U.S. patent application number 10/391293 was filed with the patent office on 2003-09-18 for merchandise display system.
Invention is credited to Rushing, Tom.
Application Number | 20030173322 10/391293 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 28454633 |
Filed Date | 2003-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030173322 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rushing, Tom |
September 18, 2003 |
Merchandise display system
Abstract
A system and method for displaying merchandise items includes
stackable bins, each bin having a front wall, a back wall, two side
walls, and a bottom attached to each other to form containers for
receiving and displaying merchandise items. The bins include an
opening in the front of the bin through which merchandise items can
be easily placed and displayed in by merchants and removed from by
consumers. Display bins can be short or tall. Tall bins can include
an upper front door for inspecting and re-stocking inventory.
Embodiments of such a system and method provide for efficient
utilization of space in display of merchandise items and for
improved efficiency in stocking and maintaining inventory of higher
sales volume items in a retail setting.
Inventors: |
Rushing, Tom;
(Winston-Salem, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
J. Michael Boggs
Kilpatrick Stockton LLP
1001 West Fourth Street
Winston-Salem
NC
27101-2400
US
|
Family ID: |
28454633 |
Appl. No.: |
10/391293 |
Filed: |
March 18, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60365245 |
Mar 18, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
211/181.1 ;
211/126.9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 3/145 20130101;
A47F 3/147 20130101; A47F 1/082 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/181.1 ;
211/126.9 |
International
Class: |
A47F 005/14 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A merchandise display bin, comprising: a back wall, two side
walls, and a bottom, the back wall, side walls, and bottom attached
to each other at approximately right angles; each of the side walls
having a top and a front aspect; a top connecting member connecting
the front aspect at the top of each of the side walls to define an
open top; a front wall substantially shorter than the back wall
extending upwardly from the bottom to define a front opening; and a
product information display panel removably attached to the front
wall, wherein the merchandise display bin is adaptable to quickly
receive and dispense merchandise items.
2. The merchandise display bin of claim 1, the front wall further
comprising a height sufficient to contain the merchandise items for
display.
3. The merchandise display bin of claim 2, the front wall further
comprising a top, wherein the height of the front wall is less than
30 percent of the vertical distance between the top of the front
wall and the top connecting member to allow access to the
merchandise items by consumers.
4. The merchandise display bin of claim 1, the back wall and side
walls each having a height and the bottom having a width, wherein
the height of each of the back wall and side walls is equal to the
width of the bottom so that the merchandise display bin is
substantially cube-shaped.
5. The merchandise display bin of claim 1, the back wall and side
walls each having a height and the bottom having a width, wherein
the height of each of the back wall and side walls is greater than
the width of the bottom so that the merchandise display bin is
substantially rectangular-shaped.
6. The merchandise display bin of claim 1, the front opening
further comprising a front opening upper portion, wherein the
display bin further comprises an openable upper front door for
covering and uncovering the front opening upper portion.
7. The merchandise display bin of claim 6, further comprising a
hinge for hingedly attaching the upper front door to the front
aspect of each of the side walls.
8. The merchandise display bin of claim 6, further comprising a
means for maintaining the upper front door in a closed
position.
9. The merchandise display bin of claim 8, wherein the means for
maintaining the upper front door in a closed position comprises a
snap-lock mechanism, a magnet, a latch, or a hook-and-loop type
fastener.
10. The merchandise display bin of claim 6, further comprising a
means for supporting the upper front door in a partially open
position.
11. The merchandise display bin of claim 10, wherein the means for
supporting the upper front door in a partially open position
comprises a chain attached between the front aspect of at least one
side wall and the upper front door.
12. The merchandise display bin of claim 6, wherein the upper front
door comprises a solid covering.
13. The merchandise display bin of claim 12, wherein the upper
front door solid covering comprises a product information display
panel.
14. The merchandise display bin of claim 1, wherein the front
aspect of the side walls are perpendicular to the bottom.
15. The merchandise display bin of claim 1, wherein the front
aspect of the side walls are angled inward near the top of the side
walls.
16. The merchandise display bin of claim 1, wherein the front
aspect of the side walls are curved.
17. The merchandise display bin of claim 1, further comprising a
means for displaying the merchandise items on an exterior of the
side walls of the display bin.
