MX2012014308A

MX2012014308A - Fold-out shelving unit made of cardboard or a similar material.

Info

Publication number: MX2012014308A
Application number: MX2012014308A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Ferran Mestres Armengol; Francisco Lopez Fernandez
Original assignee: Ferran Mestres Armengol
Priority date: 2010-06-08
Filing date: 2011-06-07
Publication date: 2013-03-05
Also published as: ES2372076A1; WO2011154568A8; EP2580997A1; US20140014606A1; WO2011154568A1; ES2372076B1

Abstract

The shelving unit comprises a rear panel (1) and side panels (2) that can be moved between a folded position, in which said panels are coplanar, and an extended position, in which the side panels (2) are perpendicular to the rear panel (1), a movable support panel (3) that extends from one side panel (2) to the other, and a shelf panel (4) that can be folded up against the rear panel (1). The support panel (3) and the shelf panel (4) are kinematically connected to one another and to the side panels (2) by first and second kinematic connection means, such that the support panel (3) moves nearer and further away parallel to the rear panel (1) and the shelf panel (4) pivots relative to the rear panel (1) when the side panels (2) are moved between the folded position and the extended position.

Description

FOLDING SHEET OF CARTON OR SIMILAR MATERIAL Field of technique The present invention concerns a folding cardboard shelf or similar material, such as corrugated cardboard, plastic, corrugated plastic, cardboard, etc. The foldable shelving of the present invention is useful, for example, as an exhibitor for displaying products at a point of sale, and therefore comprises one or more shelves capable of supporting products including relatively heavy items, such as books, cans or cans. , bottles, etc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The international patent application WO-A-2009037368 discloses a self-expanding foldable structure for a shelf display, made of cardboard or similar material, comprising a main part defining a back panel and side panels hingedly joined to opposite side edges of said back panel, wherein the side panels can be moved between a folded position, wherein said side panels and the rear panel are substantially parallel or coplanar, and an expanded position, wherein the side panels are substantially perpendicular to the rear panel. The shelf includes shelf panels, each of which has a trailing edge hingedly attached to the back panel so that it can be moved between a folded position, in which the shelf panel is substantially parallel to the back panel and the side panels when these are in the folded position, and an expanded position, in which the shelf panel forms trihedral angles with the rear panel and with the side panels when they are in the expanded position. The shelf panels are connected to the side panels by means of linking panels which establish a kinematic link between the side panels and the shelf panels and which support the shelf panels at their side edges in the expanded position. Elastic members are arranged to push the side panels towards the expanded position.

The aforementioned kinematic linkage causes a movement of any of the panels to be automatically communicated to the remaining panels. Thus, when the elastic elements move the side panels from the folded position towards the expanded position the shelf panels are also moved automatically towards the expanded position, and when the side panels are moved manually from the expanded position towards the folded position against the force from the elastic elements the shelf panels are also automatically moved towards the folded position.

One drawback of the link panels described in the aforementioned international patent application WO-A-2009037368 is that they only support the shelf panels at their side edges in the expanded position, and this carries the risk that the shelf panels are bent or fail under the weight of articles disposed thereon unless the shelf panels are made of a substantially rigid material or whose front edges are reinforced with fins and folds that add complexity to the structure.

US-A-6715623 discloses a folding shelving made of corrugated cardboard comprising a main part defining a back panel and side panels hingedly attached to opposite side edges of said back panel. The side panels can be moved between a folded position, in which said side panels and the rear panel are substantially parallel or coplanar, and an expanded position, in which the side panels are substantially perpendicular to the rear panel. From one side to the other of the side panels extend support panels, which are obtained by cuts in said main part and adopt a substantially parallel position and separated from the rear panel when the shelf is in said expanded position. The shelf includes some shelf panels, each of which has a rear edge hingedly attached to the back panel so that it can be moved between a folded position, in which the shelf panel is substantially parallel to the rear panel and to the side panels when they are in the folded position , and an expanded position, in which the shelf panel forms trihedral angles with the rear panel and with the side panels when they are in the expanded position, When the shelf panels are in the expanded position their front regions are supported throughout the width of the support panels.

One drawback of the aforementioned US-A-6715623 is that it does not comprise a kinematic linkage between the panels integrated in the main part and the shelf panels, so that to move the shelf from the expanded position to the folded position it is necessary first individually folding the shelf panels and keeping them in the folded position before the side and support panels can be folded. This also makes it impossible or very complicated to incorporate elastic elements arranged to push the shelf towards the expanded position so that the collapsible shelving is self-expanding.

Exhibition of the invention The present invention contributes to mitigate the above and other drawbacks by providing a folding cardboard shelf or similar material, comprising a back panel and side panels hingedly attached to opposite side edges of said back panel so that they can be moved between a folded position , wherein said side panels and the rear panel are substantially parallel or coplanar, and an expanded position, wherein the side panels are substantially perpendicular to the rear panel. The rack further comprises at least one support panel extending from one to the other of the side panels in a substantially parallel and spaced position from the rear panel in said expanded position, and at least one shelf panel movably attached to the rear panel. and / or to the side panels so that it can be moved between a folded position, wherein said shelf panel is substantially parallel to the rear panel and to the side panels when they are in the folded position, and an expanded position, wherein the shelf panel forms trihedral angles with the rear panel and with the side panels when they are in the expanded position, and is supported directly or indirectly by said support panel. Retention means are arranged to maintain the back, side and support panels in the expanded position, The support panel is kinematically linked to the side panels by first kinematic linking means, so that the support panel approaches and moves away parallel to the rear panel when the side panels move between the folded position and the expanded position, and the shelf panel is kinematically linked to the support panel by second kinematic linking means so that the shelf panel pivots relative to the rear panel when the support panel moves between the folded position and the expanded position.

Said second kinematic linking means comprise at least one kinematic linking panel having a first edge hingedly attached to the support panel and a second opposite edge hingedly attached to the shelf panel at a position between the support panel and the rear panel when they are in the expanded position.

