AU2008101228A4 - Display housing - Google Patents

Description

Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 INNOVATION PATENT SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

Name of Applicant: The Heat Group Pty Ltd Actual Inventors: Address for Service: Unit 1, Building B, 18-24 Ricketts Road, Mt Waverley, Victoria 3149, Australia Gillian FRANKLIN Renee ROSPERICH Beverley CRAIG Wayne BROOMHALL David KEYHOE Keith WEINBERGER DAVIES COLLISON CAVE, Patent Attorneys, 1 Nicholson Street, Melbourne 3000, Victoria, Australia Innovation Patent specification for the invention entitled: "Display housing" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: Q \OPERUPN\2OO8\NOVEMBER\30653541 33OINNOVDOC 28111/08 P:OPER/JPN0c N0co030653541 p= doc-28i 1/2008 00 -1- 0 4 DISPLAY HOUSING 00 Field of the Invention 00 This invention relates to a display housing for vending products and to a method of vending products.

00 Background of the Invention It is common to find cosmetics for sale in supermarkets, discount department stores, large department stores, and pharmacies. Cosmetics sold in such stores are typically displayed on a shelf, a fixed rack, or in a display stand which sits on a floor surface or on a counter. Cosmetic items, such as mascara, are typically sold in a cosmetic department of a shop. The applicant has determined that such placement of cosmetics within a shop limits the exposure of the product to customers who have specifically sought that product by locating the department of the shop. The applicant has also determined that existing temporary display stands of the type which rest on a floor surface or on a counter surface occupy valuable floor/counter space and are therefore considered undesirable and inconvenient. Temporary displays also increase the opportunities for theft/shrinkage, especially for higher value and smaller items, like cosmetics.

Examples of the present invention seek to provide an improved display housing which overcomes or at least alleviates one or more of the disadvantages associated with the prior art.

Summary of the Invention In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display housing for vending products comprising a body for displaying for sale a plurality of items and an attachment means for mounting the body relative to or near a point of sale register.

The display housing enables utilisation of previously unusable space between the point of sale register and the end of counter on which the register is supported. Advantageously, the display housing may be arranged in a way that does not negatively impact the cash P: OPER1JNma, factor,3O653541 m doc-281/ I,1200 00 -2- Z register's display's visibility or visibility of the customer to the cashier while delivering a 00 high impact selling display providing incentive to consumers to purchase incrementally. In

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addition, the unit can be supported by the cash register so that, even if there is no counter 00 space available at all, the unit can still be used.

Preferably, the attachment means is adapted for mounting the body to the point of 00 sale register. More preferably, the attachment means is adapted for supporting the display Shousing relative to the point of sale register.

In a preferred example, the display housing is adapted such that, when fitted in place, an upper surface of the display housing is located below an upper surface of the point of sale register. More preferably, the display housing is adapted such that, when fitted in place, an upper surface of the display housing is located directly below a display of the point of sale register.

Preferably, the attachment means includes a clamp for clamping to the point of sale register. More preferably, the clamp is adapted for clamping around a tubular support of a display unit of the point of sale register. Alternatively, the attachment means may include a coupling for coupling the display housing to a point of sale register. In one example, the coupling is in the form of a hook for hooking the display housing to the side of a point of sale register.

Preferably, the attachment means includes a clamp for clamping around an edge of a counter on which the point of sale register is supported.

Preferably, the attachment means includes a mounting component which is able to be adjusted in position relative to the body. More preferably, the mounting component is able to be adjusted in vertical, horizontal and/or rotational position relative to the body.

Even more preferably, the mounting component has a locking member for selectively locking the mounting component in vertical, horizontal and/or rotational position relative to the body.

P OPERUPNV- fm oto\653541 ip=.doc-2V1 flnns 00 00 -3- Z Preferably, the attachment means includes multiple mounting components which 00oO allow the installer to choose which mounting method or mounting location would work for

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the requirements of each specific location. This would allow a single designed and 00 produced unit to be used across multiple environments and retailers.

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In one form, the body includes a plurality of housing bays opening at each side of 0the housing, and a display surface at a front of the body for advertising the items, arranged 00 Ssuch that outside ends of the items in the housing bays protrude to each side of the display surface, and wherein the clamp is in the form of a resilient sleeve for fitting around the tubular support. Preferably, each of the housing bays has a depth shorter than a length of each of the items so that ends of the items protrude beyond the openings of the housing bays. The housing bays may of course have some other configuration which makes consumer shopping and purchase of said units from the selling display easy and efficient.

Preferably, the body includes two sets of opposed housing bays opening to opposite lateral sides of the body, both sets of housing bays being oriented such that a longitudinal axis of each of the housing bays lies substantially parallel to a plane of the display surface.

Even more preferably, each of the housing bays is angled upwardly.

In a preferred example, the items are cosmetic items. In one particular example, the cosmetic items are in the form of mascara items.

In one form, the display housing includes one or more substantially horizontal arms protruding outwardly from each side of the body, allowing products which require hanging to be displayed.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of vending items comprising the steps of: providing a display housing; mounting attachment means of the display housing to a point of sale register so as to attach the display housing to the register; and locating items for display within a plurality of housing bays of the display body.

