Product display units with hinges
A product display unit for displaying products on a shelf includes a sidewall at least partially defining a track configured to receive products, the sidewall comprising a first panel and a second panel with a sidewall hinge therebetween. A base panel is coupled to the sidewall, and the base panel is configured to be positioned on the shelf and deform in shape to conform to the shape of the shelf. The sidewall hinge comprises a first leg and a second leg, each with an upper end and a lower end. The sidewall hinge includes an upper transition section connecting the respective upper ends of the first and second legs, a first lower transition section connecting the lower end of the first leg to the first panel, and a second lower transition section connecting the lower end of the second leg to the second panel.
1 . A product display unit for displaying products on a shelf, the product display unit comprising:
a sidewall including a first panel and a second panel with a sidewall hinge therebetween; and
a base panel coupled to the sidewall, wherein the base panel is configured to be positioned on the shelf and deform to conform to the shape of the shelf;
wherein the sidewall and the base panel at least partially defining a track configured to receive the products; and
wherein the sidewall hinge deforms as the base panel deforms and applies stresses onto the first panel and/or the second panel such that the sidewall hinge relieves stresses in the first panel and/or the second panel and minimizes deformation of the first panel and/or the second panel.
2 . The product display unit according to claim 1 , wherein the base panel has a first base surface and the sidewall vertically extends below the first base surface.
3 . The product display unit according to claim 1 , wherein the base panel comprises a first base panel section and a second base panel section with a base panel hinge therebetween such that the first base panel section and the second base panel section pivot relative to each other.
4 . The product display unit according to claim 3 , wherein the base panel hinge is a living hinge.
5 . The product display unit according to claim 3 , wherein the base panel hinge is aligned with the sidewall hinge.
6 . The product display unit according to claim 3 , wherein the base panel hinge extends perpendicular to the sidewall.
7 . The product display unit according to claim 3 , wherein the base panel hinge is a first base panel hinge, and further comprising a second base panel hinge coupled to the first base panel section.
8 . The product display unit according to claim 1 , wherein the sidewall includes a top and a bottom, and the sidewall hinge includes a cutout that extends through the top or the bottom of the sidewall.
9 . A product display unit for displaying products on a shelf, the product display unit comprising:
a sidewall including a first panel and a second panel with a sidewall hinge therebetween, the sidewall hinge includes;
a first leg and a second leg;
a first transition section extending between the first leg and the second leg;
a second transition section extending between the first leg and the first panel; and
a third transition section extending between the second leg and the second panel; and
a base panel coupled to the sidewall, wherein the base panel is configured to be positioned on the shelf and deform to conform to the shape of the shelf.
10 . The product display unit according to claim 9 , wherein the first leg and the second leg are mirror images of each other.
11 . The product display unit according to claim 9 , wherein the first leg and the second leg are configured to elastically move relative to each other as the base panel applies stresses onto the sidewall.
12 . The product display unit according to claim 9 , wherein the first leg and the second leg extend parallel to each other.
13 . The product display unit according to claim 9 , wherein the first leg and the second leg extend transverse to each other.
14 . The product display unit according to claim 9 , wherein the first transition section has a semi-annular shape.
15 . The product display unit according to claim 9 , wherein an upper end of the first transition section vertically aligns with an upper end of the first panel and an upper end of the second panel.
16 . The product display unit according to claim 9 , wherein the base panel has a first base panel surface and the cutout a cutout vertically extends below the first base panel surface thereby exposing a side base surface.
17 . The product display unit according to claim 9 , wherein the sidewall extends along and covers a side surface of the base panel.
18 . The product display unit according to claim 9 , wherein the sidewall hinge is a first sidewall hinge; and further comprising a second sidewall hinge coupled to one of the first panel and the second panel.
19 . The product display unit according to claim 9 , wherein the sidewall is a first sidewall and the sidewall hinge is a first sidewall hinge; and further comprising:
a second sidewall coupled to the base panel and spaced apart from the first sidewall such that a track is between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, the second sidewall comprising a second sidewall hinge.
20 . The product display unit according to claim 19 , wherein the first sidewall hinge and the second sidewall hinge are aligned with each other.
21 . A product display unit for displaying products on a shelf, the product display unit comprising:
a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a sidewall hinge coupled to the first sidewall or the second sidewall between a first panel and a second panel of the first sidewall or the second sidewall; and
a base panel coupled to the first sidewall and the second sidewall such that a track is defined that is configured to receive the products, and wherein the base panel is configured to be positioned on the shelf and deform to conform to the shape of the shelf; and
wherein the sidewall hinge deforms as the base panel deforms and applies stresses onto the first panel and/or the second panel such that the sidewall hinge relieves stresses in the first panel and/or the second panel and minimize deformation of the first panel and/or the second panel.