FR2819925A1 - Separator for articles on supermarket checkout conveyor comprises hollow transparent plastic polygonal body with information on inner sleeve - Google Patents

Abstract

The separator consists of a hollow transparent plastic body (1), polygonal in shape with at least three sides and closed by end caps (5). It contains an inner sleeve (7) printed with a message of an informative, promotional or publicity nature that can be seen through any of the transparent sides. The separator consists of a hollow transparent plastic body (1), polygonal in shape with at least three sides and closed by end caps (5). It contains an inner sleeve (7) printed with a message of an informative, promotional or publicity nature that can be seen through any of the transparent sides. The sleeve can also be made with a transparent window and can contain a supple pouch holding a product in liquid, powder or granular form, or one or more solid articles. Another variant can incorporate a light with its own power supply, such as a battery.

Description

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The present invention relates to the field of body separator devices.
Cash separator devices are known, intended to separate the articles of two successive customers presenting themselves at the cash register of a point of sale, which may for example be a supermarket, a large or medium-sized area, etc. Such a device is manually placed by a customer at the point of sale on the cash register conveyor belt, in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of advance of the conveyor belt. The separating device is arranged between the customer's own articles and the articles of the customer who precedes him at the checkout.

 A body separator device is generally in the form of an elongated bar, of a length slightly less than the width of the conveyor belt of the body, generally made of metal or plastic.

Cash separator devices have also been used as information carriers, in particular advertising or promotional information, by virtue of the fact that a customer waiting at the point of sale has an availability of mind conducive to receive targeted information, for example on the chain of stores, on products on promotion in the store or on products for sale near the cash register.

Such a device is disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,534,126, which describes a device for separating items on point-of-sale checkout conveyor belts, comprising a hollow body of elongated shape, made of polystyrene or acrylic, having several faces which are at least partially transparent, so as to present advertising material which would be placed inside the hollow body. Removable closure tips are arranged by force fitting at the two ends of the hollow body. Advertising material includes a multi-faceted element, such as a folded sheet of paper or cardboard, on which a message is printed.

This element is shaped so as to be slid inside the hollow body, and to rest on the interior surfaces of the facets of the hollow body.

The advertising message is visible on each side of the separating device.

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Ce dispositif présente l'avantage de fournir un dispositif séparateur de caisse remplissant également la fonction de support d'informations. Cependant il présente l'inconvénient de proposer des informations statiques ainsi qu'une surface support limitée, ce qui réduit considérablement la quantité d'informations qui peuvent être affichées sur le dispositif.

This device has the advantage of providing a cash separator device also fulfilling the function of information carrier. However, it has the disadvantage of providing static information as well as a limited support surface, which considerably reduces the amount of information which can be displayed on the device.

The object of the present invention is to provide a point-of-sale cash register device, which also fulfills the function of information carrier, and which does not have the above-mentioned drawback inherent in the device of the art. prior.

According to the invention, the device for separating purchases on point-of-sale checkout conveyor belts, comprising: - a hollow body having a polygonal section with at least three sides, closed at each of its ends by a nozzle, - a sheath information carrier intended to be inserted inside the hollow body, and on which is displayed at least one message of an informative, promotional or advertising type, is characterized in that the sheath comprises means for simultaneously receiving at least two displays information on at least part of its surface.

According to the invention, the separating device is characterized in that the sheath comprises on at least part of its surface a striated coating, formed of V-shaped ridges, which are defined by alternately oriented facets and separated by bottoms of streaks and peaks of streaks, and means for displaying information on the surface of the sheath to provide a moving image effect or a raised image effect.

The invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description which follows of two preferred but non-limiting embodiments of a purchasing separator device, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 shows in perspective a first embodiment of the device of the invention; - Figure 2 illustrates in cross section the sleeve;

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 Figure 3 illustrates in perspective the surface of the sheath; Figures 4 to 7 illustrate a moving image effect; Figures 8 to 11 illustrate a relief image effect; Figure 12 shows in perspective a second embodiment of the device of the invention; and FIG. 13 illustrates in perspective a variant of the second embodiment.

According to a first preferred embodiment of the device, and with reference to FIG. 1, the device 1 comprises a hollow body 3 having substantially the shape of an elongated bar. In the example shown in Figure 1, the hollow body 3 has a constant triangular section. Each end of the hollow body 3 is closed by a nozzle 5, which has the shape of a cap of triangular section, and which is force-fitted on said end. Each end piece 5 is removable, so as to allow access to the interior volume of the hollow body 3. The hollow body 3 is preferably made of transparent plastic.

