EP1555914A2

EP1555914A2 - System for separating objects which are disposed on a conveyor belt-type movable support

Info

Publication number: EP1555914A2
Application number: EP03778442A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Didier Eynard
Original assignee: Medianext
Current assignee: Medianext
Priority date: 2002-10-23
Filing date: 2003-10-23
Publication date: 2005-07-27
Anticipated expiration: 2023-10-23
Also published as: ES2318180T3; WO2004037052A3; AU2003285441A1; FR2846212B1; EP1555914B1; WO2004037052A2; FR2846212A1; AU2003285441A8

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (2) for separating objects which are disposed on a conveyor belt-type movable support, said system (2) comprising a separator element (3). The invention is characterised in that the aforementioned separator element (3) consists of a tubular bar comprising a longitudinal opening (31) which is used to receive part of an erect panel (5). The invention is further characterised in that the system (2) also comprises two end pieces (4) which are removably fixed to each end of the separator element (3), said end pieces (4) bearing the fixing means (44) which are used to fix the erect panel (5) in the separator bar (3).

Description

SYSTEM FOR SEPARATING OBJECTS ARRANGED ON A SUPPORT WHICH MAY BE MOVING, OF THE TREADMILL TYPE

The present invention relates to a system for separating objects arranged on a support capable of being in motion, of the conveyor belt type, said system comprising a separation element.

The present invention is intended in particular to separate the products of a client from those of another client, said products being arranged on a conveyor belt one after the other for scrolling towards a cash register.

Currently, the separation system used in particular in large areas consists of a metal bar. This metal bar is placed by the customer wishing to place the products to be purchased on the mat

_I rolling from a cash register following the products of the customer preceding it. Once the metal bar is placed, the customer places his products on the carpet.

However, it turns out that such a system does not offer sufficient separation. Indeed, it is common for the customer to stack the products on top of each other. However, the treadmills, operating in particular with a cell identifying or not the presence of a product in its field of action, are set in motion in spurts, causing the sliding of the stacked products, with a risk in particular of slipping in the "reserved" area for the previous or next client. We know from the prior art French patent application FR2784781 a separator device for payment installation of articles comprising a drop-down belt intended for the reception of these articles and for their conveyance until their reception in the box, of the type intended for be interposed on this mat between the respective purchases. According to an alternative embodiment, said separating device comprises a base having a longitudinal opening for partially receiving an information support zone intended to receive an element carrying the information (flexible sheet), locking means for maintaining the support zone d information on the base and two end caps attached to the ends of the base.

The establishment or removal of an item of information remains, however, with such a device, relatively difficult. In addition, said device requires that the element carrying the information has a configuration adapted to the information support zone to allow its insertion into said zone.

Also known is American patent US 3763583 which relates to a foldable display device. The device is formed from a rectangular sheet of cardboard which is folded so as to present a vertical display area supported by a base of triangular shape. Removable end caps are arranged at the ends of the device to maintain said display area with the base in an assembled position.

However, such a device has the drawback of offering insufficient stability with regard to sudden changes in speed of the treadmill. In addition, the proposed device, by its constitution, has a low impact resistance and therefore a limited life.

The present invention intends to remedy the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a system which clearly marks the separation of customers' products at the checkout level, while avoiding the slipping of the products linked to an excessive stacking of said products.

The present invention also aims to provide a system with sufficient stability, in particularly when said system is arranged on a mobile support, of the treadmill type, exhibiting sudden changes in speed.

The present invention also aims to provide a modular marketing support (display card, advertising card, etc.).

To do this, the present invention is of the type described above and it is remarkable, in its broadest sense, in that said separating element consists of a tubular bar having a longitudinal opening for partially receiving a panel. elevation, and in that said system further comprises two end pieces removably attached to each end of said separating element, said end pieces carrying fixing means for fixing said elevation panel in said separation bar.