PAO)PERUPPNV A30o6533A I .p d..21I IflO 0 0 -4- 00 Preferably, the display housing is suspended from the point of sale register by the attachment means. More preferably, the method further includes the step of displaying on 00 a front display surface of the display housing an advertisement in relation to the items, for

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N, 5 encouraging customers at the point of sale register to purchase one or more of said items.

The advertisement may be a discount offer, technical explanation, or branding message in 00 relation to the items.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention is described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a display housing in accordance with an example of the present invention, shown in situ fitted to a point of sale register; Figure 2 is a side perspective view of the display housing, shown fitted to a different point of sale register; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic front view of the display housing; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic side view of the display housing; Figure 5 is a diagrammatic plan view of the display housing; Figure 6 is a rear perspective view of an alternative display housing; Figure 7 is a top view of the display housing shown in Figure 6; Figure 8 is a front perspective view of a display housing in accordance with another example of the present invention, shown in situ fitted to a counter; P:AOPERPN' m. fcdJO6 3JI sp- doc-28/1I1/200S 00 0o Z Figure 9 is a rear perspective view of the display housing shown in Figure 8, shown 00 in a reversed configuration; and 00 Figure 10 is a front perspective view of a display housing in accordance with 5 another example of the present invention.

SDetailed Description With reference to the figures, an example of the invention provides a display housing 10 which provides convenient and highly visible display of cosmetic items at a point of sale location within a shop. This is achieved by the ability of the display housing to be supported on a point of sale register 12, without occupying valuable counter space and without blocking the customer's visibility to the register display or the cashier.

More particularly, with reference to Figures 1 to 7, an example of the invention provides a display housing 10 for vending cosmetics comprising a container body 14 for containing a plurality of cosmetic items 16, such as mascara items, and an attachment means 18 for mounting the container body 14 to a point of sale register 12.

The attachment means 18 is adapted for mounting the container body 14 to a point of sale register 12 in the form of a cash register 20, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Advantageously, the display housing 10 is attached to the point of sale register 12 in such a way that the customer's visibility is not substantially blocked, by virtue of the display housing 10 being dimensioned and arranged relative to the register 12 so that an upper surface 60 of the display housing 10 is located below an upper surface of the point of sale register. In a preferred arrangement, the display housing 10 is arranged with the upper surface 60 of the display housing 10 directly below a display of the point of sale register 12. This arrangement of the display housing 10 directly below the display of the point of sale register 12 may be further advantageous as it locates the display housing 10 near the line of vision of customers looking at the display of the register 12.

With reference to the detailed construction of the display housing 10 as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the container body 14 includes a plurality of housing bays 22 opening at PiOPERUPNmax rIacloA3653541 m doc-2l I/208 00 O -6- Z each side 24, 26 of the housing 10. A display surface 28 is provided at a front of the 00 container body 14 for advertising the cosmetic items, and preferably is configured so as to enable removal and replacement of specific displays mounted inside the display surface 28.

00 The housing bays 22 are arranged such that outer ends of the cosmetic items 16 protrude to 5 each side of the display surface 28, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7.

00 More particularly, each of the housing bays 22 has a depth 30 shorter than a length 32 of each of the cosmetic items 16 so that ends of the cosmetic items 16 protrude beyond the openings 34 of the housing bays 22. The container body 14 includes two sets 36, 38 of opposed housing bays 22 opening to the opposite lateral sides 24, 26 of the container body 14, both sets 36, 38 of housing bays 32 being oriented such that a longitudinal axis 40 of each of the housing bays 22 lies substantially parallel to a plane of the display surface 28.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, each of the sets 36, 38 of opposed housing bays 22 includes three housing bays 22, each of which is angled upwardly toward the respective one of the lateral sides 24, 26 so as to prevent the cosmetic items 16 from accidentally falling out of the housing bays 22.

In the example shown in Figures 1 to 5, each of the housing bays 22 holds six cosmetic items 16 (in the example shown in Figures 6 and 7 each housing bay 22 holds eight cosmetic items, for a total capacity of 48 cosmetic items), such that the display housing 10 holds in total 36 cosmetic items 16. With reference to Figure 4, within each bay 22 the cosmetic items 16 are arranged to be two deep in a horizontal direction, and three deep in a vertical direction. The inner end walls 42 are arranged vertically with an outwardly angled foot portion 44 to ensure vertical alignment of the outside ends of the cosmetic items 16, to provide an attractive display to the consumer.

With reference to Figures 4 to 7, the attachment means 18 includes a clamp 46 for clamping around a tubular support 48 of a display unit 50 of the point of sale register 12.

The clamp 46 may be in the form of a resilient sleeve 52 which is able to be elastically deformed so as to fit around the tubular support 48. One or more securing ties 54 may be used to tighten the resilient sleeve 52 about the tubular support 48. A rear portion 56 of the container body 14 may be contoured according to the shape of the resilient sleeve 52 so as to positively locate the container body 14 relative to the resilient sleeve 52.

P %OPERVPNom (noUO633541 q= do.23J] IllOR 00 00 A front surface 58 and a top surface 60 may be formed of clear acrylic so as to hold advertisements and other graphics in place beneath a surface which is able to be cleaned 00 quickly and easily.

