Mechanism for securing a tray and the like

Abstract

A floor display system comprising a base portion including a front wall having opposing first and second vertical edges, and first and second side walls extending from the vertical edges in generally perpendicular relation to the front wall. At least one side wall slot is formed in each of the first and second side walls and connected to respective front wall slot portions formed in the front wall. At least one tray is provided including a tray body connected to at least one mounting flap portion positioned in each of the side wall slots in the first and second side walls and extending into the corresponding front wall slot portions for supporting the tray body to the base portion.

Claims

1. A foldable display system comprising: a first corrugated paperboard member including: a first wall and a second wall extending transverse to the first wall at a fold line; a slot structure comprising a first horizontal slot portion in the first wall and a second slot portion in the second wall and extending diagonally downward from the first slot portion, wherein the second slot portion is continuous with the first slot portion; the second slot portion including an entry section defined by first opposing edges and a latching section defined by second opposing edges diverging outwardly from a slot apex to a dimension greater than a dimension defined between the first opposing edges; a second corrugated paperboard member including: a mounting flap portion including a first flap section and a second flap section joined to and resiliently biased from the first flap section at a flap fold; and wherein the second flap section extends within the latching section of the second slot portion and includes a locking edge located adjacent to the entry section of the second slot portion and a mounting flap apex is defined by the flap fold, wherein the mounting flap apex and abuts the slot apex in order to removably suspend the second corrugated paper member from the first corrugated paperboard member.

2. The foldable display system as set forth in claim 1, wherein a detent edge of the slot structure extends transverse to and connects one of the first opposing edges of the entry section and to one of the second opposing edges of the latching section, and the locking edge of the second flap section engages the detent edge.

3. The foldable display system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first flap section extends from the first slot portion to the slot apex within the second slot portion.

4. The foldable display system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first slot portion extends on the first wall generally perpendicular to the fold line connecting the first and second walls, and at least one of the first opposing edges of the second slot portion extends at an acute angle relative to the fold line.

5. The foldable display system as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the first opposing edges of the the entry section and each of the second opposing edges of the latching section extend at an acute angle relative to the fold line.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying Drawing Figures, in which like reference numerals identify like elements, and wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a front perspective view illustrating a floor display system in accordance with aspects of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view illustrating a connector between a tray and a base portion of the floor display system;

(4) FIG. 3 is a plan view of a tube blank for forming a central tube of the floor display system;

(5) FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views of a top end portion of the central tube and illustrating an assembly operation including folding of major and minor flaps at the top end portion;

(6) FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of the tube blank and illustrating a slot structure;

(7) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a tray having a mounting flap portion for use in forming a connection with the slot structure illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6;

(8) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the tray of FIG. 7 showing the mounting flap portion folded at a flap fold;

(9) FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the mounting flap portion engaged in the slot structure;

(10) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative configuration of the floor display system and illustrating a slot structure having a continuous slot across a front wall of a central tube; and

(11) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a tray illustrating a mounting flap portion configured to engage the slot structure of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(12) In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, and not by way of limitation, specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

(13) The present description is directed to a floor display system of the type that may be used to display a product at a point of sale, such as for providing consumer packaged goods (CPG) to a retailer. The floor display system can be formed entirely of corrugated paperboard and may include a base portion and a plurality of trays supported on the base portion without additional hanging elements such as hooks or clips connecting the trays to the base portion.

(14) Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a floor display system 10 is illustrated including a base portion 12 and a plurality of product trays 14 supported to the base portion 12. The base portion 12 can include a central tube 12a and a floor engaging base member 12b. The central tube 12a and base member 12b can be formed as separate components that are assembled together at a point of sale to support the central tube 12a in a vertical orientation. Although a particular configuration of the base portion 12 is described herein for illustrating aspects of the invention including a connection between the trays 14 and the base portion 12, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the base portion shown herein and that alternative configurations of the base portion 12 may be provided.

(15) Referring to FIG. 3 an exemplary tube blank 16 for forming the central tube 12a is illustrated and can comprise a corrugated paperboard member. The tube blank 16 extends in a lateral direction L between first and second lateral ends, generally designated 18 and 20, respectively, and further extends in a longitudinal direction, perpendicular to the lateral direction L, between first and second longitudinal ends 19, 21. The tube blank 16 comprises a first side wall glue tab 22a, a front wall 24, a second side wall 26, a rear wall 28 and a first side wall panel 22b connected in series. The glue tab 22a is connected to the front wall 24 at a first vertical fold line 32, the front wall 24 is connected to the second side wall 26 at a second vertical fold line 34, the second side wall 26 is connected to the rear wall 28 at a third vertical fold line 36, and the rear wall 28 is connected to the first side wall panel 22b at a fourth vertical fold line 38.

