FR2795217A1 - Self supporting merchandising display frame has display and support sections connected by strip with fold lines - Google Patents

Abstract

The self-supporting merchandising display frame has display and support sections connected by a strip and separated by fold lines. The frame is prismatic and the support sections are formed internally. Springs are provided to provide automatic deployment of the frame.

Description

The present invention generally relates to self-supporting and foldable structures, or display stands, intended to present visual information, such as, for example, advertising messages at a point of sale.

In known manner, such displays are constituted by a front face, carrying the visual information, this front face being intended to be placed on the ground. Maintaining this front face in vertical position can be provided by a device formed of a wall held perpendicularly to the front face so that the display rests on the ground by at least three points of support.

It has already been proposed, for example in FR-A-2 680 030, a cardboard display which is in the form of a vertical prism with concave or curved faces. It comprises a front panel shaped by means of two rear panels braced at their free ends and stuck respectively on the edges of the front panel at the side edges. The panels are braced and locked by means of a latching system. The front panel may include a plurality of portions that fold over each other to prevent degradation of the information provided on the visible face of the front panel. Such a display is relatively bulky and can not easily be transported, and the manipulations necessary to arrange it in the use position or to fold it are not simple.

Also known from FR-A-2650907 a display formed of a foldable structure flat and having a vertical column prismatic and panels fixed on one side of this column. The column comprises three walls, two side walls being pivotally mounted about a longitudinal fold line with respect to a central wall which supports the panels. The two side walls are joined together by at least one elastic return means which urges them towards one another. Their free longitudinal edge has a profile such that the two walls can abut against each other in the mounted position of the structure under the stress of the elastic means, the projecting portions of the one engaging in cuts of the other and vice versa.

This display has many disadvantages such as significant weight, and relatively complex handling of different materials. In addition, the manufacture of these known displays requires gluing steps of these different materials on top of each other, which increases the manufacturing process and has a negative impact on the cost price of such displays.

FR-A-2 210 317 discloses an advertising medium in the form of a volume, with automatic development, foldable accordion "which is constituted by a tubular envelope with polygonal section, defined by n parallel strips surrounding a central core and having, perpendicular to the axis of the envelope and at levels corresponding to those of the fold lines marked in the central core, slits, and parallel fold lines delimiting superposed, box-like, connected levels one to the other and solicited, by means of elastic members, in maximum opening determined by the width of the central core.To constitute the advertising medium from such a blank, one marks the lines of bending to ensure the folding of the different bands in the same direction.This operation makes it possible to form a tubular envelope and to have this envelope comprise a diagonal soul for Moved by a panel on which tabs are fixed by gluing or stapling.

This display has in addition to the same disadvantages as the previous displays, namely that the manufacture requires gluing or stapling steps, the additional disadvantage that slots remain visible on the side faces of the display once unfolded, which adversely affects the aesthetics of the display and interferes with the information printed on these faces.

Document FR-A-2 760 880 also discloses a display comprising at least one front face forming a visual information support, and, when the display stand is in the use position, a structure for supporting the front face in position. vertical, this structure being foldable flat and having resilient return means, the end face being formed of at least two display elements separated by a fold line. According to this document, the support structure consists of assembly elements in one piece without bonding with the front face on either side of this front face, the connecting elements adjacent to one side of the face when the display stand is in use position, abutting the connecting elements adjoining the other side of the front face by the elastic return means, so that the front face affects a shape convex.

The display known from this document does not have the disadvantages of the previous documents, in that it does not require a step of bonding one part to another. However, in some of the configurations disclosed by this document, such a display offers only one side of information presentation, the other side being unavailable due to the mounting means of the display. In some applications, it may be necessary to have all sides of the volume to present information, while retaining the other advantages of this display.

The present invention is placed in this context and is intended to provide a display, which has at least two faces, all faces are available to present information, no part or opening used for assembly or assembly should be visible on the side faces of the display in the position of use, such a display to be further foldable to be easily manipulated, be simple to use, that is to say to put in use position and to fold, and the manufacture is simple and inexpensive.

