Display Exhibit Module

Abstract

A display exhibit module is assembled from a series of inner sleeves and rectangular outer sleeves constructed out of paperboard. Each inner sleeve has a stepped construction such that the rectangular cross section of its lower portion is larger than the rectangular cross section of its upper portion. The lower portion of the inner sleeve is fitted snugly within an outer sleeve with part of its upper portion extending above the outer sleeve. The height of the exhibit module can be extended upward by placing a second outer sleeve snugly over the extended portion of the inner sleeve so that when it rests on the first outer sleeve, a portion of the second outer sleeve will extend above the inner sleeve. The display exhibit module can be further increased in height by adding additional inner sleeves and outer sleeves.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to exhibit modules constructed out of paperboard, preferably fireproof, used to construct a display for an exhibit area.

Exhibitors are continually faced with the problem of suitably laying out and decorating exhibit areas. Usually, exhibit areas are delineated by booths or stands usually constructed out of wood or other relatively heavy materials. The booths may be provided but quite often are specially constructed for each exhibit. To minimize construction costs, the booth for an area often is constructed as a single unit, or, if modular construction is employed, rather large modules are utilized. This results in cumbersome exhibits which are not easily modified should an unforeseen layout problem be encountered. Other disadvantages of many booths or stands presently in use are the high cost of shipping both the raw materials to make the booths and the finished booths themselves and the high cost of assembling, decorating and, finally, disassembling the booths after the exhibition.

It can be seen that there is a need for a module which can be used to build up a display exhibit. Each module should be light of weight to facilitate handling before and after assembly. A small number of standard modules could be designed to standardize the manufacture of the modules. This modular approach also provides increased flexibility in the shape of the completed display. It would also be desirable for each module, in turn, to be disassembled to facilitate handling during shipping and storage. It would also be desirable that the overall volume of each module in the disassembled state be considerably less than its volume in the assembled state which will tend to reduce shipping and storage costs.

It is an object of this invention to provide a lightweight exhibit module suitable for constructing a display for an exhibit area.

Another object of this invention is to provide an exhibit module which can be easily assembled and disassembled.

Another object of this invention is to provide a lightweight exhibit module which can be easily moved in order to accommodate sudden changes in the layout of an exhibit area.

It is another object of this invention to provide a reusable exhibit module.

And yet another object of this invention is to provide an exhibit module which, when disassembled, each assembly can be folded flat, thereby minimizing the volume during shipping and storage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention, an exhibit module is assembled from a series of inner sleeves and rectangular outer sleeves constructed out of paperboard-like material preferably fireproof. In one embodiment, an inner sleeve has a stepped construction such that the rectangular cross section of its lower portion is larger than the rectangular cross section of its upper portion. The lower portion of the inner sleeve is fitted snugly within an outer sleeve, thereby lending structural rigidity to the combined assembly. Part of the upper portion of the inner sleeve extends above the outer sleeve. The height of the exhibit module can be extended upward by placing a second outer sleeve snugly over the extended portion of the inner sleeve so that when it rests on the first outer sleeve, a portion of the second outer sleeve will extend above the inner sleeve. The display exhibit module can be further increased in height by adding additional inner sleeves and outer sleeves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming that which ia regarded as the present invention, the objects and advantages of this invention can be more readily ascertained from the following description of a preferred embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of an assembled display exhibit module.

FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing illustrating how the display exhibit module is assembled as well as the details of certain construction features of the components that make up the display exhibit module.

FIG. 3 illustrates how lighting fixtures can be mounted in the inner sleeves of the display exhibit module.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a rectangular paperboard-blank from which the sidewalls and front wall of a lower outer sleeve is formed.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a rectangular paperboard blank from which the rear wall of a lower outer sleeve is formed.

FIG. 6 illustrates how the flaps of the lower outer sleeve interlock to form a base for the display exhibit module.

FIG. 7 illustrates how the flaps of an outer sleeve can fold into the sleeve and interlock to add structural rigidity to the assembled display exhibit module.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a rectangular paperboard blank from which the sidewalls and front walls of the lower inner sleeve is formed.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a rectangular paperboard blank from which the rear wall of the lower inner sleeve is formed.

FIG. 10 shows how the formed rear wall of FIG. 9 is assembled to the formed sidewalls, and front walls of FIG. 8 to form the lower inner sleeve.