A sheath 7 of triangular section having dimensions very slightly smaller than those of the hollow body is designed to be inserted by sliding inside the hollow body 3. The sheath 7 is visible from the outside through the transparent wall of the hollow body 3. This sheath 7 is made of plastic, preferably PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol). The outer surface 9 of the sleeve 7, intended to be opposite the internal face of the hollow body 3, is coated with a striated coating. Preferably, the ridges 11 have a V shape,. The sheath 7 can for example be made from a sheet of ribbed plastic, such as for example ribbed PVC or ribbed PETG, said sheet being folded in an appropriate manner according to a number of folds each corresponding to the bottom of a stripe 11. Preferably, the sheet comprises one to three folds for a sheath 7 of triangular section. Even more preferably, the sheet comprises two folds.

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Les figures 2 et 3 représentent de façon agrandie la surface du fourreau 7, et illustrent les stries 11, respectivement en coupe perpendiculaire à la dimension longitudinale des stries et en perspective. Les stries 11 sont délimitées par des facettes 15. Elles définissent des fonds de stries 111 et des sommets de stries 113 qui se succèdent de façon alternée.

Figures 2 and 3 show an enlarged surface of the sleeve 7, and illustrate the ridges 11, respectively in section perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the ridges and in perspective. The ridges 11 are delimited by facets 15. They define bottoms of ridges 111 and vertices of ridges 113 which alternate in succession.

The mode of displaying information on the surface 9 of the sheath 7 will be described below.

- 701, 702, 703, 704, 705 et 706, pour l'image 70. Les bandes sont ensuite disposées sur les facettes 15 des stries 11 de la surface 9 du fourreau 7 qui est représentée en vue de dessus à la figure 7, de telle manière que : - les premières bandes 501,601, 701 de chaque image se succèdent sur une première facette 15 de strie 11, - les deuxièmes bandes 502,602, 702 de chaque image se succèdent sur deuxième facette 15 de strie 11 adjacent à la première facette 15, - les troisièmes bandes 503,603, 703 de chaque image se succèdent sur une troisième facette 15 de strie 11, adjacente à la deuxième facette 15, etc..., - les sixièmes bandes 506,606, 706 de chaque image se succèdent sur une sixième facette 15 de strie 11, adjacente à la cinquième facette 15. Figures 4 to 7 illustrate the case of a message presented in the form of an animated image. In the example illustrated, the animation effect results from the succession of three sequences of a scene, these sequences being materialized by three images 50, 60, 70, respectively represented in FIGS. 4,5, and 6. Each image 50.60, 70 is cut into 6 horizontal bands of equal width, bands which are identified in the example illustrated respectively by: - 501, 502.503, 504.505 and 506 for image 50, - 601, 602.603, 604.605 and 606 for image 60,

- 701, 702, 703, 704, 705 and 706, for image 70. The strips are then placed on the facets 15 of the ridges 11 of the surface 9 of the sheath 7 which is shown in top view in FIG. 7, in such a way that: - the first bands 501,601, 701 of each image follow one another on a first facet 15 of streak 11, - the second bands 502,602, 702 of each image succeed each other on second facet 15 of streak 11 adjacent to the first facet 15, - the third bands 503,603, 703 of each image follow one another on a third facet 15 of streak 11, adjacent to the second facet 15, etc ..., - the sixth bands 506,606, 706 of each image succeed one another facet 15 of streak 11, adjacent to the fifth facet 15.

In general, the animation effect results from the succession of N sequences of a scene, these N sequences being materialized by N images.

Each image is divided into M horizontal bands of equal width, bands which are identified respectively by:

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- N/1, N/2,..., N/M pour la Nième image. - 1/1, 1/2, ..., 1 / M for the first image, - 2/1, 2/2, ..., 2 / M for the second image, etc ...,

- N / 1, N / 2, ..., N / M for the Nth image.

 The bands are then placed on the surface of the sheath 7 in such a way that: - the first bands 1/1, 2/1, ..., N / 1 of each image follow one another on a first facet 15 of streak 11, - the second bands 1/2, 2/2, ..., N / 2 of each image follow one another on a second facet 15 of streak 11 adjacent to the first facet 15, etc ..., - the same bands 1 / M , 2 / M, ..., N / M of each image follow one another on a Mth facet 15 of streak 11 adjacent to the (M-1) th facet 15.

When the surface of the sheath 7 is observed by rotating it around a direction parallel to the bottoms 111 of ridges 11 or to the vertices 113 of ridges 11, the effect produced is that of an animated image.

Figures 8 to 11 illustrate the case of a message presented in the form of a raised image. In the example illustrated, the relief effect results from your alternate arrangement of three planes of a scene, these planes being materialized by three images 80, 90, 100, respectively represented in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10. Each image 80.90, 100 is cut into a certain number of vertical bands, bands which are identified in the example illustrated respectively by: - 81, 82.83 for the image 80, - 91, 92.93, 94.95 and 96 for image 90, - 101, 102,103, 104, for image 100.

The bands are then placed on the facets of the ridges 11 of the surface 9 of the sheath 7 which is shown in top view in FIG. 11, in such a way that: the bands 81, 82, 83 of the image materializing the first plane are arranged on the vertices 113 of successive ridges 11, - the bands 91.92, 93.94, 95.96 of the image materializing the second plane are arranged on the facets 15 of successive ridges 11,

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- The bands 101, 102, 103, 104 of the image materializing the third plane are arranged on the bottoms 111 of successive streaks 11.
Generally, the relief effect results from the alternate arrangement of
N shots of a scene, these N shots being materialized by N images. Each image is divided into a number M-1, M-2, ... MN of vertical bands, bands which are identified respectively by: - 1/1, 1/2, ..., 1 / M-1 for the first image, - 2/1, 2/2, ..., 2 / M-2 for the second image, etc ..., - N / 1, N / 2, ... N / MN for the Nth picture.

The bands are then placed on the surface of the sheath 7 in such a way that: - the bands of the image materializing the foreground 1/1, 1/2, ..., 1 / M-
1 are arranged on the vertices 113 of ridges 11, - the bands of the image materializing the second plane 2/1, 2/2, ..., 2 / M-2 are arranged on the facets 15 of ridges 11, adjacent to the previous bands, ....

 the bands of the image materializing the last plane N / 1, N / 2, etc. N / MN are arranged on the backgrounds 111 of streaks 11, the bands of the images materializing the intermediate planes K / 1, K / 2, ..., K / MK are arranged on the facets 15 of ridges 11, successively from the second plane to the penultimate plane.

When the surface of the sheath 7 is observed, the effect produced is that of a relief image, whatever the observation incidence.

According to a second preferred embodiment of the separator device 1, illustrated in FIG. 12, the sheath 7 has at least one window 17 through which is visible from the outside at least part of the volume delimited by said sheath 7. According to a as a variant, said window 17 is a transparent zone 17 of the sheath 7, said zone 17 possibly being striated or possibly being striated. According to another variant, said window 17 consists of an opening 17 formed in the sheath 7. In the example illustrated in the figures, the window 17 has an oval shape, but this shape is not limiting.

Still according to this second embodiment, the separating device 1 comprises a pocket 19, preferably made of plastic material

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transparente, qui est insérée à l'intérieur du fourreau 7. De préférence, ladite poche 19 est thermo-soudée aux deux extrémités 21, et est remplie au moins partiellement d'au moins un contenant.

transparent, which is inserted inside the sheath 7. Preferably, said pocket 19 is heat sealed at both ends 21, and is filled at least partially with at least one container.

 The container can be a liquid product, or a powder or granular product, or a solid product. According to a variant, said product can be presented in bulk in the bag 19, or it can be packaged in individual packages.

According to a preferred application of this other embodiment, the message appearing on the external surface of the sheath 7 is in connection with the product contained inside the pocket 19. The presence of the product presented inside the separator device 1 then reinforces the impact of the message displayed on the sheath 7 visible through the hollow body 3 of the separating device 1.

FIG. 13 illustrates a variant of the second embodiment of the device 1, according to which the hollow body 3, the sheath 7 and the end pieces 5 have a rectangular section instead of a triangular section.

It will be readily understood that all the section geometries of these various elements are compatible with the invention, whether according to the first mode or the second embodiment. Preferred are polygonal sections which promote the stability of the separating device 1 on the conveyor belt of the body, for example a pentagonal, or hexagonal, or octagonal section, or a section having the shape of a regular or non-regular polygon, or a convex or concave shape. The preferred sections are those which allow good stability of the separating device 1 on the conveyor belt of the body. If the number of facets of the body 5 of the separating device 1 is N, the number of folds of the ridged sheet which forms the sheath 7 is preferably N or N-1.

When the sheath 7 has a window 17, this can have a shape different from that which is illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13. It can be a circular or parallelepiped shape, or any shape whose outline represents a known or unknown outline .

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 According to another variant embodiment not illustrated in the figures, and compatible with the first mode as with the second mode, the separating device 1 comprises a lighting device disposed inside the sheath 7. This lighting device is for example consisting of at least one bulb, colored or not, providing continuous or flashing lighting.

Preferably said lighting device is powered by an autonomous energy source, such as one or more batteries.

Preferred examples of dimensions are: a length of 360 mm and a height of 50 mm for a triangular section separator; a length of 360 mm, a width of 35 mm, and a height of 50 mm for a separator device of rectangular section.

The separator device according to the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described. One could in particular envisage alternative embodiments within the reach of those skilled in the art, in particular different shapes and dimensions.

Claims (16)

CLAIMS 1. Device (1) for separating purchases on point of sale checkout conveyor belts, comprising: - a hollow body (3) having a polygonal section with at least three sides, closed at each of its ends by a nozzle ( 5), - a sheath (7) information carrier intended to be inserted inside the hollow body (3), and on which is displayed at least one message of an informative, promotional or advertising type, characterized in that the sheath (7) comprises means (11) for simultaneously receiving at least two displays of information on at least part of its surface (9). 2. Separator device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sheath (7) comprises on at least part of its surface (9) a striated coating, formed of V-shaped ridges (11), which are defined by facets (15) alternately oriented and separated by bottoms (111) of ridges (11) and vertices (113) of ridges (11), and means for the display of information on the surface (9) sheath (7) provide a moving image effect or a raised image effect. 3. Separator device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the means for the information displays on the surface (9) of the sheath (7) which provide an animation effect include: 1) a succession of N sequences of a scene, these N sequences being materialized by N images, each of these N images being divided into M horizontal bands of equal width, bands identified respectively by: - 1/1, 1/2 , ..., 1 / M for the first image, - 2/1, 2/2, ..., 2 / M for the second image, etc. - N / 1, N / 2, ..., N / M for the Nth image, 2) an arrangement of the bands on the surface (9) of the sheath (7) so that: <Desc / Clms Page number 10>  - the first bands 1/1, 2/1, ..., N / 1 of each image follow one another on a first facet (15) of streak (11), - the second bands 1/2, 2/2 ,. .., N / 2 of each image follow one another on a second facet (15) of streak (11) adjacent to the first facet, etc ..., - the same bands 1 / M, 2 / M, ..., N / M of each image follow one another on a Mth facet (15) of streak (11) adjacent to a (M-1) th facet. 4. Separator device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the means for the information displays on the surface (9) of the sheath (7) which provide a relief effect include: 1) an alternate arrangement of N planes of a scene, these N planes being materialized by N images, each of these N images being divided into a certain number M-1, M-2, ... MN of vertical bands, identified respectively by: - 1/1, 1/2, ..., 1 / M-1 for the first image, - 2/1, 2/2, ..., 2 / M-2 for the second image, etc. .... 1 are arranged on the vertices (113) of ridges (11), - the bands of the image materializing the second plane 2/1, 2/2, .... 2) an arrangement of the bands on the surface (9) of the sheath (7) in such a way that: - the bands of the image materializing the foreground 1/1, 1/2, ..., 1 / M-  - N / 1, N / 2, ... N / M-N for the Nth image, N / MN are arranged on the backgrounds (111) of ridges (11), - the bands of the images materializing the intermediate planes K / 1, Ka2, ..., K / MK are arranged on the facets (15) of ridges ( 11), successively from the second plane to the penultimate plane.  2 / M-2 are arranged on the facets (15) of ridges (11), adjacent to the preceding bands, ..., - the bands of the image materializing the last plane N / 1, N / 2, etc. 5. Separator device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the sheath (7) is made of ridged plastic. <Desc / Clms Page number 11>  6. Separator device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the sheath (7) is made of striated PVC or PETG striated. 7. Separator device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the sheath (7) has at least one window (17) allowing the interior volume of the sheath to be seen. 8. Separator device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the window (17) consists of an opening. 9. Separator device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the window (17) consists of a transparent area. 10. Separator device (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that it further comprises a transparent pocket (19) disposed inside the sheath (7), said pocket (19) being at least partially filled with at least one container. 11. Separator device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the container is a liquid product. 12. Separator device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the container is a powder or granular product. 13. Separator device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the container consists of one or more solid articles. 14. Separator device (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the container is presented in at least one package. 15. Separator device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the sheath (7) is at least partially opaque or transparent, and in that it comprises an interior lighting device. <Desc / Clms Page number 12>  16. Separator device (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that the lighting device is powered by an autonomous energy source such as a battery.