GB2461118A

GB2461118A - Compartmented storage and display item, in particular advent calendar

Info

Publication number: GB2461118A
Application number: GB0811477A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Mustill
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-06-23
Filing date: 2008-06-23
Publication date: 2009-12-30
Also published as: GB0811477D0

Abstract

A display means also having means 11 for the retention of articles is described. The display means has a storage element 11 including a series of compartments 12 in which objects can be placed. The compartments are closed by covering with a cover piece 14. Openable elements 15 in the cover piece are located over each compartment allowing objects to be put into and removed. The cover piece can be secured to the display means by an adhesive or by other means such as a hook and loop fastening. Alternatively, the storage element has runners within which the cover piece can be slid into position. The display means is suitable for hanging from a wall or can be made free standing. The display means may be sold as a kit of parts allowing a user to fill the storage compartments and then add the cover piece. The arrangement is designed to be used as an advent calendar in particular an advent calendar which is filled by the user so that the calendar is tailored for particular children or corporate calendars can be created.

Description

AN IMPROVED DISPLAY MEANS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an improved display means. In particular, the invention concerns a display allowing articles to be retained and accessed individually.

Background to the Invention

The use of structures and devices to retain and display a plurality of articles simultaneously is well known. A sub-set of such devices are those sold as advent calendars. In such calendars, a front cover piece has a series of doors, either removable or hingeably mounted which can be opened to reveal what lies therebehind. Each of the doors has a number thereon to indicate which door should be opened on which particular day. Depending on the type of calendar, what lies behind the door can be a picture showing a suitable image or alternatively an article such as a chocolate or a small gift.

However the picture or gift is often determined by the manufacture.

Alternatively, the calendar can be made having on its outer display surface a set of pockets, each pocket again being numbered to tally with the particular day on which the pocket should be selected. The pockets are so sized as to allow a small item such as a sweet, gift etc to be placed therein. In order to be able to withstand * 25 the weight of articles, then calendars are often made of a cloth material.

Moreover, in order to function they require a surface against which they can be S...

suspended. As the calendar is not free-standing its positioning is therefore * * restricted.

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* 30 It is an object of the present invention to provide a display device, and in particular an advent calendar which addresses the above disadvantages.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect part of the invention, there is provided a display means for the retention of articles, said display means including; a storage element comprising a series of compartments open over one surface enabling objects to be placed therein; a cover piece locatable across the storage element to cover the open compartments; and having openable elements, such as a door, each openable element being located such that it lies over a compartment on correct placement of the cover piece.

The display means enables articles to be retained and revealed, and revealed in a particular order.

Preferably, the display means has compartments of different sizes enabling articles to be retained. Further preferably, the display means has 24 or 25 compartments, in order for the display means to function as an advent calendar.

Optionally, each openable element is rectangular or square in shape and connected to the cover along three perforated edges, enabling the element to be opened and closed. Further optionally, each element is completely removable.

*.,... Yet further optionally, each openable element has a gripping means to facilitate S...

opening of the element. Preferably, the cover piece is fixable to the storage * *, 30 element by an adhesive, which further preferably allows the cover to be removably fixable for the display means to be usable on more than one occasion. *.*

* Alternatively the cover piece is fixable to the storage element by means of a Velcro fastening or the like to enable re-use.

Optionally, the cover piece is slidable within runners on the storage element to enable the cover piece to be moved between an open position and a close position to assist a user in putting articles into the compartments.

The cover may have an illustration thereon, for example a suitable scene for the use to which the display means is to be put. For example, where the display means is to function as an advent calendar then a Christmas motif may be employed.

The height and the width of the storage element is preferably from 0-8 -1.2m.

Further preferably, the height of the cover piece is at least as great as that of the storage element.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a kit of parts comprising a storage element having a series of compartment, each compartment open over one surface enabling an object to be placed therein; a cover piece having openable elements, such as a door, the cover having fixing means to enable the cover to be fixed to the storage element; the parts being sealed within a package enabling a user to assemble a display means, including articles of their choice.

Brief Description of the Drawings * .S * S *

The invention now described with reference to the accompanying drawings which S...

show by way of example only two embodiments of a display means. In the * ..

drawings; *** Figure 1 illustrates assembly of a display means having a cover illustration as shown in Figure 2; Figure 2 illustrates a cover illustration for an advent calendar; Figure 3 illustrates assembly of a display means having a cover illustration as shown in Figure 4; and Figure 4 illustrates a further cover illustration for an advent calendar.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Means of retaining and displaying articles are well known. Such means can be used to display either a single article or a plurality of articles. Moreover, the display means can include a protection cover in order to ensure that the article or article contained therein do not become damaged or stolen.

Many variations on such display means are known, one of which is popularly known as an advent calendar. Advent calendars are not strictly intended to display the articles contained therein, but to conceal the articles until the day designated for the article to be revealed and, most usually removed.

Conventional advent calendars come in many forms. Typically, the calendar comprises two layers of printed card. On the lower layer, a series of pictures are printed having a Christmas or seasonal theme. Laid thereover is a second layer of card, which also has a similar theme printed thereon. The upper layer has doors corresponding in number and location to coincide with the pictures printed onto the lower card. Each of the doors has a number and this number dictates the order and the date on which the door is opened to reveal the picture. * ** * * * * **

A variation on the same theme does not have a lower layer of card but a set of * * 30 compartments, each compartment combining an object, most of them chocolate, which is removed by the person opening the door. Said objects are normally *** * included in the calendar at the point of manufacture. * ** 1 *

In order to enable more flexibility to be imparted to the product, the present invention is adapted to enable articles to be inserted into the calendar by purchasers of the blank' calendar. This feature enables, for example, a form to produce corporate calendars to send to their clients or employees. Also parents can tailor the calendar to their children. For example, where a child has a nut allergy then only chocolates not including nut products can be included, giving the parent and the child certainty.