FIG. 11 is a top view of a rectangular paperboard blank from which a typical upper outer sleeve is formed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows the assembled display exhibit module 10 of this invention. The display exhibit module 10 is comprised of a series of rectangular outer sleeves, hereinafter referred to as the lower outer sleeve 11, middle outer sleeve 12 and upper outer sleeve 13, and a series of stepped inner sleeves, hereinafter referred to as the lower inner sleeve 14 and the upper inner sleeve 15. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, lighting fixtures 16 and 17 are supported within the display exhibit module 10 to illuminate the front walls 18 and 19 of the display exhibit module 10. Power is distributed to the lighting fixtures 16 and 17 by means of plug 21 and line cord 22 which extends through power cord hole 23 in the sidewall of the display exhibit module 10. Since usually a plurality of display exhibit modules will be grouped to form a display, an extension cord 24 and extension socket 25 extend through a power cord hole, not shown, in another wall of the display exhibit module so that power can be supplied to the lighting fixtures in an adjacent display exhibit module.

FIG. 2 shows how the assembled sleeves of FIG. 1 fit together to make a display exhibit module. For the sake of convenience, elements described with reference to a specific figure will retain the same reference designation in the description of subsequent figures. Referring now to FIG. 2, the lower outer sleeve 11 is a box structure having two sidewalls 30 and 31, a front wall 32, a rear wall 33 and a bottom 34. There is a power cord hole 23 near the bottom of sidewall 30 to allow the passage of a line cord and plug for lighting equipment which can be mounted within the assembled exhibit module. Sidewall 31 and rear wall 33 may also have such holes.

The lower inner sleeve 14 has two sidewalls 36 and 37, a rear wall 38, a lower front wall 39 and an upper front wall 40. The sidewalls 36 and 37 are stepped at edges 41 and 42 so that the rectangular cross-section of the lower inner sleeve 14 formed by the sidewalls 36 and 37, the rear wall 38 and the lower front wall 39 is larger than the rectangular cross-section formed by the sidewalls 36 and 37, the rear wall 38 and the upper front wall 40. There is a hole (not shown) in the sidewall 36 so positioned that it will line up with the hole 23 in the sidewall 30 of the lower outer sleeve 11 when the lower inner sleeve 14 is inserted within the lower outer sleeve 11. Similar holes may exist in the rear wall 38 and the sidewall 37 which will line up with corresponding holes in the rear wall 33 and the sidewall 31 of the lower outer sleeve 11. Notches 43 and 44 are cut out of sidewalls 36 and 37 respectively to facilitate the mounting and recessing of a lighting fixture within the lower inner sleeve 14 as illustrated in FIG. 3. The lower inner sleeve 14 is so dimensioned that its lower portion fits snugly within the lower outer sleeve 11, thereby lending rigidity to the combined structure. The height of the lower front wall 39 of the lower inner sleeve 14 is such that the step edges 41 and 42 of sidewalls 36 and 37 are at or just below the top edges of sidewalls 30 and 31 of lower outer sleeve 11 when the lower inner sleeve 14 is completely inserted within the lower outer sleeve 11. Thus, all or substantially all of the upper portion of the lower inner sleeve 18 having the smaller cross section extends above the lower outer sleeve 11.

The middle outer sleeve 12 is rectangular in shape and has two sidewalls 47 and 48, a front wall 18 and a rear wall 50 and is dimensioned to fit snugly over the upper part of the lower inner sleeve 14. The upper portion of the lower inner sleeve 14 lends structural rigidity to the middle outer sleeve 12 when they are assembled to form an exhibit module.

The upper inner sleeve 15 is similar in construction to the lower inner sleeve 14. The upper inner sleeve 15 has two stepped sidewalls 51 and 52, a rear wall 53, a lower front wall 54 and an upper front wall 55. The cross-sectional area of the upper inner sleeve 15 as formed by stepped sidewalls 51 and 52, rear wall 53, and lower front wall 54 is larger than the cross-sectional area as formed by sidewalls 51 and 52, rear wall 53 and upper front wall 55. Notches 56 and 57 have been cut into the step edges 58 and 59 of the sidewalls 51 and 52 to facilitate the mounting and recessing of lighting fixtures within the upper inner sleeve 15. The upper inner sleeve 15 is dimensioned so that its lower portion fits snugly within the middle outer sleeve 12, thereby lending rigidity to the resulting structure. The sidewalls 51 and 52 are so dimensioned that when the exhibit module is assembled, stepped edges 58 and 59 will lie at or slightly below the top of the sidewalls 47 and 48 of the middle outer sleeve 12 and all or most of the upper portion of the inner sleeve 15 will extend above the middle outer sleeve 12.

