EP3482657A1

EP3482657A1 - Flat-pack shelf display unit

Info

Publication number: EP3482657A1
Application number: EP18205914.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Roberto van Mierle
Original assignee: Smurfit Kappa Zedek BV
Current assignee: Smurfit Kappa Zedek BV
Priority date: 2017-11-13
Filing date: 2018-11-13
Publication date: 2019-05-15
Also published as: NL2019899B1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a so-called flat pack shelf display unit (1) arranged to be brought from a folded position towards an extended position. Said unit (1) comprises a shelf (200, 20, 2) including a shelf panel (20). The unit (1) further comprises a support structure (3) including a first shelf support panel (31) hingedly connected to the shelf panel (20) along a first pivot axis (P1), and a second shelf support panel (32) which is located opposite to the first shelf support panel (31). The unit (1) further comprises an interconnecting panel (4) interconnecting the shelf panel (20) with the second shelf support panel (32), wherein the second shelf support panel (32) is hingedly connected to the interconnecting panel (4) along a second pivot axis (P2) extending substantially parallel with the first pivot axis (P1), and the interconnecting panel (4) is hingedly connected to the shelf panel (20) along a third pivot axis (P3) extending substantially parallel with the first and second pivot axes (P1, P2).

Description

The invention relates to a flat-pack shelf display unit or so-called fold-flat shelf display unit, for instance substantially formed from sheet material such as foldable sheet material, corrugated sheet material, paper-based material, corrugated fiberboard material or the like, which shelf display unit is arranged to be brought from a folded position in which it is substantially folded flat towards an extended position, and which shelf display unit comprises at least one shelf, and preferably multiple shelves, for displaying products.
Such flat-pack shelf display units are known and are often used as temporary promotional shelf display units, in particular point of sale (PoS) shelf display units or point of purchase (PoP) shelf display units, to display retail products, in particular fast moving consumer goods. Usually, such shelf display units are made of corrugated fiberboard material and are decorated with print applications for brand communication at point-of-purchase and/or to temporarily promote a particular product line. Often, such shelf display units are used for relatively short periods, and may be disposed and/or recycled afterwards. The flat-pack shelf display units or so-called fold-flat shelf display units are usually supplied folded flat to shops or stores, where the shelf display units then can be erected and stocked, for instance with retail-ready packs of goods, which packs can be replaced for replenishment.
A disadvantage of known flat-pack shelf display units lays in that they often comprise multiple separate components, such as separate shelves and support structure parts, which may make it difficult and/or time consuming to assemble such shelf display units correctly, in particular for untrained and/or inexperienced retail staff. Moreover, there is a risk that components can get lost, for instance at the retail premises where the shelf display unit is to be erected, or even earlier in the process.
In order to address such and/or other problems, flat-pack shelf display units have been proposed in which the shelves and other parts are pre-assembled before these flat-pack shelf display units are distributed to the retailers.
Although such known pre-assembled flat-pack shelf display units can usually be erected in a relatively fast and/or relatively simple manner in comparison to known flat-pack shelf display units comprising multiple separate parts each, in practice, also erecting such known pre-assembled flat-pack shelf display units often still prove to be difficult and/or time-consuming.
Besides, such known pre-assembled flat-pack shelf display units are often relatively complex and/or relatively expensive, for instance as they usually comprise relatively many components, and/or for instance as it takes relatively much time and/or skills to pre-assemble them before supplying them to the retailers.
It is an object of the invention to provide an alternative flat-pack shelf display unit. In particular, it can be an object of the invention to provide a flat-pack shelf display unit, wherein at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art flat-pack shelf display units is counteracted. More in particular, the invention may aim to provide a flat-pack shelf display unit, wherein at least one of the disadvantages mentioned above is counteracted. In embodiments, the invention aims at providing a flat-pack shelf display unit which on the one hand can be erected by retail staff in a relatively easy and/or relatively swift manner, and which on the other hand can be constructed in a factory in a relatively simple and/or relatively cost efficient manner.
Thereto, in a first aspect, the present disclosure provides for a shelf display unit, wherein the shelf display unit is a so-called flat-pack shelf display unit or so-called fold-flat shelf display unit, which shelf display unit is arranged to be brought from a folded position towards an extended position, wherein said shelf display unit comprises a shelf including a shelf panel, and a support structure including a pair of shelf support panels for supporting said shelf, said pair of shelf support panels including a first shelf support panel hingedly connected to the shelf panel along a first pivot axis, wherein the support structure further includes a second shelf support panel which is located opposite to the first shelf support panel, wherein the shelf display unit further comprises an interconnecting panel interconnecting the shelf panel with the second shelf support panel, wherein the second shelf support panel is hingedly connected to the interconnecting panel along a second pivot axis extending substantially parallel with the first pivot axis, and the interconnecting panel is hingedly connected to the shelf panel along a third pivot axis extending substantially parallel with the first and second pivot axes.
By providing the flat-pack shelf display unit with the pivotable interconnecting panel that interconnects the second shelf support panel with the shelf panel that is hingedly connected to the first shelf support panel, it can be enabled that said interconnecting panel causes the shelf panel to fold out when the first and second shelf support panels are moved apart from each other. Hence, the design of the present flat-pack shelf display unit can facilitate that said shelf display unit can be erected relatively easily.
