EP1099398A1

EP1099398A1 - Display with shelves

Info

Publication number: EP1099398A1
Application number: EP00203886A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Willem Van Sintjan
Original assignee: WIMO NV
Current assignee: WIMO NV
Priority date: 1999-11-09
Filing date: 2000-11-07
Publication date: 2001-05-16
Also published as: BE1013131A3

Abstract

Shelf display, which substantially is composed of plate-shaped display material, characterized in that it at least consists of two side panels (2) and at least one shelf (4) provided in between, which shelf consists at least of two parts (6-7) which can be folded in respect to each other in such a manner that at least the whole unit formed by the aforementioned side panels (2) and the shelf (4), shelves (4), respectively, can be unfolded, collapsed, respectively.

Description

The present invention relates to a shelf display, in other words, an element, constructed of light-weight plate-shaped display material, for displaying products, whereby said element comprises one or more shelves upon which the products can be disposed.
In existing shelf displays which substantially are manufactured of corrugated cardboard or synthetic material, the mounting and erection thereof in almost all cases will take place at the location of the application of the display, as the display mostly is transported to the destination of use in un-assembled form. At the location of use, then, the different parts are put together. Once the display is mounted, it can not be brought back into a flat position without being taken apart again. Mostly, also this taking apart will not be performed without problems, as often use is made of mutually engaging parts which are difficult to disconnect without damaging them.
Therefore, the present invention has as an object to remedy those and other disadvantages.
According to the invention, said object is achieved in that the shelf display, which substantially is composed of plate-shaped display material, at least consists of two side panels and at least one shelf provided in between them, in such a manner that at least the portion formed by the side panels and the shelf, side panels and shelves, respectively, can be unfolded, collapsed, respectively.
Hereby, a shelf display is obtained of which at least the whole unit formed by the side panels and the shelves can be pre-mounted and transported in collapsed condition, after which this unit only has to be unfolded at the location of use and is ready for use almost at once. After the use of the shelf display, the latter can be collapsed in a simple manner, either in order to be re-erected later at another location, or in order to be transported off as waste in a compact manner.
In a preferred form of embodiment, the shelves are provided with means which allow for that the respective shelves, starting from the unfolded condition, can be folded in one direction, but which prevent such folding in the other direction. Said means prevent a bending of the shelves in downward direction and therefore provide for a large carrying capacity of the shelves.
In order to prevent that, when erecting the display, whereby it is unfolded, the display might collapse again, the display preferably will be provided with means for locking it in unfolded condition. More particularly, it is preferred that those means are formed by cooperating parts, on one hand, at the rear edges of the shelves and, on the other hand, at a rear wall of the shelf display.
In a preferred form of embodiment, the shelf display will be manufactured of corrugated cardboard, a material consisting of two or more layers of flat cardboard with in between respectively a layer of corrugated paper. This material is very appropriate for rectangular and open constructions which are folded of one or more flat sheets. An important element therein is that the direction of the corrugations in the cardboard determines the strength of the material, namely, that the material is more difficult to deform in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the corrugations. This principle, as will be explained further in the following, is applied in a practical embodiment of the collapsible shelves in a particularly advantageous manner in order to therefore maintain a large carrying capacity.
Of course, also other plate-shaped materials, such as, for example, synthetic material, can be used for manufacturing the shelf display. Also, a combination of different materials is possible and also different techniques for forming them, such as, for example, injection moulding, if the material can be subjected to injection moulding.
With the intention of better showing the characteristics of the invention, hereafter, as an example without any limitative character, a preferred form of embodiment is described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