The upper outer sleeve 13 has two sidewalls 61 and 62, a rear all 63, a front wall 19, and a top 65 and is so dimensioned to fit snugly over the upper portion of the upper inner sleeve 15. The upper portion of the upper inner sleeve 15 lends rigidity to the upper outer sleeve 13 when they are assembled to form an exhibit module.

An exhibit module is assembled by inserting the lower inner sleeve 14 within the lower outer sleeve 11 with the lower edges of sidewalls 36 and 37, rear wall 38 and lower front wall 39 resting on the bottom 34 of the lower outer sleeve 11. The upper portion of the lower inner sleeve 14 will extend above the lower outer sleeve 11. The middle outer sleeve 12 is placed over the extended upper portion of the lower inner sleeve 14 with the bottom edges of sidewalls 47 and 48 and rear wall 50 resting on corresponding top edges of the sidewalls 30 and 31 and rear wall 33 of the lower outer sleeve 11.

A slot 66 has been cut out of the top edge of sidewalls 30 and 31 of lower outer sleeve 11. Both sidewalls 47 and 48 of the middle outer sleeve 12 terminate in a tab 67 positioned so as to engage slot 66. The tabs have been formed with recesses 68a and 68b thus forming tab ledges 69a and 69b. The dimension, a, of the tab 67 is slightly greater than the length, b, of the slot 66. During the assembly of the middle outer sleeve 12 on the lower outer sleeve 11, tab 67 is forced into slot 66.

Although the tab 67 and the slot 66 undergo a slight deformation when the tab 67 is forced into the slot 66, the tab 67 and the slot 66 will recover sufficiently so that tab ledges 69a and 69b will engage the underside of the edge of sidewall 30, thereby increasing the stability of the assembled parts.

Part of the middle outer sleeve 12 extends above the upper portion of the lower inner sleeve 14. The upper inner sleeve 15 is now placed within the extended portion of the middle outer sleeve 12 with the bottom edges of sidewalls 51 and 52, rear wall 53 and lower front wall 54 resting on the corresponding top edges of sidewalls 36 and 37, rear wall 38 and upper front wall 40 of the lower inner sleeve 14. The upper portion of the upper inner sleeve 15 extends above the middle outer sleeve 12. The upper outer sleeve 13 is fitted over the upper portion of the upper inner sleeve 15 with the lower edges of sidewalls 47 and 48 and rear wall 53 of the middle outer sleeve 12. Tabs 71 protrude from sidewalls 61 and 62 and engage slots 70 in the edge of sidewalls 47 and 48 to lend stability to the assembled parts. A portion of the upper outer sleeve 13 extends above the upper portion of the upper inner sleeve 15.

It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that the height of the exhibit module can be further extended by adding additional inner sleeves and outer sleeves. It will also be apparent that extensions can be accomplished with nonstepped inner sleeves or with stepped inner sleeves in which the lower portion has a smaller cross-section than the upper portion.

FIG. 3 shows how lighting fixtures 16 and 17 can be mounted in the stepped inner sleeve to illuminate the front surfaces of an assembled exhibit module. In FIG. 3, only those portions of the inner sleeves necessary to illustrate the mounting of the lighting fixtures has been show. Lighting fixtures 16 and 17 each contain two fluorescent lamps 73a and 73b, and 74a and 74b. Attached to each end of lighting fixtures 16 and 17 is a mounting bracket 75a and 75b, and 76a and 76b.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, lighting fixture 16 is assembled into lower inner sleeve 15. As shown in FIG. 3, the mounting brackets 75a and 75 are supported in the notches 43 and 44 of sidewalls 36 and 37, the notches so acting to retain the lighting fixture within the lower inner sleeve, thereby concealing the fluorescent lamps 73a and 73b. In a similar manner, lighting fixture 17 is mounted in the upper inner sleeve 15 with the mounting brackets 76a and 76b resting in notches 56 and 57 of sidewalls 51 and 52.

Lighting fixture 16 has a main line cord 22 terminated in plug 21 which can be plugged into a source of power. Lighting fixture 16 has an auxiliary line cord 77 terminated in plug 78 for transferring power to lighting fixture 17, and an extension line cord 24 terminated in plug 25 for transferring power to lighting fixtures in an adjacent exhibit module. Lighting fixture 17 has only a single line cord 79 terminated in plug 80 for obtaining power from lighting fixture 16 when plug 78 is plugged into plug 80.