For this purpose, the present invention relates to a self-supporting and foldable information presentation structure comprising information presentation portions and mounting portions, the information mounting and presentation portions forming quadrilaterals and being distributed. in at least one band and separated by fold lines, the structure being prismatic and consisting of information presentation portions, the mounting portions being located within the prismatic structure, elastic members attached to portions opposed mounting means being provided to cause an automatic deployment of the structure.

According to the invention, two central mounting portions are adjacent to each other by a first of their sides and each to an information presenting portion by a second side opposite to the first one, these central mounting portions being arranged against each other to simultaneously form a hooking device of the resilient members and a stop for a second mounting portion provided with a fastening device of the elastic members.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the central mounting portions are trapezoidal in shape, their small base being adjacent to an information presentation portion.

Preferably, circular openings are formed at the end of the folds between the central mounting portions and the immediately adjacent information presenting portions.

Advantageously, the portions at each end of the strip are mounting portions cooperating with each other to form the prismatic structure.

According to one embodiment, a cutout is formed in the central portion of the fold line between a first end mounting portion and the immediately adjacent information presenting portion, said cut being adapted to cooperate with a formed tab. in the opposite end mounting portion by means of a cutout. It can then be provided that the first of the end mounting portions comprises a cutout whose ends open into circular openings.

In this case, it is advantageous to provide that the elastic member passes through the circular openings formed at the end of the folds between the central mounting portions and the immediately adjacent information presentation portions, and the circular openings formed at the ends of the the cutout formed in the first of the end mounting portions.

According to another embodiment, the end mounting portions are trapezoidal in shape, their small base being adjacent to an information presentation portion.

In this case, it is advantageous to provide that the elastic member passes through the circular openings formed at the end of the folds between the central mounting portions and the immediately adjacent information presentation portions, and the circular openings formed at the end. end of the folds between the end mounting portions and the immediately adjacent information presenting portions.

Whatever the embodiment, it can further be provided that the information presentation portions and the mounting portions are made in one piece without gluing, the central mounting portions being separated from one another by a folding line in the opposite direction to that of the other folding lines Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more clearly apparent from the following description of an example embodiment given by way of illustration, with reference to the drawings. appended in which: - Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a self-supporting and foldable information presentation structure made according to the present invention, and having three visible faces; Figures 2 and 3 show plan views of sheets, made according to two embodiments, and which are intended to form a self-supporting information presentation structure whose expanded form is that of Figure 1; - Figure 4 shows a top view of the deployed structure made with the sheet of Figure 2; - Figure 5 shows a top view of the structure of Figure 4, folded; - Figure 6 shows a top view of the deployed structure made with the sheet of Figure 3; - Figure 7 shows a top view of the structure of Figure 6, folded; - Figure 8 shows a plan view of a sheet for forming a self-supporting structure and foldable according to a variant of the first embodiment of the present invention, and having four visible faces; 9 represents a view from above of the deployed structure made with the aid of the sheet of FIG. 6; Figure 10 is a perspective view of the expanded structure made with the sheet of Figure 6; - Figure 11 shows a plan view of a sheet for forming a self-supporting structure and foldable according to a variant of the second embodiment of the present invention, and also having four visible faces; - Figure 12 shows a top view of the deployed structure made with the sheet of Figure 11; 13 represents a plan view of a sheet intended to form a self-supporting and foldable structure according to a second variant of the first embodiment of the present invention, and comprising two visible faces; FIG. 14 represents a view from above of the deployed structure made with the aid of the sheet of FIG. 13; FIG. 15 represents a perspective view of the deployed structure made with the aid of the sheet of FIG. 13; 16 is a plan view of a sheet intended to form a self-supporting and foldable structure according to a second variant of the second embodiment of the present invention, and also comprising two visible faces, and FIG. top of the deployed structure made using the sheet of Figure 16.

In the present description, the term "prismatic" is used to designate the surface generated by a line segment that moves parallel to itself while constantly leaning on the periphery of a planar convex surface, this surface possibly consisting of a flat polygon, or be of oblong biconvex shape, for example delimited by two arcs of non-concentric circles.

