EP2327337A1

EP2327337A1 - Display case

Info

Publication number: EP2327337A1
Application number: EP09177554A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alexander Crolla; Pieter Lesage
Original assignee: Meyvaert Glass Engineering
Current assignee: Meyvaert Glass Engineering
Priority date: 2009-11-30
Filing date: 2009-11-30
Publication date: 2011-06-01

Abstract

Display case (1) comprising at least one glass panel (2) and a connection element (3) fixing the glass panel (2) into the remainder of the display case (1), the connection element (3) comprising a first flange (4) with a first longitudinal surface (9) attached to the inner surface (14) of the glass panel (2) and extending along at least one of the delimiting sides of the glass panel (2) and a second longitudinal surface (10) opposing the first longitudinal surface (9) of the first flange (4) and a second flange (5) extending away from the glass panel (2) and having a third longitudinal surface (11) adjacent to the second longitudinal surface (10), the first (4) and the second flange (5) cooperating for fixing the glass panel (2) into the remainder of the display case (1), characterised in that the display case (1) comprises a positioning element (13) contacting the second (10) and third (11) longitudinal surface such that the connection element (3) at least partly positions the glass panel (2) with respect to the remainder of the display case (1).

Description

The present invention relates to a display case as claimed in the preamble of the first claim.
Such a display case is already known to the person skilled in the art from US5069512 . US5069512 describes a display case comprising upright glass panels forming upright walls of the display case. The adjacent glass panels are interconnected using a connection element fixing the glass panels into the remainder of the display case. The connection element comprises a first flange with a first longitudinal surface attached to the inner surface of the glass panel by tape and extending along at least one of the delimiting sides of the glass panel. A second longitudinal surface opposing the first longitudinal surface of the first flange and a second flange extends away from the glass panel along a perpendicular direction with respect to the surface of the glass panel and has a third longitudinal surface adjacent to the second longitudinal surface. The first and the second flange cooperate to fix the glass panel into the remainder of the display case by a tape which glues two connection elements to each other.
However, the connection element is difficult to position with respect to the remainder of the display case. More specifically, in the plane of the tape gluing the connection element to the remainder of the display case, in casu the connection element is taped to an identical connection element, the connection element can slide along directions lying in the plane of the tape when not yet fully glued to the remainder of the case.
The object of the current invention can therefore be seen as to provide a better positioning of the connection element with respect to the remainder of the display case.
This is achieved with a display case showing the technical features of the characterising portion of the first claim.
Thereto, the display case comprises a positioning element contacting the second and third longitudinal surface such that the connection element at least partly positions the glass panel with respect to the remainder of the display case.
The inventor has found that such a positioning element allows to limit the degrees of freedom of the connection element with respect to the remainder of the display case such that a better positioning of the connection element is obtained.
In preferred embodiments of the display case according to the present invention, the positioning element extends along a substantial part of the width of the second and/or third longitudinal surface and more preferably along a substantial part of the second and third longitudinal surface. Such a positioning element provides an improved positioning of the connection element with respect to the remainder of the display case.
In preferred embodiments of the display case according to the present invention, the positioning element comprises a seal for substantially airtightly closing openings between the connection element and the remainder of the display case such as to allow a controlled circulation of air in the display case. For example, only between 10% and 50% of the volume of air of the display case is refreshed per day. For example, maximally 20%, 30% or 40% of the volume of air of the display case is refreshed per day. The inventor has found that with a correct use of seals a maximum of 10% of air of the display case which is refreshed per day is possible.
In preferred embodiments of the display case according to the present invention, the positioning element protrudes from the remainder of the display case towards the second and the third longitudinal surface. Such a positioning element has been found to establish a further improved positioning of the connection element.
In preferred embodiments of the display case according to the present invention, the connection element comprises a third flange extending from the second flange having a fourth longitudinal surface adjacent to the third longitudinal surface, the plane of the fourth longitudinal surface not intersecting the glass panel. Such a third flange has been found to provide a plurality of possibilities to mount the connection element to the remainder of the display case.
In further preferred embodiments of the display case according to the present invention, a fifth flange extends from the first flange along a direction substantially parallel to the third flange such as to conceal at least part of the first, the second and the third flange for a spectator looking through the glass panel. Such a fifth flange provides the connection element with the possibility of hiding a substantial part of the connection element to the spectator.
