CN107533816B

CN107533816B - Device for supporting electronic labels

Info

Publication number: CN107533816B
Application number: CN201780001368.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 斯特凡诺.尼克里斯
Original assignee: Si TefannuoNikelisi
Current assignee: Si TefannuoNikelisi
Priority date: 2016-02-19
Filing date: 2017-02-17
Publication date: 2020-01-24
Anticipated expiration: 2037-02-17
Also published as: WO2017141199A1; ITUB20160901A1; CN107533816A; EP3417449A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for supporting electronic labels, comprising at least one longitudinally extending profiled element (2) that can be fixed to a supporting structure and can be engaged by at least one electronic label (3): the profiled element (2) forms at least two engagement areas (4a, 4b) that can be selectively engaged by the electronic label (3), namely at least one first engagement area (4a) adapted to allow the electronic label (3) to slide along a movement direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal extension of the profiled element (2), and at least one second engagement area (4b) adapted to prevent the electronic label (3) from sliding along said movement direction, respectively.

Description

Device for supporting electronic labels

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a device for supporting an electronic tag (electronic tag).

Background

As is known, electronic labels are currently in widespread use, which are applied to the shelves and display spaces of products in order to display price or promotional offers.

For supporting electronic tags profiled elements (profiled elements) made of plastic material are generally used, which are generally fixed to the free edge of the shelf or tray for supporting the product, and to which various electronic tags are attached, the various parts of which are generally suitably shaped so as to be coupled to the profiled elements.

Profiled elements are currently being used which have a longitudinally extending body with a rear wall (back wall) from one face of which two mutually parallel engaging wings (engagement wings) project substantially at right angles, forming a retaining shoulder for an electronic tag, which is inserted between the engaging wings in order to allow locking of the electronic tag with respect to the profiled element at least in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rear wall of the profiled element.

With a profiled element of this type, it is possible, even for an electronic tag attached to the profiled element, to slide the electronic tag along the profiled element in order to arrange the electronic tag at the correct position with respect to the product arranged on the shelf to which the profiled element is fixed.

This type of profiled element however requires a fairly precise tolerance control in order to prevent the engaging wings from exerting an excessive or insufficient locking force on the electronic tag, which would result in difficulty in inserting and removing the electronic tag and an obviously associated risk of damage, which would not prevent the electronic tag from easily sliding in case of accidental impacts, nor from being easily removed or stolen.

Another type of profiled element has a longitudinally extending body also substantially constituted by a rear wall from which project, substantially at right angles, two mutually parallel engaging wings, one crossed by a plurality of fixed seats, which are arranged spaced apart from each other along the extension of the profiled element and can be selectively engaged by a locking device associated with an electronic tag and activated by a separate activation means constituted by a magnet. In particular, the locking device is provided by a retaining pin and can be actuated in motion by moving the magnet closer to the electronic tag, so as to pass from a retracted position, in which the locking device is inserted within the body of the electronic tag, allowing sliding along the longitudinal extension of the profiled element of the electronic tag inserted between the anchoring wings, to a withdrawn position, in which the locking device protrudes from the electronic tag, so that it can be moved to engage one of the fixed seats once the electronic tag is moved to the desired position.

Although this solution ensures an effective locking of the electronic tag along the profiled element, it has the drawback of being very complex in construction and therefore costly.

Furthermore, the activation tools are relatively heavy, inconvenient to carry during daily activities, and often forgotten or lost.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for supporting an electronic label which allows to move the electronic label along a supporting profiled element, thus allowing to precisely position the electronic label with respect to the product with which it is associated, and also to ensure locking of the electronic label along the profiled element once the label is moved to the desired position, without requiring the use of separate activation tools and without requiring precise tolerance controls.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a simple and practical device for supporting electronic labels.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device for supporting an electronic label that can be manufactured at low cost.

In the following, this aim and the foregoing and other objects are better achieved by a device for supporting electronic labels according to the present invention as defined in claim 1.

