Collapsible Easel Product Tray for Inclined Retail Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current retail product display devices often exceed size specifications, leading to wasted space and require time-consuming setup, as they need to be adjusted to display products at inclined angles, which is inefficient in terms of space utilization and employee effort.
Innovation Solution
An expandable display system with a product tray and easel support that collapses for shipping and easily expands to an inclined position for display, featuring a locking mechanism and foldable design to minimize setup time and maximize visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If current display devices are designed to display products at inclined angles, then product visibility and gravity dispensing are improved, but the device size exceeds specifications during shipping and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The display device incorporates a collapsible easel support that can transition between extended and retracted positions. The easel support includes a first portion connected to the display device and a second portion that can be extended to provide inclination or retracted to collapse against the display device, enabling dynamic size adjustment for shipping versus display modes
Solution Approach 2:
The second portion of the easel support is designed to collapse against and nest within the display device structure when not in use. This nesting arrangement allows the easel support to be stored within the footprint of the display device, minimizing overall volume during shipping and storage while maintaining full functionality during display
2Stability of the object's composition
If display devices are designed with fixed inclined structures, then product display stability is improved, but setup time and employee effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The easel support transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic collapsible structure that can be easily extended and locked into position. The locking mechanism provides audible and tactile feedback to confirm proper engagement, enabling quick setup while maintaining stable product display once assembled
Solution Approach 2:
The easel support and locking mechanism are pre-configured in a collapsed state during manufacturing, ready for rapid deployment. The locking tabs and receiving slots are pre-positioned to guide the extension and locking actions, reducing the cognitive and physical effort required during setup while ensuring stable final configuration
3Volume of moving object
If display devices meet strict size specifications for shipping, then space utilization is improved, but the ability to provide inclined display angles is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The display device incorporates a dynamically adjustable easel support that can be extended to provide inclined angles during display or retracted to minimize size during shipping. This dynamic capability allows the device to adapt its geometry between transport and display modes, maintaining compliance with shipping specifications while preserving display versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The easel support is divided into multiple portions (first portion connected to display device, second portion that extends) that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the structure to achieve inclined display angles when needed while collapsing to a compact form for shipping, effectively decoupling the conflicting requirements of size and adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are embodiments of an expandable display system that have an expanded position for retail display and a collapsed position for efficient shipping. The expandable display system includes a product tray and an associated easel support, with the easel support being configured to expand and lock into the expanded position to support the product tray at an inclined angle relative to a surface on which the easel support rests. In some embodiments, the product tray and the associated easel support are integral.