EP2667372A1

EP2667372A1 - Label holder adapted for being joined to shelves of different types, and display kit

Info

Publication number: EP2667372A1
Application number: EP12382197.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: José Antonio Ortiz Alonso
Original assignee: Kider SA
Current assignee: Kider SA
Priority date: 2012-05-24
Filing date: 2012-05-24
Publication date: 2013-11-27

Abstract

Label holder adapted for being joined to shelves of different types, comprising a front part (1) for supporting a label, and a rear part (2) to be connected to the shelf. The rear part (2) comprises a first extension (21) that extends away of the front part (1) from an upper end of the front part (1), and that comprises a first housing (211) and a second housing (212), and a second extension (22) that extends downwards from an upper end of the front part (1), and that comprises a first housing (221) and a second housing (222). The label holder (100) is adapted for being joined to the shelf by means of the first housings (211, 221) of the two extensions (21, 22) or by means of the second housings (212, 222) of the two extensions (21, 22), depending on the type of shelf.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a label holder adapted for being joined to a shelf, and in particular to a label holder adapted for being joined to shelves of different types. The invention also relates to display kits comprising a label holder of this type and a shelf.

PRIOR ART

Multiple designs for different label holders are known, whose function is to hold labels providing information on prices, product characteristics, reference numbers, etc, which are used for example in supermarkets and department stores. Generally a label holder is fitted, joined or attached to a shelf. The connection between a label holder and a shelf may be formed in different ways, for example by means of retainer means such as staples, rivets or other equivalent means. Another type of label holder comprises a front part, which may also comprise a strip of two facing sheets between which the label is disposed, and a rear part that is adapted and designed to be joined to the shelf, the label holder thereby being joined to the shelf by means of its rear part. The rear part of the label holder is designed to be attached to a specific type of shelves.
Document EP 1349133 B1 discloses a label holder that is adapted to be attached to shelves of the type that defines a dovetail-shaped housing. To achieve this, the label holder comprises a U-shaped part in the rear part, the ends of the U-shape being open in order to be attached in the dovetail-shaped housing of the corresponding shelf. However, the label holder may only be used to be attached to a specific type of shelves, in this case shelves that define a dovetail-shaped housing, it being necessary to replace it or use an additional intermediate member to connect it to another type of shelves.
Document EP 1764763 B1 , filed by the applicant, discloses a label holder that is adapted for being joined to shelves of the type that comprises an upper part and a part, and which defines a respective housing in each part by means of respective projections that are facing the label holder. The label holder comprises a first arm that cooperates with the projection/housing unit of the upper part of the shelf and a second arm that cooperates with the projection/housing unit of the lower part of the shelf in order to be attached to the shelf. However, as occurs in the aforementioned label holder, this label holder can only be attached to a specific type of shelves, it being necessary to replace it or use an additional intermediate member to join it to another type of shelves.

