EP0988628B1 - Electronic labelling system - Google Patents

Abstract

Electronic labeling system includes a rail for supporting labels and at least one electronic display label, the rail having two facing wings with each of the wings having in its medial region a longitudinal groove, the electronic label having on one of its two opposite edges a longitudinal rib adapted to be inserted in the groove of one of the rail wings and on the other of the opposite edges at least one retractable pin adapted to snap into the groove of the other rail wing, and at least one recess in which is disposed a ferromagnetic core carrying the pin which is urged to project from the corresponding edge of the label, the core being adapted to be displaced in the recess by magnetic attraction to retract the pin and free the label.

Description

The invention relates to an electronic labeling system.

Electronic labeling is fairly widespread, especially in big box stores which are fitted with gondolas metallic material used as displays for the products offered to the sale. In general, the gondola edge carries a rail made of material insulating plastic, inside which conductors are provided display labels. On the rail, labels electronics are clicked in place. When they are in latched position, their contacts are in electrical connection with the rail conductors, and they are able to display a price, or a code, for example. When a label is defective, it is removed and replaced.

To replace a label, it is usual to use a tool which acts on the side of the label, like, for example, in the mounting system of electronic labels illustrated by EP-A-0 683 478. When the label is accessible by the side, it is then easy to remove a label, either maliciously, either for a collection.

In order to avoid theft of labels, it is desirable that the snap-fastening is almost definitive, i.e. the label should only be removable using a special tool. This precaution sometimes turns out to be insufficient. To increase the security, some labels cannot be removed from the rail at their location. It is then possible to slide them on the rail to a lockable location for removal. This solution is not without drawbacks. Indeed, to withdraw a label it is necessary to also drag all labels located between the label to be removed and the space provided for the withdrawal. In addition, labels cannot be attached to a location and they can be moved easily which disrupts the display on the gondola.

An object of the invention is to propose a display system for electronic label in which the labels are placed snap-in place at desired location and are not likely to be moved. Another object of the invention is to offer an electronic label display system in which labels are capable of being extracted by a means very simple to implement.

The subject of the invention is an electronic labeling system having a label support rail, at least one label electronic display and power supply means of the label, characterized according to the second part of the claim 1.

• chaque pion est destiné à être reçu dans l'un d'une succession de trous borgnes agencés à intervalles réguliers dans la rainure de ladite autre aile du rail pour immobiliser l'étiquette en position de verrouillage;
• la rainure longitudinale de ladite autre aile du rail, qui est destinée à coopérer avec le pion, présente un profil longitudinal en dents de scie, l'espace entre deux dents étant susceptible de recevoir le pion pour immobiliser l'étiquette;
• le noyau ferromagnétique porte à la base du pion un amortisseur de chocs logé dans le logement précité;
• un ressort est logé dans le logement pour solliciter le pion en saillie du bord correspondant de l'étiquette;
• le pion est prévu pour être en saillie du bord inférieur de l'étiquette, de façon que le pion soit sollicité vers ce bord sous l'action de la gravité;
• un moyen d'extraction de l'étiquette est prévu, comportant un circuit magnétique susceptible d'attirer le noyau ferromagnétique afin d'assurer le retrait du pion vers le logement et la libération de l'étiquette;
• après la libération de l'étiquette, le moyen d'extraction attire l'étiquette et assure son extraction du rail, et le retrait du moyen d'extraction entraíne le retrait de l'étiquette;
• le moyen d'extraction est constitué par un boítier contenant le circuit magnétique et présentant au moins un bras d'appui sur le rail;
• le boítier présente deux bras susceptibles de se placer de part et d'autre du rail, le circuit magnétique étant alors automatiquement dans la position correcte pour attirer le noyau ferromagnétique et assurer le retrait du pion et la libération de l'étiquette;
• l'étiquette comporte de part et d'autre du logement un espace libre traversant destiné à recevoir respectivement un bras du moyen d'extraction portant chacun un aimant de polarité opposée pour attirer le pion en retrait dans le logement;
• le moyen d'extraction a une forme générale en U dont le fond est connecté à un manche pour sa préhension et dont les bras portent intérieurement des aimants de polarité opposée.

According to other characteristics:

• each pin is intended to be received in one of a succession of blind holes arranged at regular intervals in the groove of said other wing of the rail to immobilize the label in the locked position;
• the longitudinal groove of said other wing of the rail, which is intended to cooperate with the pin, has a longitudinal sawtooth profile, the space between two teeth being capable of receiving the pin to immobilize the label;
• the ferromagnetic core carries at the base of the pin a shock absorber housed in the aforementioned housing;
• a spring is housed in the housing to urge the pin projecting from the corresponding edge of the label;
• the pin is provided to project from the lower edge of the label, so that the pin is urged towards this edge under the action of gravity;
• a means of extracting the label is provided, comprising a magnetic circuit capable of attracting the ferromagnetic core in order to ensure the withdrawal of the pin towards the housing and the release of the label;
• after the release of the label, the extraction means attracts the label and ensures its extraction from the rail, and the withdrawal of the extraction means causes the withdrawal of the label;
• the extraction means consists of a housing containing the magnetic circuit and having at least one support arm on the rail;
• the housing has two arms capable of being placed on either side of the rail, the magnetic circuit then being automatically in the correct position to attract the ferromagnetic core and ensure the withdrawal of the pin and the release of the label;
• the label comprises on either side of the housing a free through space intended to receive respectively an arm of the extraction means each carrying a magnet of opposite polarity to attract the retracted pin into the housing;
• the extraction means has a general U shape whose bottom is connected to a handle for gripping and whose arms internally carry magnets of opposite polarity.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique en coupe transversale d'un mode de réalisation d'un rail isolant pour système d'étiquetage électronique selon l'invention;
• la figure 2 est une vue schématique en coupe transversale d'un mode de réalisation d'une étiquette d'affichage électronique adaptable au rail de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue schématique en coupe transversale du rail de la figure 1 muni de l'étiquette de la figure 2, lors de la présentation du moyen d'extraction de l'étiquette;
• la figure 4 est une vue de la face avant partiellement arrachée d'une étiquette selon un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention;
• la figure 5 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne V-V de la figure 4, lors de la présentation du moyen d'extraction de l'étiquette;
• la figure 6 est une vue en perspective du moyen d'extraction de la figure 5; et
• la figure 7 est une vue de dessus d'une variante de réalisation du moyen d'extraction adapté pour l'étiquette de la figure 4.

Other characteristics appear from the following description made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an insulating rail for an electronic labeling system according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an electronic display label adaptable to the rail of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the rail of Figure 1 provided with the label of Figure 2, during the presentation of the label extraction means;
• Figure 4 is a view of the front face partially cut away of a label according to another embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 5 is a sectional view along line VV of Figure 4, during the presentation of the label extraction means;
• Figure 6 is a perspective view of the extraction means of Figure 5; and
• FIG. 7 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the extraction means suitable for the label of FIG. 4.

In Figure 1 is shown a rail 1 of plastic material insulating. This rail 1 has a U-shaped profile with a flat bottom 2, a wing upper 3 and a lower wing 4. Between the bottom 2 and each of the wings 3 and 4 is provided a notch, respectively 5 and 6, on the exterior outline.

In its median zone, the lower wing 4 bears on its profile inside a longitudinal groove 10. The end 11 of the wing lower 4 is rounded.

The upper wing 3 presents on its inner profile and in its middle zone, a longitudinal groove 12 in which are provided at regular intervals with blind holes 33.

The end 13 of the upper wing 3 has an outer profile rounded 14 and a chamfered interior profile 15. In its area median, the bottom of rail 1 advantageously has on its face internal 7 a longitudinal groove 16, usable for example for accommodate the means of fixing the rail 1 on its support.

In FIG. 2, the electronic display label 20 is shown in section in the vertical plane passing through a means latching.

The label 20 is in the form of a parallelepiped rectangle, of which only the cross section is visible in Figure 3.

The label consists of a thin envelope of material plastic 25 of which the four faces visible in FIG. 3 are the face rear 21, front face 22, lower face 23 and upper face 24.

The front face 22 is transparent and lets see a screen liquid crystal display, for example, placed under control a microprocessor, itself linked to the central computer from the store, to display a price or information.

The lower face 23 has in its median zone, a longitudinal rib 26 preferably with rounded profile. This rib 26 is intended to be inserted in the groove 10 of the lower wing 4 of rail 1.

Inside the envelope 25, the label 20 comprises at least a housing 27 extending over at least part of its height, and in which is disposed a latching means. In the example of embodiment of Figure 2, this latching means is composed of a spiral spring 28, placed at the bottom of the housing 27, of a core ferromagnetic 29 pushed up by the spring 28, and a pin 30 carried by the core 29 and capable of projecting through an orifice 31 in the upper face 24 of the label 20. At the base of the pin 30, between the ferromagnetic core 29 and the envelope 25 of label 20, it is advantageous to provide a shock absorber, in the form of a ring 32.

For mounting the label 20 in the rail 1, the part lower is presented first, the rib 26 fitting into the groove 10 of the rail 1. The rib 26 serving as a pivot axis, the upper part of the label 20 is pushed towards the bottom of the rail 1.

The pin 30 is applied to the chamfered inner profile 15 which pushes back inside the label 20 by compressing the spring 28.

When the label 20 is close to its normal position of operation, the pin 30 penetrates, under the action of the spring 28, into the groove 12 of the upper wing 3 of the rail 1. The label 20 is then in operating position.

The label 20 is then moved along the rail, by sliding, until the pin 30 enters, under the action of the spring 28, in one of the blind holes 33. These blind holes are for example, about 1 cm apart. Label 20 is then in the locked position.

In FIG. 3, the rail 1 and the label 20 are represented by normal operating position.

The means 43 for extracting the label is shown in approach position, before unlocking the tag 20. This approach is frontal compared to the rail and the label. The way extraction 43 of the label essentially comprises a box 44 made of plastic and a magnetic circuit consisting of a magnet 45 and a ferromagnetic armature 46.

The housing 44 is in the form of a parallelepiped rectangle with two arms 47 and 48 framing the rail 1 and likely to bear on the support 49 of the rail 1. When the arms 47 and 48 are in abutment on the support of the rail 1, and that the housing 44 is located in front of the label, the magnetic circuit has a air gap substantially opposite the bottom of the ferromagnetic core 29. The core 29 is then attracted downwards, and it moves in compressing the spring 28, so that the pin 30, which follows the displacement of the core 29, leaves the blind hole 33 in which it found in the locked position, and the groove 12, thereby releasing the label 20 which applies to the housing 44 and follows the movement of removal of the housing 44. The label 20 is then manually separated of the housing 44, and the core 29 is then pushed back by the spring 28, the pin 30 resuming its projecting position outside the envelope 25 from label 20.

The housing 44 may have only one arm, 47 or 48, and in this case it is put in the correct position by pressing simultaneously on the support 49 of rail 1 and on rail 1 itself, for example by pressing lateral against a wing, 3 or 4 respectively, of rail 1.

The provision of at least one arm 47, 48 on the housing 44 ensures automatic positioning of the circuit magnetic 45-46 relative to the magnetic core 29 in view of the unlock the label. Then the core 29 is attracted to the magnetic circuit 45-46 and it drives the label against the case 44 which plays the role of a label gripper.

The invention has been described in the case of an exemplary embodiment which is not limiting. In particular, the means of supplying the potential label as in information is not described and can be wired transmission, radio transmission or infrared or capacitive or inductive transmission, or whatever.

Furthermore, the longitudinal groove 12 of the upper wing 3 of rail 1 can be provided with through holes, or its profile longitudinal can be sawtooth, the space between two teeth being likely to receive the pin to immobilize the label.

We will now refer to Figures 4 to 7 which represent another embodiment of the invention.

Within the framework of this variant, the rail 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 will be turned upside down to have the longitudinal groove 10 in top of the rail and the longitudinal groove 12 provided with terminal holes 33 at the base of the rail, for the reasons which will be indicated later.

The electronic display label 120 here has an edge upper 124 which is provided with a longitudinal rib 126 intended to be inserted into the upper groove of the rail. On its edge opposite lower 123, protrudes a pin 130 which passes through an orifice 131 opening into a housing 127 which contains a core ferromagnetic 129 carrying the pin 130 at its base. Of course, the housing 127 has a height greater than that of the core 129, to allow its displacement and the retraction of the pin 130 to the interior of the housing 127 when the extraction means 143 by example is used.

On the side of the housing 127 facing inward of the label, a window 133 opening onto the front face 122 and the rear side 121 of the label 120 is made through the thickness of the label, while on the other side of the housing 127 is provided a through notch 134 opening onto a lateral edge 135 of the label. The window 133 and the notch 134 are intended to receive the arms of the extraction means 143, as explained below. The notch 134 has the function of allowing the passage of an arm of the extraction means 143 on the side of the housing 127 when two labels are glued against each other by their side edges. Otherwise, the notch 134 could be removed, the arm correspondent of the extraction means 143 simply coming against the edge 135 of the label. It is of course necessary to provide in this case the latching means in the vicinity of a lateral edge 135 of the label. Otherwise, a window symmetrical to window 133 should be provided on the other side of the housing 127.

