EP2507782B1 - Shelf for electronic label and display stand - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a tablet comprising a label bar including electronic tag and a display comprising such tablets.

The label bars are commonly used in particular in stores and storage places, at the top of the display, to receive labels carrying information on objects stored on the shelf, such as for example, the price, the product reference, the mark or any other information. This information can be encoded, for example by means of a color code, a barcode or any other suitable code. These indications thus make it easier to find the objects sought and / or to obtain information concerning them, in particular their prices.

These label bars are often elongated elements, extending longitudinally over all or part of the length of the shelf, placed against the field of the shelf and can receive one or more labels. The labels can be paper and printed or electronic. An electronic tag is in the general form of a rectangular parallelepiped, thin, on the front side of which is provided a display screen, for example liquid crystal. The content of the display is controlled by a microprocessor that can be remotely controlled by the central computer of the store or the storage location. It is therefore necessary to use strips capable of receiving such electronic tags.

The publications FR 2 910 683 and FR 2 870 034 describe label holders adapted to receive an electronic label and orientable to present the electronic label in an inclined manner with respect to general plan of the shelf that carries it. The readability of the information on the electronic tag is thus optimized. These tags are nevertheless unreliable because they are likely to come off the shelf. In addition, their manufacture is expensive and their use requires additional handling of spare parts. In addition, the known label holders are dedicated to a single use, that of receiving electronic tags, and can not perform other functions.

Other electronic label holders, made for example of aluminum, are also used in combination with some shelves whose nose is originally designed to receive paper labels. These label holders, attached to the nose of a shelf, make it possible to transform a shelf dedicated to paper labels into a shelf that can receive an electronic tag. These label carriers are, however, expensive and impractical to use. In addition they may be detached from the shelf inadvertently or maliciously. They are therefore unreliable, especially when used in supermarkets.

The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks and to offer an alternative to existing label holders by providing a tablet provided with a label holder adapted to receive electronic tags, this tablet being easy and inexpensive to produce, of reliable and simple use, and to fulfill other functions while meeting current standards, including EN 65031. The present invention also provides a display comprising such tablets.

The invention relates to a tablet comprising at least one panel and a label bar in particular for receiving an electronic tag. This tablet is remarkable in that the bar has an L-shaped provided with a lower flange connected to the panel by a back wall, the bar being set back from the front edge of the panel so as to preserve, between the front edge and the dorsal wall, a stop defining with the back wall and the lower flange a housing adapted to receive the label, the lower flange being at least partly elastically deformable to allow the insertion and jamming of the label between the lower wing and the stop, the end of said panel forming said stop. The tablet according to the invention thus makes it possible to propose an alternative to existing label holders, this tablet being reliable and easy to manufacture.

The panel and the strip are formed of at least two separate parts secured by fastening means, and the panel comprises at least one bearing surface provided along its front edge and adapted to receive the support and the attachment of the bar.

In a first embodiment, the dorsal wall of the L-shape of the bar is advantageously extended by an upper wing defining with the dorsal wall and the lower wing a shape chosen from the group comprising a Z and a C.

This upper wing preferably comprises a plurality of aligned bar holes.

Advantageously, the dorsal wall comprises, in its median part, at least one fin forming an angle with respect to the dorsal wall to the recess and stiffen it.

The back wall advantageously comprises a plurality of complementary orifices that are able in particular to allow light to pass.

The lower wing is advantageously substantially parallel respectively to the upper wing and / or the sign.

The back wall preferably forms with at least the panel an angle other than 90 °.

At least one of the front edge, lower wing may comprise a longitudinal reinforcement formed by at least a double thickness respectively of the front edge, the lower wing.

The panel preferably has a plurality of aligned shelf orifices.

According to the first embodiment, the spacing between the tablet orifices and the bar openings can be compatible so that, when the tablet and the bar are secured by the fixing means, at least a portion of the tablet orifices and bar holes are facing each other and allow the passage of at least one fastener.

According to one or other of the embodiments, the tablet may comprise at least one support blade extending respectively from the upper wing behind the back wall with respect to the front edge of the panel, the support blade. forming respectively with the upper wing an angle different from 180 °. This support blade thus allows the tablet to perform other functions and in particular to support other elements such as for example lighting means.

At least one of the lower wing, fin, upper wing and support blade preferably extends over the entire length of the bar.

The invention finally relates to a display comprising at least one support carrying a plurality of tablets. This display is remarkable in that it comprises at least one tablet as described above.

