NL2017786B1 - Display tray - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to display trays, in particular display trays for displaying merchandise in retail stores. The display tray according to the present invention comprises a carrier floor, and a support having a hinged end and a free end, wherein the support is at the hinged end thereof hingable connected to the carrier floor for rotation about an axis of rotation between an extended state and a collapsed state.

Description

Patent center

The Netherlands

© 2017786 (21) Application number: 2017786 © Application submitted: 14/11/2016

BI PATENT (51) Int. CL:

A47B 87/02 (2017.01)

Application registered: (73) Patent holder (s): 25/05/2018 PalKPS Holding B.V. to Sleen. (43) Application published: - (72) Inventor (s): Klaas Schepers in Sleen. (TT) Patent granted: 25/05/2018 (74) Agent: (45) Patent issued: ir. P.J. Hylarides et al. In The Hague. 11/06/2018

© Display tray © The present invention relates to display trays, in particular display trays for displaying merchandise in retail stores. The display tray according to the present invention comprises a carrier floor, and a support having a hinged end and a free end, the support is at the hinged end and a hinged connected to the carrier floor for rotation about an axis or rotation between an extended state and a collapsed state.

NL BI 2017786

This patent has been granted regardless of the attached result of the research into the state of the art and written opinion. The patent corresponds to the documents originally submitted.

Display tray

The present invention relates to display trays, in particular display trays for displaying merchandise in retail stores.

Merchandise is often displayed in retail stores on fixed shelving units distributed on the retail floor in accordance with a fixed retail floor plan. In particular for providing temporary display space, for instance for displaying seasonal merchandise or merchandise that is temporary subject to additional promotion, it is known to temporarily arrange display trays carrying the particular merchandise on the retail floor at locations where people are likely to encounter the merchandise during shopping. Such display trays are generally arranged in a stacked configuration in order to make efficient use of available retail floor space. For providing the stack of display trays, some types of merchandise allow arranging for a first amount of merchandise that is carried by a first display tray or the stack of display trays, a subsequent display tray carrying a second amount of merchandise. This method of providing the stack of display trays is advantageous in that it is easy in the sense that it simply requires arranging a subsequent display tray carrying merchandise thereon, on the merchandise arranged on and carried by the previous display tray. Furthermore, unstacking of the stack of display trays is easy, in the sense that it simply requires taking an empty display tray or the machine carried by the subsequent display tray. Drawback is that this method of stacking display trays requires the merchandise to be able to carry the load of the all display trays and merchandise arranged thereon that are located higher in the stack of display trays. Furthermore, each time a display tray is empty, store personnel or even customers have to take the empty display tray from the stack of display trays in order to provide access to the merchandise that is carried by the subsequent display tray.

Alternatively, it is known to arrange supports between subsequent display trays in the stack of display trays that carry the load or subsequent display trays and merchandise arranged thereon and that allow customers to access the merchandise carried by each of the display trays without having to remove any of the display trays from the stack of display trays. Drawback of this method of stacking is that stacking is more time consuming as it requires arranging supports between subsequent display trays while stacking and removing supports between subsequent display trays while unstacking. Arranging the supports between subsequent display trays any time a stack or trays is provided and removing the supports each time a stack or trays is unstacked is required to reduce storage space when the display trays are not used.

The present invention has as its object to provide an improved display tray.

The display tray according to the present invention comprises a carrier floor, and a support having a hinged end and a free end, the support is at the hinged end and a hinged connected to the carrier floor for rotation about an axis or rotation between an extended state and a collapsed state. The display tray according to the invention allows for providing a stack of display trays. Supports are arranged between subsequent display trays in the stack of display trays, arranging the supports between subsequent display trays in the stack of display trays is relatively easy and quick. In particular, arranging the supports between subsequent display trays in the stack of display trays, simply requires rotating each support or one of the display trays into its extended state and arranging the subsequent display tray on the previous display tray such that the free end of each support of one of the display trays abuts the other one of the display trays. Unstacking a thus formed stack of display trays according to the invention merely requires lifting each display tray from the stack of display trays until there is no stack anymore, and rotating the supports of the display trays into their collapsed state. Moving a support of the display tray according to the invention between its extended and its collapsed state is only by rotating the support about its axis of rotation. This is a simple movement that can be performed in little time and that is particularly suitable for automation.