figure 1 in perspective represents the shelf display in unfolded condition;
figure 2 in perspective represents the shelf display in half-unfolded condition;
figure 3 in perspective represents the shelf display in collapsed condition;
figure 4 represents a view according to arrow F4 in figure 2, whereby the represented shelf is disconnected from the side panels,
figure 5 in perspective represents a shelf from the shelf display from figures 1 to 3, in half-unfolded condition, whereby the upper surface partially is opened in order to indicate the direction of the corrugated cardboard;
figure 6 represents the unfolded condition of the shelf display, without the shelves;
figure 7 represents the unfolded condition of a shelf;
figure 8 represents a cross-section according to line VIII-VIII in figure 1;
figure 9 represents a cross-section according to line IX-IX in figure 2;
figure 10 represents a cross-section according to line X-X in figure 1.
In the represented example, the shelf display 1, as represented in figures 1 to 3, substantially is composed of two side panels 2, a rear wall 3, a series of shelves 4 and in this case a front panel 5.
The particularity of the invention consists in that the shelves 4, as represented in figures 2 and 3, as well as in the details of figures 4 and 5, consist of at least two parts 6 and 7 which are mutually foldable and that the whole unit, formed by the side panels 2 and the shelves 4, can be collapsed from an unfolded condition, as represented in figure 1, to an entirely or rather entirely collapsed condition, as represented in figure 3.
As can be seen in the unfolded condition, represented in figure 6, the side panels 2 and the rear wall 3 preferably are made in one piece of a piece of sheet material, more particularly corrugated cardboard. Hereby, the side panels 2 each consist of an outer wall 8 and an inner wall 9 which, by means of two parallel folding lines 10, connect to each other. By means of a number of intermediate grooves 12, the inner wall 9 is divided into a series of flaps 11.
The aforementioned flaps 11 are provided with coupling means at their free extremities, means formed by protruding parts 13 which are intended to cooperate with slots 14 in the rear wall 3, whereby these slots 14 are located adjacent to the folding line 15 between the respective side panel 2 and the rear wall 3.
The rear wall 3 comprises a central, preferably double, folding line 16 running parallel to the aforementioned folding lines 15. Through said central double folding line 16, different slots 17 are extending, placed thereupon centrally and perpendicularly, respectively at the height of the grooves 12 in the aforementioned inner wall 9.
Preferably, the aforementioned front panel 5 is foldable and, by means of side flaps 18, is attached against the inner walls 9 of the side panels 2, for example, by means of glue.
In the represented example, each of the shelves 4 is foldable along a folding line 19 which extends parallel to the side panels 2 and, as represented, preferably is situated in the middle of each shelf 4.
According to an important characteristic of the invention, each shelf 4 is provided with means 20 which, starting from the unfolded condition of such shelf 4, allow for collapsing in one direction, however, in unfolded condition prevent the further folding thereof in the other direction. In the represented example, these means consist of parts 21-22 and 23-24 providing in a stop-forming cooperation between the mutually foldable parts 6 and 7.
As is obvious in figures 4 and 5, the parts 21 and 23 hereby are formed from protruding parts extending in the prolongation of the plane of parts 6 and 7, respectively. The parts 22 and 24 consist of surfaces which are present at the parts 7 and 6, respectively, and which, in unfolded condition of the shelves, form a stopping-surface for the aforementioned parts 21 and 23.
In the practical form of embodiment of the figures, the aforementioned parts 21 to 24 are obtained in that each respective shelf 4 is made double-walled, whereby the aforementioned protruding parts, in other words, the parts 21 and 23, are formed as respectively a non-foldable prolongation of the part 25A of the upper wall 25 pertaining to the foldable part 6, and a non-foldable prolongation of the part 25B pertaining to the part 7. The aforementioned folding line 19 only is present in the lower wall 26.
The parts 21 and 23 are obtained by means of an incision 27 through the upper wall 25, in such a manner that in unfolded condition of the shelves 4, always a flat upper side is obtained in that these parts then match into corresponding recesses 25C and 25D.
As represented in figure 7, the shelves 4 preferably are formed of a sheet of display material which is folded double by means of a double folding line 28, in order to form the aforementioned double-walled structure. At the part forming the upper wall 25, at opposite sides furthermore a flap 29 is formed, which flap is foldable along, respectively, a folding line 30 and the purpose of which will become clear from the further description.
The upper wall 25 and the lower wall 26 are attached on top of each other by means of glue which is applied at the location of the glueing zones 31-32 indicated in figure 7. The upper wall 25 is completely divided in two by means of the already mentioned incision 27, which preferably is situated such as represented in figure 7. It is obvious that by glueing according to the aforementioned glueing zones 31-32, an attachment is obtained which results in that the aforementioned parts 21 and 23 remain loose from the lower wall 26.
The shelves 4 preferably consist of corrugated material, whereby, as is clear from the cut portion in figure 5, the direction of the corrugated structure extends perpendicular to the folding line 19, in such a manner that the protruding parts 21 and 23 offer a relatively high buckling resistance.
Finally, the shelf display 1 also is equipped with means for locking it in opened condition. In the represented example, these means consist of locking means formed by lips 33 at the rear edges of the shelves 4, which can cooperate with the aforementioned slots 17.
Mounting and use of the shelf display 1 are substantially as described hereafter, with reference to figures 8 to 10.
Starting from the whole unit from figure 6, the side panels 2 and the rear wall 3 are formed by folding the aforementioned whole in a suitable manner along folding lines 15 and 10, whereby the inner walls 9 are attached in the slots 14 by means of the protruding parts 13, as is clear in figure 10.
Optionally, the aforementioned front panel 5 can be provided between the side panels 2 by means of the aforementioned side flaps 18.
The shelves 4 are formed by glueing together the upper wall 25 and the lower wall 26 from figure 7, as already explained in the aforegoing.
Finally, the shelves 4 are provided in the display 1.
This is performed by inserting the shelves 4 with their flaps 29 into the aforementioned grooves 12 of the inner walls 9, as represented in figures 4, 8, and 9. The shelves 4, which subsequently are pushed into flat condition, are locked in the rear wall 3 by engaging the lips 33 in the slots 17 of the rear wall 3.
Double-folding the side panels 2 and applying the front panel 5, as well as glueing-together the two walls of the shelves 4, may take place at the manufacturer's of the shelf display 1.
However, the mounting of the shelves 4 between the side panels 2 may be realized by the user. In case it is intended to use such shelf display 1 not in house, but, for example, at a fair or such, the shelves 4 already may be mounted in advance in order subsequently to take the shelf display 1 along to the location of application, in the collapsed condition from figure 3. There, the shelf display 1 then can be erected in a simple manner by unfolding it and locking the shelves 4 by means of the lips 33.
In order to collapse the shelf display 1 in order to ensure an easy transportation, first the shelves 4 at the rear are unlocked from the rear wall 3. Subsequently, the whole is collapsed, whereby the shelves 4 fold together, the rear wall 3 folds in two towards the rear, and the front panel 5 is folded, as well.
Thus, the shelf display 1 is remade into a flat whole, such as represented in figure 3.
As the folding edge of the shelves 4 is at the front, it is obtained that the walls of the double-walled structure always remain together. This is also obtained in that at both walls a lip 33 is formed, which lips together fit in one and the same slot 17.
It is obvious that the present invention is in no way limited to the form of embodiment described heretofore and represented in the figures, on the contrary may such shelf display be realized in a variety of forms and dimensions while still remaining within the scope of the invention.
The shelf display may, for example, be equipped with a variety of accessories, such as a top part, a base, or other decorative elements.
It is not excluded to apply shelves 4 which are foldable along more than one folding line. Also, the number of stop-forming parts 21 and 23 does not necessarily have to be two, it may also be one, or more than two.
Of course, also the locking means may be formed in another manner than by means of the aforementioned lips 33.
Also the shelves 4 which, as aforementioned, preferably consist of separate parts, do not necessarily have to be fixed by means of the aforementioned flaps. In principle, almost any fixation technique may be applied to this end.

