Product display systems

Abstract

An adjustable display including a base and one or more gripping portions for engaging and holding articles in the adjustable display is disclosed. Articles of various sizes and shapes can be accommodate in the same adjustable display. The display and the gripping portions can be cut width-wise. A modular display system and a product packaging system are also disclosed.

1 . An display tray for holding an article comprising:
 a base for supporting an article thereon; and   a divider having:
 a mounting portion that is securable to the base in a position protruding therefrom by a mounting portion height, and 
 a gripping portion extending at an angle from the mounting portion longitudinally to overlay an area of the base, the gripping portion configured for flexing towards the mounting portion by amounts that are variable along a lateral direction of the gripping portion for conforming to variously sized and shaped articles for holding the articles with respect to the base. 
   
   
   
       2 . The tray of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting portion is securable to the base at a mounted location, and the gripping portion extends over the base remotely from the mounting element. 
   
   
       3 . The tray of  claim 2 , wherein the base comprises a plurality of mounting elements to which the mounting portion is selectively securable for selectively configuring the tray by positioning the divider at a desired mounting element. 
   
   
       4 . The tray of  claim 1 , wherein the gripping portion comprises flexible members that are flexible substantially independently from each other and are disposed along the lateral direction for flexing by different amounts according to a curvature of an article held thereby. 
   
   
       5 . The tray of  claim 4 , wherein the flexible members comprise a plurality of spaced projections that are independently bendable towards the base by varying amounts. 
   
   
       6 . The tray of  claim 5 , wherein the gripping portion comprises a flexible gripping layer connecting the flexible members to provide a substantially continuous edge distal from the mounting portion. 
   
   
       7 . The tray of  claim 6 , wherein the flexible gripping layer is made of an elastomeric material, and the flexible members are made of a plastic material. 
   
   
       8 . The tray of  claim 4 , wherein the flexible members comprise a hinge that is spaced longitudinally from the mounting portion. 
   
   
       9 . The tray of  claim 8 , wherein the hinge comprises a plurality of hinges. 
   
   
       10 . The tray of  claim 4 , wherein the flexible members comprise first and second flexible element extending longitudinally and connectors extending laterally to join adjacent flexible elements. 
   
   
       11 . The tray of  claim 10 , wherein the flexible elements have hinges between the connectors. 
   
   
       12 . The tray of  claim 11 , wherein the hinges comprise living hinges. 
   
   
       13 . The tray of  claim 11 , wherein the gripping portion comprises a flexible gripping layer connecting the flexible members to provide a substantially continuous edge distal from the mounting portion. 
   
   
       14 . The tray of  claim 1 , wherein the gripping portion comprises a gripping portion extending laterally on opposing sides of the mounting portion. 
   
   
       15 . The tray of  claim 1 , wherein the divider is substantially L or T-shaped. 
   
   
       16 . The tray of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of the dividers for holding articles between the dividers. 
   
   
       17 . The tray of  claim 1 , wherein the divider has weakened zones disposed and configured for facilitating splitting off a lateral portion of the divider. 
   
   
       18 . The tray of  claim 17 , further comprising a lateral sidewall configured to engage to a lateral side of the base, wherein the base comprises a plurality of attachment features configured for engaging the sidewall upon removal of a lateral portion of the base. 
   
   
       19 . The tray of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one of a side wall, a front wall, and a rear wall, and a partial cover that are affixed with the base around the divider. 
   
   
       20 . A modular display system, comprising:
 the tray of  claim 1 ; and   a pair of rails, the tray and the rails comprising complementary retention elements for supportively mounting the tray to the rails at a selectable height.   
   
   
       21 . The modular display system of  claim 20 , further comprising at least one of a back wall secured with respect to the rails and disposed behind the tray and a hanging device supporting the rails, wherein the display system is a power wing display. 
   
   
       22 . A tray for holding an article comprising:
 at least one recess defining an article receiving cavity, the recess comprising a first article receiving portion and a second article receiving portion; and   a support device placed on the base, the support device surrounding at least a portion of the recess and comprising a tab member extending inwardly towards the recess,   wherein the first and second article receiving portions have different general configurations.   
   
   
       23 . The tray of  claim 22 , wherein the first and second article receiving portions are provided at different heights within the tray. 
   
   
       24 . The tray of  claim 22 , wherein the first and second article receiving portions respectively comprise a generally arcuate configuration and a generally rectangular configuration. 
   
   
       25 . The tray of  claim 22 , wherein the tab member has sufficient flexibility to bend around an article inserted in the recess. 
   
   
       26 . The tray of  claim 22 , further comprising a front wall, a rear wall, and side walls, wherein the rear wall has a height greater than the front wall and the side walls in an undulating fashion from a minimum height proximate the front wall to a maximum height proximate the rear wall. 
   
   
       27 . A combination of a article display case and a shipping carton comprising:
 an article display case including:   a support member for receiving one of a plurality of articles of the same or different sizes and shapes;   an article engaging member which surrounds at least a portion of one or more of the articles and which further includes a plurality of tab members that extend toward the article(s);   wherein, the article engaging member accommodates articles of different size or shape and is in sufficient contact with the article(s) to assist in retaining the articles on the support member, and wherein the tab members have sufficient flexibility to bend to accommodate placement of the article(s) on the tray member; and   a shipping container that surrounds the display case and retains the article(s) therein.