In preferred embodiments of the display case according to the present invention a fourth flange extends from the first flange from a side opposing the side from which the second flange extends such that the fourth flange extends from the inner surface of the glass panel towards the outer surface of the glass panel along the thickness of the glass panel. The fourth flange has been found to increase the resistance of the glass panel, in particular the sides of the glass panel, to shocks, for example when the glass panel is transported. In the context of the current application with inner surface is meant a surface which faces the inside of the display case, when erected, and with outer surface is meant a surface which faces the outside of the display case, when erected.
In preferred embodiments of the display case according to the current invention, the display case comprises a second glass panel adjacent to the first glass panel and connected to the first glass panel with a second connection element, the first and the second connection element being positioned with respect to each other such that the two second and third longitudinal surfaces delimit a volume in which the positioning element is located and the two third flanges are adjacent such that the fourth longitudinal surfaces of the two third flanges run along each other.
Such display cases can be modularly built as, for example, two substantially identical glass panels can be used to form, for example, two side walls of the display case which are connected to each other using, for example, two substantially identical connection elements. In such a case, for example, four substantially identical glass panels can be adjacently positioned to each other such that a rectangular display case is formed. The glass panels in such case can for example be connected to each other using eight substantially identical connection elements. In such a case the different elements of the display case can be made in large numbers and used for assembling different display cases. Moreover, the different element of the display case can be interchanged with, for example, other display cases or can, for example, be used to build display cases of different size and shape as will be elaborated below.
In further preferred embodiments of the display case according to the present invention, the two third flanges extend under an angle of half of the angle between the two glass panels, in other words that the two third flanges extend along an axis bisecting the angle between the two glass panels. For example, under an angle of substantially 45° with respect to the plane of the glass panel to which the first flange of the respective connection elements is attached when the glass panels are provided substantially perpendicular to each other.
In further preferred embodiments of the display case according to the present invention, the two third flanges are connected to each other by a clip using a snap-fit connection. Such a mount of the connection element allows a quick and easy mount of the glass panel in the remainder of the display case and moreover adds to the modular use of the elements of the display case.
In further preferred embodiments of the display case according to the present invention, the two fifth flanges are connected to each other by a longitudinal sealing cap. Such a sealing cap further increases the concealment of the first, second and third flange of the connection element from the spectator.
In preferred embodiments of the display case according to the present invention, the display case comprises a second glass panel substantially coplanar with and adjacent to the first glass panel and connected to the first glass panel with a second connection element, the positioning element comprising respective first and second longitudinal positioning flanges extending along the first and second flanges of the connection elements along the second and third longitudinal surfaces. Such a second connection element allows the easy positioning of adjacent coplanar glass panels further increasing the modularity of the display case according to the present invention.
In further preferred embodiments of the display case according to the present invention the positioning element comprises third longitudinal positioning flanges extending from the second longitudinal positioning flanges and extending from the second positioning flanges along the fourth longitudinal surface. Such third positioning flanges provide an improved positioning of the connection elements and allows an improved mounting of the connection element to the positioning element, for example, in further preferred embodiments of the display case according to the current invention in which the third flanges are connected to the third positioning flanges by a clip using a snap-fit connection.
In further preferred embodiments of the display case according to the present invention, the positioning element comprises fifth positioning flanges extending parallel to the third positioning flanges such as to conceal at least part of the first, the second and the third flanges for a spectator looking through the glass panel. Such fifth positioning flanges allow a further concealment of the first, the second and the third flanges and the first, the second and the third positioning flanges.
In further preferred embodiments of the display case according to the present invention, the fifth flanges and fifth positioning flanges are connected to each other by a longitudinal sealing cap. Such a sealing cap further increases the concealment of the first, second and third flange and/or positioning flange from the spectator.
In further preferred embodiments of the display case according to the present invention, the sealing cap is provided with at least one light source provided for lighting the interior of the display case. Such a light offers the advantage of being incorporated into the mount of the display case without having to add other separate light sources.
In preferred embodiments of the display case according to the present invention the positioning element comprises a horizontal panel delimited by at least one longitudinal delimiting edge on which the connection element is positioned such that the second and the third longitudinal surface run along the delimiting edge and the third longitudinal surface is supported by the panel. Such a mounting allows the glass panel to be positioned in for example an upright position using the connection element.
The display case according to the invention will be further elucidated by means of the following description of preferred embodiments and drawings, without limiting the invention. The reference numerals relate to the appended drawings.