Claims

Shelf display, which substantially is composed of plate-shaped display material, characterized in that it at least consists of two side panels (2) and at least one shelf (4) provided in between, which shelf consists of at least two parts (6-7) which can be folded in respect to each other in such a manner that at least the whole unit formed by the aforementioned side panels (2) and the shelf (4), shelves (4), respectively, can be unfolded, collapsed, respectively.
Shelf display according to claim 1, characterized in that each respective shelf (4) can be folded along one or more folding lines (19) parallel to the side panels (2).
Shelf display according to claim 2, characterized in that each respective shelf (4) is foldable along precisely one folding line (19) which preferably is situated in the middle of said shelf.
Shelf display according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each respective shelf (4) is provided with means (20) which, starting from the unfolded condition of the shelf (4), allow for collapsing in one direction but, in unfolded condition, prevent the folding thereof in the other direction.
Shelf display according to claim 4, characterized in that the aforementioned means (20) consist of one or more parts (21-22-23-24) providing for a stop-forming cooperation between the mutually foldable parts (6-7) of each respective shelf (4).
Shelf display according to claim 5, characterized in that the shelf (4) is provided with one or more stop-forming parts (21-23) which are formed of one or more protruding parts extending in the prolongation of the plane of one of the foldable parts (6-7).
Shelf display according to claim 6, characterized in that each respective shelf (4) is double-walled and that the aforementioned protruding parts are formed as, respectively, a non-foldable prolongation of the part (25A) of the upper wall (25) pertaining to the one foldable part (6) of the shelf (4) and a non-foldable prolongation of the part (25B) of the upper wall (25) pertaining to the other foldable part (7).
Shelf display according to claim 7, characterized in that at each of the foldable parts (6-7) of the shelf (4), at least one protruding part is formed and that said protruding parts cooperate with complementary recesses (25C-25B), such that, in mounted condition of the shelf display, the shelf (4) shows a flat top side.
Shelf display according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that each respective shelf (4) is formed of a piece of plate-shaped display material which substantially is folded double in order to form the aforementioned two walls (25-26), whereby the part which is intended to form the upper wall (25) is provided with at least one incision (27) extending over the two foldable halves.
Shelf display according to any of the claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the walls (25-26) of the aforementioned double-walled shelf (4) are mutually fixed to each other by means of glueing, whereby they are glued together in such a manner that the protruding stop-forming parts (21-23) are not attached to the lower wall (26) and therefore can move freely.
Shelf display according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each respective shelf (4) consists of display material with a corrugated structure, more particularly corrugated cardboard, and that the direction of the corrugated structure extends perpendicular in respect to the aforementioned folding line (19).
Shelf display according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means which lock the shelf display (1) in opened condition, more particularly parts which mutually engage when the shelf display (1) is unfolded.
Shelf display according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided with a collapsible rear wall (3).
Shelf display according to claim 13, characterized in that the rear wall (3) is made in one piece with the side panels (2) and is foldable, at the edges where it is in connection with the side panels (2), as well as in the middle in between, respectively.
Shelf display according to claim 12 and one of claims 13 or 14, characterized in that the aforementioned means for locking the shelf display in opened condition are formed by cooperating parts which are provided at the rear edge of one or more shelves (4) and the rear wall (3), respectively, more particularly, on one hand, lips (33) fitting into slots (17), on the other hand.
Shelf display according to any of the claims 7 to 10 and according to claim 15, characterized in that each respective double-walled shelf (4) is formed of double-folded sheet material, the folding edge of which forms the front side of the display (4), and that the lower wall (26) as well as the upper wall (25) are provided with parts, such as lips (33), cooperating with a part in the rear wall.
Shelf display according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shelves (4) consist of separate elements which are attached to the side panels (2).
Shelf display according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side panels (2) are double-walled, whereby slots (12) are formed in the inner wall (9), and that the shelves (4) are provided with flaps (29) with which, by means of the aforementioned slots (12), they are pushed between the two walls (6-7) of each side panel (2) in order to attach them to the side panels (2).