In a preferred embodiment of the display tray according to the invention the support has an abutment at its free end, the display tray comprises an accommodation, and at least with the support in its extended state, the abutment and accommodation have complementary shapes. This preferred feature allows to accommodate the abutment at the free end of the support of the display tray according to the invention in the accommodation or an identical display tray. The complementary shapes of the abutment and accommodation allow the abutment and the accommodation to interact. Preferably, the complementary shapes are such that when the abutment of the support of a second, identical display tray is accommodated in the accommodation of the first display tray, rotation of the support of the first display tray is blocked. This advantageous feature provides that arranging a first display tray according to the invention on a second identical display tray such that the free end of a support or the second display tray abuts the first display tray, in particular by accommodating the abutment or at the free end or the support of the second display tray in the complementary shaped accommodation of the first display tray, not only provides a stack of display trays, but additionally blocks of rotation or the support of the first display tray about its axis of rotation. No, no other movement of the support of the display tray according to the invention than rotation and no other additional actions are required for locking the support in its extended state. Locking the support in its extended state contributions to the stability of the stack of display trays.

In an advantageous embodiment of the display tray according to the invention having an abutment at the free end of the support and a complementary shaped accommodation, the complementary shapes are nesting shapes. Additionally or alternatively the complementary shapes are interlocking shapes.

In an advantageous embodiment of the display tray according to the invention having an abutment at the free end of the support and a complementary shaped accommodation, the accommodation comprises a pair of facing abutment surfaces, one of the pair of facing abutment surfaces is a surface whether the support is at least partly moved towards the other one or the pair of facing abutment surfaces when the support is rotated between the extended state and a collapsed state. Preferably, the other abutment surface or the pair of facing abutment surfaces is the surface of a tray body that comprises the carrier floor.

In an advantageous embodiment of the support comprises two abutment surfaces, one of the abutment surfaces of the support is one of the pair of facing abutment surfaces of the accommodation when the support is in the extended state, and the other one of the abutment surfaces whether the support is one of the pair or facing abutment surfaces or the accommodation when the support is in the collapsed state. This feature allows for locking the support of a first display tray either in its extended state or in its collapsed state by accommodating the free end of the support or a second, identical display tray in the accommodation or the first display tray while the support of the first display tray is in either its extended state or in its collapsed state

In an alternative embodiment the support comprises the accommodation.

In a preferred embodiment of the display tray according to the invention the accommodation is arranged at the hinged end of the support.

In an advantageous embodiment of the display tray according to the invention having an abutment at the free end of the support and a complementary shaped accommodation, the abutment comprising an abutment surface that is slanted relative to the longitudinal axis of the support, and the accommodation comprises a complementary abutment surface.

In a preferred embodiment of the display tray according to the invention, in the extended state, the support extends substantially perpendicular to the carrier floor, and in the collapsed state the support extends along the carrier floor.

In an advantageous embodiment of the display tray according to the invention, the support is a one-piece body. In a preferred embodiment, the support is plate shaped.

In an advantageous embodiment of the display tray according to the invention the support is hingable connected to the carrier floor by means of a hinge that is configured for allowing rotation or the support post about a single axis or rotation and for restricting translation along and rotation about other axes of movement. In a preferred embodiment the display tray comprises a tray body including the carrier floor, the tray body comprises a wall, preferably a side wall, perpendicular to the carrier floor; and the support is arranged on the wall, the hinge comprises the wall and a pen that extends perpendicular to the wall and through the support and that defines the axis of rotation of the support, and the support and the wall have respective surfaces that face each other and are in contact with each other.

In an advantageous embodiment, the hinge further comprises an additional wall that extends parallel to the wall on the opposite side of the support, the surface of the additional wall that faces the wall is in contact with a facing surface of the support.