(16) Major top flaps 40, 42 are joined to upper edges of the front wall 24 and rear wall 28, respectively, along an upper lateral fold line 44. The major flap 40 includes first and second flap sections 40a, 40b joined at an intermediate lateral fold line 46, and the major flap 42 includes first and second flap sections 42a, 42b joined at an intermediate lateral fold line 48.

(17) Minor top flaps 50, 52 are joined to upper edges of the second side wall 26 and first side wall panel 22b, respectively, along the lateral fold line 44. The minor flap 50 comprises first and second flap sections 50a, 50b separated by a longitudinal slit 49, and the minor tab 52 comprises first and second flap sections 52a, 52b separated by a longitudinal slit 51.

(18) A plurality of slits 53 may be formed in the lower ends of the front wall 24 and the rear wall 28 at the first longitudinal end 19 to cooperate with structure (not shown) in the base member 12b for securing the central tube 12a and base member 12b together in an assembled configuration. As noted above, the particular configuration of the base portion 12 can vary, and the connection structure of the lower portion of the central tube 12a, as currently illustrated by the slits 53, may be altered from the configuration shown to accommodate variations in the configuration of the base member 12b.

(19) In a process for constructing the central tube 12a from the tube blank 16, the portion of the tube blank 16 between the second vertical fold line 34 and the first lateral edge 18, i.e., the first side wall glue tab 22b and the front wall 24, may be folded about the second vertical fold line 34 to overlap the first side wall glue tab 22a and the front wall 24 across the second side wall 26 and the rear wall 28. The first side wall panel 22b can be folded about the fourth vertical fold line 38 to position the first side wall panel 22b into overlapping engagement on the first side wall glue tab 22a, such that the second lateral edge 20 is located adjacent to the first vertical fold line 32. It may be understood that an adhesive, e.g., glue, may be applied to either the first side wall glue tab 22a or the first side wall panel 22b to adhere these panels together. The adhered first side wall glue tab 22a and first side wall panel 22b define a first side wall 22 of the central tube 12a, see FIG. 2.

(20) The central tube 12a may be erected from a flat configuration to the configuration shown in FIG. 4 by pivoting the first and second side walls 22, 26 about the front and back walls 24, 28 to form the central tube 12a as a rectangular tube. The minor flaps 50, 52 then can be folded inward. Subsequently, the major flaps 40, 42 can be folded inward by folding the second flap sections 40b, 42b about the respective fold lines 46, 48 and inserting the second flap sections 40b, 42b through the slits 49, 51 in the minor flaps 50, 52, see FIG. 5. The central tube 12a can then be assembled to the base member 12b to position the central tube 12a as a vertical column in preparation for mounting of the trays 14 to the central tube 12a.

(21) Referring to FIG. 3, the tube blank 16 includes slot structures 54 that define a first connection portion for mounting the trays 14 to the central tube 12a. Referring further to FIG. 6, a description of the details of the slot structures 54 is provided with reference to an enlarged view of one slot structure 54 extending between a first wall 56 and a second wall 58 separated by a fold line 59. The first wall 56 in FIG. 6 represents either the front wall 24 or the rear wall 28, the second wall 58 represents either the first side wall 22 or the second side wall 26 oriented transverse or perpendicular to the first wall 56 in the erected configuration of the central tube 12a, and the fold line 59 represents any of the vertical fold lines 32, 34, 36, or 38. The slot structure 54 includes a first slot portion 60 (front wall slot portion), and a second slot portion 62 (side wall slot), extending contiguous with the first slot portion 60. The first slot portion 60 defines a central axis A.sub.1 that extends generally perpendicular to the fold line 59 and the second slot portion 62 defines a central axis A.sub.2 that extends at a generally acute angle relative to the fold line 59.

(22) The first slot portion 60 is formed between a pair generally parallel lower and upper edges 60a, 60b defining a first slot portion width W.sub.1. The second slot portion 62 comprises an entry section 64 defined by first, entry section opposing edges 64a, 64b, and a latching section 66 defined by second, latching section opposing edges 66a, 66b. The entry section opposing edges 64a, 64b are each angled downwardly at an acute angle relative to the fold line 59, wherein the entry section opposing edges 64a, 64b may be angled downwardly at the same or about the same acute angle . The latching section opposing edges 66a, 66b diverge from a slot apex 68 distal from the first wall 56, and the latching section opposing edges 66a, 66b are each angled downwardly at an acute angle relative the fold line 59, wherein the latching section edge 66a may be a continuation of the entry section edge 64a and can be oriented at the acute angle . The latching section opposing edge 66b can be oriented at an acute angle relative to the fold line 59 different from the acute angle .

