Stress Resistant Supermarket Dispenser for Informational Sheets

The problem of distributing informational sheets in supermarkets, grocery stores, and the like is known, wherein large numbers of potential users necessitate the provision of dispensers which can withstand heavy utilization while obtaining the attention of customers. U.S. Pat. No. 4,016,977 granted Apr. 12, 1977 to Richard G. Krautsack, for example, discloses an assemblage in which a plate, or rectilinear configuration, supported by one of two means, permits distribution of such sheets. While such a device is of acknowledged utility in installations where limited amounts of stress through usage are placed on the device, a dispenser with increased stress resistant capacity is more practical for situations in which a heavy flow of users necessitates a superior support system.

Briefly stated, the invention contemplates the provision of a flexible synthetic resinous plate, having adhesive material on the rear surface thereof; providing an improved arrangement such that the plate is of cruciform configuration and support is provided by a shelf-indica and adhesion to a flat surface. Since the dispenser also possesses a greater surface area than prior art devices in the field of invention, the shopper's attention is more easily obtained; the greater surface area permitting the utilization, for example, of red block lettering on the additional available surface area. A part of the device is scored to permit facile bending when engagement with a horizontal shelf surface is made.

In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view as seen from the plan 2-2 in FIG. 1, showing the device being attached to a shelf.

FIG. 3 is a plan view thereof.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view as seen from the right of FIG. 4, showing the device in attached condition to a shelf.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view as seen from the right of FIG. 4, showing an additional means of attachment to a flat surface

In accordance with the first embodiment of the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10, includes support means 11 for dispensing informational sheets 12. Each sheet has a hole 13 near the upper edge 14, through which a pin 15, having an enlarged head 16 may be placed; said pin passing through sheets 12 and support means 11 at hole 17 to be secured at rear thereof. The sheets 12 are pulled from pin 15 by tearing the sheet at a point to right, left, or therebelow. The support means 11, formed of opaque flexible synthetic resinous sheet material, such as polyethylene, is of cruciform configuration and includes a vertically positioned strip 18 and ears 19 and 20, symmetrically extending laterally from vertical strip 18. The horizontal dimension from ear 19 to ear 20 is greater than the vertical distance between head and base sections 21 and 22 of strip 18. Pressure sensitive adhesive 23, having a release liner covering said adhesive, coats the rear surface of ears 19 and 20. Ears 19 and 20 are identical, each being comprised of: horizontal parallel edges 26 and 28, vertical edge 27, diagonal edges 25 and 29, sharp corners 34-37, and edge 24, which unlike other edges is not free from, but is a part of support means 11.

The embodiment is attached to a shelf as parallel edges 26 and 28 of each ear, sharp corners 34-37 of said ears guarding against potential displacement of the same, are placed in channel 30, having top and bottom flanges 31 and 32. The liner of adhesive material 23 covering said ears is not removed, as inwardly directed pressure applied to the flexible synthetic resinous dispenser secures it against the inner surface of channel 30.

The stress resistant capacity of the informational sheet dispenser is substantial since support is provided by placement of ears 19 and 20, with sharp corners 34-37 within channel 30.

Turning now to the second embodiment of the invention, shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, generally indicated by reference character 38, comprised of similar support means 39 and informational sheets 40; said support means is differentiated from that of the first embodiment by its vertical dimension, such that the distance between head and base sections 41 and 42 is greater than that between 21 and 22. Ear to ear dimension (19 to 20, and 43 to 44) for both embodiments is equivalent, and attachment to and dispensation of said sheets from support means proceed in manner identical to that detailed in description of first embodiment. Adhesive material having a release liner covering said material coats the upper portion 45 of head section as well as the ears 43 and 44.

Support is provided to the second embodiment by either of two means, depending upon the nature of the surface to which the dispenser will be installed.

The first means, as shown in FIGS. 5-6, involves the placement of ears, comprised of edges 46-50 with sharp corners 51-54, within lower and upper flanges 55 and 56 of channel 57, is identical to that utilized with the first embodiment and attaches dispenser to said channel. Liner covering adhesive material, coating ears is not removed and inwardly directed pressure secures invention to channel surface 58; as the liner covering the upper portion 45 is removed, so that the dispenser is also secured to the flat surface directly above channel 57. Placement of ears 43 and 44 with sharp corners 51-54 of edges 46-50, within channel 57, provides a horizontal support base; adhesion of upper portion 45 to flat surface 59 provides a vertical support base as well.

The second means, utilized in situations in which an indicia channel is lacking, but a flat surface, possessing dimensions greater than or equal to the area of the dispenser coated with adhesive material is available. The liner from both ears 43 and 44 and upper portion 45 is removed, so that inwardly directed pressure permits an adhesive attachment between dispenser and said flat surface; such attachment providing the informational sheet dispenser with the capacity to withstand stressful utilization.

In both the first and second embodiments, a scored line 60 or 61 is provided which permits the respective device to be bent through substantially 90.degree. whereby the adhesive material may be adhered to the horizontally disposed surface of a shelf 63. This permits a greater area of adhesive to be engaged, and causes applied stress to act in shear with greater resultant adhesive strength.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and described in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.