In an advantageous embodiment the wall of the hinge is an abutment surface of the accommodation. In a preferred embodiment, the additional wall is an abutment surface of the accommodation.

In an advantageous embodiment of the display tray according to the invention having an abutment at the free end of the support and a complementary shaped accommodation, the display comprises a tray body comprising the carrier floor, in which the tray body has adjacent the hinged end of the support an opening to the accommodation. In a preferred embodiment the opening to the accommodation is sized and shaped to fit the cross-sectional size and shape of the support.

The present invention further relates to a method for setting up a display, including the steps of providing a first display tray according to the present invention as described above, moving the support into its extended state, providing a second, identical display tray, and arranging the first display tray and the second display tray the one above the other such that the free end of the support of the first display tray abuts the second display tray.

In a preferred embodiment of the first and second display trays according to the preferred embodiment of the display tray according to the invention as described above having an abutment at the free end of the support and a complementary shaped accommodation, the step of arranging the first display tray and the second display tray the one above the other comprises accommodating the abutment at the free end of the support in the accommodation or the second display tray. In a preferred embodiment of the accommodation of the second display tray is arranged at the hinged end of the support of the second display tray, and by accommodating the abutment at the free end of the support of the first display tray in the accommodation of the second display tray the support of the first display tray and the support of the second display tray are interlocked such that rotation of the support of the second display tray about its axis or rotation is locked.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the present invention moving the support into its extended state is only by rotating the support about its axis of rotation.

The accompanying drawings are used to illustrate non-limitative preferred examples of the present invention. The above stated and other advantages, features and objectives of the invention will become more apparent, and the invention better understood, from the following detailed description when read in combination with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1 to 10 show a first embodiment of the display tray according to the invention;

Figures 11 to 14 show a second embodiment of the display tray according to the invention;

Figures 15 to 17 show stacks or display tray according to the first embodiment or the display tray according to the invention;

Figures 18 to 20 show a third embodiment of the display tray according to the invention;

Figure 21 shows a detail of a fourth embodiment of the display tray according to the invention;

Figure 22 shows a detail of a fifth edition of the display tray according to the invention.

Figures 1 to 3 show a preferred embodiment of the display tray 1 according to the present invention. The display tray 1 comprises a tray body 3. The tray body 3 comprises a carrier floor 5 and four side walls 7, 9, 11, 13 that extend upwards from the carrier floor 5. The display tray 1 is further shown with four supports 15a -d. The supports 15a-d are plate shaped. The supports 15a-d each have a hinged end 17 and a free end 19. The supports 15a-d are at their hinged end 17 hingedly connected to the carrier floor 5 via two opposing side walls 7 and 11. Each support 15a-d is hingedly connected near a respective corner of the tray body 3. Whether each of the supports 15a-d, a planar surface 21ne faces an inwardly facing planar surface 7a, 1a or the respective side wall 7, 11. In the shown illustration the planar surface 21 or each support 15a-d is in contact with the inwardly facing planar surface 7a, 1 lb or the respective side wall 7, 11. At their hinged end 17 the supports 15a-d are fixed to the respective side wall 7, 11 by means of a pen 23. The pen 23 defines an axis of rotation 25 about which the support 15a-d is rotatable between a collapsed state, shown in figure 2, and an extended state, shown in figure 3. In both states and while being rotated between the two states, the planar contact between the facing planar surfaces, ie planar surfa ce 21 of the supports 15a-d and respective planar surface of the side walls 7, 11, has been maintained, in particular by virtue of the pen 23 holding the respective supports 15a-d and associated side walls 7, 11 together. The pen 23 thus embodied a hinge that allows the supports 15a-d to rotate about their respective axis or rotation 25, while translation along and rotation about other axes of movement is restricted.

As shown in figure 2, in the collapsed state of the supports 15a-d extend along the carrier floor 5. As shown in figure 3, in the extended state of the supports 15a-d extend substantially perpendicular to the carrier floor 5.