In one embodiment, the first kinematic linking means comprise connection panels having a first edge hingedly attached to each lateral end of the support panel and a second edge jointed hinged to each side panel at a position between the support panel and the back panel when they are in the expanded position. In another alternative embodiment, each side panel comprises a longitudinal fold line substantially parallel to the corresponding side edge of the back panel and located between the support panel and the back panel when in the expanded position, and the side edges of the support panel are Jointed hinged to the side panels on or near their free front edges.

One of the shelves located in a lower region of the shelf can form a pedestal, in which case the corresponding support panel preferably extends from the shelf panel to the floor or support surface on which the shelf rests in the position expanded. A collapsible support structure is arranged between the shelf panel and the floor or support surface, which comprises two or more vertical structure panels joined articulately to each other. One of said structure panels is jointed to one of the back, side or support panels and another of the structure panels is jointed to another of the back, side or support panels, so that the foldable support structure it is moved between a folded position and an expanded position together with the back, side and support panels when they are moved between the folded position and the expanded position.

The structure panels have upper edges and lower edges, and their height is selected such that said upper edges are arranged to support the shelf panel while said lower edges are arranged to rest on the floor or support surface. Thus, thanks to the vertical structure panels, the shelf panel is able to support heavy items although the folding shelving is made entirely of corrugated cardboard or a similar material.

Optionally, one or more elastic elements, such as annular rubber bands, are arranged to push the back, side and support panels towards the expanded position and to hold them therein. Thus, thanks to the elastic element or elements, the foldable shelving is self-expanding, since it automatically expands from the folded position to the expanded position, while the folding from the expanded position to the folded position is manually made against the force of the elements elastics. Alternatively, since the panels are kinematically linked, the expansion and folding can be performed manually with ease, and alternative restraining means, elastic or otherwise, may be used to hold them in the expanded position.

Preferably, the back panel and the side panels comprise at least one transverse fold line substantially perpendicular to the side edges of the back panel, so that the rack can be moved from the folded position to a compact folded position by folding the back panel and the side panels by said transverse fold line. If the collapsible shelving is self-expanding by the incorporation of the elastic elements, said compact collapsed position is stable since the folding along the transverse fold line prevents the elastic means from moving the shelving from the compact folded position to the position expanded. The unfolding from the compact folded position must be started manually until a point arrives from which the elastic means act and the expansion to the expanded position is performed automatically in a few seconds.

In order to achieve that the transverse fold line forms a spine of a desired width, it comprises two first complementary fold lines mutually parallel and separated by a first distance. If the material is corrugated paperboard or the like, each first complementary fold line comprises, in at least one section of its length, a partial cut line on an outer side of the panel and a fold line on the opposite inner side of the panel. In some sites, one or more of the back and side panels has a multi-layer region * in which the transverse fold line comprises two complementary mutually parallel second fold lines and separated by a second distance less than said first distance. Each second complementary fold line comprises a partial cut line on one outer side of the multi-layer region of the panel and a fold line on the opposite inner side. The first and second complementary fold lines are delimited by a complete transversal cutting line. The mentioned second distance is approximately equal to the first distance less than twice the thickness of the additional layer or layers of said multi-layer region.

In one embodiment, a stepped structure comprising one or more stepped shelf panels and one or more stepped support panels hinged together is disposed on the shelf panel. All stepped support panels have a lower edge hingedly attached to the shelf panel, while the upper stepped shelf panel has a trailing edge hingedly attached to the back panel. Obviously, the stepped structure could comprise a single step with a stepped shelf panel and a stepped support panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and other features and advantages will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable cardboard shelf or similar material according to an embodiment of the present invention in an intermediate position between a folded position and an expanded position; Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing elements forming a shelf of the foldable shelf of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a side view of the elements of Fig. 2 assembled in an expanded position; Fig. 4 is a side view of the elements of Fig. 2 assembled in an intermediate position between the folded position and the expanded position; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the foldable shelf of Fig. 1 in the expanded position; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a variant of the foldable shelf of Fig. 5 with a single shelf forming a stand in the expanded position; Fig. 7 is a side view of a variant of the elements forming the shelf of Fig. 2 assembled in an expanded position; Fig. 8 is a side view of the elements forming the shelf of Fig. 7 in an intermediate position between the folded position and the expanded position; Fig. 9 is a side view of another variant of the elements forming the shelf of Fig. 2 assembled in an expanded position; Fig. 10 is a side view of the elements forming the shelf of Fig. 9 in an intermediate position between the folded position and the expanded position; Fig. 1 1 is a partial view of the folding rack in the intermediate position showing a variant of the elements forming the shelf of Figs. 9 and 10; Fig. 12 is a side view of the elements forming the shelf of Fig. 11 in an expanded position; Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a foldable cardboard shelf or similar material according to another embodiment of the present invention in an intermediate position between a folded position and an expanded position; Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the foldable shelf of Fig. 13 in the expanded position; Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a foldable cardboard shelf or similar material according to yet another embodiment of the present invention in an expanded position; Fig. 16 is a side view of elements forming a shelf of the foldable shelf of Fig. 15 in an expanded position; Fig. 17 is a side view of the elements of Fig. 16 in an intermediate position between the folded position and the expanded position; Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a foldable cardboard shelf or similar material according to a variant of the shelf of Fig. 13 in an intermediate position between a folded position and an expanded position, where a kinematic linking panel omitted to better show a collapsible support structure according to one embodiment; Fig. 19 is an exploded perspective view of elements forming the foldable support structure of Fig. 18; Fig. 20 is a perspective view of the elements forming the foldable support structure of Fig. 18 in the expanded position; Fig. 21 is a perspective view of a foldable cardboard shelf or similar material according to a variant of the shelf of Fig. 13 in an intermediate position between a folded position and an expanded position, where a kinematic linking panel omitted to better show a collapsible support structure according to another embodiment; Fig. 22 is a plan view of the development of an element forming the foldable support structure of Fig. 21; Fig. 23 is a perspective view of the element forming the foldable support structure of Fig. 18 in the expanded position; Fig. 24 is a perspective view of. a foldable cardboard shelf or similar material according to yet another embodiment of the present invention in an intermediate position between a folded position and an expanded position; Fig. 25 is a plan view of the shelf of Fig. 24 in the intermediate position; Fig. 26 is a perspective view of a foldable cardboard shelf or similar material according to the present invention in an intermediate position between the folded position and a compact folded position by bending along a transverse fold line; Fig. 27 is a perspective view of the rack of Fig. 26 in the compact folded position; Fig. 28 is a perspective view of an enlarged detail showing the inside side of the transverse fold line in a multi-layered region of a side panel of the shelf at an intermediate position between the folded position and a compact folded position; Fig. 29 is a perspective view of an enlarged detail showing the outer side of the transverse fold line in the multilayer region in the intermediate position between the folded position and a compact folded position; Fig. 30 is a perspective view of a foldable cardboard shelf or similar material according to a further embodiment of the present invention including a stepped structure in an intermediate position between a folded position and an expanded position; Fig. 31 is a perspective view of the foldable rack of Fig. 30 in the expanded position; Fig. 32 is a side view of elements forming the step structure of Figs. 30 and 31 in an intermediate position between a folded position and an expanded position; Fig. 33 is a perspective view of a foldable cardboard shelf or similar material according to another further embodiment of the present invention in an intermediate position between a folded position and an expanded position; Fig. 34 is a perspective view of the foldable shelf of Fig. 33 in the expanded position; Fig. 35 is an enlarged view of detail XXXV of Fig. 34; Fig. 36 is an exploded perspective view showing elements forming a shelf according to a variant of the foldable shelf of Fig. 1; Fig. 37 is a perspective view of a foldable cardboard shelf or similar material according to still yet another embodiment of the present invention in an intermediate position between a folded position and an expanded position; Fig. 38 is an enlarged view of detail XXXVIII of Fig. 37; Fig. 39 is a perspective view of the foldable shelf of Fig. 37 in the expanded position; Fig. 40 is a side view of elements forming the shelf of the foldable shelf of Fig. 37 assembled in an expanded position; Fig. 41 is a side view of the elements of Fig. 40 assembled in an intermediate position between the folded position and the expanded position; Fig. 42 is a perspective view of a foldable cardboard shelf or similar material according to a further embodiment of the present invention including a stepped structure in an intermediate position between a folded position and an expanded position; Fig. 43 is a perspective view of the foldable rack of Fig. 42 in a position proximate to the folded position; Y Fig. 44 is a perspective view of the foldable rack of Fig. 42 in the folded position.

