Rotatable Product Display Unit

Abstract

A product display unit can include a rotatable body that includes one or more product retaining sections and an outer shroud cover the one or more product retaining sections. The unit can also include a cover disposed around a portion of the body and arranged such that the body can rotate within the cover. Rotation of the body can be achieved for example, using wheels, which can be attached to opposed ends of the body and engaged by a consumer to rotate the body.

Description

BACKGROUND

Field of the Disclosure

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a product display unit and more particularly to a rotatable product display unit.

Brief Description of Related Technology

[0002] Retail stores use a variety of merchandise display units and configurations for displaying goods to consumers. Merchandise displays not only provide a means for storing inventory, but can be a marketing tool that can attract consumers and increase product sales. Current product displays do not allow for suitable interaction with the product being displayed. Many conventional display configurations do not invite the consumer to interact or otherwise handle the product being displayed. Conventional displays also do not provide enough flexibility in changing the configuration of the display and/or are inefficient in the use of space to store the products.

SUMMARY

[0003] In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, a product display unit can include a rotatable body that includes at least one product retaining section disposed in an internal volume of the body, an outer shroud covering the at least one product retaining section, and at least one slot disposed in the shroud and arranged to expose a portion of the at least one product retaining section. The slot is sized to allow a product stored in the at least one product retaining section to be removed through the slot. The product display unit further includes a cover disposed around a portion of the body and sized to allow the body to rotate within the cover. The product display unit can include one or more slots that have a first portion with a first width and a second portion with a second width, the second width being wider than the first width.

[0004] In accordance with various embodiments, the product display unit can include multiple product retaining sections. The shroud is arranged to cover each of the product retaining sections. In an embodiment, the outer shroud surrounds the circumference of the body. A slot or a portion of a slot is arranged in the region of each product retaining section to allow product to be removed through the slot.

[0005] In accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure, a product display unit can include a rotatable body that includes at least eight product retaining sections; an outer shroud covering the product retaining sections; and at least four slots disposed in the outer shroud. Each slot is arranged to expose a portion of at least one of the product retaining sections, each slot includes at least one first portion having a first width, and at least one second portion having a second width, the second width being wider than the first width. The product display unit further includes a cover disposed around the body and sized to allow the body to rotate within the cover. The cover is disposed around less than an entirety of the body.

[0006] In the foregoing embodiment, the body can include one or more wheels attached to the body to allow for rotation of the body.

[0007] Any of the embodiments of a product display unit of the disclosure can be incorporated into a product display system. The product display system can include one or more of the product display units. Additional product display elements, such as tester cups and vertical display units, can be included in the system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a product display unit in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a top view of the product display unit of FIG. 1;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a side view of the product display unit of FIG. 1;

[0011] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the product display unit of FIG. 3 through section DH;

[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a product display unit in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0013] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a product display unit in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0014] FIG. 7 is a side view of a product display unit in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 8 is a top view of the product display unit of FIG. 7;

[0016] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a product display unit in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0017] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a body of a product display unit in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0018] FIG. 11 is a schematic of a portion of an outer shroud of a product display unit in accordance with the disclosure;

[0019] FIG. 12 is a side view of the outer shroud of FIG. 11;

[0020] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a product display system in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0021] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a product display system in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure;

[0022] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a product display system in accordance with yet another embodiment of the disclosure; and

[0023] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a product display system in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Disclosed herein is a product display unit that can provide a unique and interactive way to merchandise a variety of products. In accordance with embodiments of the disclosure, the product display unit can provide for efficient storage of products. For example, in an embodiment, the product display units can be used for storage of writing instruments. The product display unit can include multiple product retaining sections for storage of different types, sizes, and/or colors of writing instruments, while allowing the user to interact with the display unit for viewing of all stored writing instruments and selection of the writing instrument of interest. While discussion herein may be made with reference to storage of writing instruments, storage of other types of products is contemplated herein. Additionally, the same product does not necessarily need to be stored in the product display unit. Multiple product types can be stored in a single unit, which can make for efficient product display. For example, the product display units in accordance with the disclosure can be used to display without limitation, candy, meat sticks, art supplies, fishing tackle, and/or hardware.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, in an embodiment, the product display unit 10 includes a body 12 that rotates within a cover 20. The body 12 can includes one or more product retaining sections 14 and an outer shroud 16 having one or more slots 18 for withdrawing product from the product retaining sections 14. In various embodiments, the body 12 includes a rotating mechanism. For example, one or more wheels 22 disposed on the body 12 can be the rotating mechanism. The body 12 can be adapted to rotate in two directions. FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which the body 12 is filled with writing instrument 13.

