Point of purchase display case

Abstract

A case for displaying articles includes an elongate transparent tube for viewing articles located therein. The interior of the tube is a lumen into which is placed a plurality of articles. Articles that are compressible can be compressed to fit into the tube and then expand against the walls of the tube to be held fast therein. A channel is imparted into the tube, lengthwise, to allow access to articles placed in the lumen. The tube is made from a transparent semi-rigid plastic, such as butyrate. A pair of end caps are attached to each of the opposite ends of the tube, one of the end caps allowing access into the lumen of the tube for purposes of loading the tube with articles. The case can be attached to a store shelf or other retail display.

1 . A case for displaying articles, comprising: 
 an elongate tube having a lumen and first and second ends;    a channel imparted lengthwise in said elongate tube, said channel communicating with said lumen;    a first closed end cap coupled upon said first end of said tube; and    a second end cap coupled upon said second end of said tube, said second end cap having means for accessing said lumen.    
     
     
         2 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein said tube is see-through.  
     
     
         3 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein said channel further comprises rounded edges.  
     
     
         4 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein said tube is comprised of a semi-rigid plastic.  
     
     
         5 . The case of  claim 4 , wherein said semi-rigid plastic is butyrate.  
     
     
         6 . The case of  claim 1 , further comprising attachment means for attaching said display case to retail store shelves.  
     
     
         7 . A display case for displaying articles, comprising: 
 an elongate tube having a lumen and first and second ends;    a channel imparted lengthwise is said elongate tube; and    means for accessing said lumen from either said first or second ends.    
     
     
         8 . The case of  claim 7 , wherein said tube is see-through.  
     
     
         9 . The case of  claim 7 , wherein said channel further comprises rounded edges.  
     
     
         10 . The case of  claim 7 , wherein said tube is comprised of a semi-rigid plastic.  
     
     
         11 . The case of  claim 10 , wherein said semi-rigid plastic is butyrate.  
     
     
         12 . The case of  claim 7 , further comprising attachment means for attaching said display case to retail store shelves.  
     
     
         13 . A case for displaying articles, comprising: 
 An elongate tube having a lumen and first and second ends;    A channel imparted lengthwise in said elongate tube, said channel communicating with said lumen;    A first closed end cap permanently affixed upon said first end of said tube; and    A second closed end cap permanently affixed upon said second end of said tube.