Patent Abstract:
The present invention relates to a device for holding and facilitating the unloading therefrom of packaged merchandise onto a display peg. The device includes a gathering mechanism for gathering together a group of packages such that hanging holes provided in individual packages are aligned so as to permit the gathered packages to be applied to a display peg together with the device.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This is a non-provisional application relating to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/281,083 filed Apr. 3, 2001. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to devices for displaying packaged merchandise and, more particularly, to devices for loading packaged merchandise onto pegboard displays.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Pegboard displays have been popular in the retail industry for displaying lightweight merchandise. Typically, merchandise packages are loaded individually onto pegboard displays. As a result, the conventional loading method is inefficient and time-consuming. Given the narrow profit margin on which most retail outlets operate, cost saving in this activity is desirable.  
           [0004]    A recent solution to the problem mentioned above has been the “power panel”. The “power panel” is a ready made package of a number of loaded pegs in a box, which is simply hung up on a shelf wall. This displaying method has disadvantages in that it is expensive and does not provide means of recharge if there is a substantial difference in the sale of different items in the panel.  
           [0005]    Various devices have also been developed for facilitating the loading of merchandise onto a display peg. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,143,772 discloses a device having a plug which connects by a cord through a rear hole of a cup-shaped coupler. The plug and coupler can be joined together to form a loop that holds merchandise. The coupler can be separated from the plug and connected to the end of a display peg, so that the merchandise can slide onto the peg. Because the device needs to be uncoupled prior to the loading of the merchandise onto a display peg, the merchandise loading process is made rather complicated and/or inefficient.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    The present invention overcomes the disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art discussed above by providing a new and improved device for holding and facilitating the unloading therefrom of packaged merchandise onto a display peg. More particularly, the device includes a gathering mechanism for gathering together a group of packages such that hanging holes provided in individual packages are aligned so as to permit the gathered packages to be applied to a display peg together with the device. In accordance with the present invention, the gathered mechanism can include an open loop or a closed loop. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]    For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a merchandise loading device constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention prior to the loading of merchandise packages onto a peg hook;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the loading device shown in FIG. 1 subsequent to the loading of the packages onto the peg hook;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating the use of the loading device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in connection with a different type of package;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a merchandise loading device constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 5 a  is a plan view of a merchandise loading device constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIGS. 5 b  and  5   c  are schematic views of the loading device shown in FIG. 5 a  during the loading of merchandise packages onto a peg hook;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 6 a  is a plan view of a merchandise loading device constructed in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 6 b  is a side view of the loading device shown in FIG. 6 a;    
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 6 c  is a schematic view of the loading device of FIGS. 6 a  and  6   b  used for pre-assembling merchandise packages into a shipping and loading unit;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 7 a  is a perspective view of a merchandise loading device constructed in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7 b  is a schematic view of the loading device of FIG. 7 a  used for pre-assembling merchandise packages into a shipping and loading unit;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 8 a  is a perspective view of a merchandise loading device constructed in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 8 b  is a schematic view of the loading device of FIG. 8 a  used for pre-assembling merchandise packages into a shipping and loading unit;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 9 a  is a perspective view of a merchandise loading device constructed in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 9 b  is a schematic view of the loading device of FIG. 9 a  during the loading of merchandise packages onto a peg hook;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 10 a  is a perspective view of a merchandise loading device constructed in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIGS. 10 b  and  10   c  are schematic views of the loading device shown in FIG. 10 a  during the loading of merchandise packages onto a peg hook;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIGS. 11 a  and  11   b  are schematic views of a merchandise loading device constructed in accordance with a ninth embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 