EP0102639A1 - Device for displaying and selling filled tubes - Google Patents

Abstract

The device is for displaying and selling filled tubes (16) which are closed with a screw cap (38) and the free end of which is constructed in the manner of a sleeve. The tubes are placed upright with their screw caps on a holding plate (17) which has correspondingly profiled upwardly facing projections (14). Several of the holding plates are displaceable in a rail system which can be placed on the top of a shelf. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a device for the presentation and sale of filled tubes, which are closed with a closure cap, the free end of which is designed like a sleeve.

Tubes of this type, which can be filled with a wide variety of goods, in particular foodstuffs, for example mustard, tomato paste, mayonnaise, etc. but also with other materials, for example toothpaste, etc., are generally offered for sale in sales shops today in that they are placed loosely on a shelf that is inclined towards the front and closed on all sides. If some of the tubes are sold, the rear tubes slide forward due to gravity and can be sold there.

However, this sales system has noticeable disadvantages, which consist in particular in the loose, disordered arrangement and presentation of the tubes, which also partially obscure one another, so that their labels are not always completely visible.

The invention avoids these disadvantages. It is based on the task of proposing a device for the presentation and sale of such tubes, which is characterized in that the tubes are ordered and in their entirety for the viewer and potential buyer presented and visible. In addition, there should be a larger stock of such tubes in the device itself, which can be brought forward into the view and grip area of the buyer in a simple manner after the sale of the tubes that are initially located for the buyer. The device should be able to be refilled with new tubes very quickly and easily.

To achieve this object, the invention is characterized in that essentially rectangular holding plates are provided in the plan with projections pointing upwards, onto which the tubes with the sleeve-like ends of their sealing caps can be attached, and that at least one guide rail is provided for the holding plates, which are guided in a receptacle formed by the guide rail and closed on the end faces.

The tubes are thus placed with their front facing downward on the projections arranged in a knob-like manner on the holding board, where they are held securely but nonetheless releasably. A fit is thus between the knob-like projections of the holding plate and the sleeve-like end of the respective caps ^! educated. The projections of the holding plate can also be hollow, the tubes with their caps then being inserted into the openings of the sleeve-like projections, also in a snug fit. Both embodiments have the advantage in common that the tubes are arranged vertically on the holding plate and are completely visible, possibly apart from the lower part of the closure caps. Several of these Assembled holding plates are now slidably held in a rail system, namely at least two such holding plates. The rail system preferably comprises two guide rails arranged side by side, so that at least a total of four such holding plates with tubes are present in a device according to the invention. Each of the holding plates has, for example, fifteen storage spaces for tubes, so that at least 60 such tubes can be presented to the customer. This is sufficient for most retail stores for one day's sales needs. However, the device can be easily enlarged, for example if three such holding plates are arranged one behind the other, possibly also with three or more rails next to one another.

If the tubes of the foremost holding plate are sold out, they are either re-fitted and reinserted into the device, or the respective rear holding plate is pushed forward and can then be sold, whereby the empty holding plate is either brought back until it is again can be refilled, or set aside for immediate or later refilling with the tubes.

For manufacturing and cost reasons, it is preferred if the holding plates and the guide rail consist of deep-drawn plate material made of plastic and have stiffening ribs. The material is inexpensive and relatively thin plastic sheets can be deep-drawn because they are stiffened by the ribs.

It is also preferred if a downward-facing plate is formed on the front of the guide rail. The plate serves as a carrier for advertising prints and other information about the tubes to be sold with the aid of the device according to the invention. The plate preferably forms an obtuse angle with the plane of the holding plates so that their inscription is particularly clearly visible to the viewer.

An important embodiment of the invention provides that the guide rail can be firmly connected to a shelf serving as a support for it. Although it is also possible to place the rail loosely on such a shelf, a fixed connection is preferred because the device according to the invention then has a fixed place on the shelves of the relevant store. The desired, fixed and possibly detachable connection between the rails and the shelf is designed, for example, as an adhesive connection, as a screw connection and also as a clamp connection. In the case of a particularly preferred adhesive connection, the rail should have a flat surface on its underside, which then serves as an adhesive surface on the likewise flat shelf board.

The space available on the holding plates for the tubes to be attached there is used particularly well if the upward-pointing projections of the holding plates are arranged in a plurality of parallel rows, each offset from one another. In any case, the projections have a lateral spacing, which is at least the smallest transverse dimension of the relevant one Tube body corresponds. The sleeves of the caps and the projections of the holding plates have such a length and mutual fit that the tubes which are attached from above are securely held against lateral tilting, but can nevertheless be easily removed from the sleeves upwards.

