Abstract:
A folded slatwall insert is provided. A slatwall cover is illustrated anchored to a typical slatwall and covering at least one slat of the slatwall. A folded slatwall insert as disclosed prevents surface damage to a typical slatwall, allows for rapid and cost effective customization of the aesthetics of the slatwall, and can be used to mount custom graphics to the slatwall.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application is a Continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/184,350, filed Aug. 1, 2008, the entire teachings and disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention generally relates to retail merchandise display assemblies and more particularly to covering for retail merchandise assemblies. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Slatwall displays are often used in the retail merchandise industry to display retail merchandise. A typical slatwall has an array of slats or flat surfaces separated by adjacent channels. A wide variety of retail merchandise support structures may be affixed to a slatwall display via these channels. Typically, a given retail merchandise support structure will be adapted to lock into the slatwall by having mounting features that correspond to the channels, and a backing feature that rests against the horizontal slat between adjacent channels. Prior to installation of the retail merchandise support structures, the slatwall may be painted or fabricated from a colored material to assist in the aesthetic display of retail merchandise contained in the later installed retail merchandise support structures. Several embodiments of slatwalls are illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,578 to Fishman, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,134,846 to Lamb. 
     Over time, as the retail merchandise support structures are installed and uninstalled from the slatwalls, the slats and the channels of the slatwall tend to become damaged or marred from repeated engagement by the mounting features of the retail merchandise support structures. Fortunately, the damage caused does not inhibit the functionality of the slatwalls, yet it is still not desirable to use the slatwalls once damaged for aesthetic reasons. The cost to replace an otherwise functional slatwall can be very high given that the construction of the slatwall is robust and incorporates a substantial amount of material and manufacturing time. 
     Moreover, once a particular slatwall has been painted or manufactured to be a certain color, it must be repainted or discarded when a new color is desired, such as during the holiday season. In order to repaint or change out the slatwall, one must remove all the retail merchandise support structures thereon. The time required for removal coupled with the time required for repainting can also become very costly. 
     There exists, therefore, a need in the art for a way to cover and protect the slatwall, as well as way to quickly change the appearance of the slatwall without the high cost of repainting or discarding it for a new color. The invention disclosed herein provides such a solution. These and other advantages of the invention, as well as additional inventive features, will be apparent from the description of the invention provided herein. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has several aspects that may be claimed and stand as patentable independently and individually or in combination with other aspects, including but not limited to the following. 
     In one aspect, an embodiment of the invention provides a conformable slatwall cover. A folded slatwall insert according to this aspect comprises a slatwall cover having a center portion that has a width substantially corresponding to the width of a horizontal slat of the slatwall. The center portion serves as a cover for the horizontal slat. The folded slatwall insert also has first and second anchor portions on opposed sides of the center portion. The anchor portions are adapted for anchoring the slatwall cover to the slatwall. 
     In other aspects, an embodiment of the invention provides a retail display system that may be quickly configured to have different appearances. A slatwall display system according to this aspect comprises a slatwall having a plurality of channels and a plurality of slats defined between adjacent channels. The slats have a front face defined between adjacent channels. The slatwall display system also has at least one slatwall cover that has a center portion and first and second anchor portions. The anchor portions project into and anchor the center portion over the front face of a given slat. 
     Once installed, the slatwall cover serves to protect the front face and the adjacent channels from being marred or damaged during the installation of retail merchandise support structures. Also, the slatwall display system may be quickly modified to display a different color by removing the slatwall cover and replacing it with another slatwall cover having a different appearance. Changing the slatwall cover itself is a more cost effective solution than repainting or discarding the slatwall. Additionally, the slatwall cover may be manufactured from a transparent material and printed graphics may be placed against a front face of a slat of the slatwall and underneath the slatwall cover, thus allowing for easy viewing while maintaining the condition of the graphics. 
     In other aspects the invention provides a method for installing a slatwall cover onto a slatwall. A method according to this aspect comprises the steps of anchoring at least one slatwall cover into the channels of the slatwall and covering at least one slat of the slatwall with the slatwall cover. The method may also include unrolling the slatwall cover from a roll and cutting the slatwall cover to a predetermined length. The method may also further include inserting a printed graphic between the slatwall and the slatwall cover or printing a decoration directly on the slatwall cover prior to installation. 
     Other embodiments of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is an exemplary embodiment of a slatwall display system in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a slatwall cover of the slatwall display system of  FIG. 1  in an unfolded configuration; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the slatwall cover of  FIG. 2  in a unfolded and rolled configuration; 
         FIG. 4  is an end view of the slatwall cover of  FIG. 2  in a folded configuration. 
