Price and information tag construction

A price-and-information tag includes front and rear surfaces both having product and price information. The tag includes a pre-fold line and a perforated line dividing the sheet into spaced-apart first and second sections. When bi-folded, the first section fits into an upwardly-open pocket of an extruded tag holder, with the second section in front of the tag holder and hiding the first section. Further, the second section can be torn off along the perforated line to reveal the information on the first section with minimal labor. A picture on the tag allows a non-reading installer to place the tag. Methods related to same are also shown, including double folding the elongated sheet and then using the first section to engage a tag holder with only the information on the second section being visible, the second section being later torn off to reveal the information on the first section.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to tag constructions attached to store shelves to provide price and product information about product on the store shelves, and more particularly relates to a price-and-information tag construction particularly configured for labor-efficient and secure placement on a display shelf.

The industry of printing price-and-information tags is highly specialized. This is because hundreds of thousands of tags must be produced and shipped each week to large retail stores for placement on shelves, and further because last minute price fluctuations, price decisions, and information changes result in a huge amount of data that is difficult to manage without error. Further, data shows that attractive and colorful price-and-information tags can positively affect customer decisions and increase sale volumes. On the other hand, inaccurate information and mispricing can cause customer confusion, dissatisfaction, adverse publicity, and even liability where the posted pricing doesn't match sales prices at the cash register.

Large retail stores often identify shelved product with price tags removably attached to a channel or extrusion tag holder extending along the shelves. One particular widely-used tag holder is extruded of resilient transparent plastic material in a shape for attachment to the narrow front edge of a store shelf. The extruded tag holder includes parallel panels forming an upwardly open pocket for receiving a first (rear-positioned) price-and-information tag, and further includes opposing flanges defining a narrow throat for engaging a top of a second (front-positioned) price-and-information tag to position the second tag in a hanging position in front of the first tag. This positions the second tag over the first tag where it can be used for advertising a “SALE” or discounted sale price, both printed on the second tag. Sometimes, only a front tag is attached, and the upwardly-open pocket is left unfilled. A problem is that the front tag can be accidentally knocked off of the tag holder (or knocked to an out-of-location position) by customers removing product from the shelf. This problem often becomes worse over time as the opposing flanges of the extruded tag holder weaken and/or wear and/or deform to a more spread position. Still another problem is that the front tag can be knocked to an offset position where the rear tag is visible, confusing customers, as well as creating a poor disheveled appearance unattractive for displayed product.

Another problem is the amount of manual labor for placement and replacement of the price-and-information tags. Every time there is a price change, such as when a sale ends, the first tag must be removed and another tag put in place. This results in substantial labor costs, both because of difficulty in accessing, gripping and removing the first tag, and also because of the time it takes to recognize a proper placement location for a tag. It is important to understand that the act of removing and replacing a tag only takes a few seconds, however when that time is multiplied by hundreds of thousands of tags, and further when the complexity and opportunity for error is increased by logistics based on the size of stores (and their different product locations and arrangements), the costs become very significant.

Yet another problem is that tags must be manually put in place, and the person placing the tag must read the tag and pay attention to where the tag must go. This has been partially solved by the concept of a patent application filed earlier than the present filing, where a digital press and software is used to arrange tags in the order of particular store shelf sequences. However, the opportunity remains for improvement to better utilize unskilled labor when placing price tags.

Another concern is cost and quality of tags. It is important that pricing-and-information tags be very attractive, clear, accurate, and provided on a just-in-time basis. A process and apparatus for providing competitive and highly-attractive price-and-information tags is disclosed in co-assigned application Ser. No. 11/612,821, filed Dec. 19, 2006, entitled METHOD OF PRINTING, DISTRIBUTING, AND PLACING PRICE INFORMATION. The entire contents of that application are incorporated herein in its entirety. However, further improvement is desired in terms of security of attachment of the tag to a shelf, ease of placement and removal, flexible use, and competitive low cost, while maintaining a high level of attractiveness for consumers.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a price-and-information system has a transparent tag holder defining an upwardly open pocket for receiving a price-and-information tag. The tag holder is adapted for attachment to the front of a display shelf. An improvement in the tag includes an elongated sheet with front and rear surfaces. Product and price information is printed on both the front and rear surfaces. An attachment structure is included for releasably engaging the upwardly open pocket of the tag holder with a portion of the product and price information on the front surface being visible, and the tag being folded so that the product and price information on the rear surface faces forward but is hidden by a part of the sheet.

In a narrower aspect, the sheet includes first and second sections, the attachment structure being formed on the first section. A perforated line separates the first and second sections. The first section further includes a pre-formed fold line for spacing the second section forward from the first section so that the second section extends downward in front of a tag holder and in front of information on the first section. The perforated line provides accurately separating the second section from the first section so that the information on the first section is visible.