BRIEF DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a label holder as described in the claims.
The label holder is adapted for being joined to different types of shelves, and comprises a front part with a pivoting strip of two opposing laminated walls for supporting at least one label, and a rear part to be attached to the corresponding shelf.
The rear part comprises a first extension that extends from an upper end of the front part and which comprises a first housing and a second housing, and a second extension that extends from an upper end of the front part downwards, and which comprises a first housing and a second housing, the label holder being adapted for being joined to a shelf by means of the first housings of the two extensions or by means of the second housings of the two extensions, depending on the type of shelf.
Consequently, the label holder is adapted to be fitted to shelves of different types, such as a shelf with folds that define a dovetail-shaped housing, or a shelf with housings defined by substantially vertical projections on the end facing the label holder, without the need for additional members to adapt it to another type of shelves. The label holder is adapted for being joined to one type of shelf by means of the first housings of the two extensions, while it is adapted for being joined to another type of shelf by means of the second housings of the two extensions. A more versatile label holder is thus obtained, even for the user, such as a supermarket, who does not have to opt for a specific type of shelves and may use at least two different types of shelves. In addition it also offers a cost advantage both in terms of manufacturing (a single manufacturing model for two different types of shelves) and storage (a single model that may be used for two different types of shelves).
It is another object of the invention to provide a display kit comprising a label holder such as the one explained above and a shelf with folds that define a dovetail-shaped housing.
It is another object of the invention to provide a display kit comprising a label holder such as the one explained above and a shelf with housings defined by substantially vertical projections on its ends that is facing the label holder.
These and other advantages and characteristics of the invention will be made evident in the light of the drawings and the detailed description thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a label holder of the invention.
Figure 2 shows a partial and schematic view of a A-type shelf, the label holder of
Figure 1 being adapted for being joined to said A-type shelf.
Figure 3 shows a partial and schematic view of a B-type shelf, the label holder of Figure 1 being adapted for being joined to said B-type shelf.
Figure 4 shows a display kit formed by the label holder of Figure 1 and a shelf according to Figure 2.
Figure 5 shows a display kit formed by the label holder of Figure 1 and a shelf according to Figure 3.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the invention relates to a label holder 100. Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the label holder 100, which is adapted for being joined to at least two types of different shelves 3 and 3': a shelf 3 that comprises an upper part 30 and a lower part 31 and that possesses, on the ends of both parts 30 and 31 that are facing the label holder 100, folds 32 between which a dovetail-shaped housing 33 is defined, shown in Figure 2, hereinafter referred to as A-type shelf 3; and a shelf 3' that comprises an upper part 30' and a lower part 31' and which defines a respective housing 32' in each part 30' and 31' by means of respective projections 33', shown in Figure 3, hereinafter referred to as a B-type shelf3'. The A-type shelf 3 is joined to the label holder 100 by means of the folds 32 and the dovetail-shaped housing 31, as it will be explained below, and the B-type shelf 3' is joined to the label holder 100 by means of the housings 32' and the projections 33', as it will be explained below. In both cases the label holder 100 is joined or attached to the front of the corresponding shelf 3 and 3'.
The label holder 100 comprises a front part 1 for supporting a label with the information to be shown, comprising a pivoting strip 10 with an outer laminated wall 11 and an inner laminated wall 12 between which is disposed the label (not shown in the figures), and a rear part 2 to be attached to the corresponding shelf 3 or 3'. In the preferred embodiment the rear part 2 is connected to the front part 1 by means of a flexible strip 9 that allows the front part 1 to move between a first position P1 and a second position P2.
The rear part 2 of the label holder 100 comprises a first extension 21 that extends away of the front part 1 from the flexible strip 9 that connects the rear part 2 to the front part 1 (or from the upper end of the inner laminated wall 12 of the front part 1 if said parts 1 and 2 are connected directly), and a second extension 22 that extends down the flexible strip 9 that connects the rear part 2 to the front part 1 (or from the upper end of the inner laminated wall 12 of the front part 1 if said parts 1 and 2 are connected directly). The first extension 21 comprises a first housing 211 to be connected to the a A-type shelf 3 and a second housing 212 to be connected to the a B-type shelf 3', and the second extension 22 comprises a first housing 221 to be connected to the A-type shelf 3 and a second housing 222 to be connected to the B-type shelf 3'.
Thus, the label holder 100 is adapted for being joined to a A-type shelf 3 by means of the first housings 211 and 221 of the two extensions 21 and 22, and to a B-type shelf 3' by means of the second housings 212 and 222 of the two extensions 21 and 22, the label holder 100 being more flexible than those of the prior art. As a result, the label holder 100 is adapted to be fitted to different types of shelving 3 and 3', such as the ones detailed above for example, without the need for additional members to adapt it to another type of shelving, and this involves, for example, smaller production costs, for example, as the same label holder 100 may be produced for different shelves 3 and 3'.
The first extension 21 of the rear part 2 of the label holder 100 comprises a substantially horizontal first segment 41, and a second segment 42 that starts on the end of the first segment 41. The second segment 42 comprises a downward section 420 and a curved section 421 that ends in an upward manner, comprising a substantially hooked shape. The first housing 211 is defined between the downward section 420 and the curved section 421 of the second segment 42 of the first extension 21 and is accessible from above, and the second housing 212 is defined between the second extension 22 and the segments 41 and 42 of the first extension 21 and is accessible from below.
The second extension 22 of the rear part 2 of the label holder 100 comprises a curved first segment 51, a second segment 52 that starts from a lower end of the first segment 51, and a third segment 53 that starts from the second segment 52, away from the front part 1 and from a point of the first segment 51 disposed between the first extension 21 of the rear part 2 of the label holder 100 and the third segment 53 of the second extension 22 of the rear part 2 of the label holder 100. The third segment 53 is downward and curved, and the first housing 221 of the second extension 22 of the rear part 2 of the label holder 100 is defined between the third segment 53 and the part of the first segment 51 disposed between the third segment 53 and the second segment 52 and is accessible from below. The second segment 52 is curved upwards, and the second housing 222 of the second extension 22 of the rear part 2 of the label holder 100 is defined between the second segment 52 and the part of the first segment 51 disposed between the third segment 53 and the second segment 52 and is accessible from above.
Figure 4 shows a label holder 100 connected to A-type shelf 3. The folds 32 of the shelf 3 are housed in the first housings 211 and 221 of the extensions 21 and 22 of the rear part 2 of the label holder 100. As shown, the second segment 52 and the part of the first segment 51 of the second extension 22 that is between the second segment 52 and the third segment 53 also acts to keep the label holder 100 in its position and prevent the label holder 100 and the shelf 3 from easily becoming disconnected, primarily preventing them from becoming disconnected in an accidental manner.
Figure 5 shows a label holder 100 joined to B-type shelf 3'. The projections 33' of the shelf 3' are housed in the second housings 212 and 222 of the extensions 21 and 22 of the rear part 2 of the label holder 100. Additionally, the second segment 42 of the first extension 21 is housed in the housing 32' of the upper part 30' of the shelf 3', primarily ensuring that the connection between the shelf 3' and the label holder 100 is stable.
In the preferred embodiment of the label holder 100, the second segment 53 of the second extension 22 of the rear part 2 of the label holder 100 comprises a flexible area 520 to enable the label holder 100 assembly to act on A-type shelf 3 or on B-type shelf 3'. The flexible area 520 is disposed between the first extension 21 and the third segment 53 of the second extension 22, and comprises two opposing sloping sections.
In the preferred embodiment of the label holder 100, the third segment 53 of the second extension 22 of the rear part 2 of the label holder 100 ends with a substantially vertical upward section 530. The section 530 cooperates in the connection between the label holder 100 and a B-type shelf 3', as it limits the relative axial movement between the label holder 100 and the shelf 3'.
In the preferred embodiment, the label holder 100 can also comprise a section 6 that extends substantially horizontally from the front part 1 towards the second extension 22 of the rear part 2 for the purpose of increasing the slope in relation to an imaginary vertical axis Y of the front part 1, which in some cases is required by the end user of the unit formed by the shelf 3 or 3' and the label holder 100. The length of the section 6 thus depends on the slope that is required, the slope being greater the greater the length of the section 6.
As a result, besides, a label holder 100 that is easy to assemble on and detach from a shelf 3 and 3' is obtained without the fitter having to exert a great amount of effort and without being at risk of injuring their fingers, for example, during the assembly or detachment.
The invention is not restrictive with regard to the dimensions of the label holder 100 and the shelf 3 and 3' for which it is designed, and may be manufactured in different measurements depending on the needs deriving from the length of the front of the shelf 3, 3'.
A second aspect of the invention relates to a display kit that comprises a A-type shelf 3 explained above in the first aspect of the invention, and a label holder 100 such as the one of the first aspect of the invention, in any of its embodiments and/or arrangements
A third aspect of the invention relates to a display kit that comprises a B-type shelf 3' explained above in the first aspect of the invention, and a label holder 100 such as the one of the first aspect of the invention, in any of its embodiments and/or arrangements.