Figure 1 shows an exploded view in perspective of a preferred embodiment of the display case according to the present invention.
Figure 2 shows a cross section of a side view of the display case according to figure 1.
Figure 3 shows a detail of figure 2.
Figure 4 shows another detail of figure 2.
Figure 5 shows a cross section of a side view of a further embodiment of the display case according to the present invention.
Figure 6 shows a detail of figure 5.

The display case 1 shown in figure 1 comprises four rectangular glass panels 2 partially enclosing a central display volume which is for example provided to display different items. Such a display case 1 can for example be used in an exhibition. The shape and dimensions of the glass panels 2 is not critical for the invention and can be determined by the person skilled in the art in function of the envisaged application. Preferably, the display case 1 is provided to be dismounted for transport purposes.
Although all the upright side walls of the display case 1 enclosing the central display volume shown in figure 1 are glass panels 2, this is not critical for the invention and any one of the upright side walls of the display case 1 can be, partly or fully, replaced by for example a panel of a different material. However it has been found by the inventor that using four glass panels 2 for the upright walls delimiting the central display volume allows a more easy construction, allows more light into the display volume, etc. Moreover, the central display volume can be viewed through any one of the upright walls of the display case 1.
The display case 1 shown in figure 1 also comprises a top panel 30 further delimiting the central display volume. The top panel 30 however is not critical for the invention and can be omitted. The top panel 30 can be made of any material deemed suitable such as for example wood, metal, glass, etc. Preferably the top panel 30 however is a glass panel which allows more light into the central display volume.
The top panel 30 can be provided with an additional light source 34, such as for example a LED light source. In case the top panel 30 is a glass panel, the light source 34 can be put on top of the top panel 30 shining through the glass panel such as to light the interior of the display case 1, as shown in figure 1.
The bottom 31 of the display case 1 shown in figure 1 comprises a structure providing a substantially flat bottom to the display case 1 for a spectator looking into the display case 1 while allowing a controlled flow of air to circulate into the display case 1. Thereto, the bottom 31 of the display case 1 comprises a finishing plate 32 under which for example an air inlet and/or outlet 33 is provided for controlling the air flow in and/or out the display case 1 or for controlling the air flow inside the display case 1, when for example no or substantially no air leaves the display case 1. The bottom 31 of the display case 1 can be any bottom 31 deemed appropriate by the person skilled in the art and can for example be made off wood, metal, etc.
The different walls delimiting the central display volume, shown in figure 1, are mounted to each other using an identical connection element 3. Although the use of identical connection elements 3 is not critical for the invention, this allows the display case to be assembled with less different elements and avoids the use of different connection elements 3 between the different delimiting walls of the central display volume. The use of the connection element 3 is shown in more detail in figures 3 and 4.
One of the upright walls, preferably a glass panel, preferably is provided to be a door and thereto is provided with, for example, hinging means at one upright side of the upright wall and, more preferably, with locking means at the opposing upright side of the upright wall. The hinging and locking means can be provided in addition to the connection element 3.
When using the connection element 3 to mount the different walls delimiting the central display volume to each other, the connection element 3 is applied to the sides of the walls delimiting the walls, preferably along a substantial length or even the full length of the sides of the walls. In such case the connection element 3 increases the rigidity/strength of the walls, which is especially beneficial when the walls are glass panels 2. Moreover, in such case the different upright walls can be made substantially the same, adding to the possibilities of combining the different panels in different display cases 1. This will for example be illustrated further on.
Figure 2 shows a cross section of a side view of the display case 1 shown in figure 1 and shows the use of the connection element 3 at the interconnection of the top panel 30 and the bottom 31 and two upright panels.