• Les figures 1A et 1B sont des vues respectivement de côté et en perspective d'un premier mode de réalisation d'une tablette apte à recevoir une barrette porte-étiquette selon l'invention ;
• La figure 2A est une vue partielle de côté d'une barrette porte-étiquette selon le premier mode de réalisation de l'invention, cette barrette porte-étiquette étant fixée sous la tablette des figures 1A et 1B ;
• La figure 2B est une vue en perspective d'une barrette porte-étiquette de la figure 2A ;
• Les figures 3A et 3B sont des vues respectivement de côté et en perspective d'un second mode de réalisation d'une tablette intégrant une barrette porte-étiquette selon l'invention.

The invention is described below, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings on which :

• The Figures 1A and 1B are respectively side and perspective views of a first embodiment of a tablet adapted to receive a label bar according to the invention;
• The Figure 2A is a partial side view of a label bar according to the first embodiment of the invention, this label holder being fixed under the tablet of Figures 1A and 1B ;
• The Figure 2B is a perspective view of a bar of the Figure 2A ;
• The Figures 3A and 3B are respectively side and perspective views of a second embodiment of a tablet incorporating a label holder according to the invention.

The FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B illustrate a first embodiment of a tablet 1a according to the invention, comprising a label holder 10. This tablet 1a is for example made, in whole or in part, of aluminum, plastic, composite material or any other suitable material.

The tablet 1a has a panel 2 for carrying objects (not shown) such as for example products for sale or stored. This panel 2 comprises a plurality of tablet orifices 6, visible on the Figure 1B , whose spacing is regular, and arranged along its rear edges and front 5. The rear edge of the panel 2 is extended by a rear flange 3 extending longitudinally along the panel 2 and substantially perpendicular to the panel 2. This rear flange 3 comprises a fold defining two flaps, orientations different, one of which is oriented towards the free end of the front edge 5. This fold makes it possible to solidify and stiffen the rear edge 3 and thus the panel 2. The lateral edges of the panel 2 are each extended by a rim lateral 4. The lateral flanges 4 are symmetrical to each other. In this example, the lateral flanges 4 are each provided with two orifices 20. Reinforcing spars (not shown in this figure) may be arranged between the lateral flanges 4 to reinforce and stiffen, from below, the panel 2. front edge 5 of the panel 2 is free of any rim and, at the front edge 5, the lower face of the panel 2, is adapted to receive a label bar as described below. To do this, this lower face is substantially flat. In this example, the front edge 5 of the panel 2 comprises a longitudinal reinforcement formed by a fold of the front edge 5 forming a flap folded under the panel 2 and visible on the Figures 1A and 2A . This reinforcement makes it possible to solidify this part of the front edge intended to serve as a stop 19.

With reference to Figures 2A and 2B , the label bar 10 of the tablet 1a according to the invention has a Z shape. The label bar 10 has a rear wall 11 extending longitudinally and intended to receive the support of the back of the label 100 schematically represented by means of a hatched rectangle on the Figure 2A . The back wall 11 has a plurality of complementary orifices 18 staggered in several rows and the function of which is explained below. In an alternative embodiment not shown, these complementary holes are aligned on a single line. These complementary orifices 18 may have any shape such as for example circular, square, rectangular, oblong or other. They can also train characters such as numbers, letters, symbols or any combination.

The lower longitudinal edge of the dorsal wall 11 is extended by a lower wing 12. This lower wing 12 is substantially perpendicular to the rear wall 11. The lower wing 12 is intended to receive the support of the lower part of the 100 and is made, at least for its junction with the back wall 11, in an elastically deformable material so as to allow its deformation during the insertion of the label 100 and the jamming of the label 100 with the tablet 1. The lower wing 12 comprises a reinforcement formed by a fold of the lower wing 12 on itself. This fold is extended by a rear wing 13, adjacent to the rear face of the rear wall 11. The rear wing 13 is itself extended by a fin 14 forming an angle of about 90 ° relative to the rear wing 13. This angle can of course be of a different value of 90 °. In the example illustrated, the flap 14 is therefore substantially perpendicular to the rear wall 11. The rear wing 13 and the flap 14 thus make it possible to reinforce the strength of the label bar 10. In a non-conventional embodiment shown, the lower wing is reinforced by several folds forming for example three or four thicknesses.

The upper longitudinal edge of the dorsal wall 11 is extended, in the opposite direction to the lower wing 12, by an upper wing 15 extending longitudinally and substantially perpendicular to the back wall 11. In this example, the upper face of the upper flange 15 is substantially planar so as to be pressed against the underside of the panel 2 to which it is secured by fastening means, such as for example welding spots, a weld seam, a gluing, screwing, clipping or any other suitable means. In the case of clipping, the lower surfaces of the panel 2 and upper upper wing 15 may be provided with complementary interlocking shapes.