18. The merchandise display bin of claim 1, further comprising a
wire construction.
19. A merchandise display system, comprising: a plurality of
display bins; each display bin including a back wall, two side
walls, and a bottom, the back wall, side walls, and bottom attached
to each other at approximately right angles; each of the side walls
having a top and a front aspect; a top connecting member connecting
the front aspect at the top of each of the side walls to define an
open top; a front wall substantially shorter than the back wall,
extending upwardly from the bottom to define a front opening,
having a height sufficient to contain a plurality of merchandise
items for display, and a top; a product information display panel
removably attached to the front wall; and a vertical distance
between the top of the front wall and the top connecting member
sufficient to allow access to merchandise items by consumers,
wherein the merchandise display bin is adaptable to quickly receive
and dispense the merchandise items.
20. The merchandise display system of claim 19, the display bin
back wall and side walls each having a height and the bottom having
a width, wherein the height of each of the back wall and side walls
in a first portion of the plurality of display bins is equal to the
width of the bottom so that the first portion of display bins is
substantially cube-shaped, defining a short display bin, and
wherein the height of each of the back wall and side walls in a
second portion of the plurality of display bins is greater than the
width of the bottom so that the second portion of display bins is
substantially rectangular-shaped, defining a tall display bin.
21. The merchandise display system of claim 20, the tall display
bin front opening further comprises a front opening upper portion,
wherein the tall display bin further comprises an openable upper
front door for covering and uncovering the front opening upper
portion.
22. The merchandise display system of claim 21, the tall display
bin and the short display bin each further comprising a volume,
wherein the tall display bin volume is at least 40 percent greater
than the volume of the short display bin.
23. The merchandise display system of claim 21, the top and the
bottom of each of the short and tall display bins having a
dimension, wherein each of the top and bottom dimensions are the
same, and wherein each of the display bins is vertically stackable
upon each other display bin.
24. The merchandise display system of claim 23, wherein the side
walls of each of the short and tall display bins are substantially
vertical, wherein each of the display bins is horizontally
stackable having at least one of the side walls of one display bin
in substantial contact with the side wall of another display
bin.
25. The merchandise display system of claim 24, further comprising
a modular display system, wherein a combination of the short
display bins and the tall display bins is mountable to a display
surface in a retail setting.
26. The merchandise display system of claim 25, further comprising
a vertical stack of the short display bins and the tall display
bins, wherein one of the tall display bins is positioned at a top
of the vertical stack.
27. A method for displaying merchandise items, comprising:
providing a plurality of display bins, each display bin including a
back wall, two side walls, and a bottom, the back wall, side walls,
and bottom attached to each other; each of the side walls having a
top and a front aspect; a top connecting member connecting the
front aspect at the top of each of the side walls to define an open
top; a front wall substantially shorter than the back wall,
extending upwardly from the bottom to define a front opening,
having a height sufficient to contain the merchandise items for
display, and a top; a product information display panel removably
attached to the front wall; and a vertical distance between the top
of the front wall and the top connecting member sufficient to allow
access to merchandise items by consumers; selecting a combination
of the plurality of display bins from among a first portion of the
display bins having a first height, defining a short display bin,
and a second portion of the display bins having second height
greater than the first height, defining a tall display bin, the
tall display bin front opening further comprising a front opening
upper portion and an openable upper front door for covering and
uncovering the front opening upper portion; stacking the
combination of the short display bins and the tall display bins in
a retail setting; and placing the merchandise items into the short
display bins and into the tall display bins through the front
opening for display.
28. The method for displaying merchandise items in claim 27,
further comprising, when one of the short display bins is located
on a top of the stack of bins, placing the merchandise items into
the short display bin through the open top.
29. The method for displaying merchandise items in claim 27,
further comprising opening the upper front door of a tall display
bin and placing the merchandise items into the tall display bin
through the front opening upper portion.
30. The method for displaying merchandise items in claim 27, the
tall display bins having an upper merchandise storage area and a
lower merchandise display area, further comprising feeding the
merchandise items by gravity from the upper storage area to the
lower display area.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to pending U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/365,245, filed Mar. 18, 2002, which is
incorporated herein in its entirety.
