ITBG20090011A1 - ELASTIC PUSHER FOR EXHIBITORS AND SELF-SUPPORTING ADVERTISERS. - Google Patents

Description

Invention entitled:

Elastic pusher for self-supporting displays and advertising supports.

This invention refers to the field of self-supporting advertising supports called “totems”, and low-cost containers of goods to be displayed for free collection by buyers, present in shops or supermarkets of the “large distribution”.

In particular, it refers to a pusher device which, when suitably applied to the exhibitors, facilitates the opening operations (self-assembly) and presentation of the goods.

As is known, modern sales techniques tend to put the goods on display, to attract the attention of the buyer, and encourage him to serve himself.

For this purpose, however, the aforementioned modern sales techniques must also preserve the packaging of goods from improper handling, which could damage, tear or dirty them.

To this end, they tend to make only one package accessible to the hands of the buyer, making another package readily accessible as soon as the one positioned to be picked up is removed.

In this way, the buyer is prevented from contacting the other packages contained within the container, avoiding the possibility of relocating it from where it was removed, since that place has in the meantime been automatically occupied by another package.

This well-known method of sale, finds a great diffusion in those packages of small, geometrically stable goods (such as for example candy packages): these packages are in fact stacked on top of each other, and rest on a bottom package that can be removed through a special opening, calibrated for the extraction of only this bottom pack.

As soon as this package is removed, the others go down one position, pushed by their own weight.

This well-known concept, however, is not applicable to other types of bulky or light products, since it would impose a pile above the buyer which, in addition to instilling a veiled fear of collapse, would be uncomfortable and dangerous to fill by the shop assistants. shop.

Another product generally made of cardboard and suitable for exploiting the potential of the pusher referred to in the present invention, is that type of advertising medium generally called "totem

Within the scope of the invention, it should also be considered that a very low cost is required for such "containers-displayers-dispensers", particularly in the case of light and bulky goods packaging. In other words, "disposable" containers are preferred, which make it possible to offer buyers an always perfect and dazzling aesthetic.

Such containers are typically made of cardboard equipped with printable surfaces; the cardboard in fact allows it to be punched to be folded and flattened. Said flattening is in fact important to allow minimum overall dimensions, particularly necessary for transport and storage.

However, this advantageous offer to shopkeepers or shopping centers of flattened containers-displays finds reluctance created by the waste of time and expertise that are generally required for assembly, i.e. the transformation from a flattened (folded) configuration to a structured one. of furniture, transformation assisted by counter-folds made on the cardboard shelves.

The purpose of the present invention is to define a pusher for containers-dispensers of packages of goods on display and for advertising supports such as totems, which can play a facilitating role in the passage from the flattened configuration to the box-like parallelepiped configuration of the constituent planes thereof.

Another purpose is to replace the force-weight ration limited only to up-down, with the action of a specific automatic pusher that can, on the other hand, operate by pushing the packages upwards, or pushing them in a horizontal direction.

Another purpose is to define a pusher as above, which can be made in extremely economical ways, in cardboard or other equivalent material, so as not to significantly affect the cost of the container-display dispenser with which it cooperates.

These and other objects will appear as achieved by reading the following detailed description. It illustrates a pusher comprising two transversal end flaps, parallel and opposite, which derive their functional capacity for mutual separation by joining them respectively articulated from a fold line to a first semi-plane and from another fold line to a second semi-floor; said half-planes are in turn joined by a common articulated fold axis; they cooperate with at least one elastic ring which is engaged on two grip points located in proximity of the aforementioned transverse end flaps and on a third point; said third point is placed in an intermediate position between the aforementioned two points and must be approached to a plane of junction of the aforementioned two points to provide the desired thrusts to the packages of light goods.

The invention is illustrated, purely by way of non-limiting example, in the attached drawing tables in which:

Fig. 1 schematically shows a section of a container-displayer-dispenser of packaged goods, equipped with an elastic pusher;

Fig. 2 shows a sheet of cardboard, or other equivalent material, spread flat and punched to define fold lines and cut areas suitable for making the structure of a pusher;

Fig. 3 shows a pusher, created with the sheet of Fig. 2, in an operative configuration thereof using an elastic ring;

Fig. 4 shows the pusher implemented by an elastic ring, as shown in the previous figure, in a configuration folded in half, expressing a maximum flattening and a consequent minimum bulk;

Fig. 5 shows a pusher using an elastic ring operating with a different arrangement.

Fig. 6 shows an emphasized perspective view of a cross-section of a “totem” type display unit with a pusher inside which makes it self-assembling.

With reference to the aforementioned Fig. 1, as part of a first application example of the invention, a box-like container 1, with a parallelepiped shape, or prismatic with a quadrangular base, rests on a floor 2.

Inside this box-like container there is a shelf 3 for supporting packages of goods 4, of a light and bulky type. Examples of such packages are constituted by bags of potato chips, popcorn, hydrophilic cardboard wrappers, paper handkerchief wrappers, sanitary napkins for women, cotton pads for cosmetic facial cleansing, etc.

The shelf 3 is pushed upwards by a first end 7 of a pusher 5 by means of the elastic action exerted on this by an elastic ring 6 made of rubbery material. A second end 8 reacts by resting on a base 9 of the box-like container 1.

In an elevated position, the box-like container 1 has a pick-up mouth 10, designed to insert the hands of the purchaser for the withdrawal from the inside of the aforementioned container of the desired package of goods 4.

The level of the shelf 3 is established by the support of the packages of goods 4 on a top surface 11 of the box-like container 1.

As the volume occupied by the packages of goods 4 is reduced, the level of the shelf 3 moves upwards.

With reference to figure 6, and to a second important application example of the invention, a generic "totem" type display T is substantially constituted by two flat vaults V1 and V 2, which suitably opened according to directions A and subsequently stabilized, give the exhibitor the necessary stability and the typical column appearance. In this case, the pusher 5 is inserted, even in number of two or three units according to the needs, inside the display unit so as to make the pushing ends 7 and 8 adhere respectively to the two flat vaults by means of generic permanent gluing. VI and V 2. The elastic action pushing from the elastic 6 will be activated as soon as the totem is extracted from its generic packaging, producing its automatic opening and then keeping it in a stable configuration.

Given the above, constituting examples aimed at defining the application scope of the invention, it is more appropriate to illustrate the conceptual and constructive details of the pusher.

With reference to Fig. 1, where the pusher 5 is seen from a lateral position, its operating principle can be better understood.

The elastic ring 6 is hooked below a first half-plane 12 and a second half-plane 13.

This coupling takes place respectively in theoretical points 14 and 15 which, in cooperation with an intermediate point 16, around which the elastic ring 6 makes its fold, create the vertices of a triangle. In these vertices the forces created by the traction of the elastic ring 6 are discharged. More precisely, two end forces 17 and 18 are discharged on them, and a central force 19 having a direction opposite to them.

The simultaneous action of these forces creates an equilibrium which determines the positions of the first semi-plane 12 and of the second semi-plane 13, and therefore the position of a theoretical plane 20 passing through the theoretical points 14 and 15, present in the aforementioned semi-floors. plans.

In fact, this action is opposed by a reaction force 21 which is dependent on the distance between the plane 20 and a hinging axis 22 between the two semi-planes 12 and 13.

With reference to Fig. 2, the first half-plane 12 shows imprints, or usual partial cuts according to the teachings of the paper industry, aimed at predetermining a fold line 23 creating a transversal edge 7 at the ends.

A similar fold line 25 creating a transverse flap 8 is also present on the second semi-plane 13.

On an axis of symmetry 24, the two aforementioned semi-planes 12 and 13 have respective arcuate slots 27 and 28, bordering the aforementioned fold lines 23, 25; these arcuate slots have a "U" shape to offer a respective anchor 29, 30 to the elastic ring 6 used to connect them (see Figs. 3, 4). In these anchors 29 and 30, the elastic ring 6 defines the aforementioned theoretical points 14 and 15 passing transversely to them according to directions 31, 32.

The first half-plane 12 is defined with respect to the second half-plane 13 by means of a central articulation line 33; this line is present on the sides of a cut 34 with a “U” geometry, which is squared and has a counter-recess 35.

In this way, a cantilevered area 36 is created which, with its counter-recess 35, can maintain in a central position the two parallel and straight sections of the elastic ring 6 hooked onto the anchors 29 and 30 (Fig. 3).

The presence of the counter-recess 35 on the end of the cantilevered area 36 allows, at the intermediate point 16 (Fig. 1) constituted by it, to increase its distance from the theoretical plane 20, in proportion to its distance from the hinging axis 22 between the two semi-floors, materially realized by the central articulation line 33.

Advantageously, this allows to exert a greater elongation of the elastic ring 6, and therefore to obtain greater return forces from it.

These return forces reach their maximum value in the flattened and overlapping semi-planes configuration illustrated in Fig. 4.

With reference to Fig. 5, the inventive concept described above is expressed by a slightly different version from the preferred one and illustrated by Figs.

2, 3, 4.

The theoretical points 14 and 15 are in fact made by means of recesses 26A, 26B, 26C, 26D located on the sides of the aforementioned semi-planes 12, 13.

In the version of Fig. 5, the central articulation line 33, instead of involving the two lateral parts, is centrally located and is marked with 33A.

Furthermore, in the version of Fig. 5, instead of a single central cantilevered area 36, there are two cantilevered areas 36A, 36B placed laterally and with top niches 39A, 39B.

In the version of Fig. 5 there is an elastic ring 6A which is longer than the elastic ring 6, since it requires sections 6A <1> and 6A <11> passing backwards in a transverse direction (large dashed lines). In this version, the elastic ring 6A could be replaced by two distinct rings (not drawn), installed laterally to connect respectively the recess 26A with the recess 26B, and the recess 26C with the recess 26D.

From what has been said, it can be understood how the invention advantageously allows to pursue the aim of favoring the automatic opening of box-shaped containers 1 or of "totem" T type displays, starting from a flattened folded configuration, used for their transport and storage.

In fact, the pusher 5 easily assumes a completely flattened configuration (Fig. 2), which is ideally suited to be inserted inside box-shaped containers 1 or totem T, when they too must be flattened for their transport and / or storage.

The invention can be made with various sheet materials, such as solid solid cardboard, compact cardboard ennobled by sheets of paper on one or both sides, expanded polystyrene panels coupled with paper or plastic film on their sides, etc. .

However, this invention finds its preferred material in compact cardboard, due to its cheapness and the fact that folding lines can be defined on it, in predetermined directions, by means of simple notches with a depth less than the thickness of the cardboard.

The elastic ring 6 can be made with common elastomers; it can draw its functional length also by means of the usual junctions of its ends.

Claims (9)

R <CLAIM> <1) Elastic pusher (5) for self-supporting displays and advertising supports, characterized by two transversal, parallel and opposite thrust ends (7, 8), which derive their functional capacity for mutual distancing by joining them to a first half,> plane (12) along a fold line (23), and to a second half, plane (13) along another fold line (25), called seeds, planes (12, 13) being a in turn joined by a central articulation line (33) expressing a hinge axis (22) and cooperating with at least one elastic ring (6, 6A,) engaged on anchors (29, 30, 26A, 26B, 26C, 26D) located near the edges of the thrust ends (7, 8) for the definition of theoretical points (14, 15) for applying the forces, and on a point (16, 22,33) located between these points (14, 15 ), said pusher (5) thus making it suitable for preloading. 2) Elastic pusher (5), as in the previous claim, characterized by the fact that the thrust exerted by the large elastic ring (6) on the central joint line (33) expresses the pivot axis (22) between the two flat seeds (12, 13) takes place indirectly by acting on an intermediate point (16) placed on an end edge of areas (36, 36A, 36B) cantilevered with respect to said hinging axis (22, 33A) . 3) Elastic pusher (5), as per the previous claims, characterized by the fact of offering anchors (30) to the elastic ring (6) made by arcuate slots (27, 28). 4) Elastic pusher (5), as in the preceding claims, characterized in that the end of the cantilevered area (36, 36A, 36B) creating the intermediate point (16) comprises a counter, recess (35, 39A, 39B ) to contain the body of the elastic ring (6) according to a correct position aligned with the anchors (29, 30) and with the longitudinal thrust of the box-shaped container (1) within which the thrust ends (7) act , 8). 5) Elastic pusher (5), as per the preceding claims, characterized in that the cantilevered area (36) with respect to the central articulation line (33) expresses the hinging axis (22) between the two flat (12, 13) is only one, arranged centrally to cooperate with two parallel tracts of a single elastic ring (6) and in a single body with one of the two flat seeds (13). 6) Pusher (5), as per claims 1 to 4, characterized by the fact that the cantilevered areas are two (36A, 36B) and arranged laterally to receive an elastic ring in their top niches (39A, 39B) ico (6A) passing with other treatments (6A <I>, 6A <I I>) in internal areas of the pusher, the flexion areas of the elastic ring (6A) being established by grooves (26A, 26B , 26C, 26D) present laterally on the two flat seeds (12A, 13A). 7) Elastic pusher, as in the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it has a structure made in a single body by die-cutting creating a cut (34) that creates the cantilevered areas (36), of half thickness of the cardboard or of def initric imprints or perforations of the central articulation line (33) between the two flat seeds (12, 13), of arcuate slots (27, 28) for anchoring the elastic ring ( 6), of defining imprints or perforations of the fold edges (23, 25) through which the thrust end flaps (7, 8) and their possibilities of articulation are created with respect to their semi-responses, floors (12, 13). 8) Elastic pusher, as in the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made with sheets of compact cardboard. 9) Elastic pusher, as in the preceding claims, characterized in that the folding lines are drawn from cuts made on the side allowing the fold to be folded only in the desired direction and with a depth less than the thickness of the cardboard sheet used.