The upper wing 15 comprises a plurality of bar holes 16, visible on the Figure 2B , whose spacing is regular and substantially similar to that of the tablet orifices 6. When the label bar 10 is secured under the panel 2, as illustrated by the Figure 2A , the rear wall 11 is substantially perpendicular to the panel 2. The lower wing 12 defines, with the end of the panel 2, a housing adapted to receive the label 100. The end of the panel 2 then forms a stop 19 to serve support for the upper part of the label 100. To accommodate standard electronic labels 100, this housing is for example a height of about 37 mm. This dimension can of course be adapted, in particular to receive one or more LCD screens and / or any other label and / or any other piece of information and / or decor. LCD type screens include scrolling information messages or advertising tapes across the width of the tablet 1a. In addition, the sizing of LCD screens is less restrictive than that of electronic tags. The tablet orifices 6 are preferably arranged opposite the orifices 16 of the bar which allows to fix ancillary elements, passed through these two types of orifices, for example the signal elements of a promotion or any other element .

The upper wing 15 is extended by a support blade 17, visible on the Figure 2B forming with the upper flange 15 an angle other than 180 °, for example 95 °, to reinforce and stiffen the tablet 1a. In addition, this upper flange 15 can serve as a support and gives an additional function to the label holder 1. It can for example be attached to the support blade 17 lighting means to illuminate under the shelf 1 or to make a facade lighting through the complementary orifices 18 provided on the dorsal wall 11 and able to be traversed by the light. These lighting means may for example comprise LED type bulbs. It is also possible to attach to the upper wing 15 an RFID antenna or any other suitable element.

In this first embodiment, the lower wing 12, rear wing 13, fin 14, upper wing 15 and support blade 17 extend over the entire length of the label bar 10 which corresponds to the length of the tablet 1a. These elements can of course be provided on shorter lengths and / or be discontinuous and formed of interrupted sections along the panel 2. These elements may also include recesses for lightening the bar label 10.

Similarly, in the first embodiment, the lower flange 12 and the upper flange 15 are substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the back wall 11. In a variant embodiment not shown, the lower flange 12 and the upper flange 15 are substantially parallel to each other but form with the dorsal wall 11 an angle other than 90 °. This configuration makes it possible to have a back wall 11 inclined with respect to the tablet 1a and therefore to present electronic tags 100 in an inclined manner to facilitate the reading of the information they comprise. This configuration also makes it possible to use tablets whose panel 2 is inclined relative to the horizontal.

According to a not shown embodiment of the invention, the label bar has a C shape, the upper flange being substantially perpendicular to the dorsal wall and oriented in the same direction as the lower flange with respect to the wall ridge. In this configuration, the upper wing can then serve as a stop for the label and / or reinforcement at the front edge of the panel.

The Figures 3A and 3B represent a second embodiment of a tablet 1b according to the invention, for example made, in whole or in part, of aluminum, plastic or any other suitable material. The tablet 1b has a panel 2 substantially similar to that of the Figures 1A and 1B . It differs in that it directly integrates a label bar 10 substantially similar to that of the Figures 2A and 2B . The tablet 1b is formed of a single piece reinforcing its reliability and ease of use.

The panel 2 comprises a plurality of tablet orifices 6, visible on the figure 3B , whose spacing is regular and arranged along its rear edges and front 5. The rear edge of the panel 2 is extended by a rear flange 3 extending longitudinally along the panel 2 and substantially perpendicular to the panel 2. This 3 rear flange comprises a fold defining two flaps, of different orientations, one of which is oriented towards the front edge 5. This fold makes it possible to solidify and stiffen the rear flange 3 and thus the panel 2. The lateral edges of the panel 2 are each extended by a lateral flange 4. The lateral flanges 4 are symmetrical to each other. Reinforcing spars 19 are arranged between the lateral flanges 4 to strengthen and stiffen, from below, the panel 2. The front edge 5 of the panel 2 is free of any rim.

With reference to Figures 3A and 3B , the label bar 10 of the tablet 1b according to the invention has an L-shaped. The label bar 10 has a rear wall 11 extending longitudinally and perpendicularly under the panel 2. The back wall 11 is intended for receive support from the back of the label (not shown in these figures). The back wall 11 comprises a plurality of complementary orifices 18 staggered in several rows, these complementary orifices 18 being aligned on a single line and having any shape such as for example circular, square, rectangular, oblong, and forming numerals. , letters or any symbol.