There are several options for training the guide rail. This can be formed in one piece with an unchangeable size, the guide rail then being formed as a one-piece plate with raised edges. The raised edges form the guide means for the holding plates. If two guide rails are arranged side by side, they preferably have a single, raised edge for space reasons, which then guides the holding plates of both rows on their side.

For the presentation of the tubes also outside of the holding plates and directly within reach of the buyer, it is preferred if several of the projections for holding the closure caps are integrally formed on the front end of the plate in front of the raised edge forming the front end.

Another embodiment is characterized in that the length of the guide rail can be adapted to the depth of a shelf. It is taken into account that shelves of different depths are common.

For this adjustment in the length of the guide rail, a system provides that the guide rail consists of several partial rails, which can be easily detached from one another are fixable. The part rails have identical or unequal lengths, so that they can be easily put together or put together to the desired length according to the shelf depth in each case.

It is preferred here if the part rails are plate-shaped with raised edges and with downward-pointing extensions at least on their end faces, which fit in receptacles on the end faces of at least one of the adjoining part rails or end plates. In a way, this creates a plug-in system with which the part rails can be plugged together in any row. The respective last partial rails of such a row are inserted with their extensions into corresponding openings in the transverse end plates, which end plates are then preferably connected to the top of the relevant shelf.

An important embodiment of this feature provides that the extensions are sleeve-like and have openings in which the caps of the tubes fit. In this case, the plate-like rails, which are present anyway, and the projections, which are provided for plugging together the partial rails and are in this case designed like sleeves, are used simultaneously to hold the tubes. This is particularly advantageous if, for example, only a few tubes are not sold. These are then removed from their holding plate and inserted into the sleeve-like extensions, so that the inner walls of the extensions are against the outer walls of the caps of the tubes put on in a snug fit. The now empty holding board can then be filled and inserted into the rail system. The arrangement described, according to which the rails themselves are plate-like and have sleeve-like extensions to match the outer walls of the closure caps, can of course also be provided in the one-piece embodiment of the guide rails explained above.

In order for the surface of the guide rail assembled by the partial plates to pass smoothly, it is preferred if at least one of the partial plates is gradually lowered on one of its end faces by the thickness of the plate material. In the case of the partial plates which are plugged together in the manner described, there is thus a continuous surface on which the holding plates are easily displaceable, although the rail is composed of the partial rails mentioned.

• Fig. 1 - eine Draufsicht auf eine Halteplatte;
• Fig. 2 - einen Schnitt längs der Linie II - II von Fig. 1;
• Fig. 3 - einen Schnitt längs der Linie III - III von Fig. 1 in vergrößertem Maßstab mit dem unteren Teil einer auf eine der Vorsprünge aufgesetzten Tube;
• Fig. 4 - eine Draufsicht auf eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung, bestehend aus mehreren der Halteplatten nach Fig. 1 bis 3 mit einer ersten Ausführungsform von zwei nebeneinander angeordneten, einstückigen, plattenförmigen Schienen;
• Fig. 5 - einen Schnitt längs der Linie V - V von Fig. 4;
• Fig. 6 - einen Schnitt längs der Linie VI - VI von Fig. 4;
• Fig. 7 - eine Draufsicht ähnlich Fig.4 auf ein zweites System von in der Länge anpaßbaren Schienen, wobei zur Verdeutlichung die hierzu verwendeten Teilschienen links in Fig. 7 fortgelassen sind, ohne Halteplatten;
• Fig. 8 - einen Schnitt längs der Linie VIII - VIII von Fig. 7;
• Fig. 9 - einen Schnitt längs der Linie IX - IX von Fig. 7;
• Fig. 10 - einen Schnitt längs der Linie X - X von Fig. 7, und zwar durch die in Fig. 7 obere Teilschiene;
• Fig. 11 - ebenfalls einen Schnitt längs der Linie X - X, und zwar durch die in Fig. 7 untere Teilschiene;
• Fig. 12 - einen Schnitt längs der Linie XII - XII von Fig. 7, wobei die beiden dort zusammengesteckten Teilschienen zur Verdeutlichung voneinander beabstandet dargestellt sind.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments, from which further important features result. It shows:

