Abstract:
A foldable display stand includes a wall blank having substantially flat wall panels connected end to end foldably relative to each other to define a continuous wall structure. The wall blank is convertible to a flattened state for storage and transportation and an expanded display state in which a number of wall panels cooperatively bound a polygonal display space. Each of two side wall panels has a flap foldable inwardly to place the flaps in juxtaposition so as to form a polygonal shelf within the display space. The shelf and rear wall panel are interconnected by shelf tabs fitting releasably within a slot in the rear wall panel. A removable tray is supported on the polygonal shelf and braces the interior of the continuous wall structure. The tray is releasably secured within the display space. The display stands are modular and may be releasably vertically stacked. Openings in the continuous wall structure are formed of a geometrical configuration to receive articles having a similar configuration.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention relates to prefabricated display stands for exhibiting merchandise and, more particularly, to a collapsible display stand having opposed display faces with inwardly foldable flaps to establish a shelf for supporting removable trays. 
     2. Prior Art 
     Prefabricated stands are commonly used for displaying merchandise in retail establishments, particularly supermarkets. It is known to make stands from cardboard or similar material that is compatible with low cost and lightweight construction. 
     An exemplary structure is shown in my earlier U.S. Pat. No. 4,630,740, which discloses a rectangular modular display stand having two pairs of opposed, facing panels which bound an interior storage space. Each panel has an associated flap with teeth for intermeshing with the remaining teeth when the flaps are placed in a mutually overlapping relationship to define a shelf for placement of display articles. While this design has proved successful for many years, it requires the relatively cumbersome task of interconnecting four flaps to define a single support platform. 
     More importantly, my earlier invention requires that the articles which are be displayed are arranged directly on the display stand. As a shelf is emptied by purchasers of the articles, there is no provision for simply restocking a pre-arranged display of articles onto a shelf. Depending on the nature of the goods being displayed, it can be desirable to have the capability of rapidly restocking an emptied shelf in certain applications. 
     The present invention is specifically directed to overcoming the above enumerated limitations in a novel and simple manner. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide an improved display stand that can be readily converted from a flattened storage and shipment state to a display state without the use of tools to establish a novel display arrangement. 
     In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, a foldable display stand includes a wall blank having substantially flat wall panels connected end to end foldably relative to each other to define a continuous wall structure. The wall blank is convertible to a flattened state for storage and transportation and to an expanded display state in which a number of wall panels cooperatively bound a polygonal display space. Two of the panels are converging side wall panels which are joined forwardly at a common fold line, and another of the wall panels is a rear wall panel which interconnects the two side wall panels. Flaps with associated tabs are foldably associated with each of the side wall panels. The tabs of each flap are received removably in a slot formed in the rear panel so that the flaps are positioned and held in a juxtaposed relationship to define a shelf within the polygonal display space. A removable tray is supported on the shelf for articles to be displayed. The tray also braces the continuous wall structure of the device. 
     In one form of the invention, a forward pillar extends upwardly between the converging side wall panels and has a notch which receives a forward edge portion of the removable tray to stabilize the position of the tray on the display stand. The tray makes a firm frictional engagement with the rear wall panel and with the pillar when positioned in the notch. The forward edge portion has an upwardly folded lip to enhance securement of the tray in the notch. Apertures extend through the wall panels and are shaped to support additional display articles. 