[0026] The body 12 can have any suitable shape. For example, the body 12 can be substantially cylindrically shaped. Other shapes are contemplated herein. For example, the body 12 can have an elliptical cylindrical shape. Such an elliptical cylindrical shape can be useful, for example, when the body 12 includes two product retaining sections disposed on top and bottom halves of the body 12. Any other rotatable shape can be used.

[0027] The body 12 can include any number of product retaining sections 14. In an embodiment, the body 12 includes at least two product retaining sections 14 disposed adjacent to one another along a length of the body 12. The adjacent product retaining sections 12 can be separated by one or more dividing walls. FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment in which the body 12 includes eight product retaining sections 14, with two product retaining sections 14 disposed in each quarter of the internal volume of the body 12. For example, the body 12, can include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, or 12, or more product retaining sections 14. Each product retaining section can have the same volume or the product retaining sections can have different volumes.

[0028] Product retaining sections 14 can be bounded by one or more internal walls 36 dividing the internal volume of the body 12. For example, in an embodiment, the body 12 can include a first internal wall 38 dividing the internal volume of the body 12 in half in a first direction and a second internal wall 40 dividing the internal volume of the body 12 in half in a second direction. It is also contemplated herein that the internal walls can divide the internal volume in proportions other than by half. For example, the first internal wall 38 can divide the internal volume such that the product retaining sections 14 disposed on opposed sides of the first internal wall have different volumes. One or more dividing walls 42 can be included in some embodiments to divide the internal volume along the length of the body 12 into one or more product retaining sections 14.

[0029] FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment in which the body 12 is provided in two sectional parts 44, 46 that are fit together. This can facilitate manufacturing of the body 12, for example, using an injection molding system. In the embodiment illustrated, the body includes eight product retaining sections 14, but other numbers of sections are contemplated. In the embodiment illustrated, each sectional part 44, 46 includes an internal wall 36 that delimits a portion of the product retaining sections 14. The first sectional part 44 includes internal walls 36 orthogonal to each other, with one wall extending upward in a vertical direction from a center of the body. The second sectional part 46 also includes internal walls that are orthogonal to one another, but with each wall extending in an opposite direction as the walls of the first sectional part 44. That is, the second sectional 46 part includes one wall that extends downward in a vertical direction from the center. When combined, the first and second parts 44, 46 provide first and second internal walls 38, 40 that divide the internal volume of the body 12 in half in each direction. The first and second sectional parts 44, 46 each further include a dividing wall 42 that divides the length of the sectional part into two product retaining section 14. It is also contemplated herein that additional dividing walls 42 can be included to increase the number of product retaining sections 14, or the dividing wall 42 can be eliminated to reduce the number of product retaining sections 14.

[0030] The embodiment of FIG. 10 further includes wheels 22 for rotation of the body 12 within the cover 20. The sectional parts 44, 46 can include halves of the wheels 22 as illustrated in FIG. 10. This can advantageously allow the body 12 including the wheels 22 to be manufactured as a single piece, for example, in a single injection molding step. The wheels can alternatively be applied separate to the body. The body can be manufactured using any known manufacturing techniques and in any suitable number of sectional parts or as a unitary piece. Similarly, when provided separately, the wheels 22 can be manufactured using any known manufacturing techniques and in any suitable number of sectional parts or as a unitary piece.

[0031] The outer shroud 16 is attached the body 12 and configured to cover the product retaining sections 14 to prevent product from being withdrawn from the body 12, during use, except through the slot 18 in the outer shroud. The outer shroud 16 can be provided as a single unitary piece or as multiple pieces. For example, FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment in which the outer shroud 16 is provided as four separate pieces. Each piece can be snap fit onto the body 12. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 6, the outer shroud piece includes a groove 48 that receives an edge of the internal wall 36 and two projections 50 that are received in apertures 52 of the wheel 22 to snap-fit the outer shroud 16 piece into the body 12. Other methods of attaching the outer shroud 16 to the body 12 can be used.

[0032] In various embodiments, the outer shroud 16 surrounds the entirety of the body 12. In other embodiments, the outer shroud 16 can surround less than an entirety of the body 12. For example, in an embodiment, the product retaining sections 14 can be disposed on only a portion or distinct portions of the circumference (perimeter) of the body 12 and the outer shroud 16 can be similarly arranged to be only on that portion of the circumference (perimeter) of the body 12.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 2, the product display unit 10 includes one or more slots 18 disposed in an outer shroud 16. The slots 18 are sized to allow the product stored in the product retaining sections 14 to be withdrawn from the body 12. In an embodiment, the product display unit 10 includes one slot 18 per each product retaining section 14. In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a slot 18 can extend across two adjacent product retaining sections 14. Any suitable number of slots 18 can be included on the body 12.