It can be seen in FIG. 4 that the spring 28 of the first mode of realization has been deleted because the pin 130 is here protruding on the lower edge 123 by gravity acting on the pin 130 and its core 129. Window 133 and notch 134 * are at the same height and offset along the housing 127 relative to the core 129, so to attract the latter upward when the extraction means 143 is put in place.

Referring more particularly to Figures 6 and 7, we see that the extraction means 143 has a general U-shape whose lateral arms each carry internally a magnet 145 of opposite polarity, to create a magnetic circuit attracting the nucleus ferromagnetic 129 upwards. In the variant of FIG. 7, the bottom of support 144 in U is connected to a handle 146 to facilitate its gripping.

Alternatively, housing 127 could be fitted with a spring similar to the aforementioned spring 28, to urge the pin 130 towards the top, when the label 120 of FIG. 4 is used upside down.

Conversely, one could remove the spring 28 from the realization of figures 1 and 3, using rail 1 and label 20 head below.

Although the invention has been described in connection with several particular embodiments, it is obvious that it is not there in no way limited and that it includes all technical equivalents means described as well as their combinations if these enter in the context of the invention.

Claims (12)

1. A system of electronic labelling, having a support rail for labels, at least one electronic display label and a means for supplying power to the label, the support rail (1) for labels (20) having two limbs (3, 4) opposite one another and extending in a longitudinal direction, each of the two limbs (3, 4) having in its centre zone a longitudinal groove (12, 10), and the electronic label (20, 120) having on one (23, 124) of two of its opposing edges a longitudinal groove (26, 126) intended to be inserted in the groove (10) of one (4) of the limbs of the rail (1), characterised in that the electronic label (20, 120) has on the other (24, 123) of the said opposing edges at least one retractable pin (30, 130) intended to snap-fit into the groove (12) of the other limb (3) of the rail (1), and at least one housing (27, 127) in which there is disposed a ferromagnetic core (29, 129) carrying the pin (30, 130), which is urged such that it protrudes from the corresponding edge (24, 123) of the label, the said core being capable of being displaced in the said housing by magnetic attraction in order to retract the said pin and free the label.
2. A system according to Claim 1, characterised in that each pin (30, 130) is intended to be received in one of a succession of blind holes (33) arranged at regular intervals in the groove (12) of the said other limb (3) of the rail (1).
3. A system according to Claim 1, characterised in that the longitudinal groove (12) of the said other limb (3) of the rail (1), which is intended to co-operate with the pin (30, 130), has a longitudinal profile of saw tooth shape, the space between two teeth being capable of receiving the pin to fix the label in position.
4. A system according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the ferromagnetic core (29, 129) carries at the base of the pin (30, 130) a shock absorber (32) housed in the above-mentioned housing (27, 127).
5. A system according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that a spring (28) is housed in the housing (27) to urge the pin (30) such that it protrudes from the corresponding edge (24) of the label (20).
6. A system according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the pin (130) is provided in order to project from the lower edge (123) of the label (120) such that the pin is urged towards this edge under the action of gravity.
7. A system according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that a means (43, 143, 243) for extracting the label (20, 120) is provided, having a magnetic circuit (45, 46; 145) capable of attracting the ferromagnetic core (29, 129) in order to ensure the pin (30, 130) is retracted towards the housing (27, 127) and the label (20, 120) is freed.
8. A system according to Claim 7, characterised in that after the label has been freed the extraction means (43) attracts the label (20) and ensures it is extracted from the rail (1), and retraction of the extraction means (43) brings about retraction of the label (20).
9. A system according to Claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the extraction means (43) is formed by a casing (44) containing the magnetic circuit (45 - 46) and having at least one arm bearing on the rail (1).
10. , A system according to Claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the casing (44) has two arms (47, 48) capable of being positioned on either side of the rail (1), the magnetic circuit (45 - 46) then automatically being in the correct position to attract the ferromagnetic core (29) and to ensure the pin (30) is retracted and the label (20) is freed.
11. A system according to Claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the label (120) has on either side of the housing (127) a continuous free space (133, 134) each intended to receive a respective arm of the extraction means (143), each of which carries a magnet of opposing polarity (145) to attract the pin (130) as it is retracted from the housing (127).
12. A system according to Claim 11, characterised in that the extraction means (143) is generally in a U shape whereof the base is connected to a sleeve (146) in order to grasp it and whereof the limbs carry on the inside magnets (145) of opposing polarity.

Images