As shown more particularly in FIGS. 4 and 5, a lower outer sleeve is made from two rectangular sheets of paperboard appropriately cut, scored and fastened together as described herein. As shown in FIG. 4, the rectangular blank from which the sidewalls and front wall are formed is originally defined by edges 82, 83, 84 and 85. Sections 86 through 92, slots 66 and 66a, and holes 23 and 23a are cut out of the blank. The blank is scored along lines 94 through 100 to facilitate the folding of the paperboard along those lines. The score lines divide the cut blank into the following areas: glue flaps 101 and 102, sidewalls 30 and 31, front wall 32, bottom flaps 34a, 34b and 34c, top flaps 103, 104 and 105, and top edges 106a, 106b, 107, 108a and 108b.

As shown in FIG. 5, the blank from which the rear wall 33 is formed is originally defined by edges 110, 111, 112 and 113. Sections 114, 115, 166 and 117 as well as holes 118 and 119 are cut out of the blank. The blank is then scored along lines 120, 121 and 122, thereby dividing the blank into the following areas: bottom flap 34d, rear wall 33, top edge 123 and top flap 124.

To assemble the lower outer sleeve, sidewalls 30 and 31 are folded along score lines 98 and 99 respectively, so that they are parallel opposed and perpendicular to the front wall 32. Glue flaps 101 and 102 are then folded in toward the enclosure along score lines 97 and 100 so that they lie in a plane parallel to forward wall 32. Glue glaps 101 and 102 are fastened to rear wall 33 so that edge 111 of rear wall 33 coincides with the edge of sidewall 31 formed by score line 97, and edge 113 of rear wall 33 coincides with the edge of sidewall 30 formed by score line 100.

The assembly of the bottom 34 of the lower outer sleeve as illustrated in FIG. 6 is accomplished by bending bottom flap 34b into the enclosure along the score line 96 so that it is perpendicular to the forward wall 32 as shown in FIG. 6. Bottom flaps 34a and 34c are then folded in toward the enclosure along score line 96 until they are perpendicular to sidewalls 31 and 30 and partially resting on bottom flap 34. Bottom flap 34d is then folded in toward the enclosure along score line 122. When bottom flap 34d is perpendicular to the rear wall 33, edge 112 will be resting on bottom flap 34b. Pressure is continued on bottom flap 34d which pushes bottom flaps 34a, 34b and 34c in toward the enclosure until edge 112 of bottom flap 34d slips below edge 125 of bottom flap 34b whereupon the pressure on bottom flap 34b is suddenly decreased causing it to spring back toward the perpendicular to rear wall 33. When pressure is now removed from bottom flap 34d, edge 112 thereof will be underneath bottom flap 34b thereby forming an interlocked bottom. The top 65 of the upper sleeve 13, as is illustrated in FIG. 2, is assembled in a similar manner.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, to complete assembly of the lower outer sleeve, top flap 103 is folded inside the enclosure about score lines 94 and 95 so that the top edge formed by surfaces 106a and 106b is perpendicular to sidewall 31, and top flap 103 is parallel to sidewall 31. In a similar manner, top flap 105 is folded inside the enclosure about score lines 94 and 95. Top flap 104 is then folded into the enclosure about score lines 94 and 95 so that top edge 107 is perpendicular to front wall 32, and top flap 104 is parallel to front wall 32. Similarly, top flap 124 is folded inside the enclosure about score lines 120 and 121 so that top edge 123 is perpendicular to rear wall 33, and top flap 124 is parallel to rear wall 33.

The edges of top flaps 103, 104, 105 and 124 have been designed so that they will lock in place in the assembled position to prevent the flaps from returning to the disassembled position nd to increase the rigidity of the assembled exhibit module. The interlocking feature is more particularly illustrated in FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, top flap 105 is shown in the assembled position. Each end of the top flap has a protrusive tab 127 and a recessed edge 128. Each side of top flap 124, shown in the disassembled position, also terminates in a protrusive tab 129 and a recessed edge 130. When top flap 124 is folded into the assembled position, recessed edge 128 of top flap 105 cooperates with protrusive tab 129 to prevent top flap 124 from returning to the disassembled position. In a similar manner, recessed edge 130 of top flap 124 cooperates with protrusive tab 127 of top flap 105 to prevent its return to the disassembled position. A similar interlocking feature exists in each corner of the assembly.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the lower inner sleeve 14 is made from two rectangular sheets of paperboard appropriately cut, scored, folded and fastened together as described herein. As shown in FIG. 8, the rectangular blank from which the sidewalls 36 and 37, the upper front wall 40 and the lower front wall 39 are formed is originally defined by edges 132 through 135. Section 136, notch 44 and holes 23b and 23c are cut out of the blank. The blank is then cut along line 137. The blank is scored along lines 138 through 141, thereby dividing the blank into the following areas: sidewall 36, lower front wall 39, sidewall 37, upper front wall 40 and glue flap 142.

