AU2012211409A1

AU2012211409A1 - Goods display unit

Info

Publication number: AU2012211409A1
Application number: AU2012211409A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Peter Ernst; Robert Ochsenschlager
Original assignee: Aldi Einkauf GmbH and Co OHG
Current assignee: Aldi Einkauf GmbH and Co OHG
Priority date: 2011-08-11
Filing date: 2012-08-08
Publication date: 2013-02-28
Also published as: EP2556772A1; DE202011050953U1; EP2556772B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a goods display unit, particularly a gondola-type goods display shelving unit for (retail) goods (W). The goods display unit has a supporting frame (3, 4) with at least one repository (5)-such as a shelf, tray, or bin-mounted on it to take the goods or wares (W). The repository (5) consists essentially of a transparent peripheral frame (5A) and at least one tray board (5B), said peripheral frame (5A) being connected to said tray board (5B). According to the invention, the peripheral frame (5A) is made up of strips (6) adhesively bonded to one another. To be published with Fig. 1. Il

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INVENTION TITLE: GOODS DISPLAY UNIT The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us:- GOODS DISPLAY UNIT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to a goods display unit, particularly a gondola-type goods-display shelving unit for (retail) goods. The goods display unit has a supporting frame with at least one repository-such as a shelf, tray, or bin-mounted on it to take the goods. This goods repository consists essentially of a transparent peripheral frame and at least one shelf-like tray board, said peripheral frame being connected to said tray board. [0002] Goods display units are generally used for displaying goods for sale in retail spaces and stores. In this regard, gondola-style goods-display shelving units are known in the art. In the retail trade, they are units that can be set up anywhere in the retail space. The top edge of a gondola-style goods-display shelving unit of this type is typically at or below the eye level of adults, thus allowing both customers and sales personnel to have a good view over the retail space. [0003] Generally, the one or more goods repositories are attached to the supporting frame adjustably. It is, however, also possible to fasten them permanently to the supporting frame. [0004] In the prior art, DE 201 04 590 UI describes a shelving unit for displaying and/or storing goods. In this shelving unit, some standard elements normally used are replaced by design elements serving the same function. Each design element concerned has an opening through it on at least one visible surface. This is intended to give the design element an attractive external appearance without affecting its high load-bearing capacity. [0005] US 6 168 032 Bl describes a prior-art transparent frame made of different components, which are complicated to manufacture and have to be joined together. Various ways and means are provided for this purpose. [0006] Prior-art goods display units have generally proved satisfactory, but nevertheless could do with improvement as regards their reliability and physical implementation. For example, the prior-art repository for holding goods has, at times, a 2 high edge-frame but one that has a recess in its front region, to make it easier to remove the goods. With goods stored in large packages, this can lead to them no longer being properly kept in place on the shelf concerned-in which case they tend to fall off. Moreover, only individual aesthetic features are accentuated, without creating a consistently appealing overall outward appearance. This is where the invention comes in. [0007] The invention is based on solving the technical problem of how to further develop a goods display unit of this kind so as to increase its functional reliability and, in particular, make sure that the goods in such a tray are properly kept in place there-while at the same time presenting a particularly attractive external appearance. [0008] The present invention solves this technical problem by giving a generic goods display unit the following features: the frame is made of strips that are adhesively bonded to one another; the adhesive used for bonding the individual strips of the frame to one another is generally a radiation-curing adhesive-i.e. in order to harden the adhesive, the frame is subjected to radiation, e.g. electron beam radiation and/or UV beam radiation. In a beneficial form of the invention, the adhesive used is a UV adhesive or UV glue. A UV glue of this kind cures when subjected to UV radiation. [0009] The peripheral frame is generally adapted to the outer contour of the tray board. Moreover, the design is such that the peripheral frame conforms to the outer contour of the tray board, i.e. the frame stands edgewise on the edge region of the tray board so that the area thereon-surrounded in this way by the frame-that is available to take the goods is as large as possible. In principle, it is also possible, however, for the frame to be smaller than the outer contour of the tray board. The invention does also, of course, include variants such that a number of frames can be used, in which case, the tray will be equipped with a number of peripheral frames. [0010] Normally, however, a tray is provided with just one frame, adapted to the outer contour of the tray board. The frame is of significant height. Its height corresponds to the width of the individual strips forming it. The height of the frame, and hence the width of the strips, may be 5 cm or more. In some cases, it may even be as much as 10 cm. This provides optimal retention of the goods on the tray.