Drawings

Further characteristics and advantages will be better appreciated from the description relating to a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the device according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

fig. 1 is a perspective view of a profiled element belonging to a support device according to the invention and of a portion of an electronic tag designed to engage with the profiled element;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the profiled element of FIG. 1 with an electronic tag engaged therewith;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the electronic tag of FIG. 1 shown from a different angle;

fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the profiled element of fig. 1, wherein an electronic tag is arranged in the first joining zone;

fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the profiled element of fig. 1, wherein an electronic tag is arranged in the second joining zone.

Detailed Description

With reference to the preceding figures, the device for supporting electronic labels according to the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises at least one profiled element 2 extending longitudinally, said profiled element 2 being fixable to a supporting structure, for example by a set of shelves for supporting products in sale, and being engageable by at least one electronic label 3.

According to the invention, the profiled element 2 forms at least two joining

zones

4a, 4b that can be selectively joined by the electronic label 3.

More specifically, the profiled element 2 forms a first engagement area 4a adapted to allow the electronic label 3 to slide along a movement direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal extension of the profiled element 2, and at least one second engagement area 4b, conversely adapted to prevent the electronic label 3 from sliding along said movement direction.

In this way, when the electronic tag 3 is engaged with the first engagement zone 4a, it is possible to move the electronic tag 3 along the profiled element 2, thus allowing, for example, the correct positioning of the product with respect to which the electronic tag 3 is indexed, and also to lock the electronic tag 3 in a desired position along the profiled element 2 by moving the electronic tag 3 into engagement with the second engagement zone 4 b.

As in the example shown, the profiled element 2 is provided with a rear wall 2a and a pair of

engagement wings

5a, 5b, the

engagement wings

5a, 5b extending from one face of the rear wall 2a and being engageable by the electronic tag 3.

On the side of the rear wall 2a facing away from the

coupling wings

5a, 5b, there are advantageously coupling tabs (engagement tabs) 7a, 7b known per se for connecting the profiled element 2 to a support structure.

Advantageously, the first joining zone 4a and the second joining zone 4b are arranged so as to be engageable sequentially one after the other by the electronic tag 3, so as to impart to the electronic tag 3a joining movement away from or towards the rear wall 2a, that is to say along a trajectory having at least one component substantially perpendicular to the rear wall 2 a.

As in the embodiment shown, it is possible, for example, to move the electronic tag 3 from the condition of engagement with the first engagement zone 4a to the condition of engagement with the second engagement zone 4b by a movement of the electronic tag 3 towards the rear wall 2 a.

More specifically, the first joining zone 4a and the second joining zone 4b are formed by mutually facing or inner faces (internal faces) of the joining

wings

5a, 5b and can be joined by at least one joining portion 3a of the electronic tag 3, the electronic tag 3 being insertable between the joining

wings

5a, 5 b.

In the example shown, the first joining zone 4a is formed by a first longitudinal groove 8 and a second longitudinal groove 9, the first longitudinal groove 8 being formed on the inner face of one of the joining wings, for example the one identified by the reference numeral 5a in the figures; a second longitudinal groove 9 is formed on the inner face of the other engaging wing 5b, in contrast.

The first and second

longitudinal grooves

8 and 9 extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal extension of the profiled element 2 and can be engaged, with the possibility of sliding, by

respective engagement elements

10a, 10b formed on the engagement portion 3a of the electronic label 3.

Conveniently, the second engagement zone 4b comprises a plurality of retention seats (retention abutments) advantageously formed by locking seats 11, said locking seats 11 being arranged spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal extension of the profiled element 2 and being selectively engageable by at least one of the

engagement elements

10a, 10b so as to lock the electronic tag 3 along the longitudinal extension of the profiled element 2.

In particular, in the embodiment shown, the locking seat 11 is formed on one of the

engaging wings

5a, 5 b.

More specifically, according to the embodiment shown, the second joining zone 4b is formed by the first groove 8 and by a locking seat 11, said locking seats 11 being formed in this case on the same joining wing 5b used to form the second groove 9 and being arranged spaced apart from each other along a direction substantially parallel to the second groove 9.

With reference also to the illustrated embodiment, on the engagement portion 3a of the electronic tag 3 there is at least one first engagement element 10a, for example constituted by an elongated projection arranged on one side of the electronic tag 3 and able to engage the first longitudinal groove 8, and at least one second engagement element 10b, arranged on the opposite side of the electronic tag 3 and able to selectively engage the second groove 9 or at least one of the locking seats 11.

Preferably, there are a plurality of second coupling elements 10b on the electronic tag 3, said plurality of second coupling elements 10b being constituted by mutually aligned teeth that can be inserted individually in the locking seat 11.

Advantageously, between the locking seat 11 and the second groove 9, there is a longitudinal projection 12 on the engaging wing 5 b.

In particular, at least the engaging wing 5b is elastically flexible so as to allow the second engaging element 10b to move beyond the extent of the longitudinal projection 12 under the engaging movement imparted to the electronic tag 3, so as to move the electronic tag 3 from the first engaging zone 4a to the second engaging zone 4b, or vice versa.

Advantageously, the second engaging element 10b has a face shaped like an inclined plane, so as to be slidable on a portion shaped like an inclined plane of the longitudinal extension 12, in order to cause the second engaging element 10b to move beyond the extent of the longitudinal projection 12.

It should be mentioned that at the opposite ends of the

engaging wings

5a, 5b with respect to the rear wall there is a pair of

longitudinal recesses

13a and 13b, which delimit the first and second

longitudinal grooves

8 and 9, respectively, and which face each other, so as to form retaining shoulders for the

engaging elements

10a, 10b of the electronic label 3.

For the sake of completeness, it should also be mentioned that it is optionally possible to arrange a layer of material 14 in the first groove 8, the layer of material 14 increasing the friction between the profiled element 2 and the electronic tag 3, so that the electronic tag 3 engaged with the first engagement region 4a can only slide along the profiled element 2 as a result of the application of a certain force. The layer 14 may be constructed, for example, of rubber or other similar material.

The method of use of the device according to the invention is as follows.

The electronic label 3 is engaged with the first engagement zone 4a formed by the profiled element 2 by inserting the engagement portion 3a of the electronic label 3 between the

engagement wings

5a, 5b, so that the first engagement element 10a of the electronic label 3 engages the first longitudinal groove 8 and the second engagement element 10b of the electronic label 3 engages the second groove 9.

As the electronic tag 3 engages with the first engagement area 4a, the electronic tag 3 can be made to slide along the longitudinal extension of the profiled element 2 by overcoming the opposing friction of the layer 14, so that it can be moved to a selected position along the profiled element 2.

By giving the electronic tag 3 an engaging movement towards the rear wall 2a, it is possible to move the electronic tag 3 into engagement with the second engagement area 4b formed by the profiled element 2, so that a locking of the electronic tag 3 along the longitudinal extension of the profiled element 2 is obtained.

In particular, by exerting a thrust on the electronic label 3 towards the rear wall 2a with the engaging element 10a remaining engaged with the first longitudinal groove 8, a sliding of the second engaging element 10b on the longitudinal projection 12 is achieved and causes an elastic bending (elastic flexing) of the engaging wing 5b until the second engaging element 10b moves beyond the extent of the longitudinal projection 12.

Once the second engagement elements 10b have moved beyond the extent of the longitudinal projection 12, the electronic tag 3 is optionally made to slide along the profiled element 2 until the respective second engagement element 10b is inserted in one of the locking seats 11, so as to lock the possibility of the electronic tag 3 sliding along the longitudinal extension of the profiled element 2.

The detachment of the electronic tag 3 from the profiled element 2 is carried out by bending the

engaging wings

5a, 5b, thus releasing the engaging portion 3a of the electronic tag 3.