In embodiments of the flat-pack shelf display unit, the support structure may further include two flanks, wherein each of said flanks interconnects the first shelf support panel with the second shelf support panel, wherein each flank includes a respective first flank panel hingedly attached to the first shelf support panel along a respective fourth pivot axis extending substantially transverse to the first, second and third pivot axes, wherein each flank further includes a respective second flank panel hingedly attached to the second shelf support panel along a respective fifth pivot axis extending substantially parallel with the fourth pivot axes, and wherein the first flank panel of the first flank is hingedly connected to the second flank panel of the first flank and the first flank panel of the second flank is hingedly connected to the second flank panel of the second flank along a respective sixth pivot axis extending substantially parallel with the fourth and fifth pivot axes. Hence, said flanks may facilitate that the first and second shelf support panels may be moved apart in a manner in which they keep being positioned opposite to each other.
In embodiments, in the extended position of the shelf display unit, said flanks may to some extent be prevented from moving back to the folded position of the shelf display unit, in particular by means of the shelf, for instance by means of its shelf panel.
For example, in the extended position of the shelf display unit, the shelf panel may, when seen in a direction substantially transverse to the first and second shelf support panels, be trapped between the first and the second flank panels of a respective one of the flanks. As a result, it can thus be counteracted or prevented to some extent that the flank can be collapsed by folding said two flank panels toward each other about the respective sixth pivot axis.
Further advantageous embodiments according to aspects of the present disclosure are described in the appended claims.
By way of non-limiting examples only, embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

Fig. 1A shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a shelf display unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in a folded position of said shelf display unit;
Fig. 1B shows a schematic perspective view of the shelf display unit of Fig. 1A in an extended position;
Fig. 1C shows a schematic perspective view of the shelf display unit of Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B in an intermediate position;
Figs. 2A-2C show schematic cross-sectional views of a portion of the shelf display unit of Figs. 1A-1C in three different positions corresponding with the three positions shown in Figs. 1A, 1C and 1B, respectively;
Fig. 3A shows a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of a shelf display unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in a folded position of said shelf display unit;
Fig. 3B shows two schematic perspective views of the shelf display unit of Fig. 3A in an extended position of said shelf display unit;
Fig. 3C shows a schematic perspective view of the shelf display unit of Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B in an intermediate position;
Fig. 4A shows a schematic perspective view of two parts for forming the shelf display unit of Figs. 1A-1C;
Fig. 4B shows a schematic perspective view of an intermediary product for forming the shelf display unit of Figs. 1A-1C in which the two parts of Fig. 2A are attached to each other;
Figs. 5A-5D show schematic perspective views of a third embodiment of a shelf display unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in different positions; and
Figs. 6A-6D show schematic cross-sectional views of a portion of the shelf display unit of Figs. 5A-5D in four different positions.

It is noted that the figures show merely preferred embodiments according to aspects of the present disclosure. In the figures, the same or similar reference signs or numbers refer to equal or corresponding parts.
Figures 1A, 1B and 1C show schematic perspective views of three different states or so-called positions of a first embodiment of a shelf display unit 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The shelf display unit 1 is a so-called flat-pack shelf display unit or so-called fold-flat shelf display unit 1. It is arranged to be brought from a folded position or state, which is shown in Figure 1A, towards an extended position or so-called erected position, which is shown in Figure 1B. Figure 1C shows an intermediate position. In Figures 3A, 3B and 3C an alternative embodiment of said flat-pack shelf display unit 1 is shown. Figure 3A shows it in its folded or so-called flat-packed position, whereas Figure 3B and Figure 3C show an extended position and an intermediate position, respectively.
Figures 2A-2C show schematic cross-sectional views of a respective portion IIA, IIB, IIC of the shelf display unit 1 of Figures 1A, 1C and 1B, respectively. Figure 2A shows the folded position, Figure 2C shows the extended or erected state, and Figure 2B shows an intermediate state of the shelf display unit 1.
The flat-pack shelf display unit 1 comprises at least one shelf 2, and preferably multiple shelves 2, such as for instance can be seen in Figures 1B and 3C. Further, the shelf display unit 1 comprises a main support structure 3 or main structure, which can support the one or more shelves 2.
The flat-pack shelf display unit 1 may be used to display products, which may be placed on top of the shelf 2. The unit 1, which may be a temporary promotional shelf display unit, in particular point of sale (PoS) shelf display units or point of purchase (PoP) shelf display units can substantially be formed from sheet material, in particular foldable sheet material, more in particular paper-based sheet material. For example, the display unit may be made substantially from corrugated sheet material, such as corrugated fiberboard material. However, alternatively or additionally, other materials may be utilized, such as for instance plastic sheet material, such as for instance corrugated plastic sheet material.
Preferably, the flat-pack shelf display unit 1 may be made from a single material such that it can be recycled in a relatively simply manner.
Additionally or alternatively, the shelf display unit 1 may be decorated with print applications, for instance for brand communication at point-of-purchase and/or to temporarily promote a particular product line.
