AU2018202167A1 - Collapsible Shelving Unit - Google Patents

Abstract

- 16 Flat packed retail promotional display stands can be complicated and time consuming to assemble and to erect. The present invention seeks to solve this problem with a self erecting display stand, the main part of which that requires no assembly. This self 5 erecting display unit is simply erected by lifting one edge of a back portion of the unit to allow the back portion to unfold. And when the back portion has become straight, side members are then able to move into position under the influence of a biasing means. And as the side members move to their correct positions, shelving members that are attached to the side members are caused to fold out into their desired locations. --23 29 55s 27- -" -- 33 ------ 2 1 -- 51

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a collapsible shelving unit, and in particular, but not exclusively 5 to a collapsible shelving unit for use as display shelves.

BACKGROUND

When retailing a product it is often desirable to display the product as prominently as possible. And when promoting a particular product it is not uncommon to display that product on a stand-alone shelving unit that can be positioned beside a checkout counter or in front of the fixed shelving in a shop.

These ‘promotional’ stands are often constructed from cardboard, and require careful assembly, and can be a little unstable if not fitted together properly. For example, it is often necessary to fold certain cardboard panels in a particular sequence or manner, and then to insert various tabs into slots, and often while trying to hold a number of parts in place at the same time as trying to engage tabs in slots.

During the assembly process, the often flimsy parts of temporary promotional stands can also be bent or damaged, making assembly all the more difficult.

And for a busy retailer, or sales representative, this can be a very inconvenient task, when the primary task at hand is the creation of a smart looking presentation stand for the articles to be promoted. What is needed is a move convenient way of erecting a stand-alone display unit, or shelving unit, but one that is still compact and easy to store and transport.

In this specification unless the contrary is expressly stated, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge; or known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

208438AUA_COMPLETE_SPEC_MAR2018.DOCX/PA

-22018202167 27 Mar 2018

OBJECT

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a collapsible shelving unit which will at least go some way towards overcoming one or more of the above mentioned problems, or at least provide the public with a useful choice.

STATEMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a collapsible shelving unit comprising;

a main structural member, a plurality of shelving members, and biasing means;

the main structural member being a substantially planar member having at least a first fold line and a second fold line, the first fold line intersecting the second fold line;

the plurality of shelving members each being attached to the main structural member on either side of the second fold line, and laying substantially flat against the main structural member when the main structural member is not folded along the second fold line and being configured to extend out from the main structural member when the main structural member is folded along the second fold line;

the biasing means is configured to fold the main structural member along the second fold line to bring the parts of the main structural member on each side of the second fold line toward one another; and the biasing means is prevented from folding the main structural member along the second fold line when the main structural member is folded along the first fold line.

Preferably the second fold line extends from a top of the main structural member to a bottom of the main structural member.

20843 8 AUACOMPLETESPECM AR2018.DOCX/PA

2018202167 27 Mar 2018

-3Preferably the first fold line extends from a left side of the main structural member to a right side of the main structural member.

Preferably the first fold line is approximately at right angles to the second fold line.

Preferably the main structural member includes a third fold line which is also intersected 5 by the first fold line.

Preferably the second and the third fold lines define; a back portion of the main structural member between the second and the third fold lines, a left side portion of the main structural member to the left of the second fold line, and a right side portion of the main structural member to the right of the third fold line.

Preferably the second and the third fold lines are substantially parallel to one another.

Preferably each of the shelving members is connected to the left side portion, the back portion and the right side portion of the main structural member.

Preferably some of the shelving members are connected to the main structural member above the first fold line, and some of the shelving members are connected to the main structural member below the first fold line.

Preferably the main structural member and the shelving members are made of a corrugated cardboard material, or a core-flute plastics material.

Preferably parts of the shelving members are glued to the main structural member.

Preferably the shelving members include fold lines configured to allow the shelving 20 members to lie substantially flat with the main structural member when the main structural member is not folded about the second fold line, and configured to cause a body portion of each shelving unit to move to a perpendicular relationship to the back portion of the main structural member when the main structural member is folded about the second fold line.