The embodiments which will be described refer, in a nonlimiting manner, to self-supporting structures obtained using sheets of cardboard or strong paper. Of course, the sheets used could also be formed of a known flexible plastic material, such as PVC.

Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a self-supporting structure, generally designated by the reference P, having three visible faces A, B and C, planar or substantially planar, forming a prismatic structure with a triangular base. Such a structure can be obtained using the sheets shown in Figures 2 or 3.

FIG. 2 shows a cardboard sheet, generally designated S, after cutting and before folding and assembly, and intended to form a structure as shown in FIG. folding, the solid lines indicate the cut lines and the dashed lines indicate the fold lines.

The sheet S has two portions A and B, intended to form two of the faces A and B of the structure P, two portions C1 and C2 intended to form together the third face C of the structure P, end mounting portions D and F and central mounting portions E, and E2. As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, the portions D, C2, B, E, E, A, CI and F follow each other in this order, and are separated by folds 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22, all the folds being in the same direction, the back of the fold being for example shown in Figure 2, except the fold 16, the hollow is shown in this Figure.

The portion D comprises a cutout 24, for example in the form of a circular arc whose convexity is turned towards the fold 10, the ends of the cutout 24 opening for example into circular openings 26 intended to prevent any subsequent tearing. A cutout 28 is made in the median part of the fold 10, along this fold 10, and is extended by two oblique cuts 30, extending in the portion D. Similarly, the portion F comprises a cutout 32, by example in the form of a circular arc, whose concavity is turned towards the fold 22, and it is extended by two oblique cuts 34 converging and extending to the fold 22, so as to form a tab 33. Circular openings 35 are formed at the end of the folds 14 and 18 between the portions B and E, on the one hand, and EZ and A on the other hand, and are intended to prevent any subsequent tearing.

For the sake of clarity of the drawing, Figure 2 shows only a portion of the sheet according to the invention, the portion shown constituting a strip of this sheet, which may comprise several identical strips having the same portions, assigned a $ prime%, of a $ second% and so on, the parts of the same name being adjacent to each other, a space that can be left between the central mounting portions E "E2, and E, ', E2', and between the portions E, 'Ez' and E, ", EZ", so as to obtain a structure as shown in Figure 1.

It can thus be seen that such a sheet S can be obtained very easily by a simple cutting operation, which can be performed simultaneously with a ply marking operation.

To mount the structure, simply fold all the folds in the same direction, except the fold 16 which is folded in the other direction, and engage the tabs 33 of each band in the cuts 28 of the strip corresponding, the oblique cutouts 30 and 34 of each band cooperating to consolidate the assembly. The central mounting portions E 1 and E 2 being folded over each other, the folds 14 and 18 of each band are thus found next to one another, and the openings 35 of one and the same band are aligned two to one another. two. It is then possible to pass an elastic strap 50, so that it enters the openings 26 and 35 of each band. The central mounting portions E, and EZ folded one over the other and form a hooking device of the elastic strap 50.

The structure is then ready for use. Indeed, under the action of the elastic strap 50, it immediately and automatically takes the triangular-shaped prismatic shape shown in perspective in FIG. 1, and seen from above in FIG. 4, the end mounting portion D coming into view. abutment in the recess formed between one of the central mounting portions E1 or E2 and the adjacent information presentation portion B or A respectively.

It can thus be seen that the attachment device of the elastic strap 50 formed by the central mounting portions E, and Ez folded over each other also constitutes an abutment device for a second mounting portion, in this case the end mounting portion D.

In particular, by appropriately selecting the length of the portion D, so that it is equal to the height, in the geometrical sense of the term, of the triangle having sides, A, B, and C, the portion C being the meeting portions C, and CZ, the latter are then automatically placed in the extension of one another, their facing ends being maintained in contact by the cooperation of the tab 33 and the opening 28. This provides a prismatic structure with triangular base and flat or substantially flat faces.

To fold the structure, it is then sufficient to exert pressure on the edges of sides A and B adjacent portions C, and Cz to flatten the structure, which then takes in section the configuration shown in Figure 5. We can then fold the different bands constituting this structure on each other, for example accordion, so that the structure occupies a minimum place. The folded structure can be easily stored, stacked or shipped by mail.

