Abstract:
A point of purchase display includes a hanger strip with a plurality of sideways hangers suspending products with suspendable packaging. The hanger strip is a single planar sheet with a plurality of slits that form tongue members extending in one lateral direction to a free end that can be pivoted to either the front or back side of the strip. The tongues can take various configurations, for example, having upwardly extending hooked free ends or round-headed free ends. The hangers can also be formed of generally E-shaped slits defining opposing tongue and prong features, preferably designed to capture the necks of hanger hooks on the products. The hanger strip also has a display area devoid of hangers for promotional printing or decals.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/485,328 filed Jul. 7, 2003. 
    
    
     STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT SPONSORED DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to product displays and in particular to product hanging strips. 
     Product manufacturers and suppliers want their products displayed in prominent locations in an eye-catching manner likely to attract consumers. Retail outlets typically wish to maximize the quantity of products displayed for sale, and thus, premium shelf and floor space is limited. One way to increase the available space for display of certain products in high traffic areas, such as aisle end caps and check out lanes, is to attach the products to display strips. Such strips typically mount to the front of a shelf and sometimes project out into the aisle to make them more visible. 
     One example of a product display strip can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,690. This display strip includes a vertical support that mounts to the front of shelving and holds a wire bracket suspending a metal strip. The strip has a number of vertically spaced tabs or tongues cut out at all but one side on which the products are hung. Each tongue is bent at an angle away from the strip so that products can hang on the strip by simply slipping the tongue in a slot formed in the product package. The display strip disclosed in this patent is typical of many conventional displays, requiring separate mounting hardware and having connecting tabs or tongues that are oriented vertically in the direction of elongation of the strip. The tongues are in this orientation so that the attached products cannot readily fall from the strip. However, this is only true when the strip is in its proper vertical orientation. When it is tipped forward or sideways the products can fall off of the strip. Moreover, when the tongues are oriented this way, the products must be lifted up and slid off of the tongues, which is likely to dislodge one or more products suspended above the selected product, since it is customary to overlap adjacent products mounted on such strips. 
     Thus, a product display strip is desired with an improved connection for attaching the products being displayed. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect the invention provides a product display hanger strip comprising a single planar sheet extending from a top end to a bottom end and having a plurality of slits defining a plurality of hangers. Each hanger has a tongue extending laterally essentially perpendicular to the direction between the top and bottom ends and being separated from the sheet at a free end so the tongue can be pivoted with respect to the sheet. 
     In one preferred form, the slits defining the hangers take a continuous generally “E” shaped path. Each slit forms two prongs extending laterally in the opposite direction above and below the associated tongue. The prongs thus define a groove for the tongue. Like the tongue, the prongs are separated from the sheet at free ends so that they can be pivoted with respect to the sheet out of contact with the tongue. Pivoting the tongue and prongs breaks the tongue and groove connection of the hanger momentarily so that a hook end of a product package can be inserted therebetween. Releasing the tongue and prongs allows them to capture the hook and suspend the product. The product is retained to the strip securely, so it will not readily fall out if the strip is tipped or dropped, until it is pulled free from the hanger. The hangers can be arranged in spaced apart columns and staggered such that one column is closer to the top end and an adjacent column is closer to the bottom end so that overlapped products are more readily removable. 
     In another preferred form, the hangers are formed of slits defining tongues with round-headed free ends. Preferably, the tongues are hinged to the sheet at a proximal end and the tongues neck down to an enlarged round head at the free end (resembling a sideways keyhole). The neck and enlarged head help retain the hook or other hanger of the product and the round shape of the head prevents the product for snagging when installed or removed. In this hanger configuration, preferably the hangers are arranged on the strip in pairs, the hangers of the individual pairs being in opposite orientations and spaced apart in the direction between the top and bottom of the strip. The pairs of hangers are also arranged in staggered longitudinal (vertical) columns. 
     In still another preferred form, the hangers are formed of slits defining tongues with upwardly extending (90 degree angle) hooked free ends. The tongues are hinged to the sheet at the proximal end and have an intermediate lateral section with a serrated upper edge. The serrated edge provides valleys in which an edge of the product hanger can seat, and the free ends extend longitudinally perpendicular to the serrated section so that the products cannot slide straight off of the free end of the hanger. Like the preceding hanger configuration, here the hangers can be arranged on the strip in pairs, with the hangers of the individual pairs being in opposite orientations and spaced apart in the direction between the top and bottom of the strip so that each hinged proximal end lies essentially along the same longitudinal (vertical) axis. 
     For any of the above hanger configurations, the hanger strip can include a mounting feature, for example, which can be a simple hole through the top end of the strip for fitting onto a clip or post. Also, the sheet preferably defines a display area devoid of hangers that is printed on or receives decals associated with the products being displayed. 
     Another aspect of the invention provides a point of purchase display including a hanger strip with a plurality of sideways hangers supporting suspendable products. The hanger strip can have hangers of any of the sideways configurations mentioned above. The products have upper ends defining hangers including openings sized to receive the tongue of one hanger of the hanger strip. The product hangers can either be hooks defining a lateral slot or opening that opens to one side to receive the tongue of the hanger strip hanger, and in one embodiment of the invention, the neck of which can be captured between the tongue and prong arrangement for improved product attachment. The product hangers can also be bounded openings, such as circular or elongated holes, that receive the tongues of the hanger strip hangers. 
     The present invention thus provides a point of purchase display with a hanger display strip with an improved lateral tongue and groove connection. The lateral orientation of the tongues better retains the products to the strip while allowing products to be removed therefrom by simply pulling the product straight away from the strip (to spread apart the tongue and prongs), and thereby make it easier to remove one product at a time without inadvertently dislodging adjacent products. In addition, each of the hangers can be pivoted to either the front or back side of the strip, which allows for products to be anchored at either or both sides of the strip. Thus, the hanger strip of the present invention could be used for one-sided display or two-sided display. Moreover, the strip could be used to display the same product at both sides, or it could be printed to display one product at its front and a different product at its back. 
     The advantages of the invention will appear from the following description. In this description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and in which there is shown by way of illustration preferred embodiments of the invention. These embodiments do not represent the full scope of the invention. Thus, the claims should be looked to in order to ascertain the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is front perspective view of the product display hanger strip according to the present invention, showing products hanging thereon; 
         FIG. 2  is a front plan view of the hanger strip of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged partial front view taken along arc  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2  of one lateral hanger feature of the hanger display strip of  FIG. 1  with a hanger end of product package shown engaged therein; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the product display hanger strip having sideways hangers of a different configuration; 
         FIG. 6  is a front plan view thereof; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another alternate embodiment of the product display hanger strip having sideways hangers with serrated edges and hooked ends; 
         FIG. 9  is a front plan view thereof; and 
         FIG. 10  is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A point of purchase display  10  according to the present invention is shown in one preferred form in  FIG. 1 . Generally, the display  10  includes a hanger strip  12  and a plurality of hangable products  14  in which either the products or the product packages (as shown) have a hook feature  16  that engages with one of a plurality of hangers  18  formed in the hanger strip  12 . 
     More specifically, with reference to  FIG. 2 , the hanger strip  12  is of single sheet construction, preferably made of somewhat flexible paperboard or plastic sheeting. The hanger strip  12  has a top end  20 , a bottom end  22 , and opposite sides  24  and  26 . The hanger strip  12  is shown as be longer from top to bottom than from side to side, however, this need not be the case. Preferably, the hanger strip  12  has a display area  28  devoid of hangers where printing or decals can be placed containing text and graphics promoting the associated products. Also, preferably, the hanger strip  12  includes some type of mounting feature, which in one form can be a simple hole  30  for suspending the hanger strip  12  from a clip, nail or other post like element. Such a mounting feature should be located at the top end  20  of the hanger strip  12  to allow it to hang plumb. Other mounting features, such as adhesives, magnets, or clips, can be attached at any suitable location, such as at the back side of the sheet slightly above center. 
