EP0244512A1 - Wareninformationssystem - Google Patents

Wareninformationssystem Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0244512A1
EP0244512A1 EP86200751A EP86200751A EP0244512A1 EP 0244512 A1 EP0244512 A1 EP 0244512A1 EP 86200751 A EP86200751 A EP 86200751A EP 86200751 A EP86200751 A EP 86200751A EP 0244512 A1 EP0244512 A1 EP 0244512A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
items
support means
merchandise
identification system
information
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP86200751A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0244512B1 (de
Inventor
Patrick Brian Abramson
Willem Jan Herman Bake
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to EP19860200751 priority Critical patent/EP0244512B1/de
Priority to DE8686200751T priority patent/DE3682768D1/de
Publication of EP0244512A1 publication Critical patent/EP0244512A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0244512B1 publication Critical patent/EP0244512B1/de
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
    • A47F10/00—Furniture or installations specially adapted to particular types of service systems, not otherwise provided for
    • A47F10/02—Furniture or installations specially adapted to particular types of service systems, not otherwise provided for for self-service type systems, e.g. supermarkets
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F3/00—Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means; Seals; Postage or like stamps
    • G09F3/08—Fastening or securing by means not forming part of the material of the label itself
    • G09F3/18—Casings, frames or enclosures for labels
    • G09F3/20—Casings, frames or enclosures for labels for adjustable, removable, or interchangeable labels

