EP0107541B1 - Display device for articles in shops - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for presenting articles, in particular on shop displays.

More and more people are using, for the sale of small items in large and medium-sized stores, a display system which consists of a vertical panel carrying horizontal support rods on which cards are hung, usually made of cardboard, on which the articles displayed for sale are imprisoned by means of a sheet of transparent plastic, thermoformable, glued to this card (so-called “blister packs”).

The advantage of these packaging is to expose the articles individually to the view of the buyer, which constitutes an incentive to purchase, and to be at the same time inviolable because of the impossibility of peeling off the plastic material. without damaging the packaging. However, these packaging partially hide the article by prohibiting any contact with it, which, in certain cases and in particular in that of tools or similar articles, is dissuasive because the potential buyer can hardly appreciate the qualities of the article and its adaptation to his particular needs.

In addition, making these packaging requires the use of machines and when the buyer has purchased the item, the packaging is destroyed and lost.

As a result, these packages are relatively expensive compared to their possibility of use.

It has been proposed to give the support sheets in the form of rigid and assemblable panel elements, which are pierced with holes into which hooks or clips for retaining the articles can be introduced later, between two uses. This arrangement reduces the cost price of the device by allowing it to be reused as a storage panel, but does not eliminate the need for the presence of the transparent sheet which traps the article by partially hiding it during marketing, if one wants the packaging to be tamper-proof. Neither the hooks nor the clips can replace it. The clips are moreover expensive components because, to be fixed securely in the round holes of the panels, they must have tapered slotted heads, which are difficult to produce (BE-A-709,752).

There are also tool support panels or the like (CH-A-627118), which have round holes and carry overlapping holding members provided with buttons engaged in the holes. The tools can thus be removed for use, then replaced at will, but the holding members do not provide a tamper-proof attachment. Indeed, it is found that it is possible to extract the buttons from the round holes of the panel, with an effort even to deteriorate them, then to reset new similar buttons in the holding position.

The invention proposes to remedy these drawbacks by producing a device for presenting individual articles in store, which can be used in displays of the aforementioned type, which allows contact with the object and its examination. while prohibiting its release, and the support of which can possibly be reused later by the buyer to make a device for storing the article.

The subject of the invention is, for this purpose, a device for presenting articles in store, of the type disclosed by CH-A-627118 in which the article is fixed on a rigid plate and pierced with holes, by at least one member. fixing by overlapping provided with buttons pressed by elastic engagement in the holes, characterized in that the holes of the plate open on its rear face by holes of square shape and, on its front face, by holes of round shape which, in projection on the rear face, are substantially circumscribed each to the corresponding square orifice of the opposite face, so that the buttons of the fixing member are locked in place by the sides of the square orifices.

Thanks to this arrangement, the heads of the buttons pressed elastically by the front orifice of the holes are retained by the edges of the opposite square orifice and can in no case pass through this orifice without being totally damaged. On the other hand, the article being fixed only by the member carrying the buttons, can be touched, handled and examined by a possible buyer, without risk however of being released.

Furthermore, the plates undergoing no deformation during the rupture of the fixing member, can easily be reused as storage elements by the user.

