Abstract:
An expandable display system that has an expanded position for displaying products and a compact position for efficient shipment. The expandable display system includes a product tray and a graphic panel, with the graphic panel being configured to slide along the product tray so that the expandable display system can move from the compact position to the expanded position and vice versa. In certain embodiments, the expandable display system includes a locking mechanism that prevents the graphic panel from separating from the product tray when the graphic panel slides along the product tray as the expandable display system moves from the compact position to the expanded position.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Embodiments of the present invention relate to expandable display systems having a compact position and an expanded position. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Retail product sales are driven by many factors. Product demand, quality, and pricing are some factors that contribute to retail product sales. Other factors may include product advertising and product location in the retail environment. Many product display devices are designed to take advantage of valuable retail space and their location. Display devices may also be designed to utilize advertising space creatively to include product graphics, indicia, and trademarks. 
         [0003]    Display devices and product ideally should be easy to set up, requiring minimal time and effort from retail employees. Some retail establishments require that displays meet particular size specifications to maximize the advertising and display space for the product. However, display size specifications are often greater than the merchandise space requirements, which leads to waste in materials and space during shipping and storage. 
         [0004]    It is thus desirable to provide a display unit that is easy to ship, easy to set up, and provides efficient delivery of product to the end-consumer. It is further desirable to provide display units that feature graphics, while also providing the additional display space on the unit, if needed. It is further desirable to provide a display unit that uses a minimal amount of material and requires a minimal amount of space during shipping. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Embodiments of this invention include an expandable display system including a product tray and an associated graphic panel. According to one embodiment of this invention, the graphic panel is slidably connected to the product tray, allowing the graphic panel to telescope along the product tray to expand and contract the overall size of the expandable display system. In this manner, the expandable display system has a compact position and an expanded position. According to one embodiment, the expandable display system includes a locking mechanism to prevent the graphic panel from separating from the product tray when the expandable display system moves from the compact position to the expanded position. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the expandable display system according to one embodiment of the invention, shown in the compact position. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the expandable display system of  FIG. 1 , shown in the expanded position. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is front plan view of the expandable display system of  FIG. 1 , shown in the compact position. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is front plan view of the expandable display system of  FIG. 1 , shown in the expanded position. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the graphic panel of the expandable display system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the graphic panel and the product tray of the expandable display system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a bottom perspective view of the product tray of the expandable display system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the blank from which the product tray of the expandable display system of  FIG. 1  is formed. 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the blank from which the graphic panel of the expandable display system of  FIG. 1  is formed. 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the expandable display system, shown in the compact position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the expandable display system of  FIG. 10 , shown in the expanded position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  is a front plan view of the alternate embodiment of the expandable display system of  FIG. 10 , shown in the compact position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 13  is a front plan view of the alternate embodiment of the expandable display system of  FIG. 10 , shown in the expanded position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 14  is an exploded bottom perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the expandable display system of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a graphic insert that can be used with either the expandable display system of  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 10 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a product insert that can be used with either the expandable display system of  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 10 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 17  is a front perspective view of the product tray of  FIG. 10 , shown in use with the graphic insert of  FIG. 15  and the product insert of  FIG. 16 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 18  is a front perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the expandable display system of  FIG. 10 , shown in the compact position and in use with the graphic insert of  FIG. 15  and the product insert of  FIG. 16 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 19  is a front perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the expandable display system of  FIG. 10 , shown in the intermediate position and in use with the graphic insert of  FIG. 15  and the product insert of  FIG. 16 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 20  is a side perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the expandable display system of  FIG. 10 , shown in the intermediate position and in use with the graphic insert of  FIG. 15  and the product insert of  FIG. 16 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 21  is a front perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the expandable display system of  FIG. 10 , shown in the expanded position and in use with the graphic insert of  FIG. 15  and the product insert of  FIG. 16 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    Embodiments of the invention now will be described more fully with reference to the drawings. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 1-21  show various views of different embodiments of an expandable display system of this invention. As shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-9 , the expandable display system  10  comprises two main components: a product tray  12  and a graphic panel  14 . The product tray  12  holds and dispenses the retail product while the graphic panel  14  provides additional space for advertising and graphics promoting the retail product. The graphic panel  14  is slidably associated with the product tray  12 , the benefits of which will be discussed below. 
