FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present embodiment generally relates to retail ready packaging, and in particular, it concerns a shipping method employing a promotion tray to provide a promotional retail sales display at a point of sale.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Retail ready packaging refers to the containers and packaging for retail goods that are ready to be deployed upon arrival at the point of sale for display to, and access by retail consumers. Retail ready packaging, just like its name describes, is packaging that is strong enough to transport retail goods and also attractive enough to be displayed for consumer use. Retail ready packaging has been around for many years and a variety of apparatus and methods of use have been developed for varieties of products. For example, one popular version of retail ready packaging is the boxes of gum that are displayed next to a register at a market The boxes come branded with the gums' color and logo so the boxes are ready to be opened and placed in view for the consumers.

Advantages of retail ready packaging include allowing the producer control over the display and advertising of their product to the consumer. In this context, the term producer refers to the entity from which the retail product comes. Producer can include the company owning the license for the product, the manufacturer of the product, or even the

wholesaler/distributor of the product, depending on the specific product and the product's marketing and distribution cycle.

A large selection of packaging is known in the industry and can be selected for use depending on such factors as the product type, production process, distribution method, and desired end use. The size of the retail packaging varies depending on the size of the product and the desired or required packing flexibility or limitations of the product

Referring to FIGURE 1 is a picture of conventional disposable retail ready packaging. This packaging is designed for a specific product or product line, manufactured, assembled, packed with the product, shipped to the point of sale where it is used, then disposed of as refuse. Each product shipment requires manufacturing and assembly of new packaging. In contrast to disposable packaging, reusable packaging reduces the refuse at the point of sale. Additionally, since the packaging will be reused, the manufacturing cost can be amortized over multiple uses, and the packaging can be manufactured from sturdier (generally more expensive) materials.

An important factor in the cost of shipping an item is the size of the item. In the case of retail ready packaging, it is desirable that the size of the packaging be as small as possible, while accommodating the product appropriately. Disposable retail ready packaging can be designed for the appropriate minimal size for the product, but as stated above, is limited to use with a specific product line. An example of disposable packaging is US patent number 7207473 to Stanley L. Fry for Self-Locking Stackable Tapered Container with Partial Top Structure. This patent teaches a container made of a flexible material, erected from a unitary paperboard blank for the holding, stacking and transporting of various items such as agricultural produce.

Reusable retail ready packaging can also be designed for the appropriate minimal size for the product Conventional reusable packaging is limited to use with a specific product line. There are reusable shipping containers capable of having their height adjusted so that each shipment can accommodate products of a different size, generally height US patent number 7353962 to John Pamall et al, for Bulk Shipping Container Having

Adjustable Height, Collapsible Walls teaches a collapsible container having adjustable height walls. The sidewalls and endwalls are pivotable between an upright position and a collapsed position over the base. The sidewalls and endwalls each further include extension walls movably connected thereto between a nested, unextended position and an upright, extended position. The extension walls of this container must be nested for the container to be collapsed and each wall requires at least one adjacent wall to secure the wall in an upright position. US patent number 6601724 to Gerald R. oefelda, et al for Collapsible Merchandising Container teaches a collapsible container mat includes a portion of a wall that is movable between an open position and a closed position for the purpose of accessing the interior of the container. The height of this container cannot be adjusted (the height of the collapsible wall) and requires at least one adjacent wall to secure the wall in an upright position.

General retail ready packaging may include various boxes and shipping crates that are opened at the point of sale to allow the consumer access to the product This type of packaging generally allows the consumer to view and access only the contents of the top package. In contrast, in promotional retail sales displays it is desirable to have a highly visible display of multiple layers of a product and consumer access to those layers.

It is desirable to have a shipping method that includes a promotion tray for reusable retail ready packaging which can be configured and shipped ready to be loaded, the promotion tray including features such as height adjustment so that each shipment can accommodate products of a different height, consumer access to the product from bom sides of the packaging, and accommodating company branding, advertising, and/or product display information.

SUMMARY

According to the teachings of the present embodiment there is provided a promotion tray comprising a base, two walls, and at least one adjacent flap for each of said two walls, said two walls being configured on opposite sides of said base, said at least one adjacent flap for each of said two walls being configured on opposite sides of said base perpendicular to the sides of said base on which said two walls are configured, wherein said two walls and said at least one adjacent flap for each of said two walls are deployable between an upright state, substantially perpendicular to said base, corresponding to an open state of the promotion tray, and a folded state, substantially parallel to said base,∞n¾sponding to a collapsed state of the promotion tray, wherein each of the two walls locks in the upright state by engagement with the at least one adjacent flap for each of the two walls in said upright state, wherein one of the two walls with the at least one adjacent flap can be deployed in the upright state while another of the two walls with the at least one adjacent flap is deployed in the folded state, the promotion tray in the open state providing a stackable tray with at least one non-enclosed side.

In an optional embodiment, two walls are configured such that when the promotion tray is in the collapsed state the two walls lie in the same plane, the two walls cover a portion of the area of the base, the two adjacent flaps are configured to lie in the same plane, and the two adjacent flaps cover a portion of a con¾sponding one of the two walls.

In another optional embodiment, each of the two walls has an upper edge configured to allow stacking of the promotion tray with other similar trays. In another optional embodiment, a dimension of each of the two walls that contributes to a height of the promotion tray in the upright state is adjustable within a range from a minimum height to a maximum height In another optional embodiment, the walls of the promotion tray are configured to allow the walls to be collapsed while the walls are adjusted within a range from a minimum height to a maximum height In another optional embodiment, the walls of the promotion tray are configured to allow adjustment of the dimension of the walls while the promotion tray is in an open state. In another optional embodiment, the walls of the promotion tray are configured such that when the walls are adjusted to the maximum height and the promotion tray is in the collapsed state, the walls lie in the same plane and cover substantially the entire area of the base. In another optional embodiment, the walls of the promotion tray have an upper edge configured to allow stacking of the promotion tray with other similar trays.

