U.S. patent application number 11/383597 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-22 for point-of-sale device for an article accompanied by at least one fastener fixedly located in a prominent location.
This patent application is currently assigned to Micasa Trading Corporation d/b/a/ Impex Systems Group Inc., Micasa Trading Corporation d/b/a/ Impex Systems Group Inc.. Invention is credited to Steven C. Berenson, Edson A. Mejia, David Weck.
Application Number | 20070267314 11/383597 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38711033 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070267314 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weck; David ; et
al. |
November 22, 2007 |
POINT-OF-SALE DEVICE FOR AN ARTICLE ACCOMPANIED BY AT LEAST ONE
FASTENER FIXEDLY LOCATED IN A PROMINENT LOCATION
Abstract
A point-of-sale device carries an article and a fastener for use
with the article. The device comprises a structure enabling the
device to be presented to a prospective purchaser at a retail shop.
The article and fastener are located in the structure behind the
transparent region so the article and one fastener can be seen by
the prospective purchaser. The fastener is fixedly mounted between
the transparent region and the article so the fastener can be seen
by the prospective purchaser in front of the article and through
the transparent region while the device is presented to the
prospective purchaser and the likelihood of the fastener being
misplaced prior to use, after opening of the transparent region is
reduced.
Inventors: |
Weck; David; (Miami, FL)
; Berenson; Steven C.; (Miami, FL) ; Mejia; Edson
A.; (Miami, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LOWE HAUPTMAN HAM & BERNER, LLP
1700 DIAGONAL ROAD, SUITE 300
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
Micasa Trading Corporation d/b/a/
Impex Systems Group Inc.
Miami
FL
|
Family ID: |
38711033 |
Appl. No.: |
11/383597 |
Filed: |
May 16, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/471 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/36 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/471 |
International
Class: |
B65D 73/00 20060101
B65D073/00 |
Claims
1. A point-of-sale device carrying an article and at least one
fastener for use with the article, the device comprising: a
structure for enabling the device to be presented to a prospective
purchaser at a retail shop, the structure including a transparent
region, the article and at least one fastener being located in the
structure behind the transparent region so that the article and at
least one fastener can be seen by the prospective purchaser through
the transparent region while the device is presented to the
prospective purchaser at the shop, the at least one fastener being
located in the structure between the transparent region and the
article so that the at least one fastener can be seen by the
prospective purchaser in front of the article and through the
transparent region while the device is presented to the prospective
purchaser at the shop.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one fastener is
fixedly mounted adjacent the transparent region.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein a chamber forms part of the
transparent region, the chamber having walls, a roof, and a floor,
the chamber floor being located between the transparent region and
the article, the chamber walls and roof being part of the
transparent region, the at least one fastener being located in the
chamber between the chamber walls, roof and floor.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one fasteners is
fixedly mounted in the chamber.
5. The point-of-sale device of claim 1, wherein the structure
includes a panel carrying information about the article to the
prospective purchaser, the panel and the transparent region forming
a container in which the article is located, the container
including a segment in which a portion of the article fits snugly,
the segment cooperating with the panel to form a pocket into which
the portion snugly fits, the pocket holding the portion, the
article being held in place between surfaces of the container and
panel.
6. The point-of-sale device of claim 1, wherein the structure
includes an opening for enabling the device to be mounted on a
horizontally extending element of a vertically extending mounting
structure.
7. The point-of-sale device of claim 6, in combination with a
vertically extending mounting structure carrying a horizontally
extending, elongated element, the structure including an opening,
the elongated element extending through the opening.
8. The point-of-sale device of claim 1, wherein the structure is
arranged to enable the device to be mounted on a horizontally
extending, elongated element of a vertically extending mounting
structure.
9. The point-of-sale device of claim 1, in combination with a
vertically extending mounting structure carrying a horizontally
extending, elongated element, the structure of the device being
arranged for enabling the device to be mounted on the elongated
element.
10. The point-of-sale device of claim 1, in combination with a
vertically extending mounting structure carrying a horizontally
extending, elongated element, the structure of the device including
an opening in a panel, the panel (a) carrying a container in which
the article is located and including the transparent region, and
(b) bearing information about the article, the elongated element
extending through the opening.
11. The point-of-sale device of claim 1, wherein the structure
includes a panel with information about how to use the article and
at least one fastener, the information being accessible to the
prospective purchaser even though the article remains behind the
transparent region, and the prospective purchaser does not have
access to the article.