Preferably the biasing means comprises one or more elasticated members, for example 25 rubber bands.

208438AUA.COMPLETE_SPEC_MAR2018.DOCX/PA

-42018202167 27 Mar 2018

Preferably the or each biasing means is connected at one end to the left side portion and at another end to the right side portion.

Preferably the or each biasing means spans between the left side portion and to the right side portion when the shelving unit is erected.

Preferably the shelving members include side gussets that support the shelving members when the shelving unit is erected.

Preferably the or each biasing means help to support one or more of the shelving members.

Preferably the collapsible shelving unit is a self-erecting shelving unit.

In a second aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a retail display unit 10 incorporating at least one collapsible shelving unit substantially as specified herein.

In a third aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a method of erecting a collapsible shelving unit substantially as specified herein, the method including the steps of; ‘ • pivoting the upper and lower portions of the main structural member about the first fold line until the main structural member is substantially all aligned in a single plane, and .

• then allowing the biasing means to fold the left side portion and the right side portions toward one another about the second fold line.

Preferably the method also includes causing the shelving members to fold out as the left 20 side portion and the right side portions fold toward one another.

Preferably the method also includes allowing the biasing means to clamp the left side portion and the right side portion against the sides of the shelving members when the collapsible shelving unit is erected.

The invention may also broadly be said to consist in the parts, elements and features referred 25 to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of the parts, elements or features, and where specific

208438AUA__COMPLETE_SPEC_MAR2018.DOCX/PA

-52018202167 27 Mar 2018 integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents, such equivalents are incorporated herein as if they were individually set forth.

DESCRIPTION

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following 5 description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a fully assembled collapsible shelving unit according to the present invention,

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view showing the collapsible shelving unit in a folly 10 collapsed state,

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view showing an initial stage of an initial step in erecting the collapsible shelving unit,

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view showing a later stage of the initial step in erecting the collapsible shelving unit,

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view showing the collapsible shelving unit after the initial step has been completed,

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view showing an initial stage of a second step in erecting the collapsible shelving unit,

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view showing a later stage of the second step in erecting 20 the collapsible shelving unit,

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view showing the collapsible shelving unit after the second has been completed,

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view showing an optional further step in erecting the collapsible shelving unit,

208438AUA_COMPLETE__SPEC_MAR2018.DOCX/PA

-62018202167 27 Mar 2018

FIGURE 10 is a plan view showing the outline of a cardboard blank for making a main structural member of a second example of collapsible shelving unit according to the present invention, and

FIGURE 11 is a plan view showing the outline of a cardboard blank for making 5 shelving members for the second example of collapsible shelving unit.

With reference to Figures 1 to 9, a first example of a collapsible shelving unit (11) according to the present invention will now be described. Figure 1 shows a retail display unit (13) comprising the collapsible shelving unit (11) and a display panel (15). The retail display unit (13) has been designed for the purpose of promoting particular products to customers. The retail display unit (13) can be placed adjacent to a doorway, or a check-out counter, or other high traffic area to help promote a particular product, for example a new product, or a product that is being offered at a discounted price to improve sales. The retail display unit (13) itself can be printed with, or covered in promotional artwork to enhance the visual effect of the retail display unit (13).

A particular advantage of the retail display unit (13) is that it can be collapsed to an almost flat state for ease of transportation, and can later be assembled almost instantly, and without any detailed assembly work required, or fixings to be secured. The collapsible shelving unit (11) simply unfolds and self erects as will be described below.

In this example, the collapsible shelving unit (11) simply comprises; a main structural member (17), four shelving members (19), a kick strip (21), and biasing means in the form of three rubber bands (23).

The main structural member (17) is a substantially planar member made of corrugated cardboard. The main structural member (17) has a first fold line (25), a second fold line (27) and a third fold line (29). The first fold line (25) extends from a left side (31) of the main structural member (17) to a right side (33) of the main structural member.