COPYRIGHT NOTIFICATION
[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document and its
attachments contain material which is subject to copyright
protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile
reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent
disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent
files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights
whatsoever.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to a system and method for
displaying merchandise items. Embodiments of such a system and
method provide for efficient utilization of space in display of
merchandise items and for improved efficiency in stocking and
maintaining inventory of higher sales volume items in a retail
setting.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In the retail sales industry, it is common to display goods
for sale using a sales display, sales rack, or similar device for
displaying the goods to customers. As merchandise items are
purchased by customers, inventory on the displays must be
re-stocked. In order to re-stock inventory on a timely basis to
maintain an available supply for customers, inventory levels in
retail displays require frequent monitoring. For items that are
popular and sell quickly, monitoring and re-stocking of inventory
in a display must be done with even greater frequency. Such
monitoring and re-stocking inventory in a retail setting can be
time and labor-intensive.
[0005] Thus, there is a need for a system and method for displaying
merchandise items that provides for efficiency in stocking and
maintaining inventory of higher sales volume items in a retail
setting.
[0006] In conventional display racks, a finite amount of vertical
space is available for shelving. The more shelves that can be
placed within this finite area, the better from a merchant's
standpoint, because the merchant can display more product for sale.
In addition, the more shelves within the area, the less frequently
the merchant needs to restock the display rack. Therefore,
merchants desire display racks having the maximum possible number
of shelves which are able to fit within a defined area.
[0007] In the retail clothing industry, socks are typically
packaged together using a hook or similar packaging means and hung
on a peg or other display for hanging packages. One problem with
the typical method of displaying items in such an arrangement is
that a certain amount of space is required between each row and
between each column of items to allow for placing and removing the
items without disrupting items on adjacent pegs. In order for
customers to reach between rows and columns to retrieve socks
displayed in this fashion, a space of one to two inches generally
is left between each row and column of displayed socks. As a
result, a significant amount of space is used to display such
items, which decreases the available retail floor space for other
items.
[0008] There is also a need for a system and method for displaying
merchandise items that provide for efficient utilization of space
in display of merchandise items by eliminating space between
displayed items.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention provides a system and method for
displaying merchandise items. Embodiments of such a system and
method provide for efficient utilization of space in display of
merchandise items and for improved efficiency in stocking and
maintaining inventory of higher sales volume items in a retail
setting.
[0010] In embodiments of the present invention, a merchandise
display system comprises stackable bins, each bin having a front
wall, a back wall, two side walls, and a bottom. The front, back,
and side walls and bottom are attached to each other at
approximately right angles to form cube-shaped and/or
rectangular-shaped containers for receiving and displaying
merchandise items. The tops of the side walls are connected to each
other at the front with a top connecting member. In this
configuration, such a bin is provided with an open top.
[0011] The front wall extends upwardly from the bottom and is
substantially shorter than the back wall so as to provide an
opening in the front of the bin. Merchandise items can be placed in
and removed from the bin through the front opening. The distance
between the top of the front wall and the top connecting member is
sufficient to maintain merchandise items such as packages of socks
within the bin, while allowing easy access to the items by
customers. In preferred embodiments for displaying socks, the
vertical distance between the top of the front wall and the top
connecting member is in the range of six to eight inches.
[0012] In embodiments, the front wall comprises a product
information display panel for displaying information about the
product and/or products contained within the bin. Product
information can include graphic information such as brand name,
size, and price.
[0013] The present invention includes bins of varying sizes.
Generally, however, the bottoms and tops of the bins are the same
dimensions so that bins can be stacked vertically each upon the
other in an attractive and stable display unit that utilizes a
minimum of space. In embodiments, the present invention includes a
short bin and a tall bin. The back and side walls of a tall bin
have a greater height than the back and side walls of a short bin.
Preferably, a tall bin includes an upper front door positioned so
as to cover the front opening of the upper portion of the bin.
[0014] In embodiments, the upper front door is attached with hinges
to a point in the approximate middle of the front aspect of each of
the side walls. The upper front door operates to open and close
about the hinges. A tall bin having an openable upper front door
preferably includes a means for maintaining the door in a closed
position. Such means include a snap-lock mechanism, magnets,
latches, hook-and-loop type fasteners, and/or other means for
releasably closing the door. In preferred embodiments, a tall bin
further includes a means for supporting an upper front door in a
partially open position. Such a means may be a cord or small chain
attached to at least one side wall and to the upper front door.