[0034] Each slot 18 includes a first portion 32 and a second portion 34. The first portion 32 has a first width w.sub.1 and the second portion 34 has a second width w.sub.2. The second width w.sub.2 is wider than the first width w.sub.1. The first width w.sub.1 is dimensioned to allow the product to be stored therein to be withdrawn through the slot. The width of the first portion 32 can vary depending on the size of the product to be stored therein. In various embodiments, the first portion 32 is sized to allow the product to be withdrawn, but is sufficiently narrow to prevent the product from unintentionally falling through the slot, for example by the force of gravity when the body 12 is rotated. In various embodiments, the width of the first portion 32 is selected to be about 110% to 300% larger than the width of the product to be withdrawn through the slot 18. For example, the width of the first portion can be about 115% to about 300%, about 120% to about 250%, about 150% to about 220%, about 110% to about 200%, about 150% to about 300%, or about 180% to about 240% larger than the width of the product to e withdrawn through the slot 18. Other suitable amounts include about 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 150, 155, 160, 165, 170, 175, 180, 185, 190, 195, 200, 205, 210, 215, 220, 225, 230, 235, 240, 245, 250, 255, 260, 265, 270, 275, 280, 285, 290, and 300%.

[0035] The second portion 34 is configured to allow the user to reach into the product retaining section 14 and grasp the product with their fingers. The width of the second portion 34 can vary depending on the size of the product to be withdrawn from the body 12. In general, the width of the second portion can be about 1 in to about 4 in, about 1.5 in to about 3.5 in, about 2 in to about 4 in, about 1 in to about 3 in, or about 3 in to about 4 in. Other suitable amounts include about 1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8, 2, 2.2, 2.4, 2.6, 2.8, 3, 3.2, 3.4, 3.6, 3.8, and 4 in. In various embodiments, such as illustrated in FIG. 2, the second portion 34 of the slot 18 can be disposed in a central portion of the product retaining section 14. In other embodiments, the second portion 34 can be offset from the center or disposed at an end of the product retaining section 14.

[0036] The slot 18 has a length that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body 12. The length of the slot 18 can vary depending on the product to be withdrawn. In various embodiments, the length of the slot 18 is at least as long as the product to be withdrawn. In various embodiments, the length of the slot 18 is equal to the length of the product retaining section 14. In other embodiments, the slot 18 has a length that extends across substantially the entirety of the length of the body 12. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the slot 18 can have a length that extends from end of the body 12 in which a wheel 22 is disposed to the opposed end of the body 12 in which another wheel 22 is disposed. In embodiments in which the slot 18 extends across multiple product receiving sections 14, the slot 18 can have multiple first and second portions 32, 34. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the slot 18 extends across two product retaining sections 14 and includes a first portion 32 disposed on opposed ends of each of the two second portions 34. Each of the second portions 34 is arranged to expose one of the product retaining sections 14 to provide a consumer access to the products contained in that section.

[0037] The edges of the slots 18 can be angled and/or provided with a radius of curvature in various embodiments, which can aid in presenting a smooth surface and avoiding any sharp edges that could be unpleasant to the consumer. For example, the perimeter of the slot 18 can include curved edges as the slot 18 transitions from or between the first width w.sub.1 at the first portion 32 to the second width w.sub.2 at the second portion 34. Additionally, it has beneficially been found that angling the surfaces of the slots 18 can aid in preventing jamming of the product as it is withdrawn from the body 12.

