Method for loading merchandise onto pegboard display

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of loading packaged merchandise onto a display peg. More particularly, the method includes the step of attaching a group of packages to a looped carrier such that the packages are gathered together with hanging holes provided in individual packages in substantial alignment with each other. The gathered packages are applied to a display peg together with the looped carrier by causing the display peg to pass through the aligned hanging holes of the gathered packages. The looped carrier is then removed from the gathered packages to thereby release them onto the display peg for individual dispensing therefrom.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A method of loading packaged merchandise onto a display peg, comprising the steps of attaching a group of packages to a looped carrier such that the packages are gathered together with hanging holes provided in individual packages in substantial alignment with each other; applying the gathered packages to a display peg together with the looped carrier by causing the display peg to pass through the aligned hanging holes of the gathered packages; and removing the looped carrier from the gathered packages to thereby release them onto the display peg for individual dispensing therefrom.  
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the gathered packages are applied to the display peg by manually gripping the looped carrier and physically moving the gathered packages and the looped carrier relative to the display peg.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the gathered packages an d the looped carrier are slid onto the display peg.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the gathered packages are attached to the looped carrier by threading the looped carrier through the hanging holes of the individual packages.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein the looped carrier is in the form of a closed loop.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein the looped carrier is removed from the gathered packages by unknotting the looped carrier.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein the looped carrier is removed from the gathered packages by opening the closed loop.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the closed loop is opened by an unstapling operation.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the closed loop is opened by an unlocking operation.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the closed loop is opened by detaching adhesively attached portions of the looped carrier.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the closed loop is opened by a tearing operation.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the closed loop is opened by a cutting operation.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the closed loop is opened by a piercing operation.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the gathered packages are attached to the looped carrier by extending a tongue-like element of the looped carrier through the hanging holes of the individual packages.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the looped carrier is in the form of an open loop.  
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the looped carrier is in the form of a closed loop.  
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the looped carrier is removed from the gathered packages by withdrawing the tongue-like element from the hanging holes of the gathered packages.  
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the gathered packages are attached to the looped carrier by clamping the looped carrier to the gathered packages.  
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein the looped carrier is removed from the gathered packages by an unclamping operation.  
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the gathered packages are guided onto the display peg by the looped carrier.  
     
     
         21 . A method of bundling packages having hanging holes adapted for reception on a display peg, comprising the steps of aligning the hanging holes of a plurality of the packages; and attaching a looped carrier to the packages such that the packages are gathered together with their hanging holes in substantial alignment with each other and with the looped carrier accessible for manual gripping.  
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 21 , further comprising the step of using the looped carrier to transport the grouped packages as a stabilized and integrated unit.  
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 21 , further comprising the steps of applying the gathered packages to a display peg together with the looped carrier by causing the display peg to pass through the aligned hanging holes of the gathered packages; and removing the looped carrier from the gathered packages to thereby release them onto the display peg for individual dispensing therefrom.  
     
     
         24 . A method of loading a group of packages onto a display peg, the packages having been gathered together by a looped carrier, said method comprising the steps of applying the gathered packages to a display peg together with the looped carrier by causing the display peg to pass through the aligned hanging holes of the gathered packages; and removing the looped carrier from the gathered packages to thereby release them onto the display peg for individual dispensing therefrom.  
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 24 , wherein the gathered packages are applied to the display peg by manually gripping the looped carrier and physically moving the gathered packages and the looped carrier relative to the display peg.  
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein the gathered packages and the looped carrier are slid onto the display peg.  
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 24 , wherein the gathered packages are guided onto the display peg by the looped carrier.