N~ The above display housing 10 has been described by way of example only, and 00 modifications are possible within the scope of the invention. In particular, although the Sdisplay housing 10 has been described as being particularly suitable for housing cosmetic items 16, and specifically mascara items, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other items may be housed in other examples of display housings in accordance with the present invention.

In an alternative example, the attachment means may include a coupling in the form of a hook for hooking the display housing to the side of a point of sale register.

Having the coupling in the form of a hook may be particularly suited to using the display housing in some stores (smaller, non-chain pharmacies and the like), where cash registers do not face consumers in the same way as shown in the Figures. The hook facilitates coupling the display housing to the side of a register, in contrast to the clamp for clamping onto the support tube of the register display.

In another alternative example, the attachment means may include an adjustable mounting component which, in contrast to the sleeve 52 which is fixed in the example shown in the drawings, would allow a gripping component of the display housing to be movable and rotatable relative to the container body. This will allow any individual display housing to be suitable for use in a variety of mounting situations. Whereas the example shown in the drawings is specifically designed for the mounting needs of a particular individual retailer's cash registers and display poles, the adjustable mounting component may facilitate increasing production runs of the display housings and lowering costs, since one design would work across many different (if not all) mounting requirements.

The adjustable mounting component may include a mounting ring/sleeve fitted in a vertical track or the like, thus allowing the ring/sleeve to be moved anywhere between the P \OPERIPON, Nr cor30653541 .pwdoc2I1 MOOS 00 -8- 0 Z top and bottom of the back of the container body, customizing the location of a clamping 00 unit to where needed. The concept would also allow for the clamping unit to rotate at least

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degrees to allow for any horizontal mounting requirements that retail stores may have.

00 The clamping unit may incorporate a locking mechanism (eg. a clamp, screw, etc.) to selectively lock the clamping mechanism into a fixed position on the vertical track and in its horizontal rotation.

00 SAdvantageously, the above-described display housing 10 provides a space-saving means for promoting items housed within the display housing 10, particularly due to the ability of the display housing 10 to be mounted to a point of sale register 12. Research has indicated that the large majority of purchasing decisions are made within a store, as opposed to being planned, and the presence of items at the point of sale will promote sale of those items. Presence of the display housing 10 filled with mascara at the point of sale (which is a high traffic area within a shop) will dramatically increase exposure to the contained items as compared to having those items located in a cosmetics department.

Furthermore, as the display housing 10 is directly in front of a staff member and also typically a queue of customers, shoplifting of items may be reduced.

In another example, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the display housing 10 comprises a container body 14 for containing a plurality of cosmetic items 16, and an attachmenl means 18 in the form of a clamp 62 mounted to a bottom of the container body 14. The clamp 62 is used for securing the display housing 10 to a counter 68 on which the point of sale register sits. This clamp 62 can be mounted on the front or rear of the container body 14 to allow for different designs and requirements of retailers. In Figure 8 the display housing 10 is arranged such that the container body 14 faces inwardly with respect to the edge of the counter 18, whereas in Figure 9 the display housing 10 is arranged such that the container body 14 faces outwardly with respect to the edge of the counter 18.

With reference to the example shown in Figure 10, the container body 14 may include at each side a housing bay 64 running the height of the container body 14. One or more substantially horizontal arms 66 protrude outwardly from the container body 14 at each side of the container body 14, allowing products which require hanging to be displayed using the display housing 10, as shown.

P NOPERUPM~.x raa03065341 I pmdc-2 11/21001 0-9- 0 00 In another example, a front marketing materials section of the display housing is

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replaced with housing bays angled more sharply vertical, to hold products which require 00 less explanation and marketing support than mascaras. The front marketing materials N 5 section may be replaced with pegs protruding from the front of the housing, allowing products which require hanging displays to be displayed by hanging from the pegs.

00 In another form, a housing bay is added to the top of the display housing, allowing more products, or perhaps a different, complimentary product, to be displayed and sold. In keeping with mascaras and cosmetics, this housing could contain eyeliner pencils, an example of an easy and believable add-on sale to a mascara.

The marketing materials on the top of the display housing 10 may be replaced with a section for "tester" products. For products which consumers desire to test, or try, prior to purchase, the section on top of the display housing can be altered to contain the tester product as well as educational material(s) helping consumers understand how the product works and promoting purchase of the product.

In another form plastic components of the display housing are replaced with metal componentry and clamps to establish a display housing that can be more permanent, as opposed to a temporary promotional display.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

Claims (4)

1. A display housing for vending products comprising a body for displaying for sale a 00 plurality of items and an attachment means for mounting the body relative to or near a point of sale register.

2. A display housing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attachment means is adapted 0 for mounting the body to the point of sale register.

3. A display housing as claimed in claim 2, wherein the attachment means is adapted for supporting the display housing relative to the point of sale register.

4. A display housing as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the attachment means includes a clamp for clamping around a tubular support of a display unit of the point of sale register. A display housing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attachment means includes a clamp for clamping around an edge of a counter on which the point of sale register is supported.