Both the second fold line (27) and the third fold line (29) extend from a top (35) of the main structural member (17) to a bottom (37) of the main structural member (17). The first fold line (25) intersects the second and the third fold lines (27) and (29) at right angles to the second and third fold lines.

208438AIJA_COMPLETE_SPECMAR2018.DOCX/PA

2018202167 27 Mar 2018

-7In this example, the second and the third fold lines (27) and (29) are substantially parallel to one another. The second and the third fold lines (27) and (29) define a back portion (39) of the main structural member (17) between the second and the third fold lines (27) and (29). A left side portion (41) of the main structural member (17) is defined to the left of the second fold line (27), and a right side portion (43) of the main structural member (17) is defined to the right of the third fold line (29).

The four shelving members (19) lay substantially flat against the main structural member (17) when the main structural member (17) is not folded along the second or the third fold lines (27) and (29), as shown in Figure 5. And, the four shelving members (19) are configured to extend out from the main structural member (17) when the main structural member is folded along the second and the third fold lines (27) and (29).

Some of the shelving members (19) are connected to the main structural member (17) above the first fold line (25), and some of the shelving members (19) are connected to the main structural member (17) below the first fold line (25).

The main structural member (17) and the shelving members (19) are both made of a corrugated cardboard material. The four shelving members (19) are each attached to the main structural member (17) on either side of both the second and third fold lines (27) and (29). In this example, each of the shelving members (19) is connected to the left side portion (41), to the back portion (39) and to the right side portion (43) of the main structural member (17). Parts, or tabs (45), of the shelving members (19) are glued to the parts of the main structural member (17).

The shelving members (19) themselves include fold lines configured to allow the shelving members (19) to lie substantially flat with the main structural member (17) when the main structural member (17) is not folded about the second or third fold lines (29) or (29). And the shelving members (19) are configured to cause a body portion (47) of each shelving unit (19) to move to a perpendicular relationship to the back portion (39) of the main structural member (17) when the main structural member (17) is folded about the second and third fold lines (29) and (29).

208438AUA.COMPLETE_SPEC_MAR2018.DOCX/PA

2018202167 27 Mar 2018

- 8 The shelving members (19) include side gussets (49) that support each side of the shelving members (19) when the shelving unit (11) is erected. The side gussets (49) each include a first gusset fold line (51) and a second gusset fold line (53) that are each configured to facilitate the movement of the body portion (47) of each shelving unit (19) to the perpendicular relationship to the back portion (39) of the main structural member (17) as the main structural member (17) is folded about the second and third fold lines (29) and (29).

The rubber bands (23) are configured to fold the main structural member (17) along the second and third fold lines (27) and (29) to bring the parts of the main structural member (17) on each side of the second and third fold lines (27) and (29) toward one another. The rubber bands (23) are prevented from folding the main structural member (17) along the second and third fold lines (27) and (29) when the main structural member (17) is folded along the first fold line (25).

Each of the rubber bands (23) is connected at one end to hooks (55) on the left side portion (41) and at another end to hooks (55) on the right side portion (43). The or each biasing means spans between the left side portion and to the right side portion when the shelving unit is erected. The stretched rubber bands (23) help to support the shelving members (19) when the collapsible shelving unit (11) has been erected.

As noted above, a feature of the collapsible shelving unit (11) is that the rubber bands (23) are not able to fold the main structural member (17) along the second and third fold lines (27) and (29) when the main structural member (17) is folded along the first fold line (25). This allows the collapsible shelving unit (11) to remain collapsed while it is being stored or transported as shown in Figure 2. But as soon as the main structural member (17) is unfolded along the first fold line (25) as shown in Figures 3 and 4, and when the main structural member (17) becomes flat as shown in Figure 5, the rubber bands (23) are able to take over and to automatically erect the collapsible shelving unit (11).

