EP2308354A2

EP2308354A2 - Product stocking device

Info

Publication number: EP2308354A2
Application number: EP10165147A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Manfred Joseph Lukkezen
Original assignee: Verstegen Spice Group BV
Current assignee: Verstegen Spice Group BV
Priority date: 2009-06-08
Filing date: 2010-06-07
Publication date: 2011-04-13
Also published as: NL2003359C2; EP2308354A3; NL2002985C2

Abstract

A fixed product holder (10) comprises a product guide (12) for receiving a series of products (30) in linearly movable manner. A product stocking device for this purpose comprises a transport holder (20) with a further product guide (22) on which a series of products (30) is received in linearly movable manner. The transport holder (20) can be coupled (23) at an outer end to the fixed product holder up to a manually releasable coupled position in which the further product guide (22) connects functionally to the product guide (21) of the fixed product holder.

Description

The present invention relates to a product stocking device for a fixed product holder, which fixed product holder comprises a product guide for movably receiving a series of successive products, comprising a transport holder with a further product guide for movably receiving at least one product.
Such a fixed product holder finds particular application in (self-service) shops and department stores where a stock of products is placed in a product display so as to be directly accessible for purchase. For this purpose the product is slid out of or off the product guide and taken out of the product display. The product display is normally replenished with products when stock is ascertained to be under a determined minimum, or replenished periodically. To this end products are supplied in a wholesale packaging and placed manually, not infrequently one by one, in or on the fixed product holder via the product guide. This is time-consuming and requires manpower which in supermarkets is often staff recruited specifically for this purpose or external staff, referred to as shelf-fillers, rack-jobbers and service merchandisers, this entailing additional costs.
For the purpose of simplifying and accelerating restocking of a product display the Netherlands patent application 7713001 describes an optionally rod-like product stocking device which serves as transport holder with a further product guide for the purpose of receiving movably thereon a series of products to be placed on the fixed product holder. The rod-like transport holder protrudes with a hollow bush part at an outer end onto a free outer end of a likewise rod-like outer end of the fixed product holder, whereby both product guides connect functionally to each other. The thus supplied products can now be carried in one movement together, instead of one by one, from the transport holder onto the fixed product holder.
Although this saves a considerable amount of time, this known transport holder has the drawback that a First-in-First-Out (FIFO) dispensing system normally preferred for a shop product display is thereby disrupted. This is because in this known device the new products are placed in front of the already present old products, and will therefore leave the product display first.
The present invention has for its object, among others, to provide a product stocking device for a fixed product holder which obviates this drawback.
In order to achieve the stated object a product stocking device of the type described in the preamble has the feature according to the present invention that at a first outer end of the further product guide and at an opposite second outer end of the further product guide the transport holder can be coupled to the fixed product holder up to a manually releasable coupled position in which the further product guide connects functionally to the product guide of the fixed product holder.
The transport holder provides the option of the products being delivered thereon, after which the transport holder need only be coupled to the fixed product holder for the purpose of then sliding the whole series of products held thereby from the product guide of the transport holder onto the product guide of the fixed product holder. The products of the series can thus be transferred in only one coordinated operation to the fixed product holder. Optional periodic replenishment of the fixed product holder thus becomes considerably less time-consuming. If desired, a stock of products possibly still held by the fixed product holder can here be transferred beforehand in similar manner, but in opposite direction, to the transport holder and later be re-placed so as not to disrupt a first-in-first-out (FIFO) pattern of dispensing the older part of the stock.
The invention is suitable here for fixed product holders of varying nature and type, wherein in a particular situation the transport holder will always be adapted to the specifically applied product holder. A particular embodiment of the product stocking device according to the invention, wherein the fixed product holder comprises a rod-like free outer end from which the product guide extends for the purpose of receiving thereover the products with an opening, has the feature in this respect that the transport holder comprises an at least substantially rod-like body and that one of the fixed product holder and the transport holder is provided at an outer end with a bush part having an axial cavity for receiving coaxially therein a free outer end of the other of the fixed product holder and the transport holder in the coupled situation. Such a rod-like fixed product holder is applied on large scale in shops and department stores, wherein products are suspended therefrom for axial movement. The above stated embodiment of the product stocking device according to the invention fits optimally hereon. The series of products carried by the transport holder can here be slid in one operation from the rod-like transport holder onto the fixed product holder.
The bush part can be provided per se on the fixed product holder as well as on the transport holder. In a preferred embodiment the product stocking device according to the invention has the feature however that the transport holder comprises the bush part. This has the advantage that the fixed product holders already present in large numbers in existing product displays and racks do not therefore require any modification, while the advantages of the product stocking device according to the invention can nevertheless be enjoyed.
For coaxially receiving the rod-like outer end an outer diameter of the bush part is necessarily larger than an outer diameter of said rod-like outer end. The rod-like body of the transport holder can have a correspondingly larger outer diameter here, whereby the bush part fits smoothly thereon and lies wholly in line therewith. A further particular embodiment of the product stocking device according to the invention has the feature however that the rod-like body has at least substantially the same cross-section as the free outer end of the fixed product holder, and that the bush part widens gradually from a connected outer end. The rod-like body of the transport holder thus provides relative to the fixed product holder an uncompromised product guide which leads in shock-free manner via the gradual transition of the bush part over the bush part to the product guide of the fixed product holder. A further particular embodiment of the product stocking device according to the invention has the feature here that the bush part narrows toward an open outer end thereof. This embodiment enhances an equally smooth transfer of products in the reverse direction.
In addition to rod-like fixed product holders, numerous fixed product holders with a flat product guide are also known in practice. With a view hereto a further particular embodiment of the product stocking device according to the invention, wherein the fixed product holder comprises a flat product guide for receiving thereon the products with a bottom part, has the feature that the transport holder comprises a gutter open on at least one outer end, from the open outer end of which body a coupling part extends which can be coupled to the fixed product holder, wherein in a coupled situation a gutter bottom of the transport holder connects functionally via the coupling part to the flat product guide of the fixed product holder. The products to be added are situated here in a gutter-like product guide of the transport holder which can be coupled by means of the coupling part to the fixed product holder so that the products can slide out of the gutter over a substantially continuous passage onto the product guide of the fixed product holder, and vice versa.
A further particular embodiment of the product stocking device according to the invention, wherein the fixed product holder comprises a product gutter with a gutter width, has the feature here that the coupling part extends within the gutter width from a bottom part of the gutter-like body. The transport holder can thus be readily placed with the bottom part in the gutter of the fixed product holder in order to enable a transfer of products without the fixed product holder requiring any, or at least any appreciable, modification for this purpose. This is of particularly great importance for existing situations.
In order to avoid the products unintentionally coming out of the transport container during transport or handling, a further particular embodiment of the product stocking device according to the invention has the feature that the transport holder is provided on either side of the product guide with respectively a first and a second stop member for receiving a product thereagainst. A further particular embodiment of the product stocking device according to the invention has the feature here that at least one of the two stop members is adjustable in stationary manner between a first position, which blocks the product guide, and a second position which leaves the product guide clear. A blocking position of at least the at least one stop member, which avoids the possibility of the products escaping from the transport holder, can thus be released by adjusting the stop member to the second position in which the products are released to the fixed product holder. A simple but no less usable alternative is provided in this respect by a further particular embodiment of the product stocking device according to the invention, characterized in that at least one of the two stop members is manually removable. The relevant stop member can here be removed in simple manner to release the products or be placed in order to enclose the products.
The invention will be further elucidated hereinbelow on the basis of an exemplary embodiment and an associated drawing. In the drawing:

figure 1: is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a fixed product holder;
figure 2: is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the product stocking device intended for the product holder of figure 1;
figure 3: is a detail drawing of the product holder of figure 1 and the transport holder of figure 2 at the position of a functional mutual coupling;
figure 4: is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a fixed product holder;
figure 5: is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the product stocking device according to the invention intended for the product holder of figure 4;
figure 6: is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the product stocking device according to the invention intended for the product holder of figure 1;
figure 7: is a detail view of the end part of the product stocking device of figure 6 marked with circle VII; and
figure 8: is a detail view of the basic part of the product stocking device of figure 6 marked with circle VIII.

It is otherwise noted here that the figures are purely schematic and not drawn to scale. Some dimensions in particular may be exaggerated to greater or lesser extent for the sake of clarity. Corresponding parts are designated as far as possible in the figures with the same reference numeral.
The embodiment of the product stocking device shown in figure 1 makes use of a so-called euro lock pin 10 as fixed product holder. Such pins are applied on large scale in shop spaces and department stores for suspending products of varying type therefrom, either in the single embodiment as shown here or in dual form. Pin 10 provides on an outer surface thereof a linear product guide 12 over which a series of products can be successively placed. Products 30 are provided for this purpose with a suspension eye 31, a so-called euro lock opening, in order to be thereby received for linear movement on rod-like part 12 of pin 10. As a result of the specific form of such a euro lock, this opening is suitable for both single and double euro pins. A slight bend 13 on the outer end of pin 10 avoids products coming off the pin too easily. At an opposite outer end the pin 10 comprises a hook 14 with which the product holder can be fixed in or to a system wall adapted for this purpose. A retail packaging 30 of herbs and spices for instance is thus presented in supermarkets, wherein at least one such product holder is provided per type of product.
For the purpose of incidental or periodic replenishment of the product stock on product holder 10 a series of products 30 are supplied with a product stocking device 20. An embodiment hereof is shown in figure 2 and comprises a transport holder 20 with a substantially rod-like body 22 of roughly the same section as rod-like part 12 of pin 10. Rod-like body 22 of transport holder 20 thus provides, in the same manner as pin 10, a linear product guide over which a supplied series of products 30 is received for linear movement.
The series of products 30 is enclosed on transport holder 20 on either side by stop members 41,42 provided for this purpose in order to prevent premature release of the products therefrom. In this example the two stop members 41,42 comprise elastomer rings which lie clamped on an outer casing of the transport holder, although use can also be made instead of form-retaining parts of a plastic such as polyethylene or polypropylene or other suitable material clamped or otherwise attached to the outer casing. Such stop members, one or both, can also be connected non-releasably to the transport holder and for instance take an adjustable form here in order to allow manual manipulation between a blocking position and a release position.
Transport holder 20 is provided at an outer end with a bush part 23 with an axial cavity 24 so that it can be received fittingly on an end part 11 of product holder 10. Bush part 23 optionally stops here against the bend 13 in pin 10. In order to transfer the series of products from transport holder 20 to fixed product holder 10 the transport holder is placed with bush part 23 onto end part 11 of the product holder after the relevant stop member 41 has been removed, see also figure 3 which shows both parts in coupled position. Linear guide 22 of transport holder 20 now lies roughly in line with the corresponding guide 12 of product holder 10, whereby both product guides make a smooth functional connection to each other. In this situation the whole series of products 30 can then slide in one continuous movement from transport holder 20 onto pin 12. The empty transport holder is then suitable for reuse and with a view thereto can be taken back by the supplier.
An improved embodiment of the transport holder is shown as second embodiment of the invention in figures 6 to 8. The use and material of this product stocking device wholly correspond to those of figure 2, to which brief reference is therefore made here. In respect of construction the embodiment shown here differs in that a distal end 27 of linear guide 22, see also figure 7, is provided with a set of axial extensions 28 in the form of a set of teeth, with which product stocking device 20 can be placed at this side on a free outer end 11 of the product holder 10 to be refilled therewith. Product stocking device 20 supports here with teeth 28 on the free outer end 11 of the fixed product holder in line with both the product guide 12 thereof and the product guide 22 of the product stocking device itself. From basic part 25, see also figure 8, the refilling device of figure 6 is provided with a rib structure 29 in order to save material, this without detracting from the effectiveness of the device.