As can be seen relatively well in Figures 2A-2C, the support structure 3 includes a pair of shelf support panels 31, 32 for supporting the shelf 2, which includes a first shelf support panel 31 and a corresponding second shelf support panel 32 that lays opposite to the first shelf support panel 31. When the flat-pack shelf display unit is erected, and is brought from its folded state, shown in Fig. 2A, into its erected state, shown in Fig. 2C, said two shelf support panels 31, 32 are moved from each other, such that the distance D30 between said two shelf support panels 31, 32 increases when the display unit 1 is being erected or folded out. While the first and second shelf support panels 31, 32 are moved apart from each other, the shelf 2, which may include at least a shelf panel 20, can fold out simultaneously, as is shown in Figures 1A, 1C and 1B and Figures 2A, 2C and 2B.
As can be seen relatively well in Figures 2A-2C, the first shelf support panel 31 is hingedly connected to said shelf panel 20 along a first pivot axis P1. The second shelf support panel 32 can be connected to said shelf panel 20 through an interconnecting panel 4 that interconnects said shelf panel 20 with the second shelf support panel 32. Said interconnecting panel 4, preferably at its first lateral side 41, is hingedly connected to the second shelf support panel 32 along a second pivot axis P2 extending substantially parallel with the first pivot axis P1. Further, preferably at its second lateral side 42, the interconnecting panel 4 is hingedly connected to the shelf panel 20 along a third pivot axis P3, which extends substantially parallel with the first and second pivot axes P1, P2.
In embodiments, in the erected or extended position or state of the shelf display unit 1, the first, second and third pivot axes P1, P2, P3 can extend substantially horizontally, preferably in the wide direction of the respective shelf 2.
Advantageously, the support structure 3 can further include two flanks 33A, 33B. Each of said flanks 33A, 33B can interconnect the first shelf support panel 31 with the second shelf support panel 32.
Each flank 33A, 33B comprises multiple flank panels that can pivot with respect to each other. Preferably, each flank 33A, 33B comprises at least a first flank panel 34A, 34B and a second flank panel 35A, 35B. The respective first flank panel 34A, 34B can then be hingedly attached to the first shelf support panel 31 along a respective fourth pivot axis P4A, P4B. The fourth pivot axes P4A, P4B, which may extend substantially upward, in particular substantially vertically, in the erected or extended position or state of the shelf display unit 1, may preferably extend substantially transverse to the first, second and third pivot axes P1, P2, P3. The respective second flank panel 35A, 35B can then be hingedly attached to the second shelf support panel 32 along a respective fifth pivot axis P5A, P5B. Said fifth pivot axes P5A, P5B can extend substantially parallel with the fourth pivot axes P4A, P4B.
In such embodiments, the first flank panel 34A of the first flank 33A can then be hingedly connected to the second flank panel 35A of the first flank 33A, whereas the first flank panel 34B of the second flank 33B can then be hingedly connected to the second flank panel 35B of the second flank 33B along a respective sixth pivot axis P6A, P6B. Said sixth pivot axes P6A, P6B can extend substantially parallel with the fourth and fifth pivot axes P4A, P4B, P5A, P5B.
As can for instance be seen in Figure 2A, the first and second shelf support panels 31, 32 may be located relatively close to each other in the folded position of the shelf display unit 1, preferably substantially abutting each other and/or laying on top of each other, whereas said first and second shelf support panels 31, 32 may be located relatively far from each other in the extended position of the shelf display unit 1, as is shown in Figure 2C.
Advantageously, both in the folded position and the extended position, the first and second shelf support panels 31, 32 can extend substantially parallel to each other. Preferably, one of them may be overlapping the other at least partly, and more preferably substantially.
As further can be seen in Figures 2A-2C, in the folded position of the shelf display unit 1, the shelf panel 20 and the first shelf support panel 31 may extend substantially parallel to each other, preferably substantially in line with each other, whereas, in the extended position of the shelf display unit 1, the shelf panel 20 may extend in a direction under an angle α with the first shelf support panel 31, preferably in a direction substantially transverse to said first shelf support panel 31, as is shown in Figure 2C, such that the shelf 2, or at least its top surface, which may be formed by the shelf panel 20, may extend substantially horizontally when at least the first shelf support panel 31 extends substantially vertically. However, it is noted that one or more of the one or more shelves 2 may be angled in alternative embodiments, for instance such that products on display can be tilted towards a consumer.
In embodiments, such as for instance can be seen in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 2A, in the folded position of the shelf display unit 1, the interconnecting panel 4 and the second shelf support panel 32 may extend substantially parallel to each other, preferably substantially in line with each other, whereas, in the extended position of said display unit 1, such as for instance can be seen in Figure 2C, said interconnecting panel 4 can extend in a direction under an angle with the second shelf support panel 32, preferably in a direction substantially transverse to said second shelf support panel 32.
Additionally or alternatively, in the folded position of the shelf display unit 1, the interconnecting panel 4 and the shelf panel 20 can extend substantially parallel to each other, and a first surface 43 of the interconnecting panel 4 can then be facing said shelf panel 20. In the extended position of the shelf display unit 1, such as for instance can be seen in the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 2C, the interconnecting panel 4 has been swung over with respect to the shelf panel 20 about the third pivot axis P3, preferably to such extent that said interconnecting panel 4 extends substantially parallel to the shelf panel 20, and such that a second surface 44 of the interconnecting panel 4, which is located opposite to said first surface 43, is then facing said shelf panel 20.