12 a  is a perspective view of a merchandise loading device constructed in accordance with a tenth embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIGS. 12 b  and  12   c  are schematic views of the loading device shown in FIG. 12 a  during the loading of merchandise packages onto a peg hook;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 13 a  is a perspective view of a merchandise loading device constructed in accordance with an eleventh embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 13 b  is a schematic view of the loading device of FIG. 13 a  used for pre-assembling merchandise packages into a shipping and loading unit;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIGS. 14 a  and  14   b  are schematic views of a merchandise loading device constructed in accordance with a twelfth embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 15 is a schematic view of a merchandise loading device constructed in accordance with a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 16 is a schematic view of a merchandise loading device constructed in accordance with a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 17 is a schematic view of a merchandise loading device constructed in accordance with a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 18 is a schematic view of a merchandise loading device constructed in accordance with a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 19 a  is a perspective view of a merchandise loading device constructed in accordance with a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 19 b  is a sectional view of a merchandise package adapted for use in conjunction with the loading device of FIG. 19 a;    
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 19 c  is a schematic view of the loading device of FIG. 19 a  clipped to merchandise packages;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 20 is a schematic view of a merchandise loading device constructed in accordance with an eighteenth embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0039]    [0039]FIGS. 21 a  and  21   b  are schematic views of a merchandise loading device constructed in accordance with a nineteenth embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0040]    Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a merchandise loading/unloading device  10  constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The loading device  10  includes a band or strip  12  having a pair of ends  14 ,  16 . The end  14  of the band  12  is threaded or otherwise inserted through hanging holes  18  of merchandise packages  20  so as to tie the packages  20  together as a single assembly or unit. More particularly, the packages  20  are tied together by the band  12  such that the holes  18  are aligned substantially linearly and are arranged (i.e., ganged up) adjacent to one another. The end  16  of the band  12  is securely attached (e.g., stapled) to the end  14  so as to form a closed loop for maintaining the packages  20  as a unit.  
         [0041]    In use, the packages  20  are pre-assembled as a unit by the band  12  and then shipped to a retail outlet or store. In order to load the packages  20  onto a peg hook  22  at the retail outlet, with the band  12  held by a hand  24  of a user (see FIG. 1), the holes  18  of the packages  20  are aligned with a free end  26  of the peg hook  22 . The free end  26  of the peg hook  22  is then inserted through the holes  18  of the packages  20  by pulling the band  12  and hence the entire package unit toward a rear end of the peg hook  22  (see FIG. 2). This loading operation is facilitated by the band  12 , which functions to guide the packages  20  onto the peg hook  22 . After all of the packages  20  are loaded onto the peg hook  22 , the band  12  is disabled (e.g., cut, torn or pierced) and then removed, thereby releasing the packages  20  from one another to be dispensed individually from the peg hook  22 .  
         [0042]    It should be appreciated that the present invention provides numerous advantages over the prior art discussed above. For instance, because the packages  20  are gathered together as a single assembly (i.e., the holes  18  of the packages  20  are aligned and ganged together) and then shipped to a retail outlet, loading of the packages  20  onto the peg hook  22  can be achieved in a simple and efficient manner. That is, the free end  26  of the peg hook  22  is aligned with the holes  18  of the packages  20  and is then inserted therethrough in a substantially single motion or step. Moreover, because only the band  12  is used for quick and easy loading of the packages  20 , the present invention provides a cost-effective loading method.  
         [0043]    It should be noted that the present invention can have numerous modifications and variations. For instance, the band  12  can be replaced with any fastening members, such as links, cables, ropes, fasteners, clips, etc. In such circumstances, as used herein, the term “band” shall mean to include any such fastening members. The band  12  can also be made from a number of materials (e.g., metal or non-metal wires, plastic films, cardboard or paper bands). In this regard, it is noted that such fastening members can be designed to maintain the holes  18  of the packages  20  in their aligned and clustered form without directly engaging the holes  18 , as will be illustrated hereinbelow. The band  12  can also be made to form a loop in many different ways (e.g., the band can be glued, stitched, tied or clipped). Further, the band  12  can be used in connection with many different types of packages or items, such as polybags, paper or cardboard headers or boxes. For example, in FIG. 3, the band  12  is used in connection with polybags  28 .  