To use this structure, it is sufficient to grasp it by one side of an end band and lift it. The structure then unfolds under the action of gravity, then it unfolds under the action of the elastic bracelets or to take its final form of prismatic structure with triangular base. We can then rest it on the floor or on a piece of furniture according to the size of the structure, the triangular base ensuring the stability of the whole. The information printed on the faces of the structure is then visible on all sides, no mounting or holding device being visible from the outside.

Of course, depending on the dimensions that will be chosen for the portions A, B and C, it will be possible to obtain a prismatic structure whose base will consist of any isosceles triangle, a right isosceles triangle, or a equilateral triangle. Similarly, it will be possible to form in a sheet as many adjacent strips as the one shown in FIG. 2, according to the desired height for the self-supporting structure once deployed.

There is shown in Figures 3, 6 and 7 a self-supporting structure made according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring now to Figures 3, 6 and 7, there is shown a cardboard sheet, generally designated by the reference T, after cutting and before folding and assembly, and intended to form a self-supporting structure as shown in Figure 1, and also having three visible faces G, H and I forming a prismatic structure with a triangular base.

The sheet T comprises two portions G and H, intended to form two faces G and H of the structure P, two portions I and I2 intended to form together the third face I of the self-supporting structure, central mounting portions J " J2 and K "K2 end mounting portions. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the portions K "H, I", J 2, 12, G and K 2 follow each other in this order, and are separated by folds 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 and 46, all the folds being in the same direction, the back of the fold being for example shown in Figure 3, except the fold 40, the hollow is shown in this Figure.

The portions J ", K 2, K 2 and K 2 are generally trapezoidal in shape, their small base being adjacent to a portion intended to form a visible face of the structure once deployed.

Circular apertures 47 and 48 are formed at the upper and lower ends respectively (considering FIG. 3) of the folds 34, 38, 42 and 46 between the mounting portions and the portions intended to form visible faces of the structure. once deployed, and are intended to prevent further tearing.

As mentioned above, for reasons of clarity of the drawing, FIG. 3 represents only a part of the sheet according to the invention, the part represented constituting a strip of this sheet, which comprises several identical strips comprising the same portions, allocated a $ prime%, a $ second% and so on, the parts of the same name being adjacent to each other, a space that can be left between the mounting portions. It can thus be seen that such a sheet T can also be obtained very easily by a simple cutting operation, which can be performed simultaneously with a ply marking operation.

To mount the structure, it is enough to fold all the folds in the same direction, except the fold 40 which is folded in the other direction. The central mounting portions J 1 and J 2 being folded over one another, the folds 38 and 42 are thus found next to one another and form, as previously, a device for fastening the elastic strap 51. The portions K , and KZ are brought one on the other. This gives a configuration such as that shown in Figure 6 in top view. It is then enough to pass an elastic strap 51 in the openings 47, aligned in pairs, and in the openings 48, aligned in pairs (only the latter having been shown in Figure 6) taking care to cross the elastic strap 51 between the portions K, and KZ on the one hand, and J, and Jz on the other hand, as can be seen in Figure 6.

Under the action of the elastic strap 51, it immediately and automatically takes the prismatic shape with triangular base and flat or substantially flat faces shown in perspective in Figure 1, and viewed from above in Figure 6. The mounting portions of end K, and Kz, contiguous to each other, abut against the central mounting portions J, and JZ, themselves contiguous to one another. As we saw above, by appropriately choosing the length of the portions J ", Jz, K, and K2, so that they are equal to each other and to half the height, in the geometric sense of the term, of the triangle having for sides the portions G, H and I, the portion I being the meeting of the portions I and IZ, the latter are then automatically placed in the extension of one another, their ends facing each other being kept in contact by the cooperation of the elastic strap 51 and openings 48.

In this second embodiment, the attachment device of the elastic strap 51 formed by the central mounting portions J1 and JZ folded one on the other also constitutes a stop device for a second mounting portion, in the the end mounting portions K1 and Kz are joined to each other.

