Patent Publication Number: US-5423436-A

Title: Pilfer-proof product distribution system

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is directed to an anti-pilfer package support system such as is used for retail displays. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Many types of products are supported on hooks with a plurality of like products aligned on each hook in retail displays. A number of hooks may be supported on pegboard or other surface to provide support for a wide selection of products. Products typically have a flap member extending from the package which has an orifice through which a hook or other support member is inserted to support the package. 
     A common problem with packages supported on hooks is the ease with which the products may be stolen or may fall off the end the display hook and be damaged. Shoplifting is often a large problem for stores and adds greatly to the cost for security and the cost for lost or stolen merchandise. Products supported on the hooks may be slid from extended end and easily taken. In addition, problems are encountered with &#34;sweeping the hook&#34; wherein all packages supported on the hook are pushed forward and removed. To remove or mount the support, the support is usually pivoted upward so that tabs may be inserted into holes in the pegboard. This allows the hooks to be stolen with the products still supported and presents an additional security problem. 
     Efforts to provide a support for displaying products while allowing them to be removed without undue effort by the customer, yet difficult to shoplift, have not proven to be satisfactory. Prior devices typically do not prevent shoplifting from easily occurring or cause an undue burden for the purchaser trying to remove the product, so that sales may be affected from additional time and effort required for selecting and removing a single product package. Additional time may also be required stocking the hooks as the pilfer-resistant displays are often difficult to load. 
     It can be seen then, that an apparatus is needed which allows customer to easily remove one item at a time, yet inhibits theft of multiple items from displays in stores. Such a device should support the packages in a manner which prevents easy removal of all products while not causing an undue burden on the consumers who wish to purchase a product. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a system for supporting products in a manner that allows a single product to be easily removed, yet inhibits easily removing several products at a time. To inhibit shoplifting, multiple packages may not be easily slid from the support. In addition, the present invention prevents easy removal of the support from a pegboard or other mounting surface. 
     The support includes generally horizontal rods extending from a mounting surface and are connected by a transverse member. The product package has an orifice formed therein or includes a flap having an orifice formed therein. The orifice has a flap extending downward into the orifice to form a lower portion as well as side portions extending upward from the lower portion. The orifice side portions extend on either side of the flap. 
     In use, the horizontal rods are extended through the orifice by aligning with the lower portion of the orifice. The transverse member slides through a lower portion of the orifice and allows the product package to be dropped so that the side portions of the orifice on either side of the flap align with the horizontal rods with the flap positioned between the rods. In this position, pulling the package in a horizontal direction, the flap will engage the transverse member and be prevented from sliding off the end of the support. Therefore, to slide the package past the transverse member, the package is lifted so that the lower portion of the orifice is aligned with the transverse member between the rods, and the package may be removed. 
     The support member includes a mounting member which has tabs or hook members inserting into orifices in pegboard. The support connects on an upper portion of the surface mounting member and prevents that surface mounting member from being pivoted to remove or insert the tabs. Therefore, the support cannot be removed from the pegboard either when pulled directly outward, or when attempted to pivot so as to allow insertion or removal of the tabs through the pegboard&#39;s holes. 
     These and various other advantages and features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings, wherein like reference letters and numerals indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views: 
     FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a package support apparatus and packages according to the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 shows a side elevational view of the package support apparatus shown in FIG. 1; and, 
     FIG. 3 shows a front elevational view of a package attachment member for use with the package support apparatus shown in FIG. 1. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
     Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, there is shown a product support system, generally designated 10. Product packages 12 are typically displayed on a support 16 attached to pegboard 14 having a number of holes 15 formed therein. The support 16 is a generally horizontal member which supports one or more product packages 12. The support 16 connects to a surface mounting member 18 which attaches to the pegboard 14 to prevent pilfering, as explained hereinafter. However, other types of attachment devices may be utilized for attaching to other surfaces. 
     The product package 12 may include two embodiments, designated 12a and 12b in FIG. 1. Product package 12a includes an add-on flap 24 which is mounted to the product package 12a to support the product on the package support 16. Products may also take the embodiment shown at 12b wherein an integral flap portion 22 is incorporated into the product packaging. In both embodiments on either flap 22 or 24, an orifice 26 is formed therein. It can also be appreciated that for some types of product packaging, a flap is not required and an orifice 26 may be formed directly through the package. The orifice 26 includes a flap 32 extending through the upper portion of the orifice down through the center portion thereof. The flap 32 forms a lower orifice portion 28 connecting to two orifice upper legs 30, so that in a preferred embodiment, the orifice 26 is substantially U-shaped. As shown in product package 12b, the orifice 26 may also include a notch 31 formed therein for attaching to a standard support hook. The package or flap may also include an orifice 33 formed therein for placement on a standard hook in addition to the orifice 26. 
     As shown in FIG. 3, in the product package 12a, the add-on flap 24 also includes adhesive 36 along the bottom portion thereof. The adhesive 36 is covered with a tear-away strip 38 which is removed when the flap 24 is mounted to the product package 12a. 
     Referring again to FIG. 1, the package support 16 has a pair of substantially vertical rods 42 extending outward from the pegboard. At the extended end thereof, the rods 42 are connected by a transverse member 44 in the same plane as the rods 42. The support member 16 has a mounting member 46 attaching to the surface mounting member 18. The mounting member 46 connects to the rods 42 and includes a vertical planar section 48 and a horizontal planar section 50. A front arm 52 extends downward from the planar section 50 and has a slot 54 formed therein. A pair of vertical columns 56 extend down from the planar section 50 to engage the surface mounting member 18, as explained hereinafter. 
     The surface mounting member 18 includes a base 62 having a pair of vertical flaps or hooks 66 at a rear portion thereof. As also shown in FIG. 2, the hooks 66 extend through the holes 15 in the pegboard 14. A front face 70 extends downward at the front of the base portion 62 and connects to a forward spacer portion 72. The face portion 70 includes a flap 68 extending therefrom to engage the slot 54 of the front arm 52, as explained hereinafter. Orifices 74 are formed in the base 62 and orifices 76 are formed in the spacer portion 72 to receive the vertical columns 56. To mount the device 10, the hooks 66 are inserted into holes in the pegboard 14 by tipping the surface mounting member 18 upward. The hooks 66 are slid into the holes 15 and the surface mounting member is pivoted downward until the spacer portion 72 engages the front face of the pegboard 14. 
     The support member 16 mounts to the surface mounting member 18 by aligning the vertical columns 56 with the orifices 74. The columns 56 are slid into orifices 74 and 72 to properly align the support member 16. The front arm 52 slides over the tab 68 until the tab 68 inserts into the slot 54. The mounting member 46 is supported against the base 62 of the surface mounting member 18. 
     To remove the device 10, the front arm 52 is pulled to flex outward so that the flap 68 does not extend into the slot 54. The support member 16 may then be lifted upward and removed from the surface mounting member 18. The surface mounting member 18 may then be pivoted upward so that the hooks 66 may be slid out from the holes 15 of the pegboard 14. 
     In use, as shown in FIG. 1, the packages 12 are slid so that the orifice bottom portion 28 is aligned with the transverse member 44. The packages 12 are then slid further and dropped such that the vertical rods 42 are aligned with the upper legs 30 of the orifice 26. In this manner, the packages 12 are supported with the orifice upper legs 30 engaging the vertical rods 42 of the support member 16. 
     To remove a product, the packages 12 are slid along the rods toward the transverse member 44. It can be appreciated that at reaching the transverse member 44, by trying to continue to slide the packages 12 from the end of the rods 42, the flap 32 will engage the cross member 44. Therefore, the package 12 must be lifted so that the transverse member 44 and the lower orifice portion 28 are aligned. In this manner, the packages 12 may be slid directly off the end of the support member 16. It can also be appreciate that the packages 12 are retained so that they may not be accidentally pushed off the end of the support member 16, as occurs in other support devices. 
     It can also be appreciated, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, that the support system 10 may not be removed from the pegboard 14 by pulling or pivoting. In prior devices, the support hook may have been removed by tipping it up and sliding the support tabs out from the holes of the pegboard. It can be appreciated that with the present invention, the device 10 may not be tipped up relative to the pegboard 14. When pressure is applied in an upward direction, the vertical section 48 of the mounting member 46 engages the surface of the pegboard 14. If the device 10 is pulled directly outward, the hooks 66 engage the rear of the pegboard 14. If pressure is applied to lower the device, the spacing portion 72 engages the forward surface of the pegboard 14. 
     It can be further appreciated that with supporting of the products 12 in connection the present invention to the pegboard 14, pilfering will be greatly reduced. Products 12 cannot be slid directly from the end of the support member 16 as the flap 32 engages the cross member 44. This prevents &#34;sweeping the hook&#34; as was easily done with prior support systems. In addition, simply removing the entire hook with the products supported thereon can no longer be done, as the present invention provides safeguards against sliding the surface mounting member 18 and mounting member 46 from the pegboard. 
     It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.