As shown in FIG. 9, the rear wall 38 of the lower inner sleeve 14 is formed from a rectangular blank, only part of which is illustrated, originally defined by edges 143 through 146. Each corner of the blank is trimmed by removing the sections, such as sections 147, 148 and 149, and holes 118a and 119a are also removed from the blank. The blank is scored along lines 150 and 151, thereby dividing the blank into a rear wall 38 and glue flaps 152 and 153.

In order to assemble the lower inner sleeve as shown more particularly in FIG. 10, sidewalls 36 and 37 are folded along score lines 141 and 139 respectively until they are parallel opposed and perpendicular to lower front wall 39. Glue flaps 152 and 153 are folded along score lines 149 and 150 until they are parallel opposed and perpendicular to rear wall 38. Glue flaps 152 and 153 are fastened to sidewalls 36 and 37 respectively so that edge 133 of sidewall 36 coincides with score line 149 of rear wall 38, and edge 135 of sidewall 37 coincides with score line 150 of rear wall 38. The assembly is completed by folding the upper front wall 40 into the enclosure at score line 138 so that it is perpendicular to sidewall 37 and folding glue flap 142 into the enclosure about score line 140 so that it is perpendicular to upper front wall 40. The glue flap 142 is fastened to sidewall 36 so that edge 154 of sidewall 36 coincides with the edge of upper front wall 40 formed at score line 140.

FIG. 11 shows in detail how a typical upper outer sleeve is made from a single paperboard blank, only part of which is illustrated. The rectangular blank is originally defined by edges 156 through 159. Sections 160 through 169, as well as slots 70 and 70a are cut out of the blank. Tab outlines 170 and 171 are cut to form tabs 67 and 67a. The blank is scored along lines 172 through 179, thereby dividing the blank into the following areas: glue flap 180, sidewall 47, rear wall 50, sidewall 48, front wall 18, top flaps 181 through 184, top edges 185a through 185f, bottom flaps 186 through 189, bottom edges 190a through 190f, and tabs 67 and 67a.

The assembly of a typical outer sleeve is accomplished by folding the blank about score lines 177 and 178 so that front wall 18 and rear wall 50 are parallel opposed and perpendicular to sidewall 47. Sidewall 48 is folded into the enclosure about score line 179 until it is parallel opposed to sidewall 47 and perpendicular to rear wall 50. Glue tab 180 is folded into the enclosure about score line 176 until it is perpendicular to front wall 18. Glue tab 180 is then astened to sidewall 48 so that edge 157 of sidewall 48 coincides with the edge of front wall 18 formed at score line 176. Top flaps 182 and 184 are then folded into the enclosure about score lines 172 and 173 so that they are parallel to sidewalls 47 and 48. Top flaps 181 and 183 are folded into the enclosure about score lines 172 and 173 and interlocked with top flaps 182 and 184 as previously discussed and illustrated in FIG. 7. Similarly, bottom flaps 186 and 188 are folded into the enclosure about score lines 174 and 175 leaving tabs 67 and 67a in the same plane as sidewalls 47 and 48 respectively. The assembly of the typical outer sleeve is completed by folding bottom flaps 185 and 187 into the enclosure so as to interlock with bottom flaps 186 and 188.

The description heretofore has been of a single display exhibit module about 8 feet tall and about 2 1/2 feet wide. It is readily apparent that a plurality of such display exhibit modules can be used to construct a display for an exhibit area. Because of their light weight, the exhibitor has added flexibility to adapt to unexpected changes in the exhibit area.

The surfaces of the display exhibit module are particularly suited to be decorated with posters or advertisements. The surfaces can be predecorated, leaving only the assembly of the exhibit module for the exhibit site. The step in each inner sleeve can be especially adapted to receive a light fixture for illuminating the surface of the assembled exhibit module, thereby enhancing the decorative appearance of the exhibit module.

Each sleeve assembly can be folded into a flat configuration, thereby reducing the volume for shipping, handling and storage and encouraging reuse of the exhibit module. Another advantage of this exhibit module is the ease of assembling and disassembling an exhibit module.