The rubber bands (23) are already in a tensioned state when stretched to engage with the opposing hooks on the left and right side portions (41) and (43) while the main structural member (17) is not folded along the second and third fold lines (27) and (29). This tension in the rubber bands (23) is what causes the left and right side portions (41) and (43) to

208438AUA_COMPLETE.SPEC_MAR2018.DOCX/PA

2018202167 27 Mar 2018

-9automatically fold about the second and third fold lines (27) and (29) and toward one another as shown in Figures 6 and 7. The end result is an erect shelving unit (11) as shown in Figure 8. The optional additional display panel (15) can then be inserted into a socket in the top of the shelving unit (11) as shown in Figure 9.

With reference to Figures 10 and 11, the component parts to make a second example of shelving unit (111) are shown. The second example of shelving unit (111) is similar to the first example of a collapsible shelving unit (11) except as shown in the figures. Figure 10 shows a main structural member (117) that is made up of two parts, a first part (117a) and a second part (117b). The first part (117a) includes left and right side portions (141) and (143) that are both formed from a double thickness of the corrugated cardboard. The second part (117b) is a doubler to improve the strength of a back portion (139).

The shelving unit (111) also has a top shelf (119a), two lower shelves (119b) and a kick strip (121). The tabs of the shelving members (119a) and (119b) are glued to the main structural member (117) where indicated with the grey shading.

The shelving unit (111) is collapsible also, and can be erected using the same method as the first example of a collapsible shelving unit (11).

Method of Operation

With reference to Figures 2 to 8 a new and convenient method for erecting a shelving unit is shown and explained. The method includes the steps of;

· pivoting the upper and lower portions of the main structural member about the first fold line (as shown in Figures 3 and 4) until the main structural member is substantially all aligned in a single plane (as shown in Figure 5), and • then allowing the biasing means (23) to fold the left side portion (41) and the right side portions (43) toward one another about the second and third fold lines (27) and (29) (as shown in Figures 6 and 7).

The method also includes causing the shelving members (19) to automatically fold out as the left side portion (41) and the right side portions (43) fold toward one another, and

208438AUA_COMPLETE_SPEC_MAR2018.DOCX/PA

-102018202167 27 Mar 2018 allowing the biasing means (23) to clamp the left side portion (41) and the right side portion (43) against the sides of the shelving members (19) (as shown in Figure 8) when the collapsible shelving unit (11) is erected.

Figure 9 shows the optional further step of manually adding the display panel (15) at the 5 top of the shelving unit (11) to improve the overall visual impact of the assembled retail display unit (13).

VARIATIONS

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and 10 widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

The examples shown and described herein each have either three or four shelving members, 15 but clearly the collapsible shelving unit could have any number of shelving members.

Rubber bands are used as the biasing means in the collapsible shelving unit (11) described herein, but a range of alternative biasing means could be used, for example bungy cords, springs or pneumatic cylinders.

The collapsible shelving unit (11) has two substantially vertical fold lines. It is envisaged 20 that in an alternative embodiment a collapsible shelving unit according to the present invention could have only a single vertical fold line, or more than two. For example a corner display unit could have a single vertical fold line and have shelving members attached to the main structural member either side of the single vertical fold line.

In the examples shown and described the first fold line intersects the second fold line at 25 right angles. It is envisaged that the first fold line could intersect the second fold line at a range of angles and still prevent the shelving unit from self-erecting until the main structural member had been unfolded along the first fold line.

208438AUA_COMPLETE_SPEC_MAR2018.DOCX/PA

-ii 2018202167 27 Mar 2018

In the examples described above the main structural member (17) and the shelving members (19) are made of a corrugated cardboard material. However, it is also envisaged that they could alternatively be made of a core-flute plastics material or a similar lightweight and semi-rigid planar material.

The fold lines in the main structural member (17) and the shelving members (19) are facilitated by simply crushing the corrugated cardboard along a number of specified lines to allow the board to fold easily. The fold lines could alternatively be produced by reducing the material thickness along the specified lines, or by using hinges for example hinges made of thin and flexible plastic strips or piano hinges.

DEFINITIONS

Throughout this specification the word comprise and variations of that word, such as comprises and comprising, are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

ADVANTAGES

Thus it can be seen that at least the preferred form of the invention provides a collapsible shelving unit which can be easily stored and transported, and yet which can also be very quickly and easily erected without the need for any complex assembly steps.

