US 4,377,231 AGranted

Modular merchandise display tower

OwnerThomas V. Murphyinventor

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Abstract

The disclosure relates to a modular tower-like structure for displaying merchandise for point of purchase sale. The basic tower is formed of cylinders of a plastic sheet material, such as clear "rigid" die cut vinyl plastic, of a thickness enabling it to be collapsed into a relatively flat form for shipping and storage. The sheet plastic tower elements are given a rigid cylindrical form by means of molded plastic end rings, which are of a channel-like cross sectional configuration to lockingly receive the ends of the cylinders. The end rings are of a form and configuration enabling two of them to be bonded in back-to-back relation, providing a structural interlock between the top of one tower module and the bottom of a second tower module above it. The structure is simple, inexpensive, conveniently packaged and shipped, and easily assembled at the display site.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A multi-story tower structure for the display and dispensing of articles of merchandise which comprises,

(a) a plurality of cylindrical tower modules formed of clear transparent sheet-like plastic material having characteristics of substantial dimensional stability and at least sufficient flexibility to be capable of being pressed relatively flat,
(b) connecting ring formed of relatively rigid material and having opposed oppositely directed axially opening annular recesses of short axial length in relation to the axial length of said tower modules,
(c) a pair of said tower modules being received in and end portions thereof being lockingly engaged with said annular recesses to define a multi-story tower structure having a continuous tubular interior for the reception of display merchandise or the like,
(d) generally circular bottom-forming means removably supported in one of said tower modules,
(e) one of said tower modules having a merchandise access opening therein at a level above said bottom-forming means,
(f) a merchandise dispensing spout extending outward and upward from said access opening to enable removal of display merchandise from said structure.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.