U.S. patent application number 11/810211 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-11 for storage and display device, system, and method of use thereof.
Invention is credited to David Rosenberg.
Application Number | 20080302744 11/810211 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40094888 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080302744 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rosenberg; David |
December 11, 2008 |
Storage and display device, system, and method of use thereof
Abstract
A device, system, and method for storage and display of
articles, such as loose articles for use or sale, including a bin
having a body, at least a portion of which is translucent or
transparent, that allows for close-proximity arrangement, and easy
rearrangement, of two or more bins while maintaining ease of
retrieval of articles stored and displayed therein, and while
allowing visual inspection of the contents of bins so arranged.
Inventors: |
Rosenberg; David; (Columbus,
GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MYERS & KAPLAN;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW, L.L.C.
CUMBERLAND CENTER II, 3100 CUMBERLAND BLVD , SUITE 1400
ATLANTA
GA
30339
US
|
Family ID: |
40094888 |
Appl. No.: |
11/810211 |
Filed: |
June 5, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/94.01 ;
220/481; 220/669 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 5/0846 20130101;
A47F 5/0025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/94.01 ;
220/481; 220/669 |
International
Class: |
A47F 5/08 20060101
A47F005/08; B65D 1/00 20060101 B65D001/00 |
Claims
1. An article storage and display bin comprising: a first sidewall
having a generally curved upper peripheral edge and a generally
curved lower peripheral edge; a second sidewall having a generally
curved upper peripheral edge and a generally curved lower
peripheral edge; and a generally arcuate bottom connecting said
first sidewall to said second sidewall.
2. The article storage and display bin of claim 1, further
comprising attachment means for selectively attaching said article
storage and display bin to a display surface of a display unit.
3. The article storage and display bin of claim 1, further
comprising a sign structure connecting said first sidewall to said
second sidewall.
4. The article storage and display bin of claim 1, wherein said
generally arcuate bottom comprises a front edge, a back edge, and a
medial depression therebetween.
5. The article storage and display bin of claim 1, wherein said
curved lower peripheral portions generally follow a curvature of
said generally arcuate bottom.
6. The article storage and display bin of claim 1, further
comprising at least one relief portion.
7. The article storage and display bin of claim 6, wherein said at
least one relief portion is defined by at least one of a curvature
of said curved upper peripheral edges and a curvature of said
curved lower peripheral edges.
8. The article storage and display bin of claim 1, wherein at least
a portion of at least one of said first sidewall, said second
sidewall, and said generally arcuate bottom is one of translucent
and transparent.
9. The article storage and display bin of claim 1, wherein said
generally arcuate bottom enables said storage and display bin to be
tilted toward an adjacent storage and display bin without
decreasing a distance therebetween.
10. An article storage and display system comprising: a display
unit, and a plurality of storage and display bins, wherein said
plurality of storage and display bins is adjustably and removably
attachable to said display unit, and wherein said plurality of
storage and display bins comprise at least one relief portion.
11. The article storage and display system of claim 10, wherein
said display unit comprises a display surface, said display surface
comprising a plurality of attachment structures thereon, and
wherein said plurality of storage and display bins are removably
attachable to a selected one of said attachment structures.
12. The article storage and display system of claim 11, wherein a
position of said plurality of storage and display bins on said
display surface is adjustable by moving said plurality of storage
and display bins relative to said selected one of said attachment
structures.
13. The article storage and display system of claim 10, wherein
said at least one relief portion enables one of said plurality of
storage and display bins to be tilted without decreasing a distance
to an adjacent storage and display bin.
14. A method of storing and displaying at least one article
comprising the steps of: providing a storage and display device
comprising a generally arcuate bottom and a transparent portion
proximate a medial depression of said generally arcuate bottom; and
storing at least one article in said storage and display device,
thereby displaying said at least one article through said
transparent portion.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising attaching said
storage and display device to a display surface of a display
unit.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of
adjusting a position of said storage and display device relative to
said display surface while said storage and display device is
attached to said display surface.
17. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of
attaching a second storage and display device proximate at least
one of a top and a bottom of said storage and display device.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein said step of attaching said
second storage and display device comprises tilting said second
storage and display device to engage an attachment means thereof
with an attachment device of said display surface.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein at least one relief portion of
at least one of said storage and display device and said second
storage and display device allows said tilting step to be performed
while said storage and display device is disposed adjacent said
second storage and display device.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to storage devices,
and more specifically, to a retail storage and display bin.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In numerous varied instances it is necessary, desirable, or
beneficial to store and/or display certain items, or collections of
items, separate from other items, or other collections of items,
such as items having different characteristics: such as different
price, color, size, material, use, flavor, or the like. To
accomplish such separate storage, a variety of boxes, bins,
dispensers, and displays have been adapted and employed. Such prior
devices, however, suffer from many disadvantages.
[0003] One problem with prior storage and display devices is that
they often allow items, particularly small items, to accumulate in
remote areas of the storage device, where access to the items by a
user, a vendor, or a customer is restricted. Additionally, such
prior storage and display devices frequently include means for
accessing the items that make removal of the items stored therein
difficult, or that require the use of specialized scoops, rakes, or
other tools, or specialized funnels or other dispensers to access
and remove the items. Furthermore, such prior storage and display
devices typically fail to provide adequate ability and/or
opportunity to visually inspect the contents thereof and to
simultaneously label or otherwise describe the contents or
characteristics thereof.
[0004] These problems associated with conventional storage and
display devices are compounded when a plurality of such devices are
arranged in a system, especially in an article storage and display
fixture. Specifically, conventional arrangements require large
spacing between individual storage devices or containers in order
to allow proper, unfettered use thereof and to allow access to the
articles stored and displayed therein. Such large spacing is not
only inefficient use of available storage and/or display space,
such as floor or wall area, but is also inconvenient for a user
thereof, especially for comparison and/or retrieval of items stored
in different containers.
[0005] Thus, what is needed is a device for storage and/or display
of articles, a system for arranging a plurality of such devices, a
method of use thereof, and a method of storage and display of
articles, especially numerous and varied articles, that is simple
and inexpensive to make and use, that allows efficient and
effective arrangement of a plurality of storage and display
devices, that allows easy and convenient visual inspection of one
or more item stored with the devices, and that allows convenient
comparison and/or retrieval of items stored in different ones of
the devices.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present
invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the
recognized need for such a device, system, and methods by providing
an article storage and display bin including a body, at least a
portion of the body being transparent or translucent, the body
including generally vertically-arranged and spaced opposing
sidewalls and an arcuate bottom therebetween. The translucent or
transparent portion(s) preferably allow visual inspection of
articles contained in the bin. The arcuate bottom preferably
prevents accumulation of articles in the back of the bin by forcing
accumulation of the articles in a medial portion of the bin at a
low-point of the arcuate bottom. The arcuate bottom preferably
further facilitates removal of one or more of the articles by
allowing the articles to be moved up the sloping surface thereof
toward a mouth of the bin. The mouth preferably allows a user to
reach, at least partially, into the bin to retrieve and remove
articles contained therein, and preferably extends from a front
edge of the arcuate bottom portion to a sign structure carried by
at least one of the opposing sidewalls.
[0007] A system for storage and display of articles preferably
includes a display unit and a plurality of modular storage bins.
The storage bins are preferably removably attachable to a selected
one of a plurality of attachment devices of the display unit via
complementary attachment means disposed thereon. The bins are
preferably configured to allow close-proximity arrangement beside,
above, and below other such bins attached to the display unit,
including generally vertically-arranged sidewalls and/or at least
one relief formed proximate the connection means of the storage
bin. The generally vertically-arranged sidewalls preferably reduce
wasted space between adjacent storage bins arranged side-by-side,
and the relief portions preferably reduce wasted space between
adjacent storage bins arranged top-to-bottom by reducing the amount
of clearance required for removal or attachment of a storage bin to
the display unit above or below an adjacent storage bin.
[0008] According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the
present invention, in its preferred form, is a storage bin
including two generally vertically-arranged, spaced, opposing
sidewalls connected to one another, at least at bottom portions, by
an arcuate bottom.
[0009] According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the
sidewalls and bottom are formed of a transparent or translucent
material to allow visual inspection of articles stored in the
storage bin.
[0010] According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, a
sign structure is carried by the sidewalls such that information
relating to articles stored therein may be displayed thereon for
facilitating selection, location, and or retrieval of desired
articles stored within one or more bins.
[0011] According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, a
back connects the sidewalls proximate a back edge of the arcuate
bottom to facilitate containment of articles within the bin,
especially when the bin is tilted toward the back thereof, such as
during attachment or removal of the bin to a display unit.