         [0029]    In one embodiment, the assembled product tray  12  includes a bottom panel  18 , a back panel  20 , a front panel  22 , and two side panels  24 . The bottom panel  18  connects the front panel  22  to the back panel  20 . The side panels  24  extend from the back panel  20 . The side panels  24 , the front panel  22 , the bottom panel  18 , and the back panel  20  form a cavity capable of holding retail product. The front panel  22  may vertically extend from the bottom panel  18  to retain retail product within the product tray  12 , while still allowing the retail product contained within the product tray  12  to be visible to a consumer. The product tray  12  also includes one or more locking tabs  26  (shown in  FIGS. 6-7 ), which will be discussed below. 
         [0030]    Optionally, a graphic insert  242  (shown in  FIG. 15 ) can be placed in the product tray  12 . The graphic insert  242  can include additional graphics, trademarks indicia, and/or promotional materials to further advertise the retail product. A product insert  244  (shown in  FIG. 16 ) also can be optionally placed in the product tray  12 . Retail product can be placed upon the product insert  244  so that the product is more visible and/or more accessible to a potential consumer. In some embodiments, the graphic insert  242  and the product insert  244  are shaped and sized so that either one, or both, can be placed in the product tray. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 17 , both the graphic insert  242  and the product insert  244  are placed within the product tray. 
         [0031]    The blanks illustrated herein are formed from paper, paperboard and/or corrugated paperboard material, although other materials may be used if desired. Unless otherwise stated, within the borders of an illustration of a blank, broken or dotted lines indicate fold lines, score lines or other lines of weakness, while solid lines indicate cuts or apertures. 
         [0032]    The assembled product tray  12  may be formed from a blank  50  shown in  FIG. 8 . The blank  50  includes an inner front panel  54 , an outer front panel  56 , two front flaps  64 , two outer side panels  66 , two inner side panels  68 , two top flaps  70 , two back side panels  72 , a bottom panel  74 , an outer back panel  78 , an inner back panel  76 , slots  62 ,  80 ,  84 ,  90 , and tabs  60 ,  82 ,  86 , and  88 . 
         [0033]    The front panel  22  of the assembled product tray  12  is formed by folding the inner front panel  54  along fold line  58  and capturing the tabs  60  into the slots  62 . Front flaps  64  may be folded along score lines  96  to provide additional structural support for assembled front panel  22 . The two side panels  24  of the assembled product tray  12  may be formed by folding the inner side panels  68  along fold lines  92  and capturing the tabs  86  within the slots  84 . Optionally, the back side panels  72  may be folded along fold lines  100  and used to provide additional structure support for the assembled side panels  24 . Similarly, the top flaps  70  may be folded along fold lines  104  to provide additional support. The assembled back panel  20  may be formed by folding the inner back panel  76  along fold line  102  onto the outer back panel  78 , and capturing the tabs  82  within the slots  80 . 
         [0034]    The tabs  86  may be sized so that they are received within slots  84  and extend beyond slots  84  so that they protrude from the bottom panel  74 . These protrusions serve as the at least one locking tab  26 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . The locking tabs  26  may vary in width. In some embodiments, only one locking tab  26  is included in the product tray  12  and in other embodiments, more than one locking tab  26  are included. 
         [0035]    In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-9 , the assembled graphic panel  14  includes a top panel  28 , a front panel  30 , a back panel  31 , an end panel  34 , and a bottom panel  36 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the bottom panel  36  of the graphic panel  14  includes a locking flap  32  that is configured to cooperate with the at least one locking tab  26  of the product tray  12 . In some embodiments, the width A of the graphic panel  14  is the same as the width B of the product tray  12 . In other embodiments, the width A of the graphic panel  14  is different than the width B of the product tray  12 . 
         [0036]    The design and shape of the graphic panel  14  may vary depending on the needs of the retail customer. For example, the front panel  30  may be parallel to the back panel  31 , as shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-9 , or the front panel of the graphic panel may be sloped at an angle, as shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 10-14  and  18 - 21 . The front panel  30  of the graphic panel may be rectangular or square in shape, or may have a curved cutout portion or a scalloped design. Similarly, the top panel  28  of the graphic panel may be rectangular or square in shape, or may have a curved cutout portion or a scalloped design. In some embodiments, the graphic panel  14  does not include an end panel  34 . Although only one embodiment of the graphic panel  14  is shown and described in  FIGS. 1-9 , the graphic panel  14  can be any suitable shape and size that meets the requirements of the retail customer. 