• Fig. 1 - a plan view of a holding plate;
• Fig. 2 - a section along the line II - II of Fig. 1;
• 3 shows a section along the line III-III of FIG. 1 on an enlarged scale with the lower part of a tube placed on one of the projections;
• 4 shows a plan view of a device according to the invention, consisting of several of the holding plates according to FIGS. 1 to 3 with a first embodiment of two, one-piece, plate-shaped rails arranged next to one another;
• Fig. 5 - a section along the line V - V of Fig. 4;
• Fig. 6 - a section along the line VI - VI of Fig. 4;
• 7 shows a top view similar to FIG. 4 of a second system of rails which can be adjusted in length, the partial rails used for this purpose being omitted on the left in FIG. 7, without holding plates;
• Fig. 8 - a section along the line VIII - VIII of Fig. 7;
• Fig. 9 - a section along the line IX - IX of Fig. 7;
• FIG. 10 shows a section along the line X-X from FIG. 7, namely through the upper partial rail in FIG. 7;
• Fig. 11 - also a section along the line X - X, through the lower part of Fig. 7;
• Fig. 12 - a section along the line XII - XII of Fig. 7, wherein the two part rails plugged together there are shown spaced apart for clarity.

According to FIGS. 1 to 3, a holding plate 11 according to the invention consists of a rectangular plate part 17, on which projections 14, which are deep-drawn from the bottom upwards and are essentially cylindrical, but strictly frustoconical in shape, are arranged. According to FIG. 1, three rows 18, 19, 20 of such projections 14 are provided, the distances between the projections 14 being the same within each row and the projections 14 of adjacent rows being offset by half a pitch. 1, there is a diamond pattern of ribs 21, which are formed by a deep-drawing process in the opposite direction to the deep-drawing process of the projections 14. The ribs 21 project downward from the plate 17; Correspondingly, there are grooves or grooves 21 'on the opposite upper side.

The plate part 17 is first bent upwards on the long sides and then bent downwards again to form an upper edge 22. The edge 22 extends downward over the plane of the plate 17 and merges into a lower edge 23 which, with its lower edge, serves to rest on a support. The lower edge 23 protrudes downward according to FIG. 3 via the ribs 21. Preferably, however, the lower edge 23 lies in a plane with the undersides of the ribs 21 (see FIG. 2).

According to fig. 3, a tube 16 consists of a tube body 15 and a closure cap 38 screwed onto the outlet connection 27 provided with thread 28 thereof.

The closure cap 38 has an actual closure part 29 which has a cavity with an internal thread 30 which matches the outlet connector 27.

From the closure part 29 extends in the opposite direction to the tube body 15, a substantially cylindrical, but somewhat conical sleeve 12 with a complementary to the projection 14 slightly frustoconical interior 13. Between the cavity with the internal thread 30 and the interior 13 there is therefore a Partition 31.

Due to the design described, the tube 16 can be attached to any of the projections 14 by means of the sleeve 12 in the manner shown in FIG. 3, so that there is a close, form-fitting fit between the sleeve 12 and the relevant projection 14. The tube 16 is thus held securely on the stand 11 not only in the vertical but also in the lateral direction.

The lateral spacing of the projections 14 is such that tubes 16 of the same type are attached to adjacent projections 14 without mutual hindrance. can.

The holding plates 11 described above are used in a rail system which consists of two off shapes is shown with reference to Figures 4 to 6 and 7 to 12. The rail system according to FIGS. 4 to 6 is designed as a one-piece plate which cannot be changed in length, and the rail system according to FIGS. 7 to 12 as a multi-part guide plate which can therefore be adjusted in length. Both systems have in common that two parallel receiving spaces are provided next to each other for several of the holding plates 11 according to FIGS. 1 to 3.

In the first embodiment according to FIGS. 4 to 6, a one-piece plate 41, also made of deep-drawn plastic material, is provided, on which two receiving spaces 42 for the holding plates 11 according to FIGS. 1 to 3 are formed side by side. There is space for at least two such holding plates 11 in a row in each receiving space. The receiving spaces are delimited on the long sides by raised ribs or walls 43, the two receiving spaces having the central wall 43 in common. At the end faces, the receiving spaces are delimited by end walls 44.

In front of the front, end wall 44, the plate 41 is continued by a certain distance and several of the projections 14 are formed next to one another in a row, on which tubes 16 can therefore also be attached.

This is followed by a plate 45, which is used to hold lettering and the like. The plate 45 forms an obtuse angle with the plate 41 and is inclined downwards.

Figures 4 and 6 also show that the plate 41 can be attached to a shelf indicated at pos. 46, for example by gluing.

A further embodiment is shown in FIGS. 7 to 12, the receiving spaces being formed by a plurality of partial rails which can be assembled in the length desired in each case. For this purpose, a front and a rear end plate 47 are provided, both of which are substantially L-shaped. Both end plates are also attached to the shelf 46 in a suitable manner, for example glued. They extend in the transverse direction to the recordings. On the front of the end plates, the plate 45 is also formed for receiving the inscriptions.

Figures 7 and 8 in particular show that 47 ring pieces 48 are formed from the material of the end plates, which point upwards. Corresponding, likewise cylindrical extensions 49 of partial rails 50, 51 and 52 fit into the ring pieces.

By means of the extensions 49, the partial rails can be assembled in the desired length. They serve the further purpose of receiving a remaining component of tubes 16, for example if one of the holding plates 11 is partially sold out and has to be refilled.

FIGS. 9 to 12 show details of the detachable plug connection between the partial rails, which results in likewise shows that the rear and the middle of the partial rails 51, 52 are each stepped down at their front end, so that an overall continuous contact surface for the holding plates 11 is formed. The steps are indicated at item 53. The projections 54 provided in the area of the lower level, similar to the projections 49, also point downwards. However, they have an inner diameter that is only slightly larger than the outer diameter of the matching extensions 49 of the partial rail located above them, which results in the aforementioned plug-in system.

7 shows as an example that a total of six extensions 49 are provided on the front end edge of the first sub-rail 50 to accommodate a corresponding number of tubes 16. The two foremost extensions 49 serve simultaneously as a plug connection with the corresponding ring pieces 48 of the end plate 47.

FIGS. 7 to 12 also show that lateral walls 43 are also provided in this embodiment, which serve to guide the holding plates 11, and end walls 44 on the end face. The walls here also delimit the receiving spaces 42.

It can thus be seen that the novel device described presents tubes with corresponding caps to the potential buyer in a clearly visible manner. There is always a sufficient supply of tubes that are also clearly visible and separated from each other and arranged on their holding plates without any further action. If the front holding plate is sold out, only the next holding plate has to be pushed forward. A new holding plate, again with tubes, can then be inserted from behind into the rail system.

Claims (12)

1. Device for the presentation and sale of filled tubes (16) which are closed with a closure cap (38), the free end of which is designed like a sleeve,
characterized,
that in plan essentially rectangular holding plates (11) are provided with upward-facing projections (14) onto which the tubes (16) with the sleeve-like ends (12) of their caps (38) can be attached, and that at least one guide rail (43 ) is provided for the holding plates (11), which are displaceably guided in a receptacle (42) formed by the guide rail (43) and closed on the end faces (44). 2. Device according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the holding plates (11) and the guide rail (43) consist of deep-drawn plate material made of plastic and have stiffening ribs (21, 43, 44). 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized,
that a downward facing plate (45) is formed on the front of the guide rail. 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3,
characterized,
that the guide rail can be firmly connected to a shelf board (46) serving as a support for it. 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4,
characterized,
that the upward-facing projections (14) of the holding plates (11) are arranged in a plurality of parallel rows (18, 19, 20), each offset from one another. 6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5,
characterized,
that the guide rail is formed as a one-piece plate (41) with raised edges. 7. The device according to claim 6,
characterized,
that several of the projections (14) for holding the closure caps are integrally formed on the front end face of the plate in front of the raised edge (44) forming the front end. 8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5,
characterized,
that the length of the guide rail can be adapted to the depth of a shelf (46). 9. The device according to claim 8,
characterized,

that the guide rail consists of several sub-rails (50, 51, 52) which can be easily detached from one another. 10. The device according to claim 9,
characterized,
that the partial rails (50, 51, 52) are plate-shaped raised edges (43) are formed and with downward-facing extensions (49, 54) at least on their end faces, which fit in receptacles (54, 48) on the end face of at least one of the adjoining partial rails or end plates (47) on the end face . 11. The device according to claim 10,
characterized,
that the extensions (49) are sleeve-like and have openings into which the caps (38) of the tubes (16) fit. 12. The apparatus of claim 10 or 11,
characterized,
that at least one of the partial plates (51, 52) is lowered in a step-like manner (step 53) on one of its end faces by approximately the thickness of the plate material.

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