Figure 3 shows a detail of the interconnection of the top panel 30 with an upright panel, here a glass panel 2. It is shown that the connection element 3 comprises a first flange 4 with a first longitudinal surface 9 attached to the inner surface 14 of the glass panel 2. The first longitudinal surface 9 can be attached to the inner surface of the glass panel 2 with any means deemed appropriate by the person skilled in the art such as for example glue, tape, etc. The first flange 4 extends along at least one of the delimiting sides of the glass panel 2. A second longitudinal surface 10 opposes the first longitudinal surface 9 of the first flange 4. The dimensions of the first flange 4 can be determined by the person skilled in the art depending on the requirements for the connection element 3. By making the first flange 4 larger, the strength of the glass panel 2 increases whereas the surface through which a spectator can look into the central display volume decreases. Preferably, an optimum is determined by the person skilled in the art.
A second flange 5 extends away from the glass panel 2 and has a third longitudinal surface 11 adjacent to the second longitudinal surface 10. The first 4 and the second flange 5 cooperate to fix the glass panel 2 into the remainder of the display case 1. The display case 1 further comprises a positioning element 13 contacting the second 10 and third 11 longitudinal surface 11 such that the connection element 3 at least partly positions the glass panel 2 with respect to the remainder of the display case 1.
Figure 3 shows that the second flange 5 extends away from the glass panel 2 under angle which is substantially perpendicular to the first flange 4. This is however not critical for the invention and can be changed as deemed appropriate by the person skilled in the art and for example depending on the shape of the positioning element 13.
In figure 3 is shown that the fixing of the glass panel 2 to the remainder of the display case 1, in this case to an adjacent glass panel 16, is done using a second connection element 17. In such a case, the first 3 and the second 17 connection element are positioned with respect to each other such that the two second 10 and third longitudinal surfaces 11 at least partly delimit a volume in which the positioning element 13 is located. The two third flanges 6 are adjacent such that the fourth longitudinal surfaces 12 of the two third flanges 6 run along each other.
The positioning element 13 preferably extends along a substantial part of the width of the second 5 and/or third 6 longitudinal surface and more preferably along a substantial part of the second 5 and third 6 longitudinal surface. Such a positioning element provides a better positioning of the connection element 3 with respect to the remainder of the display case 1. The positioning element 3 preferably comprises or even forms a seal for substantially airtightly closing openings between the connection element 3 and the remainder of the display case 1 such as to allow a controlled circulation of air in the display case 1. The positioning element 13 shown in figure 3 comprises protrusions extending towards the second 5 and/or third 6 longitudinal surface for further allowing a better positioning of the positioning element 13. These protrusions are however not critical for the invention and can be omitted by the person skilled in the art. The positioning element 13 is preferably made from a material which for example offers frictional properties allowing to further improve the positioning of the two connection elements and/or sealing properties such as for example rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or silicone.
Figure 3 further shows that the connection element 3 comprises a third flange 6 extending from the second flange 5 having a fourth longitudinal surface 12 adjacent to the third longitudinal surface 11, the plane of the fourth longitudinal surface 12 not intersecting the glass panel 2. Such a third flange 6 however is not critical for the invention and can be omitted. The third flange 6 preferably extends under an angle of substantially 135° with the second flange, as shown in figure 3.
In figure 3, the two third flanges 6 of the two connection elements 3, 17 extend under an angle of half of the angle between the two glass panels 2, more precisely under an angle of substantially 45° with respect to the glass panels 2. The two third flanges 6 are connected to each other by a clip 18 using a snap-fit connection. Such a clip 18 allows for an easy and fast connection of the two connection elements 3, 17 to each other. The use of the clip 18 is however not critical for the invention and can be replaced by any other connection deemed appropriate by the person skilled in the art such as for example nails, screws, bolts, staples, etc.
In figure 3, a fifth flange 8 extends from the first flange 4 along a direction substantially parallel to the third flange 6 such as to conceal at least part of the first 4, the second 5 and the third flange 6 for a spectator looking through the glass panel 2. The fifth flange 8 is however not critical for the invention and can be omitted from the connection element 3. More in particular, although not critical for the invention, the two fifth flanges 8 are connected to each other by a longitudinal sealing cap 19 to further conceal the clip 18, the first 4, the second 5 and the third 6 flanges of the connection element 3. The sealing cap 19 can be provided with at least one light source, not shown in the figures, provided for lighting the interior of the display case 1. To accommodate different shelves in the display case 1, the sealing cap 19 can also be provided with different slots in which different shelves can be hung.