In embodiments, such as for instance the embodiment shown in Figures 1A-1C and 2A-2C, in the extended position of the shelf display unit 1, the shelf panel 20 can have a depth D20, and/or the shelf 2 can have a depth D2, that extends from the first pivot axis P1, beyond the third pivot axis P3, and up to a distal end 21 of said shelf panel 20 or said shelf 2, and which extends in a direction transverse to the first pivot axis P1 and in a plane in which said shelf panel 20, or said shelf 2, extends.
Advantageously, the depth D2, D2', D20 of the shelf 2 or shelf panel 20, measured from the first pivot axis P1 up to the respective distal end 21, 21' can be larger than the distance D30 between said two shelf support panels 31, 32 in the erected state of the flat-pack shelf display unit 1, such as for instance is shown in Fig. 2C. In the erected state of the flat-pack shelf display unit 1, the shelf 2, 2' and/or the shelf panel 20 can thus extend beyond the second pivot axis P2. In the erected state of the flat-pack shelf display unit 1, a distal end portion 22, 22' of the shelf 2 may thus be located above the second shelf support panel 32, as a result of which it for instance can be facilitated that the shelf 2 and/or its shelf panel 20 may be supported at least partly on top of the second shelf support panel 32.
In the erected state of the flat-pack shelf display unit 1, the distal end portion 22, 22' of the shelf 2, 2' may extend trough an opening 37 above the second support panel 32. Said opening 37 can for instance be an opening in a front or rear wall of the shelf display unit 1.
The interconnecting panel 4 can have a depth D4 extending from the second pivot axis P2 up to the third pivot axis P3, which depth D4 extends in a direction transverse to said second and third pivot axes P2, P3 and in a plane in which said interconnecting panel 4 extends.
Advantageously, in the extended position of the shelf display unit 1, a distal portion D21 of the shelf panel's depth D20 or of the shelf s depth D2, which portion D21 is measured from the third pivot axis P3 up to the shelf panel's distal end 21 or the shelf s distal end 21, is at least equal to the interconnecting panel's depth D4. Preferably, such as is the case in the embodiment of Figures 1A-1C and 2A-2C, said distal portion D21 can be larger than the interconnecting panel's depth D4, in particular such that the shelf 2 can extend, for instance at a front end side of the display unit 1, beyond the second support panel 32, which, in embodiments, may be located at the front side of the shelf display unit 1, such as can be seen in Figure 2B. In embodiments, in the extended position of the shelf display unit 1, the distal portion D21 of the shelf s depth D2 or the shelf panel's depth D20 may be only slightly larger than the interconnecting panel's depth D4, for example such that the shelf 2 does not substantially extend beyond the second support panel 32, but such that a distal end portion 22 of the shelf 2 is nevertheless located above the second shelf support panel 32, which, in embodiments, may be located at the front side of the shelf display unit 1, such as can be seen in Figure 2B.
However, in alternative embodiments, such as can be seen in Figure 3B, said second support panel 32 may be located at the rear side of the display unit 1. In such alternative embodiments, the shelf 2 may fold down in a rearward direction during erection of the display unit 1, whereas a front end of the shelf 2 may fold down in a forward motion in other embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in Figure 1C.
As mentioned above, the shelf display unit 1 can be substantially formed from sheet material, in particular foldable sheet material, more in particular paper-based sheet material, such as corrugated fiberboard material. For example, the display unit 1 may be made out of blanks 11, 12 formed from sheet material. For example, the blanks 11, 12 may be cut, for instance die cut, from such sheet material.
In preferred embodiments, at least a layer 20A of the shelf panel 20 and a layer 31A of the first shelf support panel 31 are formed by a first blank 11 of sheet material, such as for instance can be seen in Figure 4A which shows a schematic perspective view of two parts 11, 12, which may preferably be formed by blanks 11, 12, for forming the shelf display unit 1 of Figures 1A-1C. It is noted that the first pivot axis P1 between said shelf panel 20 and the first shelf support panel 31 may preferably be formed in said first blank 11, for instance by means of forming a preformed fold-line in said sheet material of said first blank 11.
Additionally, or alternatively, at least a layer of the second shelf support panel 32 and at least a layer of the interconnecting panel 4 can be formed by a second blank 12 of sheet material. Preferably, the second pivot axis P2, which interconnects said interconnecting panel 4 with the second shelf support panel 32, can be formed in said second blank 12, more preferably by means of a preformed fold-line provided in the sheet material of the second blank 12.
In embodiments of the shelf display unit 1 of the present disclosure, said display unit 1 can comprise an attachment panel 24, that, after assembling the display unit 1 may form a layer or at least part 20C of at least one layer of the shelf panel 20, as for instance can be seen in Figures 2B and 2C.
Advantageously, at least one layer of said attachment panel 24 can be formed by the second blank 12 of sheet material. Said at least one layer of said attachment panel 24 can be hingedly connected to the interconnecting panel 4 by means of the third pivot axis P3, which, preferably, can be formed as preformed fold-line in the sheet material of the second blank 12.