[0038] In an embodiment, the body 12 includes wheels 22 disposed on opposed ends of the body 12. In another embodiment, the body 12 can include a single wheel 22. For example, the body 12 can include a wheel 22 disposed in the center of the body 12. Other locations for the wheel other than centrally located or at the ends of the body are also contemplated herein. Any suitable number of wheels can be used. In some embodiments, the body is divided along its length by a wheel. In another embodiment, the body is divided along its length by two adjacent wheels and the portions of the body adjacent to the wheels are adapted to rotate independently of one another. The wheel(s) 22 can be engaged by the consumer to rotate the body 12 or respective body 12 portion. Other rotation mechanisms, such as an axle disposed through the body 12, are also contemplated herein. The axle, for example, can protrude through the body 12 and connect with a knob or level that is designed for the user to engage for rotation of the body 12.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 9, in an embodiment, the wheels 22 can include an outward projection 24 that receives a ball bearing 58, which in turn is received in an aperture 26 on the cover 20. The aperture 26 is arranged such that when the projections 24 are received in the aperture 26, a gap 28 is maintained between the body 12 and the cover 20. The gap 28 allows the body 12 to be rotated without interference or substantially without contact with the cover 20. In embodiments including a braking mechanism, as discussed in detail below, an extension of the cover can serve as the braking mechanism and extend into the gap to contact the wheel or other rotation mechanism in order to provide some interference contact with the wheel or rotation mechanism to serve the braking function. Advantageously the gap 28 is sized such that the body can freely rotate, but sufficiently close such that the cover 20 functions to prevent product from falling out of the body 12. For example, the gap can be about 0.01 in to about 0.125 in, about 0.05 in, to about 0.08 in, about 0.06 in to about 0.1 in, or about 0.01 to about 0.08 in. Other suitable amounts include about 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.11, 0.115, 0.12, or 0.125.

[0040] The cover 20 is size such that the body 12 is able to rotate within the cover 20. Referring to FIG. 4, the cover 20 is disposed over less than an entirety of the body 12, such that at any given rotation at least a portion of the body 12 remains exposed. This allows a user to rotate the body 12 such that the slot 18 disposed over the product retaining section 14 having the product of interest is exposed and uncovered by the cover 20 so that the user can remove product from the body 12. In this position, other slots 18 disposed over other product retaining sections 14 can remained covered by the cover 20, which can aid in preventing product from unintentionally falling out of the body 12 during the consumer's interaction with the display unit 10. For example, in an embodiment, the cover 20 is disposed over at least 50% of the surface of the body 12. For example, the cover can be disposed over about 50% to about 85%, about 55% to about 70%, about 60% to about 80%, about 75% to about 85%, to about 65% to about 85% of the surface of the body 12. Other suitable coverage includes at least 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, and 85% of the body.

[0041] In various embodiments, the cover 22 is sized to expose one slot 18. In another embodiment the cover 22 is sized to expose two slots 18. Referring to FIG. 2, the cover 20 can have an edge profile 56 that is substantially the same as the edge profile of the slot 18. In other embodiments, the cover 20 can have an edge profile 56 that is different than the slot. For example, the edge of the cover 20 can be substantially straight in some embodiments.

[0042] In various embodiments, the product display unit 10 can includes a braking mechanism or dampening mechanism, for example, aid in controlling the rotation of the wheel. For example, the braking or dampening mechanism can prevent the wheel 22 from rotating when no rotational force is applied by the consumer. Referring to FIG. 7, for example, the wheel 22 can include a series of spaced raised portions 30 disposed around a circumference of the wheel 22, which are engaged by a roller pin 54 or other raised surface disposed on the cover 20. Other braking/dampening mechanisms such as a spring mechanism, interference, and/or cantilevers designed to slow the wheel's rotation can be used.

[0043] The product display unit 10 can advantageously be incorporated into a modular display system 100 that can be customized depending on the product(s) to be sold. For example, multiple products, types of products, or product configurations can be included in a single product display unit 10 in accordance with the disclosure. One or more of such product display units 10 can be incorporated into the modular display system 100, for example, using brackets. FIG. 13 illustrates a display system 100 for use on a counter that incorporates three product display units 10 in accordance with the disclosure. Display systems in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure can include any suitable number of product display units 10. The systems can incorporate other display units, such as vertical display units and/or testing regions, merchandising signage, or other advertising, as is known in the art. In the particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13, the display system 100 is adapted for merchandising writing instruments and includes a tester region 104, which includes a cup for holding tester writing instruments and a writing surface. In such an embodiment of the display system 100, the product display units 10 in accordance with the disclosure can have a plurality of product retaining sections to receive different writing instruments or for receiving the same type of writing instruments, but separating into product retaining sections by color. FIG. 14 illustrates for example, a product display system having only a single product display unit 10. The counter display unit 100 can be used for counter/shelf display as is known in the art. Alternatively, referring to FIG. 16, the counter display unit can be incorporated into a floor display unit that includes a base 106, which can be used for example, for storage of additional product or for display of additional products.

[0044] FIG. 15 illustrates an embodiment of a product display system 100 configured to attached directly to a retail shelf. In such embodiments, the system can include one or more product display units 10 attached to a bracket 108 that in turn attaches to the retail shelf. The cover 20 for example of the product display unit 10 can include an attachment feature to attach to the bracket. Any known attachment feature, such as rib and grooves, hooks, etc., can be used.