     The hangers  18  are formed in the hanger strip  12  by a punch cut technique forming multiple slits therein without removing material. As shown in the drawings, the slits are continuous between their unconnected ends and generally form a curving “E” shape. Of course, the hangers  18  could be formed by discontinuous cuts or with slits having squared corners or opposite orientations (forming backwards “E” shapes). These variations notwithstanding, the slits must form hangers  18  that extend laterally, that is in the direction between the sides  24  and  26 . In particular, the E-shaped slits define opposing tongue and groove features, having a tongue  32  extending in one lateral direction to a free end  34  disposed in a groove  36  formed between two prongs  38  having free ends  40  extending in the opposite lateral direction above and below the tongue  32 . Since the tongue  32  and prongs  38  are unitary parts of the sheet, but have free ends  34  and  40 , respectively, they can be pivoted out of contact with each other in the fashion of window shutters. Doing so disengages the tongue and groove connection so that the products can be attached to and removed from the hangers  18 . While not necessary, the hangers  18  can be arranged in spaced apart columns for an orderly appearance and the columns can be staggered between the top  20  and bottom  22  ends so that the ends of the products  14  in adjacent columns are not aligned horizontally, which also improves the appearance of the display and can aid in removing a single product without dislodging others. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the hangers  18  engage each of the products  14  at the hook feature  16 . The hook feature  16  can be unitary part of the product or its packaging or it can be simply a tab attached thereto, for example, by an adhesive. In any event, the hook feature  16  has a laterally extending opening or slot  44  (in this case opening to the left as shown in  FIG. 3 ) to define a hook  46  having a neck  48  and a free end  50 . An inner portion  52  of the slot  44  is larger, preferably just slightly larger, than the height of the tongue  32 . The gap adjacent the free end  50 , on the other hand, is smaller than the height of the tongue  32  so that it can wrap around the tongue  32 . 
     In particular, when the product  14  is mounted in the hanger  16  (as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) by pivoting the tongue  32  and prongs  38  to the front side of the hanger strip  12 , the neck  48  of the hook  46  can fit through the gap between the tongue  32  and prongs  38  and the free end  50  of the hook  46  can fit over the tongue  32 , which fits through the inner portion  52  of the slot  44 . Releasing the tongue  32  and prongs  38  allows them to flex back toward their original position (although not completely due to the presence of the hook  46  as shown in  FIG. 4 ). In this way, the neck  48  of the hook  46  is captured between the tongue and groove connection at a back side of the tongue  32  while the free end  50  of the hook  46  overlaps a front side of the tongue  32 . This arrangement securely retains the product in the hanger strip  12  since the hook  46  is supported by the laterally extending tongue  32  with its neck  48  captured behind the tongue  32  and prongs  38 . The products  14  are thus more apt to stay connected to the hanger strip  12  in the event it is tipped or falls from its mount and when one product is removed. Despite this improved connection, each product  14  can be simply pulled free from the hanger strip  12  in which case the hook  46  and/or the tongue  32  and prongs  38  will flex and disengage. The lateral arrangement of the hangers  18  permit the products  14  to be removed by pulling them straight (or at angle) out from the hanger strip  12 , rather than sliding it up and interfering with an adjacent product. 
       FIGS. 5-7  and  8 - 10  illustrate two alternate product display hanger strips according to the present invention. These two alternate embodiments are similar to the above described embodiment and thus similar reference numerals will be used were appropriate, albeit with the suffix “A” for the embodiment in  FIGS. 5-7  and the suffix “B” for the embodiment in  FIGS. 8-10 . Both alternate embodiments differ from the previously described embodiment primarily in the configuration of the hangers on the hanger strip. 
     In particular, referring to  FIGS. 5-7 , a point of purchase display  10 A includes a hanger strip  12 A and a plurality of hangable products  14 A having a hanger feature  16 A that engages with one of a plurality of hangers  18 A formed in the hanger strip  12 A. As before, the hanger strip  12 A is of single sheet flexible paperboard or plastic having a top end  20 A, a bottom end  22 A, opposite sides  24 A and  26 A and a display area  28 A with a mounting hole  30 A. Slits are cut into the strip sheet to form the hangers  18 A. As shown in the drawings, each slit is continuous between unconnected ends and generally forms a tongue  32 A, which extends laterally in the direction between the sides  24 A and  26 A. In particular, each tongue  32 A is hinged to the sheet at a proximal end  33  and narrows to a neck  35  before enlarged to a round-headed free end  34 A. The free ends  34 A can be pivoted away from the plane of the hanger strip sheet toward either a front side or a back side thereof so that the products can be attached to and removed from the hangers  18 A. In this configuration, the hangers  18 A are preferably arranged in pairs, the hangers  18 A of the individual pairs being in opposite orientations and spaced apart in the direction between the top and bottom of the strip. The pairs of hangers  18 A are also arranged in staggered longitudinal (vertical) columns, as shown. This gives the display an orderly appearance and staggers the products  14  in adjacent columns so that their ends are not aligned horizontally, thereby making it easier to remove a single product without dislodging others. 
