IES990434A2 - Divider system for shelving - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention describes a planar spacer for use with a display stand comprising a shelf and a backing to the shelf. The spacer has a first engagement means adapted to co-operate with or be received in one of a row of receiver formations contained within the shelf. It may additionally have a second engagement means adapted to co-operate with or be received within one of a row of receiver formation contained within the backing to the shelf. An engagement of the first and second engagement means with the corresponding receiver formations ensures that the spacer is maintained in an upright standing position, thereby subdividing the shelf into a series of distinct areas. <Figure 2>

Description

Field of the invention The invention relates to a display unit for use in the retail display of goods and in particular a display unit comprising a series of spacers for separating or dividing goods on a retail shelving system.

Background to the invention It is well known in retail shops to provide display stands suitable for displaying the goods that are for sale in the shop. Many products such as cigarettes are packaged in small containers and it is usual to stack multiple packets on the same shelf. With the many different brands available it is necessary to separate different brands from one another. This is commonly achieved using spacers or dividers along the display shelf.

Although each particular brand or type of cigarettes can be displayed on a separate shelf, it is often easier to use a single shelf, but to separate specific brands on that shelf from one another using plastic or similar type material dividers. A known method of preventing the mixing of different types of packages by partitioning the packages from one another on the shelf is to utilise an extruded plastic moulding which is positioned on the shelf. The known extruded mouldings normally sit proud of the shelf and provide engagement channels wherein a removable spacer or divider can sit. The problem exists with these known divider arrangements in that due to the fact that the extruded plastic fits proud of the shelf it is not possible to position the cigarette packages at the back of the shelf nor at the base of the shelf. As such it is very difficult to maintain the cigarette packages in a tidy organised manner and the capacity of the shelf is reduced.

OPEN TO PUBLIC INSPECTION UNDER SECTOR 28 ANO RULE 23 .OF.

IE990434 US-A-5161704 describes an alternative divider arrangement for separating a retail display shelf into specific zones and maintain the merchandise in orderly and segregated arrangement of different types of different merchandise. The divider utilised includes an upright dividing panel which is preferably made of plastic and is formed with a laterally extending foot for supporting the foot in an upright position on the shelf. The use of the foot together with a plate with resilient tabs allows the divider to be positioned with any one of a number of positions. The problem still exists with this arrangement that as the foot and plate grip the base and the front of the shelf unit it is difficult to affix items such as pricing to the front of the unit and furthermore as the foot is positioned proud of the base of the shelf it is difficult to maintain the merchandise product at the front of the shelf in an upright position.

There therefore exists a problem with regard to the provision of a shelving arrangement with spacers to allow the separation of the shelf into different product areas, but also allows the product packages to be positioned flush with the back and base of the shelving unit.

Object of the invention It is an object of the present invention to provide a display unit with a divider system that allows for the positioning of spacers, which can easily be removed, at predefined positions and allows the products to sit flush with the shelf itself .

Summary of the invention Accordingly the invention provides a display unit for use in the display of goods comprising; a shelf: a backing extending upwardly at the rear of the shelf, the planes of the shelf and backup intersecting on a junction line; IE990434 at least one planar spacer having a lower edge for resting on the shelf and a rear edge for butting against the backing: wherein the lower and rear edges of the spacer having engagement portions projecting therefrom, and wherein the shelf and backing each have a plurality of receiver formations for receiving said engagement portions, the receiver formations being in a row along the shelf and backing respectively, parallel to the said junction line, being set into the surface of the shelf and backing, and each receiver formation in the shelf being aligned with a receiver formation in the backing such that the or each spacer can be maintained in an upright position by engagement of the respective engagement portions on the lower and rear edges of the spacer with selected corresponding receiver formations in the shelf and backing.

The display unit of the invention allows the spacer(s) to be installed quickly and conveniently at any chosen location along the row of receiver formations. The receiver formations do not stand proud of the surfaces of the shelf and backing, so that goods can be stacked on the shelf areas between the spacers, flush with both the shelf and the backing.

The receiver formations may suitably be recesses, grooves, slots or apertures, and the engagement portions on the spacer(s) are shaped to correspond therewith. The lower and rear edges of the spacer may each have a single engagement portion, or may have a sequence of two or more engagement portions. This is a matter of choice, provided that the engagement portions fit fully and snugly into the receiver formations.

Preferably the shelf and backing are substantially perpendicular to each other. However angles greater or smaller than 90° can be used, depending on the nature of the goods to be stacked on the shelf.

IE990434 The spacer is preferably manufactured from a substantially transparent or translucent material, which is preferably a plastic or synthetic resin material such as the acrylic resin sold under the trade mark “Perspex”.

The spacer preferably includes means to allow easy identification of the quantity of stock contained within said shelf.

The rows of receiver formations are preferably formed by the inlay of a suitable strip of material, such as multi-density fibre board (MDF), within the shelf and backing.

The shelf may also incorporate a front fitted lighting arrangement located at the front of the shelf remote from the backing adapted to illuminate products located within the shelf, or below the shelf or a combination of both.

The invention also provides a substantially planar spacer for use with a display stand comprising a shelf and a backing to the shelf, the spacer comprising a first engagement means adapted to co-operate with or be received within one of a row of receiver formations contained within the shelf, and a second engagement means adapted to co-operate with or be received within one of a row of receiver formations contained within the backing, such that on engagement of the first and second engagement means with their respective receiver formations the spacer is maintained in an upright standing position.

In another aspect the present invention provides a lighting arrangement adapted to be fitted at the front of a shelf comprising: a housing for a light source a first fixing means for fixing the housing to the shelf and wherein the housing is adapted to illuminate products located either on or below the shelf to which the housing is fixed and the housing may further comprise a support means fitted to the housing and adapted to support pricing notification IE990434 identifiers. Preferably the housing is closed except along one longitudinal opening through which light is transmitted in a desired direction.

Brief Description Of The Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view from the front and side of a display stand, incorporating a divider system according to the present invention but not showing spacers, Figure 2 is a perspective view of a divider system according to the present invention, with 2 spacers in engaged position and one spacer prepared for installation, Figure 3 is a view from the side of one embodiment of a spacer for use with the divider system of Figure 2, Figure 4 is a section through a end portion of a shelf according to the present invention with a lighting fixture attached thereto, and Figure 5 is a perspective view of the lighting fixture of Figure 4 mounted on a known shelf.

Detailed Description Of The Drawings Figure 1 shows a display stand 1 incorporating shelving, but not showing the spacers, of the present invention. The stand 1 comprises a multipEcity of shelves 7 each having a backing 8. A light box 5 or advertising panel may additionally be positioned in the top region of the display stand.

Figures 2 and 3 shows a dividing system 6 according to the present invention. The dividing system comprises a shelf 7 and a backing 8 to the shelf which are used in combination with one or several spacers or dividers 9. The shelf 7 and backing 8 are plane rigid materials in the shape of boards and meet at junction line 50. In another embodiment, the shelf and backing can finish short of the junction line but the planes of their surfaces intersect at the junction line. The shelf 7 is provided with a row 10 of slots, in which each slot 11 is in axial alignment with a corresponding slot 12 in a row 13 of slots inlaid in the backing to the shelf. The rows of slots 10,13 are positioned IE990434 within the shelf 7 and backing 8 to the shelf at a sufficient depth so as to be flush with the surfaces 14,15 of the shelf and backing respectively. The rows of slots are preferably formed in strips manufactured from pliable multi density fibreboard (MDF) inserted into channels in the shelf and backing but as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art any arrangement which can provide a series of receiver formations and which can be inlaid in shelving may be used. Such an alternative is extruded plastic. Each of the rows 10,13 is parallel to the junction line 50.

Each spacer 9 comprises a plate 16 with a comer apex 19 and a first and second engagement portions 17,18 which protrude proud of the lower edge and rear edge respectively. The engagement portions are preferably of sufficient dimension as to engage the slots fully when placed within them so as to be firmly mounted therein but removable therefrom when re quired. The engagement portions are positioned at a distance from the apex 19 sufficient such that when the apex abuts the shelf and backing to the shelf at the junction line 50, the engagement portions 17,18 are positioned within a chosen slot. The spacer is preferably manufactured from a transparent or translucent material such as acrylic resin but depending on the preference of the user, or the proposed application, any material may be utilised.

A user may of course choose to secure the spacers in chosen slots by means of adhesive, or the like, if desired.

As shown in Figure 3 the spacer 9 may additionally comprise a stock taking guide 20 which is adapted to suit cigarette packages of both large 21 and small 22 quantities. When the packages (not shown) are stacked in the shelf using the dividing system of the present invention each package occupies a space defined by a guide for either the small or large packages.

Figure 4 is a cross section through a lighting fixture 30 which may be positioned to the end of the shelf 7 of the divider system of the present invention. The lighting fixture comprises an extruded aluminium housing 31 for a fluorescent tube or similar IE990434 Ί light source 32. The housing is preferably affixed to the shelf 7 using a flange 33 and screws or studs 34. The housing additionally provides a mounting means 35 for mounting a ticket rail support track 36. Such a support track 36 is preferably a magnetic material and is used for positioning prices (in the form of magnetic numbering, not shown) of the stock placed immediately above on the shelf. The housing 31 is partially sealed so as to shield light from the tube illuminating all areas, but an elongated opening 37 is formed in the top region of the housing at and above the top surface of the shelf 7 so as to illuminate the stock on the shelf on which the lighting fixture 30 is positioned.

Figure 5 is a perspective view from the front and side of the lighting fixture 30 of Figure 4 but mounted on a shelf unit 2 not of the present invention.

The words “comprises/comprising” and the words “having/including” when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

Claims (5)

Claims

1. A display unit for use in the display of goods comprising: a shelf: a backing extending upwardly at the rear of the shelf, the planes of the shelf and backing intersecting on a junction line: at least one planar spacer having a lower edge for resting on the shelf and a rear edge for butting against the backing: wherein the lower and rear edges of the spacer having engagement portions projecting therefrom, and wherein the shelf and backing each have a plurality of receiver formations for receiving said engagement portions, the receiver formations being in a row along the shelf and backing respectively parallel to the said function line, being set into the surface of the shelf and backing, and each receiver formation in the shelf being aligned with a receiver formation in the backing, such that the or each spacer can be maintained in an upright position by engagement of the respective engagement portions on the lower and rear edges of the spacer with selected corresponding receiver formations in the shelf and backing.

2. A display unit according to claim 1 wherein the receiver formations are recesses, grooves, slots or apertures in the surface of the shelf or backing.

3. A display unit according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the receiver formations are defined in a strip of material inset into the material of the shelf and backing.

4. The display unit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the shelf and backing are substantially perpendicular to each other.

5. A display unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and or as illustrated in one or more of the accompanying drawings.