Advantageously, as for instance can be seen in Figs. 2A-2C, in the erected state of the flat-pack shelf display unit 1, the at least one layer of said attachment panel 24 and/or the attachment panel 24 can be extending from the third pivot axis P3 in a direction towards the second shelf support panel 32, and thus not towards the first shelf support panel 31. As a result, as may be understood from Fig. 1, it may be facilitated that the flat-pack shelf display unit 1 can in its folded position be relatively flat, in particular as said at least one layer of said attachment panel 24 and/or the attachment panel 24 can then lay in line with the interconnecting panel 4 and the second support panel 32 which may be formed from the same blank and/or same sheet as said at least one layer of said attachment panel 24 and/or the attachment panel 24.
It is noted that said at least one layer of said attachment panel 24 and/or the attachment panel 24, can be attached, preferably adhered, to the at least one layer of the shelf panel 20 formed by the first blank 11 of sheet material. In Figure 4B, which shows a schematic perspective view of an intermediary product for forming the shelf display unit 1 of Figs. 1A-1C, in which the two blanks 11, 12 are attached to each other, the attachment panel 24 is attached, in particular adhered or glued, to the underlying portion of the layer 20A of the shelf panel 20 formed by the first blank 11. At least in said embodiment, the interconnecting panel 4 formed at least partly by the second blank 12, which interconnecting panel 4 preferably may overlap at least partly at least a portion of the at least one layer part 20A formed at least partly by the first blank 11, and the second shelf support panel 32 formed at least partly by the second blank, which second shelf support panel 32 preferably may overlap at least partly at least a portion of the first shelf support panel 31 formed at least partly by the first blank 11, can advantageously both 4, 32 be loose from said first blank 11.
It is noted that at least a layer of a portion of the first flank panel 34A, 34B can be formed by the first blank 11, and that at least a layer 35A", 35B" of a portion of the second flank panel 35A, 35B can be formed by the second blank 12. At least one of the blanks 11, 12 may then be provided with an attachment flap 36, which is hingedly connected to a respective one of the first and second flank panels, preferably about the sixth pivot axis P6A, P6B, and which attachment flap 36 is then attached, preferably adhered to the other one of said first and second flank panels. Here, in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 4B, said attachment flap 36 is formed by the first blank 11 and is hingedly attached to the first flank panel 34A, 34B that is also formed by said first blank 11. However, in alternative embodiments, the attachment flap 36 may be formed by the second blank 12 and may be hingedly attached to the layer 35A", 35B" of a portion of the second flank panel 35A, 35B formed by the second blank 12.
It will be appreciated that in the here shown embodiment of Figure 4B ,the portions 35A", 35B" of the second blank 12 forming part of the second flank panels 35A, 35B after assembling the flat-pack shelf display unit 1 may be loose from, and thus not adhered to, the portions 34A, 34B of the first blank 11 forming at least part of the first flank panels 34A, 34B after assembling said flat-pack shelf display unit 1.
In advantageous embodiments, the first blank 11 and the second blank 12 may be attached, preferably adhered or glued, to each other only in (a) the regions where the attachment flaps 36 forming part of a layer of the first flank panel 34 or the second flank panel 35, respectively, overlap the respective other one of the first and second flank panels 34, 35; and (b) the regions where the one or multiple attachment panels 24 forming part of a respective blank 11, 12 overlap a layer 20A of the shelf panel 20 formed by the other blank 12, 11.
As can be seen in the embodiment of Figures 1A-1C, 2A-2C, 4A and 4B, a blank 11 forming at least one layer 20A of the shelf panel 20 may also form at least a part of a further layer 20B of said shelf panel 20. For instance, said two layers or layer parts 20A, 20B may be attached to each other by means of a seventh pivot axis P7, preferably a preformed pivot axis. Starting from the first blank 11 in Figure 4A, a portion of said blank 11 forming the part of a further layer 20B may be turned about said seventh pivot axis P7 and may then be attached, preferably adhered or glued, to a portion of the first layer 20A of the shelf panel 20 then overlapped by said part of a further layer 20B. As for instance can be seen in Figures 4A and 4B, said pivot axis P7, and/or other pivot axis, which can be formed at least partly by a preformed fold-line, may actually comprise multiple, in particular substantially parallel, fold-lines.
Further, it is noted that, in embodiments, after erecting the shelf display unit 1, the flanks 33A, 33B may to some extent be prevented from moving back to the folded position of the shelf display unit 1, in particular by means of the shelf 2, for instance by means of its shelf panel 20. For example, the shelf panel 20 may have lateral end portions 28A, 28B, which, in the extended position of the shelf display unit 1, may, when seen in a direction substantially transverse to the first and second shelf support panels 31, 32, be trapped between the respective first flank panel 34A, 34B and the corresponding second flank panel 35A, 35B, as for instance can be seen in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1B. As a result, it can thus be counteracted or prevented to some extent that the flank can be collapsed by folding said two flank panels 34A, 34B, 35A, 35B toward each other about the respective sixth pivot axis P6.
Alternatively or additionally, the display unit 1 may be held in its erected position by other means.
Preferably, the shelf display unit 1 is provided with means for keeping it in its erected position and/or for counteracting that it can be brought back to its folded position accidently. For example, as can be seen in Figure 1C, the shelf 2 may be provided with a cut-out 8 that can receive a part of the support structure 3, in particular a part of a respective flank 33A, 33B, more in particular a part of the second flank panel 35A, 35B, for instance such that the shelf panel 20 is counteracting from folding back upwards to its position it was in when in the folded state of the display unit 1. Alternatively or additionally, the display unit 1 may for instance be provided with one or more securing flaps 9, preferably one or more securing flaps 9 provided with one or more locking barbs 90, that can be secured in one or more cooperating slots 7 provided in said display unit 1.
Besides, it will be appreciated by the skilled person that the one or multiple shelves 20, which may preferably have an elongated design, may in the present shelf display unit 1 not be suspended by shelf side flaps upwardly extending from the shelf at the lateral end sides of the shelf 20, but may be supported, preferably from below, at the position of the two shelf support panels 31, 32, preferably at or near a front and a rear side of the shelf 20.
In embodiments, the shelf display unit 1 may include more elements and/or parts than in the embodiments shown in Fig. 1A - Fig. 4B, for instance in order to provide a larger display unit and/or a more refined or complex looking display unit.
For example, in embodiments, such as for instance the embodiment shown in Figs. 5A-5D, the first shelf support panels 31 of the shelf display unit 1', which for instance may substantially correspond with an embodiment such as the one of Figures 1A-1C, can be attached, in particular adhered or glued, to the first shelf support panels 31 of a corresponding, second, shelf display unit 1", for instance one of the same or a similar design, in particular such as to form a composed or compound shelf display unit 100. In particular, the outer surface of the first shelf support panel 31, which outer surface can be formed by a surface facing away from the second shelf support panel 32 of the same shelf display unit 1, may be attached, directly or indirectly, to the outer surface of the first shelf support panel 31 of the second shelf display unit.
In embodiments, an intermediate part, such as for instance a strengthening part or panel, may be attached between, in particular sandwiched between, the first shelf support panels 31 of the two shelf display units 1, 1', 1" attached to each other. It is noted that, in the extended state of the composed or compound display unit 100, a shelf 2' of the first display unit 1' and a corresponding shelf 2" of the second display unit 1" may extend substantially in a single plane such as to form a compound or composed shelf 200, for instance in order to provide a relatively deep shelf, as for instance can be seen in Fig. 5A and Fig. 5D. In case an intermediate panel or other intermediate part is provided between the two display units which are attached to each other in order to form a composed display unit 100, said intermediate part may comprise one or more openings such that a shelf 2, 2' of the first shelf display unit 1, 1' can link up with a corresponding shelf 2, 2' of the second shelf display unit 1, 1' in the extended position of the composed shelf display unit 100 which comprises both said first shelf display unit 1' and said second shelf display unit 1".
In embodiments, such as for instance is the case in the embodiment shown in Figs. 5A-5D, the shelf display unit 1 may comprise one or more walls 5 that in the extended state or position of the unit 1 are located at or near the distal end 22 of the shelf 2. Such a wall 5, which may be for counteracting that displayed ware can slip off from the shelf 2, may be located at the front side of the shelf display unit 1. However, in alternative embodiments, for instance when the second shelf support panel 32 is located at the rear side of the shelf display unit 1, such wall 5 may be located at the rear side of the shelf display unit 1.
Figures 6A-6D show schematic cross-sectional views of a portion of the shelf display unit 1' of Figs. 5A-5D, wherein the shelf display unit's position of Fig. 6C corresponds with Fig. 5A and the shelf display unit's position of Fig. 6D corresponds with Fig. 5D. Fig. 6A corresponds with a folded in position of the shelf display unit 1', which substantially corresponds with the alternative shelf display unit 1 of Figs. 1A and 2A, whereas Fig. 6B shows an intermediate state substantially corresponding with the state of the display 1 in Fig. 2B, while Fig. 6C shows a first extended position of the shelf display unit 1', which substantially corresponds with the position of the shelf display unit 1 of Figs. 1B and 2C.
Advantageously, as can be seen in the embodiment of Figs. 6A-6D, a wall forming element 25 may be hingedly attached to the shelf panel 20 by means of an eighth pivot axis P8, which preferably may extend substantially parallel with the first, second and third pivot axes P1, P2, P3. In particular the wall forming element 25 may be hingedly attached to a distal end of the shelf panel 20.
Additionally, or alternatively, the wall 5, or at least a part of at least a layer thereof, can be formed at least partly by the first blank 11 forming at least one layer 20A of the shelf panel 20, and may be attached to said shelf panel 20 by means of an eighth pivot axis P8, which preferably can be formed as a preformed fold-line in the sheet material of the first blank 11. Preferably, the entire wall forming element 25 may be formed from said first blank 11. In particular, the wall forming element 25 may comprise a first portion 25A hingedly connected by the eighth pivot axis P8 to the shelf portion 20M extending between the first pivot axis P1 and said eighth pivot axis P8, wherein said first portion 25A extends away from the eighth pivot axis P8 towards a distal end 25' of the wall forming element 25. The wall forming element 25 may comprise a second portion 25B, which may be formed by another layer than the first portion 25A. Said second portion 25B may extend in a direction away from the distal end 25' of the wall forming element 25 towards an end 25B' of the second portion 25B located opposite to the distal end 25' of the wall forming element 25. In particular, said second portion 25B may extend over such a distance that, seen from the distal end 25' of the wall forming element 25, the end 25B' of the second portion 25B is located beyond the eighth pivot axis P8, as can be seen for example in Figs. 6C and 6C.