In an optional embodiment, the promotion tray further includes means for removably attaching advertising material to one or more external surfaces of the promotion tray. In another optional embodiment, a method of configuring the promotion tray includes the step of receiving the promotion tray from a point of sale, and removing the advertising material.

In an optional embodiment, a method of configuring the promotion tray for shipping includes adjusting the dimension of the walls to be a first adjusted height In another optional embodiment a method of configuring the promotion tray for shipping includes loading the promotion tray with a first type of products and stacking the promotion trays. In another optional embodiment a method of configuring the promotion tray for deployment includes shipping the stacked promotion tray loaded with product to a point of sale to provide a retail sales display.

In an optional embodiment & method of configuring the promotion tray for deployment includes configuring and collapsing the promotion tray in a first location, and shipping the promotion tray to a second location for loading. In another optional embodiment, a method of configuring the promotion tray for deployment includes collapsing the promotion tray in a first location, and shipping the promotion tray to a second location for configuring and loading.

In an optional embodiment a method of configuring the promotion tray for deployment includes receiving the promotion tray from a point of sale, and preparing the promotion trays for configuring. In another optional embodiment preparing the promotion tray includes cleaning the promotion tray. In another optional embodiment preparing the promotion tray further includes the step of storing the promotion trays. In an optional embodiment, a method of deploying the promotion tray includes: receiving the promotion tray from the point of sale; configuring the promotion tray by adjusting the dimension of the walls to be a second adjusted height; loading the promotion tray with a second type of product stacking the promotion trays; and shipping the stacked promotion trays to a point of sale to provide a retail sales display, thereby repeating the use cycle of the promotion tray.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

The embodiment is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a picture of conventional disposable retail ready packaging.

FIGURE 2A is a drawing of a height adjustable promotion tray in an open state.

FIGURE 2B is a drawing of a height adjustable promotion tray in a collapsed state, with the walls adjusted to minimum height

FIGURE 2C is a second drawing of a height adjustable promotion tray in a collapsed state, with the walls adjusted to maximum height.

FIGURE 3 is a flowchart of a shipping method for providing promotion trays to a point of sale to provide a promotional retail sales display.

FIGURE 4 is a drawing showing the adjustment of the height of the sidewalls. FIGURE 5 A is a drawing of hinging and base latch mechanisms between the sidewalls and the base of a promotion tray.

FIGURE SB is a close-up drawing of lunging and base latch mechanisms from an external view.

FIGURE SC is a close-up drawing of hinging and base latch mechanisms from an opposite view.

FIGURE 6A is a drawing of a sidewall latching mechanism.

FIGURE 6B is a close-up drawing of a sidewall latching mechanism.

FIGURE 7 A shows a second implementation of a base latch mechanism.

FIGURE 7B is a close-up of a second implementation of a base latch mechanism. FIGURE 7C shows a second implementation of a base latch mechanism in a latched position. FIGURE 7D is a close-up of a second implementation of a base latch mechanism in a latched position.

FIGURE 7E is a close-υρ of a base latch mechanism.

FIGURE 8A is a drawing of a three-wall height adjustable promotion tray in an open state.

FIGURE 8B is a drawing of a three-wall height adjustable promotion tray where the mird sidewall is shown in a position between the folded state and the upright state.

FIGURE 8C a drawing of a three-wall height adjustable promotion tray in a partially collapsed state.

FIGURE 8D is a drawing of a three-wall height adjustable promotion tray in a collapsed state.

FIGURE 9A is a drawing of a three-wall height adjustable promotion tray with the lower portion of the sidewall including an inner wall and an outer wall.

FIGURE 9B is a drawing of a promotion tray with the lower portion of the sidewall including an inner wall and an outer wall.

FIGURE 9C is a close-up view of a portion of sidewall 902 viewed from the outside.

FIGURE 9D is a close-up view of a portion of sidewall 902 viewed from the inside. FIGURE 10A is a drawing of a promotion tray with flap support in an open state. FIGURE 10B is a drawing of a promotion tray with flap support in an intermediate state.

FIGURE IOC is a drawing of a promotion tray with flap support in a collapsed state.

FIGURE 11 is a diagram of a promotion tray with flap support in the open state showing a flap latching mechanism.

FIGURE 12 is a diagram showing deployment of a wall and two adjacent flaps from a folded state to an upright state.

FIGURE 13 is a flow diagram of deploying a promotion tray with flap support

FIGURE 14 is a drawing of a promotion tray with flap support and height adjustable walls.

FIGURE 15 is a diagram of a method of deploying advertising material on a promotion tray. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The principles and operation of this shipping method including a promotion tray, according to the present embodiment may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description. The present embodiment is a shipping method for providing promotion trays to a point of sale to provide a promotional retail sales display. In this context, a promotion tray allows a retail consumer to see the majority of at least an outer row of the product in each layer of the promotional retail sales display of a product, and have ready access to the products. The following is a non-limiting description of the circumstances where this system and method are used. As a note of clarity for the reader, reference in this description to "promotion trays" should be considered a general reference applicable to all embodiments, reference to "promotion trays with flap support" refers to embodiments where flaps engage each wall in the upright state, and reference to "height adjustable promotion trays" refer to height adjustable embodiments.

Referring to FIGURE 3, a flowchart of a shipping method for providing promotion trays to a point of sale to provide a promotional retail sales display, promotion trays are stored at a depot 300. When promotion trays are needed, they are taken from storage 302. In the case of height adjustable promotion trays, the wall height can be set 304 as shown in 306. Optionally disposable advertising can be added 308 as shown in 310. The configured promotion trays, preferably in the collapsed state, are then transported to the packer 312 using known shipping methods as shown in 314. The promotion tray is set to the open state and the product is loaded 316 onto the promotion tray 318. The loaded promotion trays are prepared for shipping using known shipping methods 322 and sent to the point of sale 320. The promotion trays are deployed at the point of sale 324 to provide a promotional retail sales display 326. When use of the promotion trays is finished the promotion trays can be collapsed and shipped to a depot 328, again using known shipping methods 330. The depot operatives can inspect and clean the promotion trays 332 as shown in 334, removing previous advertising material, generally preparing the promotion trays for re-use, and optionally storing the promotion trays 300 until needed.

It should be appreciated the specific application of this method can include performing the various steps at one or more locations by one or more entities and or combining or skipping steps as appropriate. Some of these options are described below as non-limiting examples and of the application of this method Based on this description, further variations will be clear to one skilled in the art

The shipping method flowcharted in FIGURE 3 is a cyclical process. For convenience, description will start with the promotion trays stored at the depot 300. The promotion tray is usually in the collapsed state when not in use so that the storage space required for the promotion trays can be minimized. In this context, collapsing the promotion tray includes folding, rotating, or otherwise setting the walls so mat the outer dimensions of the promotion tray are minimized. The promotion tray can be stacked and stored in the collapsed state, as shown in 302.

When promotion trays are needed, they are taken from storage and configured for a specific use. In the case of height adjustable promotion trays, the dimensions of the product are provided to determine the required adjusted height of the walls of the height adjustable promotion tray. Configuration of a height adjustable promotion tray includes setting the height of the walls 304 of the height adjustable promotion tray to accommodate

appropriately the specific product with which the promotion tray will be loaded. In the context of this description, the height to which the walls are set (extended/retracted) to accommodate a given product when the height adjustable promotion tray is in the open state, is referred to as the adjusted height A feature of an embodiment of the height adjustable promotion tray is that it allows the height to be adjusted while the tray is in the collapsed state. This also allows the tray to be shipped with the walls set to the adjusted height, as shown in 306.

Optionally, configuration of the promotion tray includes placing advertising material on an external surface of the promotion tray 308. In this context advertising material includes company branding, product information, and other material to be viewed by the consumer at the point of sale. A feature of the promotion tray is that it can provide one or more external surfaces, while in the collapsed state, on which advertising material can be placed, as shown in 310. Depending on the application, advertising material can be a variety of sizes. In one implementation, the advertising material is placed along a majority of at least one dimension of the tray. Preferably, this dimension is the length of the base of the promotion tray.

Referring to FIGURE IS, a diagram of a method of deploying advertising material on a container, a promotion tray is shown as a non-limiting example of a container onto which advertising material can be applied. A container 1500 has one or more external surfaces (1502 A, 1502B) having at least a first portion of a first portion width 1504 and a second portion of a second portion width 1506. The widths of the portions are different, for example, the first portion width 1504 is greater man the second portion width 1506.

Particularly in cases where walls or flaps of a container, such as a tray, are mounted so as to fold into overlapping relation, it is frequently convenient to locate hinge axes for the different walls or flaps at different heights from the base, giving rise to external peripheral surfaces of the base with different heights. A strip of advertising material is provided having at least a first section of a first section width 1514 and a second section of a second section width 1516. The widths of the sections are different, for example, first section width 1514 is greater than the second portion width 1516. The widths of the sections of the advertising strip are compatible with, and typically roughly equal to, the widths of the portions of the external surfaces. In a typical case, a first section width 1514 is substantially equal to the first portion width 1504 and a second section width 1516 is substantially equal to the second portion width 1506. In another case, the first section width is greater than the second portion width.

A segment of the strip of advertising material is applied to the container such that at least the first portion is aligned with the first section and the second portion is aligned with the second section. A preferred implementation is to provide a strip of advertising material of sufficient length to apply to a plurality of containers, and a segment of the advertising strip is applied to each container. In mis case, the segments of the strip of advertising material are sequential and end-to-end. In a case where the length of the advertising strip is such that the entire advertising strip is applied to the container, applying a segment refers to applying the whole advertising strip.

In one exemplary case, the first portion is a first external surface (for example

1502 A) and the width of the first external surface is a first portion width, with the second portion a second external surface (for example 1502B) and the width of the second external surface is a second portion width. Typically the two other external surfaces (not shown) of the promotion tray, each opposite the first and second external surfaces (1502A, 1502B) have corresponding widths.

Although described herein with reference to a promotional tray, it should be noted that this aspect of the present invention is also applicable to folding containers with four full folding walls where the similar feature of differing heights of peripheral external surfaces of the base exists.

Advertising material can be placed a container, such as a promotion tray, using a variety of techniques. One technique is to rotate the container adjacent to an applicator, facilitating the applicator placing advertising material on one or more surfaces of the container. In the case where the external surfaces change widths, applying a segment of the strip of advertising material includes rotating the container to facilitate aligning the first section with the first portion and further rotating the container to facilitate aligning the second section with the second portion. Further rotating the container facilitates subsequent sections of advertising material to be applied to additional portions of a container.

Alternatively, an applicator can rotate around the container placing advertising material on one or more surfaces of the container. Another technique is to use self-adhesive advertising material that can be placed on the desired surfaces. Placement of advertising material can be manual or via an automated process. Note that, after correct alignment of a first section of the advertising material, typically by anchoring the advertising material at or near one comer of the tray with adhesive, the remaining segments are automatically deployed in correct alignment with the remaining surface of the tray during relative rotation of the tray and the applicator, due to the matching of the lengths of the segments. A small degree of overlap is provided at the end of each wrap-around length of the advertising material (typically made up of four sections) for the purpose of self-adhesion to close and retain the strip as a loop.

Another technique is to use advertising material that is heat-welded to one or more surfaces of the promotion tray. Another technique is to use shrink-fit advertising material that is placed around a promotion tray, in particular around the base of a promotion tray. Hot air is then applied to the shrink-fit advertising material causing it to reduce in size and become secured to the promotion tray. Using shrink-wrap advertising material is the non- limiting example pictured in 310. In picture 310, a ribbon of advertising material 31 has been placed around the base of the tray. The ribbon of advertising material 311 is longer than the circumference of the base to which it is to be attached. When the ribbon of advertising material 311 is heated, the material shrinks until it conforms and possibly adheres to the associated external surface of the base. A feature of mis step in the shipping method of placing advertising material on the promotion tray is that the advertising material is placed on the promotion tray such that the advertising material can later be removed from the promotion tray. The feature of placing disposable advertising material on a promotion tray facilitates repeating the use cycle of the promotion tray.

The features of the height adjustable promotion tray preferably allow configuration of the tray to be performed at a first location, so thai when the tray is received at a second location (for example, at a packer) the tray can be opened to the open state and loaded without requiring configuration of the promotion tray at the second location. In mis context, the open state of a promotion tray refers to two opposing walls being in their upright states. Optionally, one or more aspects of the configuration of the promotion tray can be performed at the second location. One non-limiting example is the case where the promotion trays are received, inspected, and cleaned at a depot, then shipped to a packer for configuration and loading. In another non-limiting example, the height adjustable promotion trays have their height adjusted at a depot and advertising placed at a packer. Note that although the above description is of two opposing walls being in their upright states, in an optional

implementation of the promotion tray, two or more walls can be in their upright states. As stated previously, based on this description, further variations will be clear to one skilled in the art

Continuing with a description of FIGURE 3, the configured promotion trays 310, including but not limited to adjustable height promotion trays and promotion trays with flap support, are transported to a packing location 312. This promotion tray facilitates using standard industry shipping methods, such as stacking the collapsed promotion trays on a shipping pallet, as shown in 314. It should be noted that alternate or special shipping methods could be used for all shipping described in this method, depending on the specific application.

At a packing location, the promotion tray is opened to the open state and loaded with the product 316. A non-limiting example of a promotion tray loaded with product is shown in 318. The adjusted height of a height adjustable promotion tray accommodates the necessary height required to transport and display the product, while minimizing the height (hence size) required for shipping. A feature of the promotion tray is that each wall can be independently lockable in an upright state. In other words, a wall does not require another adjacent wall to maintain an upright state. For increased wall strength and resistance to collapsing, the promotion tray may be provided with flap support, which features flaps that engage a wall in the upright state, locking the wall in the upright state, as will be discussed below with reference to FIGURES 10A-15.

Loaded promotion trays are stacked, as shown in 322, and prepared for shipping 320 to the point of sale using known shipping methods. In this context, the step of stacking the promotion trays includes all the necessary work to prepare the promotion trays for shipping. This work includes, but is not limited to, stacking the promotion trays, wrapping, palletization, and marking. The stacking step may also include preparing a single promotion tray for shipping, in which case there is no actual stacking of multiple promotion trays.

At the point of sale, the promotion trays are deployed 324 to provide a promotional retail sales display. In this context, deploying the promotion trays refers to removing any outer wrapping and making the promotion trays available for consumer access. Deployment does not require reconfiguration of the promotion tray or reconfiguration/arrangement of the products. One non-limiting example of how the promotion trays can be used to provide a promotional retail sales display is shown in 326. At the point of sale, the at least one non- enclosed side of the promotion tray allows the product to be seen and allows the consumer ready access to the product, among other features. In this context, non-enclosed side refers to having at least most of one side open. In a case where a promotion tray has support flaps, the support flaps associated with each non-enclosed side are independent, facilitating ready access between the support flaps to the product The size of the support flaps facilitates having at least most of a non-enclosed side open. In another implementation, two sides of the promotion tray are non-enclosed. In a case where two opposing sides of a promotion tray are non-enclosed, a consumer has ready access to the product from both non-enclosed sides. When the promotion trays are stacked, multiple layers of the product are highly visible, and preferably accessible, to the consumer via the non-enclosed sides. Advertising material on an external surface of the promotion tray can be viewed by consumers.

After use at the point of sale, the promotion trays can be shipped to a depot 328. The promotion tray can be collapsed and stacked to minimize the shipping size. Standard shipping methods can be used, as shown in 330.

At a depot, the promotion trays can be inspected and cleaned 332 as shown in 334. Inspection can include such tasks as checking for broken or worn promotion trays. Cleaning can include such tasks as removing of previous advertising material and general washing. The walls of the height adjustable promotion trays do not require adjustment for storage; the walls are simply folded. After the trays have been inspected, cleaned, and generally prepared for storage or re-use, the promotion trays are optionally stored at the depot or optionally sent for re-configuration and re-use.

Newly manufactured promotion trays can be sent to the depot for storage and to restart the use cycle of the promotion tray. Optionally, promotion trays can be sent from the manufacturer to a packer or other location for configuration and loading.

Referring to FIGURE 10A, a drawing of a promotion tray with flap support in an open state, this shipping method includes providing an innovative promotion tray designed with features that facilitate implementations of this method. A base 1000 is the portion of the promotion tray that defines the base, bottom, or floor of the container. An opposing pair of walls 1002 are each attached to a base 1000 via a hinge 1010. Each wall has an adjacent pair of flaps 1030, each flap attached to the base 1000 via a hinge 1032. The two adjacent flaps are configured on opposite sides of the base, perpendicular to the sides of the base on which the two walls are configured. In general, a promotion tray includes a base, two walls, and at least one adjacent flap for each of the two walls, the two walls being configured on opposite sides of the base, at least one adjacent flap for each of the two walk being configured on opposite sides of the base perpendicular to the sides of the base on which the two walls are configured. Although it is possible to construct a promotion tray with only one flap per wall, for clarity a preferred configuration of two flaps per wall will be described. Based on mis description, one skilled in the art will be able to implement one or two adjacent flaps as appropriate for the application.

The walls 1002 and adjacent flaps 1030 are shown in the upright state, where each wall and flap is substantially perpendicular to the base of the promotion tray. The two walls and the two adjacent flaps are deployable between an upright state, substantially

perpendicular to the base, corresponding to an open state of the promotion tray, and a folded state, substantially parallel to the base, corresponding to a collapsed state of the promotion tray. In the context of this description the primary, or load bearing, surface defines the plane of the base, relative to which other components are described. One of the two walls with at least one adjacent flap can be deployed in the upright state while another of the two walls with at least one adjacent flap is deployed in me folded state. Each of the two walls locks in the upright state by engagement with at least one adjacent flap for each of the two walls. In a preferred implementation, the deployment of each of the two walls from the folded state to the upright state deploys the two adjacent flaps to the upright state, locking each of the two walls in the upright state by engagement with the two adjacent flaps, as will be further described, below.

Each of the two walls can be deployed independent of deploying the other wall. A feature of the promotion tray with flap support is that each flap can be independently deployed in an upright state. In other words, each adjacent flap does not require another flap to be deployed to an upright state. When a first wall is deployed from a folded state to an upright state, the flaps adjacent to the first wall are deployed from a folded state to an upright state independent of flaps adjacent to a second wall. In other words, raising the flaps for one wall of a promotion tray can be done without raising the flaps for another wall. The tops of the walls feature an edge 1014 to facilitate stacking of the promotion trays. The promotion tray with flap support has at last one non-enclosed side.

Referring to FIGURE 10B, a drawing of a promotion tray with flap support in an intermediate state, walls 1002 are being deployed between the upright state and folded state.

Referring to FIGURE 10C, a drawing of a promotion tray with flap support in a collapsed state, the side walls 1002 are shown in the folded state, where each wall is substantially parallel to the base of the promotion tray. The walk in the folded state correspond to the promotion tray being in a collapsed state. The two walls lie in the same plane, the two walls cover a portion of the base, the two adjacent flaps are configured to lie in the same plane, and the two adjacent flaps cover a portion of a corresponding one of the two walls. In the current figure, an implementation of hinges 1032 can be seen for each flap. A collapsed promotion tray with flap support facilitates stacking of the collapsed promotion trays for shipping using minimal height for the collapsed promotion trays.

Referring to FIGURE 11, a diagram of a promotion tray with flap support in the open state showing a flap latching mechanism, a variety of flap latching mechanisms can be used to releasably secure the flaps to the wall, depending on the application. In one implementation, arrow 1100 shows the direction of dis-engagement of flap latching mechanism 1102 to release wall 1002 from flaps 1030. An implementation described in reference to FIGURE 6 A for a sidewall latching mechanism 600 can also be used for flap latching mechanism 1102. Based on this description, one knowledgeable in the art will be able to select an appropriate flap latching mechanism for an application. Referring to FIGURE 12, a diagram showing deployment of a wall and two adjacent flaps from a folded state to an upright state, the deployment of each of the two walls from the folded state to the upright state deploys the two adjacent flaps to the upright state, locking each of the two walls in the upright state by engagement with the two adjacent flaps. As shown in FIGURE 12, wall 1002 and flaps 1230A and 1230B (coiresponding to flaps 1030 of FIGURE IOC) start in a folded state. As wall 1002 is rotated in the direction of arrow 1200, wall 1002 rotates (lifting, causing rotation) flaps 1230A and 1230B in the directions of arrows 1202A and 1202B, respectively. As wall 1002 reaches the upright state, flaps 1230A and 1230B engage with wall 1002, latching wall 1002 and flaps 1230A and 1230B in an upright state. A separate action is unnecessary to deploy flaps in an upright state.

Similarly, the disengagement of the flap latching mechanism, as described in reference to FIGURE 11, can be designed to operate with a single handhold. These implementations facilitate deploying a wall using a single hand, hence two walls can be deployed between a folded state and an upright state at the same time. Note that when deploying a wall from an upright state to a collapsed state, deploying the flaps from the corresponding upright state to a collapsed state may require a separate action.

FIGURE 13, a flow diagram of deploying a promotion tray with flap support, is similar to the description in reference to FIGURE 3 of providing promotion trays to a point of sale to provide a promotional retail sales display. For convenience, description of

FIGURE 1 begins with a promotion tray with flap support in a collapsed state 1300. In the collapsed state promotion trays can be stored at a depot, optionally configured with advertising material, and shipped to a packer. At a packing location, a promotion tray can be opened for loading with a product

Deployment of the promotion try with flap support from an collapsed state to an open state starts 1302 with raising a first wail from a folded state in the direction of arrow 1200, which raises the two adjacent flaps in the direction of arrows 1202A, 1202B, as described in reference to FIGURE 12. The first wall engages with the two adjacent flaps that latch with the first wall in an upright state 1304. Similarly, a second wall is deployed from a folded state in the direction of arrow 1307, which raises the two adjacent flaps in the direction of arrows 1307 A. The second wall engages with the two adjacent flaps that latch with the second wall in an upright state 1308. Note thai either the first wall or the second wall can be opened first, or both walls can be opened at the same time.

The promotion tray in the open state can be loaded with a product and the loaded promotion trays prepared for shipping and sent to a point of sale. The promotion trays are deployed at the point of sale to provide a retail sales display. When use of the promotion trays is finished, the promotion trays can be collapsed for local storage and shipping.

Deployment of the promotion try with flap support from an open state to a collapsed state starts 1310 by disengagement of a flap latching mechanism in the direction of arrow 1100 to release the second wall from adjacent flaps, as described in reference to FIGURE 11. The second wall disengages from the two adjacent flaps 1312, and the second wall rotates from the upright state in the direction of arrow 1313 to a folded state. The adjacent flaps are deployed 1314 in the direction of arrows 1315 from the upright state to a folded state. Similarly, collapsing the first wall is started 1316 by disengagement of a flap latching mechanism in the direction of arrow 1317 to release the first wall from adjacent flaps. The first wall disengages from the two adjacent flaps 1318, and the first wall rotates from the upright state in the direction of arrow 1319 to a folded state. The adjacent flaps are collapsed 1300 in the direction of arrows 1301 from the upright state to a folded state. The promotion tray with flap support is now in a collapsed state. Note that either the first wall or the second wall can be collapsed first, or both walls can be collapsed at the same time.

The collapsed promotion trays with flap support can be stacked and prepared for shipping using known shipping methods. The promotion trays can be shipped to a packing location for re-packing with product, or shipped to a depot for inspecting, cleaning, removal of previous advertising material, generally preparing the promotion trays for re-use and optionally storing the promotion trays until needed.

Referring to FIGURE 14, a drawing of a promotion tray with flap support and height adjustable walls, wall 1400 is similar to sidewall 202 described below in reference to FIGURE 2A. In this context, sidewall refers to the entire sidewall mechanism that includes a lower portion 1406 and an extension portion 1408. A dimension of each of sidewalls 1400 contributes to a height of the promotion tray in the upright state and is adjustable within a range from a minimum height to a maximum height The two sidewalls are configured to allow the walls to be collapsed while the two walls assume the maximum height The two walls are configured to allow adjustment of the dimension of the walls while the promotion tray is in the collapsed state or in the open state The two walls are configured such that when the two walls are adjusted to fee maximum height and fee promotion tray is in the collapsed state, the two walls lie in fee same plane and cover substantially the entire area of the base.

Referring to FIGURE 2 A, a drawing of a height adjustable promotion tray in an open state, this shipping method includes providing an innovative promotion tray designed with features feat facilitate implementations of this method. A base 200 is the portion of the promotion tray that defines fee base, bottom, or floor of fee container. An opposing pair of sidewalls 202 are attached to a base 200 via a hinge mechanism 210. The sidewalls 202 are shown in fee upright state, where each wall is substantially perpendicular to the base of the promotion tray. The walls in fee upright state correspond to fee promotion tray being in an open state. A base latching mechanism 204 maintains a sidewall in an upright state. In this context, sidewall refers to fee entire sidewall mechanism that includes a lower portion 206 and an extension portion 208. The lower portion of fee sidewall is attached to fee base 200 via a hinge mechanism 210. The extension portion of fee sidewall 208 moves relative to the lower portion facilitating the adjustment of fee height of the wall. A wall latching mechanism 212 secures the position of fee moveable portion of the sidewall relative to the lower portion of fee sidewall, allowing fee tray to be configured to an adjusted height The top of the wall features an edge 214 to facilitate stacking of fee promotion trays.

Referring to FIGURE 2B, a drawing of a height adjustable promotion tray in a collapsed state, the sidewalls 202 are shown in fee folded state, where each wall is substantially parallel to the base of fee promotion tray. The walls in the folded state correspond to the promotion tray being in a collapsed state. In FIGURE 2B, fee adjusted height of fee sidewalls have both been set to fee minimum height (lowest setting) by retracting the extension portion of the sidewall.

Referring to FIGURE 2C, a second drawing of a height adjustable promotion tray in an collapsed state, the adjusted height of the sidewalls have both been set to fee maximum height by extending fee extension portion of fee sidewall. The sidewalls are preferably configured such that when fee walls are adjusted to fee maximum height (highest setting) and the height adjustable promotion tray is in the collapsed state, fee walls lie in the same plane and cover substantially the entire area of fee base, which in this context may be at least 95% of fee area of the base. In certain preferred implementations, the upper edges of the extension portions are substantially abutting when the height adjustable promotion tray is folded with the extension portions in their fully extended positions. Referring to FIGURE 4, a drawing showing the adjustment of the height of the sidewalk, arrows 400 show the directions in which the extension portions of the sidewalls extend. A height adjustable promotion tray configured as shown in 402A can be adjusted to the configuration shown in 402B.

A most preferred implementation of the walls is shown in FIGURE 2A, where the height adjustable promotion tray has two walls 202 deployed on opposing sides of a base, and two sides that are non-enclosed. In alternate implementations, the width of two opposing sidewalls can be selected, and/or the location where the two opposing sidewalls are attached to the base can be selected (offset in height from the base) to construct the promotion tray to accommodate walls being attached to other edges of the base. In other words, the walls can be attached to the base at different heights from the base to facilitate additional walls. Referring to FIGURE 8 A, a drawing of a three- wall height adjustable promotion tray in an open state, a preferred implementation of the height adjustable promotion tray has an opposing pair of sidewalls 802, and a third sidewall 820 is attached between the walls 802 to an edge of the base 800. In a case where only one non-enclosed side is desired for the specific application, this third wall can be locked in an upright state to provide additional support for stacking the promotion trays. In an alternative

implementation (not shown), the height adjustable promotion tray includes a fourth wall attached between the opposing sidewalls to an edge of the base, and opposing a third sidewall. The fourth wall includes a mostly open frame to facilitate visibility and permit customer access to remove the product

The specific construction of the walls 202 of the height adjustable promotion tray depends on the specific application in which the height adjustable promotion tray will be used. In the implementation shown in FIGURE 2A, the lower portion of the sidewall includes a single inner wall and the extension portion of the sidewall includes a single outer wall. In an alternative implementation, the lower portion of the sidewall includes a single outer wall and the extension portion of the sidewall includes a single inner wall. In another alternative implementation, the lower portion of the sidewall is implemented as a hollow structure including an inner wall and an outer wall and the extension portion of the sidewall includes a single wall at least partly enclosed between the inner and outer walls. Such an implementation is illustrated below in FIGURES 9 A, 9B, 9C, and 9D. In another a emative implementation, the extension portion of the sidewall is implemented as a hollow structure including an inner wall and an outer wall and the lower portion of the sidewall includes a single wall at least partly enclosed between the inner and outer walls. In these

implementations, the walls preferably provide access to the wall latching mechanism 212 from the external side of the walls, to facilitate a preferred feature that the height of the ^* walls can be configured while the walls are in the upright or folded state. Thus, in FIGURE 2A, the movable sidewall 208 includes openings 216 to allow access to the sidewall latching mechanism. Based on this description, further sidewall implementations will be clear to one skilled in the art

Referring to FIGURE 6 A, this drawing shows an implementation for a sidewall latching mechanism 600 mat secures the position of the moveable portion of the sidewall 602 relative to the fixed portion of the sidewall (not shown), allowing the tray to be configured to an adjusted height Access holes 608 provide access to finger holds 604, 606. When finger hold 604 is pulled to the left and fingerhold 606 is pulled to the right, the latch is disengaged and the moveable portion of the sidewall 602 can be extended or retracted to set the adjusted height Referring to FIGURE 6B, a close-up drawing of a sidewall latching mechanism, the details of the sidewall latching mechanism from FIGURE 6A can be seen.

In an implementation where the user accesses finger hold 604 from the side of the latch shown in FIGURE 6B, the user has ready access to the finger hold 604. In an implementation where the user accesses finger hold 604 from the side of the latch opposite the side shown in FIGURE 6B, access hole 608 facilitates this access. Access from both sides of the latch facilitates a user being able to actuate the latch when the sidewall is in the upright state or in the folded state. Finger hold 604 is connected via piece 620 to the sidewall latch flange 622. Flange 622 extends from the area inside the edge of the moveable sidewall to an area on the outside of the edge of the movable portion of the sidewall. The flange 622 mates to a matching slot in the fixed portion of the sidewall (not shown) securing the movable portion of the sidewall to the fixed portion of the sidewall. When the latch is actuated by pulling finger hold 604 to the left, flexible tabs 624 bend towards each other and flange 622 moves to the left disengaging from the fixed portion of the sidewall. When the tabs 624 are bent, they flex against the latch mechanism housing 626 and provide pressure on the latch mechanism to move to the right When the finger hold 604 is released, the pressure from the bent tabs pushes the latch mechanism to the right, allowing flange 622 to mate with a matching slot, and securing the latch in a closed state.

In some implementations, the sidewall latching mechanism is connected to the extension portion of the sidewall. In these cases, the user can adjust the height of the sidewall with the same handhold and simultaneously with engaging or disengaging the latching mechanism. These implementations further facilitate handholds mat can be operated using a single hand, allowing a user to configure two sidewalls (each with one hand) at the same time. The latch mechanism can also be implemented in the fixed portion of the sidewall, but this implementation would require at least two hands to configure each sidewall, and is not preferred. Based on this description and the desired features of the sidewall latching mechanism, further sidewall latching implementations will be clear to one skilled in the art

Referring to FIGURE 5 A, a drawing of hinging and base latch mechanisms between the sidewalls and the base of a promotion tray, this drawing shows an implementation for a hinge mechanism 510 mat attaches a lower portion of a sidewall 206 to a base 200 and allows the sidewall 202 (shown in FIGURE 2A) to rotate between at least an upright state and a folded state. The circled area 520 is shown larger in FIGURE SB, a close-up drawing of hinging and base latch mechanisms from an external view. This implementation of a hinge mechanism 510 includes a circular cutout 522 in the lower portion of a sidewall 206, which is matched to a circular stub 524 on the base 200. Referring to FIGURE 5C, a close- up drawing of hinging and base latch mechanisms from an opposite view, the base 200 is not shown in this view, allowing details of the lower portion of a sidewall 206 to be seen, such as the circular cutout 522.

FIGURE 5 A also shows an implementation of a base latch mechanism that maintains a sidewall in an upright state. A notch 504 in the base 200 receives a flange (not shown in FIGURE SA) on the lower portion of the sidewall. The flange 506 can be seen in FIGURE SC. In this implementation, the sidewall flange 506 secures to the base notch 504 by means of a "click-in/click-out" technique. When the sidewall is rotated to the upright state, the bottom edge 526 of the lower portion of a sidewall 206 extends below the level of the hinge mechanism 510. In this implementation, the whole bottom edge 526 of the wall abuts the side edge of the base of the tray and prevents the wall from turning beyond the intended degree of rotation. Referring to FIGURE 7A, a second implementation of a base latch mechanism that maintains a sidewall in an upright state, sidewall 202 is shown in a position between the folded state and the upright state. A flange 700 is attached to the lower portion of a sidewall 206. Referring to FIGURE 7B, a close-up of a second implementation of a base latch mechanism that maintains a sidewall in an upright state, details of flange 700 can be seen.

