  320 , including corner receptacle  322  and base receptacles  324 . Base receptacles  324  include two outer receptacles  325  and an inner receptacle  323 . Outer receptacles  325  are at right angles to each other, as well as being at right angles to corner receptacle  322 , thereby permitting the formation of a corner of frame  102 . 
         [0032]    Corner joint  212  also includes upright panels  326  disposed between corner receptacle  322  and each of outer receptacles  325 . Panels  326  contribute to reinforcing corner joint  212 , and help to provide rigidity to frame  102  by limiting flexibility of corner receptacle  322  and outer receptacles  325 . The provision of panels  326  contributes to the support, or loading, that corner joint  212  can supply or bear. Accordingly, panels  326  contribute to permitting corner joint  312 , and thus frame  102 , to withstand greater applied wind force loading or weight loading that may occur with water, snow or ice, or other weight loading being placed upon frame  102 . 
         [0033]    Corner joint  212  further includes an inner receptacle  323  located at a forty-five degree angle between outer receptacles  325 . Inner receptacle  323  is so arranged to provide a connecting joint receptacle for tubular members extending toward a center of frame  102 , which may connect with central joint  210 , for example. Panels  328  are disposed between inner receptacle  323  and outer receptacles  325  to promote rigidity and increase load bearing characteristics for corner joint  212 . Panels  328  limit the amount of flexibility for and between inner receptacle  323  and outer receptacles  325 . 
         [0034]    Panels  326 ,  328  include respective openings  330 ,  332 , which may be configured as through openings. Openings  330 ,  332  permit corner joint  212  to be fastened to a support or other object, to stabilize corner joint  212  with respect to a location, for example. Openings  330 ,  332  may also be used to permit fabric cover  104  to be fastened to frame  102 , such as may be achieved with wire, zip ties, screws, bolts and nuts, and any other type of fastener suitable for use with openings  330 ,  332 . 
         [0035]    Corner joint  212  can be arranged in any particular orientation to form a corner of frame  102 , and may be positioned at a top or bottom corner of frame  102  to permit tubular members to be joined to other corner joints  212 , or to central joint  210 . That is, corner joint  212  represents its own complement with respect to being able to be located at any corner of frame  102 . Corner joint receptacles  320  may be configured to accept and securely fasten a tubular member to permit secure construction of frame  102 . Corner joint receptacles  320  may be tapered or ribbed on an inner diameter to provide a secure fastening for tubular members of frame  102 , or may be configured in any other way to permit tubular members to be fastened to corner joint  212 . For example, ends of tubular members may be tapered or ribbed, or have openings through which a fastener may be passed in conjunction with cooperative openings (not shown) in corner joint receptacles  320  to attach the tubular members to corner joint  212 . 
         [0036]    Although the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1A  of frame  102  shows the use of corner joints  212  and central joints  210 , other types of joints and connecters may be used in the construction of frame  102 . For example, a joint may be disposed midway between a vertical extent of tubular members of frame  102 . Such a joint disposed along the vertical extent of the tubular members may include a receptacle to permit connection of a tubular member extending diagonally in a horizontal direction into the space defined by display  100 , and may terminate on another joint centrally disposed on frame  102 . 
         [0037]    The construction of frame  102  is modular for ease of distribution, so that display  100  can be constructed on-site with relative ease. This construction avoids the distribution of display  100  as a whole, which would take up a large, mostly empty volume, as well as involving additional shipping costs. Frame  102  can also be secured to pallet  106 , such as by using openings  227  and  332 , through which fasteners such as screws or nails can be driven to secure corner joint  212  and/or central joint  210  to pallet  106 . Fabric cover  104  may also be secured to frame  102 , such as by using openings  330  in corner joint  212  to secure fabric cover  104  to frame  102  with suitable fasteners. Fabric cover  104  may also be secured to frame  102  using straps  105 , which straps may also be used to secure fabric cover  104  to pallet  106 . Pallet  106  forms a stable base for supporting display  100  to contribute to resisting wind and weight loading, for example. Other types of supports may also be used, however, by providing display  100  on pallet  106 , display  100  more closely simulates a stacked group of palletized goods. In addition, display  100  can be transported using conventional pallet moving equipment such as forklifts and fork trucks. 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a central joint  230  for use with display  120  ( FIG. 1B ) is illustrated. Central joint  230  is substantially similar to central joint  210  in function and design, however, central joint  230  is configured to be used with display  120  to construct frame  122 . Accordingly, central joint  230  includes receptacles  420  that function similarly to receptacles  220  of central joint  210 . Central joint  230  also includes panels  426  and  428  in respective vertical and horizontal orientations as shown in  FIG. 4 , that are configured to function similarly to panels  226  and  228  of central joint  210 . Panels  428  of central joint  230  also feature openings  430  that feature the same functionality as openings  227  in panels  228  of central joint  210  as described above. Central joint  230  differs from central joint  210  in that central joint  230  has adjoining base receptacles  424  that are arranged at an angle of approximately 52.4 degrees, and an angle of approximately 127.6 degrees. By providing such an arrangement for base receptacles  424 , central joint  230  can be used to receive tubular members in a center of frame  122 , which differs in size and shape from frame  102  by having a rectangular horizontal cross section as opposed to the generally square horizontal cross section of frame  102 . 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , corner joint  232  is illustrated with many of the same features and functions as corner joint  212  ( FIG. 3 ). For example, corner joint  232  includes receptacles  520 , with a corner receptacle  522  and base receptacles  524 , which provide the same function as their counterparts described with respect to corner joint  212 . Corner joint  232  includes an inner receptacle  523  and outer receptacles  525 , where inner receptacle  523  is arranged to have differing angles with respect to outer receptacles  525 . For example, inner receptacle  523  can be arranged with respect to one outer receptacle  525  with an angle of approximately 26.2 degrees, while having an angular relationship with another outer receptacle  525  of approximately 63.8 degrees. The arrangement of base receptacles  524  with the particular angle separation permits corner joint  232  to direct inserted tubular members at an angle that is appropriate to permit cooperation with central joint  230  of frame  122 . The angular arrangement of base receptacles  524  is different from that of corner joint  212  to reflect the different shape and size of frame  122  having a generally rectangular horizontal cross section rather than a generally square horizontal cross-section. 