The sealing cap 19 preferably has a shape and dimensions adapted to and/or is made from a material which allows it to be connected between the fifth flanges 8 in a snap-fit connection.
Further figure 3 shows that a fourth flange 7 extends from the first flange 4 from a side opposing the side from which the second flange 5 extends such that the fourth flange 7 extends from the inner surface 14 of the glass panel 2 towards the outer surface 15 of the glass panel 2 along the thickness of the glass panel 2 further increasing the strength of the glass panel 2 to avoid, for example, breaking of the glass panel during transport. The fourth flange 7 preferably extends from the first flange 4 substantially perpendicular to the first flange 4 such as to, preferably, closely fit around the edge of the glass panel 2.
The connection element 3 shown in figure 3 preferably is made in the form of a substantially unitary piece made of, for example, extruded aluminium. However, any other process and/or material deemed appropriate by the person skilled in the art is possible such as for example a connection element 3 made by welding different metal flanges together.
The connection shown in figure 3 can be used to interconnect the top panel 30 to upright adjacent glass panels 2 or can be used to interconnect different adjacent upright panels as is for example shown in figure 2.
Figure 4 shows a different use of the same connection element 3 and shows that the positioning element 29 comprises a horizontal panel 27 delimited by at least one longitudinal delimiting edge 28 on which the connection element 3 is positioned such that the second 10 and the third 11 longitudinal surface run along the delimiting edge 28 and the third longitudinal surface 11 is supported by the panel 27. The panel 27 is part of the bottom 31. To avoid that the glass panel 2 tips, a hold-down element 35 is provided which is fixed to the bottom 31, for example by screwing, nailing, gluing, etc. Also in this configuration, the fifth flange 8, if present, conceals the hold-down element 35. The hold-down element 35 may also be provided to support the finishing plate 32.
The connection element 3 shown in figures 1 - 4, also allows a wide variety of different display cases 1 to be built using few elements. Figure 5 for example shows a cross-section of a side view of a display case 1 in which two glass plates 2 are coplanarly and adjacently positioned with respect to each other. This allows a wide variety of different display cases 1 to be made depending on the requirements for the display case 1.
Figure 6 shows a detail of figure 5, more in particular in which the second glass panel 16 is connected to the first glass panel 2 with a second connection element 17. The positioning element 20 comprises respective first 21 and second 22 longitudinal positioning flanges extending along the first 4 and second 5 flanges of the connection elements 3 along the second 10 and third 11 longitudinal surfaces. More in particular, but not necessarily, the positioning element 20 comprises third longitudinal positioning flanges 23 extending from the second longitudinal positioning flanges 22 and extending from the second positioning flanges 22 along the fourth longitudinal surface 12. Preferably, as shown in figure 6, the third flanges 6 are connected to the third positioning flanges 23 by a clip 18 using a snap-fit connection.
Figure 6 further shows that the positioning element 20 comprises fifth positioning flanges 25 extending parallel to the third positioning flanges 23 such as to conceal at least part of the first 4, the second 5 and the third flanges 6 for a spectator looking through the glass panel 2. As shown in figure 6, the fifth positioning flanges 25 preferably extend from a single fourth positioning flange 24. As can be seen on figure 6, preferably a seal is provided between the first flanges of the two connection elements 3 and the first longitudinal positioning flanges 21 for controlling the air flow in and out the display case 1.
Preferably, the positioning element 20 shown in figure 3 preferably is made in the form of a substantially unitary piece made of, for example, extruded aluminium. However, any other process and/or material deemed appropriate by the person skilled in the art is possible such as for example a positioning element 20 made by welding different metal flanges together.
Preferably, as shown in figure 6, the fifth flanges 8 and fifth positioning flanges 25 are connected to each other by a longitudinal sealing cap 26, which can have the same functionalities as the sealing cap 19 mentioned above and can even be identical to it, further decreasing the number of elements needed to assemble the display case 1.
From figure 5 it is clear that a wide variety of display cases 1 can be assembled using the glass panels 2, 16 in combination with the connection element 3, 17 and the positioning elements 13, 17, 27. Moreover, the resulting display cases 1 are easy to assemble, disassemble. Also, the glass panels 2, having connection elements 3, 17 along their edges have an improved protection against impacts, for example during transport of the panels.

