Abstract:
A web-based method used over the internet to select a particular type and measurement of a unit package, then pricing a display stand to carry a plurality of such pre-selected unit packages. The computer user, after connecting to the web site and installation of the appropriate software, can select a particular type of hanging unit package having pre-selected dimensions, then determine the number of such unit packages that can be mounted to a display rack panel. The panel and display hook can then be ordered over the internet.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    This invention relates to the designing and pricing of displays and, more particularly, to a computer interactive method of determining the type of display unit packages desired, then computing the number of unit packages and placement required, over the internet.  
           [0003]    2. General Background and State of the Art  
           [0004]    The designing and pricing of unit packages for display stands that are to be used in a retail store is a complicated process. Such unit packages are generally hung from a panel mounted on a freestanding wire stand in the store. Although a large variety of unit packages are known, usually four such unit packages are generally used. However, the size and placement of the hanging tabs of such unit packages vary. Thus, there are a large number of different configurations of unit packages that are to be mounted on a panel that is part of a wire display stand.  
           [0005]    Electronic purchasing of a wide variety of goods over the internet has come into being in recent years. Since displays using unit packages must be custom made for the particular type of unit package to be mounted thereon, purchase of such over the internet has not been heretofore possible.  
           [0006]    There is a need for a method for configuring the type and measurements of a unit packages to be used on a store display, then automatically determining the number and types of display hooks that can be used in a store display. Such a method should be easy to use by anyone over the internet with suitable access software for entering the web site and carrying out the method of determining the display needs required.  
         INVENTION SUMMARY  
         [0007]    It is an object of this invention to provide a web-based method used over the internet to select a particular type and measurement of a unit package, then pricing a display stand to carry a plurality of such pre-selected packages.  
           [0008]    It is a further object of this invention to provide a web-based method using a computer and the internet to determine what type of display hook lengths and number of unit packages on each hook that can be used in a pre-selected display rack.  
           [0009]    These and other objects are preferably accomplished by providing a web site on the internet where a user, after installation of the appropriate software, can select a particular type of hanging unit packages having pre-selected dimensions, then determine the number of such unit packages that can be mounted to a display rack panel. The panel and display hook can then be ordered over the internet. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of four different types of unit packages that can be selected;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is an elevational view of one of the unit packages of FIG. 1;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is a side view of the unit package of FIG. 2;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 is a side view of another of the unit packages of FIG. 1;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 is a side view of still another of the unit packages of FIG. 1;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 6 is a side view of another of the unit packages of FIG. 1;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 7 is a graphical representation of a computer screen in one of the steps for carrying out the invention with data inserted into boxes on the screen display;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 8 is an elevational view of another of the unit packages of FIG. 1;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 9 is a graphical representation of a computer screen illustrating a selected layout in carrying out the steps of the invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 10 is a graphical representation of a computer screen illustrating a side view of the layout of FIG. 9; and  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 11 is a graphical representation of a computer screen illustrating the final step in selecting unit packages for a pre-selected display stand in accordance with the teachings of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0021]    Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawing, four conventional types of unit packages  10  through  13  are shown. Package  10  is generally rectangular in configuration having a front wall  14  spaced from a rear wall  15  and interconnected side walls  16 ,  17  (see also FIGS. 2 and 3). Package  10  also has a top wall  18  (FIG. 1) and a bottom wall  19  (FIG. 3). The front wall  14  (FIG. 1) has a rectangular opening  20  providing access into the interior of unit  10  where a product may be mounted and displayed. The package  10  in use may be blister- or cellophane-wrapped to provide a visual display of the product while protecting the same.  
         [0022]    A hanging tab  21  is provided at top having an opening  22  therein, which may be generally triangular and pointed at top for hanging package  10  on a display hook, as will be discussed. As seen in FIG. 3, tab  21  is to the rear of package  10  extending upwardly from the rear wall  15 .  
         [0023]    Package  11  is identical to package  10 , except for the location of its hanging tag  23 , and thus like numerals refer to like parts of package  10 . Tag  23  (FIG. 1) has an opening  24  therein identical to opening  22  in tab  21 . As seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, tab  23  is mounted on top wall  18  between front and rear walls  14 ,  15 .  
         [0024]    Referring again to FIG. 1, package  12  is a unit package in the form of a blister card having a generally planar panel  25  with a slotted opening  26  having an upper hook receiving slot  27  for mounting package  12  on a display hook, as will be discussed.  
         [0025]    A transparent blister  28  (see also FIG. 5) is mounted on the front of panel  25  above the bottom thereof. Blister  28  is of any suitable transparent plastic material allowing a product to be mounted therein and be visible to a customer.  
         [0026]    Referring again to FIG. 1, a unit package in the form of a blister card  13  is shown otherwise identical to card  12  except that blister  29 , as seen in FIGS. 1 and 6, extends on both sides of panel  30 . Slot  26  and upper slot  27  of card  13  are identical to slots  26 ,  27  of card  12 .  
