Point of purchase display

Abstract

A point of purchase display for coupling to a commercial product on display at a retail store. The point of purchase display includes a flexible and wrinkle-resistant sheet material having indicia displayed thereon and at least one coupling member for coupling the sheet material to the commercial product. In example forms, the indicia being displayed on the sheet material is provided for advertisement or instructional purposes of the commercial product.

Claims

1. A point of purchase system, comprising: a package; a commercial product that is reconfigurable between a collapsed storage configuration and an expanded use configuration, wherein in the collapsed configuration the commercial product is receivable within the package but not configured for use, and in the expanded configuration the commercial product is configured for use but not receivable within the package; and a point of purchase display, comprising: a flexible sheet material having indicia displayed on a display surface thereof, wherein the indicia includes information about the commercial product, wherein the sheet material is reconfigurable between a collapsed storage configuration and an expanded display configuration, wherein the sheet material in the expanded configuration is larger in at least one dimension than a corresponding dimension of the package such that the sheet material in the expanded configuration does not fit into the package; and at least one coupling member for removably coupling the sheet material to the commercial product, wherein the sheet material, when in the collapsed configuration and coupled to the commercial product in the collapsed configuration, fits into the package with the commercial product, wherein reconfiguration of the commercial product from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration with the sheet material coupled to the commercial product causes the sheet material to be automatically reconfigured from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration for displaying the indicia, and wherein after displaying the indicia, the sheet material is removable from the commercial product for use of the commercial product; wherein the commercial product comprises a children's gear product having a child support portion configured for supporting a child when the children's gear product is in the expanded use configuration.

2. The point of purchase system of claim 1, wherein a width and a length of the sheet material in the expanded configuration are greater than corresponding dimensions of the package, such that the sheet material is collapsed in the width and length dimensions when collapsed into the collapsed configuration to fit within the package.

3. The point of purchase system of claim 1, wherein when the commercial product and the sheet material are in their collapsed configurations, the sheet material is bunched together, and when the commercial product and the sheet material are in the expanded configuration, the sheet material is unfurled and tensioned to remove any slack or wrinkles from the sheet material.

4. The point of purchase system of claim 1, wherein the at least one coupling member includes an elastic string that removably attaches to and extends between the sheet material and the commercial product, wherein the elastic string applies tension to the sheet material in the expanded configuration to remove any slack or wrinkles from the sheet material.

5. The point of purchase system of claim 1, wherein the commercial product and the sheet material each include at least two attachment points that are spaced a first lesser distance apart from one another in the collapsed configuration of the commercial product and the sheet material and spaced a second greater distance apart from one another in the expanded configuration of the commercial product and the sheet material, wherein upon reconfiguring the commercial product and the sheet material coupled thereto from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration, the second greater distance apart of the attachment points causes tension to be applied to the sheet material to remove any slack or wrinkles from the sheet material in the expanded configuration.

6. The point of purchase system of claim 1, wherein when the commercial product and the sheet material are in their collapsed configurations, the sheet material is bunched together such that at least a portion of the indicia displayed on the sheet material is concealed, and when the commercial product and the sheet material are in the expanded configuration, the indicia displayed on the sheet material is visible.

7. The point of purchase system of claim 1, wherein the commercial product comprises rigid structural members and soft goods, and wherein the sheet material is removably coupled to at least a portion of both the rigid structural members and the soft goods.

8. The point of purchase system of claim 1, wherein the children's gear product is selected from the group consisting of: a play yard, a napper, a sleeper, an infant sleeping device, a rocker, a high chair, a stroller frame, and a crib.

9. A point of purchase display for a commercial product that is reconfigurable between a collapsed storage configuration and an expanded use configuration, wherein in the collapsed configuration the commercial product is receivable within a package but not configured for use, and in the expanded configuration the commercial product is configured for use for supporting a child but not receivable within the package or attached to the package, the display comprising: a flexible sheet material having indicia displayed on a display surface thereof, wherein the indicia includes information about the commercial product, wherein the sheet material is reconfigurable between a collapsed storage configuration and an expanded display configuration, wherein the sheet material in the expanded configuration is larger in at least one dimension than a corresponding dimension of the package such that the sheet material in the expanded configuration does not fit into the package; and at least one coupling member for removably coupling the sheet material to the commercial product, wherein the sheet material, when in the collapsed configuration and coupled to the commercial product, fits into the package with the commercial product in the collapsed configuration, wherein reconfiguration of the commercial product from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration with the sheet material coupled to the commercial product causes the sheet material to be automatically reconfigured from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration for displaying the indicia at a retail store, and wherein after displaying the indicia at the retail store, the sheet material is removable from the commercial product for use of the commercial product without the point-of-purchase display away from the retail store.