[0012] According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the
back preferably carries attachment means for removably and
adjustably attaching the bin to an attachment structure of the
display unit to facilitate display of articles stored in the
bin.
[0013] According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment,
arcuate bottom portion curves downward to a medial depression from
both a front edge and a back edge thereof to prevent accumulation
of articles stored in the bin in remote areas of the bin and to
facilitate accumulation of such articles proximate the medial
depression, whereby they may be accessed by a user.
[0014] According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the
bin preferably includes a mouth for allowing access to articles
stored in the bin located proximate the front edge of the arcuate
bottom and preferably extending therefrom between the sidewalls to
the sign structure.
[0015] According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the
mouth preferably allows a user to reach into the bin and retrieve
articles therefrom, and preferably further allows articles stored
in the bin to be poured out of the bin by tilting the bin toward
the front thereof.
[0016] According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the
display unit includes a plurality of attachment devices for
receiving and adjustably retaining one or more storage bins,
whereby articles stored in the bin(s) may preferably be displayed
for use or sale.
[0017] According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the
display unit preferably includes a generally vertically arranged
display surface having the attachment devices formed thereon.
[0018] According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment,
each attachment device preferably receives and adjustably retains a
plurality of storage devices arranged in a row.
[0019] According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the
attachment devices are preferably arranged to form a series of
vertically arranged rows.
[0020] Accordingly, one feature and advantage of the present
invention is its ability to facilitate storage and display of
articles such that the articles may conveniently be
visually-inspected, selected, located, and/or retrieved for use or
sale.
[0021] Another feature and advantage of the present invention is
its ability to allow numerous different articles to be stored and
displayed in respective storage bins arranged in close proximity on
a display unit.
[0022] These and other features and advantages of the present
invention will become more apparent to those ordinarily skilled in
the art after reading the following Detailed Description and Claims
in light of the accompanying drawing Figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] Accordingly, the present invention will be understood best
through consideration of, and with reference to, the following
Figures, viewed in conjunction with the Detailed Description of the
Preferred Embodiment referring thereto, in which like reference
numbers throughout the various Figures designate like structure and
in which:
[0024] FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of a storage bin
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 1B is a front perspective view of a storage bin
according to an alternative embodiment of the present
invention;
[0026] FIG. 2 is a side view of the storage bin of FIG. 1A from
line 2-2;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the storage bin of FIG.
1A taken along line 3-3; and
[0028] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a display unit
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended
solely for the purpose of illustration and that they are,
therefore, neither desired nor intended to limit the invention to
any or all of the exact details of construction shown, except
insofar as they may be deemed essential to the claimed
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] In describing preferred embodiments of the present invention
illustrated in the Figures, specific terminology is employed for
the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be
limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be
understood that each specific element includes all technical
equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a
similar purpose.
[0031] In that form of the preferred embodiment of the present
invention chosen for purposes of illustration, FIGS. 1-3 show
storage bin 100 comprising sidewalls 101, 102, bottom 103, back
105, sign structure 107, top 108, and mouth 111. Sidewalls 101,
102, bottom 103, back 105, sign structure 107, and top 108,
preferably form body 100a and preferably each comprises a generally
solid piece of material that is at least translucent, and more
preferably is transparent. When storage bin 100 is formed of
transparent material, articles A stored therein are preferably
visible therethrough such that articles A may preferably be
inspected by a user without removal of articles A from storage bin
100 even when a user cannot view articles A through mouth 111, such
as when storage bin 100 is disposed above or to the side of the
user.
[0032] Each of sidewalls 101, 102 is preferably generally planar
and is preferably generally vertically arranged, and spaced from
the other. Sidewalls 101, 102 preferably include curved upper
peripheral portions 101b, 102b and curved lower peripheral portions
101e, 102e. Curved upper peripheral portions 101b, 102b preferably
begin at front points 101a, 102a defining forward-most peripheral
portions of sidewalls 101, 102, curve up from front points 101a,
102a, extending back to top points 101c, 102c, and curve down
therefrom, extending back to intersection points 101d, 102d, where
upper peripheral portions 101b, 102b approach back 105. Upper
relief portions 113a, 123a are preferably defined by the sections
of curved upper peripheral portions 101b, 102b extending from top
points 101c, 102c to intersection points 101d, 102d. Upper relief
portion 113a, 123a preferably allow storage bin 100 to be tilted,
with front points 101a, 102a moving down, without interference from
an object, such as a another storage bin, a peripheral edge of a
display unit, or the like, disposed immediately above and adjacent
to storage bin 100, such as proximate top points 101c, 102c.