Claims (20)

1. A collapsible shelving unit comprising;

• a main structural member, • a plurality of shelving members, and

5 · biasing means;

the main structural member being a substantially planar member having at least a first fold line and a second fold line, the first fold line intersecting the second fold line;

the plurality of shelving members each being attached to the main structural member 10 on either side of the second fold line, and laying substantially flat against the main structural member when the main structural member is not folded along the second fold line and being configured to extend out from the main structural member when the main structural member is folded along the second fold line;

the biasing means is configured to fold the main structural member along the second 15 fold line to bring the parts of the main structural member on each side of the second fold line toward one another; and the biasing means is prevented from folding the main structural member along the second fold line when the main structural member is folded along the first fold line.

2. A collapsible shelving unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second fold line

20 extends from a top of the main structural member to a bottom of the main structural member.

3. A collapsible shelving unit as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first fold line extends from a left side of the main structural member to a right side of the main structural member.

25

4. A collapsible shelving unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first fold line is approximately at right angles to the second fold line.

208438AUA_COMPLETE.SPEC_MAR2018.DOCX/PA

-13 2018202167 27 Mar 2018

5. A collapsible shelving unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the main structural member includes a third fold line which is also intersected by the first fold line.

6. A collapsible shelving unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second and the third

5 fold lines define; a back portion of the main structural member between the second and the third fold lines, a left side portion of the main structural member to the left of the second fold line, and a right side portion of the main structural member to the right of the third fold line.

7. A collapsible shelving unit as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the second and

10 the third fold lines are substantially parallel to one another.

8. A collapsible shelving unit as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein each of the shelving members is connected to the left side portion, the back portion and the right side portion of the main structural member.

9. A collapsible shelving unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein some of

15 the shelving members are connected to the main structural member above the first fold line, and some of the shelving members are connected to the main structural member below the first fold line.

10. A collapsible shelving unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the main structural member and the shelving members are made of a corrugated cardboard

20 material, or a core-flute plastics material.

11. A collapsible shelving unit as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the shelving members include fold lines configured to allow the shelving members to lie substantially flat with the main structural member when the main structural member is not folded about the second fold line, and configured to cause a body

25 portion of each shelving unit to move to a perpendicular relationship to the back portion of the main structural member when the main structural member is folded about the second fold line.

208438AUA_COMPLETE_SPEC_MAR2018.DOCX/PA

-142018202167 27 Mar 2018

12. A collapsible shelving unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the biasing means comprises one or more elasticated members.

13. A collapsible shelving unit as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 12, wherein the or each biasing means is connected at one end to the left side portion and at another

5 end to the right side portion.

14. A collapsible shelving unit as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 13, wherein the or each biasing means spans between the left side portion and to the right side portion when the shelving unit is erected.

15. A collapsible shelving unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the

10 shelving members include side gussets that support the shelving members when the shelving unit is erected.

16. A collapsible shelving unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the collapsible shelving unit is a self-erecting shelving unit.

17. A retail display unit incorporating at least one collapsible shelving unit as claimed

15 in any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. A method of erecting a collapsible shelving unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the method includes the steps of;

• pivoting the upper and lower portions of the main structural member about the first fold line until the main structural member is substantially all aligned

20 in a single plane, and • then allowing the biasing means to fold the left side portion and the right side portions toward one another about the second fold line.

19. A method of erecting a collapsible shelving unit as claimed in claim 18, wherein the method also includes causing the shelving members to fold out as the left side

25 portion and the right side portions fold toward one another.

208438AUA_COMPLETE_SPEC_MAR2018.DOCX/PA

- 15 2018202167 27 Mar 2018

20. A method of erecting a collapsible shelving unit as claimed in claim 18 or claim 19, wherein the method also includes allowing the biasing means to clamp the left side portion and the right side portion against the sides of the shelving members when the collapsible shelving unit is erected.