12. The point-of-sale device of claim 1, wherein the structure
includes an opening for enabling the device to be mounted on a
horizontally extending element of a vertically extending mounting
structure.
13. A point-of-sale device carrying an article and at least one
fastener for use with the article, the device comprising: a
structure for enabling the device to be presented to a prospective
purchaser at a retail shop, the structure including a panel
carrying a transparent region so there is a cavity between the
transparent region and the panel, the article and at least one
fastener being located in the same cavity so that the article and
at least one fastener can be seen by the prospective purchaser
through the transparent region while the device is presented to the
prospective purchaser at the shop, the at least one fastener being
fixedly mounted in said same cavity.
14. The point-of-sale device of claim 13, wherein the structure is
arranged to enable the device to be mounted on a horizontally
extending, elongated element of a vertically extending mounting
structure.
15. The point-of-sale device of claim 13, in combination with a
vertically extending mounting structure carrying a horizontally
extending, elongated element, the structure of the device being
arranged for enabling the device to be mounted on the elongated
element.
16. The point-of-sale device of claim 13, in combination with a
vertically extending mounting structure carrying a horizontally
extending, elongated element, the structure of the device including
an opening in a panel, the panel (a) carrying a container in which
the article is located and including the transparent region, and
(b) bearing information about the article, the elongated element
extending through the opening.
17. The point-of-sale device of claim 13, wherein the structure
includes a panel with information about how to use the article and
at least one fastener, the information being accessible to the
prospective purchaser even though the article remains behind the
transparent region, and the prospective purchaser does not have
access to the article.
18. The point-of-sale device of claim 13, wherein the structure
includes an opening for enabling the device to be mounted on a
horizontally extending element of a vertically extending mounting
structure.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to point-of-sale
devices for hardware articles, and more particularly, to a
point-of-sale device for hardware articles that are sold with
fasteners that are maintained in situ in a prominent location so
they are easily visible behind a transparent portion of the
point-of-sale device.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Many articles that are offered for sale, particularly
hardware articles, including picture hangers, are presented to a
prospective purchaser in a point-of-sale device on a backing and
presented to a prospective purchaser through a transparent cover,
such as a so-called "blister pack." Such hardware articles
frequently are accompanied by fasteners such as nails, screws
and/or brads, that are located with the hardware article behind the
transparent cover. The fasteners are often loose in a chamber
formed between the transparent cover and the backing. Because the
fasteners are loose, they are frequently lost when the cover is
removed from the backing. Further, the fasteners have a tendency to
be misplaced while a user is dealing with the hardware item, for
example, is being manipulated by the user. For example, when
mounting a picture hanger, an installer must decide where exactly
to place the hanger on a wall. However, during this process, the
loose fastener is frequently misplaced by the installer or those
assisting person(s) assisting the installer.
[0003] The loose condition of the fastener(s) does nothing to
promote the sale of the primary hardware article carried by the
point-of-sale device. If the fastener is a high quality fastener,
the prospective purchaser has no way of realizing this.
[0004] It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to
provide a new and improved point-of-sale device for hardware
articles accompanied by fasteners.
[0005] An additional object of the present invention is to provide
a new and improved point-of-sale device for hardware articles
accompanied by fasteners, wherein each fastener is in a prominent
position and is visible to prospective purchasers, behind a
transparent cover, so that the prospective purchaser can be
apprised of the nature of the fastener(s) prior to buying the
article.
[0006] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
new and improved point-of-sale device for hardware articles
accompanied by fasteners, wherein each fastener is maintained in a
fixed position in a chamber that also includes a primary hardware
article, behind a transparent cover.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a
point-of-sale device carries an article and at least one fastener
for use with the article. The device comprises a structure for
enabling the device to be presented to a prospective purchaser at a
retail shop. The structure includes a transparent region. The
article and fastener(s) are located in the structure behind the
transparent region so that the article and fastener can be seen by
the prospective purchaser through the transparent region while the
device is presented to the prospective purchaser at the shop. The
fastener(s) is located in the structure between the transparent
region and the article so that the fastener(s) can be seen by the
prospective purchaser in front of the article and through the
transparent region while the device is presented to the prospective
purchaser at the shop.
[0008] Another aspect of the invention relates to a point-of-sale
device carrying an article and at least one fastener for use with
the article. The device comprises a structure for enabling the
device to be presented to a prospective purchaser at a retail shop.