         FIG. 5  is a partial side view of the slatwall display system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the slatwall cover of  FIG. 2 . installed on a typical slatwall and incorporating a typical retail merchandise support structure. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of a slatwall cover of the slatwall display system of  FIG. 1  covering multiple slats simultaneously. 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of an extruded embodiment of a slatwall cover of the slatwall display system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  is a partial side view of an alternative embodiment of a typical slatwall. 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a typical retail merchandise support structure. 
     
    
    
     While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a slatwall display system  100  is illustrated, which may include a slatwall  12  with a plurality of folded slatwall covers  10  installed thereon. As illustrated, the slatwall cover  10  may function to protect and/or alter the appearance of the slatwall  12 . In general, the folded slatwall cover  10  may extend the entirety of the distance defined between slatwall side faces  14 ,  16  or a portion thereof, and the slatwall cover may be interposed between a retail merchandise support structure  24  and the slatwall  12 . As illustrated, the slatwall cover  10  covers one slat  18  of the slatwall  12 . However, in other embodiments, the slatwall cover  10  may be manufactured to cover more than one slat  18  as will be discussed in more detail below. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a slatwall cover  10  is illustrated defining a center portion  26 , and first and second anchor portions  28 ,  30  in opposed space relation to one another and sandwiching the center portion  26  therebetween. Each anchor portion may include a connecting section  32  and a wing section  34 . The connecting section  32  is connected to the center portion  26  by a first fold line  36 . The wing section  34  is connected to the connecting section  32  by a second fold line  38 . However, as will be discussed in more detail below, each anchor portion may include a plurality of fold lines and connecting and wing sections to facilitate covering two or more slats  18  while simultaneously conforming to a channel disposed between two adjacent slats. The length of the slatwall cover may extend between transverse cut lines  40 ,  42  that are generally transverse to the first and second fold lines  36 ,  38 . However, in other embodiments, the length of the slatwall cover  10  may also be defined by the user, by cutting the slatwall cover  10  to a custom length. Although the slatwall cover  10  is illustrated as having a generally uniform and uninterrupted surface, it may also contain a plurality of cut out portions  11 , allowing for a partial view of the slatwall front face  19  (See  FIG. 1 ) disposed of behind the slatwall cover  10 . A typical slatwall cover  10  may have a length of about six inches to about twenty four feet, and a width of about one half inch to about seventy two inches. 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the slatwall cover  10  typically has a pair of first and second fold lines  36 ,  38 . The pair of fold lines  36 ,  38  are in opposed space relation to one another and situated on either side of the center portion  26 . In the illustrated embodiment each pair of fold lines  36 ,  38  extends between the first and second transverse cut lines  40 ,  42  but may also extend a length along the slatwall cover  10  that is defined by the user, by cutting the slatwall cover  10  at a custom length. The fold lines  36 ,  38  may be defined by perforations on the slatwall cover  10 , or other similar features such as scores, slits, folds, or creases. The aforementioned fold lines  36 ,  38  allow for the slatwall cover  10  to be folded from an unfolded state to a folded state. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a slatwall cover  10  is illustrated in a coiled and unfolded state. As such, when constructed of a generally flexible material, the slatwall cover  10  may be supplied as a roll  44 . The slatwall cover may also be supplied as a roll  44  within a container  46 . Furthermore, the container  46  may include a cutting edge  48 , thus removing the necessity for the transverse cut lines  40 ,  42 . The cutting edge may be formed from metal or plastic, and may be serrated or sharpened to assist cutting. When supplied with the cutting edge  48 , the slatwall cover  10  may have a length determined by the user, and not predefined by the transverse cut lines  40 ,  42 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a slatwall cover is illustrated in a folded state. When folded, the slatwall cover  10  has a non planar profile, and generally takes a shape that conforms to a typical slat  18  of a slatwall  12 . The slatwall cover  10  may be configured into a folded state from an unfolded state by first rotating the connecting section  32  in a first direction  49  about the first fold line  36 . This rotation results in a first angle  50  between the connecting section  32  and the center portion  26 . The wing section  34  is then rotated in a second direction  51  about the second fold line  38  resulting in a second angle  52  between connecting and wing sections  32 ,  34 . Typically, angles  50 ,  52  will be equal such that center portion  26  and wing section  34  are generally parallel. Also, angles  50 ,  52  will typically be between about one degree and about one hundred eighty degrees. However, the angular measure of angles  50 ,  52  will be governed by the sizing and shape of the slatwall channel  20 ,  22 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 5 , once in a folded state, the slatwall cover  10  generally conforms to at least one slat  18  of the slatwall. The slatwall cover  10  may be installed by first cutting a length of the slatwall cover manually or by using the transverse cut lines  40 ,  42 . The length to be cut may be obtained by first unrolling the slatwall cover  10  from roll  44  (See  FIG. 3 ). The slatwall cover  10  may be removed from the roll by utilizing a transverse cut line  40 ,  42  or by using the cutting edge  48  on the container  46  that houses the roll  44 . The slatwall cover  10  may then be placed into its folded configuration, and then affixed to the slatwall  12  by sliding the anchor portions  28 ,  30  into channels  20 ,  22  as illustrated. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 5 , the center portion  26  covers at least a portion of slat  18 . Alternatively, the slatwall cover  10  may be installed by pressing the center portion  26  against the front face  19  of the slat  18 , and then rotating the connecting section  32  about the first fold line  36  inward and into the channel  20 . The wing section  34  may then be rotated about the second fold line  38 . Folded as illustrated, the connecting and wing sections  32 ,  34  serve to anchor the slatwall cover  10  in place while orienting the center portion  26  over at least one slat  18 . 
