Abstract:
A sample display unit for sheets goods that is easy to transport and assemble, sturdy to withstand a plurality of sheet goods for a lengthy time, and capable of containing advertisements. The sample display unit for sheet goods has a rectangular body, a shelf, and a header. The rectangular body includes a back panel, a face panel, and side panels with inclined top edges. The shelf partitions the rectangular body into an upper sample display container and a lower enclosure. The shelf is also provided at a suitable height to allow the sheet goods such as desk mats, floor mats, carpet mats and chair mats to be removed with ease. In one embodiment, a support base can be situated within the lower enclosure to provide support for the shelf and the display unit. In another embodiment, a frame can be used to support the shelf and the display unit. When sheet goods are contained within the upper sample display container, the products can be easily removed from the shelf without having to lift the sheet goods over an edge or a lip. The sample display unit may also include graphical indicia relating to the product.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is related to, and claims all available benefits from, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/841,426 filed Aug. 31, 2006. 
     
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present invention is directed to a display unit for various products and, specifically, to display sheet goods such as desk mats, floor mats, carpet mats and chair mats used to protect an underlying surface. In particular, the present invention relates to a display system having features that enhance the ease of displaying and handling, and improve the marketability of such sheet goods. 
         [0003]    Display units are used to display and support products in various locations, such as a retail store, an office store, a convention, a club store or a mass merchandiser. Some display units are also used as shipping containers for products, especially when these products are small in size, such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,350,281 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,435,351. U.S. Pat. No. 4,350,281 discloses a one-piece shipping container/display unit for shipment, handling and display of articles as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The shipping container/display unit is constructed of a corrugated container formed from a unitary blank. The shipping container/display unit includes a pair of side and end walls integrally connected to form a bottom closure flap and top closure flap. As shown in FIG. 2 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,350,281, the side walls have an integrally connected side wall liner flap that functions as double wall construction. In addition, the bottom closure is constructed of bottom closure flaps to function as double wall construction. Double wall construction may be wasteful and unnecessary, especially when a display unit is not shipped as an assembled unit and is supported by other means when assembled. 
         [0004]    Each bottom closure flap of shipping container/display unit forms a relatively short partial end wall liner suited to provide a minimum end wall remainder as shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 12 and 14 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,350,281. The end wall, however, compels the user to lift the article before removing the article from the shipping container/display unit. This can be very cumbersome, especially when only a few articles remain within shipping container/display unit, or when the product is shaped awkwardly. Furthermore, the shipping container/display unit must be used with other containers or another structure to provide the articles at a suitable elevation. An elevation is suitable when, while a user is removing the article from the shipping container/display unit, the user avoids much bending at the waist or of the back. 
         [0005]    Additionally, when products are larger in size, the products are typically shipped separately from the display units. When shipped separately, the display units, then, are assembled at the destination where the products will be sold. To illustrate, FIG. 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,773 discloses such product display and support carton. The product display and support carton includes a display box and an opposed pair of dividers that define at least two separate product receiving compartments. The display box comprises of a bottom panel and an upwardly extending wall panel, which together form a product carrying enclosure. The product carrying enclosure is further divided by dividers that define at least two separate product receiving compartments. 
         [0006]    In addition, the display box has an open top defined by a top wall panel edge disposed opposite the bottom panel, and the product carrying enclosure is inclined at an angle to the vertical when the bottom panel is on a horizontal surface. The upwardly extending wall panel is preferably defined by an upwardly and rearwardly inclined front wall, an upwardly and rearwardly inclined rear wall, and a pair of generally parallel side walls. The front wall comprises of a product restraining wall. However, the front wall forces the article to be lifted before being removed from the shipping container/display unit. Moreover, the product carrying enclosure does not provide products at a suitable elevation. 