The structure includes a panel carrying a transparent region so
there is a cavity between the transparent region and the panel. The
article and fastener(s) are located in the same cavity so that the
article and fastener(s) can be seen by the prospective purchaser
through the transparent region while the device is presented to the
prospective purchaser at the shop. The fastener(s) is fixedly
mounted in the cavity.
[0009] Preferably, a chamber having walls, a roof, and a floor
forms part of the transparent region. The chamber floor is located
between the transparent region and the article. The chamber walls
and roof are part of the transparent region. The fastener(s) is
located in the chamber between the chamber walls, roof and
floor.
[0010] The structure preferably includes a panel carrying
information about the article to the prospective purchaser. The
panel and the transparent region form a container in which the
article is located. The container includes a segment in which a
portion of the article fits snugly. The segment cooperates with the
panel to form a pocket into which the portion snugly fits. The
pocket holds the portion, and the article is held in place between
surfaces of the container and panel.
[0011] Preferably, the structure includes an opening for enabling
the device to be mounted on a horizontally extending element of a
vertically extending mounting structure. The point-of-sale device
is typically mounted on horizontally extending, elongated element
carried by a vertically extending mounting structure, e.g., peg
board. The elongated element extends through an opening in the
structure.
[0012] The above and still further objects, features and advantages
of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of
the following detailed description of a specific embodiment
thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] As previously described,
[0014] FIG. 1 is a drawing of a prior art point-of-sale device for
a picture hanger, and
[0015] FIGS. 2A and 2B are illustrations of how the parts of the
picture hanger illustrated in FIG. 1 are assembled;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a point-of-sale system
including a point-of-sale device in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a front view of the point-of-sale device
illustrated in FIG. 3;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a side view, taken through the line 5-5 of FIG.
4;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a side view taken through the line 6-6 of FIG. 4;
and
[0020] FIG. 7 is a side view taken through the line 7-7 of FIG.
4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] The point-of-sale system of FIG. 3 includes vertically
extending, wall-mounted pegboard 40 including circular holes 42.
Pegboard 40 fixedly carries fixtures 44 and 46, on which are
fixedly mounted horizontally extending elongated elements in the
form of rods 48, 50, 52 and 54, pairs of which are connected
together by vertically extending struts 56 and 58, as well as
horizontally extending struts 60. Struts 56 and 58 respectively fit
into openings of fixtures 44 and 46.
[0022] Point-of-sale devices 62 and 64 are respectively hung on
rods 48 and 50 behind placard 67, which is mounted on rods 52 and
54 and includes information about article 66, carried by
point-of-sale devices 62 and 64. Article 66 is a picture hanger
including plate 10, nails 14, and hanger structure 16 (see FIGS. 1,
2a, and 2b) and is located, in assembled condition, on cardboard
panel 68, including horizontally extending elongated opening 70,
sized and oriented for enabling point-of-sale device 64 to be
mounted on one of rods 48 or 50. Article 66, in assembled
condition, is located in a chamber, i.e., container, between planar
surface 72 of panel 68 and exterior surfaces of one piece,
transparent plastic cover 74, which is fixedly mounted on the
planar surface. Thus, article 66 can be considered to be behind
cover 74 that forms a transparent region of point of sale device
64.
[0023] Container 74 includes walls 76, 78, 80, and 82, which extend
approximately at right angles to planar surface 72 and to each
other. At the bottom of walls 76, 78, 80, and 82 is flange 84,
having a bottom surface abutting and fixedly connected by
transparent glue to planar surface 72. At the top of walls 76, 78,
80, and 82 is ceiling 86 of cover 74. Ceiling 86 has a planar
surface that extends parallel to planar surface 72. Ceiling 86
includes oval portion 88, the periphery of which is connected to
planar portion 87 of ceiling 86 by wall 90, having a height
slightly greater than the thickness of plate 10. Plate 10 fits into
a cavity formed by oval portion 88 and wall 90 and is held in place
by transparent adhesive tape 91, which forms the floor of the
cavity. The unexposed, bottom face of plate 10 abuts tape 91.