3 [0011] The reason for this is that the invention is based on the known fact that the packaging of the (retail) goods on the shelves is typically up to 20 cm high-and even, in extreme cases, up to 30 cm high. If a frame is used whose height is at least 5 cm, then even in the postulated extreme case where the height of the packaging is 30 cm, the packaging will still be supported on an area of the packaging that corresponds to tat least 17%, and generally 20% or more of its length. This dimensional rule ensures that the goods on the shelf concerned are held securely with no difficulty. That is to say, the frame's width (i.e. height when installed) is at least 15% of the maximum length of the packages of products placed on the tray. [0012] A secure hold is observed even in cases where the tray is inclined somewhat so as to facilitate customer access to the goods, particularly with the goods at customer eye-level. In fact, with the above-mentioned dimensional rule, shelf and tray slopes of about 10' to 150 relative to the supporting frame can be managed without difficulty, and indeed without, for example, any of the goods sliding down the slope and toppling forward over the frame and out of the tray. [0013] Generally, the strips constituting the frame are made of glass, and/or plastic, and/or a comparable transparent material. This ensures that the transparent peripheral frame, although of significant height, does not conceal the product packages, but rather, allows consumers to see all the information that they could see if the shelf were entirely without a frame. This helps to promote sales. In this regard, it has also proved beneficial to use e.g. safety glass as the material for the frame, to prevent from the outset any injuries to customers or sales personnel. [0014] The frame is also equipped, advantageously, with one or more fastening elements, which can be adhesively bonded to the frame. The frame itself is bonded to the tray board by means of said one or more fastening elements. It has proved beneficial, in this regard, to use a preassembled structural unit consisting of the frame and the one or more fastening elements. [0015] Also, in this regard, the glass strips can be adhesively bonded to one another to form the frame; and it is possible, at the same time, to fasten the one or more fastening 4 elements to the respective glass strip and consequently to the frame-all in a single manufacturing step. For this operation, a UV glue can be used in each case as the adhesive for bonding the individual strips to one another and for fastening each fastening element to the respective strip and hence to the frame. The pre-applied adhesive or UV glue is all then cured by radiation, usually UV rays. For this, the frame preassembled in this manner is subjected to UV illumination. The prefabricated structural unit consisting of the frame and the one or more fastening elements is now ready, and can be directly joined to the tray board. This can be done with screws, rivets, or again by adhesive bonding. In most cases, the frame is simply placed on the tray board and screwed to it through the fastening element. [0016] In another advantageous embodiment, the tray board is provided with at least one covering strip. Usually, a number of covering strips are provided, which together form an open covering-frame. The shape of this covering frame is normally such that it is open towards the supporting frame. In this regard, the invention is based on the knowledge that the one or more covering strips will protect the tray from any damage. In addition, the covering strip ensures that, for example, customers or sales staff cannot injure themselves on a corner of the tray, because such a covering strip is normally a rounded-off special section rail made of e.g. aluminium. The covering strip is normally screwed to the tray board or to an edge thereof. Of course, other fastening elements and different fastening methods are also possible within the scope of the invention. [0017] In this regard, the design is normally such that the covering strip projects a certain amount beyond the surface of the tray board. In addition, the covering strip's width is, advantageously, greater than the thickness of the material of the tray board. Thus, the covering strip is, for one thing, able to cover the tray board along its entire edge-surface. That is because the width of covering strip exceeds the thickness of the material used for the tray board. In addition, the covering strip projects beyond and above the level of the tray board's top surface (upward projecting portion of covering strip). On the other hand, the covering strip generally ends flush with the tray board's undersurface. [0018] This gives additional protection to the bottom region of the frame and the strips forming it. This is especially important given that the inventive goods display unit 5 defines aisles in retail spaces and retail stores, and these aisles are used by customers with shopping carts. In order, for example, to prevent damage to the shelf and/or the thereto attached transparent peripheral frame in the event of shopping trolleys colliding with the goods display unit, it is a feature of the present invention that the covering strip has the above-described portion thereof that projects beyond and above the tray board's top surface. Even in the event of a lateral or frontal collision of the cart with the respective shelf, the peripheral frame, located behind (so to speak) the projection, will be protected by that projection. With a view to achieving a durable and damage-free design, this feature is of particular importance. In addition, the surrounding covering strips and open covering frame contribute to an aesthetically-pleasing design overall. (0019] This aspect is further supported by the fact that the individual shelves are generally wood-based composite boards with a covering on them. They may be covered with plastic sheet with an imitation wood-grain pattern. The covering is generally light coloured, and-combined with the transparent peripheral frame standing upright on it gives a pleasant, "light and airy" overall impression. Finally, this impression is further enhanced by the fact that the supporting frame is usually designed as a closed steel frame, with a suitable cladding on it which may also be made of wood-based composite board with a light-coloured imitation wood-grain finish. [0020] The result is a goods display unit that, for one thing, will hold in the goods that are stocked and displayed on its shelving, keeping them in place without any problems. This is ensured primarily by the transparent peripheral frame on the shelf or tray concerned. The frame's transparency also increases customer acceptance and helps promote sales. [0021] That is so because the goods, with their packaging, greet the customer (so to speak) just as if there were no frame in the way. These benefits are additionally combined with simple and quick assembly, because the frame and the one or more fastening elements constitute a prefabricated unit. This prefabricated unit can then be connected directly to the shelf when the inventive goods display unit is being set up. Also, the frame can, if necessary, be exchanged quickly and easily, without any trouble. Herein lie the main benefits.