[0033] Lower peripheral portions 101e, 102e of sidewalls 101, 102
preferably generally follow the contour of back 105 from
intersection points 101d, 102d, extending down to intersection
points 101f, 102f, where back 105 approaches bottom 103. From
intersection points 101f, 102f, lower peripheral portions 101e,
102e preferably curve downward, extending forward to bottom points
101g, 102g, and then curving upward, extending from bottom points
101g, 102g forward to front points 101a, 102a. Lower relief
portions 113b, 123b may additionally or alternatively be included,
and preferably are defined by the section of lower peripheral
portions 101e, 102e extending from intersection points 101f, 102f
to bottom points 101g, 102g. Lower relief portions 113b, 123b
preferably allow storage bin 100 to be tilted, with front points
101a, 102a moving up, without interference from an object, such as
another storage bin, a peripheral edge of a display unit, or the
like, disposed immediately below and adjacent to storage bin 100,
such as proximate bottom points 101g, 102g.
[0034] Bottom 103 preferably connects sidewalls 101, 102 and
preferably extends along lower peripheral portions 101e, 102e
generally from sidewall 101 to sidewall 102. Bottom 103, thus,
preferably defines medial depression 103b, preferably generally
midway between back 105 and front edge 103a proximate front points
101a, 102a. Medial depression 103b preferably functions to funnel
articles A contained in storage bin 100 away from back 105 and
mouth 111 proximate front edge 103a, and towards bottom points
101g, 102g. Such funneling preferably prevents accumulation of
articles A proximate back 105, or in other similar remote areas,
where access to, and retrieval of, articles A would be hindered.
Bottom 103 preferably further functions as a ramp or slide, whereby
articles A contained within storage bin 100 may easily be removed
therefrom by sliding articles A toward front edge 103a where they
may be removed through mouth 111.
[0035] Back 105 preferably further connects sidewalls 101, 102 and
preferably extends along lower peripheral portions 101e, 102e
generally from sidewall 101 to sidewall 102. In a preferred
embodiment, back 105 is preferably integrally formed with bottom
103, such as by integral molding, or by forming from a unitary
member. Additionally, a curvature of bottom 103 may optionally be
continued through back 105, such that a seamless transition exists
therebetween. Alternatively, back 105 may have no curvature, or a
curvature different that a curvature of bottom 103, and back 105
may be generally angularly disposed with respect to an adjacent
portion of bottom 103.
[0036] Top 108 preferably further connects sidewalls 101, 102 and
preferably extends from intersection points 101d, 102d and
preferably follows along upper peripheral portions 101b, 102b. Top
108 preferably reinforces sidewalls 101, 102, thereby increasing a
structural strength of storage bin 100 by reducing relative
movement therebetween. Top 108 is preferably integrally formed with
back 105 and with bottom 103, and further may be integrally formed
with one or more of sidewalls 101, 102. Alternatively, top 108 may
be omitted.
[0037] Sign structure 107 preferably further connects sidewalls
101, 102 and preferably extends generally vertically from a
location proximate upper peripheral portion 101b down toward, but
not reaching bottom 103. Sign structure 107 preferably further
reinforces sidewalls 101, 102, thereby further increasing the
structural strength of storage bin 100 by reducing relative
movement therebetween. Sign structure 107 is preferably formed as a
generally planar member adapted to receive and support tag T, or
other similar sign, label, sticker, card, or the like bearing an
indication pertaining to articles A contained within storage bin
100. Sign structure 107 preferably facilitates removal and
replacement of such a sign, a sticker, a tag, a card, or the like.
To accomplish such removal and replacement, removable attachment
means, such as a hook and loop fastener, releasable adhesive, a
pocket, or the like, may be employed. According to one embodiment,
tag T, or other similar sign, label, sticker, card, or the like is
removably retained within a pocket formed by a generally u-shaped
or j-shaped sign structure 107b.
[0038] Body 100a is preferably formed of plastic or other suitable
material that is durable, scratch-resistant, easy to clean,
inexpensive, and/or easy to manufacture. Body 100a may preferably
be formed by a molding process, by assembling and joining adjacent
component pieces, such as using an adhesive, welding, or the like,
or by a combination thereof. Once assembled, body 100a preferably
has sufficient structural strength to reduce damage and increase
durability, and to support the weight of articles A stored therein,
in addition to its own weight, especially when attached via back
105 to a vertical display surface of a display unit.