Detailed description of some examples of embodiment First making reference to Figs. 1 to 5, the foldable cardboard shelving or similar material according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a rear panel 1 having opposite side edges and side panels 2 hingedly attached to said opposite side edges of the rear panel 1 in a manner that can be moved between a folded position (not shown), wherein said side panels 2 and the rear panel 1 are substantially parallel or coplanar, and an expanded position (shown in Fig. 5), wherein the side panels 2 are substantially perpendicular to the rear panel 1.

Although not essential, it is preferred that the rear and side panels 1, 2 are made from the same piece where the articulated joint between them comprises fold lines including creasing lines, partial cut lines, or combinations of both. Also preferably, the rear and side panels 1, 2 comprise a transverse fold line 15 substantially perpendicular to the side edges of the rear panel 1, which allows folding the rear panel 1 and the side panels 2 from the folded position to a folded position compact, as will be described in more detail below.

The shelf of Figs. 1 to 5 further comprises a pair of shelf panels 4, each of which has a rear edge hingedly attached to the rear panel 1 so that it can be moved between a folded position, wherein said shelf panel 4 is substantially parallel to the rear panel 1 and to the side panels 2 when these are in the folded position, and an expanded position, in which the shelf panel 4 forms trihedral angles with the rear and side panels 1, 2 (Fig. 5). Alternatively or additionally, the shelf panels could be linked to the side panels by linking panels as described in the aforementioned international patent application WO-A-2009037368 allowing the same movements.

Each shelf panel 4 is associated with a support panel 3, which, in the expanded position, extends from one to the other of the side panels 2 in a substantially parallel and separate position from the rear panel 1. This support panel 3 is kinematically linked to the side panels 2 by first kinematic linking means, so that the support panel 3 approaches and moves away parallel to the rear panel 1 when the side panels 2 move between the folded position and the expanded position. In the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 5, said first kinematic linking means comprise a pair of connection panels 6, each of which has a first edge or leading edge joined hingedly to a corresponding lateral end of the support panel 3 and a second edge or edge rear hingedly attached to the corresponding side panel 2 in a position located between the support panel 3 and the rear panel 1 when in the expanded position.

To facilitate the movements of the folding rack between the folded and expanded positions, the distance between the front and rear edges of the connecting panel 6 is equal to the distance between the rear edge of the connecting panel 6 and the trailing edge of the corresponding side panel 2 attached to the side edge of the rear panel 1. In general, the side panels 2 open outwardly to pass from the expanded position to the folded position.

In addition, the shelf panel 4 is kinematically linked to the support panel 3 by second kinematic linking means so that the shelf panel 4 pivots with respect to the rear panel 1 when the support panel 3 moves between the folded position and the expanded position. In the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 5, these second kinematic linking means comprise a kinematic linking panel 5 having a first edge hingedly attached to the support panel 3 and a second opposite edge hingedly attached to the shelf panel 4 at a position between the support panel 3 and the rear panel 1 when in the expanded position.

With this construction, all the panels of the folding shelving are kinematically linked together, so that the movement of any of them causes the movement of others. By optionally arranging one or more elastic element 14, such as for example rubber annular bands, so as to push the rear, side, support and shelf panels 1, 2, 3, 4 towards the expanded position, the exhibitor is achieved Folding is also self-expanding, that is, capable of automatically expanding from the folded position to the expanded position. In the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 5, the elastic elements 14 in the form of annular rubber bands are arranged to pull the side panels 2 towards each other, although alternatively they could be arranged to pull other panels towards each other by virtue of the kinematic linkage between all of them. For practical and aesthetic reasons, the elements elastics are disposed adjacent a lower face of the shelf panels 4 so that they are hidden when the foldable shelf is in the expanded position.

Obviously, the force exerted by the elastic elements 14 further serves to keep the shelving panels foldable in the expanded position. To prevent the effect of relaxation that ring rubber bands may experience when they are kept in tension for a long period of time, it may be convenient to install two or more annular rubber bands associated with each shelf panel, each ring band being rubber individually submitted to a lesser tension than if there were only one. Alternatively, if the collapsible shelving is not self-expanding, other resilient or non-resilient retaining means are provided for maintaining the rear, side, support and shelf panels 1, 2, 3, 4 in the expanded position, as for example one or more surrounding bands or a rigid base in which are inserted lower regions of the rear and side panels 1, 2.

In Figs. 2 to 4 show the construction and operation of one of the shelves of the folding structure according to an embodiment. The support panel 3 is made of a piece of corrugated cardboard or similar material having a pair of fold lines defining attachment flaps 3a adjacent its side edges for hinged connection of the support panel 3 to the connection panels 6. Each of the connection panels 6 is in turn made of a corresponding piece of corrugated cardboard or similar material having a fold line defining a fastening tab 6a adjacent its rear edge for articulated connection of the connection panels 6 to the respective side panels 2. Although it is not essential, it is preferred that the length of the fixing flaps 6a be equal to the length of the connection panels 6 to assist the positioning thereof in relation to the side panels 2. At each one of said fixing flap 6a is formed by stamping a hook member 6b where the flexible element 14 engages.

The shelf panel 4 is also made of a piece of corrugated cardboard or similar material having a fold line defining a fastening tab 4a adjacent to its rear edge for the hinged connection of the shelf panel 4 to the rear panel 1. Finally, the kinematic linking panel 5 is made of a corresponding piece of corrugated cardboard or similar material having a pair of fold lines defining fixing flaps 5a, 5b adjacent their front and rear edges for articulated connection of the kinematic linking panel 5 to the support panel 3 and the shelf panel 4, respectively. For example, the joints of the different fixing wings to the respective panels are made by gluing.

As shown in Fig. 3 (valid for both the upper shelf and the lower shelf), the shelf panel 4 has a length selected so that in the expanded position a front region thereof is supported directly by the upper edge of the support panel 3, while the kinematic linking panel 5 remains in an inclined position between the shelf panel 4 and the support panel 3 which contributes to supporting a middle region of the shelf panel 4. The kinematic linking panel 5 preferably forms an acute angle with the shelf panel 4 in the expanded position. When for example the support panel 3 is moved towards the rear panel 1 (Fig. 4), either by a direct pressure on it or as a consequence of a movement of the side panels 2 towards the folded position, the linking panel kinematics 5 pushes the shelf panel 4 upwards towards the folded position.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the support panel 3 associated with the upper shelf has a low height while the support panel 3 associated with the lower shelf extends from the corresponding shelf panel 5 to the floor or other supporting surface on which it is located. folding shelving, forming a base. The fastening wings 6a have a considerable height and the connecting panels 6 have an increasing height from the support panel 3 to the corresponding fastening fins 6a. Both the connecting panels 6 and the fixing wings 6a protrude above the corresponding shelf panels 4 in the expanded position. In the upper shelf, the relatively large height of the connecting panels 6 and corresponding fixing wings 6a provides a great firmness to the support panel 3 despite the fact that it is of low height and is supported in the air.

Fig. 6 shows a variant of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 5 where the upper shelf has been omitted and there is only one lower shelf panel 4 associated with a support panel 3 forming a stand.

Figs. 7 and 8 show a variant of the elements 3, 4, 5, 6, 6a forming the upper shelf, which are in all cases analogous to those described above in relation to Figs. 3 and 4 except that in this case the connection panels 6 and their corresponding fixing wings 6a, despite having a considerable height, extend downwards from the level of the shelf panel 4, so that they do not protrude above of the corresponding shelf panels 4 in the expanded position. The relatively large height of the connecting panels 6 and corresponding fixing wings 6a provides firmness to the support panel 3.

Figs. 9 and 10 show another variant of the elements 3, 4, 5, 6, 6a forming the upper shelf, which are analogous to those described above in relation to Figs. 3 and 4 except that in this case the connection panels 6 and their corresponding fastening flaps 6a have substantially the same height as the support panel 3. In this variant, the support panel 3 has a lower firmness and is suitable for Support light items.

Figs. 1 1 and 12 show still another variant of the elements 3, 4, 5, 6, 6a forming the upper shelf, which are analogous to those described above in relation to Figs. 9 and 10 with the addition of a cutout 6c made in a lower edge of each connection panel 6 near the support panel 3 to fit with a projection 9 fixed on the inner side of the corresponding side panel 2 when the shelf is in the position expanded. Thus, the projections 9 support the connection panels 6 in the expanded position and confer firmness to the support panel 3 and to the shelf panel 4. The projections 9 may be made, for example, of pieces of corrugated cardboard or similar material fixed to the side panels. Optionally, the cutouts 6c can be omitted, in which case it will be a lower edge of each connection panel 6 which will rest on the corresponding projection 9 in the expanded position.

Figs. 13 and 14 show a foldable shelving according to a variant of the foldable shelving shown in Fig. 6, which only has a lower shelf panel 4 associated with a support panel 3 forming a stand. The difference in this variant is that the connection panels 6 have a length much greater than in the shelf of Fig. 6, and are connected near the free front edges of the corresponding side panels 2. Consequently, the support panel 3 is located in front of the free front edges of the side panels 2 and the shelf panel 4 rests on the upper edge of the support panel 3 in the expanded position.

The result is a folding rack with a stand provided with a shelf panel 4 of dimensions significantly larger than that of the foldable shelf shown in Fig. 6. In the expanded position, the support panel 3, the shelf panel 4 and the connection panels 6 protrude markedly from the side panels 2, while in the folded position the foldable shelving would occupy exactly the same space as the foldable shelving shown in Fig. 6 , since the maximum width of the shelf in the folded position is delimited by the free front edges of the side panels 2 and not by the elements forming the shelf and the stand.

Fig. 15 shows a variant of the foldable shelving shown in Figs. 13 and 14, where the only difference is that the rear edge of the shelf panel 4 is jointed to the rear panel 1 at a lower level than the upper edges of the support and connection panels 3, 6, and the panel shelf 4 has a length selected so that a front region thereof is supported in the expanded position on a shoulder 8 protruding from the inner side of the support panel 3, at a level lower than its upper edge. The result is that the base forms a container where upper portions of the support and connection panels 3, 6 provide handrails around the front of the shelf panel 4, the rear part of which is delimited by the rear and side panels 1, 2. The projection 8 can be formed, for example, by the upper edge of a corrugated cardboard plate or similar material fixed on the inner side of the support panel 3.

Figs. 16 and 17 show the operation of the container formed by the base of the foldable shelving according to the variant of Fig. 15. In them can be seen the arrangement of a kinematic linking panel 5 with a front edge hingedly attached to the support panel 3 , or to the plate that provides the projection 8, and a trailing edge joined hingedly to the shelf panel 4 in a middle region thereof. In the expanded position (Fig. 16), the front region of the shelf panel 4 rests on the projection 8 and the kinematic linking panel 5 remains in an inclined position between the shelf panel 4 and the support panel 3, so which contributes to supporting a middle region of the shelf panel 4.

Fig. 18 shows another variant of the foldable shelving shown in Figs. 13 and 14, which further includes a foldable support structure 10 disposed between the shelf panel 4 and the floor or other support surface on which the shelf rests in the expanded position. In Fig. 18 the kinematic linking panel 5 has been omitted to more clearly show the support structure 10, although in reality the folding rack of Fig. 18 comprises a pair of narrow kinematic linking panels 5 (not shown) installed in a manner analogous to that described above on both sides of the support structure 10 so as not to interfere with it.

Figs. 19 and 20 show the aforementioned support structure 10 according to the embodiment of Fig. 18, which comprises two vertical structure panels 1 1, 12 of corrugated cardboard or similar material, each of which has a vertical crease line l ia, 12a in its middle region and a pair of linear cuts 1 1b, 12b parallel to said vertical crease line 1a, 12a on opposite sides of said vertical crease line 1a, 12a. The structure panels 1 1, 12 also have respective fixing fins 1 1c, 12c on opposite edges thereof. The two panels of structure 1 1, 12 folded by their vertical fold lines 1 a, 12 a are assembled by mutual fitting of their linear cuts 1 1 b, 12 b as shown in Fig. 20.

In an operative situation (Fig. 18), the support structure 10 is housed inside the pedestal of the folding shelving with the fixing flap 1 of one of the structure panels 1 1 attached to the rear panel 1 and the flap of fixing 12c of the other structure panel 12 attached to the inner side of the support panel 3. Thus, the support structure 10 is moved between a folded position and an expanded position together with the rear, side and support panels 1, 2, 3 when they are moved between the folded position and the expanded position. The height of the support panels 11, 12 is selected such that, in the expanded position, one upper edges thereof are arranged to support the shelf panel 4 and some lower edges are arranged to rest on the floor or other support surface. Preferably, the structure panels 11, 12 include respective windows l id, 12d (Fig. 19) through which the elastic element 14 is passed in the operative situation (Fig. 18).

Fig. 21 shows a foldable shelving similar to that shown in Fig. 18 but including a variant of the foldable support structure 10 housed in the base. In this variant, the folding structure comprises a plurality of vertical structure panels 13a-13e joined articulated to each other by vertical articulation lines forming an accordion structure. In the operative situation, one of the structure panels 13a located at one end of the accordion structure is hingedly attached to the rear panel 1 the structure panel 13e located at the opposite opposite end of the accordion structure is hingedly attached to the panel of support 3. Support structure 10 moves between plague and expanded positions together with the remaining shelving panels. In the expanded position, the shelf panel 4 is supported on one upper edges of the structure panels 13a-13e while lower edges thereof rest on the floor or other support surface.

As shown in Figs. 22 and 23, the structure panels 13a-1 e are preferably obtained from a single corrugated cardboard plate or similar material provided with parallel fold lines 21 that provide the articulated joint between them, and from the structure panels 13a, 13e located at opposite ends of the plate extend fastening flaps 22a, 22b which provide the articulated joint to the back and support panels 1, 3. Preferably, some of the selected structure panels 13b, 13d include respective ones windows 23 (Figs 22 and 23) through which respective resilient elements 14 are passed in the operative situation (Fig. 18).

Figs. 24 and 25 show another alternative embodiment of the folding shelving of the present invention, wherein instead of the connection panels 6 described above, the first kinematic linking means comprise on each side panel 2 a longitudinal fold line 7 substantially parallel to the corresponding one. side edge of the rear panel 1. This longitudinal fold line 7 is located between the support panel 3 and the rear panel 1 when the shelf is in the expanded position. In this embodiment, the support panel 3 has its opposite side edges hingedly attached to the side panels 2, near their free front edges or directly at their free front edges, and the kinematic link panel 5 is hingedly attached to the rear panels and support 1, 3 as described above.

For example, from the opposite lateral edges of the support panel 3 there are fixing wings 3a for the hinged connection to the side panels, and at the free ends of said fixing wings 3a are formed hook members 3b (Fig. 25) where the flexible element 14 engages. In this embodiment, when the collapsible shelving moves from the expanded position to the folded position, the rear half of the side panels opens outwardly while the front half is folded inward and It is superimposed on the back half. For this reason, in the folded situation the shelf has a smaller width than that of the embodiments described above.

Figs. 26 and 27 illustrate how a collapsible shelving according to the present invention can be moved from the folded position (close to that shown in Fig. 26) to a compact folded position (Fig. 27). For this, the rear panel 1 and the side panels 2 comprise a transverse fold line 15 substantially perpendicular to the side edges of the rear panel 1, so that the shelf can be moved from the folded position to the compact folded position by folding the panel rear 1 and the side panels 2 by said transverse fold line 15. The elements 3, 4, 5, 6 forming the upper shelf are arranged above the transverse fold line 15 and the elements 3, 4, 5, 6 forming the lower shelf and the base stand below the transverse fold line 15, so that they do not interfere with folding.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 26 and 27, the upper part of the rear and side panels 1, 2 is folded forward so that the elements 3, 4, 5, 6 forming the upper shelf and the lower shelf with the stand are mutually superimposed and substantially covered by the corresponding halves of the rear and side panels 1, 2 when the shelf is in the compact folded position (Fig. 27). However, in other embodiments (not shown) the upper part of the rear side panels 1, 2 can be folded backwards, that is, with the two halves of the rear and side panels 1, 2 arranged back to back in the inner side and the elements 3, 4, 5, 6 that form the upper shelf and the lower shelf with the base arranged on the outer sides.

Figs. 28 and 29 show in detail the inner side and the outer side, respectively, of the transverse fold line 15 in a region where the side panel 2 has a fold that provides a double layer region 2. For example, this fold and the double-layer region 2a are located along the free front edges of the side panels 2 to reinforce said edges and at the same time present a smooth edge 2b which hides the internal structure of the corrugated board or similar material that if there is no folding it would be visible in said edges.

To facilitate the folding in the double-layer region 2a without crushing and tearing, the transverse fold line 15 comprises, in the regions of the single layer 2, two mutually parallel first and complementary fold lines 15a, 15b and separated by a first distance di and, in the double-layer regions 2a, two complementary second fold lines 15c, 15d mutually parallel and separated by a second distance d2 smaller than said first distance di. Each of said first complementary fold lines 15a, 15b comprises, in at least a section of its length, a partial cutting line on an outer side of the panel (Fig. 29) and a fold line on the opposite inner side of the panel. panel (Fig. 28), and each of the second complementary fold lines 15c, 15d comprises a partial cut line on an outer side of the double layer region 2a of the panel (Fig. 29) and a fold line in the opposite inner side of the double layer region 2a of the panel (Fig. 28). The first and second complementary fold lines 15a, 15b; 15c, 15d are bounded by a full cut line 16 transverse at the boundary between the single layer region 2 and the double layer region 2a.

Alternatively, the fold can provide a region with a thickness of more than two layers, or the region of two or more layers can be formed by superposed and joined layers of corrugated cardboard or similar material without a fold, being in any case applicable the technique described in relation to Figs. 28 and 29. When there is a double-layer region 2, said second distance d2 is approximately equal to the first distance of at least twice the thickness of the corrugated cardboard or similar material. Generally, when the panel has a multi-layered region 2a, the second distance d2 is approximately equal to the first distance of at least twice the thickness of the additional layer or layers of said multi-layered region 2a. The first distance di is selected to provide a spine of a desired width, for example to house the elements 3, 4, 5, 6 forming the shelves in the compact folded position.

The transverse fold line 15 including the first and second complementary fold lines 15a, 15b; 15c, 15d and the complete cutting line 16 is compatible with other longitudinal fold lines 24 including creasing lines, partial cut lines, or combinations of both, such as, for example, the fold lines connecting the back panel 1 with the side panels 2.

Figs. 30 and 31 show a collapsible shelving according to a further embodiment of the present invention, which is in essence analogous to the shelving described above in relation to Fig. 13, with the addition of a stepped structure 17 disposed on the panel of shelf 4 associated with the support panel 3 forming the stand.

Fig. 32 shows the construction of the stepped structure 17, which comprises an upper stepped shelf panel 18 having a rear edge hingedly attached to the rear panel 1 and a stepped support panel 19 having an upper edge hingedly attached to a front edge of said stepped shelf panel 18 and a lower edge hingedly attached to shelf panel 4. Step structure 17 further comprises an additional stepped shelf panel 18a having a rear edge hingedly attached to stepped support panel 19 and a panel further stepped support 19a having an upper edge hingedly attached to a leading edge of said further stepped shelf panel 18a and a lower edge hingedly attached to the shelf panel 4.

One skilled in the art will understand that further additional steps may be added, each with a corresponding additional stepped shelf panel 18a with a rear edge hingedly joined to the adjacent additional stepped support panel 19a and an additional stepped support panel 19a with an upper edge hingedly joined to the leading edge of the additional stepped shelf panel and a lower edge hingedly attached to the shelf panel 4. With this construction, whatever the number of steps, the stepped structure 17 can be moved between a folded position and an expanded position together with the rear, side, support and shelf panels 1, 2, 3, 4 of the folding rack when these are moved between the folded position and the expanded position.

In the embodiment of Fig. 32, which comprises two steps, the stepped shelf panel 18 and a front panel 19b corresponding to the upper step, as well as the additional stepped shelf panel 18a and the additional stepped support panel 19a corresponding to the bottom step are formed from a corrugated board or similar material provided with crease lines between the panels and fixing flaps 25, 26 at their ends for glued attachment to the rear panel 1 to the shelf panel 4, while the stepped support panel 19 corresponding to the upper step is formed by another plate of the same material fixed to the internal side of said front panel 19b and provided at its lower end with a fixing flap 27 for fixation glued to the shelf panel 4. The panel additional stepped support 19a acts at the same time as a front panel for the lower step. Other configurations will occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Figs. 33 to 35 show a foldable shelving according to another further embodiment of the present invention, which is in all analogous to the shelving described above in relation to Figs. 1 to 5, with the difference that here, the side panels 2 include upper and front reinforcing flaps 28, 29 extending from their upper and front edges, respectively (Fig. 33). These upper and front reinforcing flaps 28, 29 are connected to the respective side panels 2 by means of folding lines 30, and in use situation (Figures 34 and 35) are folded around said crease lines 30 and joined together. to interior surfaces of the side panels 2, for example by adhesive. Thus, the upper and front edges of the side panels 2 are reinforced by the upper and front reinforcing flaps 28, 29 and also have a neat appearance since the internal structure of the corrugated cardboard is hidden.

In addition, at the front edges of the upper and front reinforcing flaps 28, 29 there are formed notches 3 1 having lower horizontal edges 31 a (FIG. 35), which are at the level of the lower surfaces of the panels of the panels. shelf 4 when the foldable shelf is in the expanded position. Thus, in the expanded position (Figs 34 and 35), the side edges of the shelf panels 4 are in contact with the inner surfaces of the side panels 2 and the forward ends of the shelf panels 4 are inserted into the notches 31 and rest on the horizontal bottom edges 31a thereof, thereby providing an additional support for the shelf panel 4. In Fig. 35 the support panel 3 has been omitted for clarity of drawing. However, in the expanded position the shelf panel 4 also rests on the upper edges of the support panel 3, the connection panels 6 and the fixing flaps 6a.

Fig. 36 shows in explosion elements 3, 4, 5, 6 forming the shelf and its support and kinematic linking device according to a variation of the same elements described above in relation to Fig. 2. In the variation of this Fig. 36, said elements are grouped in only three pieces 33, 34, 35. A first 33 of the pieces is formed by the shelf panel 4 and its corresponding fixing fin 4a, the second part 34 includes the panel of support 3, the connection panels 6, and the fixing wings 6a. The third part 35 integrates the kinematic linking panel 5, the fixing wing 5a, which is connected to a front edge of the kinematic linking panel 5 by a fold line and in use situation is joined to the support panel 3, for example by adhesive, and a reinforcing panel 32, which is connected to a rear edge of the kinematic linking panel 5 by a fold line 32a and in use situation is attached to a lower surface of the shelf panel 4, by example by adhesive.

The said reinforcement panel 32 has the same dimensions as the shelf panel 4, which greatly facilitates the positioning of the third piece 35 during the gluing operations. Once adhered, the reinforcement panel 32 provides an overall reinforcement of the shelf panel 4 and furthermore acts as the fastening tab 5b described above in relation to Fig. 2.

Figs. 37 to 41 shows yet another further embodiment of the folding shelving of the present invention, which, like the previous embodiments, comprises a rear panel 1, a pair of side panels 2 hingedly attached to opposite vertical edges of the rear panel 1, a shelf panel 4 attached to the rear panel 1 by a horizontal articulation line, a support panel 3 hingedly connected to the side panels 2 by a pair of connection panels 6 forming the first kinematic linking means, and a panel of kinematic linkage 5 forming the second kinematic linking means hingedly connected at one end to the support panel 3 and at the other end to the shelf panel 4.

The particularity of the embodiment shown in Figs. 37 to 41 is that the shelf panel 4 and the kinematic linking panel 5 are formed by a single piece 37 of cardboard provided with a half-shed 36 (best shown in Fig. 38) formed on its upper face. Said half-shear 36 does not affect the lower face of the piece 37, so that in the expanded position (Figs 37, 39 and 40) the shelf panel 4 and the kinematic linking panel 5 are arranged in a coplanar manner in a horizontal position together offering a complete shelf, where the facing edges of the half-shear 36 rest against each other providing sufficient resistance to the shelf to withstand loads not exceeding a predetermined threshold. When the collapsible shelving is moved from the expanded position to the folded position, the piece 37 is folded around the half-shed 36 and the kinematic linking panel 5 fulfills its function as the second kinematic linking means for folding the shelf panel 4.

Figs. 42 to 44 show yet another further embodiment of the present invention, wherein the folding shelving comprises a rear panel 1, side panels 2, a support panel 3, a shelf panel 4, a kinematic linking panel 5, a pair of connecting panels 6 and a stepped structure 17 analogous to those described above in connection with the Fig. 30. The rear panel 1 and the side panels include a transverse fold line 15. The difference is that, here, the side panels 2 include fold lines 38 parallel to the front vertical edges thereof. The part of the side panels 2 comprised between these fold lines 38 and said front vertical edges defines fins 39 which in the expanded position are arranged coplanar with the rest of the respective side panels 2 because they are pressed against the connecting panels. 6 by the force of the elastic element 14.

However, when the foldable shelf is moved from the folded position to the compact folded position by folding the back panel and the side panels 2 by said transverse fold line 15, the said flaps 39 can be folded inwardly by the fold lines 38. and partially superimposed on the step structure 17, which is also being folded (Fig. 43). When the collapsible shelving is in the compact folded position (Fig. 44), the folded upper part of the rear panel 1 is partially superimposed on the alerts 39 so as to prevent them from opening, and the fins 39, which are at their once partially superimposed on the shelf panel 4 and the step structure 17, they prevent the support panel 3, the shelf panel 4 and the step structure 17 from expanding as a result of the tension of the elastic element 14.

However, it is sufficient to manually start the lifting of the rear panel 1 so that the wings 39 are released and the tension of the elastic element 14 triggers the expansion of the support panel 3, the shelf panel 4 and the step structure 17. It will be understood that the behavior of the fins 39 would be analogous even if the shelf panel 4 was not associated with a stepped structure 17.

Modifications and variations will occur to the person skilled in the art from the exemplary embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. - Foldable cardboard shelving or similar material, comprising a rear panel (1); side panels (2) jointed hinged to opposite lateral edges of said rear panel (1) so that they can be moved between a folded position, wherein said side panels (2) and the rear panel (1) are substantially parallel or coplanar, and an expanded position, wherein the side panels (2) are substantially perpendicular to the rear panel (1); at least one support panel (3) extending from one to the other of the side panels (2) in a substantially parallel and spaced apart position from the rear panel (1) in said expanded position; Y at least one shelf panel (4) movably attached to the rear panel (1) and / or to the side panels (2) so that it can be moved between a folded position, wherein said shelf panel (4) is substantially parallel to the rear panel (1) and to the side panels (2) when they are in the folded position, and an expanded position, in which the shelf panel (4) forms three-dimensional angles with the rear panel (1) and with the side panels (2) when they are in the expanded position, and is supported by said support panel (3); characterized in that the support panel (3) is kinematically linked to the side panels (2) by first kinematic linking means, so that the support panel (3) approaches and moves away parallel to the rear panel (1) when the side panels (2) move between the folded position and the expanded position, and the shelf panel (4) is kinematically linked to the support panel (3) by a second means of kinematic linking so that the shelf panel ( 4) pivots with respect to the rear panel (1) when the support panel (3) moves between the folded position and the expanded position.

2 - . 2 - Shelving according to claim 1, characterized in that said second kinematic linking means comprise at least one kinematic linking panel (5) having a first edge joined hingedly to the support panel (3) and a second opposite edge joined hingedly to the panel of shelf (4) in a position between the support panel (3) and the rear panel (1) when in the expanded position.

3. - Shelving according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said first kinematic linking means comprise connection panels (6) having a first edge hingedly attached to each side end of the support panel (3) and a second edge joined articulately to each side panel (2) in a position between the support panel (3) and the rear panel (1) when in the expanded position.

4. - Shelving according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said first kinematic linking means comprise in each side panel (2) a longitudinal fold line (7) substantially parallel to the corresponding lateral edge of the rear panel (1) and located between the panel of support (3) and the rear panel (1) when in the expanded position, where side edges of the support panel (3) are hingedly attached to the side panels (2) at or near their free edges.

5. - Shelf according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the shelf panel (4) has a length from its trailing edge to its selected leading edge so that a front region thereof is supported by an upper edge of the support panel (3) when they are in the expanded position.

, 6. Shelving according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the shelf panel (4) has a length from its rear edge to its front edge selected for a front region thereof to be supported by a projection (8) protruding from an inner face of the support panel (3) when in the expanded position.

7. - Shelf according to any one of the preceding claim, characterized in that said kinematic linking panel (5) forms an acute angle with the shelf panel (4) when in the expanded position to provide additional support to the shelf panel (4) .

8. - Shelving according to claim 3, characterized in that said connection panels (6) are supported by respective projections (9) protruding from an internal face of the corresponding side panels (2) when they are in the expanded position.

9. - Shelf according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a folding support structure (10) is arranged between the shelf panel (4) and a support surface on which the shelf rests in the expanded position, said structure comprising support (10) at least two vertical structure panels (1 1, 12, 13a-13e) joined jointed to each other and each hingedly attached to at least one of the rear, side and support panels (1, 2, 3) so that the support structure (10) is moved between a folded position and an expanded position together with the back, side and support panels (1, 2, 3) when these are moved between the folded position and the position expanded.

10. - Shelving according to claim 9, characterized in that said structure panels (1 1, 12, 13a-13e) have one upper edges arranged to support the shelf panel (4) and lower edges arranged to rest on said support surface when they are in the expanded position.

1 1. Shelving according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that retaining means are arranged to maintain the rear, side and support panels (1, 2, 3) in the expanded position,

12. - Shelving according to claim 1, characterized in that said retaining means comprise at least one elastic element (14) arranged to push the rear, side and support panels (1, 2, 3) toward the expanded position and keep them therein .

13. - Shelving according to claim 12, characterized in that said elastic element (14) is arranged to pull the side panels (2) toward each other.

14. - Shelving according to claim 13, characterized in that the elastic element (14) is arranged adjacent to a lower face of the shelf panel (4) when it is in the expanded position.

15. - Shelving according to claim 12, 13 or 14, characterized in that the elastic element (14) is an annular band of rubber.

16. - Shelving according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rear panel (1) and the side panels (2) comprise at least one transverse fold line (15) substantially perpendicular to the side edges of the rear panel (1) so that the shelf can be moved from the folded position to a compact folded position by folding the back panel (1) and the side panels (2) by said transverse fold line (15).

17. Shelving according to claim 16, characterized in that the transverse fold line (15) comprises two first complementary fold lines (15a, 15b) mutually parallel and separated by a first distance (di) selected to provide a spine of a desired width, wherein each first complementary fold line (15a, 15b) comprises, in at least a section of its length, a partial cut line on an outer side of the panel and a fold line on the opposite inner side of the panel.

18. Shelving according to claim 17, characterized in that at least one of the rear and side panels (2) has a multi-layer region (2a), and the transverse fold line (15) comprises in said multi-layer region (2a) two complementary second fold lines (15c, 15d) mutually parallel and separated by a second distance (d2) smaller than said first distance (di), where each second complementary fold line (15c, 15d) comprises a partial cut line in an outer side of the multi-layer region (2a) of the panel and a fold line on the opposite inner side of the multi-layer region (2a) of the panel.

19. - Shelving according to claim 18, characterized in that said first and second complementary fold lines (15a, 15b; 15c, 15d) are delimited by a complete transversal cutting line (16).

20. Shelving according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that said second distance (d2) is approximately equal to the first distance (di) minus two times the thickness of the additional layer or layers of said multi-layer region (2a).

21. Shelving according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a stepped structure (17) comprising at least one stepped shelf panel (18) with a rear edge hingedly attached to the rear panel (1) is arranged on the shelf panel (4). ) and a stepped support panel (19) with an upper edge hingedly joined to said stepped shelf panel (18) and a lower edge hingedly attached to the shelf panel (4), so that said stepped structure (17) can be moved between a folded position and an expanded position together with the rear, side, support and shelf panels (1, 2, 3, 4) when these are moved between the folded position and the expanded position.

22. - Shelving according to claim 21, characterized in that it comprises at least one additional stepped shelf panel (18a) with a rear edge hingedly attached to the stepped support panel (19) or to another adjacent stepped support panel (19a) and a panel of additional stepped support (19a) with an upper edge hingedly attached to said additional stepped shelf panel (18a) and a lower edge hingedly attached to the shelf panel (4).

23. - Shelf according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the shelf panel (4) and the kinematic linking panel (5) are formed as a single piece (37) provided with a half-shell (36) that affects only one upper face thereof, so that the shelf panel (4) and the kinematic linking panel (5) are disposed coplanarly forming together a complete shelf in the expanded position.

24. Shelving according to claim 16 or 21, characterized in that the side panels (2) include fold lines (38) parallel to the front vertical edges thereof, where a part of the side panels (2) included between these fold lines (38) and said front vertical edges define fins (39) which in an expanded position are arranged coplanar with the rest of the respective side panels (2) and in a compact folded position are partially arranged superimposed on the shelf panel (4) and the stepped structure (17) while a portion of the rear panel (1) is arranged partially superimposed on the fins (39).

25. - Shelf according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shelf panel (4) has a rear edge hingedly attached to the rear panel (1).