     The invention also contemplates an embodiment in which the two display panels are joined to the pillar at different fold lines, such that a front panel is formed on the pillar which is substantially parallel to the rear panel. Apertures also are formed in the front panel and are shaped to support additional articles for display. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The features of this invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with its objects and the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements in the figures and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a blank used to form an upper display module according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a blank used to form a lower display module according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view of a blank used to form a removable shelf according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the blank illustrated in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 5 is a top view of the blank illustrated in FIG. 1 in a folded state to form the continuous wall structure; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the top display module demonstrating the step of folding first and second flaps of a side wall panel downwardly to define a shelf; 
     FIG. 7 is a broken-out perspective view of a display module demonstrating the step of interconnecting first and second flaps with a rear panel of the display module; 
     FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of an upper display module and a lower display module and demonstrating the step of assembling the modules to form a display device; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view, partially in section, of a removable tray in a display state; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a display device according to the present invention showing the removable trays in place; 
     FIG. 11 is an elevational view of a blank used to form an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 is partial perspective view of a display module formed with the blank illustrated in FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 13 is an elevational view of a blank used to form a second alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 14 is a top view of the blank illustrated in FIG. 13 in a folded state to form the continuous wall structure; and 
     FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an alternate display device of two display modules each formed by the blank illustrated in FIG. 13. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A blank used to construct display modules for a foldable shelf display according to the present invention are depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 generally at 10 and 20, respectively. Preferably, the blanks are made from cardboard stock having sufficient rigidity to maintain their shape yet remain light in weight. 
     Blank 10 comprises a series of wall panels 12, 14, 16 and 18 connected end to end foldably relative to each other about lines 21, 22, and 24 that may be perforated, scored, or otherwise weakened so that folding of the panels relative to each other occurs in a predetermined fashion. Wall panels 14 and 16 when foldably aligned cooperatively provide a single rear wall panel 15, as illustrated in FIG. 5. To provide a continuous wall structure, the free ends 26 and 28 of the blank are joined. The end 26 has an integral flap 30 which is bendable about a fold line 32 relative to panel 12. The end 28 has an integral flap 34 which is bendable about a fold line 36 relative to panel 18. An adhesive 38 of a type known to those skilled in the art is used to facially mate the inwardly folded flap 30 on panel 12 with the inwardly folded flap 34 on panel 18 such that the wall panels cooperatively form the continuous wall structure and bound a triangulated interior storage space 40 (see FIG. 5). 
     A pair of flaps 42 and 44 are struck from and remain integral with side wall panel 12, and a pair of flaps 46 and 48 are struck from and remain integral with wall panel 18. Flap 42 comprises a shelf panel 42a bendable about a fold line 42b. A free edge 42c has an integral marginal edge portion 42d which is bendable about a fold line 42e and has a notch 42f formed therein to define a tab 42g on the flap 42. Fold line 42b is preferably downwardly inclined with respect to fold line 21, and shelf panel 42a is angularly cut at 42h for purposes later to be discussed. Bending of flap 42 about fold line 42b establishes a generally rectangular opening 43 in panel 12. 
     Similarly, flap 44 comprises a shelf panel 44a bendable about a fold line 44b. A free edge 44c has an integral marginal edge portion 44d which is bendable about a fold line 44e and has a notch 44f formed therein to define a tab 44g on the flap 44. Again, fold line 44b is preferably downwardly inclined with respect to fold line 21, and shelf panel 42a is angularly cut at 44h. Bending of flap 44 about fold line 44b establishes a generally rectangular opening 45 in panel 12. 
     Flap 46 on side wall panel 18 comprises a shelf panel 46a bendable about a fold line 46b. A free edge 46c has an integral panel 46d which is bendable about a fold line 46e and has a notch 46f formed therein to define a tab 46g on the flap 46. Fold line 46b is downwardly inclined with respect to fold line 24, and shelf panel 46a is angularly cut at 46h. Bending of flap 46 about fold line 46b establishes a generally rectangular opening 47 in side wall panel 18. Similarly, flap 48 comprises a shelf panel 48a bendable about a fold line 48b. A free edge 48c has an integral panel 48d which is bendable about a fold line 48e and has a notch 48f formed therein to define a tab 48g on the flap 48. Again, fold line 48b is downwardly inclined with respect to fold line 24, and shelf panel 48a is angularly cut at 48h. Bending of flap 48 about fold line 48b establishes a generally rectangular opening 49 in side wall panel 18. 
     The steps for converting a display module from the flattened state illustrated in FIG. 1 to a display state illustrated in FIG. 8 are demonstrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. As described above, initially the flap 30 on panel 12 is inwardly folded and facially mated with the inwardly folded flap 34 on panel 18 by means of a suitable adhesive 38 to form an upper display module 50 defining triangulated interior display or storage space 40. Integral panels 42d and 46d are then folded substantially 90 degrees about fold lines 42e and 46e, respectively, and the flaps 42 and 46 are inwardly folded substantially 90 degrees about fold lines 42b and 46b, respectively, to facially mate panels 42d and 46d. Because of the downward inclination of fold lines 42b and 46b pointed out above, panels 42a and 46a each swing arcuately and slightly rearwardly to position the angular cuts at 42h and 46h adjacent rear wall panel 15. 
     Notches 42f and 46f of tabs 42g, 46g are then engaged in an opening or slot 52 formed in rear wall panel 15 such that tabs 42g and 46g project through the rear panel to secure and support flaps 42 and 46 in juxtaposed relationship with one another to define a first shelf 54 slightly rearwardly inclined within the triangulated storage space 40 for placement of articles to be displayed. When the tabs are thus engaged, the angular cuts at 42h, 46h are colinear and braced against the rear wall panel 15 in close frictional engagement therewith, as shown in FIG. 8. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the lower flap 44 is substantially identical to flap 42 in structure and orientation; and the lower flap 48 is substantially identical to flap 46 in structure and orientation. Thus in a manner similar to that described in relation to flaps 42 and 46, integral panels 44d and 48d are folded substantially 90 degrees about fold lines 44e and 48e, respectively, and the flaps 44 and 48 are inwardly folded substantially 90 degrees about fold lines 44b and 48b, respectively, to facially mate panels 44d and 48d. Notches 44f and 48f engage an opening or slot 56 formed in rear wall panel 15 such that tabs 44g and 48g project through the rear panel to secure and support flaps 44 and 48 in juxtaposed relationship with one another to define a second shelf 58 beneath first shelf 54. Again, the panels 44a and 48a each swing arcuately and slightly rearwardly to position the angular cuts 44h and 48h  against the rear wall panel 15 in a close bracing relationship to rigidify the continuous wall structure. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, blank 20 is generally similar to blank 10 and has a series of wall panels 62, 64, 66 and 68 connected end to end foldably relative to each other about lines 70, 72, and 74 that may be perforated, scored, or otherwise weakened so that folding of the panels relative to each other occurs in a predetermined fashion. Wall panels 64 and 66 cooperatively provide a single rear wall panel 65. To provide a continuous wall structure, the free ends 76 and 78 of the blank are joined. The end 76 has an integral flap 80 which is bendable about a fold line 82 relative to panel 62. The end 78 has an integral flap 84 which is bendable about a fold line 86 relative to panel 68. A common adhesive 88 is used to secure the facially mating of inwardly folded flap 80 on panel 62 with the inwardly folded flap 84 on panel 68 to form a triangulated interior display or storage space. 
     A pair of similar flaps 92 and 94 are struck from and remain integral with wall panel 62, and a pair of similar flaps 96 and 98 are struck from a remain integral with wall panel 68. These flaps 92, 94, 96,98 are similar respectively to flaps 42, 44, 46, 48 in structure, orientation and function. Flap 92 comprises a shelf panel 92a bendable about a fold line 92b. A free edge 92c has an integral panel 92d which is bendable about a fold line 92e and has a notch 92f formed therein to define a tab 92g on the flap 92. Bending of flap 92 about fold line 92b establishes a generally rectangular opening 93 in panel 62. Similarly, flap 94 comprises a shelf panel 94a bendable about a fold line 94b. A free edge 94c has an integral panel 94d which is bendable about a fold line 94e and has a notch 94f formed therein to define a tab 94g on the flap 94. Bending of flap 94 about fold line 94b establishes a generally rectangular opening 95 in panel 62. 
     Flap 96 comprises a shelf panel 96a bendable about a fold line 96b. A free edge 96c has an integral panel 96d which is bendable about a fold line 96e and has a notch 96f formed therein to define a tab 96g on the flap 96 Bending of flap 96 about fold line 96b establishes a generally rectangular opening 97 in panel 68. Similarly, flap 98 comprises a shelf panel 98a bendable about a fold line 98b. A free edge 98c has an integral panel 98d which is bendable about a fold line 98e and has a notch 98f formed therein to define a tab 98g on the flap 98. Bending of flap 98 about fold line 98b establishes a generally rectangular opening 99 in panel 68. Each of the flaps 92, 94, 96, 98 have angular cuts at 92h, 94h, 96h and 98h for purposes previously described. 
     Formed along fold line 72 between wall panels 64 and 66 are a pair of spaced apart slots or openings 100 and 102. An upwardly opening slot 104 is formed in alignment with the openings 100 and 102 and communicates with an edge 106 of the blank 20. A foldable lip 108 is joined to panel 62 about a fold line 110; a foldable lip 112 is joined to rear wall panel 65 about a fold line 114; and a foldable lip 116 is joined to wall panel 68 about a fold line 118. 
     As may be appreciated from the foregoing, the steps for converting a display module from the flattened state illustrated in FIG. 2 to a display state illustrated in FIG. 8 are substantially identical to those described above with respect to upper display module 50. Initially the flap 80 on panel 62 is inwardly folded and facially mated with the inwardly folded flap 84 on panel 68 by means of a suitable adhesive 88 to form a lower display module 120. As will be shown, display module 120 is a lower display module. Lip portions 108, 112, and 116 are upwardly folded about fold lines 110, 114, and 118, respectively, to define a stable platform upon which the module is supported. 
     Integral panels 92d and 96d are then folded substantially 90 degrees about fold lines 92e and 96e, respectively, and the flaps 92 and 96 are inwardly folded substantially 90 degrees about fold lines 92b and 96b, respectively, to facially mate panels 92d and 96d. Notches 92f and 96f engage opening 100 such that tabs 92g and 96g project through the rear panel to secure and support flaps 92 and 96 in juxtaposed relationship with one another to define a first shelf 122 within the display module. Similarly, integral panels 94d and 98d are folded substantially 90 degrees about fold lines 94e and 98e, respectively, and the flaps 94 and 98 are inwardly folded substantially 90 degrees about fold lines 94b and 98b, respectively, to facially mate panels 94d and 98d. Notches 94f and 98f engage opening 102 such that tabs 94g and 98g project through the rear panel to secure and support flaps 94 and 98 in juxtaposed relationship with one another to define a second shelf 124 beneath first shelf 122. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 8, upper display module 50 and lower display module 120 are arranged in stacked relation to define a four-shelf display tower. Tabs 42g and 46g projecting through the rear panel of display module 50 are aligned with slot 104 formed in upper edge 106 of display module 120, and inwardly folded flaps 30 and 34 (FIG. 5) are aligned with a notch 126 (FIG. 8) formed in a support pillar 128 extending vertically between wall panels 62 and 68. Upper display module is moved downwardly into telescoping engagement with the lower display module, such that tabs 42g and 46g are received in slot 104 in rear wall panel 15 and flaps 30 and 34 are received forwardly in the notch 126 to rigidify the stacked arrangement fore and aft. 
     Referring to FIG. 3, a shelf blank is depicted generally at 130 as having a pair of bendable side walls 132 and 134 and a perpendicular rear wall 136. Side wall 132 and 134 are foldable about parallel fold lines 138 and 140, respectively, and flank a platform 142. A foldable tab 133 is formed at one end of side wall 132, and a foldable tab 135 is formed at one end of side wall 134. Rear wall 136 extends between the side wall panels and is bendable about a fold line 144. A pair of front edge panels 146 and 148 are formed integrally with platform 142 and extend between side wall panels 132 and 134. Front edge panel 146 has a series of spaced apart teeth 150 which are aligned with corresponding openings 152 formed in platform 142. 