While the present invention has been described with reference to a specific embodiment thereof, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. For example, the lower inner and outer sleeves can be constructed from a single rectangular sheet of paperboard rather than from two sheets. Similarly, the glue flaps can be fastened to the appropriate walls of the sleeves by means of glue, staples or other fastening means as is well known in the art. It is also obvious that the lower outer sleeve can have tab assemblies while the upper outer sleeve has the mating slot. It is contemplated in the appended claims to cover all variations and modifications of the invention which come within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

Claims

What we claim as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A display exhibit module, constructed out of paper-board-like material, comprising:

a. a first outer sleeve having a rectangular cross-section;

b. an inner sleeve having a rear wall, two sidewalls, a lower front wall and an upper front wall, the rear wall, two sidewalls and lower front wall forming a lower sleeve portion having a first rectangular cross-section and the rear wall, two sidewalls and upper front wall forming an upper sleeve portion having a second rectangular cross-section, the inner sleeve being so dimensioned that the lower sleeve portion fits snugly within the first outer sleeve with part of the upper sleeve portion extending above the first outer sleeve; and

c. a second outer sleeve having a rectangular cross-section dimensioned to fit snugly around the part of the upper sleeve portion of the inner sleeve extending above the first outer sleeve, part of said second outer sleeve extending above the inner sleeve when said second outer sleeve is resting on the first outer sleeve.

2. A display exhibit module as recited in claim 1 wherein the first rectangular cross-section of the inner sleeve is greater than the second rectangular cross-section.

3. A display exhibit module as recited in claim 1 further comprising a lighting fixture having a light mounted therein, said lighting fixture and light mounted within the lower sleeve portion of the inner sleeve so that the light is directed at the second outer sleeve fitted over the inner sleeve.

4. A display exhibit module as recited in claim 1 wherein the walls of said first and second outer sleeves terminate in top and bottom flaps, the bottom flaps of said first outer sleeve being folded within and interlocked at right angles to said walls to form a base for said first outer sleeve, the top flaps of said first outer sleeve and the top and bottom flaps of said second outer sleeve being folded within and interlocked parallel to said walls to add structural rigidity to said outer sleeves.

5. A display exhibit module as recited in claim 4 wherein slots are cut out of the edges of one of said outer sleeves, and tabs are cut out of the flaps of the other of said outer sleeves, said tabs remaining in the plane of said walls after the flaps are folded into the sleeve, said tabs cooperating with said slots in a locking manner to increase the structural rigidity of the exhibit module assembly when the second outer sleeve is assembled above the first outer sleeve.

6. An exhibit module constructed out of paperboard-like material comprising:

a. a first outer sleeve having a rectangular cross-section and a bottom;

b. a first inner sleeve having a rear wall, two sidewalls, a lower front wall and an upper front wall, the rear wall, two sidewalls and lower front wall forming a lower sleeve portion having a first rectangular cross-section and the rear wall, two sidewalls and upper front wall forming an upper sleeve portion having a second rectangular cross-section the inner sleeve being dimensioned so that the lower sleeve portion fits snugly within the first outer sleeve with part of the upper sleeve portion extending above the first outer sleeve when the first inner sleeve is resting on the bottom of the first outer sleeve;

c. a second outer sleeve having a rectangular cross-section dimensioned so that the second outer sleeve fits snugly around the part of the upper sleeve portion of the first inner sleeve extending above the first outer sleeve, part of the second outer sleeve extending above the first inner sleeve when the second outer sleeve is resting on the first outer sleeve.

d. a second inner sleeve having a rear wall, two sidewalls, a lower front wall and an upper front wall, the rear wall, two sidewalls and lower front wall forming a lower sleeve portion having a first rectangular cross-section and the rear wall, two sidewalls and upper front wall forming an upper sleeve portion having a second rectangular cross-section, the second inner sleeve being dimensioned so that its lower sleeve portion fits snugly within the extended part of the said second outer sleeve and part of the upper sleeve portion of the second inner sleeve extends above the second outer sleeve when the second inner sleeve is resting on the first inner sleeve; and

e. a third outer sleeve having a rectangular cross-section dimensioned so that the third outer sleeve fits snugly around the part of the upper sleeve portion of the second inner sleeve extending above the second outer sleeve, part of the third outer sleeve extending above the second inner sleeve when the third outer sleeve is resting on the second outer sleeve.