Slidable Display Header for Compact Shipping and Retail Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing product displays do not efficiently manage the visibility of product indicia during storage, transport, and retail display, as they either obscure the indicia or increase the display's height unnecessarily.
Innovation Solution
A product display system featuring a display header slidably mounted to a product-support structure using elastic members, allowing the header to retract for shipping and extend for display, thereby maintaining indicia visibility while reducing the display's height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the display header is permanently extended for displaying product indicia, then customer visibility of product information is improved, but the display height increases unnecessarily for storage and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The display header is made dynamically movable between extended and retracted positions through a sliding mechanism guided by rails. The header can be positioned in an extended state during retail display to maximize product indicia visibility, and retracted to a compact position during storage and transport to minimize display height. This dynamic positioning capability resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to adapt its configuration based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The display header is designed to nest within the product-support structure when retracted. The header slides into a receiving compartment or mounting pocket formed by the product-support structure, creating a compact nested configuration that reduces overall display height while maintaining full functionality when extended. This nesting approach allows the display system to achieve a compact form factor for logistics while preserving full display capability for retail use.
2Length of stationary object
If the display header is retracted for shipping to reduce height, then storage and transport efficiency is improved, but product indicia visibility is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding mechanism with rails and elastic members enables the display header to be easily positioned between retracted and extended states. During shipping, the header remains retracted to minimize height, while at retail locations, the header can be smoothly extended to ensure full product indicia visibility. The dynamic nature of this mechanism allows rapid transition between states without complex assembly or disassembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
Elastic members provide automatic positioning and retention forces that maintain the display header in either the extended or retracted position without requiring additional locking mechanisms or manual intervention. The elastic biasing system self-regulates to hold the header in the appropriate position based on the operational context, eliminating the need for complex control systems while ensuring reliable visibility or compactness as needed.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid mounting system is used to secure the display header, then structural stability is improved, but ease of assembly and disassembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding mounting system replaces rigid fixed mounting with a dynamic rail-based mechanism that allows the display header to move smoothly between positions. The elastic members provide consistent contact force to maintain stability during operation while allowing easy movement during assembly and disassembly. This dynamic approach eliminates the need for complex fastening procedures while maintaining structural integrity throughout the product lifecycle.
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional rigid mechanical fastening systems (screws, clips, or permanent adhesives) are replaced with an elastic biasing system that uses spring force for mounting. The elastic members engage with simple guide rails and mounting surfaces, eliminating the need for threaded fasteners or complex joining mechanisms. This substitution maintains stable mounting through continuous elastic contact while dramatically simplifying assembly and disassembly operations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy storage and transport by retracting the display header, while ensuring product indicia remains visible to customers when the display is set up, thus optimizing retail presentation and logistical efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The display header is mounted to the product-support structure by a plurality of elastic members. The elastic members are configured to move the display header from a retracted shipping position to an extended display position.
Data Source
AI summary
A product display system includes a product-support structure with a plurality of cabinets, a plurality of spacers, a base tray, and a cover plate. The cabinets and spacers are inserted into a cavity in the base tray in an alternating pattern around a peripheral wall of the base tray and the cover plate is placed on a top end of the spacers and cabinets, opposite the base tray. The product display system includes a display header that is slidable along a vertical axis with respect to the product-support structure. The display header includes an elongated header tube which includes sidewall panels.The product display system can include one or more elastic members that connect the display header to the product-support structure and bias the display header to an upright position.