In another aspect of the present invention, a price-and-information tag includes an elongated sheet having front and rear surfaces, and also having first and second sections separated by a fold line, with product and price information printed on both the front and rear surfaces of the first section. The sheet is folded so that a portion of the sheet covers a portion of the information.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of placing price-and-information tags includes steps of providing an elongated sheet having front and rear surfaces with product and price information printed on both the front and rear surfaces. A tag holder is provided on a shelf front. The method still further includes folding the sheet to form a first section with first information thereon hidden behind a second section with second information thereon. The sheet is attached to the tag holder with the second information visible, but the first information not visible. The second section is torn off to expose the first information.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of placing price-and-information tags includes steps of providing an elongated sheet having front and rear surfaces with product and price information printed on both the front and rear surfaces. The method further includes double folding the elongated sheet to form a first vertical section separated from a second vertical section by a horizontal strip region. The first vertical section is extended into an upwardly-open pocket of a tag holder such that the sheet is securely held by the tag holder with the product and price information on the second vertical section is visible in front of the tag holder, with the product and price information of the first vertical section hidden behind the second vertical section.

In a narrower aspect of the present invention, a perforated line is provided on the elongated sheet separating the first and second sections, and includes a step of tearing along the perforated line to remove the second section from the first section, with the first section remaining on the tag holder.

An object of the present invention is to provide a price-and-information tag that can be securely attached to a shelf using existing tag holders, with ease of placement and removal, while maintaining flexible use, while maintaining a competitive (low) cost, and while maintaining attractiveness to consumers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present price-and-information tag20(FIGS. 1-2) comprises an elongated sheet having front and rear surfaces21and22with product and price information23and24printed on the front surface21, and additional product and price information25printed on the rear surface22. A perforated line26(i.e., a line of “perforations”) divides the sheet into first and second sections27and28. Notably, the perforated line26also acts as a fold line. A pre-formed second fold line29is formed on the second section27at a location spaced from the perforated line26to define a strip region31next to the perforated line26. When double folded along lines26and29, the first section27forms an attachment structure as discussed below. (SeeFIG. 3.) It is contemplated that tag20can optionally include a strip of adhesive32placed on the first section27near the perforated line26to provide an alternative (secondary) attachment structure for attaching the tag20to a shelf front, such as when an extruded tag holder is not present. (SeeFIG. 9.)

The present tag20(FIGS. 3-4) is particularly designed for use on an existing extruded tag holder80made of transparent plastic material and attached to a front81of a shelf82. The extruded tag holder80includes front and rear vertical panels83and84connected by bottom strip85to form an upwardly-open pocket86for receiving a price-and-information tag. Historically, the pocket86receives a first single-thickness card-like tag with price and product information on one side. The tag holder80further includes opposing flanges87,88,89defining a downwardly-opening throat90for frictionally engaging a top edge of a second single-thickness card-like tag with price and product information on one side. The purpose of the flanges87-89is to hold a tag in front of the holder80. However, a size of the throat90varies over time due to flexing, wear, and deformation of the tag holder80, such that the flanges87-89with throat90becomes an unreliable tag holder structure. Further, the throat90positions the second tag at a location where the second tag is often knocked out of position and/or knocked completely off the tag holder80, such that the arrangement is not always satisfactory. The tag holder80further includes a vertical front wall91supporting the opposing flange88.

By folding the tag20along the perforated line26and along the pre-formed fold line29, the strip region31supports the second section28parallel to and spaced from the remnant portion30by a distance equal to a distance from the pocket86to a front of the wall91of the tag holder80. The information23is printed so that it is properly oriented to a customer when the second section28is held in front of the extruded tag holder80. The information25is printed so that it is properly oriented to a customer when the remnant portion30is in the pocket86, so that when the second section28is torn off along the perforated line26(seeFIGS. 5-6), the information25becomes visible and is properly oriented. The information24is preferably a product picture (or large print) so that a tag-installing worker can easily see and place the tag20without having to read the information thereon. By using a picture, the installer does not have to be literate in the language of the tag. Notably, the information24is generally not visible by a customer since it faces away from a customer when the tag20is double-folded and placed in a tag holder80. By this arrangement, the first section27forms the attachment structure.

As noted above, the tag can optionally include adhesive32(FIG. 7). It is contemplated that the adhesive can be a continuous strip or one or more spots of adhesive material placed onto the first section27near the perforated line26. The strip of adhesive32can be covered by release paper until ready for use. The strip of adhesive32is adapted to retain the tag20directly to a shelf front81without the need for a separate channel or extruded tag holder80being attached to the shelf. (SeeFIG. 9.)