     The steps for converting a removable display tray from the flattened state illustrated in FIG. 3 to a display state illustrated in FIG. 9 can be summarized as follows. Side walls 132 and 134 and rear wall 136 are upwardly folded to define a generally upright container 138. Corner portions 154 and 156 intermediate the side walls and the rear wall and tabs 133 and 135 on the side wall panels are inwardly folded such that the outer edges of the container retain a substantially rectangular contour. Front edge panels 146 and 148 are then upwardly folded to define a triangular lip 158 along the front edge of the container, with the teeth 150 of panel 146 engaging the openings 152 and the triangular lip securing the tabs 133 and 135 to prohibit unfolding of the tray. 
     FIG. 10 illustrates an assembled display device according to the present invention having a plurality of removable trays 160 positioned therewithin. Each tray is supported on a shelf formed within the triangulated storage space by the inwardly folded flaps struck from opposite side wall panels as previously described, and partially extends through the substantially rectangular openings formed in opposite side wall panels by the inwardly folded flaps. In order to enhance the engagement of the trays with the display device, each of the flaps 42, 44, 46, and 48 on upper display module 50 and each of the flaps 92, 94, 96, and 98 on lower display module have an integral triangular portion 162, such that the openings formed in the wall panels due to the inward folding of the flaps include a congruent triangular notch 164 extending into the support pillar 128. When each of the trays 160 is inserted in the display device, as illustrated in FIG. 10 and FIG. 12, the triangular notches 164 receive the triangular lip 158 formed on each tray and securely engage the forward end of the tray. After engaging the lip 158, each tray is lowered so that its rear wall 136 makes a close, firm frictional fit with the rear wall panel (such as 15, 65) to provide an interior bracing function fore and aft between the front pillar 128 and the rear wall panel. Note also that the bracing function is enhanced because tray side walls 132, 134 make a close fit rearwardly between opposite side wall panels adjacent the rear wall panel (FIG. 12). Thus the trays will not become inadvertently separated from the display, yet the trays may be easily removed to replenish articles to be displayed. 
     In a modification of the exemplary embodiment, FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a wall blank 166 including a number of interconnected wall panels 167, 168 and 169 for defining an upper display module 172 with foldable flaps 170, generally as previously described. Wall blank 166 has a plurality of circular apertures 174 formed parallel to a top edge 176 and in vertical alignment with the flaps. The apertures advantageously position articles, such as cylindrical plastic containers or cans 178, for display adjacent the display trays. 
     In an alternate embodiment, and as shown in FIGS. 13-15, a blank 210 comprises a series of wall panels 212, 214, 216, 218 and 220 connected end to end foldably relative to each other about lines 222, 224, and 226 and 228, respectively. To provide a continuous wall structure, the free ends 230 and 232 of the blank are joined. The end 230 has an integral flap 234 which is bendable about a fold line 236 relative to panel 212. An adhesive 38 of a type known to those skilled in the art is used to facially mate the inwardly folded flap 234 on panel 212 with the free end 232 of panel 220 (see FIG. 14). 
     As in the exemplary embodiment described above, a plurality of flaps 238 are struck from and remain integral with the wall blank and are inwardly folded to define shelves within the display module. A pair of complementary wall blanks are used to form an upper display module 240 and a lower display module 242, which may be interconnected by means of previously described tabs and notches (not shown in FIG. 15) to form a stacked display device 244 for positioning a number of removable trays 246. 
     An important feature of the alternate embodiment of FIGS. 13-15 lies in the front panel 248 formed between the fold lines 222 and 224. Circular apertures 250 are formed in the front panel and allow for the display of generally cylindrical articles 252 in combination with the articles displayed on the trays 246. They trays 246 are preferably identical to trays formed from previously described tray blank 130 and perform the same functions. 
     It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein.