EP0454521A1 - Device for hanging articles on a display device and application of said device for supporting a package and/or a packaged article - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for the suspension of articles from a display rack or similar and to applications of the said device for supporting a package and/or a packaged article. According to the invention, the article to be suspended has in its upper part an orifice (10) with a closed contour and with slight thickness and the suspension device is capable of being slipped into the said orifice (10) and has means of clipping (14-17) into the said orifice (10) allowing its locking in the vertical direction and in translation with respect to the said article. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a device for suspending articles from a display stand or the like, as well as to applications of said device for supporting a packaging and / or a packaged article.

It will find its application in the field of the manufacture of such suspension elements as well as in the field of sale to authorize the presentation of the articles in store.

On this subject, nowadays, the distribution systems evolve and one notices more and more the existence of large stores or hypermarkets.

This appearance modifies the behavior of the consumer and the seller and we seek to reduce the additional presentation and distribution costs increasing the cost price of the desired product.

Thus, in such stores, if you want to buy an item for the purpose of making a gift, the buyer will be forced to carry out his own gift packaging, this avoiding to include in the sales costs the actual packaging and the manpower required.

Such a way of doing things is also often imposed by the very presentation of the product sold, because the manufacturers are also seeking to lower their prices and produce packaging that is more and more commonplace and without any aesthetic aspect.

This is why, more and more, these department stores or hypermarkets offer for sale empty packaging boxes, which the consumer can buy to decorate the article he is going to offer as a gift.

In this regard, various packages are known, such as the traditional parallelepiped box whose faces are decorated with drawings; however, these boxes are bulky and pose storage problems for distributors.

Other packaging models have been very successful in recent times because they have a very advantageous aesthetic appearance and can be stored flat, which naturally reduces the necessary storage volume.

By way of example, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a known type of packaging of the "berlingot" type, consisting of a cardboard blank folded and grooved to allow the packaging to be shaped.

Such packaging is shown shaped in Figures 2 and folded flat in Figures 1.

Another type of packaging is also known which is also appreciated by customers, constituted on the principle of the American box with automatic bottom.

Such packaging is shown in Figures 3 in the folded flat position and in Figures 4 in the use position.

Such packages, which will be described more precisely in the following description, are highly appreciated for their aesthetic appearance, their possibility of multiple decoration, their ease of assembly, their small size for flat storage and their cost price.

However, with regard to their presentation to the customers, they are not without still posing some problems in order to allow consumers an easy choice without their presentation in the shelving being able to deteriorate these packaging.

A first mode of presentation consists in arrange in a horizontal pile. However, this type of presentation is almost unsuccessful because the consumer's choice requires either the presence of several stacks of each motif, or the obligation to permanently reform the stack in the shelving.

This is why many distributors have opted for the presentation of such packaging in a manner suspended from hooks mounted in the shelves.

A first solution consists in passing the hook through the openings provided as a handle, in said packages. However, these openings having their periphery closed, it is either necessary to constitute several suspensions with a type of pattern per hook, or it is necessary to oblige the user to remove the packaging which is in front of the one he has chosen.

Again, problems inherent in such a solution lie in the poor presentation in the more or less long term and the obligation to reform the shelving. Another problem lies in the deterioration of said handles by the support hook during multiple handling of these boxes.

To be able to be sold and given the impeccable decorative aspect that these packaging must give to the gift, it is imperative to maintain these items in perfect condition, otherwise the consumer will not choose them and these packaging will constitute a dead loss for distributors. .

To overcome these drawbacks, the manufacturers of such packaging have planned to equip them with a suspension device consisting on the one hand of a hook-shaped opening to bear on the display rod and on the other hand another part allowing to grip the handle of the packaging.

Such a device is constituted by a sheet of cardboard precut and grooved to allow a folding in V. This folding is introduced into the orifice forming the handle of the packaging then the two free parts are secured in particular by stapling.

Such an embodiment therefore allows the consumer to unhook the packaging thus presented laterally without being obliged to release all the packaging successively being on the display rod. In addition, this suspension device makes it possible to guarantee the opening in the form of a handle of the packaging, the stress being transferred to the hook of the suspension device.

However, such a device still has drawbacks which reside in the time for mounting the suspension device on the article to be suspended and also attacks caused by the clip when the suspension device is retracted in the plane of the packaging for its packaging in stack.

Furthermore, in the case of packaging having a shape close to that shown in FIG. 4, it is common that, during folding, the two orifices defining the handles are not opposite. Thus, the solution of the above suspension device is not directly applicable. To remedy this situation, a flexible link is then passed, such as for example a nylon thread, through the two orifices and the said suspension device is placed around this fixed link.

Although hanging items are generally light, it is inevitable that the flexible link will damage the packaging at the handle. In addition, the installation of this flexible link also increases the manpower required to install the suspension device.

The object of the present invention is to propose a device for suspending articles from a display stand or the like, said article having in its upper part a closed orifice of thin outline, which can overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, which is of simple structure. and which requires a minimum exposure time on the article to be hung.

One of the aims of the present invention is to propose a device for suspending articles from a display stand or the like, which is very easily placed on the article, which hangs on it and remains attached, but possibly which retracts in the format of the article to allow easier packaging of said articles.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for suspending articles from a display or the like, which, despite its possibility of blocking on the article to be suspended, does not use means allowing possible deterioration of said article to be suspended, these means possibly allowing disassembly of the suspension device and its subsequent reattachment.

Another object of the present invention is to propose an application of the article suspension device to a display stand for supporting a packaging of the type obtained by folding a blank of cardboard or the like.

However, this application is in no way limiting and one could also consider using the device for hanging articles from a display rack according to the present invention for supporting an article packed in a bag or the like provided for this purpose.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear during the description which follows which is however given only for information and which is not intended to limit it.

According to the invention, the device for suspending articles from a display or the like, said article to be suspended having in its upper part an orifice of closed outline of small thickness, is characterized in that said device is suitable for being threaded into said orifice and has latching means in said orifice allowing it to be blocked in the vertical direction and in translation relative to said article.

In an advantageous embodiment of the device of the present invention, that is made of a flexible or semi-rigid material and comprises, on the one hand, a hook-shaped opening, in particular for hanging it from a display rod, and on the other hand, a lower part allowing said snap-fastening, formed at least by two facing notches arranged laterally and able to cooperate with said orifice of the article to be suspended to allow the device to be blocked on the article.

The present invention provides an application of the suspension device for supporting a packaging of the type obtained by folding a blank of cardboard or the like, and having an opening in the form of a handle, constituting said upper orifice.

Another application consists in the use of the suspension device for supporting an article packed in a bag or the like, closed by a cardboard jumper or the like, having an opening constituting said upper orifice.

The present invention will be better understood on reading the following description, accompanied by the accompanying drawings which form an integral part thereof.

Figures 1a and 1b show, respectively in front view and in section along the axis I-I, a known type of packaging in its folded flat position.

Figures 2a and 2b show, respectively in front view and in left view, said packaging in the form of Figures 1a and 1b.

Figures 3a and 3b show, respectively in front view and in section view along the axis III-III another type of packaging of known type, but modified according to the invention, in a folded flat position.

Figures 4a and 4b show, respectively in front view and in left view, the shaped package obtained from that illustrated in Figures 3a and 3b.

Figures 5a and 5b show, respectively in front view and in section view along the axis V-V, a device for suspending articles from a display or the like, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 6a and 6b show, respectively in front view and rear view, a suspension device of the present invention, produced according to Figure 5, adapted on an article to be hung, such as in particular the packaging shown in Figures 2.

Figure 7 shows a sectional view along the axis VII-VII of the suspension device and article to be suspended assembly illustrated in FIG. 6b.

FIGS. 8a and 8b show by way of example the possibility of relative articulation of the device for suspending articles with respect to said article to be suspended in the application represented in FIGS. 6.

FIG. 9 shows a front view of a device for suspending articles from a display or the like according to another embodiment.

Figures 10a and 10b show, respectively in front view and rear view, a suspension device of the present invention, made in Figure 9, adapted on an article to be hung, such as in particular the packaging shown in Figures 4.

FIG. 11 shows, by way of example, another possible application of the device for suspending articles from a display, particularly intended for hanging an article packed in a bag or the like, closed by a jumper or the like.

The invention relates to a device for suspending articles from a display stand or the like, as well as to applications of said device for suspending packaging or packaged articles.

As recalled in the introductory part of this description, the presentation for sale of empty packaging, especially decorated, is increasingly desired by modern distribution means and the consumer.

A first example of such packaging is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

Figures 1 show the package (1) in the folded flat position, which consists of a cardboard blank (2) having a contour substantially equivalent to that of an eight, folded in its middle part around an axis of transverse folding (3) as shown particularly in Figure 1b.

In addition, this package (1) has other fold lines (4, 5, 6) to respectively define the upper part (7) of the package as well as the two lateral sides (8, 9) of said package.

Furthermore, when folding the cardboard blank flat, the zones (7 ′ and 7˝) are glued together to form said upper part (7) and thus in a way form a grip handle in which an opening is provided. (10).

At this level, said opening has a closed contour, of sufficient size to pass the hand for example, and of small thickness, marked (c) in FIG. 1b, equivalent to twice the thickness of the cardboard blank, therefore by example of the order of a millimeter.

However, Figures 5 and 6 show a first embodiment of a suspension device (11), particularly suitable for an article as shown in Figures 1 and 2 having in its upper part an orifice (10) of contour thin (c).

First of all, according to the present invention, the device (11) is capable of being threaded into said orifice (10). This means that it is no longer necessary, as in the prior art, to provide a suspension device able to grip the handle.

Furthermore, said device has latching means in said orifice (10) allowing it to be blocked in the vertical direction and in translation relative to said article (1).

In other words, said suspension device (11) notably comprises an upper part (12) in the form of an open hook and a lower part (13), which will carry said latching means. Thus, when we will pass said device (11) into the opening (10), when the hook will arrive at its upper part (13), we will cause the device (11) to snap onto the opening (10) as particularly shown in Figures 6.

In an advantageous embodiment, these latching means consist at least of two notches (14, 15) facing each other, provided at the level of the lower part (13). These notches are provided laterally on either side of this lower part (13) as shown particularly in Figure 5a.

Their shape will be such that it can cooperate with said orifice (10) of the article to be suspended to allow relative locking of the suspension device - article.

On this subject, if said orifice (10) has a width B as shown in particular in FIG. 6a, the width A of the device, at its lower part (13), and more precisely at said notches (14, 15) , will be at least greater than said width B.

In addition, to allow the correct nesting of the contours (16, 17) of the orifice (10) in said notches (14, 15) facing each other, the distance between the ends of the notches (14, 15) , marked (a) in Figure 5a, will be equal or less than said width B of the orifice (10).

By such arrangements, a suspension device (11) is produced in a very simple manner, which can be put into place in the orifice very quickly and which does not require any other fixing means than said latching means.

In one embodiment of the invention, the device advantageously consists of a flexible, semi-rigid material, such as for example cardboard or light laminate.

This will allow, on the one hand, to be able to thread the device by bending it slightly to facilitate snap-fastening and avoid damaging the lateral sides (16, 17) of the orifice (10) and on the other hand, to be able to easily remove it either by the reverse operation or by tearing.

In the case illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the two notches (14, 15) facing each other define a transverse axis (18) relative to the vertical (19), in particular perpendicular to this vertical.

In addition, these notches are advantageously in the form of open notches in the shape of a coated V, as shown precisely in FIG. 5a. In addition, under the transverse axis (18) defined by said notches, the lower part (13) has a surface area greater than the orifice (10) in order to perfect the blocking of the device (11) vis-à-vis of the article (1) to hang, as shown precisely in the front view and the rear view illustrated in Figures 6a and 6b. However, it should be noted that this suspension device can be taken from the same cardboard blank than that constituting the packaging (1). Given the small thickness, advantageously double it will be provided to reinforce the device, as shown in FIG. 5b.

Figure 7 shows the sectional view along the axis VII-VII of Figure 6, on which we find the hanging rod of the display (20) to which is hung the upper part (12) of the device (11) of the 'invention. This figure also shows the relative positioning of the device (11), more precisely of its lower part (13) through the orifice (10).

Such an arrangement therefore allows blocking in the vertical direction and in translation of the device (11) relative to the article (1) but also also allows relative rotation of the two elements (11 and 1) around the axis ( 18) formed by the notches (14, 15), as particularly shown in Figures 8a and 8b.

This ability is used to fold the suspension device (11) into the packaging format, and allow stacking of said packages flat to facilitate their packaging and storage.

Figures 3 and 4 show another embodiment of articles (21), capable of being subjected to a suspension device according to the present invention.

As in the previous case, this packaging is made from a blank of cardboard precut and grooved to form a packaging volume. The present description will not go into detail in the production of such an article since it is a manufacture entirely known to those skilled in the art, and may in particular include an automatic background.

However, an important point of embodiment for use with the suspension device of the invention consists in the shape of the orifice (22) provided at the upper part of the package (21) to constitute the handles.

Indeed, given the presence of lateral sides (23) defining a volume substantially of parallelepiped shape, during the flat folding of the cardboard blank, as shown in FIG. 3a, the two orifices (22 ′, 22˝) are offset .

To be able to take advantage of the latching means of the device of the present invention, it is then necessary to extend the handles by increasing the transverse dimension of the orifice (22) so that, when the packaging is flat, at least a part of the orifices (22 ′, 22˝) define a common area (24) at the level of which the suspension device of the invention will be threaded.

However, Figures 9 show a second embodiment of a device (25) according to the invention.

As in the previous case, this device (25) comprises an upper part in the form of an open hook (26) and a lower part (27) carrying said latching means substantially constituted by at least two notches (28, 29) in screw opposite.

In this case, one of the notches (28) is constituted by an open notch in the shape of a coated V, while the other of the notches (29) is in the form of a descending oblique cut as precisely shown in figure 9.

To constitute the latching means with the orifice (24) thus defined in the article to be suspended (21), this one having a width E as shown for example in FIG. 10b, the width D of the device (25), at its lower part (27) and more precisely at the notches (28, 29), is at least greater at said width E of the orifice (24).

In addition, the distance, marked (d) in FIG. 9, between the interior ends of said facing notches (28, 29) is equal to or less than said width E.

Figures 10a and 10b respectively show the mounting of the device (25) on the article (21) seen on the front face and seen on the rear face. The locking of the device on the article is carried out in the same way, namely by cooperation of the notches (28, 29) and of the lateral edges (30, 31) of the orifice (24).

It should be noted however that the notch (29) defines an upper tab (32) for holding said article (21). Indeed, this tab (32) will maintain the two parts of the folded blank itself of the article (21), this at their handle (22 ′, 22˝).

However, other embodiments of the device of the present invention, within the reach of ordinary skill in the art, could have been envisaged without departing from the scope thereof. Similarly, other applications of the device of the present invention can be envisaged.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 11, the device of the present invention can be used to hang an article (33) wrapped in a bag (34) or the like, closed by a cardboard jumper (35) or the like, from a display stand. , having an opening (36) constituting said upper orifice for the device.

Claims (10)

Device (11; 25) for hanging articles (1; 33-36) from a display stand or the like, said article (1; 33-36) for hanging, having in its upper part an orifice (10; 24; 36) for closed outline of small thickness, characterized in that said device (11; 25) is capable of being threaded into said orifice (10; 24; 36) and has snap-in means (14-17; 28-31) in said orifice (10; 24; 36) authorizing its blocking in the vertical direction and in translation relative to said article. Device for hanging articles, according to claim 1, characterized in that it is made of a flexible or semi-rigid material and has at least laterally two facing notches (14, 15; 28, 29) able to cooperate with said orifice (10; 24; 36) to allow said blocking. Device for hanging articles, according to claim 2, said orifice (10; 24; 36) having a width (B; E), characterized in that the width (A; D) of the device (11; 25) at the level of said notches (14, 15; 28, 29) is at least greater than said width (B; E) of the orifice and the distance (a; d) between the ends of the notches facing each other (14, 15; 28, 29) is equal to or less than said width (B; E). Device for hanging articles, according to claim 2, characterized in that the two notches (14, 15; 28, 29) define a transverse axis (18) relative to the vertical (19). Device for hanging articles, according to Claim 4, characterized in that the said transverse axis (18) is perpendicular to the vertical (19). Device for hanging articles, according to claim 2, characterized in that the said notches (14, 15) are in the form of open notches in a coated V-shape. Device for hanging articles, according to claim 2, characterized in that said notches (28, 29) are in the form of a notch (28) in a V-shaped configuration and a cut (29) oblique downward, defining a retaining tab (32) for said article (21). Application of the device (11; 25) for suspending articles on a display unit, according to one of the preceding claims, for supporting a package (1; 21) of the type obtained by folding a cardboard blank or the like and having an opening (10; 22) constituting said upper orifice (10; 24). Application according to claim 8, characterized in that the said packaging is suspended "non-formed flat packaging". Application of the device for hanging articles to a display stand, according to any one of Claims 1 to 6 for supporting an article (33) packed in a bag (34) or the like, closed by a cardboard jumper (35) or similar, having an opening (36), constituting said upper orifice.

Images