         [0044]    FIGS.  4 - 21   b  depict additional exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Elements illustrated in FIGS.  4 - 21   b  which correspond, either identically or substantially, to the elements described above with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 have been designated by corresponding reference numerals increased by an increment of one hundred in each succeeding embodiment. Unless otherwise stated, the embodiments of FIGS.  4 - 21   b  is constructed, assembled and used in the same basic manner as the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 4 shows a band or fastening member  112  constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. More particularly, the band  112  is adapted for use in connection with boxes  130  (e.g., boxes for rolls of films) having tags  132  and holes  118  formed in the tags  132 . After the holes  118  have been aligned, the band  112  is wrapped around the boxes  130  for substantially immobilizing the boxes  130  with respect to one another. In this manner, the holes  118  are maintained in an aligned orientation so as to facilitate the loading of the boxes  130  onto a peg hook. In this regard, the holes  118  can be made to have a size that is greater than the cross-sectional area of the peg hook by about 10% or greater so as to facilitate the insertion of the peg hook into the holes  118 .  
         [0046]    [0046]FIGS. 5 a - 5   c  show a merchandise loading/unloading device  210  constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. More particularly, the loading device  210 , which is made from a band or strip of any suitable materials (e.g., plastic), includes a unitary body  212  having opposing ends  214 ,  216 , which are adapted to be releasably interlocked to one another. In this regard, the end  214  is provided with notches  234 , while the end  216  includes a slit  236   a  and an opening  236   b  connected to each other. Tabs  238  extend into the opening  236   b  so as to form a throat  240  between the slit  236   a  and the opening  236   b . A strip  242 , which has a width smaller than those of the ends  214 ,  216 , connects the end  214  to the end  216 .  
         [0047]    In use, the end  214  is passed through holes  218  of merchandise packages  220  and is then inserted into the slit  236   a . Thereafter, the end  214  is moved into the opening  236   b  such that the tabs  238  are received in the notches  234  (see FIG. 5 b ). The throat  240  maintains the end  214  releasably locked in the opening  236   b  by way of an interference fit. As a result, the packages  220  are kept as a pre-assembled unit during shipping to a retail outlet. In order to load the packages  220  onto a pegboard display, the end  214  of the loading device  210  is gripped by a user&#39;s hand  224  and is then lifted so as to suspend the packages  220  from the loading device  210 . Due to gravity, the holes  218  of the packages  220  are automatically aligned with one another and clustered together (see FIG. 5 b ). Next, the holes  218  of the packages  220  are aligned with a free end  226  of a peg hook  222 . The free end  226  of the peg hook  222  is then inserted through the holes  18  of the packages  220  by pulling the loading device  210  and hence the entire package unit toward a rear end of the peg hook  222 . After all of the packages  220  are loaded onto the peg hook  222 , the end  214  of the loading device  210  is unlocked from the end  216  and is then pull out from the holes  218  of the packages  220  (see FIG. 5 c ), releasing the packages  220  from one another to be dispensed individually from the peg hook  222 .  
         [0048]    [0048]FIGS. 6 a - 6   c  show a merchandise loading/unloading device  310  constructed in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The loading device  310  includes a unitary strip  312  having a fold line  346  adjacent a center thereof. The strip  312  has a tapered end  314  and a flared end  316 . The flared end  316  has a plurality of crinkles  348  oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the strip  312  for purposes to be discussed hereinafter. Pressure-sensitive adhesive materials  349  are applied to one side of the strip at one or both ends  314 ,  316  so that when the strip  312  is folded along the fold line  346 , the tapered and flared ends  314 ,  316  can removably adhere to each other. In this regard, the adhesive materials  349  can be any conventional pressure-sensitive materials. Alternatively, other adhesive materials or mechanisms can be used. The strip  312  is made from a chipboard material and has a strength sufficient to support merchandise packages  320  (see FIG. 6 c ) therefrom while loading. Alternatively, the strip  312  can be made from other suitable materials, such as paper, plastic, metal, etc.  
         [0049]    With reference to FIG. 6 c , after the strip  312  is inserted through holes  318  of the packages  320 , the tapered and flared ends  314 ,  316  are pressed to one another so as to be removably attached to each other. While being maintained as a pre-assembled unit by the strip  312 , the packages  320  are shipped to a retail outlet or store. After the loading of the packages  320  onto a peg hook, the flared end  316  is gripped by a user and then pulled away from the tapered end  314 . Because of the crinkles  348 , the flared end  316  curls away from the tapered end  314  and is hence easily detached from same in a “peeling” motion. In this regard, the amount of the adhesive materials  349  applied to the strip  312  should be sufficient to maintain the packages  320  as an assembled unit during shipping, while permitting easy manual peeling of the flared end  316  from the tapered end  314  subsequent to the loading of the packages  320  onto the peg hook. After detaching the flared end  316  from the tapered end  314 , the strip  312  is removed from the packages  320 .  