[0024] Extending upwardly from ceiling portion 88 is bulbous
portion 92 of cover 74. Bulbous portion 92 is shaped for (1)
receiving leg 22 and hook 24 of hanger structure 16 and (2) in such
a way as to facilitate insertion of the leg and hook portions of
the hanger structure, as well as to hold the leg and hook portions
in place. To this end, bulbous portion 92 includes (1) sidewalls 94
that taper toward each other and away from ceiling portion 88, (2)
floor 96, and (3) ceiling 98; floor 96 and ceiling 98 extend away
from ceiling portion 88. Bulbous portion 92 also includes a front
wall including (1) segment 100 that extends upwardly at an oblique
angle from floor 96 (FIG. 5) and (2) portion 102 that extends
upwardly from ceiling 98. Wall portions 100 and 102 meet at apex
104 at a distance sufficiently far from roof portion 88 to
accommodate leg 22 and hook 24, so a portion of hook 24 bears
against a segment of wall portion 100 to assist in holding hanger
structure 16 in place. The exposed face of plate 10 bears against
wall portion 88, which has a shape and size substantially the same
as, but slightly larger, than the oval shape of plate 10.
[0025] To assist in holding hanger structure 16 and plate 10 in
place in the assembled condition, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, flange
84 includes tongue 106 (FIG. 5) that extends from the remainder of
container 74 toward opening 70. Tongue 106 includes a central
elongated opening 108, having length, width, and thickness
dimensions to snugly receive arm 20 when plate 10 is located in the
chamber formed by wall 90, oval ceiling portion 88 and tape 91.
Wall 110 (FIG. 6), having a height slightly greater than the
thickness of arm 20, extends from the edges of tongue 106, where
opening 108 is formed. At the top of wall 110 is ceiling 112 that
is connected to the portion of wall 82 from which tongue 106
extends and through which an opening 114 is thereby provided in a
portion of wall 82 connected to tongue 106. Arm 20 is located in
opening 114. Tongue 106, opening 108, wall 110, ceiling 112 and the
portion of panel 68 that abuts opening 108 form a chamber (i.e.,
pocket) in which arm 20 snugly fits. The snug fit of arm 20 in the
pocket, in combination with the snug fit of plate 10 against oval
ceiling portion 88, as well as tape 91, and the snug fit of hook 24
against roof portion 100 of bulbous portion 92 of cover 74 hold
plate 10 and hanger structure 16 firmly in place in the assembled
condition. In the assembled condition, plate 10, arm 20, and leg 22
extend in planes substantially parallel to planar surface 72, and
shoulder 18 extends substantially at a right angle to planar
surface 72.
[0026] The presentation is enhanced by the prominent position of
nails 28 in cover 74. Nails 28 are located immediately below the
planar portion of transparent ceiling 86, where the nails can
easily be seen by a prospective purchaser. Nails 28 are located in
chamber 120 (FIGS. 4, 5, and 7), including elongated parallel walls
122 and sidewalls 124 that extend at right angles to walls 122. The
central portions of elongated walls 122 have a height slightly
greater than the diameters of the elongated portions 126 of nails
28, while walls 124 and the end portions of elongated walls 122
have a height slightly greater than the diameters of heads 128 of
nails 28. Chamber 120 also includes roof 130 that is an integral
part of cover 74, as are walls 122 and 124. Chamber 120 further
includes floor 132, formed of transparent cellophane adhesive tape
that is attached to the underside of the planar portion of ceiling
86 of cover 74, after nails 28 have been inserted into chamber 120
between walls 122 and 124, against ceiling 130 while cover 74 is in
an inverted position, prior to plate 10 and hanger structure 16
being inserted into the chamber including cover 74.
[0027] The prominent location of nails 28 and the location of the
nails in chamber 120 enable the prospective purchaser to realize
easily what is involved in securing the picture hanger in place. In
addition, the person assembling the picture hanger can leave the
nails in place in chamber 120 after removing plate 10 and hanger
structure 16 in the assembled condition from the pocket including
cover 74 and backing 68 of point-of-sale device 64. Hence, the
likelihood of nails 28 being misplaced or lost is considerably
reduced.
[0028] Panel 68, in addition to carrying plate 10, hanger structure
16, nails 28, and container 74, includes a text message 134
containing information about the picture hanger, as well as
illustrations 136, to assist the person assembling the picture
hanger. Text message 134 and illustrations 136 are accessible to
the prospective purchaser even though the picture hanger remains
behind the transparent cover 74, and the prospective purchaser does
not have access to the picture hanger.
[0029] While a specific embodiment of the invention has been
described and illustrated, variations regarding details of the
embodiment specifically illustrated and described may be made
without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention
as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *