Merchandise Packaging and Display

Abstract

A merchandise display is shipped in a compact package of limited longitudinal length complete with merchandise items pre-loaded in place, and selectively expanded for displaying the merchandise items at a point-of-purchase location wherein there is a shelf which makes available at the point-of-purchase location a predetermined longitudinal shelf length exceeding considerably the limited longitudinal length of the compact package.

1 . A method for shipping a merchandise display in a compact package of limited longitudinal length complete with merchandise items pre-loaded in place within the merchandise display, and selectively expanding the merchandise display for displaying and dispensing of the merchandise items at a point-of-purchase location of prescribed dimensions, including a longitudinal shelf length available at the point-of-purchase location, the method comprising:
 placing merchandise items in a display tray with the merchandise items arranged for display at the point-of purchase location;   moving the display tray into a retracted position within a case having a length extending longitudinally between opposite first and second ends of the case, the case including an opening at least at the first end for enabling telescoping movement of the display tray within the case, between a retracted position, wherein at least a portion of the display tray is telescoped within the case to place the merchandise display in a compact configuration, and an advanced position, wherein at least a portion of the display tray is extended longitudinally beyond the first end of the case to place the merchandise display in an extended configuration for displaying merchandise items at the point-of-purchase location;   shipping the merchandise display in the compact configuration; and   subsequently moving the display tray into the advanced position to place the merchandise display in the expanded configuration for displaying and dispensing the merchandise items, the expanded configuration providing the merchandise display with a longitudinal length for essentially filling the longitudinal shelf length available at the point-of-purchase location.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  including:
 placing the merchandise display in a shipping carton, after moving the display tray into the retracted position and prior to shipping the merchandise display; and   removing the merchandise display from the shipping carton prior to moving the display tray into the advanced position.   
   
   
       3 . A method for shipping a merchandise display in a compact package of limited longitudinal length complete with merchandise items pre-loaded in place within the merchandise display, and selectively expanding the merchandise display for displaying and dispensing of the merchandise items at a point-of-purchase location of prescribed dimensions, including a longitudinal shelf length available at the point-of-purchase location, the method comprising:
 placing merchandise items in each of two display trays with the merchandise items arranged for display at the point-of purchase location;   moving each display tray into a retracted position within a case having a length extending longitudinally between opposite first and second ends of the case, the case including an opening at each of the first and second ends for enabling telescoping movement of a corresponding display tray within the case, each display tray being movable between a retracted position, wherein at least a portion of the display tray is telescoped within the case to place the merchandise display in a compact configuration, and an advanced position, wherein at least a portion of the display tray is extended longitudinally beyond a corresponding first and second end of the case to place the merchandise display in an extended configuration for displaying merchandise items at the point-of-purchase location;   shipping the merchandise display in the compact configuration; and   subsequently moving each display tray into a corresponding advanced position to place the merchandise display in the expanded configuration for displaying and dispensing the merchandise items, the expanded configuration providing the merchandise display with a longitudinal length for essentially filling the longitudinal shelf length available at the point-of-purchase location.   
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  including:
 placing the merchandise display in a shipping carton, after moving each display tray into a corresponding retracted position and prior to shipping the merchandise display; and   removing the merchandise display from the shipping carton prior to moving each display tray into a corresponding advanced position.