         [0040]    Corner joint  232  includes panels  526  and  528  that contribute to providing rigidity for corner joint  232  and support for loading forces that may be applied to frame  122 . Panels  526  include openings  530  that may be used to secure frame  122  to pallet  126 , or fabric cover  124  to frame  122 . An opening  532  in one of panels  528  may also be used to permit corner joint  232  to be securely fastened to pallet  126  and/or fabric cover  124 . 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a corner joint  234  is illustrated as being a complement to corner joint  232 . Corner joint  232  and  234  can be thought of as mirror images of each other, with attendant features and functions provided by the components described above with respect to corner joint  232 . Corner joints  232  and  234  permit construction of frame  122  with a rectangular horizontal cross section, where the angle of tubular members extending horizontally from corner joints  232 ,  234  are different than 45 degrees, which represents the special case of corner joint  212  ( FIG. 3 ). Because frame  122  has a rectangular horizontal cross section, corner joints  232 ,  234  have adjacent base receptacles, e.g., base receptacles  524 , that are separated by angles that are other than 45 degrees. Accordingly, corner joint  232  and a complement corner joint  234  are used to form frame  122  that has a rectangular horizontal cross section. 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a connector  710  for joining tubular members is illustrated. Connector  710  provides two generally cylindrical recesses  720  that can accommodate tubular members, where cylindrical recesses  720  generally oppose each other to permit tubular members to be aligned in a same direction. With the insertion of tubular members into each of cylindrical recesses  720 , a tubular member with an increased span is effectively created. Connector  710  thus provides the advantage of permitting tubular members to be assembled together to obtain different overall lengths. With this modular construction, a greater number of portions of frame  122  can be duplicated for use in an assembly, thereby reducing implementation costs. It should be apparent that while connector  710  provides cylindrical recesses  720  as internal recesses for accepting tubular members, connecter  710  can be configured to provide an outer diameter that cooperates with an inner diameter of a tubular member to connect tubular members together. In such an embodiment, connecter  710  may also be used with the various receptacles of the various central joints or corner joints used to construct frames  102 ,  122 . Accordingly, connecter  710  may be used as a fastener to secure a tubular member to a corner or central joint to construct frames  102 ,  122 . 
         [0043]    While displays  100 ,  120  have been described as generally having a fabric covers  104 ,  124  draped over frames  102 ,  122 , other embodiments for displays  100 ,  120  may be implemented in many different forms while achieving the desired objects and goals of the invention. For example, a horizontal cross-section of displays  100 ,  120  need not have four sides that meet at right angles, but rather displays  100 ,  120  can be implemented to have a circular or oval horizontal cross-section, or have horizontal cross-sections that have two, three or greater than four sides, with adjoining angles that need not be equilateral or any particularly angular measurement. Thus, displays  100 ,  120  may be implemented in generally cylindrical shapes that have horizontal cross-sections that are oval, triangular, or general polygons. Displays  100 ,  120  may also be implemented in such forms as cones, pyramids, or generally any geometric shape that can be realized in a three dimensional object. 
         [0044]    In addition, displays  100 ,  120  can be constructed to have a generally solid outer framework in contrast to the typically flexible fabric covers  104 ,  124 , so that frames  102 ,  122  are not required. For example, displays  100 ,  120  can be constructed of solid panels that are hinged or otherwise connected together to form a three dimensional shape that can simulate a stack of bulk goods or other promotional or marketing devices. 
         [0045]    The foregoing description has been directed to particular embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, that other variations and modifications my be made to the described embodiments, with the attainment of some or all of their advantages. Therefore, it is the object of the appended claims to cover all such variations and modifications as come within the true spirit and scope of the invention.