Storage and display case

BACKGROUND

Merchandizing has long involved either the storage or display of products and devices. These products range from boxes to bottles, and anything modular. Often these products are stored and displayed on shelving units, either free-standing or mounted to a wall. These shelving units are generally used to organize products or protect them from damage. Shelving units are commonly seen and utilized in stores where large quantities of merchandise must be stored before their sale.

Different shelving units are also used to display merchandise. One of the purposes of these shelving units is to display a desired product to a potential consumer, thus providing the consumer with an opportunity to visually inspect the product, if only superficially, before purchase.

SUMMARY

An exemplary embodiment discloses an apparatus for storing or displaying products. The apparatus may include a structure having a front, back, top, bottom, right and left sides. The structure may also have a plurality of cavities on the front surface that may be configured in a horizontal row. Immediately adjacent cavities may have different depths and widths, and at least one of the cavities may have a step on a bottom surface of the cavity.

Another exemplary embodiment discloses a method of displaying and storing bottles. The method may include the step of forming a structure that may have a plurality of first cavities in a horizontal row and may have a plurality of second cavities in a horizontal row. The method may also include disposing a product in each of the plurality of first cavities and the plurality of second cavities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments thereof, which description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals indicate like elements, in which:

FIG. 1A is an exemplary front view of a first exemplary embodiment of a storage and display case.

FIG. 1B is an exemplary side view of a first exemplary embodiment of a storage and display case.

FIG. 1C is an exemplary back view of a first exemplary embodiment of a storage and display case.

FIG. 2A is an exemplary front view of a second exemplary embodiment of a storage and display case.

FIG. 2B is an exemplary side view of a second exemplary embodiment of a storage and display case.

FIG. 2C is an exemplary back view of a second exemplary embodiment of a storage and display case.

FIG. 3A is an exemplary front view of a third exemplary embodiment of a storage and display case.

FIG. 3B is an exemplary side view of a third exemplary embodiment of a storage and display case.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the description, discussion of several terms used herein follows.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term “embodiments of the invention” does not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.

Generally referring to FIGS. 1A-3B, a storage and display case for storing or displaying products of similar or varying size and shape may be shown. Products using this case may be stored or displayed in a substantially vertical or horizontal position. Examples of products that could be stored or displayed in this case can include, but are not limited to, bottles, jars, boxes, cartons, or any other modular products. The storage and display case may be modular and light-weight to provide for easy relocation. Also, the storage and display case can be manufactured in any of a variety of different manners.

In a first exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, a storage and display case can be formed from a structure 100. The structure 100 may have a top side 101, bottom side 102, left side 103, right side 104, front side 105 and back side 106. The surface of the front side 105 may include a plurality of cavities, which may have at least two different shapes, for example, a storage cavity 108 and a display cavity 110. The storage cavities 108 and display cavities 110 may be different shapes and sizes and may be located or oriented in any desired manner.

For example, the depth and width of the storage cavities 108 and display cavities 110 may be any size or shape capable of storing or displaying a product. In one exemplary embodiment, the widths of the storage cavities 108 may be greater than the widths of the display cavities 110, the heights of the storage cavities 108 may be about the same as the heights of the display cavities 110 and the depths of the storage cavities 108 may be greater than the depths of the display cavities 110. For example, the storage cavities 108 may be about 14 inches in depth and the display cavities 110 may be about 4.5 inches in depth. Additionally, both the storage cavities 108 and display cavities 110 may have upper walls or surfaces 109 and 111, respectively, that may be formed with two concave surfaces joined at center points, for example, in cathedral shapes. The storage cavities 108 and display cavities 110 may form circular, rectangular or any other desirable shapes.

The structure 100 may also vary in size and shape. The one exemplary embodiment illustrates a structure 100 where the length of the top side 101, bottom side 102, front side 105 and back side 106 may each be about 44 inches, the height of the left side 103, right side 104, front side 105 and back side 106 may each be about 66 to 66.75 inches and the width of the top side 101, bottom side 102, left side 103 and right side 104 may each be about 16 inches. In another exemplary embodiment, edges of the front side 105 may be squared, bullnosed or formed having any other desired edge.

Additional exemplary embodiments may be derived by one of ordinary skill in the art from FIGS. 1A-1C. For example, structure 100 may be manufactured as half of its illustrated size, having half as many storage cavities and display cavities, in FIG. 1A, where the length of top side 101, bottom side 102, front side 105 and back side 106, may each be about 22-22.5 inches wide. Alternatively, structure 100 may be manufactured as half of its illustrated size, having half as many storage cavities and display cavities, in FIG. 1A, where the height of the left side 103, right side 104, front side 105 and back side 106, may each be about 33-34 inches tall.