To fold the structure, it is then sufficient to exert pressure on the edges of the faces G and H adjacent portions I, and Iz to flatten the structure, which then takes in section the configuration shown in Figure 7. We can then fold the different bands constituting this structure on each other, for example accordion, so that the structure occupies a minimum place. The folded structure can be easily stored, stacked or shipped by mail.

To use this structure, it suffices, as we have seen above, to grasp it by a face of an end band and to lift it. The structure then unfolds under the action of gravity, then it unfolds under the action of the elastic bracelets or to take its final form of prismatic structure with triangular base. We can then rest it on the floor or on a piece of furniture according to the size of the structure, the triangular base ensuring the stability of the whole. The information printed on the faces of the structure is then visible on all sides, no mounting or holding device being visible from the outside. We can also choose for the dimensions of the portions G, H and I to obtain a prismatic structure whose base consists of any isosceles triangle, a right isosceles triangle, or an equilateral triangle. Similarly, it will be possible to form in a sheet as many adjacent strips as the one shown in FIG. 2, according to the desired height for the self-supporting structure once deployed.

FIGS. 8 to 10 show a variant of the first embodiment, described with reference to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, this embodiment having four visible faces.

The self-supporting structure, designated as a whole by the reference Q, has four visible faces AA, BB, CC, and CC, forming a prismatic structure based on a quadrilateral.

It can be seen in FIG. 8 that the sheet U used has the same portions as the sheet S of FIG. 2, only the respective dimensions of the different portions having been modified to obtain a base of the prismatic structure which forms a quadrilateral. This variant will therefore not be described in detail, its layout and method of operation clearly derived from the description that has already been made. By slightly modifying these respective dimensions, it will thus be possible to obtain a prismatic structure with a square, rectangular or diamond-shaped base.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show an alternative embodiment of the second embodiment, described with reference to FIGS. 3, 6 and 7, this variant embodiment also comprising four visible faces. The self-supporting structure, designated as a whole by the reference Q, has four visible faces GG, HH, II, and II ,, forming a prismatic structure based on quadrilateral.

It can be seen in FIG. 11 that the sheet V used has the same portions as the sheet T of FIG. 3, only the respective dimensions of the different portions having been modified to obtain a base of the prismatic structure which forms a quadrilateral. This variant will therefore not be described in detail, its layout and method of operation obviously derived from the description that has already been made. By slightly modifying these respective dimensions, it will also be possible to obtain a prismatic structure with a square, rectangular or diamond-shaped base.

FIGS. 13 to 15 show a second variant of the first embodiment, described with reference to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, this variant embodiment having two visible faces.

The self-supporting structure, designated as a whole by the reference Q, has two visible faces a, b, forming a prismatic structure based on ellipse.

It can be seen in FIG. 13 that the sheet V used has a reduced number of portions with respect to the sheet S of FIG. 2, so as to obtain a base of the prismatic structure which forms an ellipse. The modes of assembly and operation are substantially identical to those already described and will not be described in detail, since they clearly result from the description that has already been made. By slightly modifying the respective dimensions of the different portions, it will be possible to obtain a prismatic structure based on an ellipse from which the radius of curvature of the visible faces can be chosen at will.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show a second alternative embodiment of the second embodiment, described with reference to FIGS. 3, 6 and 7, this second variant also comprising two visible faces, forming a prismatic structure based on FIGS. ellipse.

It can be seen in FIG. 16 that the used sheet also has a reduced number of portions with respect to the sheet T of FIG. 3, so as to obtain a base of the prismatic structure which forms an ellipse . The modes of assembly and operation are substantially identical to those already described and will not be described in detail, since they clearly result from the description that has already been made. By slightly modifying the respective dimensions of the different portions, it will be possible to obtain a prismatic structure based on an ellipse from which the radius of curvature of the visible faces can be chosen at will.