Referring to FIGURE 7C, a second implementation of a base latch mechanism in a latched position, when a sidewall 202 rotates to an upright state, the latch 700 secures to a ridge 702 on the base 200 by means of a "click-in/click-out" technique. Referring to FIGURE 7D, a close-up of a second implementation of a base latch mechanism in a latched position, details can be seen of how flange ridge 704 secures to a ridge 702 on the base. Note that only the end of flange ridge 704 is shown in the figure. Flange ridge 704 extends the entire length of the flange along the bottom edge 706 of the lower portion of flange 700. Referring to FIGURE 7E, a close-up of a base latch mechanism, the details can be seen of how flange ridge 704 secures to ridge 702 on the base.

Referring back to FIGURE 7C, to prevent the wall from turning beyond the intended degree of rotation, the bottom comer edge 708 of the lower portion of a sidewall 206 extends below the level of a hinge mechanism 510. When sidewall 200 is rotated to the upright state, the bottom comer edge 708 abuts the side edge of the base of the tray and prevents the wall from turning beyond the intended degree of rotation. Based on this description and the desired features of the hinging and base latching mechanisms, further implementations will be clear to one skilled in the ar

Referring to FIGURE 8A, the construction is similar to the description in FIGURE 2A, a drawing of a height adjustable promotion tray in an open state. An opposing pair of sidewalls 802 are attached to a base 800 via a binge mechanism 810. The sidewalls 802 are shown in the upright state, where each wall is substantially perpendicular to the base 800 of the promotion tray. A base latching mechanism 804 maintains a sidewall in an upright state. In this context, the sidewall 802 refers to the entire sidewall mechanism that includes a lower portion 806 and an extension portion 808. The lower portion of the sidewall is attached to the base 800 via a hinge mechanism 810. The extension portion of the sidewall 808 moves relative to the lower portion facilitating the adjustment of the height of the wall. A wall latching mechanism 812 secures the position of the moveable portion of the sidewall relative to the lower portion of the sidewall, allowing the tray to be configured to an adjusted height The adjusted height of the sidewalk? have both been set to the lowest setting by retracting the extension portion of the sidewall. The top of the wall features an edge 814 to facilitate stacking of the promotion trays. A third sidewall 820 is attached between the walls 802 to an edge of the base 800 by a hinge mechanism 822. A base latching mechanism (not shown) maintains the third sidewall in an upright state. The third sidewall base latching mechanism can be implemented according to the description of 504 506, 700. or 804. Based on this description, further hinge and base locking mechanisms will be clear to one skilled in the art

Referring to FIGURE 8B, a drawing of a three-wall height adjustable promotion tray where the third sidewall 820 is in a position between the folded state and the upright state. Referring to FIGURE 8C a drawing of a three- wall height adjustable promotion tray in a partially collapsed state, the third sidewall 820 is shown in the folded state, where the third wall is substantially parallel to the base 800 of the promotion tray. The two opposing sidewalls 802 are in the upright state.

Referring to FIGURE 8D, a drawing of a three-wall height adjustable promotion tray in an collapsed state, the third wall 820 and the opposing sidewalls 202 are shown in the folded state, where each wall is substantially parallel to the base of the promotion tray.

Referring to FIGURE 9 A, a drawing of a three-wall height adjustable promotion tray with the lower portion of the sidewall including an inner wall and an outer wall, the construction is similar to the description of FIGURE 8A. The lower portion 906 of the sidewall 902 is here implemented as a hollow structure including an inner wall 907A similar to the description of 206 and an outer wall 907B. The extension portion 908 extends and retracts between inner wall 907A and outer wall 907B.

Referring to FIGURE 9B, a drawing of a promotion tray with the lower portion of the sidewall including an inner wall and an outer wall, the construction is similar to that of FIGURE 9 A. In this implementation, the height adjustable promotion tray includes two opposing sidewalls 902 (and does not include a third sidewall). Both sides of sidewall 902 are shown in detail for circled area 930. FIGURE 9C is a close-up view of a portion of sidewall 902 viewed from the outside, and FIGURE 9D is a close-up view of a portion of sidewall 902 viewed from the inside. In FIGURES 9C and 9D, the fixed portion 906 of the sidewall includes inner wall 907A and outer wall 907B. Referring again to FIGURE 2A, a sidewall 202 of a height adjustable promotion tray has an upper edge 214 configured to allow stacking of the promotion tray with other similar promotion trays. In the implementation shown, the top edge 214 of the extension portion of the sidewall 208 includes an edge designed to nest or engage with a bottom edge of the base 200 of another like promotion tray. Based on this description, further implementations will be clear to one skilled in the art.

In one embodiment, advertising material can be placed on at least one external surface of the promotion tray. Referring again to FIGURE 2A, an option is to place the advertising material on the base 200. Two sides of the outside edge 218 of the base can be seen in this figure, although all four sides are available for placing advertising. Another option is to place advertising on the external surface of the extension portion of the sidewall 208. In this case, the advertising material and the placement of the advertising material should be done in a way that will not interfere with access and operation of the wall latching mechanism. Depending on the specific implementation of the promotion tray, other surfaces can be used instead or in combination with the described surfaces. Based on this description, further implementations will be clear to one skilled in the art

Depending on the application for which the promotion tray will be used, the components of the promotion tray can be constructed from a variety of materials. Typically, construction would be with injection-molded plastic, but other materials and construction techniques can be used, including: thermoformed plastic, aluminum, and stainless steel.

It will be appreciated that the above descriptions are intended only to serve as examples, and that many other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.