     Additionally, a graphic  60  may be interposed between a rear face  56  of the slatwall cover  10  center portion  26  and the front face  19  of the slat  18 . The graphic  60  may be printed and be a mere design, i.e. seasonal symbols, or contain product information thereon. When the slatwall cover  10  is constructed from a transparent material, the graphic may be viewed while simultaneously being protected from damage when placed behind the slatwall cover  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , once the slatwall cover  10  has been installed as discussed above, a retail merchandise support structure  24  may then be installed onto the slatwall  12 . As illustrated, the slatwall cover  10  will be interposed between the slatwall  12  and the retail merchandise support structures  24 . The slatwall cover  10  may be constructed of a material that is flexible enough and preferably conformable (e.g. paper material that can crush and readily conform) such that at least one of the anchor portions  28 ,  30  will conform to any mounting features of the retail merchandise support structure  24 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a slatwall cover  10  is illustrated covering multiple slats  18  at one time. In the illustrated embodiment, the slatwall cover  10  will have a third anchor portion  31  which may have a plurality of fold lines such that the anchor portion  31  may be folded to conform to the channel  22  and an adjacent slat  18  may then be covered as well. As illustrated, a graphic  60  may be interposed between the slatwall cover  10  and the slats  18  of the slatwall  12 . Although two adjacent slats  18  have been covered in the illustrated embodiment, the slatwall cover  10  may be manufactured to cover more than two adjacent slats  18  simultaneously. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 8 , a slatwall cover  10  is illustrated as an extrusion. In this embodiment, the slatwall cover  10  is manufactured in a flat or flattened state with weakened thinner regions of material creating living hinges  300  as fold lines. As such, anchor portions  28 ,  30  will be formed to generally mirror the interior of channels  20 ,  22 . In this embodiment, the fold lines facilitate subsequent folding of the material after extrusion. Retail merchandise support structure  24  may then be installed on the slatwall  12 , wherein the slatwall cover  10  will be interposed between the retail merchandise support structure  24  and the slats  18 . A graphic  60  may also be interposed between the slatwall cover  10  and the slat  18  in this embodiment. When the slatwall cover  10  is extruded from a transparent material, the graphic  60  may be viewed by the consumer and protected by the slatwall cover  10 . 
     The slatwall cover  10  may be manufactured by a variety of methods. As an example, the slatwall cover may be manufactured on a flexographic printing press, which can trim the slatwall cover to an appropriate width  58  (See  FIG. 2 ), place the fold and transverse cut lines,  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42  and optionally print the slatwall cover  10  with a variety of decorations. The slatwall cover  10  material may be a transparent or opaque flexible plastic, vinyl, paper, or a variety of other materials. All of these materials or covers made can be readily folded, preferably with fold lines formed from thinner regions of material, weakened sections, creases, die impressions, scoring perforations, and/or a combination thereof. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 9 , an alternative embodiment of a slatwall  12  (See  FIG. 1 ) is illustrated. While illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 , and  8  as having a channels  20 ,  22  with a generally “T” shaped profile, a slatwall  12  may also have channels having a chamfered interior edge  200 . When the slatwall  12  is supplied as such, the slatwall cover  10  will conform to the channels  20 ,  22  in the same manner as described above. 
     Moving now to  FIG. 10 , an alternative embodiment of a retail merchandise support structure  24  is illustrated. While illustrated in  FIG. 1  has having a mounting feature  202  that is adapted to interlock with the slat  18  that the retail merchandise support structure  24  also rests upon, the mounting feature  202  may also be manufactured to interlock with the interior of a vertically adjacent slat  18 . This is accomplished where the mounting feature  202  is directed generally upward and away from the retail merchandise support structure  24 . 
     As described herein, the folded slatwall cover  10  prevents surface damage to slatwall  12  slats  18  and channels  20 ,  22  thus preserving the usage life of a typical slatwall. Moreover, the slatwall cover  10  allows a typical slatwall  12  to take on an infinite number of appearances in a cost efficient manner, by quickly changing out one color/design of slatwall cover for another. 
     All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 
     The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
     Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated.