JP2016501646A - Device for holding packages containing smoking products - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for keeping a package containing a smoking product ready for sale and / or temporarily displaying the package to a customer. The apparatus according to the present invention comprises a rack carrying a plurality of receptacles for accommodating a predefined number of packages, a rack, a rack, a receptacle, so that the packages can be sequentially removed from each receptacle. And a cabinet having an access opening for accessing a package in the receptacle. The rack is mounted in the cabinet so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis in at least a first rotation direction. The rack and cabinet are positioned so that at an initial angular position of the rack, an accessible subset of receptacles is accessible only after rotating the rack in a first rotational direction to at least one delivery angular position. The accessible subset depends on the angular position of the rack relative to the cabinet.

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus useful for keeping a package containing a smoking product ready for sale. This device can also be used to temporarily display these packages to customers.

  Smoking products such as tobacco are typically retailers in the form of small packages that can contain, for example, about 20 cigarettes and can have the shape of a cardboard box or a soft paper pack. Sold to customers.

  Today, many different types of smoking products can be found on the market, especially a wide variety of tobacco. These types of smoking products can differ in terms of their flavor, tobacco mixture used, price, and trade name, for example. Because of the wide variety of types of smoking products and because retailers usually prefer to keep several individual packages of each type available for sale, preferably trademarks such as smoking products contained within the packages It has already been found in the past that it is advantageous to implement some sort of shelf arrangement to present and sell these packages in an orderly manner according to name and flavor.

  Such a conventional display shelf is described in Patent Document 1 and includes a shelf fixed to a vertical stand. These shelves are divided and tilted into package compartments for housing smoking products, so that when the first package is removed from the compartment, the packages remaining in the compartment are behind each row of packages. It slides forward of the shelf under the action of a push roller acting on the end.

  However, if a package containing a smoking product, such as tobacco, is kept available for sale using this type of conventional configuration, the package contained in the private room will be sold with the smoking product. Permanently visible to any customer in the store. However, recent legislation states that retailers keep packages of smoking products that retailers keep in the store for sale invisible to customers in the sales room, except when the packages are actually sold. It may be required from the supplier.

German Patent Invention No. 9417898

  The object of the present invention is therefore suitable, on the one hand, to keep packages containing smoking products available for sale, and to customers who wish to purchase at least one such package as desired. It is also used to temporarily display the package, and on the other hand to provide a device according to the above-mentioned type prohibition laws. Preferably, the device should be suitable for keeping a number of different types of packaged smoking products available for sale. More preferably, the device should only require a limited amount of space in the store.

  The above-mentioned problem is solved according to the invention by a device having the features of claim 1.

  Accordingly, an apparatus is provided for keeping a package containing a smoking product ready for sale and / or temporarily displaying the package to a customer. The apparatus includes a rack carrying a plurality of receptacles each adapted to receive a predefined number of packages so that the packages can be sequentially removed from each receptacle, and to accommodate the racks. And a cabinet comprising a rack, a receptacle, and an access opening for accessing a package in the receptacle.

  According to the present invention, the rack is mounted in the cabinet so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis in at least the first rotation direction. In addition, the rack and cabinet are accessible at the initial angular position of the rack so that none of the receptacles are accessible from the outside of the cabinet through the access opening to remove the package from any receptacle. A possible subset is arranged to be accessible only after rotating the rack in the first rotational direction to a delivery angular position or to one of a plurality of delivery angular positions of the rack. The accessible subset depends on the angular position of the rack relative to the cabinet.

  The basis of the present invention is that the rack is rotatably arranged inside the cabinet, preferably by containing each package containing the smoking product in a plurality of receptacles distinguished by the type of smoking product. A large number of packages of different types of smoking products can be easily held in a marketable state, and a receptacle that houses a package of smoking products of the type desired by the consumer can be easily rotated by rotating the rack Can be selected. Thus, the apparatus of the present invention has a limited footprint and even a limited front area due to the rotatable arrangement of the racks inside the cabinet, and a relatively narrow access opening with a number of different types. Access to a type of smoking product will be sufficient. After the package is sold to the customer, the rack can be rotated back to the initial angular position so that the corresponding label that may be present on the package and receptacle is visible from outside the cabinet. become unable. Furthermore, in this way, the device of the present invention complies with the above-mentioned display prohibition law.

  Advantageous embodiments and improvements of the device according to the invention are contained in the detailed description with reference to the dependent claims and to the drawing figures.

  According to an advantageous improvement of the device according to the invention, the axis of rotation of the rack is oriented along the vertical direction of the cabinet. As used herein, the vertical direction means the direction relative to the cabinet that is oriented vertically when the cabinet is installed and positioned for use by a retailer. Rotating the rack about an axis oriented along the vertical direction means that the receptacle carried by the rack is not turned upside down when the rack is rotated, so that the package containing the smoking product falls out of the receptacle. This has the advantage that no means for preventing this is required.

  According to a further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the rack comprises a helical surface in which the receiving part is arranged. Preferably, the helical surface has a lead angle of especially less than 20 degrees, preferably less than 10 degrees. Such racks are significantly different from conventional shelf configurations for smoking products, and are unique to the customer's interest when a customer purchases a package of smoking products that a retailer or store clerk removes from the receptacle carried by the rack. Appearance. In addition, arranging the receptacles on the helical surface as proposed by this aspect may allow the retailer or store clerk by changing the vertical position of the accessible subset of receptacles as the rack rotates. Can be useful to assist this retailer or store clerk when it is necessary to quickly identify a receptacle containing a particular type of smoking product.

  According to another preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the receiving part is arranged along a portion of the virtual cylindrical envelope surface of the rack. In this manner, multiple receptacles can be accommodated by the rotatable rack in a cabinet of the desired size, and the receptacles are easily accessible by placement along the rack envelope.

  According to another preferred embodiment, each receptacle comprises an opening that allows a package contained within the receptacle to be removed from the receptacle. The receiving parts are arranged on the rack with their openings facing outward from the axis of rotation. Preferably, the receiving part is arranged such that the opening allowing the removal of the package is directed radially outward from the axis of rotation. In this way, when the rack is rotated to the delivery angular position, the retailer can easily remove the package from the desired type of receptacle and sell it to the customer.

  According to a further expansion of the device according to the invention, the receptacles are arranged on the rack in several levels. This allows the rack to accommodate a greater number of receptacles and a greater number of different types of smoking products.

  According to another refinement of the device according to the invention, the receptacle is arranged on the rack such that the sector of the rack remains without a receptacle along the entire longitudinal extent of the rack. Preferably, the sector extends over an angle between 60 degrees and 180 degrees when measured in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation. In particular, the sector may be oriented towards the access opening when the rack is in the initial angular position. With this improvement, it is possible to easily avoid any receiving portion and the package contained therein from becoming accessible or visible to the customer at the initial angular position.

  According to one refinement, the device further comprises an openable door, the openable door having an access opening in the closed position of the door to essentially prevent the rack from being visible from outside the cabinet. Adapted to cover. The door may be opened by the retailer in transitioning to one or more deliveries in a package held by the device. After sale, the door provided by this improvement can be closed, and in the closed position, the receptacle, package, and even the label that is supposed to be on the receptacle can be seen by customers in the sales room. It makes it possible to prevent this better. In addition, the door can be useful to further improve the aesthetic appearance of the device when the door is closed.

  According to a further aspect, the door is pivotable from a closed position about an axis parallel or coincident with the rotational axis of the rack to open the access opening and allow access to the receptacle on the rack. Arranged to be. According to this aspect, the door is essentially housed within the cabinet when the access opening is fully opened. When the door and rack are arranged in this way, the movement of the door and rack can be easily coupled to each other. In addition, this expansion makes the entire access opening easily accessible from the outside of the cabinet and the store clerk or retailer is not obstructed by the open or half-open door protruding from the front face of the cabinet.

  According to one particularly preferred aspect, the door is coupled to the rack to be rotated in the same manner as the rack, and the door covers the access opening at the initial angular position of the rack. By doing in this way, a door can be easily opened and closed with rotation of a rack.

  According to a variation of the foregoing embodiment, the rotatable door, like the rack, is coupled to the rack so as to substantially cover the outer periphery of the rack in a sector having no receiving portion. In this way, the door can be easily coupled to the rack without hindering access to the receptacle for the package containing the smoking product.

  According to a further extension, in the closed position of the door, the door is pushed radially inward towards the axis of rotation, preferably against the force generated by the elastic means joining the door and the rack. The access opening is coupled to the rack such that it can be substantially opened by rotating the rack from the initial angular position in the first rotational direction. Preferably, rotation of the rack is prevented by suitable locking means when the rack is in the initial angular position and the door is not pushed inward. The locking means may be operated to allow the rack to rotate by pushing the door inward as previously described. This prevents accidental rotation of the rack and accidental opening of the access opening.

  In another aspect, the door is rotatably mounted in the cabinet, and the pivoting movement of the door is coupled to the rotation of the rack about the axis of rotation by a transmission, in particular by a gear mechanism or linkage. This can be useful when it is desirable to place the receptacle on the rack along the entire outer periphery of the rack.

  In one aspect of the apparatus, the rack is in the delivery angular position about the axis of rotation in the first rotational direction until the rack reaches a final angular position corresponding to another one of the delivery angular positions of the rack. May be rotatable from a first angular position corresponding to one of the two. This advantageously allows all different subsets of the plurality of receptacles carried by the rack to be continuously accessible from the outside through the access opening as the rack rotates.

  According to a further improvement of the device according to the invention, the door and the rack are arranged and joined such that when the door is opened, the rack assumes a first angular position immediately after the access opening is fully opened. The The rack is rotatable from a first angular position about the axis of rotation in a first rotational direction until reaching a final angular position where the access opening is still fully opened. The first and final angular positions of the rack each correspond to a respective one of the rack's delivery angular positions. In this way, various subsets of the entire plurality of receptacles carried by the rack can be continuously accessed from the outside through the access opening of the cabinet after the door is opened. Removing the package from the accessible receptacle when the rack reaches the final angular position is as simple as removing the package from the accessible receptacle when the rack assumes the first angular position.

  According to a preferred refinement, the device further comprises a biasing means, which may preferably be embodied as a spring means, wherein the rack is generated by the biasing means in a first rotational direction by the operator. Arranged so that it can be rotated against the applied force or torque. In a preferred variant, this operation can be performed manually by an operator. The biasing means is adapted to induce rotation of the rack in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation when the rack is released after being rotated by the operator. With this expansion, when an operator (eg, retailer or store clerk) releases the rack, for example, by rotating the rack and then releasing the rack, the rack always returns to its defined previous angular position. This can be advantageous, for example, when a package of smoking products is to be sold to different customers immediately. Due to the action of the biasing means, the clerk or retailer can be confident that after the final sale the rack is rotated back under the action of the torque or force generated by the biasing means.

  According to a preferred advantageous refinement, the biasing means is adapted to return the rack to the initial angular position when released after the rack has been rotated to one of the delivery angular positions or the delivery angular positions. With this improvement, the operation of the device is further simplified. After the package is sold, the rack is in a state where the receptacle and the package contained therein are not accessible through the access opening, even if the store clerk or retailer forgets to rotate the rack back to the initial angular position. Can be automatic.

  In an advantageous refinement, if the device further comprises a door, the door is automatically closed when the rack is returned to the initial angular position under the action of the biasing means. This is achieved automatically even if the store clerk or retailer forgets to close the door again if the rack is released after it has been rotated to one of the delivery angular positions or one of the delivery angular positions. Has the advantage of. This ensures that the door is closed after each sale without any clerk or retailer action, and that the package containing the smoking product is kept available for sale in compliance with the law. .

  According to another advantageous refinement, the biasing means are arranged such that when the rack is released after being rotated to the final angular position or any angular position between the first angular position and the final angular position, the first Adapted to return the rack to an angular position. This is particularly advantageous because it is always possible for a store clerk or retailer to always start from the first angular position when looking for a rack for a particular receptacle. In addition, a package containing a type of smoking product that should be visible to a particular customer as long as possible on the package purchase opportunity, with a subset of receptacles accessible when the rack is in the first angular position It is conceivable to fill.

  According to a preferred embodiment, in order to identify the type of package housed in a given receptacle, each receptacle is provided with a suitable label on its front face oriented outward and away from the axis of rotation. A signboard may be provided. This is particularly advantageous when the package containing the receptacle is almost completely enclosed and made from an opaque material. Alternatively or additionally, the receptacle is at least partially visible to the customer when the retailer transitions to sale and the access opening is open by the door being in the open position. As can be made from a transparent material.

  According to one aspect, the receiving portion and the rack may be formed as a single unit. Alternatively, the receptacle may be configured to be removable from the rack. For example, the receptacle and / or rack may comprise means that allow the receptacle to be releasably secured to the rack. In a further alternative aspect, the various sections or layers of the rack, which are preferably identical, may be formed as a single unit with the receptacles disposed on that section or layer of the rack. A unitary structure with either all racks and receptacles that will later constitute the finished rack when assembled together, or each of a plurality of different sections or layers of the rack, can be advantageous from the standpoint of manufacturing the device. In particular, by way of example, manufacturing can be simplified by making the receptacle and rack from a suitable plastic synthetic material, for example by injection molding of a thermoplastic synthetic material. A releasably secured receptacle can have advantages when the receptacle needs to be refilled with a package containing a smoking product.

  Where labels or signs are provided, all receptacles carried by the rack may be the same, except that they are normally labeled differently to identify different types of smoking products. . However, according to a further aspect, different receptacle types may be provided, especially different receptacles adapted for different package sizes and / or package shapes.

  The cabinet of the device may be made from a metallic material such as sheet steel or aluminum, for example. More preferably, however, the cabinet comprises walls made of synthetic material, in particular acrylic glass or PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate), which is painted or coated so as to be opaque. Also, acrylic glass or PMMA that is painted or coated in the same manner can be used to form the door.

  According to a preferred embodiment, the cabinet is block-shaped or cubic-shaped and preferably has rounded vertical edges. This type of cabinet allows the book to be used, for example, when the capacity of a single device is insufficient for the needs of a particular retailer despite having the capacity to accommodate many different types of smoking products. Multiple devices according to the invention can be easily arranged adjacent to each other. This creates a modular device for keeping the package containing the smoking product available for sale and / or temporarily displaying the package to the customer.

  The aspects, improvements, and extensions described above may be arbitrarily combined with each other whenever it makes sense. Other possible aspects, extensions, and implementations of the invention may be combined with features of the invention described above or described below in connection with the detailed description of the embodiments, even if such combinations are not explicitly stated. Prepare.

  In the following, the invention will be described with reference to the schematic drawings, which show an embodiment of the invention.

1 is a perspective view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention showing the cabinet and door of the apparatus with the door closed. FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 further illustrating a rack carrying a plurality of receptacles. FIG. 2 is a front view of four devices each formed in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 1 positioned adjacent to each other. Three of the equipment doors are open, and the equipment rack with the doors open is shown in three different angular positions.

  The enclosed drawings are intended to illustrate embodiments of the invention so that the invention can be further understood. The drawings serve to explain the principles and concepts of the invention in combination with the description. Other embodiments and many of the described advantages can be inferred from the drawings. The members of the drawings are not necessarily to scale.

  Elements, features, and components that are the same or have the same function or effect will be numbered in the drawings using the same reference signs unless specifically stated otherwise. ing.

  In FIG. 1, a device 1 is shown in perspective view for keeping packages containing smoking products available for sale and / or for temporarily displaying them to customers. The apparatus 1 comprises a cabinet 2 having vertical side wall portions 2a and 2b and a vertical rear wall portion 2c. The cabinet 2 has a generally cubic shape but has a rounded vertical edge 3. The vertical direction of the cabinet 2 is indicated by the reference sign V. At the top and bottom, the cabinet 2 is closed by a substantially flat top wall 4a and a substantially flat bottom wall 4b, the top wall 4a and the bottom wall 4b being substantially parallel to each other. is there.

  The cabinet 2 includes a substantially rectangular access opening 5 extending along the front side F of the cabinet 2 from the bottom wall 4b to the top wall 4a.

  In FIG. 1, the access device 5 is covered by an openable / closable door 6, which is shown in the closed position in FIG. A longitudinal side edge 7 of the door 6 extending along the vertical direction V is bent backwards toward the interior of the cabinet 2 in a region 7a.

  In FIG. 2, the device 1 of FIG. 1 is again shown here in an exploded view. As shown in FIG. 2, the device 1 comprises a rack 11 with a helical surface 12 that wraps around a central axle 13, which is fixedly connected to the central axle 13. . The rack 11 carries a plurality of receptacles 14, and only some of these receptacles 14 are provided with reference numerals for clarity in FIG. The receptacle 14 is disposed on the helical surface 12 of the rack 11 so as to rest on top of the helical surface 12.

  As can also be seen in FIG. 2, the helical surface 12 is formed to wrap around the central axle 13 multiple times. Preferably, the lead angle of the helical surface 12 is somewhat small, for example not exceeding 20 degrees, and preferably not more than about 10 degrees.

  According to the example shown in FIG. 2, the receiving portions 14 are arranged on the spiral surface 12 in five layers 15 a to 15 e, and ten receiving portions 14 are formed on the virtual cylindrical envelope surface portion of the rack 11. It arrange | positions in each hierarchy 15a-15e along. Preferably, the receptacles 14 are arranged equally spaced within each level 15a-15e, more preferably close to each other to accommodate multiple receptacles 14 on the rack 11.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each receiving portion 14 includes an opening 16 formed so that a package 17 containing a smoking product can be removed from each receiving portion 14. The receptacle 14 is located on the helical surface 12 of the rack 11 with the opening 16 facing radially outward from the central axle 13 and further radially outward from the rotational axis A defined by the central axle 13. Be placed.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, preferably, the receiving portions 14 are each formed in a box shape and open at their top portions 14 a. The cross section of the receptacles 14 is selected so that the piles of the package 17 can be received in each receptacle 14. The receptacle 14 can be filled by inserting the package 17 through the open top 14 a of the receptacle 14. An opening 16 intended to subsequently take out the package 17 from each receptacle 14 is arranged at the lower end of the front surface 14b of the receptacle 14 and this front surface 14b has a diameter from the rotation axis A and the central axle 13. Turn outward. The opening 16 is dimensioned so that a single package 17, in particular the bottom package 17 in the pile inside the receiving part 14, can be removed from the receiving part 14 through the opening 16. The remaining package 17 in the receptacle 14 moves downward under the action of gravity as soon as the package 17 is removed through the opening 16.

  As also shown in FIG. 2, the cabinet 2 is adapted to accommodate a rack 11 inside the cabinet 2. The rack 11 is mounted in the cabinet 2 such that the rotation axis A defined by the central axle 13 is oriented along the vertical direction V of the cabinet 2 as indicated by reference numeral A 'in FIG. When the device 1 is in use, ie when the device 1 is installed to keep the package 17 available for sale, for example in a store, the vertical direction V of the cabinet 2 extends substantially perpendicular to the ground. To do. Although not shown in detail in FIG. 2, the rack 11 is mounted in the cabinet 2 so that the rack 11 can rotate about the rotation axis A.

  In FIG. 2, the door 6 is further illustrated. The door 6 is provided with a rack 11, a receptacle 14, and a receptacle to comply with legislation requiring that smoking products must be hidden from the customer's view except when the retailer transitions to sale. It serves to essentially prevent the package 17 accommodated in the portion 14 from being seen from the outside of the cabinet 2.

  Further, in FIG. 2, the receiving portion 14 is arranged on the rack 11 along the entire longitudinal range of the rack 11, which is provided separately from the receiving portion 14, which is indicated by a one-dot chain line in this figure. Is shown. The sector 21 may extend over an angle β between 60 and 180 degrees, which is an angle when measured in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation A, for example over an angle β substantially equal to 90 degrees.

  A label or sign 18 indicating the type of package accommodated in each receiving portion 14 is fixed to the front surface 14b of each receiving portion 14 by an appropriate method. For example, the label 18 may be adhesively coupled to the front surface 14b of each receptacle 14.

  Next, the operation mode of the apparatus 1 including the operation of the door 6 and the rack 11 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the rack 11, the cabinet 2, and the door 6 of the device 1 are accessed by a subset of the receivers 14 from outside the cabinet 2 through the access opening 5 when the door 6 of the device 1 is open. Dimensioned and arranged as possible. The accessible subset is determined by the angular position α of the rack 11 in the axis of rotation A relative to the cabinet 2 (see FIG. 2), i.e. the various receptacles 14 are located inside the cabinet 2 around the axis of rotation A. Is accessible through the access opening 5. This means that the rack 11 can take multiple delivery angular positions where each different subset of the receivers 14 can be accessed through the access opening 5.

  FIG. 3 shows four devices 1 according to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 arranged in an exemplary manner adjacent to each other and indicated by reference numerals 1a-d. Since the door 6 of the leftmost device 1a in FIG. 3 is closed, the internal rack 11 carrying the receiving part 14 and the package 17 therein is substantially hidden from view. Access to the part 14 and the package 17 is prevented. The door 6 is arranged so that it can be pivoted about an axis parallel to or coincident with the axis of rotation A of the rack 11 from the closed position indicated by the device 1 a to open the access opening 5.

  As shown in the apparatus 1b of FIG. 3, when the door is open, the receiving portion 14 on the rack 11 can be accessed. The access opening 5 is completely open in the operating state of the devices 1b, 1c, 1d in this figure, and in these operating states, each door 6 is housed in the cabinet 2. In FIG. 3, the rack 11 of each device 1 b, 1 c, 1 d takes a different delivery angle position with respect to the cabinet 2.

  In the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the door 6 is coupled to the rack 11 so as to rotate in the same manner as the rack 11. In the state of the device 1 a in FIG. 3, the door 6 covers the access opening 5 while the rack 11 assumes an initial angular position with respect to the cabinet 2.

  The door 6 is coupled to the rack 11 and dimensioned so as to substantially cover the outer periphery of the rack 11 along its entire length in the region of the sector 21 that does not have the receiving portion 14 as shown in more detail in FIG. Is done.

  In a preferred variant of this embodiment, the door 6 is suitable so that it can be pushed radially inward towards the central axle 13 when the door 6 is in the closed position as shown for the device 1a in FIG. It is coupled to the rack 11 by a mechanism. This is indicated by the arrow P. Although not shown in the drawing, there may be an elastic means for connecting the door 6 and the rack 11, for example, disposed between the door 6 and the rack 11. This elastic means generates a drag that allows the door 6 to be pushed inward along the arrow P by hand.

  The door 6 and the rack 11 may have a first rotation about a rotational axis A defined by a central axle 13 as indicated by reference numeral R in FIG. Rotating in the direction from the initial angular position of the rack 11 shown for the device 1a in common to the first angular position of the rack 11 shown for the device 1b in FIG. Accordingly, the rack 11 takes the first angular position that appears immediately after the access opening 5 is fully opened. In the operating state of the device 1b, the desired subset of receptacles 14 is accessible through the access opening 5. Preferably, the receptacle 14 accessible in the state of the device 1 b is filled with a package 17 of the type of smoking product that the customer should see most and the longest on the sales opportunities of the package 17.

  In a further alternative variant of this embodiment, the devices 1, 1 a-1 d may not comprise the door 6. In this case, in order to realize the function of preventing the package 17 containing the smoking product and the label or sign 18 from being visible from the outside of the cabinet 2, the sector 21 having no receiving portion has the rack 11 at the initial angle. When taking a position, it is arranged to be oriented towards the access opening 5. In this case, the angle β is selected to be sufficiently large so that none of the front surface 14b of the receiving portion 14 on the rack 11 can be seen through the access opening 5 at the initial angular position of the rack 11. preferable.

  The rack 11 is further rotated in the cabinet 2 in the first rotational direction R from the first angular position of the rack 11 shown for the device 1b and corresponding to the delivery angular position of the rack 11, as shown for the device 1c. Taking a second intermediate angular position corresponding to another delivery angular position of the rack 11 and further rotating in direction R, the final angular position can be taken as shown for device 1d. The final angular position of the rack 11 corresponds to its further delivery angular position.

  When the rack 11 is in the first angular position, the final angular position, or the intermediate angular position, the retailer or store clerk receives smoking products from the selected receptacles 14 of each accessible subset of receptacles 14. The package 17 can be taken out.

  The device 1 comprises urging means not shown in the drawing, which may be formed, for example, as spring means, preferably the force or torque generated by the urging means in the first rotational direction R of the rack 11. The rack 11 and the cabinet 2 are arranged so that they can be rotated against each other. The biasing means is formed so that this rotational movement in the direction R can be carried out by an operator, for example an operator's hand. When the retailer or store clerk releases the rack 11 after removal of the package 17, the biasing means induces the rack 11 to rotate in a second rotational direction R ′ opposite to the first rotational direction R. Thus, in the embodiment shown in the drawings, the rack 11 is the location where the rack 11 preferably displays a receptacle 14 that houses a package 17 of smoking products that the customer should look at as long as possible at the sales opportunity. , Automatically rotate back to the first angular position of the rack shown for apparatus 1b. The rotation R 'is triggered by the biasing means when the rack 11 is released by the operator at any angular position of the rack 11 between the first angular position and the final angular position.

  In an alternative and preferred embodiment, the biasing means may be adapted to rotate the rack 11 to the initial position of the rack 11 shown for the device 1a in FIG. 3, which means that the operator releases the rack 11 Then, the door 6 is automatically closed.

  In a preferred variant, when the rack 11 is rotated to the initial angular position, the door 6 is moved radially outward from the central axle 13 under the action of the aforementioned elastic means connecting the rack 11 and the door 6 and is therefore accessible. Cover the opening 5. In this state, the rotation of the rack 11 is preferably prevented by a suitable locking mechanism unless the operator again pushes the door 6 inward along the direction P.

  In a further variant of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the door 6 may be mounted rotatably relative to the cabinet 2 in a state independent of the rack 11. In this case, a gearing not shown in the drawing, for example a suitable gear mechanism or a suitable linkage, is provided for coupling the pivoting movement of the door 6 to the rotation of the rack 11 about the axis of rotation A. May be.

  In a preferred variant of the embodiment shown in this drawing, as indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 1, the bottom wall 4b of the cabinet 2 has a box-like base 4b ′ having a higher height than the bottom wall 4b. May be replaced. The box-like base 4b ′, as described above, enables the rotation of the rack 11 and the rotational or pivoting movement of the door 6 to accommodate mechanical components not shown in detail in the drawing, and It may be useful to allow the door 6 to be pushed inward along the arrow P. Moreover, the above-mentioned biasing means may be accommodated inside the box-shaped base 4b.

  In particular, a rotatable plate 9 may be provided in the box-shaped base 4b '. This is schematically indicated by a broken line in FIG. Preferably, such a rotating plate 9 is circular in shape and substantially occupies a corresponding circular recess provided in the internal floor 8 of the cabinet 2 so as to be coplanar with the internal floor 8. , Formed by the top of the box-like base 4b ′. With the rotatable plate 9, the above-mentioned rotation (see FIG. 3) in the first rotation direction R and the second rotation direction R ′ about the axis A can be achieved. Specifically, the rack 11 is disposed on the rotating plate 9, and the door 6 and the rack 11 are provided in the apparatus 1 as described above with reference to the embodiments of FIGS. 1-3 and / or variations thereof. They can be coupled to one another by a rotatable plate 9 so that an operation is achieved.

  The top wall portion 4a and the bottom wall portion 4b, the side wall portions 2a and 2b and the rear wall portion 2c of the cabinet 2 and the box-like base 4b ′ when further provided are formed of a metal material such as steel or aluminum. However, it is preferably made of acrylic glass or PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate), which is painted or coated to be opaque. Similarly, the door 6 may be manufactured using a metal material such as steel or aluminum sheet, but is preferably formed of acrylic glass. The rack 11 can be formed as a single unit having a receiving portion 14 and a central axle 13. Alternatively, the rack 11 may be formed by assembling a plurality of sections or layers, for example, each section or each layer corresponds to one of the layers 15a to 15e. Each section or layer may then be made as a unit with an associated receptacle 14. The rack 11 and the receiving part 14 may be formed from a thermoplastic synthetic material, for example, by injection molding.

  Alternatively, the receptacle 14 may be made separately from the axle 13 and the helical surface 12 of the rack 11, and the receptacle 14 places the receptacle in a predefined position on the helical surface 12. Appropriate means not shown may be provided which can be permanently or releasably secured.

  In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the receptacles 14 are all formed in the same manner and size, and the package 17 to be accommodated is different from the label or sign 18 placed on each front surface 14b, for example various It is also conceivable to arrange the receptacles 14 of various sizes and / or shapes such as width on the helical surface 12. However, it may be most preferable to provide a uniform receiving portion 14.

  Although the present invention has been fully described above with reference to preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be modified in various ways.

1 Device 2 Cabinet 2a Side wall (cabinet)
2b Side wall (cabinet)
2c Rear wall (cabinet)
3 Rounded vertical edge (cabinet)
4a Top wall (cabinet)
4b Bottom wall (cabinet)
4b 'Box-shaped base 5 Access opening (cabinet)
6 Door 7 Longitudinal side edge (door)
7a Area (Door)
8 Internal floor (cabinet)
9 Rotating plate 11 Rack 12 Helical surface (rack)
13 Central axle (rack)
14 Receptor 14a Top (Receiver)
14b Front surface (receiving part)
15a-15e level (rack)
16 Opening (receiving part)
17 Package for smoking product 18 Label or signboard 21 Sector F without receiving part Front side V Vertical direction A Rotating shaft (rack)
A 'Rotating shaft (when rack is placed inside cabinet)
P Push direction R First rotation direction R ′ Second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction

Claims (16)

An apparatus for keeping a package containing smoking products in a state of sale and / or temporarily displaying the package to a customer,
A rack carrying a plurality of receptacles for accommodating a predefined number of the packages so that the packages can be sequentially removed from each receptacle;
A cabinet containing the rack and having an access opening for accessing the rack, the receptacle and the package in the receptacle;
The rack is mounted in the cabinet so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis in at least a first rotation direction;
The rack and the cabinet are not accessible from the outside of the cabinet through the access opening to remove a package from any receptacle in the initial angular position of the rack. An accessible subset is disposed accessible only after rotating the rack in the first rotational direction to a plurality of delivery angular positions of at least one of the racks, wherein the accessible subset is the rack relative to the cabinet. Depends on the angular position of the device.   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the axis of rotation is oriented along a vertical direction of the cabinet.   3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the rack comprises a helical surface on which the receptacle is disposed. Each receiving portion has an opening for removing the package housed in the receiving portion from the receiving portion;
The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the opening of the receiving portion is provided in the rack outward from the rotation shaft, preferably outward in a radial direction.   The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiving portion is provided in the rack at a plurality of levels. The rack has a sector provided separately from the receptacle along the entire longitudinal extent of the rack;
The sector preferably extends over an angle between 60 degrees and 180 degrees when measured in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and the access opening when the rack is in an initial angular position. 6. A device according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the device is oriented towards the part. It has a door that can be opened and closed,
7. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the door covers the access opening in a closed position of the door to essentially prevent the rack from being visible from outside the cabinet. . The door is pivotally disposed from a closed position about an axis parallel or coincident with the rotational axis of the rack to open the access opening and allow access to the receptacle of the rack. ,
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the door is essentially housed in the cabinet when the access opening is fully opened.   9. An apparatus according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the door is coupled to the rack for rotation integrally with the rack and covers the access opening at the initial angular position of the rack.   When the door is pushed radially inward toward the axis of rotation in the closed position of the door, preferably against the force generated by the elastic means connecting the door and the rack; The apparatus of claim 9, wherein an access opening is substantially opened and coupled to the rack by rotating the rack in the first rotational direction from the initial angular position. The door is rotatably mounted on the cabinet;
9. A device according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the pivoting movement of the door is coupled to the rotation of the rack about the axis of rotation by means of a transmission, preferably by a gear mechanism or link device. The door and the rack are provided such that, when the door is opened, the rack takes a first angular position immediately after the access opening is fully opened,
The rack is rotatable from the first angular position about the axis of rotation in the first rotational direction until reaching a final angular position where the access opening is still fully open;
12. Apparatus according to any of claims 7 to 11, wherein the first angular position and the final angular position each correspond to a respective one of the delivery angular positions of the rack. Further comprising biasing means, preferably spring means,
The biasing means is arranged such that the rack can be rotated by the operator in the first rotational direction against the force or torque generated by the biasing means,
13. The biasing means is adapted to induce rotation of the rack in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation when released after the rack is rotated. The device described in 1. The biasing means returns the rack to the initial angular position when released after the rack has been rotated to at least one of the delivery angular positions; or
When the rack is released after the rack is rotated to the final angular position or an arbitrary angular position between the first angular position and the final angular position, the biasing means is moved to the first angular position. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the rack is returned. Further comprising biasing means, preferably spring means,
The biasing means is arranged such that the rack can be rotated by the operator in the first rotational direction against the force or torque generated by the biasing means,
12. The biasing device according to claim 1, wherein when the rack is released after the rack is rotated, the biasing means induces rotation of the rack in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction. The device according to any one of the above. The biasing means returns the rack to the initial angular position when released after the rack has been rotated to at least one of the delivery angular positions; or
The biasing means is configured such that the rack has a first angular position corresponding to at least one delivery angular position centered on the rotation axis in the first rotational direction to a final angular position corresponding to another delivery angular position. And when the rack is released after being rotated to the final angular position or any angular position between the first angular position and the final angular position, the first angular position is reached. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the rack is returned to an angular position.

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