(23) A detent edge 70 extends transverse to the edge 64b of the entry section 64, and can extend perpendicular to the entry section edge 64b. The detent edge 70 extends between and connects the entry section edge 64b and the adjacent latching section edge 66b to define an end of the latching section 66 adjacent to the entry section 64. Hence, the detent edge 70 defines or extends to a reduced slot width relative to the widest slot width defined between latching section edges 66a, 66b at an end adjacent to the front wall 24.

(24) In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the slot structures 54 are located such that the first slot portions 60 are defined by discrete slots extending horizontally across a portion of either the front wall 24 or the back wall 28 adjacent to the vertical edges 32, 34 and 36, 38, wherein pairs of the first slot portions 60 are vertically aligned with each other on the front wall 24 and pairs of the first slot portions 60 are vertically aligned with each other on the back wall 28. In addition, the first side wall panel 22b may be formed with partial slot structures comprising second slot portions 62a that are configured the same as the second slot portions 62, as described above. The second slot portions 62a are aligned with the second slot portions 62 formed in the first side wall glue tab 22a when the first side wall panel 22b and the first side wall glue tab 22a are adhered together during formation of the central tube 12a from the tube blank 16.

(25) Referring to FIG. 7, an exemplary tray 14 illustrates a second connection portion for mounting the tray 14 to the central tube 12a. The tray 14 can be formed of corrugated paperboard blank (not shown) that is folded to form a tray body 72 comprising a tray bottom 74, a front wall 76, a back wall 78, a first side wall 80, and a second side wall 82. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular configuration of the tray 14 described herein. The tray 14 further includes the second connection portion comprising a mounting flap portion 84 connected to the back wall 78. The mounting flap portion 84 is defined by a first mounting flap 84a and a second mounting flap 84b, each of which can be formed of corrugated paperboard material integral with the back wall 78.

(26) Each mounting flap 84a, 84b includes a first flap section 86 hingedly connected to the back wall 78 at a fold line 88, and a second flap section 90 connected to the first flap section 86 at a flap fold 92. Referring further to FIG. 8, the first flap section 86 can be pivoted back toward a back side of the back wall 78 in preparation for mounting the tray 14 to the central tube 12a, and the second flap section 90 can be folded forward into overlapping relation over the first flap section 86.

(27) The process of mounting the tray 14 includes inserting the first and second mounting flaps 84a, 84b into respective slot structures 54 on opposing lateral sides of the front wall 24 or opposing lateral sides of the central tube 12a rear wall 28. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 9, the flap mounting portion 84 is inserted flap fold first through the first slot portions 60 into the second slot portions 62. The mounting flap portion 84 is inserted at a downward angle generally corresponding to the angle of the second slot portion 62 to position the first flap section 86 extending from the first wall, defined by either the front wall 24 or rear wall 28, through the first slot portion 60 and second slot portion 62 to the slot apex 68, such that the fold line 92 is located adjacent to the slot apex 68. During insertion of the mounting flap portion 84, the second flap section 90 is initially pressed toward engagement with the first flap section 86 as the mounting flap portion 84 passes through and engages the first portion edges 64a, 64b and the entry section edges 64a, 64b of the second slot portion 62. Subsequently, as a locking edge 94 of the second flap section 90, distal from the flap fold 92, is inserted past the detent edge 70, the second flap section 90 is resiliently biased within the latching section 66 toward engagement with the latching section edge 66b. The resiliently biased movement of the second flap section 90 is provided by the relatively stiff material characteristic of the corrugated paperboard forming the tray 14. As the second flap section 90 moves away from the first flap section 86, the locking edge 94 moves into an engagement position with the detent edge 70 to resist movement of the mounting flap portion 84 out of the slot structure 54. In the engagement position of the mounting flap portion 84, the first flap section 86 extends adjacent and generally parallel to the entry section edge 64a and the latching section edge 66a, and the second flap section 90 extends adjacent and generally parallel to the latching section edge 66b to locate the locking edge 94 in a locked position adjacent to the intersection of the detent edge 70 and the latching section edge 66b.

(28) a. The engagement of the mounting flap portion 84 in the locked position within the slot structure 54 locates a portion of the first flap section 86 that is adjacent to the fold line 88 into a position engaged with the lower edge 60a of the first slot portion 60. Hence, the weight of the tray 14, which may be pre-loaded with product, can be supported by the central tube 12a at or adjacent to the fold line 88 on the tray 14. The locking engagement of the flap mounting portion 84, oriented at the downward acute angle, can facilitate positive latching of the tray 14 into the base portion 12. In particular, any force applied against the first flap section 86, such as by the weight of the tray 14, i.e., by a downward weight of the tray 14 tending to pivot the first flap section 86 upward about the lower edge 60a, can act to bias the locking edge 94 toward engagement with the detent edge 70 for retaining the mounting flap portion 84 within the slot structure 54. Further, it may be noted that the detent edge 70 extends upward from the entry section edge 64b to the latching section edge 66b, see FIG. 6, such that an apex formed between the latching section edge 66b and the detent edge 70 can engage and retain the locking edge 94.