• la figure 1 est une vue en élévation, de face, d'un dispositif de présentation d'article en magasin suivant l'invention, dans lequel l'article est une pince universelle ;
• la figure 2 est une vue analogue à celle de la figure 1, mais montrant la face arrière de la plaque ;
• la figure 3 est une vue éclatée, partiellement en coupe, à plus grande échelle, d'une portion de la plaquette du dispositif suivant l'invention et d'un organe de fixation d'article ;
• la figure 4 est une vue analogue à celle de la figure 3, montrant comment un manche d'outil par exemple peut être retenu sur la plaquette du dispositif ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en plan de dessous d'une variante des moyens de fixation, montrant les boutons et les dents en saillie ;
• la figure 6 est une vue partielle en coupe, à plus grande échelle, de la plaquette de la figure 4, suivant la ligne 6-6 de la figure 7 ;
• la figure 7 en est une vue en plan de dessus (face avant) de la portion de plaquette de la figure 6 ;
• la figure 8 est une vue en perspective d'une plaquette de présentation suivant l'invention, réutilisée comme support pour une boîte destinée à contenir par exemple des vis ;
• la figure 9 est une vue partielle d'un tableau modulaire d'accrochage d'articles formé de plusieurs plaquettes de présentation, telles que représentées aux figures 1 et 2, en combinaison avec des moyens adaptés pour les maintenir dans un même plan, de façon amovible, contre un support ;
• la figure 10 est une vue partielle en coupe d'une plaque d'un dispositif de présentation suivant l'invention utilisé dans un tableau modulaire d'accrochage et portant une patte de support amovible d'un article ;
• la figure 11 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne 11-11 de la figure 10.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the description which follows, given solely by way of nonlimiting example and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is an elevational front view of a store article display device according to the invention, wherein the article is a universal clamp;
• Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1, but showing the rear face of the plate;
• Figure 3 is an exploded view, partially in section, on a larger scale, of a portion of the wafer of the device according to the invention and of an article fixing member;
• Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 3, showing how a tool handle for example can be retained on the plate of the device;
• Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of a variant of the fastening means, showing buttons and protruding teeth;
• Figure 6 is a partial sectional view, on a larger scale, of the wafer of Figure 4, along line 6-6 of Figure 7;
• Figure 7 is a top plan view (front face) of the wafer portion of Figure 6;
• FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a presentation plate according to the invention, reused as a support for a box intended to contain, for example, screws;
• FIG. 9 is a partial view of a modular table for hanging articles formed from several presentation plates, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in combination with means adapted to keep them in the same plane, so removable, against a support;
• Figure 10 is a partial sectional view of a plate of a presentation device according to the invention used in a modular hanging table and carrying a removable support leg of an article;
• FIG. 11 is a sectional view along line 11-11 of FIG. 10.

Referring more particularly to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown from the front and back respectively, an article presentation device according to one embodiment of the invention.

This device comprises a rectangular plate 1 comprising a network of holes designated as a whole by the reference 2 and formed by rows parallel to each other and to the sides of the plate.

The network 2 of holes extends over at least half of the surface of the plate 1, from one end of the latter, the plate having at its opposite end an opening 3 allowing it to be suspended from a horizontal rod a display (not shown) in a store.

Advertising or decorative patterns 4 can be affixed to the plate, for example in the vicinity of the opening 3, as shown.

An article 5, which according to the example shown is a universal clamp, is fixed to the plate 1 by means of a fixing member 6 which, in this case, consists of a bar made of a flexible material comprising, each of its ends, a button 7 adapted to cooperate by elastic engagement with a hole 8 of the network 2.

As shown more particularly in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, 7, each hole 8 opens out on the front face, or presentation face, of the plate 1 through a round orifice 8a, while it opens out on the opposite face through a square hole 8b. The side walls of the hole are inclined and widen towards the front face, so that the circular orifice 8a is practically circumscribed by the square of the corresponding orifice 8b.

Furthermore, in the case of a plate 1 of rectangular or square shape, such as that shown, the square orifices 8b are oriented so that their diagonals are parallel to the sides of the plate, that is to say that their sides are inclined by about 45 ° with respect to these sides.

The fixing member 6 is clearly shown in Figure 3. This member is constituted, according to this example, by a flat bar made of flexible material having at each end, on one of its. sides, a button 7 having a partially hemispherical head 9, for example made of material by molding with the bar 6, to which it is connected by a short rod 10. The head 9 has a diameter slightly greater than that of the rod 10 and delimits with it a shoulder 12 over most of its periphery, but has a flat 13 towards the inside of the bar, the flat 13 of the two buttons 7 thus being turned towards one another. The bar 6 also comprises, on the same face, several rows of projections formed by very small teeth or points 11, also made of material by molding, which give it a certain roughness.

The rods 10 of the heads 9 have a diameter which is smaller than that of the holes 8. On the other hand, the heads 9 have a larger diameter so that, when the heads 9 are presented opposite these holes, they must be pushed in and engage them elastically by deformation of the shoulder 12. The latter then resumes its shape and presses on the rear face of the plate.

