FR2873274A1 - TELESCOPIC SEPARATOR COMPRISING SLIDING MEANS HAVING CONTINUOUS DURING SLIDING - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates in a first aspect to a telescopic divider (2) for arranging the arrangement of products on a sales surface shelf comprising at least two panels (1a, 1b) arranged side by side to together form a partition for separating items. groups of products arranged on the shelf, the panels being able to be offset in translation with respect to each other to adapt the separator to shelves of different sizes, the separator being characterized in that it comprises sliding means (5a, 5b; 6a, 6b; 7a, 7b) of the panels between them making it possible to offset the panels in translation with respect to one another and thus to adapt the separator to shelves of different sizes. The sliding means are advantageously continuously retaining the panels together during sliding. The invention also relates, according to another aspect, to a panel intended to be used for the formation of a telescopic separator according to the first aspect of the invention. invention.

Description

The field of the invention is that of equipment and accessories for

  sales areas such as supermarkets and hypermarkets.

  The invention relates more particularly to a separator for arranging the arrangement of products, including food, on a shelf sales area.

  Many products are actually placed on shelves to be presented for sale in supermarkets. Separators are then typically used to form a partition for separating groups of products arranged on the shelf.

  The shelves on which the products are arranged, however, have a variable depth.

  A first solution is therefore to use different types of separator, each having an elongation adapted to a shelf depth. However, it is readily understood that such a solution is not acceptable when it comes to equipping a sales area with a wide variety of shelves of different depths.

  It has been proposed telescopic dividers, which can be adjusted to form partitions of varying lengths, and thus be positioned on shelves of different depths.

  US 6,685,037 and discloses a telescopic separator comprising a front panel and a rear panel arranged side by side to form together a partition for separating groups of products arranged on a shelf of sales area.

  Each of the panels has a number of uprights and has a hook. The panels are connected to each other by coming to position the hooks so that each receives an amount of the other panel.

  Due to the plurality of uprights, the front and back panels can be offset relative to one another so as to define a partition adapted to a certain shelf depth.

  Such a telescopic separator is however not completely satisfactory.

  Because of the limited number of amounts, the separator is effectively adapted to a limited number of shelf depths.

  Such a separator is also complex in that it requires the development of several separate parts, namely a rear panel, a front panel and the hooks that are arranged on these panels.

  Manipulation of the separator, for its elongation or shrinkage, requires the panels to be separated to make them take a new separation, which can be tedious.

  It should also be noted that the system of hooks for the assembly of the panels does not allow a real solidarity of the panels between them. It is thus possible, especially in case of shock, that the panels of the separator are separated, the separator can not then properly perform its role in arranging the arrangement of products on the shelf.

  The object of the invention is to propose a telescopic separator which does not have these disadvantages, and which is in particular simple to produce and to manipulate.

  To this end, the invention proposes a telescopic separator for arranging the arrangement of products on a sales floor shelf comprising at least two panels arranged side by side to form together a partition for separating groups of products arranged on the shelf. , the panels being translational shifted relative to each other to adapt the separator to shelves of different sizes, the separator being characterized in that it comprises sliding means of the panels between them for shifting the panels in translation relative to each other and thus adapt the separator to shelves of different sizes.

  Some preferred, but not limiting, aspects of the separator according to the invention are as follows: the sliding means can be in continuous retention of the panels together during sliding; to form said sliding means, each panel may have a slot extending therealong and opening to an opening, and a T-shaped member projecting from a face of the panel, the opening of each panel being adapted so that the T element of the other panel can be introduced, the slot of each panel 1 o being adapted so that the T element of the other panel can slide there when the panels are driven and offset in translation with respect to each other; the panels may advantageously be identical, the T-element of each panel then being arranged in the extension of the slot and the opening of said panel; - The sliding means may also be formed by a slide system in which a longitudinal rail arranged projecting from a face of a panel is slid in a correspondingly arranged guide on one side of another panel; each panel may comprise a clipping tab adapted to mount said panel on a rail arranged at one end of the shelf and the panels are joined together so that the separator has a clipping tab at each from its extremities; - Each panel may also have a housing for receiving a magnet for mounting the separator on a metal shelf.

  The invention also relates in another aspect to a panel intended to be used for the formation of a telescopic separator for arranging the arrangement of products on a sales surface shelf characterized in that it comprises means adapted to slide 2873274 4 relative to another panel, while remaining continuously attached to said other panel during sliding.

  Other aspects, objects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of nonlimiting example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which: - Figure 1 shows a side view of a panel used to form a telescopic separator according to a possible embodiment of the invention; FIGS. 2 and 3 show respectively a view from above and a bottom view of the panel of FIG. 1; - Figures 4 and 5 show respectively a right view and a left view of the panel of Figure 1; FIG. 6 represents a perspective view of the panel of FIG. 1; - Figure 7 shows a profile view of the telescopic separator formed by the assembly of two panels of the type shown in Figures 1 to 6.

  In the context of the invention, and as shown in FIG. 7, two panels 1a, 1b are associated to form together a telescopic separator 2.

  The panels are preferably identical, but it will be understood that the invention is in no way limited to this embodiment, the described separator can easily be modified by those skilled in the art, in particular to use non-identical panels.

  The panels are arranged side by side to form a partition together and can be offset in translation relative to each other to adapt the separator to shelves of different sizes.

  The separator 2 is actually intended to be mounted on a shelf and positioned in the vertical plane thereof to define a partition between products of different types.

  The separator 2 extends longitudinally along the axis L shown in Figure 7, so as to occupy the entire depth of the shelf.

  As will be detailed later, the separator 2 is telescopic in that the panels 1a, 1b can be manipulated so that the length (along the axis L) of the separator 2 is precisely adapted to the depth of the shelf .

  For this purpose, the separator according to the invention comprises means for sliding the panels together, and in particular sliding means for continuously retaining the panels together during sliding.

  Figures 1 to 6 show more precisely different views of a panel 1 to be used "for the formation of a telescopic separator.

  The general shape of the panel 1 is that of a vertical panel, resting on a flat base 4. Said panel 1 extends longitudinally so that a first end of said panel 1 is positioned at one end of the shelf.

  The panel 1 comprises more precisely at its base 4, on the side of this first end, a clipping lug 3 adapted to mount the panel 1 on a rail arranged at one end of a sales area shelf.

  Once said mounting assured, the base 4 of the panel 1 is in contact with the shelf.

  As is apparent in Figure 7, arranging as will be more particularly detailed thereafter the panels 1a, 1b in headbêche, it assures the mounting of the separator 2 thus formed on the shelf via the clipping lug 3a of the panel the fixed on a rail at one end of the shelf and the clipping lug 3b of the panel lb fixed on another rail at the other end of the shelf.

  According to another embodiment of the invention, the base 4 of the panel 1 may also include a housing 11 (see Figure 3) adapted to receive a magnet, here in the form of a circle. It is thus possible to fix the separator on a metal shelf using the magnets received by the panels.

  The separator can finally be positioned on rails arranged on a shelf and / or directly attached to a metal shelf using magnets. The separator can thus be easily manipulated and moved.

  Returning to the description of the panel 1, it comprises means adapted to slide relative to another panel against which it is positioned, while remaining continuously held at said other panel during sliding.

  According to a possible embodiment of the invention, the panel 1 has for this purpose a slot 5 extending longitudinally over almost the entire panel.

  The slot 5 opens, on the opposite side to the end of the panel 1 intended to cooperate with one end of the shelf, on an opening 6.

  The slot shown here in the drawings is arranged in the center of the panel. The invention is however not limited to this particular embodiment, the slot can be arranged differently while allowing the sliding of the panels relative to each other.

  The panel further comprises, for example in the extension of the slot 5 and the opening 6 but separated therefrom (this is particularly the case when the panels used are identical), a T-shaped element 7 consisting of 8 an arm (see Figures 4 and 5) projecting from a side face of the panel 1, and transverse branches 9 extending symmetrically on either side of the end of the arm 8 perpendicular to that- this.

  The slot 5, the opening 6 and the T-shaped element 7 are more precisely 3o shaped so that a T-shaped element similar to said element 7 can be introduced through the opening 6, which element can then be slid through the slit without however being removed (the arm of the T-member extends then through the slot, while the transverse branches of said element open on the other side of the slot and thus prevent the separation of the panels), except of course to slide back said element to the opening 6.

  The separator according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is formed, as illustrated in FIG. 7, using two identical panels 1a and 1b of the type previously discussed and illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6.

  The panels are for this purpose placed head-to-tail, face to face. In this way, the ends bearing, if appropriate, the clipping lugs 3a, 3b are each arranged at one end of the assembly thus formed by the combination of said plates 1a, 1b. In order to assemble the panels 1a, 1b, the T-piece 7a of the panel 1a (on the right in FIG. 7) is introduced into the opening 6b provided in the panel 1b (on the left in FIG. 7). and in the same manner we just introduce the T element 7b of the panel lb in the opening 6a of the panel la.

  It is then possible to slide the panels la, lb one vis-a-vis the other, in a translational movement along the axis L. The T element 7a of the panel then comes slide in the slot 5b of the panel 1b, while the T element 7b of the panel lb slid into the slot 5a of the panel.

  It is possible in this way, by simply sliding the panels together, to adapt the length of the separator 2.

  The sliding is also continuously retained in that the panels are continuously linked together during their sliding.

  According to a particular embodiment of the invention, each panel may further have a slide 9 (see Figure 6) arranged projecting at the base thereof to allow sliding guidance of the other panel.

  According to yet another particular embodiment of the invention, each panel may also have, on the side where the clipping lug is located, a stop 10 (see FIG. 6) adapted to contribute to the limitation of the stroke. from the other panel.

  Note that the length of the separator is adjustable at will (to the extent allowed by the length of the slots 5a, 5b) by sliding the panels together, and is therefore not limited to one of a plurality of possible lengths.

  Moreover, when the sliding is carried out with continuous retention of 1 o panels between them, the adjustment is easy, without having in particular to separate the panels.

  Once assembled, the panels also form a secured assembly and can hardly be separated, and whatever the arrangement of one relative to the other. In the context of the embodiment presented above, a T-element does indeed have only one degree of freedom when it is positioned in a slot: it can effectively only slide along it, and can not especially not be removed from this slot.

  It will be understood from the foregoing that the assembly and handling of two panels for the formation of a separator of a given length are particularly easy, and in particular does not require any specific tooling.

  A particularly advantageous embodiment of the telescopic separator according to the invention is that in which the panels forming said separator are strictly identical. The realization of the separator is thus simplified, as for example its packaging and use.

  The separator panels may be made of plastic, preferably injected plastic, and thus economically.

  Furthermore, the panels can advantageously be made of transparent material so as to give the separator a certain discretion when it is positioned on a shelf of sales area.

  Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, but the skilled person will be able to make many variations or modifications.

  In particular, it is understood that the separator described can be easily modified by those skilled in the art to adopt sliding means different from those presented above.

  The sliding means can thus take the form of a slide system. A panel may thus for example comprise on one face a longitudinal guide and, projecting from the other face, a clean longitudinal rail to engage in a guide. In the context of such a variant, identical panels can be placed head-to-tail so that the rail projecting from one panel comes into engagement with the guide of the other, the panels being then able to slide relative to one another. to each other to adjust the length of the separator.

  In addition, the guide and rail may be shaped so that sliding is carried out with continuous retention of the panels together during sliding, in particular by adopting a generally T-shaped rail and a guide arranged in a complementary manner.

2873274 10

Claims (13)

  1. Telescopic separator (2) for arranging the arrangement of products on a sales floor shelf comprising at least two panels (1, la, lb) arranged side by side to form together a partition for separating groups of products arranged on the shelf, the separator being characterized in that it comprises means for sliding the panels together to shift the panels in translation relative to each other and to adapt the separator to shelves of different sizes.   2. Separator according to claim 1, characterized in that the sliding means are continuously retaining the panels together during sliding.   3. Separator according to claim 2, characterized in that, to form the sliding means, each panel (1, la, 1b) has a slot (5, 5a, 5b) extending along it and opening on an opening (6, 6a, 6b), and a T-shaped element (7, 7a, 7b) protruding from one face of the panel, the opening of each panel being adapted so that the element T of the other panel can be introduced, the slot of each panel being adapted so that the T-element of the other panel can slide there when the panels are driven in translation relative to each other .   4. Separator according to claim 3, characterized in that it is formed of identical panels positioned head to tail, the T-shaped element of each panel being arranged in the extension of the slot and the opening of said panel.   2873274 He 5. Separator according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the sliding means are formed by a slide system in which a rail arranged projecting from a face of a panel is slid in a guide arranged so that corresponding on one side of another panel.   6. Separator according to claim 5, characterized in that it is formed of identical panels, each panel having on one side a longitudinal guide and, projecting from the other side, a clean longitudinal rail to engage lo engage in a guide, the panels being positioned head to tail so that the rail of a panel comes to engage in the guide of the other.   7. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each panel comprises a clipping lug (3, 3a, 3b) adapted to mount said panel on a rail arranged at one end of the shelf and in that that the panels are joined back-to-back so that the separator has a clipping tab at each of its ends.   8. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each panel has at its base a housing for receiving a magnet for mounting the separator on a metal shelf.   9. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the panels are made of injected plastic material.   10. Panel (1, la, 1b) intended to be used for the formation of a separator (2) telescopic for arranging the arrangement of products on a shelf of sales area characterized in that it comprises means adapted to slide with another panel with which it forms said separator, while remaining continuously held at said other panel during sliding.   11. Panel according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a slot (5, 5a, 5b) extending along the length of the panel and opening onto an opening (6, 6a, 6b), and an element T-shaped (7, 7a, 7b) protruding from one of the side faces of said panel, the opening being adapted for another T-shaped element to be inserted therein and the slot being adapted for said other T-shaped element to be inserted therein can come slide.   12. Panel according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the T-shaped element is arranged in the extension of the slot and the opening.   13. Panel intended to be used for the formation of a separator according to any one of claims 1 to 9.