According to the invention this transport holder can be coupled at both outer ends of the product guide thereof to the fixed product holder. Transport holder 20 thus also provides a medium for a residual stock of products 30, such as the packaging in figure 1, possibly still present on fixed product holder 10. By placing such a transport holder 20 in the above stated manner on outer end 11 of product holder 10 this residual stock can be temporarily removed and held temporarily on product holder 20, and subsequently be re-placed in reverse direction once the stock has been replenished. The residual products still present on product holder 10 prior to replenishment can thus be slid in simple manner onto one of the two sides of product stocking device 20 and later re-placed, for instance in order to take account of a FIFO system being implemented in a product display, which can be particularly important in the case of products with limited storage life.
In order to enhance a gradual transfer of the products from transport holder 20 over bush part 23 a part 25 of bush part 23 connected to rod-like body 22 widens gradually from roughly the diameter of rod-like body 22 to the outer diameter of bush part 23. Conversely, the free outer end 26 of the bush part narrows in that the wall thereof is chamfered here. Products can thus pass over the bush part in both directions in at least substantially shock-free manner.
A second exemplary embodiment of the product stocking device according to the invention is shown in figure 5 in relation to the product holder of figure 4. In this embodiment the product holder forms part of a product display wall 40 which provides a gutter-like compartment 41 for each type of product. Compartments 41 each comprise a flat bottom 42 with upright walls 43 on either side and provide therebetween a guide over which the products are linearly movable. In this embodiment the products comprise retail packages for herbs or spices in the form of relatively small plastic pots 60, although the invention is also suitable for numerous other packages, that are larger, the same size and smaller, and other types of product normally held and presented in such product displays. Rails can also be applied as lateral guide here instead of walls, and use can also be made of grids instead of solid walls. A product display wall normally comprises a number of rows of such compartments one above another, optionally in combination with larger or smaller compartments or other types of product holder.
A product stocking device for such a product display wall is shown in figure 5 and, just as compartments 41, comprises a gutter-like product guide 50 which connects functionally onto that of the compartments in that it has maximally the same section. Just as the compartments, the gutter-like part of product stocking device 50 comprises a bottom 52 and a pair of upright walls 53 which extend on either side thereof and inside which a series of products 60 is received for free movement. Provided here at a first outer end and at an opposite, second outer end is a downward foldable and reclosable end wall 51,54 for the purpose of blocking or releasing products 60. End walls 51,54 form coupling parts extending from the bottom of the gutter part. Such a coupling part has a width within a width of the compartments so that the product stocking device can slide with this coupling part inside the compartments. Bottom 52 of the product stocking device and the coupling part 54 connecting thereto then lie substantially wholly in line with bottom 42 of the associated compartment, so that the product guide provided by the product stocking device makes a smooth functional connection to that of the compartments. In this situation products 60 can be slid in one movement out of product stocking device 50 into the target compartment 40 without problem for the purpose of thus replenishing compartment 40. In similar manner as in the foregoing example a FIFO dispensing system can if desired be taken into account here.
Also in this embodiment the product stocking device serves as (temporary) transport holder with which the product are supplied. When coupling part 54 is given a pivotable form, it can be folded upward during transport so that products 60 are fully enclosed laterally in transport holder 50. A simple wrapping with for instance a transparent film encloses the whole completely so that products 60 are not lost during transport.
Although the invention has been described above with reference to only three exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent that the invention is by no means limited thereto. On the contrary, many variations and embodiments can still be envisaged by a person with ordinary skill in the art within the scope of the invention. A functional connection of the guide of the transport holder to that of the product holder can for instance also be obtained by having both parts simply abut each other. What is important is that the transport holder comprises a product guide which is the same as or at least compatible with that of the fixed product holder.

Claims

Product stocking device for a fixed product holder, which fixed product holder comprises a product guide for movably receiving a series of successive products, comprising a transport holder with a further product guide for movably receiving at least one product, characterized in that at a first outer end of the further product guide and at an opposite, second outer end of the further product guide the transport holder can be coupled to the fixed product holder up to a manually releasable coupled position in which the further product guide connects functionally to the product guide of the fixed product holder.
Product stocking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixed product holder comprises a rod-like free outer end from which the product guide extends for the purpose of receiving thereover the products with an opening, characterized in that the transport holder comprises an at least substantially rod-like body and that one of the fixed product holder and the transport holder is provided at an outer end with a bush part having an axial cavity for receiving coaxially therein a free outer end of the other of the fixed product holder and the transport holder in the coupled situation.
Product stocking device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the transport holder comprises the bush part.
Product stocking device as claimed in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the rod-like body is provided on an opposite outer end with at least one axially protruding extension which is adapted to support in line with the further product guide on the free outer end of the fixed product holder.
Product stocking device as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the rod-like body has at least substantially the same cross-section as the free outer end of the fixed product holder, and that the bush part widens gradually from a connected outer end.
Product stocking device as claimed in claim 2, 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that the bush part narrows toward an open outer end thereof.
Product stocking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixed product holder comprises a flat product guide for receiving thereon the products with a bottom part, characterized in that the transport holder comprises a gutter open on at least one outer end, from the open outer end of which body a coupling part extends which can be coupled to the fixed product holder, wherein in a coupled situation a gutter bottom of the transport holder connects functionally via the coupling part to the flat product guide of the fixed product holder.
Product stocking device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the fixed product holder comprises a product gutter with a gutter width, characterized in that the coupling part extends within the gutter width from a bottom part of the gutter-like body.
Product stocking device as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the transport holder is provided on either side of the product guide with respectively a first and a second stop member for receiving a product thereagainst.
Product stocking device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that at least one of the two stop members is adjustable in stationary manner between a first position, which blocks the product guide, and a second position which leaves the product guide clear.
Product stocking device as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that at least one of the two stop members is manually removable.