It is contemplated that the present construction can be varied and still be within a scope of the present invention. For example, the illustrated perforated line26is a series of small holes forming a transverse line across the sheet, the holes being relatively small in size (to minimize their visibility) and arranged so that a clean line is formed when the second section28is torn from the first section27. However, it is contemplated that the perforated line26can be slots, non-hole imperfections, and the like. Also, the illustrated sheet is about 2¼ inch wide and 5¾ inch long, with the perforated line at 1 7/16 inch and the fold line at 1-1 11/16 inch. Nonetheless, dimensions may vary and still be within a scope of the present invention. The illustrated sheet is made of stiff paper or polymeric sheet material that is sufficiently rigid yet bendable to hold its shape once folded and having a surface suitable to be printed on by a high quality digital press. The sheet is capable of taking and holding a bend, and can be perforated for easy tearing and separation. The illustrated information23includes typical details of a sale such as a name of the product, regular price, sale price, bar code, dates of sale, and is in color for maximum visual effect. It can also include a product picture if desired. The information24is a product picture. Notably, when double-folded and installed, the information24is not visible to a customer since it faces toward the shelf. However, this information greatly helps a worker installing the information tag20in a tag holder80. By using a picture, there is no need for the worker to read the printed language. It is contemplated that the information24can include other items to help the worker, such as large print or other details to help. The information25is similar to the information23, but of course information25provides details of the regular price along with product information.

As noted above, cost and quality of tags is important for competitive reasons and also since studies show that high quality pictures of the product and high quality color printing is important to maximize customer interest and likelihood of purchase. Further, the pricing-and-information tags must not only be very attractive, clear, and accurate, but also they should be provided on a just-in-time basis so that changes can be made as late in the purchasing process and pricing decision process as possible. As previously noted, a process and apparatus for providing competitive and highly-attractive price-and-information tags is disclosed in co-assigned application Ser. No. 11/612,821, filed Dec. 19, 2006, entitled METHOD OF PRINTING, DISTRIBUTING, AND PLACING PRICE INFORMATION. Notably, the digital press advantageously offers many advantages and characteristics that facilitate meeting the goals of quality, cost, and just-in-time delivery noted above. Thus, Applicant affirms that the process disclosed in application Ser. No. 11/612,821 is an excellent way to print the present tags.

FIG. 10is a flowchart showing methods related to the above. It is contemplated that all or part of the illustrated method may be used and still be within a scope of the present invention. The method includes printing price and product information on both sides of a sheet (step70), preferably by a digital press. The sheet can be cut to the size of a tag (step71) before or after forming a perforated line across the sheet to divide the sheet into first and second sections (step72) and forming a pre-formed fold line spaced from the perforated line a selected distance (step73). Adhesive can also be added (step74) before or after cutting the sheet to a tag-sized shape. The tags are then shipped to the store site (step75) where the hidden-from-customer information is used to locate their placement site on shelves (step76). The tags are then double-folded (step77) to form a first section with first information thereon hidden behind a second section with second information thereon, the first section being spaced from the second vertical section by a horizontal strip region. The method further includes attaching the sheet to a shelf (step78) such as by attaching the tag to a shelf-supported tag holder (step79) or by adhering the tag to a shelf (step80) with the second information visible but the first information not visible since it is hidden by the second section. Later, the second section is torn off (step81), exposing the second information. In one form, the step of attaching includes placing the first section downwardly into an upwardly-open pocket on the tag holder (step79). In another form, the step of attaching includes adhering the first section to a front of a shelf (step80).

To summarize, a price-and-information tag is provided that includes an elongated sheet having front and rear surfaces with product and price information printed on both the front and rear surfaces, and including attachment structure for releasably engaging a tag holder attached to the front of a product-display shelf. The price-and-information tag includes an elongated sheet having front and rear surfaces and first and second sections separated by a fold line, with product and price information printed on both the front and rear surfaces of the first section. As folded, the tag shows a first area of the information (such as information about a sale price). By tearing off a portion of the tag, a second area of the information is exposed (such as information about a regular price). This eliminates a need to replace the first tag in order to provide the new (regular price) information. By double-folding the tag, the first section can be extended into an upwardly-open pocket on the tag holder, with the second section spaced forward for extending vertically downwardly in front of the tag holder.

Also, a method of placing price-and-information tags comprises steps of providing an elongated sheet having front and rear surfaces with product and price information printed on both the front and rear surfaces, providing a tag holder on a shelf front, folding the sheet to form a first section with first information thereon hidden behind a second section with second information thereon, attaching the sheet to the tag holder with the first information visible but the second information not visible, and tearing off the first section to expose the second information.

Also, a method of placing price-and-information tags comprises steps of providing an elongated sheet having front and rear surfaces with product and price information printed on both the front and rear surfaces, double-folding the elongated sheet to form a first section separated from a second section by a strip region, and extending the first section into an upwardly-open pocket of a tag holder such that the product and price information on the second section is visible in front of the tag holder, with the product and price information of the first section hidden behind the second section.