In Figure 1, a first embodiment of a display device 10 is shown. The retainer 11 left hand image has twenty five compartments 12, 13 into which a user can place articles 13 of his choice. It will firstly be recognised that the number of individual compartments need not be twenty five but can be any suitable number determined in advance. Moreover, although the compartments 12 and 13 are of different sizes it is not an essential feature that two sizes to be provided. All the compartments can be made the same size or alternatively many sizes of compartment may be included to allow for products of different sizes to be held.

In the middle image, a cover piece 14 is brought into position to be placed over the retainer 11. The cover piece 14 includes a series of doors 15, each having a knob 16 or similar gripping member to facilitate opening the door when required.

The cover piece 14 only has twenty four doors 15 although the retainer 11 has twenty five compartments 12. A retainer 11 can therefore be used in combination with different cover pieces 14 to suit.

The dimensions of the display device 10 as shown in the Figure 1 is 1.5m high by 0.95m wide with a depth of 0.12m, although devices having other dimensions can be envisaged. The volume of the display device is of the order of 0.25m3 * *** Typically, in order for the articles contained within the device to be of a * reasonable size, then the height and width would be from 0.8 -1.2m. It is also expected that the height of the device 10 be greater than that of the width. In * 30 order to facilitate the display device 10 to be free-standing a strut can be inserted into a receiver (not illustrated) in the rear surface of the device 10. Typically said strut is so sized to give the device 10 a depth of around 0.4m.

The rear surface of the cover piece 14 includes an adhesive enabling the cover piece 14 to be secured to the retainer 11 once the articles have been placed in the compartments 12. In an alternative embodiment, not illustrated, the retainer 11 includes a slot to receive a runner on the rear of the cover piece 14. The adhesive can be such as to allow the cover piece 14 to be placed and removed on a plurality of occasions. Alternatively, a re-usable fastening such as Velcro or the like can be used.

With regard to the materials of manufacture, these should be of sufficient rigidity to remain upright and to retain their shape whilst the device 10 is in the upright position. Paper and board are particularly suitable materials.

Moreover the product can be constructed from corrugated board having a flat profile F', B', N/F' and B/F' together with 2000 micron white lined solid board and l7Ogsm Art Paper. The materials are laminated together, and die cut to shape using tools which are unique to each individual design.

It is envisaged that the device be part assembled using seam gluing and ribbon stitching techniques. An adhesive such as a double-sided tape is applied to the cover piece 14, with the then outer surface of the tape protected from sticking to an unwanted surface by, for example, a strip of waxed paper. The individual parts are wrapped in a suitable protective outer wrapping for assembly by the end user and the insertion of suitable articles into the retainer 11 and closure by positioning the cover 14 in place. * **

* .* In an embodiment, not illustrated, the device 10 includes lights, which may be S...

* * ,* configured to flash, which lights can be powered by inbuilt batteries. *5 * S *

The in-use outer surface 17 of the cover 14 can be illustrated with a suitable design as shown in Figures 2 and 4 which design does not impact on the manner * .. of manufacture or use of the invention. * . . *. * S. S

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It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the invention. * S. * . * * S. I* .1 * $ * *5S S. * * * $0. * .* * 5. * I *. *

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Claims

CLAIMS1. A display means for the retention of articles, said display means including; a storage element cOmprising a series of compartments open over one surface enabling objects to be placed therein; a cover piece locatable across the storage element to cover the open compartments; and having openable elements, such as a door, each openable element being located such that it lies over a compartment on correct placement of the cover piece.
2. A display means according to Claim 1, wherein the display means has * compartments of different sizes enabling articles to be retained.S S..
3. A display means according to Claim 2, wherein the display means has 24 S.'.: or 25 compartments.SS
4. A display means according to any preceding claim, wherein each openable element is rectangular or square in shape and connected to the cover along three perforated edges, enabling the element to be opened and closed.
5. A display means according to Claim 4, wherein each openable element is completely removable.
6. A display means according to any preceding claim, wherein each openable element has a gripping means to facilitate opening of the element.
7. A display means according to any preceding claim, wherein the cover piece is fixable to the storage element by an adhesive.
8. A display means according to Claim 7, wherein the cover is removably fixable.
9. A display means according to Claim 6, wherein the cover piece is removably fixable to the storage element by means of a Velcro fastening or the like.
10. A display means according to Claim 6, wherein the cover piece is slidable within runners on the storage element to enable the cover piece to be moved between an open position and a closed position. * S 5*1s:
11. A display means according to any preceding Claim, wherein the height of *:. the storage element is from 0-8 -1.2m.

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12. A display means according to any preceding claim, wherein the width of the storage element is from 0.8-1.2m.
13. A display means according to any preceding claim, wherein the height of the cover piece is at least as great as that of the storage element.
14. A display means according to any preceding claim, wherein the display means is free-standing.
15. A kit of parts comprising a storage element having a series of compartment, each compartment open over one surface enabling an object to be placed therein; a cover piece having openable elements, such as a door, the cover having fixing means to enable the cover to be fixed to the storage element; the parts being sealed within a package enabling a user to assemble a display means, including articles of their choice.
16. A display means substantially as herein described with reference to the *: : : accompanying drawings. 0.* * S S. * S. S * SS S.,S e*5 *5S * 20 "S