It has therefore been realized according to the present invention a visual information presentation structure, particularly simple to manufacture without prohibitive costs, and the simplest possible use. This display is easily foldable to minimize congestion during periods of non-use. The handling of this display, to arrange it in the use position or to fold it is particularly simple to achieve. Indeed, the display that has just been described automatically takes its form of use without any manipulation other than to grasp by its upper end. In the same way, when the use of the structure according to the present invention is no longer justified, it is very easy for the user to fold it. The width, the length and the height of the display stand can be chosen freely according to the visual information that one wishes to communicate or the place where the display will be installed, without noticeable change to the structure which one just described, even for displays of relatively large height, for example between one and two meters.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments that have been described, but is likely to receive many modifications that will occur to those skilled in the art. Thus, for example, the number of strips comprising the information presentation portions and the mounting portions may be determined according to the desired height of the display and / or the nature of the visual information to be communicated.

Claims (1)

CLAIMS 1 - Freestanding and collapsible information presentation structure comprising information presentation portions (A, B, C, G, H, I, AA, BB, CC ", CC, GG) , H, II, II, a, b, g, h) and mounting portions (D, E "E2, F; J2, K" K2; DD, E "; E2, FF; JJ ,, KK "KK2; d, e" and, f; j ", k" k2), the information mounting and presentation portions forming quadrilaterals and being distributed according to at least a strip and separated by fold lines, the structure being prismatic and consisting of the information presentation portions (A, B, C; G, H, I; AA, BB, CC "<B> CC,; < / B> GG, HH, II "II, a, b; g, h), the mounting portions (D, E" E2, F; JI, <B> J ,, </ B> K1, K2; DD, E "<B> E ,, </ B> FF; JJ" JJ ,, KK "KK2; d, el, e2, f; <B> it '</ b> j2, k" k,) being located within the prismatic structure, resilient members (50, 51) attached to opposed mounting portions being provided for r cause an automatic deployment of the structure, characterized in that two central mounting portions (E "E2; J "EE; EE" EE2; JJ ,, JJ2; e "and j" j2) are adjacent to each other by a first of their sides and each to an information presenting portion by a second side opposite to the first one, these central mounting portions being arranged on the other side. against each other to simultaneously form a hooking device of the resilient members (50, 51) and a stop for a second mounting portion provided with a fastening device of the elastic members (50, 51). 2 - self-supporting and collapsible information presentation structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the central mounting portions are trapezoidal shape, their small base being adjacent to a portion of information presentation. 3 - self-supporting and collapsible information presentation structure according to claim 2, characterized in that circular openings are formed at the end of the folds between the central mounting portions and the immediately adjacent information presentation portions. 4 - self-supporting and collapsible information presentation structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the portions at each end of the strip are mounting portions cooperating with each other to form the prismatic structure. 5 - self-supporting and collapsible information presentation structure according to claim 4, characterized in that a cutout (28, 30) is formed in the central part of the fold line between a first of the end mounting portions and the immediately adjacent information presenting portion, said cutout (28, 30) being adapted to cooperate with a tab (33) formed in the opposite end mounting portion by means of a cutout (32, 34). 6 - self-supporting and collapsible information presentation structure according to claim 5, characterized in that the first of the end mounting portions comprises a cutout (24) whose ends open into circular openings (26). 7 - Self-supporting and collapsible information presentation structure according to claim 4, characterized in that the end mounting portions are trapezoidal in shape, their small base being adjacent to a presentation portion of FIG. information. 8 - self-supporting structure and collapsible presentation of information according to claims 3 and 6, characterized in that the elastic member (50) through the circular openings formed at the end of the folds between the central mounting portions and the portions of presenting immediately adjacent information, and the circular openings (26) formed at the ends of the cutout formed in the first of the end mounting portions. 9 - self-supporting and collapsible information presentation structure according to claims 3 and 7, characterized in that the elastic member (51) through the circular openings formed at the end of the folds between the central mounting portions and the portions of presenting immediately adjacent information, and the circular openings formed at the end of the folds between the end mounting portions and the immediately adjacent information presenting portions. 10 - Self-supporting and collapsible information presentation structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the information presentation portions (A, B, C, G, H, I, AA, BB, CC " CC, GG, HH, II, IIa, b, g, h) and the mounting portions (D, E "E2, F1, J2, K" K2, DD, E "E2, FF; KK, K, K, K, K, K, K are formed in one piece without gluing, the central mounting portions being separated from one another. other by a fold line (16, 40) in the opposite direction to that of the other fold lines.