10. The point of purchase display of claim 9, wherein a width and a length of the sheet material in the expanded configuration are greater than corresponding dimensions of the package, such that the sheet material is collapsed in the width and length dimensions when collapsed into the collapsed configuration to fit within the package.

11. The point of purchase display of claim 9, wherein when the commercial product and the sheet material are in their collapsed configurations, the sheet material is bunched together, and when the commercial product and the sheet material are in the expanded configuration, the sheet material is unfurled and tensioned to remove any slack or wrinkles from the sheet material.

12. The point of purchase display of claim 9, wherein the at least one coupling member includes an elastic string that removably attaches to and extends between the sheet material and the commercial product, wherein the elastic string applies tension to the sheet material in the expanded configuration to remove any slack or wrinkles from the sheet material.

13. The point of purchase display of claim 9, wherein the commercial product and the sheet material each include at least two attachment points that are spaced a first lesser distance apart from one another in the collapsed configuration of the commercial product and the sheet material and spaced a second greater distance apart from one another in the expanded configuration of the commercial product and the sheet material, wherein upon reconfiguring the commercial product and the sheet material coupled thereto from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration, the second greater distance apart of the attachments points causes tension to be applied to the sheet material to remove any slack or wrinkles from the sheet material in the expanded configuration.

14. The point of purchase display of claim 9, wherein when the commercial product and the sheet material are in their collapsed configurations, the sheet material is bunched together such that at least a portion of the indicia displayed on the sheet material is concealed, and when the commercial product and the sheet material are in the expanded configuration, the indicia displayed on the sheet material is visible.

15. A method of displaying a collapsible commercial product for later customer use, comprising: receiving at a retail store a package holding the commercial product with a display removably coupled thereto, wherein the display includes a flexible sheet material having indicia thereon that relates to the commercial product, wherein the commercial product and the removably coupled thereto sheet material are in respective collapsed configurations in the package, and wherein with the sheet material in the collapsed configuration at least a portion of the indicia is concealed; removing the collapsed commercial product and removably coupled thereto display from the package; expanding the collapsed commercial product to an expanded configuration, with the removably coupled thereto sheet material display automatically expanding to a corresponding expanded configuration in response thereto, without separately expanding the sheet material and expanding the commercial product then attaching the sheet material to the commercial product, wherein with the sheet material in the expanded configuration the indicia is visible for display; and displaying the expanded commercial product and the removably coupled thereto sheet material with the indicia at the retail store, wherein in the collapsed configuration the commercial product is receivable within the package but not configured for use, and in the expanded configuration the commercial product is configured for use but not receivable within the package, wherein the sheet material in the collapsed configuration and coupled to the commercial product fits into the package with the commercial product in the collapsed configuration, and the sheet material in the expanded configuration is larger in at least one dimension than a corresponding dimension of the package such that the sheet material in the expanded configuration does not fit into the package.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising, displaying the expanded commercial product and the removably coupled thereto sheet material with the indicia at the retail store, removing the sheet material from the commercial product for the customer use of the commercial product.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein a width and a length of the sheet material in the expanded configuration are greater than corresponding dimensions of the package, such that the sheet material is collapsed in the width and length dimensions when collapsed into the collapsed configuration to fit within the package.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein when the commercial product and the sheet material are in their collapsed configurations, the sheet material is bunched together, and when the commercial product and the sheet material are in the expanded configuration, the sheet material is unfurled and tensioned to remove any slack or wrinkles from the sheet material.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein when the commercial product and the sheet material are in their collapsed configurations, the sheet material is bunched together, and when the commercial product and the sheet material are in the expanded configuration, the indicia displayed on the sheet material is substantially wrinkle-free.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a front view of a product in an expanded configuration having a display coupled thereto according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a portion of the display coupled to the product of FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is a detailed view of an upper portion of the display coupled to the product of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 4 is a detailed view of an upper interior portion of the product of FIG. 1, showing a backing member for supporting attachment members extending through a portion of the display and the product for coupling the display to the product.