The flat 13 facilitates penetration through the hole 8 by reducing the necessary deformation of the shoulder 12. Extraction is however strictly prohibited because this shoulder, which is circular and almost forms a complete crown, is in abutment against the plate itself, beyond the sides of the square hole. In FIG. 7, the head of the button is indicated in phantom and its position relative to the orifice 8b appears clearly.

Thanks to this construction, the bar 6 overlaps the article to be presented and in particular the clamp 5 and retains it securely, so that it can only be released by destroying the fixing member 6. A possible user can touch it , examine it closely, without risk of damaging the attachment.

The fixing member 6 is advantageously made of plasticized PVC containing for example between 20 and 40% of plasticizer, and preferably from 20 to 25%. It is easily obtained by molding and therefore constitutes an inexpensive element, which can have variable shapes depending on the article to be maintained.

FIG. 4 shows, for example in section, an article 14, of round section, such as the handle of a tool, held on a plate by means of a fixing member 16 whose buttons 17 have been engaged elastically in the holes 8 of the plate 1. It can be seen that the teeth 11 effectively contribute to retaining the article in place on the plate, by producing an anti-friction surface whose action is added to the tightening by the fixing member.

Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the member 6, for an article having a hole, such as saw blades or the like. In this embodiment, the bar 6 comprises, in its central part, a lug 60 projecting in the same direction as the buttons 7 and having a length at least equal to that of these buttons. Such a lug centers the bar relative to the article but above all locks it on the latter by crossing both a hole in the article and a hole 8 in the plate 1, which prevents any relative sliding of the article and of the brochure.

In Figure 5 is shown another variant of the fixing member. According to this example, the fixing member 26 has the shape of a T and comprises the heads 27 at the end of each of its branches and several rows of small teeth 21 projecting from its internal face.

It is understood, of course, that other embodiments of the fixing member can be made. This is how these members can also be constituted by a rod of any cross-section, circular or polygonal, comprising teeth such as 21.

Fasteners may also have other geometric shapes, for example a V, X, Y or other shape, by having elastic snap buttons at each end of their branches.

The plate 1 can be made of different rigid materials, for example impact polystyrene, or any other suitable material allowing easy and rapid mass production and therefore inexpensive.

When the plate 1 is made of impact polystyrene and the fixing member in PVC, adhesion may subsequently occur between the parts in contact with the fixing member and the plate, by release of chlorine during stabilization of the PVC. It is understood that this connection, which forms by itself, is advantageous in that it constitutes a guarantee of inviolability.

Of course, other materials can also be used to make the plate and the fixing member, but without obtaining this connection.

The plate 1 preferably comprises, as shown, a network 2 of several rows of holes, which makes it possible to mount various articles on the same type of plate, the buttons of the fixing members being similar and penetrating into the appropriate holes, whatever whatever the form of the organ and the article. It is however possible to limit the number of these holes, or even to provide holes of different dimensions, if necessary. In all cases, the engagement of the heads of the buttons 7,17 is carried out in the same way.

To facilitate this engagement, there is preferably provided, during molding, a cylindrical, axial recess 62 (fig. 6) in the rods 10 of the buttons 7 or 17. This recess 62 opens onto the external face of the bar and thus allows the introduction of a tool, which can exert an axial pressure well centered on the buttons. The resistance of the head 9 and of the shoulder 12 is however in no way reduced.

The rigidity of the plate facilitates the positioning of the fixing member and, of course, the suspension of the assembly thanks to the opening 3, but in addition it guarantees that only the fixing member will be damaged during release the item. The plate 1 will remain perfectly intact and may therefore be used again by the buyer.

Figure 8 shows an example of such use for the support of an object which is constituted, in this example, by a small plastic box intended to contain screws or the like. This box, designated by the reference 30, is fixed to the plate 1 by means of fixing members 36 which can be integral with the box 30, or even be glued on the latter, and include buttons 37 whose heads are adapted to cooperate with the holes 8 of the plate.

The buyer who has acquired a number of items such as tools may also wish to have them handy, for example on a wall above a work surface.