Claims

Label holder adapted for being joined to shelves of different types, comprising a front part (1) with a pivoting strip (10) of two facing laminated walls (11, 12) for supporting at least one label, and a rear part (2) to be attached to the corresponding shelf (3; 3'), characterised in that the rear part (2) comprises a first extension (21) that extends away of the front part (1) from an upper end of the front part (1) or from a flexible strip (9) that connects the rear part (2) to the front part (1), and which comprises a first housing (211) and a second housing (212), and a second extension (22) that extends downwards from the upper end of the front part (1) or from the flexible strip (9) that connects the rear part (2) to the front part (1), and that comprises a first housing (221) and a second housing (222), the label holder (100) being adapted to be joined to a shelf (3; 3') by means of the first housings (211, 221) of the two extensions (21, 22) or by means of the second housings (212, 222) of the two extensions (21, 22) depending on the type of shelf (3; 3').
Label holder according to claim 1, wherein the first housing (211) of the first extension (21) is accessible from above, and the first housing (221) of the second extension (22) is accessible from below.
Label holder according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the second housing (212) of the first extension (21) is accessible from below, and the second housing (222) of the second extension (22) is accessible from above.
Label holder according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first extension (21) comprises a substantially horizontal first segment (41), and a second segment (42) that starts on the end of the first segment (41), that comprises a substantially hooked shape with a downward first section (420) and a curved second section (421) that ends in an upward manner, and that defines the first housing (211) of the first extension (21), the second housing (212) of the first extension (21) being defined between the second extension 22 and the segments (41) and (42) of the first extension (21).
Label holder according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second extension (22) comprises a curved first segment (51), a second segment (52) that starts from a lower end of the first segment (51), and a third segment (53) that starts from the second segment (52), away from the front part (1) and from a point of the first segment (51) disposed between the first extension (21) and the second segment (52) of the second extension (22), the third segment (53) being downward and curved and the first housing (221) of the second extension (22) being defined between the third segment (53) and the part of the first segment (51) disposed between the third segment (53) and the second segment (52), and the second segment (52) being curved upwards and the second housing (222) of the second extension (22) being defined between the second segment (52) and the part of the first segment (51) disposed between the third segment (53) and the second segment (52).
Label holder according to claim 5, wherein the third segment (53) of the second extension (22) ends with a substantially vertical upward section (530).
Label holder according to claims 5 or 6, wherein the second segment (52) of the second extension (22) comprises a flexible area (520) with two facing sloping sections.
Label holder according to claim 7, wherein the flexible area (520) of the second segment (52) of the second extension (22) is disposed between the first extension (21) and the third segment (53) of the second extension (22).
Label holder according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a section (6) that extends substantially horizontal from the front part (1) towards the second extension (22) of the rear part (2).
Display kit comprising a shelf (3') with folds (32) between which is defined a dovetail-shaped housing and a label holder, characterised in that the label holder corresponds with a label holder (100) according to any of the preceding claims.
Display kit comprising a shelf (3') with housings (32') defined by substantially vertical projections (33') on its end that is faced to the label holder, characterised in that the label holder corresponds with a label holder (100) according to any of claims 1 to 9.