Partially opening an upper front door on a tall bin, for example,
to about a 45 degree angle, and supporting the door in such
position helps keep merchandise items within the upper part of the
tall bin while the door is open for inspection of inventory volume
and re-stocking activities.
[0015] Such embodiments of tall bins allow retail personnel to
maintain a larger on-floor stock of higher volume sales items, for
example, stock keeping units (SKU's) having an historically higher
volume of sales. A tall bin of the design of the present invention
provides space to stock 40 percent or more of the same item than a
short bin. As a result, a bin of the present invention decreases
the labor required for re-stocking particularly high volume sales
items by providing a larger volume of inventory in a bin. In
addition, access to re-stock a higher volume item in a tall bin is
facilitated by an openable upper front door.
[0016] In embodiments, the upper front door of a tall bin is
covered with a solid covering. The covering may be decorative
and/or contain product information and other marketing information,
such as promotional news.
[0017] The configuration, or shape, of the front of the bins can
take different forms in order to vary the appearance of the bins
for marketing purposes. For example, in embodiments, the front
aspect of the side walls are perpendicular to the bottom so as to
provide a completely vertical appearance. In one preferred
embodiment, the front aspect of the side walls are angled inward
near the top of the side walls at about a 135 degree angle. In
another preferred embodiment, the front aspect of the side walls
are curved in a backward "S" shape. Such shapes are aesthetically
pleasing and allow easy access by customers to merchandise items
displayed within the bins.
[0018] In the present invention, a system for displaying
merchandise items comprises a modular display system. A bin can be
mounted to a vertical display surface in a retail setting using
appropriate means for attachment, the means for attachment
depending on the type of display surface available and the
construction of the back wall of the bin. For example, wire bins
can be connected to a vertical display surface using pegs, hooks,
and/or clamps. A plurality of individual display bins can be
mounted to a vertical display surface to create multiple rows and
columns of display bins to display merchandise items contained
therein. The plurality of bins can include various combinations of
short bins and tall bins. In preferred embodiments, a series of
short bins is mounted to a display surface, and a tall bin is
mounted directly on top of the top short bin. In this arrangement,
access to an upper front door for inspecting inventory and/or
restocking merchandise items is facilitated, and marketing
information can be displayed on the upper front door covering for
viewing at farther distances. Short and tall bins can be positioned
at different locations in such a modular system, depending on the
desired location for high volume sales items. As such, embodiments
of the present invention provide increased flexibility for varying
space utilization for merchandise items on a retail floor according
to volume of sales.
[0019] Embodiments of a modular merchandise display system of the
present invention are stackable in direct contact in both vertical
and horizontal directions. Such embodiments thus eliminate the
wasted space between separate rows and columns of merchandise items
displayed on pegs and/or hooks, for example. As a result, bins of
the present invention provide increased efficiency of space
utilization in a retail setting.
[0020] In other embodiments, bins have a construction that is
adaptable for displaying merchandise items on the outside of the
bins. For example, bins constructed in the form of a wire cage can
have hooks or pegs attached to the walls of the wire structure.
Merchandise items can then be displayed on the hooks or pegs.
[0021] Merchandise display bins of the present invention can
comprise any material suitable for use in display devices. Such
material should be sturdy to withstand repeated use in a retail
setting and that allows bins to be mounted to a vertical display
surface in a stable manner and have other bins stacked on top.
Preferably, containers comprise a wire construction. Plastic may
also be used.
[0022] The present invention includes a method for displaying
merchandise items. Embodiments of a such a method include providing
stackable bins, each bin having a front wall, a back wall, two side
walls, and a bottom. The front, back, and side walls and bottom are
attached to each other at approximately right angles to form
cube-shaped and/or rectangular-shaped containers for receiving and
displaying merchandise items. The tops of the side walls are
connected to each other at the front with a top connecting member,
which forms an open top. The front wall extends upwardly from the
bottom and is substantially shorter than the back wall so as to
provide an opening in the front of the bin. Bins can include short
bins and tall bins, each bin having the same top and bottom
dimensions so that the bins can be stacked vertically each upon the
other in an attractive and stable display unit that utilizes a
minimum of space. The tall bin includes an upper front door
positioned so as to cover the front opening of the upper portion of
the bin above the top connecting member and is openable for
inspecting and re-stocking inventory of merchandise therein.