     Preferably, the hangers  18 A are engaged by the hanger feature  16 A of the products  14 A, which is either part of the product itself or its packaging. For this embodiment, the hanger feature  16 A is preferably a hook with a laterally extending opening or slot  44 A (in this case opening to the left as shown in  FIG. 5 ) to define a hook  46 A having a neck  48 A and a free end  50 A. Although not shown, an inner portion of the slot  44 A can be larger than the height of the tongue  32 A while the gap adjacent the free end  50 A is smaller than the height of the tongue  32 A so that it can wrap around the tongue  32 A. This is shown clearly in  FIG. 3  of the first described embodiment. 
     When a product  14 A is mounted in the hanger  16 A (as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 ) by pivoting the tongue  32 A to one side of the hanger strip  12 A, the neck  48 A of the hook  46 A can fit through the gap between the tongue  32 A and the hanger strip  12 A and the free end  50 A of the hook  46 A can fit over the tongue  32 , which fits through the inner portion  52  of the slot  44 , and rest in the valley of the neck portion adjacent the rounded head at the free end, thus helping to better retain the product  14 A to the hanger  12 A. The round shape of the free end  34 A reduces the chance that the products will get caught up when sliding them onto or off of the hanger  12 A. 
     With regard to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 8-10 , a point of purchase display  10 B includes a hanger strip  12 B and a plurality of hangable products  14 B having a hanger feature  16 B that engages one of a plurality of hangers  18 B formed in the hanger strip  12 B. Again, the hanger strip  12 B has a top end  20 B, a bottom end  22 B, opposite sides  24 B and  26 B and a display area  28 B with a mounting hole  30 B. Slits are cut into the strip sheet to form the hangers  18 B to be continuous between unconnected ends and form a tongue  32 B, which extends laterally in the direction between the sides  24 B and  26 B. In particular, each tongue  32 B is hinged to the sheet at a proximal end  33 B and extends through an intermediate section  35 B having a serrated top edge  37  leading to an upright hooked free end  34 B perpendicular to the intermediate section  35 B . The free ends  34 A can be pivoted away from the plane of the hanger strip sheet toward either the front or back side thereof so that the products can be attached to and removed from the hangers  18 B. Like in the preceding embodiment, here the hangers  18 B can be arranged on the strip in pairs, with the hangers  12 B of the individual pairs being in opposite orientations and spaced apart in the direction between the top and bottom of the hanger strip  12 B so that each hinged proximal end  33 B lies essentially along the same longitudinal (vertical) axis  39 . Like the above-described embodiments, this gives the display an orderly appearance and staggers the products  14  in adjacent columns so that their ends are not aligned horizontally, thereby making it easier to remove a single product without dislodging others. 
     Preferably, the hangers  18 B are engaged by the hanger feature  16 B of the products  14 B, which is either part of the product itself or its packaging. For this embodiment, the hanger feature  16 B is preferably a bounded (no open ends) opening  44 B, either being a circular opening or a laterally extending opening (as shown in  FIG. 8 ). 
     When one of the products  14 B is mounted in the hanger  16 B (as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 10 ) by pivoting the tongue  32 B to one side of the hanger strip  12 B, opening  44 B simply slips over the free end  34 B of the tongue  32 B and rests in a valley of the serrated edge  39 , which helps retain the product  14 B to the hanger  12 B. The product  14 B is further retained on the hanger  18 B because the hooked free end  34 B, being longer than the height of the opening  44 B, will engage the product  14 B if it were to attempt to slide off of the tongue  32 B (for example if the display where to tip over). 
     While there has been shown and described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the described devices without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, to ascertain the full scope of the invention, reference must be had to the following claims.