         [0037]    The assembled graphic panel  14 , like the product tray  12 , may be formed from a blank  250 , shown in  FIG. 9 . The blank  250  includes a top panel  150 , a front panel  152 , a bottom panel  156 , a back panel  158 , an end panel  182 , and a locking flap  180 . The top panel  150  folds along the fold line  162  so that it is perpendicular to the front panel  152 . Similarly, the back panel  158  folds along fold line  166  so that the back panel  158  is perpendicular to the bottom panel  156  and the top panel  150 . The front panel  152  folds along fold line  164  so that the front panel  152  is perpendicular to the bottom panel  156  and the top panel  150 . The tab  186  of the back panel  158  is folded along fold line  170  and secured to top panel  150  with glue, tape, or other suitable means. The tab  186  may be secured to the top panel  150  by machine or by hand. Once the tab  186  is secured to the top panel  150 , the tab  186  serves to keep the assembled blank  250  in a rectangular shape. The locking tab  180  folds along fold line  168  and cooperates with the locking tab  26  of the product tray  12 , as described below. 
         [0038]    Inner end panels  190  and  194  fold along fold lines  176  and  172 , respectively, inwardly toward each other. An optional support panel  192  then folds along fold line  174  so that it lays on top of inner end panels  190  and  194 . The support panel  182 , if used, serves to provide additional strength and help retain the shape of the assembled graphic panel. End panel  182  folds along fold line  178  and lays on top of the support panel  192 . A tab  184  folds along a fold line  188  and is secured to the bottom panel  156  with glue, tape, or other suitable means. The tab  184  may be secured to the bottom panel  156  by machine or by hand. 
         [0039]    Optionally, the back panel  158  may include a cutout  196 . If used, the cutout  196  acts as a handle to assist with sliding the assembled graphic panel  14  along the assembled product tray  12  to expand and contract the expandable display system  10 , as is discussed in detail below. The cutout  196  can be any suitable size and shape. 
         [0040]    The assembled graphic panel  14  is adapted to cooperate with the product tray  12  and is capable of sliding along the product tray  12  so that the expandable display system  10  has an expanded position and a compact position. In the embodiment show in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , when the expandable display system  10  is the compact position, the graphic panel  14  slides along the product tray  12  so that the graphic panel  14  covers the product tray  12 . In the embodiments where the width A of the graphic panel  14  is the same as the width B of the product tray  12 , the graphic panel  14  slides along the product tray  12  so that the graphic panel  14  completely covers the product tray  12 . In this case, when in the compact position, the width W of the expandable display system  10  is equal to the width B of the product tray  12 , which is equal to the width A of the graphic panel  14 . In these embodiments where the width A of the graphic panel  14  is the same as the width B of the product tray  12 , when the graphic panel slides out from the product tray  12  so that the expandable display system  10  is expanded fully into the expanded position (shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 ), the expandable display system  10  is doubled in width. In other words, the width W of the expandable display system  10  when the display system  10  is in the fully expanded position is equal to the width A of the graphic panel  14  plus the width B of the product tray  12 . The width W of the expandable display system  10  can be any number between the width B of the product tray  12  (the minimum width W of the expandable display system  10 , when the display system  10  is in the compact position), and the width B of the product tray plus the width A of the graphic panel  14  (the maximum width W of the expandable display system  10 , when the display system  10  is in the expanded position), depending on how far the graphic panel  14  has slid out from the product tray  12 . 
         [0041]    The graphic panel  14  of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-9  is larger than the product tray  12  so that the graphic panel  14  can slide freely over the product tray  12  to the various length desired. In other words, the graphic panel  14  is slidably secured to the product tray  12 . 