Definitions

  • the present invention eliminates the need for exhibition of the merchandise to the public at the retail location, but instead affords information via display of product information modules -- cards, packets, or similar tactile elements of durable design and material that attractively advertise availability of the product at that outlet and inform the clientele with respect to the product. It substitutes mass display of each item carried with mass display of such information modules, in an array providing high density but individually visible display. And, as will be evident in the particular embodiment described and in the detailed description of the invention, it substitutes physical examination of a particular sample with physical manipulation of the product information module, but without requiring a comparable level of handling by store personnel and without requiring dedication of a comparable amount of floor space.
  • the invention contemplates the provision of sup­port means for holding information display means in the form of items or modules having information on front and back sides thereof in high density but individually visible concentration while allowing each and any module to be manipulated by a pros­pective customer for ready visual access to all the information provided thereon.
  • the support means provided by the invention comprises an extrusion with which the information display means is so associated that the information is readily accessible.
  • the support means includes flexible attachment means for permitting the manipulation of the information display means.
  • the support means can be an elongate extrusion mountable on a wall or other surface in a position to allow viewing of the information display means or product information modules.
  • the support means comprises a relatively rigid support having the flexible attachment means connected thereto.
  • the flexible attachment means preferably comprises a plurality of flexible strips extending from the support and having free ends that terminate in attaching means adapted to grip the information dis­play means.
  • One class of merchandise for which the invention is particu­larly adapted is that of prerecorded video tapes.
  • tapes of concerts, motion pictures, or the like are distributed with a casette housing provided with pictures and other labelling that identify the contents, artists, producers, and such other possible aids to selection as plot synopsis, criical acclaims, and awards.
  • a retailer may store the cassette packages on shelves accessible to the public or maintain them behind a counter, in which case the sales impact of the labelling is sub­stantially reduced. If offering the tapes for rent, the cassette is often removed and the housing only displayed on shelving, requiring that the housing be brought to the checkout counter and tape and housing matched.
  • FIG. 1 of the drawings shows part of an information display system in accordance with a pre­ferred embodiment of the invention.
  • a preferred support of this invention in the form of a rail 10 made of synthetic resin or plastic material is secured to a wall W by horizontally spaced screws 14.
  • the rail 10 has integral upper and lower ribs 16 and 18 respectively which define spaces or recesses R between such ribs 16, 18 and the wall W into which the lips 26 ⁇ and 28 ⁇ of the support means 20 are snapped or slid.
  • the support means 20 is of relatively complex cross-­section, being extruded into such form and having different por­tions 24, 24 ⁇ and 24 ⁇ possessing different mechanical properties for reasons which will be explained hereinafter.
  • the portion 24 includes the upper and lower flanges 26 and 28 having the aforesaid ribs 26 ⁇ and 28 ⁇ which are received in the spaces R, R.
  • the flanges are spaced apart so as respectively to snap fit over the ribs 16 and 18 of the plastic rail 10.
  • the portion 24 is made of relatively rigid plastic or synthetic resinous material and is extruded integrally with the portion 24 ⁇ which is relatively flexible and is in turn extruded integrally with the portion 24 ⁇ .
  • the portion 24 ⁇ is less flexible than the portion 24 ⁇ but more flexible than the portion 24.
  • the portion 24 forms an elongate support for an array of the product information display means 36 so that a prospective cus­tomer may view the information on the front side of each item attached to the support 24.
  • Each display means is capable of being manipulated by swinging it upwardly as indicated by the arrow A to the dotted line position 43, the information on the reverse side of the means 36 then being accessible to the pros­pective customer.
  • the flexible attachment means provided by the portions 24 ⁇ and 24 ⁇ permit this manipulation.
  • the portions 24 ⁇ and 24 ⁇ are divided into a plurality of individual attachment means that extend serially the length of the support 24, cumula­tively commensurate in length with the support 24 and accordingly of an individual length fractional thereto.
  • the notches 38 sepa­rate the individual attachment means, formed of the aforesaid portions 24 ⁇ and 24 ⁇ , each from its neighboring individual attachment means. It will be apparent that the notches 38 are made after extrusion of the continuous support means 20.
  • the free ends of the individual attachment means 24 ⁇ are formed into tubular clips 32 of C-shaped cross sections provided by the slots 34 extending the length of each clip 32.
  • Each product information display means 36 is of generally rectangular configuration and comprises a graphics card 37 or two such graphics cards or sheets which provide all the requisite information about the video tape, which graphics cards are enclosed or encased in the clear plastic envelope 39.
  • the side or face of the display means 36 which is normally exposed to the customer's view will usually be provided with the title and an attractive picture and the reverse side of the display means facing the wall will usually be provided with more detailed information about the corresponding video tape.
  • the plastic envelope 39 is preferably sealed to provide the information display means in packet form. Further, this packet includes the tubular bead 41 which is slightly larger in diameter than the interior of tubular clip 32.
  • the rails 10 are first spaced apart vertically at a distance D1 such that when the product information means 36 are mounted as shown in Fig. 4 each such means can be freely raised to view its reverse side.
  • all display cards hang from the tubular clips 32 and none are inserted into the channel 60.
  • the support means 20 can be cut to size and slid into place.
  • the product information modules 36 can next be sorted and arranged and then inserted into their appropriate positions by use of the tubular clips 32.
  • other label­ling or indicia 46 may be applied to the surface 45.
  • product identification label carriers 54 may be used.
  • each carrier comprises a vertical web 57 providing a front surface 57 ⁇ to which the labelling may be applied, a front overhang 56 for ease of grasping, and a hook portion 58 which allows the carrier to be hung over the top edge of the web 47.
  • the carriers may be taken by a customer and handed in to the sales clerk.
  • the front side of the elongate support 24 is provided with two forwardly projecting and mutually convergent ribs, 40 and 42, that define, with the front face 45, a wide shallow channel 44 extending the length of the support means 20 and within which labels such as indicated at 46 can be placed to contain further information such as identification of the product advertised by a corresponding display means 36.
  • the upstanding portion 48 is joined to the web 47 by the bight 49 to define an upwarddly opening channel 60, said channel being dimensioned so that addi­tional product information means 36 or other ancillary display information may be inserted thereinto.
  • the ramp 52 projects upwardly and rearwardly from the upper edge of the portion 48 to assure easy insertion of such elements into the channel 60.
  • Figs. 2 and 5 illustrate more clearly the alternative display arrangement described above involving the use of the channel 60 but without the use of the flexible attaching means 24 ⁇ , 24 ⁇ . Instead, a vertically spaced series of support means 20, 20 ⁇ and 20 ⁇ are attached to the wall W through the interme­diary of the supports 10, 10 ⁇ and 10 ⁇ .
  • the spacing D2 between the supports is such that the display means 36, 36a and 36b asso­ciated with the several support means 20, 20 ⁇ and 20 ⁇ receive the display means 36, 36a and 36b with a higher density than is the case where, as in Fig. 4, the means 36 are all associated with the flexible attachment means 24 ⁇ , 24 ⁇ as was described with relation to Figs. 1 and 3. This higher density is achieved by virtue of the fact that since the portions 24 ⁇ and 24 ⁇ are not used, they may be overlapped by the display means as shown.
  • each support means can be doubled by a spacing D3 and use of both the tubular clips 32b and channel 60 previously described to display both the suspended product information means 36 and the channel-received means 36b.
  • the suspended means will of course have to be equipped with the edge bead 41 to hang from the clips 32b whereas the channel-received means 36b do not require such beads.
  • the invention may be practiced in display, in­formation, or exhibit contexts other than a retail outlet.
  • the support means could be secured other than through a cooperative rail element. Orientations other than horizontal may be em­ployed. Surfaces to which the system is attached may have fixed, moveable, or other characteristics. For example, the support elements for modules below a comfortable viewing height could be suspended on vertical strips formed of a flexible material so that they could be lifted to examine modules attached thereto.
  • attachment means other than tubular clips could be employed. Or the clips could be given smaller, fractional lengths to permit retention of modules in a range of sizes.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Display Racks (AREA)
  • Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)
EP19860200751 1986-05-01 1986-05-01 Wareninformationssystem Expired EP0244512B1 (de)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19860200751 EP0244512B1 (de) 1986-05-01 1986-05-01 Wareninformationssystem
DE8686200751T DE3682768D1 (de) 1986-05-01 1986-05-01 Wareninformationssystem.

