Device for support of packaged products so that packaged products can be fixably oriented in shipping, in storage or in display

Abstract

A device and method for shipping and display of already packaged goods which provides support for packages, and which allows a uniform orientation of those packages, as well as retaining those assembled packages at a uniform distance from other products. The substrate comprising this device has adhesive or other materials to make packages adhere to the substrate, and also has adhesive materials to make the substrate itself adhere to another surface such as a retail shelf. The packages are placed for shipping or display on one side of the substrate and are held in a fixed position, while the substrate itself is placed on another surface so that the packages may be uniformly stacked or observed. The adhesive, or other material causing adhesion, is stronger on the side allowing adhesion of the device to another surface, and weaker on the other side which holds the packages in a fixed assembly. Thus, when a single package is removed from the device, the device itself remains adhered to the other surface.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to the assembly and display of packages in relation to each other and in relation to other nearby products, and to the facilitation of inventory of products.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to the materials whereby packages are assembled in manufacture, shipping and display, including packages with an irregular shape, such as sacks.[0003]The manufacture of some products, which are not conducive to orderly assembly into neat, groups, involves packaging them in containers for shipment and display and sale. The shipment and display of such packages, such as packages of candy in sacks formed from smooth plastic materials, requires significant labor to keep the arrangement of the packages attractive for customers and to ease inventory. When those packages are placed in larger containers for shipping, the packages form an irregular mass that is difficult to inventory on shipping and receipt, due to the effect...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a device that allows packages to be stacked for both shipping and display to end-users. This device prevents the need for frequent restacking of the packages as customers handle them, and keeps the packages in a fixed orientation to other stacks or products on the same shelf, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing display and improved inventory and replenishment processes.

Problems solved by technology

When those packages are placed in larger containers for shipping, the packages form an irregular mass that is difficult to inventory on shipping and receipt, due to the effects of gravity on those packages and their contents.

Inventory is thereby complicated as well.

Moreover, on a retail shelf with various products stacked thereupon, those separate stacks begin to merge with each other and lose both a neat appearance and prevent easy inventory of all products present on the shelf.

The merging packages also prevent easy view of the interior areas of display shelves to determine how many packages remain available for purchase, and how many must be brought to replenish the supply available for purchase.

Thus, the functions of the prior devices do not include an ability to affix those devices to shelving or other display surfaces such that customers may select packages without disarranging the placement of those devices.

Those devices also do not suggest the use of transparent materials and so do not allow the retailer to retain a clear view into shelving behind the devices and so determine inventory and the time when replenishing of the shelves is necessary.

Bustos (U.S. Pat. No. 3,939,987) describes a device using adhesives to permanently secure materials such as decorative sheets to the device, but it does not have adhesive to retain packages to the upper surface of the device, nor adhesive to retain packages to the decorative sheets, nor does it have adhesives to keep the device stationary while customers remove packages.

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