The lower longitudinal edge of the dorsal wall 11 is extended by a lower wing 12. This lower wing 12 is substantially parallel to the stop 21 formed by the end of the panel 2. The lower wing 12 is intended to receive the support of the lower part of the label and is made, at least for its junction with the back wall 11, in an elastically deformable material allowing its deformation during the insertion of the label and the jamming of the label with the panel 2. The label bar 10 is provided under the panel 2, set back from the front edge 5, so as to form the stop 21. This stop 21 defines, with the lower flange 12 and the back wall 11, a housing suitable for receiving the label. The tablet 1b comprises, behind the back wall 11 relative to the front edge 5, a support blade 17 substantially similar to that of the previous embodiment, to strengthen and stiffen the tablet 1b and serve as a support by example to lighting means whose light can pass through the complementary orifices 18. The rear wall 11 further comprises a fin 14 substantially similar to that of the previous embodiment, extending perpendicular to the back wall 11 and reinforcing the strength and rigidity of the back wall 11.

As in this second embodiment, the back wall 11 can be sized to accept LCD type screens.

In other embodiments not shown, the shelves 1a, 1b can be arranged inclined and not horizontal.

It is understood that the examples described are only particular illustrations and in no way limiting the fields of application of the invention. Those skilled in the art may provide arrangements of size, shape and material to the particular embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (13)

1. Shelf (1 a, 1 b) comprising at least one panel (2) and one label-holder bar (10) in particular for receiving an electronic label (100), where said bar (10) has an L-shape provided with a lower flange (12) which is connected to the panel (2) by a rear wall (11), said bar (10) being provided set back from the front edge (5) of said panel (2) so as to keep, between said front edge (5) and said rear wall (11), a stop (21) defining with said rear wall (11) and said lower flange (12) a housing which is capable of receiving said label (100), the end of said panel (2) forming said stop (21) in order to bear the upper portion of said label (100), characterised in that said lower flange (12) is resiliently deformable at least in part in order to allow the insertion and the wedging of said label (100) between said lower flange (12) and said stop (21), said panel (2) and said bar (10) are formed from at least two separate pieces which are joined together by fixing members, and said panel (2) comprises at least one bearing surface which is provided along the front edge (5) thereof and is capable of receiving the bearing and the fixing of said bar (10).
2. Shelf (1 a) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said rear wall (11) of said L-shape of said bar (10) is extended by an upper flange (15) defining with said rear wall (11) and said lower flange (12) a shape selected from the group comprising a Z and a C.
3. Shelf (1 a) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said upper flange (15) comprises a plurality of aligned bar holes (16).
4. Shelf (1 a, 1 b) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said rear wall (11) comprises, in the middle portion thereof, at least one rib (14) forming an angle with respect to said rear wall (11) in order to reinforce it and make it rigid.
5. Shelf (1 a, 1 b) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said rear wall (11) comprises a plurality of complementary holes (18) which are capable in particular of letting some light pass through.
6. Shelf (1 a, 1 b) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said lower flange (12) is substantially parallel to said upper flange (15) and/or to said panel (2) respectively.
7. Shelf (1 a, 1 b) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said rear wall (11) forms an angle other than 90° with at least said panel (2).
8. Shelf (1 a, 1 b) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one of said front edge (5), said lower flange (12) comprises a longitudinal reinforcement formed by at least a double thickness of said front edge (5), said lower flange (12) respectively.
9. Shelf (1 a, 1 b) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said panel (2) comprises a plurality of aligned shelf holes (6).
10. Shelf (1 a) according to claims 3 and 9, characterised in that the centre-to-centre spacing of said shelf holes (6) and said bar holes (16) is compatible in such a way that, when said shelf (1 a) and said bar (10) are joined together by said fixing members, at least some of said shelf holes (6) and said bar holes (16) face one another and allow at least one fixing element to pass therethrough.
11. Shelf (1 a, 1 b) according to claim 2, characterised in that it comprises at least one support blade (17) extending respectively from said upper flange (15) behind said rear wall (11) with respect to said front edge (5) of said panel (2), said support blade (17) forming an angle other than 180° with said upper flange (15) respectively.
12. Shelf (1 a, 1 b) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one of said lower flange (12), said rib (14), said upper flange (15) and said support blade (17) extends over the entire length of said bar (10).
13. Display comprising at least one support supporting a plurality of shelves, characterised in that it comprises at least one shelf (1 a, 1 b) according to any of the preceding claims.

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