Preferably, said separating element comprises means for retaining said elevation panel. Advantageously, said retaining means consist of at least one longitudinal slide arranged in the extension of said opening.

Advantageously, said slide is arranged on the internal face of the lower wall of said separation element. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, said slide is formed of two vertical elements arranged perpendicularly on said internal face of the lower wall of said separation element (3), the free end of each of said elements preferably being extended by a tab of rounded shape respectively directed towards the outside of said slide.

Advantageously, said separating element further comprises means for guiding an elevation panel, said guide means being constituted by at least two symmetrical tabs disposed respectively on the inner face of a side wall of said separating element and configured so as to form a funnel arranged in the extension of said opening.

Advantageously, said opening has a width at least slightly greater than the thickness of said elevation panel.

Preferably, said end piece is made up of a base intended to cooperate with said separating element, of a movable part, linked to said base by securing means, said movable part supporting said means for fixing said elevation panel in said separation element.

Advantageously, said securing means consist of at least one hinge. Advantageously, said tip comprises locking means for holding said tip in the closed position. In a preferred embodiment, said blocking means consist of protuberances distributed over at least part of said base of said tip and into cavities arranged in said movable part of said tip and configured to cooperate with said protrusions of said base when said tip is in the closed position, or vice versa.

Advantageously, said tip further comprises a gripping zone allowing the gripping of said system.

The present invention also relates to a device consisting of an object separation system described above, in which an elevation panel is fixed.

Preferably, the means for fixing said elevation panel in said separation element respectively have at least one zone forming a cavity and in that said elevation panel has on its lateral lower edges at least one tab, said tab being inserted into the zone forming cavity of said tip.

The invention will be better understood with the aid of the description, given below for purely explanatory purposes, of an embodiment of the invention, with reference to the appended figures:

- Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a device according to a first embodiment of the invention, consisting of an object separation system provided with an elevation panel;

- Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the system in the open position for receiving the elevation panel; - Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the device of Figure 1, in which the maintenance of the elevation panel in the separation system is detailed;

- Figure 4 illustrates a sectional view of the device of Figure 1 along the axis AA ';

- Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of a system according to another embodiment of the invention, said system being in the open position for receiving the elevation panel; - Figure 6 illustrates a sectional view of the system of Figure 5 provided with an elevation panel; and

- Figure 7 illustrates a sectional view of the system of Figure 5 not provided with an elevation panel, the end pieces being in the closed position.

Figure 1 illustrates a device (1) for separating the objects arranged on a support capable of being in motion. In particular, this device is intended to separate the products purchased by a customer in a store, said products being arranged on a conveyor belt for scrolling towards a cash register.

Said device (1) consists of a system

(2) for separating said objects in which an elevation panel (5) is fixed.

Said object separation system (2) comprises a separation element (3), of the bar type, and two end pieces (4) fixed on each end of said separation element (3). Advantageously, said elevation panel (5) is made of polypropylene, said separating element

(3) made of aluminum and said end pieces (4) made of plastic, preferably polypropylene.

Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of said system (2) in the open position to receive said an elevation panel (5)

Said separating element (3) is a tubular bar, comprising an upper face (30), a lower face (34) and two side walls (36, 38). Said upper face (30) of said separating element (3) has an opening (31) distributed longitudinally, said opening (31) being intended to receive a part of said elevation panel (5) hereinafter referred to as "lower part".

According to a preferred configuration of the invention, said opening (31) has a width of approximately 1 millimeter.

Said end pieces (4) consist respectively of a base (41), in this embodiment fully inserted in said separation element (3), of a movable part (42) relative to said base (41) and of means for securing (43) said movable part (42) with said fixed part (41). Advantageously, said securing means (43) consist of two tongues allowing the pivoting movement of the mobile part (42) relative to the base (41). Said movable part (42) further supports fixing means (44) intended to fix said elevation panel (5) when the lower part of said elevation panel (5) is inserted into said separation element (3) by said opening (31). To do this, said fixing means (44) have a cavity zone (404), in which are lugs (51) formed on the lower part of the side edges (50) of said elevation panel (5).

The insertion of said elevation panel (5) is carried out until said tabs (51), constituting said elevation panel (5), respectively touch the upper face of the base (41) of each end piece (4 ). Said legs (51), as illustrated in FIG. 2, are such that, once said elevation panel (5) disposed in said separation element (3), said legs (51) have a slight protrusion from said element separation (3). Once said elevation panel (5) in place, the movable part (42) of each end piece (4) is given a pivoting movement to place each movable part (42) against one of the ends of said separating element (3) and, by applying pressure, said end pieces (4) are fixed to said separation element (3). Therefore, said fixing means (44) of said end pieces (4) are inserted into said separation element (3), said fixing means (44) being positioned on the base (41) of said end piece (4) on which rests the tabs (51) of said elevation panel (5). Said tabs (51) of said elevation panel (5) are then respectively trapped in the cavity zones (404) of said fixing means (44) and the upper face of the base (41) of each end piece (4).

Conversely, the release of said elevation panel (5) is effected by the pivoting of the movable part (42) so as to separate the movable part (42) from the end of said separation element (3), thereby releasing the tabs (51) trapped in the zone forming cavity (404) of the fixing means (44) and the upper face of said base (41). Said movable part (42) further comprises a gripping zone (402). Advantageously, said gripping area (402) has, at the upper part of said movable part (42), a rounded shape so as to offer an easy and pleasant grip.

Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the device detailing the maintenance of said elevation panel (5) in said separating element (3) by said end pieces (4).

Figure 4 illustrates a sectional view of the device of Figure 1 along the axis AA '.

As explained above, the lower part of said elevation panel (5) is inserted into said longitudinal opening (31) formed on the upper face (30) of said separating element (3).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said separating element (3) is provided with a slide (32) arranged symmetrically and in the extension of said opening (31).

Said slide (32) is distributed longitudinally over part of said separating element (3), part of said separating element (3) being left free respectively at each end to allow the insertion of the base (41) of said end piece (4) into said separation element (3).

Said elevation panel (5) is then inserted into said separation element (3) until said tabs (51) touch the base (41) of said end piece (4) as illustrated in FIG. 3, the end of the lower part of said elevation panel (5) being inserted in turn into said slide (32).

The opening (31) formed on the upper face (30) of said separation element (3) advantageously has a width slightly greater than the thickness of said elevation panel (5). Thus, by maintaining the lower part of said elevation panel (5) in said slide (32) and by the dimensions of said opening (31) of said separating element (3), the device (1) offers said elevation panel (5) a tolerance of movement back and forth (movement shown schematically by the arrows in Figure 4), thereby absorbing the jolts of the treadmill when going from a stopped state to a working condition, and therefore improving the holding of said device (1) on said treadmill.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a system according to another embodiment of the invention, said system being in the open position to receive said elevation panel (5).

Said end pieces (4) consist respectively of a base (41) partially inserted in said separation element (3) and of a part (42) movable relative to said base (41). Said base (41) and said movable part (42) are fixed to each other by a connection with a degree of freedom allowing the pivoting of said movable part (42) relative to said base (41).

Advantageously, said base (41) present on the lateral external faces of the non-inserted part in said separation element (3) of the protuberances. Said protuberances are intended to be housed in openings formed on the at least lateral interior faces of said movable part (42), said protuberances and said openings being configured so as to allow the fixing of said movable part (42) and of said base (41) while allowing a pivoting movement.

Said movable part (42) also has fixing means (44) intended to fix said elevation panel (5) when the lower part of said elevation panel (5) is inserted into said separation element (3) by said opening (31).

To do this, said fixing means (44) comprise a holding zone (414) and a cavity zone (404) into which are inserted lugs (51) formed on the lower part of the lateral edges (50) of said panel. elevation (5).

As previously, the insertion of said elevation panel (5) is carried out until said tabs (51) constituting said elevation panel (5) respectively touch the upper face of the base (41) of each end piece (4). Said legs (51) are such that, once said elevation panel (5) disposed in said separation element (3), said legs (51) slightly protrude from said separation element (3). Once said elevation panel (5) in place, the movable part (42) of each end piece (4) is given a pivoting movement to place each movable part (42) against one of the ends of said separating element (3).

Thus, in this embodiment, the part of the base (41) not inserted in the separation element (3) is housed in a part of the cavity zone (404), while the holding zone (414) covers the legs (51) of said elevation panel (5) resting on the base (41) said tip (4). The lugs (51) of said elevation panel (5) are then respectively housed in the remaining part of the cavity zone (404) and held on the upper face of the base (41) of each endpiece by the holding zone ( 414) constituting the fixing means (44) of each end piece.

The mobile part (42) is locked in the closed position by means of protuberances (401) (or cavities) distributed over at least part of said base (41) of said end piece (4) and cavities (402 ) (or protuberances) arranged in said movable part (42) of said tip (4) and configured to cooperate with the protuberances (401) (or cavities) of said base (41) when said tip (4) is closed on said separation element (3).

In the same way, the release of said elevation panel (5) will be effected, after the unlocking of the movable part (42) of the base (41), by the pivoting of said movable part (42) towards the position d opening, thereby releasing the tabs (51) trapped between the holding zone (414) and the upper face of the base (41) of said end piece (4).

Figure 6 illustrates a sectional view of the system of Figure 5 provided with an elevation panel (5).

In this embodiment, said slide (32) is formed of two vertical elements arranged perpendicularly on said internal face of the lower wall (34) of said separation element (3). Advantageously, the free end of each element is extended by a tab (302) of substantially rounded shape directed respectively towards the outside of said slide.

As in the embodiment previously described, said slide (32) is distributed longitudinally on a part of said separating element (3), a part of said separating element (3) being respectively left free at each end to allow the insertion of at least a part of the base (41) of said end piece ( 4) in said separation element (3).

Said separation element (3) further comprises guide means intended to guide said elevation panel (5) during its insertion into said separation element (3). Said guide means consist of two longitudinal symmetrical tabs (33) disposed respectively on the inner face of a side wall (36, 38) of said separation element (3) so as to form a central slide.

Said legs (33) have, in this example, a curved shape towards the lower wall (34) of said separating element (3) so that said legs (33) form an element of the funnel type. Of course, this is only an example of configuration here, any other configuration of the legs (33) allowing the elevation panel (5) to be guided to facilitate its insertion into the slide (32) disposed in the extension of the opening (31) not departing from the scope of the present invention.

The upper wall (30), consisting of said opening (31) for the insertion of said elevation panel (5), also has on its free ends tabs arranged perpendicular to said wall (30) and directed towards the lower wall ( 34) of said separation element (3).

Said separation element (3) thus configured facilitates the positioning of the elevation panel (5) in said separation element (3): it in fact makes it possible to guide the lower part of said elevation panel (5) towards said slide (32).

Said separation element (3) thus configured also allows, in the event of untimely jolts of the carpet rolling, to prevent said separation element (3) falling on one of its side walls (36, 38) carrying with it the elevation panel (5).

Said separation element (3) thus configured also offers improved retention of said elevation panel (5) in said separation element (3), thereby reducing the risk of involuntary withdrawal in the event of jolts of the treadmill.

Figure 7 illustrates a sectional view of the system

(2) of Figure 5 not provided with an elevation panel (5), the end pieces (4) being in the closed position. FIG. 7 more particularly illustrates the arrangement of the base (41) of one of said end pieces (4) in said separation element (3). Indeed, said end pieces (4) are dimensioned so as to be housed in a cavity (300) of said separation element (3) formed by said tabs (33) and the side and bottom walls (36, 38, 34).

Furthermore, in order to avoid unwanted removal of said base (41) from said cavity (300), the dimensions of said base (41) are such that the insertion of said base (41) into the cavity (300) of said separating element

(3) may be performed by force. Advantageously, said base (41) has on at least one of its faces at least one tightening tar (not shown). Thus, during the insertion of said base (41) into the cavity (300) of said separation element (3), said clamping tar, consisting for example of a plastic protuberance, is crushed against the corresponding wall or walls forming the cavity (300). The pressure, thus exerted by said gaudron on the walls of the cavity (300), makes it possible to hold in place said base (41) of said nozzle.

(4) in the cavity (300) of said separation element (3). In these exemplary embodiments of the invention, said elevation panel (5) is of substantially rectangular shape. It is understood that said elevation panel (5) may have other shapes, while retaining a straight base. The upper part of said elevation panel (5) can thus adopt oval, pointed, wave shapes, etc.

Advantageously, said elevation panel (5) is an advertising medium.

The invention is described in the foregoing by way of example. It is understood that a person skilled in the art is able to carry out different variants of the invention without going beyond the scope of the patent.

Claims

1. System (2) for separating objects arranged on a support capable of being in motion, of the conveyor belt type, said system (2) comprising a separation element (3), characterized in that said separation element (3) consists of a tubular bar having a longitudinal opening (31) for partially receiving an elevation panel (5), and in that said system (2) further comprises two end pieces (4) removably attached to each end of said separation element (3), said end pieces (4) carrying fixing means (44) for fixing said elevation panel (5) in said separation bar (3).

2. System (2) for separating objects according to claim 1, characterized in that said separation element (3) comprises means for retaining said elevation panel (5).

3. System (2) for separating objects according to claim 2, characterized in that said retaining means (32) consist of at least one longitudinal slide (32) disposed in the extension of said opening (31).

4. System (2) for separating objects according to claim 3, characterized in that said slide (32) is arranged on the internal face of the bottom wall of said separation element (3).

5. System (2) for separating objects according to claim 3 or claim 4, characterized in that said slide (32) is formed of two vertical elements arranged perpendicularly on said face. internal of the lower wall (34) of said separating element (3), the free end of each of said elements preferably being extended by a tab (302) of substantially rounded shape directed respectively towards the outside of said slide.

6. System (2) for separating objects according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said separation element (3) further comprises means for guiding an elevation panel (5) , said guide means consisting of at least two symmetrical tabs (33) disposed respectively on the inner face of a side wall (36, 38) of said separation element (3) and configured so as to form a funnel arranged in the extension of said opening (31).

7. Object separation system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said opening (31) has a width at least slightly greater than the thickness of said elevation panel (5) .

8. System (2) for separating objects according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said end piece (4) consists of a base (41) intended to cooperate with said separation element (3 ), a movable part (42), linked to said base (41) by securing means (43), said movable part (42) supporting said fixing means (44) of said elevation panel (5) in said separation element (3).

9. System (2) for separating objects according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said securing means (43) consist of at least one hinge.

10. System (2) for separating objects according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said end piece (4) comprises locking means for holding said end piece in the closed position.

11. System (2) for separating objects according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said blocking means consist of protuberances (401) distributed over at least part of said base (41) of said tip (4) and in cavities (402) arranged in said movable part (42) of said tip (4) and configured to cooperate with said protrusions (401) of said base (41) when said tip (4) is in the closed position, or vice versa.

12. System (2) for separating objects according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said end piece (4) further comprises a gripping zone allowing the gripping of said system (2).

13. Device (1) consisting of a system (2) for separating objects according to any one of the preceding claims in which an elevation panel (5) is fixed.

14. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the fixing means

(44) of said elevation panel (5) in said separation element (3) respectively have at least one cavity zone (404) and in that said elevation panel (5) has on its lower lateral edges (50 ) at least a tab ⁽ 51 ⁾ , said tab (51) being inserted into the cavity zone (404) of said end piece ₍ 4 ₎ .