FIG. 9 is a partial view showing the production of a modular table for hanging articles produced by means of several presentation plates, as described above. These plates 1, 31, 41 are arranged in support means 42 constituted by a first section 43, having in section an H shape, one of the vertical branches of which has a flange 44 folded down so as to delimit a gutter 45 in inverted U, and a second section 46 having, in section, a shape having a shoulder and comprising a first part 47, having a section complementary to that of the gutter 45, and a second part 48 delimiting with the part 47 a housing for receiving the outer edge of the gutter 45.

The profile 46 is fixed to a wall, or other support, by means of screws 49 mounted in holes 50 extending through the part 48.

The section 43 is fitted by its gutter 45 on the branch 47 and can receive the plates 1, 31, 41 in the groove 51 delimited between the upper ends of the parallel branches of the H-section.

It is understood, of course, that another similar profile 43 is arranged parallel above the first in order to maintain the upper edges of the plates 1, 31, 41, a fixing element similar to the element 46 being also provided for fixing this other similar section (43).

The plates can thus be held edge to edge in the same plane and constitute a perforated surface on which can be hung tools, or the like, by means of suspension members of known type, such as that shown in FIG. 10 and designated by reference 52.

This suspension member 52 consists of a rod which may have, for example, a longitudinal rib 53 intended to provide it with a certain rigidity, and is terminated at its outer end by a sphere 54 and, at its opposite end, by an appendage 55. The latter preferably has a square section and is curved at a right angle so as to comprise a part rectilinear 56 having a length equal to the thickness of a plate 41 and limited by a shoulder 57 intended to come to bear on the front face of the plate. This appendage 55 thus fits exactly into a hole 8 and is immobilized there.

It will be noted that the fixing profile 46 can be produced in the form of short lengths to maintain the profile 43. In addition, the sectional shape of the profile 43 allows it to receive additional plates extending in opposite directions, in the groove opposite the groove 51.

It is clear that the user can modify such an attachment table and enlarge it as and when new acquisitions are made, the support and fixing profiles of the table plates being able to be produced inexpensively by material extrusion. plastic.

The invention therefore provides a presentation device which is less expensive than those of the prior art, is reusable, which not only ensures a cost saving but also a saving of material, and allows the potential buyer a real appreciation qualities of the article while being inviolable.

Claims (8)

1. A device for displaying articles in a shop, of the type in which the article is fixed to a rigid plate (1) provided with apertures (8) by at least an overlapping fastening element provided with buttons (7, 17) resiliently clipped into the apertures, characterised in that the apertures (8) of the plate open onto its rear side through square-shaped orifices, and on its front side, through round- shaped orifices (8a) which, in projection onto the rear side, are each substantially circumscribed around the corresponding square-shaped orifice (8b) of the opposite side, so that the buttons of the fastening element are locked in position by the sides of the square orifices.

2. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the fastening element is formed by a flexible element (6, 16, 26) which is of rectilinear shape, bent or has a plurality of branches, at the ends of which the buttons (7, 27) extend parallel to each other in the same direction, and which includes a series of small teeth or points (11) also extending in the same direction between the buttons.

3. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the buttons (7, 27) have a head (9) which has a substantially hemispherical shape and is carried by a short stem (10) and thus defines a circular shoulder (12) for bearing against the edge of the square-shaped orifice (8b) of the rear side of the plate (1).

4. A device according to claim 3, characterised in that each of the heads (9) of the buttons (7, 17, 27) of the fastening element (6, 16, 26) has a lateral flat portion (13).

5. A device according to one of the claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the flexible element (6) has between the buttons (7) a lug (60) whose height exceeds that of the buttons and is adapted to extend through both an aperture of the article and an aperture (8) of the plate so as to immobilize the article.

6. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the plate has a rectangular shape and the square-shaped orifices (8b) have diagonals parallel to the sides of the plate.

7. A device according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the apertures (8) have inclined walls between their circular-shaped end (8a) and their square-shaped end (8b).

8. A device according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the plate comprises a network (2) of apertures (8) evenly disposed in rows on at least one half of its surface, and suspension means (3) in the remaining part.

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