         [0042]    In one embodiment of this invention, the expandable display system  10  includes a locking mechanism to prevent disengagement of the graphic panel  14  from the product tray  12  when the display system  10  is sliding from the compact position to the expanded position. As shown in  FIG. 6 , one non-limiting example of a locking mechanism is the use of one or more locking tabs  26  of the product tray  12  in conjunction with the locking flap  32  of the graphic panel  14 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the locking tabs  26  serve as a protrusion that extend from the bottom panel  18  of the product tray  12 . As discussed above, the product tray can include any number of locking tabs  26 . The locking tabs  26  are adapted to cooperate with the locking flap  32  of the graphic panel  14  so that the locking tabs  26  catch the locking flap  32  to prevent the graphic panel  14  from extending so far away from the product tray  12  that the graphic panel  14  becomes dissociated with the product tray  12 . When the locking flap  32  is folded back onto itself, it automatically tends to spring back open so that the locking tabs  26  of the product tray  12  catch on the thickness of the locking flap  32 . This in turn causes a natural stop, preventing the product tray  12  from sliding out of the graphic panel  14 . In this way, the expandable display system  10  has a self-locking mechanism and does not require the use of additional materials such as clips or screws. 
         [0043]    The top panel  28 , the front panel  30 , the back panel  31 , and the end panel  34  of the graphic panel  14  may optionally include graphics, trademarks, and/or other promotional materials to advertise the retail product stored in the product tray  12 . Because the product tray  12  slides into the graphic panel  14  when the expandable display system  10  is in the compact position, the graphics, trademarks, and/or promotional material are visible whether the expandable display system  10  is in the expanded position or the compact position. 
         [0044]    An alternate embodiment  200  of the expandable display system is shown in  FIGS. 10-14  and  18 - 21 . The alternate expandable display system  200  includes a product tray  212  and a graphic panel  214 . The graphic panel  214  includes a top panel  228 , a lower front panel  230 , a bottom panel  240 , an upper front panel  232 , and a back panel  234 . As described above, the graphic panel  214  can be any number of design shapes and sizes, depending on customer requirements. The product tray  212  includes a back panel  220 , a bottom panel  218 , a front panel  222 , and two side panels  224 . 
         [0045]    The alternate expandable display system  200  is designed to fit multiple extension length tray sizes. The alternate expandable display system  200  has a compact position (shown in  FIG. 18 ), an intermediate position (shown in  FIGS. 19-20 ), and an expanded position (shown in  FIG. 21 ). The alternate expandable display system  200  includes a locking protrusion  236  (shown in  FIG. 20 ) that folds away from the back panel  234  of the graphic panel  214  so that the locking protrusion  236  catches the side panel  224  of the product tray  212  and retains the alternative expandable display  200  in the intermediate position. Moreover, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 14 , the alternate expandable display  200  also includes the locking mechanism described above to prevent disengagement of the graphic panel  214  from the product tray  212  when the alternate display system  200  is sliding from either the compact position or the intermediate position to the expanded position. Specifically, in this embodiment, the product tray  212  includes one or more locking tabs  226  that extend from the bottom panel  218  and catch with a locking flap  238  of the bottom panel  240  of the graphic panel  214 , as described in detail above. 
         [0046]    The sliding graphic panel  14  and the product tray  12  eliminates production materials and reduces transportation costs. The product tray  12  and the graphic panel  14  are sized to meet the dimensions required by the retail stores, reducing the space needed to ship and store a single expandable display system  10 . Additionally, less material is needed for the shippers and fillers used to store and contain the expandable displays  10  during shipping. Because less material is used to make the expandable display systems, more display systems can be shipped per shipping pallet. Therefore, less shipping pallets are required per trailer, which reduces the number of trailers needed to ship the expandable displays. This results in transportation cost savings. 
         [0047]    To display retail products contained within the expandable display system  10 , the graphic panel  14  slides along the edge of the product tray  12  to expand to the needed display size. Because the expandable display system  10  has a compact position and an expanded position, the material costs are lowered because the display systems  10  ship in the compact position, but can expand to the expanded position to fill space as might be required by retail stores. This leads to more efficient shipping and storage of the expandable display system  10 . The expandable display system also achieves cost savings in labor and assembly costs. Because the expandable display system  10  is expandable, the smaller shipping size does not affect the ability of the expandable display system  10  to expand to larger retail store requirements once it is on the shelf. 
         [0048]    Changes and modifications, additions and deletions may be made to the structures and methods recited above and shown in the drawings without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention and the following claims.