Methods of the present invention include displaying merchandise
items using such a modular merchandise display system
[0023] In embodiments of methods of the present invention,
individual packages of merchandise items are randomly placed within
the bins. Individual packages of merchandise are placed and
re-stocked into short bins either by inserting the packages through
the front opening or into the open top if the short bin is located
on the top of a stack of bins. Merchandise items are placed into
the tall bins by inserting the packages through the front opening,
by opening the upper front door and inserting the packages through
the opening, or by placing the items into the open top if the tall
bin is located on the top of a stack of bins. The packages in the
tall bin are then gravity-fed to the lower portion of the bin as
merchandise in the lower portion is removed by customers for
purchase.
[0024] Features of a merchandise display system of the present
invention may be accomplished singularly, or in combination, in one
or more of the embodiments of the present invention. As will be
appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, the present
invention has wide utility in a number of applications as
illustrated by the variety of features and advantages discussed
below.
[0025] A merchandise display system of the present invention
provides numerous advantages over prior merchandise display
systems. For example, the present invention advantageously provides
for improved efficiency in stocking and maintaining inventory of
higher sales volume merchandise items in a retail setting. The
present invention makes removal and restocking of merchandise items
easy and uncomplicated. As a result, by providing for larger volume
of inventory, such as high volume sales items, in a gravity-fed
bin, the present invention decreases labor requirements in a retail
setting.
[0026] Another advantage is that the present invention provides for
efficient utilization of space in display of merchandise items by
eliminating space between rows and columns used in conventional
display of individual packages on pegs. Accordingly, the present
invention allows greater shelf-space on a given footprint of
valuable retail floor space. In addition, such a display system can
be configured to receive and display packages of different
sizes.
[0027] Another advantage is that the present invention permits a
retailer to allocate specific amounts of space to a product
category or specific merchandise item based on the item's volume of
sales.
[0028] Still another advantage is that the present invention allows
display of merchandise items so as to be easily seen, accessed, and
removed by customers.
[0029] Still another advantage is that the present invention
provides a display system that can be easily and quickly mounted in
place and removed as necessary, and that can be readily attached to
an existing structure and thus be placed at strategic
locations.
[0030] Yet another advantage is that embodiments of bins of the
present invention are simple and inexpensive to construct, for
example, by manufacturing from wire merely by welding the various
components together.
[0031] As will be realized by those of skill in the art, many
different embodiments of a merchandise display system according to
the present invention are possible. Additional uses, objects,
advantages, and novel features of the invention are set forth in
the detailed description that follows and will become more apparent
to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or by
practice of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a short bin and a tall bin
showing an open door on the tall bin in an embodiment of a
merchandise display system of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a plurality of the short
bins and tall bins of FIG. 1, as shown displayed in a retail
setting in an embodiment of a merchandise display system of the
present invention.
[0034] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a vertical stack of the
combination of short bins and a tall bin shown in FIG. 2, showing
pegs for displaying merchandise items on the exterior of the side
walls of the display bins in an embodiment of a merchandise display
system of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the vertical stack
combination of short bins and a tall bin shown in FIG. 3, showing
merchandise items displayed on pegs on the exterior of the side
walls of the display bins in an embodiment of a merchandise display
system of the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a tall display bin having
curved side walls on the front aspect of the bin and showing a
curved door in open position in an embodiment of a merchandise
display system of the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a plurality of short and
tall display bins having curved front aspects and curved doors, as
shown displayed in a retail setting in an embodiment of a
merchandise display system of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0038] Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and
method for displaying merchandise items. Such embodiments are
useful for providing efficient utilization of space in display of
merchandise items. Embodiment of the present invention provide
improved efficiency in stocking and maintaining inventory of higher
sales volume items in a retail setting. FIGS. 1-6 show such
embodiments.
[0039] Referring to the embodiment in FIG. 1, a merchandise display
bin 10 includes a back wall 12, two side walls 13, and a bottom 14.