Advantageously, the first portion 25A and the second portion 25B of the wall forming element 25 can be formed from the same blank, in particular the first blank 11, and the second portion 25B may be formed by folding a portion of said blank over a seventh pivot axis P7'. The first portion 25A and the second portion 25B may then be attached, preferably adhered or glued, to each other. It will be appreciated that a portion 25BB of the second portion 25B extending beyond the eighth pivot axis P8 should not be substantially attached or adhered to the shelf portion 20M extending between the first pivot axis P1 and said eighth pivot axis P8, in order to counteract that the wall forming element 25 can not pivot with respect to said shelf portion 20M.
Preferably, the portion 25BB of the second portion 25B extending beyond the eighth pivot axis P8 may protrude at least about 5 mm, more preferably at least 1 cm, yet more preferably at least 2 cm beyond said eighth pivot axis P8. As for instance can be seen in Fig. 6D, said protruding portion 25BB can counteract that, once the wall 5 has been set up, the wall forming element 25 can be folded back towards a position in which it is substantially parallel with the shelf portion 20M extending between the first pivot axis P1 and said eighth pivot axis P8.
The display unit 1' of Fig. 5A and Fig. 6C can be set up in a manner corresponding to the unit 1 shown in Fig. 1B and Fig. 2C. Actually, the display unit 1' of Fig. 5A and Fig. 6C may be used in the position shown in these figures. However, the wall 5 may preferably be erected as well. This can for instance be done by lifting up the shelf 2' to some extend, as is shown in Fig. 5B and pivoting the wall forming element 25 about the eighth pivot axis P8, as is shown in Fig. 5C, and subsequently lowering the shelf 2' with the folded up wall forming element 25. The wall forming element 25, in particular a portion then protruding below the eighth pivot axis P8, may then lock behind the respective first shelf support panel 31 in order to counteract that the wall forming element 25 can fold back towards its initial position, thereby counteracting that the wall 5 can tumble over in an outward direction with respect to the shelf 2'. In embodiments, the shelf display unit 1 may be arranged such that said unit 1, in particular its main support structure 3, can counteract that the wall 5, once set up, folds inwardly. For example, in an extended state of the shelf display unit 1, one or two flanks 33A, 33B, in particular one or two respective second flank panels 35A, 35B thereof, more in particular a portion thereof located adjacently above the respective first shelf support panel 31, may block the wall forming element 25 to such extent that the wall 5 can not fold inwardly. Thereto, at least a portion of the portion 25BB of the second portion 25B extending beyond the eighth pivot axis P8 may have a width that is larger than the width of the first shelf support panel 31.Moreover, it is noted that, alternatively to attaching the first shelf support panels 31 of two shelf display units 1, 1', 1" to each other, the second shelf support panels 32 of two shelf display units 1, 1', 1" can be attached directly or indirectly to each other in order to provide a composed or compound shelf display unit 100 comprising two or multiple shelf display units 1, 1', 1". In such cases, in the erected position of the composed display unit 100, a shelf 2, 2' of the first display unit 1, 1' and a corresponding shelf 2, 2" of the second display unit 1, 1" may for example link up in order to form a composed shelf 200. For instance then, at least one, and preferably both, of said shelves 2', 2" may have a relatively small depth D20, such that the respective shelf 2',2" does not project beyond the second shelf support panel 32 of the display unit 1', 1" of which said shelf 2', 2" forms part. Advantageously, the shelves 2', 2" may then extend substantially up to each other, such that in the extended state of the compound display unit 100 the distal end portion 22 of each shelf is located above the second shelf support panel 32 of its display unit 1', 1", and preferably in a manner such that the distal ends 21 of the shelves 2', 2" substantially abut each other.
It is noted that for the purpose of clarity and a concise description features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however, it will be appreciated that the scope of the present invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described.
Further, it is noted that the invention is not restricted to the embodiments described herein. It will be understood that many variants are possible.
For example, it is possible that, in stead of adhering or gluing parts or elements together, they may be attached to each other by other means, for instance by means of welding, or stapling, stitching or the like.
Further, it is noted that the shelves 2 do not need to consist of a substantially flat shelf panel 20 alone, but may also comprise further shelf parts, such as upwardly extending side panels 29, for instance in order to counteract products from falling off from the shelf, such as for instance can be seen in the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 3B.
Such and other variants will be apparent for the person skilled in the art and are considered to lie within the scope of the invention as formulated in the following claims.

Claims

A shelf display unit (1), wherein the shelf display unit (1) is a so-called flat-pack shelf display unit (1) or so-called fold-flat shelf display unit (1), the shelf display unit (1) being arranged to be brought from a folded position towards an extended position, and comprising:
a shelf (2) including:
a shelf panel (20); and

a support structure (3) including:
a pair of shelf support panels (31, 32) for supporting said shelf (2), said pair of shelf support panels (31, 32) including:
a first shelf support panel (31) hingedly connected to the shelf panel (20) along a first pivot axis (P1); and

a second shelf support panel (32) located opposite to the first shelf support panel, the shelf display unit (1) further comprising:

an interconnecting panel (4) interconnecting the shelf panel (20) with the second shelf support panel (32), wherein the second shelf support panel (32) is hingedly connected to the interconnecting panel (4) along a second pivot axis (P2) extending substantially parallel with the first pivot axis (P1), and the interconnecting panel (4) is hingedly connected to the shelf panel (20) along a third pivot axis (P3) extending substantially parallel with the first and second pivot axes (P1, P2).