The structure 100 of a storage and display case may also be imbedded with strips of material 112, 113, which may be used for mounting the structure to a wall or stationary structure, mounting signage on the structure, adding additional support to the overall structure or any other desired use. An example of these strips can be seen in FIGS. 1B and 1C, where the strip 112 may be embedded into the back side 106, flush with the back surface. The second strip 113 may be embedded into the top side 101, flush with the top surface. In other exemplary embodiments, the strips 112, 113, can be positioned in any configuration on the top 101 side and back 106 side.

The storage cavities 108 and display cavities 110 may be positioned in rows and columns. In one exemplary embodiment the storage cavities 108 may be positioned in vertical columns and, similarly, the display cavities 110 may also be positioned in vertical columns. Along a given row or column, storage cavities 108 or display cavities 110 may be positioned in any order. For example like cavities may be positioned in vertical columns and the cavities may alternate between display cavities 110 and storage cavities 108 along the horizontal rows. Also, as shown in FIG. 1A, there may be four rows and four columns of cavities, with the same number of storage cavities 108 and display cavities 110. However, in other exemplary embodiments, storage cavities 108 and display cavities 110 can be positioned in any order with respect to both the vertical columns and the horizontal rows.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the storage cavities 108 and display cavities 110 may also be formed with a step 107 on the bottom surface. This step 107 may appear in either or both of the storage cavities 108 and the display cavities 110, but is shown in the first exemplary embodiment to be positioned on the bottom surface of the storage cavity 108. In an exemplary embodiment, the step may be about 1.5 to 2 inches in height and may be positioned about 1.5 inches from the front side 105. For example, this step 107 may provide a rest for the neck of a bottle, thereby providing a designated space in the storage cavities 108 for the horizontal storage of bottles, such as wine bottles or any other desired bottles. Additionally, in another exemplary embodiment, the display cavities 110 may have a depth less the depth of the storage cavities 108, thereby providing a designated space for the vertical display of a single wine bottle or any other desired bottle.

In a different exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, a storage and display case can be formed from a structure 200. The structure 200 may have a top side 201, bottom side 202, left side 203, right side 204, front side 205 and back side 206. On the surface of the front side 205 may be a plurality of cavities, for example, a storage cavity 208 and a display cavity 210. The storage cavities 208 and display cavities 210 may be any number of different shapes and sizes.

For example, the depth and width of the storage cavities 208 and display cavities 210 may be any size or shape capable of storing or displaying a product. In this exemplary embodiment, the widths of the storage cavities 208 may be greater than the widths of the display cavities 210, the height of the storage cavities 208 may be about the same as the heights of the display cavities 210 and the depths of the storage cavities 208 maybe greater than the depths of the display cavities 210. For example, the storage cavities 208 may be about 14 inches in depth and the display cavities 210 may be about 4.5 inches in depth. Additionally, both the storage cavities 208 and display cavities 210 may have upper walls or surfaces, 209 and 211, respectively, that may be in a cathedral shape, for example, two concave surfaces joined at a center point.

The structure 200 may also vary in size and shape. An exemplary embodiment illustrates a structure 200 where the length of the top side 201, bottom side 202, front side 205 and back side 206 may each be about 44 inches, the left side 203, right side 204, front side 205 and back side 206 may each have a height of about 17.5 inches and the width of the top side 201, bottom side 202, left side 203 and right side 204 may each be about 16 inches. In another exemplary embodiment, edges of the front side 205 may be squared, bullnosed or formed having any other desired edge.

The structure 200 of a storage and display case may also include a strip of material 212 which provides for, but is not limited to, mounting the structure to a wall or stationary structure, mounting signage on the structure, adding additional support to the overall structure or any other desired purpose. An example of this strip 212 can be seen in FIGS. 2B and 2C, where the strip 212 may be embedded into the back side 206, flush with the back surface. This strip 212 can also be positioned in any configuration on the back side 206.

The storage cavities 208 and display cavities 210, in some exemplary embodiments, may only be positioned in a single row. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 2A-2C, the storage cavities 208 and display cavities 210 may be positioned in a single horizontal row. Along the row, storage cavities 208 or display cavities 210 may be positioned in any order. Here the storage cavities 208 and display cavities 210 alternate between display cavities 210 and storage cavities 208 along the row. Also, an equal number of storage cavities 208 and display cavities 210 may alternate positions along the row. The storage and display case structure 200 can further vary in size and shape to better satisfy different demands, for example, accommodating any sized product.