         [0007]    When display units support larger products, the display units often need reinforcement or extra support. The extra support also typically raises the product above ground level in order for displayed products to be easily removed. U.S. Pat. No. 4,193,652 discloses in  FIGS. 8 and 9  such sample display case that incorporates a pedestal. The sample display case provides an upwardly open, transversally partitioned box preferably made of exteriorly decorated corrugated paper box board. The box has upper and lower edges which are protected and reinforced with square hoop-like metal frames. Dividers are hung from the metal frames. The sample display case may be free-standing or pedestal-supported, e.g., upon a similar case turned on its side or upon a vertical axis cruciform support. Samples of carpet are stowed in the individual upwardly open cells defined between the box sides and partitions are individually accessible. While the pedestal may provide the products at a suitable elevation, walls of the box do not allow the product to easily slide away when the product is removed horizontally from the container, and do not allow accessibility to the products from the side of the sample display case. 
         [0008]    Thus, there is a need for a display system that allows sheet goods to be easily removed without lifting the sheet goods over an edge or lip. It is also desirable that the sheet goods be provided at a suitable elevation. Furthermore, there is a need for a display system that can ship separately as a kit in a minimum amount of space and that is lightweight and easy to assemble. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0009]    A sample display unit of the present invention can comprise a rectangular body, a shelf, and a header. The rectangular body can include a back panel, a face panel, and two upstanding side panels having a top edge. The top edge of the side panels can be inclined to face frontward toward the face panel. The shelf can partition the rectangular body into an upper sample display container and a lower enclosure. Furthermore, the header can extend upwardly from the back panel. The face panel has a top edge that can be lower than the elevation of the shelf. In addition, the face panel can be substantially perpendicular to the shelf. The shelf is intended to support sheet goods at a convenient height for selection by a customer of the goods. 
         [0010]    In accordance with one embodiment, the sample display unit can further comprise of a support base that occupies the lower enclosure of the rectangular body. The support base can comprise of a plurality of substantially parallel first sheets transversely interconnected to at least one second sheet. The first and second sheets can have at least one slot where the slots of the first and second sheets interconnect. 
         [0011]    In accordance with another embodiment, the sample display unit can further comprise of a frame. The frame comprises of a pair of side uprights and a platform. The side uprights can have at least one girder and can support the side panels. The platform connects the girders and can support the side uprights and the shelf. Additionally, the display can comprise of at least one crosspiece that connects the side uprights. The crosspiece can support the side uprights and at least one of the face panel, the back panel, or the header, or any combination. 
         [0012]    In accordance with another embodiment, the sample display unit can comprise rectangular body, a pair of shelves separated by a header. The rectangular body can include a back panel, a pair of facing panels, and two upstanding side panels joining the facing panels to each other and to the back panel. A top edge of the side panels can be inclined to face away from the back panel and toward the facing panels. The shelves can partition the rectangular body into a pair of sample display containers and a lower enclosure. Furthermore, the header can extend upwardly from the back panel. The facing panels can have a top edge that can be lower than the elevation of the shelves. In addition, the facing panels can be substantially perpendicular to the shelves. The shelves are intended to support sheet goods on opposite sides of the header at a convenient height for selection by a customer of the goods 
         [0013]    The sample display unit can also contain graphical indicia relating to the product. The graphical indicia can be found on one side or on both sides of the header, the back panel, the face panel, and the side panels. Furthermore, the sample display unit can further comprise of a product sample. The product sample can be placed on and removed from the upper sample display container. 