[0045] Further, while the product display units 10 are illustrated herein in a horizontal configuration, it is also contemplated that the display units 10 can be mounted in a vertical configuration.

[0046] The product display units 10 or components of the product display units 10 disclosed herein can be formed of any suitable materials. For example, the product display unit 10 can be made from molded plastic, wood, or metal forming or casting processes. In an embodiment, the body 12, including the internal walls 36 and the outer shroud 16, and the cover 20 are formed from injection molded plastic. In various embodiments, the product display unit is capable of rotating a minimum of 30,000 rotations.

[0047] Throughout this specification, plural instances may implement components, operations, or structures described as a single instance. Although individual operations of one or more methods are illustrated and described as separate operations, one or more of the individual operations may be performed concurrently, and nothing requires that the operations be performed in the order illustrated. Structures and functionality presented as separate components in example configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single component may be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of the subject matter herein.

[0048] As used herein any reference to "one example" or "an example" means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase "in one example" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same example.

[0049] Some embodiments may be described using the expression "coupled" and "connected" along with their derivatives. For example, some embodiments may be described using the term "coupled" to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. The term "coupled," however, may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still cooperate or interact with each other. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

[0050] The use of the "a" or "an" are employed to describe elements and components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the description. This description, and the claims that follow, should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

[0051] This detailed description is to be construed as examples and does not describe every possible embodiment, as describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. One could implement numerous alternate embodiments, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this application

Claims

1. A product display unit, comprising: a rotatable body comprising: at least one product retaining section disposed in an internal volume of the body; an outer shroud covering the at least one product retaining section; at least one slot disposed in the shroud and arranged to expose a portion of the at least one product retaining section, the at least one slot being sized to allow a product stored in the at least one product retaining section to be removed through the slot; and a cover disposed around a portion of the body and sized to allow the body to rotate within the cover, wherein: the cover is disposed around less than an entirety of the body, the at least one slot comprises at least one first portion having a first width and at least one second portion having a second width, and the second width is wider than the first width.

2. The product display unit of claim 1, wherein the body comprises at least one wheel for rotating the body within the cover.

3. The product display unit of claim 2, wherein the body comprises first and second wheels disposed at opposed ends of the body.

4. The product display unit of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a plurality of product retaining sections and a plurality of slots disposed in the region of each of the plurality of product retaining sections.

5. The product display unit of claim 4, wherein two product retaining sections are disposed adjacent one another along a length of the body.

6. The product display unit of claim 5, wherein the at least one slot extends across the length of the body to expose a portion of each of the two product retaining sections.

7. The product display unit of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a first internal wall and a second internal wall intersecting the first internal wall, wherein the first and second internal walls define two surfaces of the at least one product retaining section.

8. The product display unit of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the at least one slot is arranged to expose a central portion of the product retaining section.

9. The product display unit of claim 1, wherein the cover is disposed around about 110% to about 300% of the body.

10. The product display unit of claim 1, further comprising a brake operatively coupled to the body to hold the body in a fixed position when no rotational force is applied.

11. The product display unit of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises one or more internal walls dividing the internal volume into multiple product retaining sections.

12. The product display unit of claim 11, comprising first and second internal walls, the first internal wall dividing the internal volume in a first direction and the second internal wall dividing the internal volume in a second direction, orthogonal to the first direction.

13. The product display unit of claim 11, further comprising one or more dividing walls disposed to divide at least a portion of the internal volume along a length of the body.

14. The product display unit of claim 1, comprising a gap between the cover and the body, wherein the gap is about 0.01 inches to about 0.125 inches.

15. A product display unit, comprising: a rotatable body, comprising: at least eight product retaining sections; an outer shroud covering the product retaining sections; at least four slots disposed in the outer shroud, each slot being arranged to expose a portion of at least one of the product retaining sections, each slot comprising at least one first portion having a first width, and at least one second portion having a second width, the second width being wider than the first width; and a cover disposed around the body and sized to allow the body to rotate within the cover, wherein the cover is disposed around less than an entirety of the body.

16. The product display unit of claim 15, wherein two product retaining sections are disposed adjacent to one another along a length of the body.

17. The product display unit of claim 16, wherein each slot extends across the length of the body and comprises two second portions, each second portion disposed to expose a portion of one of the product retaining sections, and each slot comprises first portions disposed on opposed sides of each of the two second portions.

18. The product display unit of claim 15, wherein the body comprises one or more internal walls partially bounding the product retaining sections.

19. The product display unit of claim 15, wherein the body comprises first and second wheels disposed at opposed ends of the body.

20. A product display system, comprising one or more product display units in accordance with claim 1.