(5) FIG. 5 is a front view of the product of FIG. 1 in a collapsed configuration, showing the display coupled thereto being collapsed and bunched together.

(6) FIG. 6 is a front view of the product of FIG. 5 in a partially expanded or semi-collapsed configuration, showing the display coupled thereto being unfurled in conjunction with the erection of the product into its expanded state.

(7) FIG. 7 is a front view of the product of FIG. 1, showing the display coupled thereto being fully unfurled and expanded and including an additional point of purchase display tag attached to a portion of the product.

(8) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the product of FIG. 1 contained within a packaging carton or box, in its collapsed configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

(9) The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patents and other publications identified in this specification are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.

(10) Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.

(11) Generally described, the present invention comprises a point of purchase display for coupling to a commercial product on display at a retail store. In example forms, the commercial product is a children's gear product. Preferably, the display is formed from a flexible, compactable and wrinkle-resistant material. In one example form, the display is coupled to the product during the production or manufacture of the product, and the display remains coupled thereto until being removed after the product is purchased. In some example forms, the product on display (having the point of purchase display coupled thereto) is not for sale (e.g., an in-store sample) and is generally thrown away after the product is no longer being sold at the retail store. Preferably, the display is capable of being folded, crumpled, collapsed, compacted or bunched together when the product is collapsed and packaged and unfurled or opened into an intact and unwrinkled state when the product is erected and placed on display at a retail store or other display site, all while remaining coupled to the product.

(12) With reference now to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows an example embodiment of a point of purchase display 10 according to an example embodiment of the present invention. The point of purchase display 10 is preferably provided to be coupled to a product P on display at a retail store or the like. In one example form, the product P is in the form of a children's gear product, for example a play yard. Alternatively, the product P may take other forms including other children's gear products, for example nappers, sleepers, infant sleeping devices, rockers, other juvenile products, etc., or other types of expandable/compactable products. Typically, the product P will generally comprise one or more rigid structural components or frame members F and one or more soft goods components S. In some example embodiments, the product P is collapsible and capable of moving between a collapsed configuration and an expanded or in-use configuration. Generally, the product P is packaged and shipped in the collapsed configuration and on display at the retail store in the expanded configuration. Optionally, the product P may only comprise rigid structural members, for example, a high chair, stroller frame, etc. in which the display 10 may be attached thereto.

(13) The display 10 is preferably formed from a flexible and wrinkle-resistant material. Thus, despite the display 10 being deformed, folded, crumpled or bunched together when the product P is collapsed while being packaged and shipped (see FIG. 5), the display 10 unfurls into an intact and substantially wrinkle-free state when the product is removed from its box and erected into the in-use or expanded configuration (see FIGS. 1 and 7). In one example form, the display 10 is formed from 50 D 160 gm/yd polyester trilobal tricot material with paper print. Optionally or alternatively, other materials including polypropylene, polyethylene, mesh, other polyesters, Tyvek®, non-woven materials, and/or other materials or combinations thereof may be incorporated into the display.

(14) Preferably, indicia 14 can be printed or otherwise applied on a display surface of the display 10 for advertisement or instructional purposes, which may include product branding, graphical illustrations, written material, etc. For example, the indicia 14 can include certain aspects or benefits of the product P, instructions on how to use the product P, or other graphics or written material for advertisement or branding purposes. In example forms, the indicia 14 can be printed on the display 10 using a paper print process, a transfer printing process, or by dye sublimation. Optionally, other printing techniques may be employed. In alternative embodiments, the indicia 14 can be adhered to the display by gluing, tacking, or other coupling methods. Further optional, additional accessory advertisements can be provided on the display 10, which can include “try-me” or example alternative fabrics/materials that are being used with the product 10 (e.g., soft goods or available as options, allowing the customer to touch the materials and see them up close), or a quick response code (QR code) to link the user to additional advertising material online or elsewhere.