6 [0022] The invention will now be described in more detail on the basis of an example of its embodiment, as illustrated in the drawings, in which: [0023] Fig. I is a perspective overview of the inventive goods display unit, and [0024] Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic side view of the object shown in Fig. 1, as viewed in direction X. [0025] Fig. I shows a goods display unit, which is in the form of a gondola-style goods-display shelving unit for (retail) goods W in the present case, but is not limited thereto. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the goods display (shelving) unit is combined with a checkout 1, which of course is just one example and does not limit the scope of the invention, because the inventive goods display unit can undoubtedly also be set up on its own, without a checkout 1. Likewise, in this regard, the goods selection units 2 (shown indicatively only) are also optional. [0026] The goods display unit has a supporting frame 3, 4, which is only diagrammatically indicated in Fig. 1. The supporting frame 3, 4 is in the form of a closed, peripheral frame 3, 4, which consists of two horizontal bars 3 and two vertical bars 4 connected to the horizontal bars 3. The vertical bars 4 act as holders for a number of shelf like trays 5 connected to the supporting frame 3, 4. [0027] The horizontal bars 3 and vertical bars 4 of the supporting frame 3, 4 are welded to one another for particularly high torsional stiffness. It can be seen that some of the trays are inclined obliquely, i.e. the top trays 5, which are at an angle a of approximately 100 to 15* to the supporting frame 3, 4 and to vertical. [0028] A particularly important feature of the invention is that each tray 5 essentially consists of a transparent peripheral frame 5A and at least one tray board 5B, the peripheral frame 5A being connected to the tray board 5B. The transparent peripheral frame 5A consists of strips 6 adhesively bonded to one another. This whole frame 5A is adapted to the outside contour of the tray board 5B, and follows it. In the embodiment example, the tray board 5B is rectangular in shape, and therefore the frame 5A is also rectangular, and stands upright on the edge region of the tray board 5B. As a result, the 7 frame 5A surrounds the maximum possible area of the tray board 5B that may be occupied by the goods W on the tray 5. [0029] As already explained, individual strips 6 are adhesively bonded to one another, to define the frame 5A. The adhesive used for bonding the individual strips 6 to one another is a radiation-curable adhesive-more specifically, it is a UV-curable adhesive, particularly a UV glue. This means that it is cured under UV light. When the UV glue is irradiated with UV light, polymerisation of the UV glue occurs, which is the basis of the curing process. [0030] Each strip 6, and consequently the entire frame 5A, is made of glass and/or plastic and/or a comparable transparent material. In this way, the goods W surrounded by the frame 5A are barely concealed at all, and therefore the entire package can be looked at by the customer. This has a sales-promoting effect. The width (breadth) B of the individual strips 6 and of the peripheral frame 5A is about 5 to 10 cm. This ensures that said width B will normally be about 15% or more of the maximum height H of the goods W in the tray 5, that is to say: B > 0.15 H [0031] As a result, the goods W are kept securely in the tray 5, even when they are on the edge region of the tray board 5B. That is the case even when the tray board 5B is inclined, as shown for the two top trays 5 (angle a). [0032] The frame 5A has one or more fastening elements 7 (not shown in detail) to secure the frame 5A to the tray board 5B. In the present embodiment-example, these fastening elements 7 are angle brackets 7, and they are generally L-shaped. One leg of each angle bracket 7 is adhesively bonded to the respective strip 6 and hence to the frame 5A, whereas the other leg of the angle bracket 7 serves to fasten it to the tray board 5B. For this purpose, the leg concerned may have a screw through it. [0033] As already mentioned, each fastening element 7 is adhesively bonded to the frame 5A and to the respective strip 6. In this regard, the frame 5A and the fastening element 7 concerned can together constitute a pre-made structural unit 5A, 7. To produce 8 this unit 5A, 7, the individual strips 6 are adhesively bonded to one another to form the frame 5A, and at the same time each of the one or more fastening elements 7 is adhesively bonded to the corresponding strip 6 and hence to the frame 5A. Then, the adhesive bonds between the individual strips 6 on the one hand, and between the strips 6 and the fastening elements 7 on the other hand, are all cured at the same time, by radiation-curing. During assembly, the pre-made structural units 5A, 7 are placed on the tray board 5B and connected thereto as described, e.g. by screwing. [0034] The tray board 5B is additionally provided with at least one covering strip 8, to protect it. It can be seen in the Figures that a number of covering strips 8 are used to form an open covering-frame 9. This covering frame 9 is designed to be open towards the supporting frame 3, 4. [0035] The width A of each covering strip 8 is greater than the width of the material of the tray board 5B. In this way, the covering strip 8 projects upward, by a certain amount U, beyond the upper surface of the tray board 5B, because the covering strip 8 ends flush with the undersurface of the tray board 5B. As a result, the covering strip 8, with its upward projection U, prevents damage not only to the tray board 5B, but also to the frame 5A and the strips 6 constituting it-because, even if a fully-laden shopping trolley were to run into the covering strip 8 head on, or at an angle, the frame 5A, being behind the covering strip 8 and also protected by the projection U, would not be touched. [0036] A further contributing factor here is that the covering strip 8 concerned is at an oblique angle to vertical and hence to the vertical bars of the supporting frame 3, 4. In fact, it can be seen, particularly in Fig. 2, that all of the covering strips 8 slope upwards and rearwards at an angle of about 5' to 200, and more particularly at an angle of about 10' (as seen in the side view of the goods display unit in Fig. 2). This oblique slope given to the covering strip 8 concerned serves a dual function. Firstly, the covering strip 8 can serve as a holder for e.g. price labels or other similar product information labels. This slope now makes it particularly easy for potential purchasers to read and grasp the items of information on the labels concerned.