(29) As seen in FIGS. 1 and 7, a lateral width W.sub.L2 of the tray 14 is wider than a lateral width W.sub.L1 of the central tube 12a, wherein the lateral locations of outer edges 96a, 96b of the first and second mounting flaps 84a, 84b can coincide with the lateral locations of the first and second side walls 80, 82 of the tray body 72. As seen in FIG. 9, a laterally outer end of the tray 14 can extend laterally from a respective side, e.g., side 22, a predetermined lateral width distance W.sub.L3. Hence, the mounting flap portion 84 defines a lateral width that positions the first and second flap sections 86, 90 extending laterally a sufficient distance for engagement with the first and second slot portions 60, 62, and that positions the locking edge 94 extending laterally across and adjacent to the detent edge 70. In addition, the first and second mounting flaps 84a, 84b can include respective inner edges 98a, 98b, see FIG. 7, that are located at or close to a lateral location of first slot portion ends 100a, 100b, see FIG. 3, to laterally position the tray 14, i.e., center the tray 14, relative to the central tube 12a.

(30) It may be noted that although the description above describes mounting the trays 14 to the base portion 12 with particular reference to positioning the trays on the front wall 24 of the central tube 12a, the central tube 12a is provided with slot structures 54 for mounting trays 14 on the rear wall 28 in the same manner as is described above with reference to the front wall 24.

(31) Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, an alternative configuration of a floor display system 110 is illustrated in which elements corresponding to elements described with reference to FIGS. 1-9 are labeled with the same reference numerals increased by 100.

(32) As seen in FIG. 10, the floor display system 110 includes a base portion 112 and a plurality of product trays 114 supported to the base portion 112. The base portion 112 can include a central tube 112a and a floor engaging base member 112b. The central tube 112a and base member 112b can be formed as separate components that are assembled together at a point of sale to support the central tube 112a in a vertical orientation.

(33) The central tube 112a can be formed from a tube blank (not shown) in a manner similar to that described above with reference to forming the central tube 12a from the tube blank 16. In the present configuration, a first connection portion of a connection structure is defined by a plurality of slot structures 154 that are vertically spaced along the central tube 112a. The slot structures 154 are each formed with a first slot portion 160 extending horizontally across a front wall 124 of the central tube 112a, and including second slot portions or side wall slots 162 formed in side walls 122, 126 of the central tube 112a. The side wall slots 162 are contiguous with front wall slot portions 160c, 160d defined as end portions of the first slot portion 160 located adjacent to the side walls 122, 126. The side wall slots 162 are configured the same as is described for the second slot portions 62 with reference to FIG. 6. Further, the slot structures 154 can be formed the same as is described for the slot structures 54 above, except that the first portion 160 extends continuously across the front wall 124 rather than being formed with discrete or separate first slot portions 60 as described above for the central tube 12a.

(34) Referring to FIG. 11, the tray 114 can be formed of a corrugated paperboard blank (not shown) that is folded to form a tray body 172 comprising a tray bottom 174, a front wall 176, a back wall 178, a first side wall 180, and a second side wall 182. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular configuration of the tray 114 described herein. The tray 114 further includes a second connection portion of the connection structure comprising a mounting flap portion 184 connected to the back wall 178. The mounting flap portion 184 can be formed of corrugated paperboard material integral with the back wall 178.

(35) The mounting flap portion 184 includes a first flap section 186 hingedly connected to the back wall 178 at a fold line 188, and a second flap section 190 connected to the first flap section 186 at a flap fold 192. The first and second flap sections 186 and 190 can be folded and inserted into the slot portion 154 to mount the tray 114 to the central tube 112a in a manner similar to that described above for mounting the tray 14 to the central tube 12a, wherein the second flap section 190 includes a locking edge 194 for engaging against a detent edge 170 in the side wall slots 162.

(36) The lateral width of the tray 114 is greater than the lateral width of the central tube 112a and the mounting flap portion 184 can be provided with a pair of spaced locating notches 199 formed at the flap fold 192. The locating notches 199 can be spaced a dimension equal to the spacing between the side walls 122, 126 of the central tube 112a, such that each notch 199 engages against a respective slot apex 168 to laterally locate the tray 114, i.e., center the tray 114, relative to the central tube 112a.

(37) It may be noted that the central body 112a of the display system 110 is provided with slot structures 154 having first slot portions 160 that only extend along the front wall 124, and the rear wall 128 of the central tube 112a can be formed without slot structures 154. By forming the rear wall 128 without slot structures 154, additional strength can be provided to the central tube 112a for resisting distortion of the central tube 112a.

(38) While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.