In further exemplary embodiments, the storage cavities 208 and display cavities 210 may also be formed with a step 207 on a bottom surface. This step 207 may appear in either or both the storage cavities or display cavities, but is shown in this exemplary embodiment as positioned on a bottom surface of a storage cavity 208. In an exemplary embodiment, the step may be about 1.5 to 2 inches in height and may be positioned about 1.5 inches from the front side 105. For example, this step 207 may provide a rest for the neck of a bottle, thereby providing a designated space in the storage cavities 208 for the horizontal storage of bottles, such as wine bottles or any other desired bottles. Additionally, in another exemplary embodiment, the display cavities 210 may have a depth less the depth of the storage cavities 208, thereby providing a designated space for the vertical display of a single wine bottle or any other desired bottle.

In another exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a storage and display case can be formed from a structure 300. The structure 300 may have a top side 301, bottom side 302, left side 303, right side 304, front side 305 and back side 306. The surface of the front side 305 may include a plurality of cavities that may have at least two different shapes, for example, a storage cavity 308 and a display cavity 310. The storage cavity 308 and display cavity 310 may be of different shapes and sizes.

For example, the depth and width of the storage cavity 308 and display cavity 310 may be any size or shape capable of storing or displaying a product. In this exemplary embodiment, the width of the storage cavity 308 may be greater than the width of the display cavity 310, the height of the storage cavity 308 mat be about the same as the height of the display cavity 310 and the depth of the storage cavity 308 may be greater than the depth of the display cavity 310. For example, the storage cavity 308 may be about 14 inches in depth and the display cavity 310 may be about 4.5 inches in depth. Additionally, both the storage cavity 308 and display cavity 310 may have an upper wall or surface, 309 and 311, respectively, that may be a cathedral shape, for example, two concave surfaces joined at a center point.

The structure 300 may also vary in size and shape. FIGS. 3A-B illustrate an exemplary structure 300 where the length of the top side 301, bottom side 302, front side 305 and back side 306 may each be about 22 inches, the height of the left side 303, right side 304, front side 305 and back side 306 may each be about 17.5 inches and width of the top 301, bottom 302, left 303 and right 304 sides may each be about 16 inches. In another exemplary embodiment, front side 305 edges may be squared, bullnosed or formed having any other desired edge.

The storage cavity 308 and display cavity 310 may be positioned in any manner, for example, single row with a single storage cavity 308 adjacent to a single display cavity 310. Further, the storage and display case structure 300 can vary in size and shape to better satisfy different demands, for example, products of all sizes.

The storage cavity 308 and display cavity 310 may also be formed with a step 307 on a bottom surface. This step 307 may be utilized in either the storage cavity 308 or the display cavity 310, but may be positioned, for example, on the bottom surface of the storage cavity 308. In an exemplary embodiment, the step 307 may be about 1.5 to 2 inches in height and may be positioned about 1.5 inches from the front side 305. Other positions, locations an orientations of step 307 may be utilized. For example, this step 307 may provide a rest for the neck of a bottle, thereby providing a designated space in the storage cavities 308 for the horizontal storage of bottles, such as wine bottles or any other desired bottles. Additionally, in another exemplary embodiment, the display cavities 310 may have a depth less the depth of the storage cavities 308, thereby providing a designated space for the vertical display of a single wine bottle or any other desired bottle.

Generally referring to FIGS. 1A-3B, the structure of the storage and display case can be made of any material capable of retaining a shape, for example, but not limited to, wood, plastic, metal, foam or combinations of materials. Another example of material suitable to form the structure of the storage and display case is 1.5 pound foam. This foam can be cut, carved, stamped or injection molded, among other methods know to one having ordinary skill in the art, into a desired structure shape, for example structure 100, 200 or 300. Alternatively, a fiberglass shell may be molded and filled with a foam or other shape retaining material. Imperfections can also be added to the surface of the structure to add a textured or unique finish. A polyurea or plastic coating may also be used to coat the final structure after the strips have been embedded or otherwise disposed thereon. The plastic coating may, for example, comprise a two part mixture combined to catalyze and harden upon application. Other finishes may also be used that may be unique to the material, such as a stained finish for wood.

Any strips and steps, for example steps 107, 207, or 307, described herein may also be formed of any material capable of retaining its shape, for example, but not limited to, wood, plastic, metal, foam or combinations of materials. These strips may be made of the same or different material as the structure. Additionally, hook and loop fasteners or any other fastener or adhesive may be added to any surface or any other portion of the structure. For example, a strip of hook and loop fasteners may be placed directly below the display cavities, having about the same width as the display cavities. Alternatively, small adhesive or hook and loop strips of any shape, for example circular or rectangular, may be used. These fasteners may be used for attachment of price tags, advertisements or any other desired signage, for example.

The foregoing description and accompanying drawings illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.