The back wall 12, side walls 13, and bottom 14 are attached to each
other at approximately right angles. Each of the side walls 13 have
a top 22 and a front aspect 44. A top connecting member 16 connects
the front aspect 44 at the top 22 of each of the side walls 13 to
define an open top 15. A front wall 11 that is substantially
shorter than the back wall 12 extends upwardly from the bottom 14
to define a front opening 17. A product information display panel
21 is removably attached to the front wall 11. In such a
configuration, the merchandise display bin 10 is adaptable to
quickly receive and dispense merchandise items 24 (as shown in
FIGS. 2, 4, and 6).
[0040] The front wall 11 has a height sufficient to contain the
merchandise items 24 for display. In embodiments, the height of the
front wall 11 is less than 30 percent of the vertical distance 18
between the top 19 of the front wall 11 and the top connecting
member 16 to allow access to the merchandise items 24 by
consumers.
[0041] In embodiments of the present invention, the height of each
of the back wall 12 and side walls 13 is equal to the width of the
bottom 14 so that the merchandise display bin 10 is substantially
cube-shaped, as shown by a short display bin 30. In other
embodiments, the height of each of the back wall 12 and side walls
13 is greater than the width of the bottom 14 so that the
merchandise display bin 10 is substantially rectangular-shaped, as
shown by a tall display bin 40.
[0042] In another aspect of the present invention, the tall display
bin 40 includes an openable upper front door 41 for covering and
uncovering a front opening upper portion 42. The openable upper
front door 41 is hingedly attached to the front aspect 44 of each
of the side walls 13. The upper front door 41 allows inspection of
an inventory volume of the merchandise items 24 within the tall
display bin 40 while maintaining the items 24 within the display
bin 40. The upper front door 41 also permits restocking the
inventory of the merchandise items 24 through the upper portion 42
of the front opening 17 where room is available after consumers
remove merchandise items 24 through the lower open front portion 25
of the display bin 40.
[0043] The tall display bin 40 includes a means for maintaining the
upper front door in a closed position (not shown). The means for
maintaining the upper front door in a closed position can be, for
example, a snap-lock mechanism, a magnet, a latch, or a
hook-and-loop type fastener. The tall display bin 40 further
includes a means 45 for supporting the upper front door 41 in a
partially open position. The means 45 for supporting the upper
front door 41 in a partially open position can be a chain attached
between the front aspect 44 of at least one side wall 13 and the
upper front door 41. Alternatively, the means 45 can be a cord or
other rigid or semi-rigid attachment means.
[0044] In embodiments, such as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the upper
front door 41 is covered with a solid covering 46. The upper front
door 41 solid covering 46 can comprise a product information
display panel 21. In addition, the solid covering 46 can be
decorative and/or contain other marketing information.
[0045] Display bins 10 of the present invention may have side walls
13 that have a front aspect 44 that is angled 49 inward near the
top 22 of the side walls 13. As shown in the embodiment in FIG. 5,
the front aspect 44 of the side walls 13 are curved 48, in a
backward "S" shape. In other embodiments, the front aspect 44 of
the side walls 13 are perpendicular to the bottom 14.
[0046] FIGS. 3 and 4 show embodiments of display bins in the
present invention having a construction that is adaptable for
displaying the merchandise items 24 on the exterior of the display
bins 30, 40. For example, the display bins 30, 40 include a means
50 for displaying the merchandise items 24 on an exterior of the
side walls 13 of the display bins 30, 40.
[0047] As shown in FIGS. 1-6, embodiments of the present invention
can comprise a wire construction.
[0048] Embodiments of the present invention include a merchandise
display system comprising a plurality of display bins 10. Each
display bin 10 includes a back wall 12, two side walls 13, and a
bottom 14. The back wall 12, side walls 13, and bottom 14 are
attach to each other at approximately right angles. Each of the
side walls 13 has a top 22 and a front aspect 44. A top connecting
member 16 connects the front aspect 44 at the top 22 of each of the
side walls 13 to define an open top 15. A front wall 11 that is
substantially shorter than the back wall 12 extends upwardly from
the bottom 14 to define a front opening 17. The front wall 11 has a
height sufficient to contain a plurality of merchandise items 24
for display. A product information display panel 21 is removably
attached to the front wall 11. The vertical distance 18 between the
top 19 of the front wall 11 and the top connecting member 16 is
sufficient to allow access to the merchandise items 24 by
consumers, such that the merchandise display bin 10 is adaptable to
quickly receive and dispense the merchandise items 24.