[0039] To accomplish such attachment, back 105 preferably includes
attachment means 115, preferably in the form of an angled arm or
hook adapted to engage a slot. Attachment means 115 may
alternatively take the form of a peg adapted to engage a hole, a
clip, or other suitable mechanical fastener. Preferably, attachment
means 115 allows a position of storage bin 100 to be adjusted, such
as by sliding along a slot. Thus, the position storage bin 100 may
preferably be adjusted while storage bin 100 remains attached to a
display unit, such as to reduce an amount of space between storage
bin 100 and an adjacent object, such as another storage bin, an
edge of the display unit, a wall, or the like.
[0040] In use, articles A may preferably be placed in storage bin
100, such as through mouth 111, for storage and display therein.
Bottom 103 preferably funnels articles A to medial depression 103b,
whereby articles A are preferably visible through mouth 111 or
through transparent portions of sidewalls 101, 102 and/or bottom
103. Tag T, or other similar sign, label, sticker, card, or the
like, is preferably affixed to sign structure 107, such as by
adhesive, mechanical fastener, by insertion into a pocket of
u-shaped or j-shaped sign structure 107b, or the like. Tag T
preferably bears indicia thereon pertaining to or indicating one or
more characteristic of articles A contained in storage bin 100,
such as a price, a material, a dimension, an origin, or the like.
Thus, tag T preferably supplements information pertaining to
articles A conveyed by the appearance thereof, whereby a user may
visually inspect articles A and/or tag T to determine whether
select one or more of articles A for use, purchase, or the like.
Upon selection of one or more of articles A, a user may preferably
access articles A by reaching into storage bin 100 and sliding one
or more of articles A along bottom 103 toward mouth 111, whereby
articles A may be easily removed from storage bin 100 through mouth
111.
[0041] Now referring to FIG. 4, article storage and display system
400 preferably comprises display surface 410 and a plurality of
storage and display bins 450, such as storage bins 100. Storage and
display system 400 may be mounted to a wall, and supported thereby,
or may be mounted to, or integrally formed with a free-standing
support base. Display surface 410 is preferably prominently
arranged within storage and display system 400 such that a user,
such as a shopper, may view, select, and/or retrieve articles from
one or more storage and display bins 450 attached thereto. Display
surface 410 preferably includes one or more attachment device 411,
such as horizontal slot S adapted to receive attachment means 455,
such as hook H. Slots S are preferably vertically spaced from one
another such that storage and display bins 450 attached to
respective slots S are preferably disposed in close proximity,
thereby reducing an amount of wasted space therebetween.
Preferably, there is no more space between adjacent storage and
display bins 450 than is necessary to allow attachment and removal
of hook H to and from slot S. Thus, sidewalls of adjacent storage
and display bins 450 within the same slot S may be disposed in
abutting relationship, with little or no space therebetween, such
as by sliding one or more storage and display bins 450 along slot
S. Additionally, top point 450a and bottom point 450b of respective
adjacent storage and display bins disposed in adjacent slots are
preferably disposed in close proximity with only enough space
therebetween to allow one or both such storage and display bins to
be attached or removed, such as by lifting and/or tilting,
facilitated by downwardly-curved rear portions 113a, 123a, and
upwardly-curved rear portions 113b, 123b.
[0042] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that
numerous modifications, alterations, and or additions may be made
to the display bin and/or the display unit described above without
departing from the scope of the present invention. For example,
attachment means 115, 455 may take alternate forms, such as
magnetic attachment devices or mechanical fasteners, such as
hook-and-loop fasteners, clips, or the like. Likewise, attachment
device 411 may be selected to releasably and/or adjustably engage
and retain storage bin 100 and/or storage and display bin 450
according to a selected attachment means 115, 455. Furthermore,
variations in the shape and/or relative orientation and arrangement
of sidewalls 101, 102, bottom 103, back 105, and/or sign structure
107 may be altered so long as close-proximity arrangement of
adjacent storage bins, visual inspection of, and convenient access
to, articles A, and/or prominent display of information pertaining
to articles A is enabled.
[0043] Having, thus, described exemplary embodiments of the present
invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the
within disclosures are exemplary only and that various other
alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the
scope and spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the present
invention is not limited to the specific embodiments as illustrated
herein, but is only limited by the following claims.
* * * * *