         [0050]    [0050]FIGS. 7 a  and  7   b  show a merchandise loading/unloading device  410  constructed in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The loading device  410  includes a strip  412  having a pair of ends  414 ,  416  and a fold line  446  therebetween. The end  414  is tapered, while the end  416  has a slit  436  formed therein. The end  414  is sized and shaped so as to be removably received in the slit  436  so as to form a “locking” loop for merchandise packages  420  (see FIG. 7 b ). In this regard, the strip  412  is made from a material having a suitable strength and rigidity, such as cardboard.  
         [0051]    In order to pre-assemble the packages  420  into a shipping and loading unit, the strip  412  is inserted through holes  418  of the packages  420  and folded along the fold line  446 . The tapered end  414  is then inserted into the slit  436  (see FIG. 7 b ). After the loading of the packages  420  onto a peg hook, the end  414  is pulled out from the slit  436 , and the strip  412  is removed from the packages  420 .  
         [0052]    With reference to FIGS. 8 a  and  8   b , there is shown a merchandise loading/unloading device  510  constructed in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The loading device  510  includes a strip  512  having a pair of opposing ends  514 ,  516 . The end  514  is tapered, while the end  516  has a slit  536  sized and shaped so as to receive the tapered end  514  for interlocking the ends  514 ,  516  to each other by way of a frictional or mechanical fit. The strip  512  has a fold line  546   a  located adjacent the center of the strip  512  and a fold line  546   b  located between the fold line  546   a  and the end  514 .  
         [0053]    Referring to FIG. 8 b , after the end  514  of the strip  512  is passed through holes  518  of merchandise packages  520 , the strip  512  is folded along the fold lines  546   a ,  546   b . The end  514  is then inserted into the slit  536  so as to form a triangular loop  550 . In this regard, the strip  512  is provided with sufficient stiffness for maintaining its triangular loop  550 . For instance, the strip  512  can be made from a material similar to stiff plastic strips used for packaging oversized packages. Alternatively, the strip  512  can be made from corrugated materials, such as those known as “Eflute” and “Ff-lute”. Because the triangular loop  550  is maintained by the engagement of the end  514  with the slit  536 , the end  514  is provided with a length sufficient to prevent accidental disengagement of the end  514  from the slit  536  during the shipping of the packages  520 . After the packages  520  are loaded onto a peg hook as a unit (using one or both of the ends  514 ,  516  as a handgrip), a user&#39;s finger  551  is inserted into an opening formed by the loop  550  (see FIG. 8 b ), and the end  514  is pulled out from the slit  536  by the finger  551 . The strip  512  is then removed from the packages  520 .  
         [0054]    [0054]FIGS. 9 a  and  9   b  show a merchandise loading/unloading device  610  constructed in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The loading device  610  includes a strip  612  made from paper. Pressure-sensitive adhesive materials  649  are applied to one side of the strip  612  at ends  614 ,  616  thereof. After the strip  612  is inserted through holes  618  of packages  620 , the ends  614 ,  616  are brought together and pressed against one another for attachment. The adhesive materials  649  should have a sufficient bonding strength so as to prevent the packages  620  from being released from one another during shipping or storage. After the packages  620  are loaded onto a peg hook, the strip  612  is torn or otherwise disabled so as to permit withdrawal of the strip  612  from the packages  620  (see FIG. 9 b ). In this regard, the loop formed by the strip  612  can be sized and shaped to receive a person&#39;s finger. In this manner, the strip  612  can be torn after the loading of the packages  620  onto a peg hook by inserting a finger into the loop and pulling the strip  612 .  
         [0055]    Now referring to FIGS. 10 a - 10   c , a merchandise loading/unloading device  710 , which is constructed in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the present invention, includes a rubber band  712  and a tab  752  fixedly attached to the rubber band  712 . Alternatively, the tab  752  can be completely eliminated or replaced with other mechanisms.  