         [0027]    Referring now to FIG. 7, a dimensions box  31  is presented to the customer on his or her computer screen after selection of one of the unit packages of FIG. 1. Dimensions box  31  is generally identical (except where indicated below) for each selected unit package and has listings for entry of product height, product width, product depth, left side to hole and top to hole. Such listings may be entered in inches (column  32 ), (or any other selected units of measurement by selection of down arrows  33 ) in whole numbers (column  34 ) or fractions (column  35 ).  
         [0028]    For example, for unit package  10 , the product height may be entered as 5″, the width as 3″, the depth as 1″, the left side to center of opening  22  in tab  21  as 1.5″ (see arrow  36  in FIG. 2) and the top of tab  21  to the apex of opening  22  as {fraction (5/16)}-inches (see arrow  37 ). As seen in FIG. 7, the values selected in inches appear in column  38 .  
         [0029]    The dimensions selected for unit package  11  may be the same except that a dimension for the distance of tab  23  from the wall  15  (FIG. 4) of unit package  11  must be selected (for example, ½-inch).  
         [0030]    The dimensions selected for unit package  13  are identical to those shown as an example in FIG. 7. As seen in FIG. 8, the left side to hole measurement is determined by arrow  39  whereas the top to hole is determined by arrow  40 . The back to hole is identical to the product depth.  
         [0031]    The dimensions selected for unit package  12  are identical to those selected for unit package  13 .  
         [0032]    Once the dimensions for the selected unit package are entered, the customer moves forward to the display rack  41  of FIGS. 9 and 10. Rack  41  is a freestanding conventional wire rack having side walls  42 ,  43 . A panel  44 , having a plurality of spaced rows of slots  45 , is mounted to rack  41  in any suitable manner, such as mounting clips  46  (see FIG. 10).  
         [0033]    Slots  45  are adapted to receive therein display hooks  47 , which may be of the type shown and described in my U.S. Pat. No. 4,671,417. In that patent, the display hook has a gripping finger that snaps into the slot  45  with an outwardly extending elongated finger, such as finger  48  (FIG. 10) terminating in an upturned end  49  for retaining unit packages of the type shown in FIG. 1 thereon. That is, fingers  48  extend through the openings in the tabs or slots of units  11  to  13  and the unit packages rest on the hooks  47  until removed by the customer.  
         [0034]    A header panel  50  may be provided at top snap fitting into panel  44 , as is well known in the art, for presenting advertising material thereon to the customer.  
         [0035]    As seen in FIG. 11, an order form  51  appears on the user&#39;s computer screen along with the rack  43  and panel  44  when the particular unit package is selected. The order form has a first upper box  52  where the customer can select the particular length display hook  47  he or she would like to use (dependent on the number of unit packages that can be mounted thereon). Thus, as shown, selecting a 4-inch hook  47  indicates that three unit packages can be mounted on each hook for a total of  60  unit packages on panel  44  of FIGS. 9 and 10.  
         [0036]    The customer can then select whether or not an overhang is desired. Looking at the next box  53 , the number of unit packages to be ordered is selected (e.g.,  
         [0037]    [0037] 2 , 500  unit packages), the quantity being indicated on the customer&#39;s computer screen in box  53 .  
         [0038]    Looking at the next box  54 , the bill of materials for each 60-piece unit package selected is displayed. For example, the following may be displayed in box  54   
       Bill of Materials 60 Piece  
       [0039]    1. 24 inch back panel, high impact styrene  
         [0040]    2. 20-4″ single prong hook,  
         [0041]    3. 1 set dividers, corrugated-175/B  
         [0042]    4. 1 Pc shipper, corrugated-RSC175/B Kraft Print 1 color/4 panel  
         [0043]    5. heater card chipboard SBS 0.018″ thick print four color process  
         [0044]    The computer screen in box  54  may indicate the pricing for a complete assembly, packed out, shrink-wrapped and container ready. The unit package cost based on the number of unit packages selected may be shown along with the address and telephone numbers of the company selling the materials listed. The dimensions of the final container to be shipped may be given.  
         [0045]    The back panel may be of any suitable material, such as high impact styrene, cardboard, injection molded plastic, etc. The display hooks  47  may be of any suitable type as is well known in the rack display art.  
         [0046]    Obviously, the bill of materials and the number of hooks and dimensions of the panel  44  may be varied and is, of course, dependent on the type of unit packages selected in FIG. 1 and the dimensions thereof desired. Although four different unit packages are described and shown in FIG. 1, obviously various configurations may be used along with suitable dimensional relationships.  
         [0047]    Although a particular embodiment of the invention is disclosed, variations thereof may occur to an artisan and the scope of the invention should only be limited by the scope of the appended claims.