         [0014]    One advantage of the present invention is the ease of handling the product when being removed. Another advantage is the ease of shipping and handling of the sample display unit. Also an advantage is the ease of conversion of the sample display unit from shipment to an attractive commercial display of the products. Other features of the present display stands and the corresponding advantages of those features will be come apparent from the following discussion of preferred embodiments of the present invention, exemplifying the best mode of practicing the present invention, which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a sample display unit of the present invention with a support base. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the support base in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a sample display unit of the present invention with a frame. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the display unit with a frame in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another sample display unit. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    A better understanding of the present invention will now be had upon reference to the following description of preferred embodiments, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views and different embodiments of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a first sample display unit  10  comprises of a rectangular body  12 , a shelf  14 , and a header  16 . The rectangular body  12  includes a back panel  20 , a face panel  22 , and two upstanding side panels  24 ,  26  having top edges  25 ,  27  respectively. At least a portion of the top edges  25 ,  27  can be inclined to face frontward toward the face panel  22  so that a user has accessibility to the products  110 , such as sheet goods, from the side if needed. The shelf  14  partitions the rectangular body  12  into an upper sample display container  28  and a lower enclosure  29 . The shelf  14  is intended to support products  110  in the nature of sheet goods, such as floor mats, desk chair mats, or the like, at a convenient height for selection by a customer of the goods. 
         [0021]    Furthermore, the header  16  extends upwardly from the back panel  20 . The header is mainly used for advertising the sheet goods on display. The back panel  20  has a top edge  21 , and a highest point  19  of the top edges  25 ,  27  of the side panels  24 ,  26  can be at least as high as the top edge  21  of the back panel  20 . The header  16  can extend upwardly from the top edge  21  of the back panel. In addition, the header  16  and the back panel  20  can be co-planar. In some embodiments, the header  16  and the back panel  20  are one piece, and the header  16  and the back panel  20  can be separated by a fold-line. 
         [0022]    The face panel  22  has a top edge  23 , and the top edge  23  is lower than the elevation of the shelf  14 . The face panel  22  is also substantially perpendicular to the shelf  14 . The side panels  24 ,  26  have a front edge  30 ,  31  respectively. The front edges  30 ,  31  meet the top edges  25 ,  27  of the side panels to form vertices  32 ,  34  respectively. The vertices  32 ,  34  can be at least as high as the top edge  23  of the face panel. 
         [0023]    In accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, the sample display unit  10  can further comprise of a support base  40  that occupies the lower enclosure  29  of the rectangular body as shown in  FIG. 1 . According to  FIG. 2 , the support base  40  can comprise of a plurality of substantially parallel first sheets  42  transversely interconnected to at least one second sheet  44 . Each of the first sheet  42  and second sheet  44  can have at least one slot  46  where the slot or slots of the first sheet  42  interconnect with slot or slots of the second sheet  44 . The support base  40  should be sufficiently strong to resist the load of the shelf  14 , the display unit  10 , and sheet goods, yet sufficiently light weight to avoid contributing significantly to the overall load. Thus, the support base  40  and the first display unit  10  should be made of any lightweight, sturdy material known in the art. For example, various combinations of corrugated board prepared in a standard manner, fiberboard, paper, plastic or metal. 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a second sample display unit  10  comprises of a rectangular body  12 , a shelf  14 , and a header  16 . The rectangular body  12  includes a back panel  20 , a face panel  22 , and two upstanding side panels  24 ,  26  having top edges  25 ,  27  respectively. At least a portion of the top edges  25 ,  27  can be inclined to face frontward toward the face panel  22 . The shelf  14  partitions the rectangular body  12  into an upper sample display container  28  and a lower enclosure  29 . The shelf  14  can be made of any light weight material that sufficiently supports the load of sheet goods, such as particle board, corrugated board, fiberboard, plastic or metal. 
         [0025]    Furthermore, the header  16  extends upwardly from the back panel  20 . The back panel  20  has a top edge  21 , and a highest point  19  of the top edges  25 ,  27  of the side panels  24 ,  26  can be at least as high as the top edge  21  of the back panel  20 . The header  16  can extend upwardly from the top edge  21  of the back panel. In addition, the header  16  and the back panel  20  can be co-planar. 
         [0026]    The face panel  22  has a top edge  23  that is substantially perpendicular to the shelf  14  and the top edge  23  is lower than the elevation of the shelf  14 . The side panels  24 ,  26  have a front edge  30 ,  31  respectively. The front edges  30 ,  31  meet the top edges  25 ,  27  of the side panels to form vertices  32 ,  34  respectively. The vertices  32 ,  34  can be at least as high as the top edge  23  of the face panel. 
         [0027]    The second sample display unit  10  can further comprise of a frame  60  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The frame  60  can comprise of a pair of side uprights  62 ,  64  and a platform  70 . The side uprights  62 ,  64  each can have at least one girder  63 ,  65  respectively. The girders  63 ,  65  primarily support the platform  70 . Furthermore, the side uprights  62 ,  64  can support the side panels  24 ,  26  respectively. The platform  70  can connect the girders  63 ,  65  and can support the side uprights  62 ,  64  and the shelf  14 . Additionally, the sample display unit  10  can comprise of at least one crosspiece  80  that connects the side uprights  62 ,  64 . (Three crosspieces  80   a ,  80   b ,  80   c  are shown in  FIG. 4 ). The crosspiece  80  can support the side uprights  62 ,  64  and at least one of the face panel  22 , the back panel  20 , or the header  16 , or any combination. The frame  60  can be made of various materials known in the art to be rigid and light, such as metal, plastic, wood, etc. In accordance with  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the frame consists of metal tubing. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , a third sample display unit  10  comprises of a rectangular body  12 , a pair of shelves  14  separated by a header  16 . The rectangular body  12  includes a back panel  20 , a pair of face panels  22 , and two upstanding side panels  24 ,  26  having top edges  25 ,  27  respectively. At least a portion of the top edges  25 ,  27  can be inclined toward the adjacent face panel  22  so that a user has accessibility to the sheet goods from either side, if needed. The shelves  14  partition the rectangular body  12  into an upper sample display container  28  and a lower enclosure  29 . The shelves  14  are intended to support products  110  in the nature of sheet goods, such as floor mats, desk chair mats, or the like, at a convenient height for selection by a customer of the goods. 
         [0029]    Furthermore, the header  16  extends upwardly from the back panel  20 . The header  16  is mainly used for advertising the sheet goods on display. The back panel  20  has a top edge  21 , and a highest point  19  of the top edges  25 ,  27  of the side panels  24 ,  26  can be at least as high as the top edge  21  of the back panel  20 . The header  16  can extend upwardly from the top edge  21  of the back panel. In addition, the header  16  and the back panel  20  can be co-planar. The header  16  and the back panel  20  can be formed of one piece, and the header  16  and the back panel  20  can be separated from each other by a fold-line coincident with top edge  21 . 
         [0030]    The face panels  22  have a top edge  23 . The top edges  23  can be parallel to each other and at the same elevation as the shelf  14 . The face panels  22  can also be substantially perpendicular to the shelf  14 . The side panels  24 ,  26  have edges  30 ,  31  respectively. The edges  30 ,  31  meet the top edges  25 ,  27  of the side panels to form vertices  32 ,  34  respectively. The vertices  32 ,  34  can be at least as high as the top edge  23  of the face panels  22 . Like the first embodiment of the present invention, the sample display unit  10  of the third embodiment can further comprise of a support base  40  that occupies the lower enclosure  29  of the rectangular body as shown in  FIG. 2 . The support base  40  can comprise of a plurality of substantially parallel first sheets  42  transversely interconnected to at least one second sheet  44  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Alternatively, the third display unit can be formed with frame as shown in  FIG. 4 . The support base  40  having either construction can be conveniently supported on a standard pallet  41 . Additionally, a pair of the display units  10  shown in  FIGS. 1-4  can also be conveniently supported on a standard pallet  41  in like manner. 
         [0031]    The sample display units can also contain graphical indicia  90  relating to the products  110 . According to  FIG. 1 , the graphical indicia can be found on one side or on both sides  91 ,  92  of the header  16 , both sides  93 ,  94  of the back panel  20 , both sides  95 ,  96  of the face panel  22 , and both sides  97 ,  98  and  99 ,  100  of the side panels  24 ,  26  respectively. 
         [0032]    Furthermore, the first and second sample display unit  10  can further comprise of a product sample  110 , typically sheet goods, such as floor mats, desk chair mats, etc. The product sample  110  can be placed on the shelf  14 , and removed from the upper sample display container  28  without encountering any obstruction along the top edge  23 . Additionally, the product sample can be available at a suitable elevation, namely the shelf can be at a height between about 18-30 inches to facilitate customer selection. 
         [0033]    Regarding the comparative height of the vertices  32 ,  34 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , the vertices  32 ,  34  are shown to be higher than the top edge  23  of the face panel. However, in  FIG. 1 , the vertices  32 ,  34  to be substantially the same height as the top edge  23  of the face panel as shown in  FIG. 1 . Moreover, the top edges  25 ,  27  shown in  FIG. 1  are entirely inclined, while the top edges  25 ,  27  in  FIGS. 3 and 4  are partially inclined. Also shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  4 , the top edges  25 ,  27  of the side panels  24 ,  26  are substantially the same height as the top edge  21  of the back panel  20 . The embodiments in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  4  also show the header  16  extending upwardly from the top edge  21  of the back panel  20  and the header  16  as coplanar with the back panel  20 . Additionally shown In  FIG. 4 , the header  16  can also be supported by the side uprights  62 ,  64 . 
         [0034]    The sample display unit  10  can be shipped separate from the sheet goods. If this is the case, the sample display unit  10  will be shipped as components forming a kit. When the sample display unit kit arrives at a destination, the kit is located near where the display will be used. If the sample display unit  10  is similar to the first embodiment, then the sample display unit would be shipped in a few components including the support base  40 . The rectangular box  12  would then be assembled, as well as the support base  40 . The shelf  14  and header  16  would then be placed at their respective locations. Next, the rectangular box  12  would be placed on top of the support base  40 . Minor movement may be needed to position all the pieces in the correct fashion. Lastly, the sheet goods  110  are stacked on top of the shelf  14 , and the sample display unit  10  is ready for use. 
         [0035]    If, however, the sample display unit  10  is similar to the second embodiment, then the sample display unit  10  would be shipped as several components in a kit as shown in  FIG. 4 . When the sample display unit kit arrives at a destination, the kit is located near where the display will be used. First, the side uprights  62 ,  64  including the girders  63 ,  65  are placed upright and are oriented in a way that the girders face the inside. Next, the platform  70  is attached to the girders  63 ,  65  in between the side uprights  62 ,  64 . The shelf  14  is then attached to the platform  70 . The crosspieces  80  are then attached to the side uprights  62 ,  64 . Subsequently, the side panels  24 ,  26 , the face panel  22 , the back panel  20 , and header  16  are attached to the side uprights  62 ,  64  and crosspieces  80 . Once setup, the sample sheet goods  110  are placed on top of the shelf  14  and the sample display unit  10  is ready for use. 
         [0036]    Thus, after setup the sample display unit  10  allows sheet goods to be easily removed. A user can easily slide the sheet goods  110  from the stack without having to lift the sheet goods  110  over an edge or lip. This is accomplished by lowering the top edge  23  of the face panel  22  below the elevation of the shelf  14 . Also, the user can access the sheet goods  110  from the sides because of the inclined top edges  25 ,  27  of the side panels  24 ,  26 . Furthermore, the user is provided the sheet goods at a suitable elevation. This is accomplished by designing the shelf  14  to be at a certain distance from the floor in order to alleviate the need to bend at the back or waist. Because the sample display unit  10  can be separated into components, a user could easily ship the sample display unit  10  as a kit and assemble on site. Lastly, both the support base  30  and the frame  60  provide sufficient support for a plurality of sheet goods, while being light weight. 
         [0037]    The foregoing detailed description should be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting. The following claims, including all equivalents, define the spirit and scope of this invention.