         [0056]    In order to pre-assemble merchandise packages  720  into a shipping and/or loading unit, the rubber band  712  is releasably tied around upper end  753  of the packages  720 . More particularly, a portion  754  of the rubber band  712  located opposite the tab  752  is passed through holes  718  of the packages  720 . The portion  754  is then passed through the rubber band  712  and pulled out so as to form a releasable knot  755  tying the upper ends  753  of the packages  720  to one another (see FIG. 10 b ). Due to the elasticity of the rubber band  712 , the knot  755  is maintained such that the packages  720  are kept as an assembled unit during shipping. After the packages  720  are loaded onto a peg hook (using the portion  753  as a handgrip), the tab  752  is gripped by a user and is then pulled so as to untie the knot  755  (as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 10 c ). In this manner, the loading device  710  can be quickly released from the packages  720  subsequent to loading.  
         [0057]    It should be noted that the rubber band  712  can be replaced with bands made from other materials. For instance, the band  712  can be made from any rubber-like natural or synthetic materials, plastics, textile materials coated with rubber or latex materials, etc. Regardless of the material used for making the band  712 , the band  712  should preferably be provided with a sufficient coefficient of elasticity or friction so as to maintain the knot  755  during the shipping of the packages  720  to a retail outlet.  
         [0058]    [0058]FIGS. 11 a  and  11   b  show a merchandise loading/unloading device  810  constructed in accordance with a ninth embodiment of the present invention. More particularly, the loading device  810  is in the form of a twist tie  812 . The twist tie  812  is used to tie packages  820  into a pre-assembled unit for shipping and loading. After the packages  820  are loaded onto a peg hook (using the twisted ends as a handgrip), the twist tie  812  is untied (see FIG. 11 b ) and withdrawn from the packages  820 .  
         [0059]    With reference to FIGS. 12 a  and  12   b , a merchandise loading/unloading device  910  constructed in accordance with a tenth embodiment of the present invention includes a unitary, flexible plastic body  912 . Alternatively, the body  912  can be made from other suitable materials, such as paper, rubber, metal, etc. The body  912  includes a pair of fingers  956   a ,  956   b , which project in one direction, and a finger  956   c , which projects in an opposite direction. The finger  956   c  is positioned between the fingers  956   a ,  956   b . An opening  957  is also formed in the body  912  below the finger  956   c  for purposes to be discussed hereinafter. The body  912  has a perimeter which forms a closed loop.  
         [0060]    In order to assemble packages  920  into a shipping and loading unit, with the body  912  positioned on a front side  958  of the packages  920 , the finger  956   c  is inserted through holes  918  of the packages  920  and placed on a rear side  959  of same. The fingers  956   a ,  956   b  are also placed over upper ends  953  of the packages  920  and are positioned on the rear side  959  (see FIG. 12 b ). As a result, the upper ends  953  of the packages  920  are retained by the fingers  956   a - 956   c , thereby maintaining the packages  920  as an assembled unit for shipping and loading. When properly assembled, the holes  918  of the packages  920  align with the opening  957  of the body  912  so as to permit the loading of the packages  920  onto a peg hook  922  together with the loading device  910 . After the packages  920  are loaded onto the peg hook  922  (see FIG. 12 c ), the loading device  910  is pulled in a forward direction (as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 12 c ). Due to the flexibility of the loading device  910 , the fingers  956   a - 956   c  bend so as to permit quick release of the loading device  910  from the packages  920 .  
         [0061]    Now referring to FIGS. 13 a  and  13   b , there is shown a merchandise loading/unloading device  1010  constructed in accordance with an eleventh embodiment of the present invention. The loading device  1010  has a unitary wire-like body  1012  made from metal and bent into a predetermined shape so as to form a U-shaped loop  1050  at one end thereof and an inverted U-shaped loop  1060  at an opposite end thereof. The loop  1050  includes a free end  1061  spaced from the body  1012  to form a gap  1062  (i.e., the loop  1050  is open).  