Claims

Display case (1) comprising at least one glass panel (2) and a connection element (3) fixing the glass panel (2) into the remainder of the display case (1), the connection element (3) comprising a first flange (4) with a first longitudinal surface (9) attached to the inner surface (14) of the glass panel (2) and extending along at least one of the delimiting sides of the glass panel (2) and a second longitudinal surface (10) opposing the first longitudinal surface (9) of the first flange (4) and a second flange (5) extending away from the glass panel (2) and having a third longitudinal surface (11) adjacent to the second longitudinal surface (10), the first (4) and the second flange (5) cooperating for fixing the glass panel (2) into the remainder of the display case (1), characterised in that the display case (1) comprises a positioning element (13) contacting the second (10) and third (11) longitudinal surface such that the connection element (3) at least partly positions the glass panel (2) with respect to the remainder of the display case (1).
A display case (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the connection element (3) comprises a third flange (6) extending from the second flange (5) having a fourth longitudinal surface (12) adjacent to the third longitudinal surface (11), the plane of the fourth longitudinal surface (12) not intersecting the glass panel (2).
A display case (1) as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that a fifth flange (8) extends from the first flange (4) along a direction substantially parallel to the third flange (6) such as to conceal at least part of the first (4), the second (5) and the third flange (6) for a spectator looking through the glass panel (2).
A display case (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a fourth flange (7) extends from the first flange (4) from a side opposing the side from which the second flange (5) extends such that the fourth flange (7) extends from the inner surface (14) of the glass panel (2) towards the outer surface (15) of the glass panel (2) along the thickness of the glass panel (2).
A display case (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in combination with claim 2, characterised in that the display case (1) comprises a second glass panel (16) adjacent to the first glass panel (2) and connected to the first glass panel (2) with a second connection element (17), the first (3) and the second (17) connection element being positioned with respect to each other such that the two second (10) and third longitudinal surfaces (11) delimit a volume in which the positioning element (20) is located and the two third flanges (6) are adjacent such that the fourth longitudinal surfaces (12) of the two third flanges (6) run along each other.
A display case (1) as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that the two third flanges (6) extend under an angle of half of the angle between the two glass panels (2).
A display case (1) as claimed in claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the two third flanges (6) are connected to each other by a clip (18) using a snap-fit connection.
A display case (1) as claimed in any one of claims 5 - 7 in combination with claim 3, characterised in that the two fifth flanges (8) are connected to each other by a longitudinal sealing cap (19).
A display case (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the display case (1) comprises a second glass panel (16) substantially coplanar with and adjacent to the first glass panel (2) and connected to the first glass panel (2) with a second connection element (17), the positioning element (20) comprising respective first (21) and second (22) longitudinal positioning flanges extending along the first (4) and second (5) flanges of the connection elements (3) along the second (10) and third (11) longitudinal surfaces.
A display case (1) as claimed in claim 9 in combination with claim 2, characterised in that the positioning element (20) comprises third longitudinal positioning flanges (23) extending from the second longitudinal positioning flanges (22) and extending from the second positioning flanges (22) along the fourth longitudinal surface (12).
A display case (1) as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that the third flanges (6) are connected to the third positioning flanges (23) by a clip (18) using a snap-fit connection.
A display case (1) as claimed in claim 11, characterised in that the positioning element (20) comprises fifth positioning flanges (25) extending parallel to the third positioning flanges (23) such as to conceal at least part of the first (4), the second (5) and the third flanges (6) for a spectator looking through the glass panel (2).
A display case (1) as claimed in claim 12 in combination with claim 3, characterised in that the fifth flanges (8) and fifth positioning flanges (25) are connected to each other by a longitudinal sealing cap (19).
A display case (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in combination with claim 8 or 13, characterised in that the sealing cap (19) is provided with at least one light source provided for lighting the interior of the display case (1).
A display case (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the positioning element (29) comprises a horizontal panel (27) delimited by at least one longitudinal delimiting edge (28) on which the connection element (3) is positioned such that the second (10) and the third (11) longitudinal surface run along the delimiting edge (28) and the third longitudinal surface (11) is supported by the panel.