In practice it has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects, since it allows to arrange an electronic tag along a supporting profiled element in a very practical and simple manner, and to carry out a subsequent locking along the longitudinal extension of said profiled element, also practically and simply.

All the features of the invention which are indicated above as advantageous, convenient or the like may also be omitted or replaced by equivalents.

Individual features presented with reference to the general teachings or specific embodiments may be present in other embodiments in their entirety or may be substituted for those in the embodiments.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

In practice, the materials used, as well as the specifications and shapes, may be any according to requirements, provided they are compatible with the specific use.

All the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

The disclosures in italian patent application No. 102016000017177(UB2016a000901) are claimed for priority and are incorporated herein by reference.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A device for supporting electronic labels, comprising at least one longitudinally extending profiled element (2) that can be fixed to a supporting structure and that can be engaged by at least one electronic label (3), characterized in that said profiled element (2) forms at least two engagement zones (4a, 4b) that can be selectively engaged by said electronic label (3), namely at least one first engagement zone (4a) adapted to allow sliding of said electronic label (3) along a movement direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal extension of said profiled element (2), and at least one second engagement zone (4b) adapted to prevent sliding of said electronic label (3) along said movement direction, respectively;

the first engagement zone (4a) is formed by a first longitudinal groove (8) formed on the inner face of one of the engagement wings (5a, 5b) and by a second longitudinal groove (9) formed on the inner face of the other engagement wing (5a, 5b), the first and second longitudinal grooves (8, 9) extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal extension of the profiled element (2) and being engageable, with the possibility of sliding, by respective engagement elements (10a, 10b) formed on at least one engagement portion (3a) of the electronic label (3).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said profiled element (2) has a rear wall (2a) and a pair of engaging wings (5a, 5b) extending from one face of said rear wall (2a) and engageable by said electronic tag (3).

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the first engagement zone (4a) and the second engagement zone (4b) can be engaged sequentially by the electronic tag (3) as a result of an engagement movement imparted to the electronic tag (3) towards or away from the rear wall (2 a).

4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first engagement zone (4a) and the second engagement zone (4b) are formed by facing or inner faces of the engagement wings (5a, 5b) and can be engaged by at least one engagement portion (3a) of the electronic label interposed between the engagement wings (5a, 5 b).

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second engagement zone (4b) comprises a plurality of retention seats spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal extension of the profiled element (2) and selectively engageable by at least one engagement element (10a, 10b) formed on the electronic tag (3) so as to lock the electronic tag (3) with respect to the profiled element (2) along the movement direction.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, characterised in that the retention abutment is formed by a plurality of locking seats (11) mutually spaced along the longitudinal extension of the profiled element (2).

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that a locking seat (11) is formed on one of the engaging wings (5a, 5 b).

8. The device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the second engagement zone (4b) is formed by the first longitudinal groove (8) and a plurality of locking seats (11), wherein the locking seats (11) are formed on engagement wings (5a, 5b) for forming the second longitudinal groove (9), the locking seats (11) being mutually spaced along a direction substantially parallel to the second longitudinal groove (9).

9. The device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that on said at least one engagement portion (3a) of the electronic tag (3) there is at least one first engagement element (10a) and at least one second engagement element (10b), said at least one first engagement element (10a) being arranged on one side of the electronic tag (3) and being able to engage said first longitudinal groove (8), said at least one second engagement element (10b) being arranged on the opposite side of the electronic tag (3) and being able to selectively engage said second longitudinal groove (9) or at least one of said locking seats (11).

10. The device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein a longitudinal projection (12) is formed on the respective engaging wing (5a, 5b) between the locking seat (11) and the second longitudinal groove (9), at least the engaging wings (5a, 5b) forming the locking seat (11) and the second longitudinal groove (9) being elastically bendable so as to allow the second engaging element (10b) to move beyond the extent of the longitudinal projection (12) when the electronic tag (3) is imparted with said engaging movement.

11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in the first longitudinal groove (8) there is a layer of material (14) for increasing the friction between the profiled element (2) and the electronic label (3).