         [0062]    In use, packages  1020  are loaded onto the loop  1050  (see FIG. 13 b ). Because the gap  1062  is relatively small, it inhibits the release of the packages  1020  from the loop  1050  during shipping. With the loop  1060  used as a handgrip, the packages  1020  are loaded onto a peg hook. After loading, the packages  1020  are removed from the loading device  1010  through the gap  1062 .  
         [0063]    With reference to FIGS. 14 a  and  14   b , a merchandise loading/unloading device  1110  constructed in accordance with a twelfth embodiment of the present invention is shown. The loading device  1110  includes a substantially flat body  1112  having an upper end  1116  and a lower end  1114 . The body  1112  is made from a relatively stiff material, such as a plastic. A V-shaped notch  1163  is formed in the lower end  1114  of the body  1112 , while an opening  1164  is formed in the body  1112  between the upper and lower ends  1116 ,  1114  and connected to the notch  1163 . The opening  1164  is sized and shaped so as to receive upper portions  1153  of merchandise packages  1120 . More particularly, the opening  1164  has an upper section  1165 , which extends toward the upper end  1116  of the body  1112 , and a lateral section  1166 , which extends at an angle with respect to the upper section  1165 . The loading device  1110  also has a corner  1167  located adjacent to the lateral section  1166  of the opening  1164 , as well as a perimeter forming an open loop.  
         [0064]    In use, the upper portions  1153  of the packages  1120  are inserted into the notch  1163 . Due to the V-shape of the notch  1163 , the upper portions  1153  of the packages  1120  are funneled into the opening  1164 . When the upper package portions  1153  are placed in the opening  1164  (see the broken line representation of the body  1112  in FIG. 14 b ), the body  1112  is pivoted such that the notch  1163  moves away from the upper package portions  1153  so as to prevent same from being released from the opening  1164  (see the solid line representation of the body  1112  in FIG. 14 b ). More particularly, the upper package portions  1153  are positioned in the lateral section  1166  and the upper section  1165  of the opening  1164 , while the corner  1167  of the body  1112  is placed in holes  1118  of the packages  1120 . As a result, the body  1112  is inhibited from moving relative to the packages  1120  so as to maintain same as a unit during shipping and loading. After the packages  1120  are loaded onto a peg hook (using the corner diagonally opposite the corner  1167  as a handgrip), the body  1112  is pivoted back to its original position (see the broken line representation of the body  1112  in FIG. 14 b ) and is then removed from the packages  1120 . For instance, after the body  1112  is pivoted back to its original position, it can be twisted so as to increase the size of the notch  1163  for facilitating the removal of the upper package portions  1153  from the opening  1164 .  
         [0065]    A merchandise loading/unloading device  1210  constructed in accordance with a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 15. The loading device  1210  includes a strip  1212  made from a chipboard material and coated with polyester to strengthen the strip  1212 . The strip  1212  has a pair of ends  1214 ,  1216 . The end  1216  has a slit  1236  sized and shaped so as to receive the end  1214  for assembling a set of merchandise packages  1220  into a shipping and loading unit.  
         [0066]    [0066]FIG. 16 shows a merchandise loading/unloading device  1310  constructed in accordance with a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention. The loading device  1310  has an integral body  1312  having a closed loop construction and including a tongue  1368  and a pair of legs  1369  interconnected to the tongue  1368 . The tongue  1368  is sized and shaped so as to be inserted through holes  1318  of merchandise packages  1320 . The tongue  1368  also has a sufficient resiliency such that upper portions  1353  of the packages  1320  can be gripped by the tongue  1368  and the legs  1369  for maintaining the packages  1320  as a shipping and loading unit. In loading the packages  1320  onto a peg hook, an upper edge of the loading device  1310  can be used as a handgrip.  
         [0067]    Now referring to FIG. 17, a merchandise loading/unloading device  1410  constructed in accordance with a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention has a rigid body  1412  made from plastic. Alternatively, other types of material can be used for the body  1412 . A tongue  1468  projects from the body  1412  in one direction, while tabs  1469  project from the body  1412  in an opposite direction. The tongue  1468  is sized and shaped so as to be inserted through holes  1418  of merchandise packages  1420  to be assembled into a shipping and loading unit. The tabs  1469  are adapted to inhibit the body  1412  from being released from the packages  1420  during shipping. In loading the packages  1420  onto a display peg, an upper edge of the body  1412  can be used as a handgrip. The body  1412  also has a perimeter forming a closed loop.  