(15) In the example embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the display 10 is generally rectangular in shape and coupled to a central area of one side of the product P, comprising one or more generally flat or planar display surfaces when the product is expanded. In one example form, the display 10 is preferably coupled to both the frame F and the soft goods components S. For example, each of the bottom corners of the display comprise a grommet 16 to receive an elastic string 30 that is attached to the frame F, and the upper corners of the display are coupled to portions of the soft goods components S by micro tags (i.e., swift tags) 34. Preferably, when the product is in the expanded configuration, the elastic string 30 pulls or applies tension to the display 10 to remove any slack or wrinkles from the display 10 (see FIG. 2), and the micro tags 34 allow the display 10 to be attached flush with the soft goods components S (see FIGS. 3-4). Thus, the attachment of the display 10 to the product P preferably applies appropriate tension to the display 10 to provide a substantially wrinkle-free display 10 that is generally flush or adjacent the product P. In some example embodiments, the tension applied to the display 10 is due to the attachment position on the product P (e.g., where display 10 is attached to product P) such that when the product is in the expanded configuration, the display 10 coupled thereto is expanded and receives the appropriate tension to provide a substantially wrinkle-free display 10. For example, in some forms, the display 10 can be coupled to the product P when the product P is in the semi-collapsed configuration (or a position between the semi-collapsed and expanded configurations) such that the display is forced to undergo tension being applied from the attachment points (micro tags, etc.) when the product P is in the expanded configuration. In alternative embodiments, the display 10 can be coupled to only soft goods components S or only the rigid structural components F. In example forms, the product P includes at least two product attachment points which are spaced a first lesser distance apart from one another (i.e., closer to one another) in the product's collapsed state, and spaced a second greater distance apart from one another (i.e., further from one another) in the product's expanded state, and the display includes corresponding display attachment points for paired connection to the product attachment points, such that the display expands and unfurls in at least one dimension in conjunction with expansion of the product as the product attachment points move apart from one another during erection and assembly. Optionally, three, four or more cooperating attachment point pairs may be provided for coupling the display to the product at spaced apart locations, and expanding and unfurling the display in one, two or three dimensions in conjunction with expansion of the product.

(16) In example embodiments, the grommets 16 are generally formed from a rigid material and spaced inwardly relative to the two corners of the bottom portion of the display 10. In one form, the grommets are spaced inwardly about 1″, more preferably about 2″, and more preferably about 3″-5″. Optionally, the grommets 16 may be provided along other portions of the display 10. For example, in one example form, the sides of the display can be folded over and stitched or hemmed (see dashed line) to provide clean edges, and the grommets 16 can be positioned to be generally adjacent the edges. Optionally, the grommets 16 may be formed from other less rigid materials to provide a range of flexibility. As depicted in FIGS. 3-4, the micro tags 34 generally extend through one or more portions of the soft goods components S to attach the upper portions of the display 10 to the product P, which allow the display 10 to mount generally flush to the product 10. In one example form, a generally disc-like backing member 36 is provided behind an interior portion of the soft goods components S to provide for additional support to the micro tags 34, for example, to ensure that the micro tags 34 do not pull through or cause damage to the soft goods components S. In some example forms, the micro tags 34 extend through portions of tape or fabric of a zipper or coupling element Z of the soft goods components S. Optionally, other conventional attachment methods including zip-ties, wire, fabric strips, rubber bands, elastic members, injection molded parts, hook and loop material, thread, other coupling members or combinations thereof may be employed to couple the display 10 to the product P. Further optionally, the display 10 can be configured to receive one or more additional display elements. For example, the grommets 16, which are provided for coupling the display 10 to the product P with the elastic string 30, can be configured to receive coupling elements of the additional display such that the additional display is coupled to and supported by the grommets 16 of the display 10.

(17) In example forms, as briefly described above, the product P is collapsible and capable of moving between a collapsed configuration and an expanded or in-use configuration, and the display 10 coupled thereto is preferably folded or bunched together when the product P is in the collapsed configuration and unfolded, fully opened or expanded when the product P is in the in-use configuration, with the unfurling of the display being linked or coupled to expansion of the product such that opening of the display is automatically carried out by expansion of the product. Thus, the configuration of the display 10 (e.g., bunched together or unfolded) generally depends on and is driven by the configuration of the product P (e.g., collapsed or expanded). For example, as depicted in FIGS. 5-7, the display 10 is configured to conform to the configuration of the product P as it moves between the collapsed configuration and the expanded configuration during assembly and take-down. FIG. 5 shows the product in the collapsed configuration and the display 10 is in the substantially folded or collapsed configuration. FIG. 6 shows the product in a semi-collapsed, partially expanded or intermediate configuration (e.g., between the collapsed and expanded configurations) and the display 10 is in a generally semi-collapsed configuration. As depicted, at least a portion of the indicia 14 being displayed on the display 10 is generally hidden from visibility when viewed from a vantage point external of the product as it is collapsed. And, FIG. 7 shows the product P in the expanded configuration and the display 10 is in the expanded configuration. As depicted, the indicia 14 being displayed on the display 10 is substantially intact, visible from an external vantage point, and wrinkle-free in appearance. Optionally, the display 10 may be wrapped or folded around the product P such that it is not generally bunched together and wherein a portion thereof is hidden from visibility. Further optionally, a secondary display 40 can be coupled to the product to provide additional advertisements, instructions, etc., in addition to the primary display 10. As similarly described above, the secondary display 40 is generally coupled to the product P by micro tags 34 or other coupling elements, for example at the time of manufacture and packaging of the product for delivery to a retail site. In typical embodiments, the secondary display 40 is substantially smaller in size than the display 10 and is generally formed from a plastic or paper material optionally exhibiting at least a small amount of rigidity. Optionally, the secondary display 40 can be formed from other materials as desired.

