Fold-Flat Merchandise Hanger for Compact Shipping Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
The size and weight of picture frames and similar products, whether packaged in cardboard or not, pose challenges in retail display and shipping due to protruding hangers or mechanisms, increasing packing and shipping costs.
Innovation Solution
A merchandise hanger with a coupling member and a support interface member, featuring a cross component, latch component, and flexible strap, allows the hanger to transition between a compact shipping position and a hanging position, enabling efficient display and storage while minimizing protrusions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If products are hung from retail supports using traditional hangers, then products can be displayed for viewing by potential consumers, but the hangers protrude from the edges of the products creating awkwardly sized products to pack and ship
Solution Approach 1:
The hanger is designed with movable and adjustable components that allow it to transition between a compact configuration for shipping and an extended configuration for display. The hanger can be folded flat against the product during transport and then deployed to provide hanging functionality in the retail environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The hanger components are designed to nest within each other or fold into a compact form that fits within the product's existing footprint. The hanger structure can be collapsed into a space that does not exceed the product's original dimensions, allowing efficient packing and shipping.
2Volume of moving object
If products are stacked on the floor or placed on shelves, then shipping footprint is minimized, but products are less accessible and require more handling space in retail settings
Solution Approach 1:
The hanger provides a dynamic display solution that allows products to be easily hung at various heights and positions in the retail environment, improving accessibility without requiring floor stacking or shelf placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The hanger is designed to be universally applicable to various product types and can be used in multiple retail display configurations, providing both compact shipping and versatile display capabilities through a single mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If larger hangers are used to accommodate all product sizes, then all products can be hung, but smaller products become awkwardly sized and shipping costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hanger features adjustable components that can be configured to accommodate different product sizes. The hanger can be extended or contracted, and its positioning can be adjusted to fit small, medium, and large products while maintaining a compact form during shipping.
Solution Approach 2:
The hanger is designed with variable geometry where different sections can be adjusted independently to match the specific dimensions of the product being displayed, allowing optimal fit for various product sizes without increasing the overall shipping footprint.
Data Source
AI summary
A merchandise hanger includes a coupling member and a support interface member. The coupling member includes a cross component, a latch component, and a flexible strap. The cross component includes an elongated panel and a track section, wherein the elongated panel defines latch-receiving apertures. The latch component includes an elongated plate and opposing hooks extending from the elongated plate. The flexible strap extends from the cross component to the latch component. The coupling member folds about the flexible strap to move the opposing hooks of the latch component into alignment with the latch-receiving apertures of the cross component. The opposing hooks are configured to move through the latch-receiving apertures to couple the cross component to the latch component. The support interface member is slidably received within the track section of the coupling member and is configured to slidably transition between a storage position and a hanging position.