The shelf display unit (1) of claim 1, wherein the support structure (3) further includes:
two flanks (33A, 33B), each flank (33A, 33B) interconnecting the first shelf support panel (31) with the second shelf support panel (32), and each flank (33A, 33B) including:
a respective first flank panel (34A, 34B) hingedly attached to the first shelf support panel (31) along a respective fourth pivot axis (P4A, P4B) extending substantially transverse to the first, second and third pivot axes (P1, P2, P3); and

a respective second flank panel (35A, 35B) hingedly attached to the second shelf support panel (32) along a respective fifth pivot axis (P5A, P5B) extending substantially parallel with the fourth pivot axes (P4A, P4B), wherein the first flank panel (34A) of the first flank (33A) is hingedly connected to the second flank panel (35A) of the first flank (33A) and the first flank panel (34B) of the second flank (33B) is hingedly connected to the second flank panel (35B) of the second flank (33B) along a respective sixth pivot axis (P6A, P6B) extending substantially parallel with the fourth and fifth pivot axes (P4A, P4B, P5A, P5B).
The shelf display unit (1) of claim 1 or 2,
wherein, both in the folded position and the extended position, the first and second shelf support panels (31, 32) extend substantially parallel to each other, and
wherein the first and second shelf support panels (31, 32) are located relatively close to each other in the folded position of the shelf display unit (1) and are located relatively far from each other in the extended position of the shelf display unit.
The shelf display unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims,
wherein, in the folded position of the shelf display unit (1), the shelf panel (20) and the first shelf support panel (31) extend substantially parallel to each other, preferably substantially in line with each other, and
wherein, in the extended position of the shelf display unit, the shelf panel (20) extends in a direction under an angle with the first shelf support panel (31), preferably in a direction substantially transverse to said first shelf support panel (31).
The shelf display unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims,
wherein, in the folded position of the shelf display unit, the interconnecting panel (4) and the second shelf support panel (32) extend substantially parallel to each other, preferably substantially in line with each other, and
wherein, in the extended position of the shelf display unit (1), the interconnecting panel (4) extends in a direction under an angle with the second shelf support panel (32), preferably in a direction substantially transverse to said second shelf support panel (32).
The shelf display unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims,
wherein, in the folded position of the shelf display unit, the interconnecting panel (4) and the shelf panel (20) extend substantially parallel to each other, and a first surface (43) of the interconnecting panel (4) is facing said shelf panel (20), and
wherein, in the extended position of the shelf display unit, the interconnecting panel (4) has been swung over with respect to the shelf panel (20) about the third pivot axis (P3), preferably to such extent that said interconnecting panel (4) extends substantially parallel to the shelf panel (20), and a second surface (44) of the interconnecting panel (4) opposite to its first surface (43) is facing said shelf panel (20).
The shelf display unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims,
wherein, in the extended position of the shelf display unit (1), the shelf (2) has a depth (D2) extending from the first pivot axis (P1) beyond the third pivot axis (P3) up to a distal end (21) of said shelf (2), and extending in a direction transverse to the first pivot axis (P1) and in a plane in which said shelf (2) extends,
wherein the interconnecting panel (4) has a depth (D4) extending from the second pivot axis (P2) up to the third pivot axis (P3), and extending in a direction transverse to said second and third pivot axes (P2, P3) and in a plane in which said interconnecting panel (4) extends,
wherein, in the extended position of the shelf display unit, a distal portion (D21, D21') of the shelf s depth (D2, D2') measured from the third pivot axis (P3) up to the shelf s distal end (21, 21') is larger than the interconnecting panel's depth (D4).
The shelf display unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shelf display unit (1) is substantially formed from sheet material, in particular foldable sheet material, for instance corrugated sheet material and/or paper-based material, such as corrugated fiberboard material.
The shelf display unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shelf display unit (1) comprises multiple shelves (2).
The shelf display unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a layer of the shelf panel (20) and a layer of the first shelf support panel (31) are formed by a first blank (11) of sheet material, preferably wherein the first pivot axis (P1) between said shelf panel (20) and the first shelf support panel (31) is formed as preformed fold-line in said sheet material of said first blank (11).
The shelf display unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in particular according to claim 7, wherein at least a layer of the second shelf support panel (32) and at least a layer of the interconnecting panel (4) are formed by a second blank (12) of sheet material, preferably wherein the second pivot axis (P2) between said interconnecting panel (4) and the second shelf support panel (32) is formed as a preformed fold-line in said sheet material of the second blank (12).
The shelf display unit (1) according to claim 11, the shelf display unit (1) further comprising an attachment panel (24), wherein at least one layer of said attachment panel (24) is formed by the second blank (12) of sheet material, said at least one layer of said attachment panel (24) being hingedly connected to the interconnecting panel (4) by means of the third pivot axis (P3), preferably wherein said third pivot axis (P3) is formed as preformed fold-line in said sheet material of the second blank (12).
The shelf display unit (1) according to claim 10 and one of claims 11 and 12, wherein the at least one layer of said attachment panel (24) and/or the attachment panel (24) is attached, preferably adhered, to the at least one layer of the shelf panel (20) formed by the first blank (11) of sheet material.