(18) Packaging materials such as a bag, carton or box 50 are preferably provided to package the product P for shipping to the retail store or other distribution center. As depicted in FIG. 8, the box 50 is generally sized and shaped to provide an envelope sufficient for fitting the collapsed product P (and display 10 coupled thereto, see FIG. 5) therein. Typically, after the manufacture and assembly of the product P, the product P is opened to the expanded configuration and the display 10 (and optional second display 40) is coupled to the product P. The product P is then collapsed to the collapsed configuration and packaged within the box 50, which is shipped to the retail store. Upon arrival, the product P is removed from the box 50 and expanded to the in-use configuration for being displayed at the retail store. Preferably, during the removal and display of the product P at the retail store, the display 10 remains coupled to the product P and effortlessly expands to the expanded configuration to be displayed on the product P. In example forms, the display 10 is larger in at least one dimension when expanded than a corresponding dimension of the box 50, such that the display would not fit into the box without collapsing the display into a more compact state by folding or bunching of the display. Optionally, both the width and the length of the expanded display are greater than corresponding dimensions of the box, such that the display is compacted in both dimensions when collapsed to fit within the box. Preferably, the size and configuration of the display 10 is unconstrained by the size and configuration of the compacted or collapsed commercial product P or its packaging (e.g., box 50).

(19) In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of assembling and packaging commercial goods. In one example form, the method comprises providing a commercial product, the commercial product being positionable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; providing a display, the display being substantially flexible and wrinkle-resistant; positioning the commercial product in the expanded configuration; coupling the display to the commercial product; positioning the commercial product in the collapsed configuration; and packaging the commercial product. Optionally, the display can be coupled to the product when the product is in either of the semi-collapsed or collapsed configurations.

(20) In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of marketing a collapsible commercial product. In one example form, the method comprises providing a substantially flexible and wrinkle-resistant display having indicia printed thereon; coupling the display to the collapsible commercial product; collapsing the collapsible commercial product to a collapsed configuration, the display collapsing to conform to the collapsed configuration; packaging the collapsed commercial product and display in packaging materials; shipping the collapsed commercial product and display to a retail store; removing the collapsed commercial product and display from the packaging materials; expanding the collapsed commercial product to an expanded configuration, and causing the display to expand to conform to the expanded configuration wherein the indicia printed thereon is visible; and displaying the collapsible commercial product at the retail store.

(21) In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of delivering information to a consumer. In one example form, the method comprises providing a commercial product on display at a retail store, the commercial product being movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; and providing a substantially flexible and wrinkle-resistant display having indicia thereon, the display being coupled to the commercial product, wherein when the commercial product is in the expanded configuration the display is expanded to display the indicia thereon, and wherein when the commercial product is in the collapsed configuration the display is generally compacted or bunched together such that at least a portion of the indicia on the display is no longer visible from an external vantage point.

(22) In additional example embodiments, the display 10 can be shaped and sized as desired. For example, optional shapes of the display 10 can include rectangular, square, hexagonal, polygonal, circular, oval, irregular, or other desired shapes. Preferably, the size of the display 10 can be configured to cover all or a portion of at least one side (front, back, ends, top or bottom) of the product P, and in some example forms the display 10 is configured to cover at least two or more adjacent side portions. Optionally, two or more displays 10 can be provided to separately cover at least portions of two or more sides of the product P. Furthermore, the display may optionally comprise one or more animated or lenticular displays, which may be used to produce a three-dimensional image or animation.

(23) While the invention has been described with reference to preferred and example embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications, additions and deletions are within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.