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19860200751 EP0244512B1 (de) 1986-05-01 1986-05-01 Wareninformationssystem

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0244512A1 true EP0244512A1 (de) 1987-11-11
EP0244512B1 EP0244512B1 (de) 1991-12-04

Family

ID=8195734

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19860200751 Expired EP0244512B1 (de) 1986-05-01 1986-05-01 Wareninformationssystem

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0244512B1 (de)
DE (1) DE3682768D1 (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0425750A1 (de) * 1987-06-18 1991-05-08 Alfredo Sallustio Zweiseitige Karten aufweisende Schauvorrichtung zur Simulation von Audio, Videokassetten oder dergleichen

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1844444A (en) * 1931-08-18 1932-02-09 Schoolcraft Zeno Price card and holder
FR1457348A (fr) * 1965-06-24 1966-01-24 Perfectionnement à l'organisation de vente des magasins à vente libre
GB1417468A (en) * 1973-06-22 1975-12-10 Dunphy L C Vending of articles
EP0120099A1 (de) * 1983-03-22 1984-10-03 Marlboro Marketing, Inc. Fachkonstruktion zur Aufnahme auszustellender bzw. anzubietender Waren
US4531311A (en) * 1983-06-23 1985-07-30 Marlboro Marketing, Inc. Data information display device

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1844444A (en) * 1931-08-18 1932-02-09 Schoolcraft Zeno Price card and holder
FR1457348A (fr) * 1965-06-24 1966-01-24 Perfectionnement à l'organisation de vente des magasins à vente libre
GB1417468A (en) * 1973-06-22 1975-12-10 Dunphy L C Vending of articles
EP0120099A1 (de) * 1983-03-22 1984-10-03 Marlboro Marketing, Inc. Fachkonstruktion zur Aufnahme auszustellender bzw. anzubietender Waren
US4531311A (en) * 1983-06-23 1985-07-30 Marlboro Marketing, Inc. Data information display device

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0425750A1 (de) * 1987-06-18 1991-05-08 Alfredo Sallustio Zweiseitige Karten aufweisende Schauvorrichtung zur Simulation von Audio, Videokassetten oder dergleichen

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE3682768D1 (de) 1992-01-16
EP0244512B1 (de) 1991-12-04

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