[0049] In such an embodiment of a merchandise display system, the
height of each of the back wall 12 and side walls 13 in a first
portion of the plurality of display bins 10 is equal to the width
of the bottom 14 so that the first portion of display bins 10 is
substantially cube-shaped, defining a short display bin 30. The
height of each of the back wall 12 and side walls 13 in a second
portion of the plurality of display bins 10 is greater than the
width of the bottom 14 so that the second portion of display bins
10 is substantially rectangular-shaped, defining a tall display bin
40. The tall display bin 40 further includes an openable upper
front door 41 for covering and uncovering the front opening upper
portion 42. In particular embodiments of a merchandise display
system, the volume of the tall display bin 40 is at least 40
percent greater than the volume of the short display bin 30.
[0050] In embodiments of the present invention, the dimension of
the top 15 and of the bottom 14 of each of the short and tall
display bins 30, 40, respectively, are the same such that each of
the display bins 30, 40 is vertically stackable upon each other
display bin 30, 40. In embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, each
of the short and tall display bins 30, 40, respectively, are
substantially vertical, such that each of the display bins 30, 40
is horizontally stackable. In such arrangement, at least one of the
side walls 13 of one display bin 30, 40 is in substantial contact
with the side wall 13 of another display bin 30, 40.
[0051] As shown in the embodiments in FIGS. 2, 4, and 6, a system
for displaying merchandise items of the present invention comprises
a modular display system. In such a modular display system, a
combination of the short display bins 30 and the tall display bins
40 is mountable to a display surface in a retail setting. In
preferred embodiments of a vertical stack of the short display bins
30 and the tall display bins 40, one of the tall display bins 40 is
positioned at the top of the vertical stack. This configuration of
a combination of the short display bins 30 and the tall display
bins 40 allows a retail stocking clerk to open the upper front door
41 of a tall display bin 40 and place the merchandise items 24 into
the tall display bin 40 through the front opening upper portion 42.
Because the tall display bins 40 have an upper merchandise storage
area 23 and a lower merchandise display area 25, the merchandise
items 24 are fed by gravity from the upper storage area 23 to the
lower display area 25.
[0052] Embodiments of the present invention include a method for
displaying merchandise items including providing a plurality of
display bins 10. Each display bin 10 includes a back wall 12, two
side walls 13, and a bottom 14. The back wall 12, side walls 13,
and bottom 14 are attached to each other. A top connecting member
16 connects the front aspect 44 at the top 22 of each of the side
walls 13 to define an open top 15. A front wall 11 that is
substantially shorter than the back wall 12 extends upwardly from
the bottom 14 to define a front opening 17. The front opening 17
has a height sufficient to contain the merchandise items 24for
display. A product information display panel 21 is removably
attached to the front wall 11. The vertical distance 18 between the
top 19 of the front wall 11 and the top connecting member 16 is
sufficient to allow access to the merchandise items 24 by
consumers.
[0053] A combination of the plurality of display bins 10 are
selected from among a first portion of the display bins 10 having a
first height, defining a short display bin 30, and a second portion
of the display bins 10 having second height greater than the first
height, defining a tall display bin 40. The tall display bin 40
includes an openable upper front door 41 for covering and
uncovering the front opening upper portion 42. After making the
selection, the combination of the short display bins 30 and the
tall display bins 40 is stacked in a retail setting. Then the
merchandise items 24 are placed into the short display bins 30 and
into the tall display bins 40 through the front opening 17 for
display.
[0054] In other embodiments of a method of the present invention,
when one of the short display bins 30 is located on a top of the
stack of bins, the merchandise items 24 are placed into the short
display bin 30 through the open top 15. In other embodiments, the
upper front door 41 of a tall display bin 40 is opened and the
merchandise items 24 are placed into the tall display bin 40
through the front opening upper portion 42. The tall display bins
40 have an upper merchandise storage area 23 and a lower
merchandise display area 25. Such a method further includes feeding
the merchandise items 24 by gravity from the upper storage area bin
23 to the lower display area 25.
[0055] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to particular embodiments, it should be recognized that
these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles of the
present invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate that a merchandise display system of the present
invention may be constructed and implemented in other ways and
embodiments. Accordingly, the description herein should not be read
as limiting the present invention, as other embodiments also fall
within the scope of the present invention.
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