9 [0037] In addition, the covering strip's upward and backward slope, in conjunction with the above-mentioned upward projection U, means that the frame 5A receives maximum protection. As is shown clearly by, in particular, the diagrammatic side view in Fig. 2, the covering strip's oblique slope means that it projects horizontally (so to speak), relative to the frame 5A. This forward projection means that damage to the frame 5A behind it is prevented or at least reduced, when regions of the frame 5A are covered that are not, as it were, protected by the upward projection U of the covering strip 8. [0038] Finally, it can be seen, in Fig. 2, that at least those covering strips 8, on the respective tray boards 5B, that are within reach of a shopping trolley or potential purchasers are inclined upwards and backwards. On the other hand, a covering strip 8 located in the region of a goods bin at the bottom of the supporting frame 3, 4 has little or no slope. [0039] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. [0040] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

Claims

1. A goods display unit, particularly a gondola-type goods-display shelving unit for (retail) goods, with a supporting frame, and with at least one repository-such as a shelf, tray, or bin-mounted on it to take the goods, said goods repository consisting essentially of a transparent peripheral frame and at least one tray board, with said peripheral frame being connected to said tray board, wherein the peripheral frame is made up of strips adhesively bonded to one another.

2. A goods display unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adhesive used for joining the strips is a radiation-curable adhesive.

3. A goods display unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein the adhesive used is a UV curable adhesive, particularly a UV glue.

4. A goods display unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each strip is made of glass, and/or plastic, and/or a comparable transparent material.

5. A goods display unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the peripheral frame is adapted to the outer contour of the tray board and follows it.

6. A goods display unit as claimed in any one of claims I to 5, wherein the frame is provided with one or more fastening elements.

7. A goods display unit as claimed in claim 6, wherein the fastening element is adhesively bonded to the peripheral frame.

8. A goods display unit as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the peripheral frame is attached to the tray board by means of the fastening element.

9. A goods display unit as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the peripheral frame and the fastening element form a pre-made structural unit. I I

10. A goods display unit as claimed in any one of claims I to 9, wherein the tray board is provided with at least one covering strip. 1. A goods display unit as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein a number of covering strips, forming an open covering-frame, are provided.

12. A goods display unit as claimed in claim 11, wherein the covering frame is designed as open towards the supporting frame.

13. A goods display unit as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the covering strip projects a certain amount upwards beyond the upper surface of the tray board.

14. A goods display unit as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the width of the covering strip is greater than the thickness of the material of the tray board.