         [0068]    [0068]FIG. 18 shows a merchandise loading/unloading device  1510  constructed in accordance with a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention. The loading device  1510  is in the form of a binding clip  1512  similar, in construction, to a conventional binding clip. For instance, the clip  1512  has a unitary metal body  1570 , which forms a closed loop and which has a pair of legs  1571 . A spring member  1572  is connected to the legs  1571  so as to urge the legs  1571  against one another. Grip members  1573  are coupled to the legs  1571  for use in releasing same from one another. One or both of the grip members  1573  can also be used as a handgrip in loading merchandise packages  1520  onto a peg hook.  
         [0069]    In use, the clip  1512  is mounted to upper portions  1553  of the packages  1520 . More particularly, after the packages  1520  are arranged such that holes  1518  of the packages  1520  are aligned with each another and clustered together, the clip  1512  is mounted to the upper portions  1553  so as to immobilize same with respect to one another. In this manner, while the clip  1512  is mounted above the holes  1518  and does not hence directly interact or engage with same, the holes  1518  remain aligned and clustered during shipping and loading.  
         [0070]    [0070]FIG. 19 a  shows a merchandise loading/unloading device  1610  constructed in accordance with a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention. The loading device  1610  is identical to the loading device  1510  of FIG. 18, except as discussed hereinbelow. The loading device  1610  has a pair of legs  1671   a ,  1671   b . Tabs  1674   a  project from the leg  1671   a , while tabs  1674   b  project from the leg  1671   b . The tabs  1674   a ,  1674   b  are positioned such that when the loading device  1610  is in its closed position (i.e., when the legs  1671   a ,  1671   b  are urged against each other), each of the tabs  1674   a  engages a corresponding one of the tabs  1674   b.    
         [0071]    The loading device  1610  is adapted for use in connection with merchandise packages  1620  having openings  1675  in addition to mounting holes  1618  (see FIG. 19 b ). The openings  1675  are located above the holes  1618 . The openings  1675  are sized and shaped such that when the loading device  1610  is mounted to the packages  1620 , the tabs  1674   a  can engage the tabs  1674   b  through the openings  1675  (see FIG. 19 c ). In this manner, the tabs  1674   a ,  1674   b  inhibit the packages  1620  from being released accidentally from the loading device  1610 .  
         [0072]    [0072]FIG. 20 shows a merchandise loading/unloading device  1710  constructed in accordance with an eighteenth embodiment of the present invention. The loading device  1710  has a construction similar to that of a conventional bobby pin. More particularly, the loading device  1710  has a unitary wire-like body  1712  having a pair of legs  1776 , at least one of which is long enough to function as a handgrip. The legs  1776  converge adjacent free ends thereof so as to restrict packages  1720  from being released accidentally during shipping. The body  1712  also forms an open loop.  
         [0073]    Now referring to FIGS. 21 a  and  21   b , a merchandise loading/unloading device  1810  constructed in accordance with a nineteenth embodiment of the present invention includes a unitary horseshoe-shaped body  1812  having ends  1814 ,  1816 . The ends  1814 ,  1816  are adapted to be releasably interlocked with one another so as to form a closed loop, as well as a handgrip. While the body  1812  is preferably made from a flexible plastic material, other materials can be used.  
         [0074]    It should be noted that the present invention can have further modifications and variations in addition to those discussed above. For instance, two or more of the devices of the embodiments shown in FIGS.  1 - 21   b  can be used in conjunction with one another to load packages onto a display peg. By way of example, each of the devices  510 ,  610  of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 a - 6   c  can be inserted through one of the openings  1675  of the packages  1620  illustrated in FIG. 19 b  to form an assembled unit of packages. The devices  510  and  610  can be made as separate pieces or as an integral piece. Two or more pieces of an identical loading device can also be used simultaneously.  
         [0075]    It will be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such variations and modifications, including those mentioned above, are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8