As shown in figures 1 to 3, the supports 15a-d are each provided with a hole 27 that is offset from the respective axis of rotation 25. This hole 27 allows for a machine to engage the support 15a-d by inserting an engagement member , such as an engagement pen, in the hole 27, and to simply rotate the support 15a-d about its axis or rotation 25 in order to move the support 15a-d between its collapsed state and its extended state.

Figure 4A shows that in the extended state of the support 15, a first surface 29 or the support 15 is in contact with the inner surface 9a or the side walls 9 and 13 that extend perpendicular to the side walls 7 and 11 on which the supports 15a-d are arranged. This contact prevents the support 15 from rotating about its axis or rotation 25 in the direction of arrow A. Furthermore, as shown in figure 4A, a second surface 31 or the support 15 is in contact with the inner surface 5a or the carrier floor 5 The second surface 31 extends on both sides of a plane pi in which the axis of rotation 25 extends and that is perpendicular to the second surface 31 and the inner surface 5a of the carrier floor 5. As a result the contact between the second surface 31 and the inner surface 5 a of the carrier floor 5 prevent the support 15 from rotating over its axis or rotation 25 in the direction of arrow B. In order to rotate the support 15 from its extended state into its collapsed state, the edge 33 or the second surface 31 is required to move in the direction of arrow C. The latter requires a deformation of the carrier floor 5 and / or a deformation of the support

15. In the present embodiment the support is made of steel and the carrier floor 5 is made of a synthetic polymer material that allows for elastic deformation of the carrier floor 5 for allowing the edge 33 of the second surface 31 to move in the direction of arrow C when a certain force threshold is exceeded. The force threshold is sufficient for preventing accidental rotation or the support of its extended state. Alternatively or additionally, the friction between the support 15 and the side wall on which it is arranged can provide a force threshold for preventing accidental rotation or the support 15 out of its extended state. As a further alternative, the sharp edges 33 and 37 may be rounded edges having a radius that corresponds to the distance between the axis of rotation 25 and the inner surface 5a of the carrier floor 5. In such an embodiment the friction between the support 15 and the side wall on which it is arranged may provide a force threshold for preventing accidental rotation or the support 15 out of its extended state

Figure 4B shows that in the collapsed state of the support 15, a third surface 35 or the support 15 is in contact with the inner surface 5a or the carrier floor 5. The third surface 35 extends on both sides of a plane p2 in which the axis of rotation 25 extends and that is perpendicular to the inner surface 5a of the carrier floor 5 and to the third surface 35. As a result the contact between the third surface 35 and the inner surface 5a of the carrier floor 5 occurs the support 15 from rotating about its axis or rotation 25 in the direction of arrow D. Furthermore, as a result of the contact between the third surface 35 and the inner surface 5a or the carrier floor 5 the location of the hole 27 is well defined. In order to rotate the support 15 from its collapsed state into its extended state, the edge 37 or the third surface 35 is required to move in the direction of arrow E. The latter requires a deformation of the carrier floor 5 and / or a deformation of the support 15. In the present embodiment the support is made of steel and the carrier floor 5 is made of a synthetic polymer material that allows for elastic deformation of the carrier floor 5 for allowing the edge 37 of the third surface 35 to move in the direction of arrow E when a certain force threshold is exceeded. The force threshold is sufficient for preventing accidental rotation or the support of its collapsed state. Alternatively or additionally, the friction between the support 15 and the side wall on which it is arranged can provide a force threshold for preventing accidental rotation or the support 15 out of its collapsed state.

Figure 4A shows furthermore that the tray body 3, in particular the carrier floor 5 has an opening 39 adjacent the hinged end of the supports 15. This applies to all supports 15a-d. The opening 39 is an opening to an accommodation 41. As shown in Figure 4A, the accommodation 41 is defined by a variety of abutment surfaces. One of the abutment surfaces is the inner surface of 9a, 13a of the side wall 9, 13 of the tray body 3. The support 15 comprises three of the abutment surfaces 43, 45, 47. The opening 39 provides four abutment surfaces. The four abutment surfaces provided by the opening are the circumferential surfaces of the opening 39. One of the four abutment surfaces is co-planar with the inner surface of 9a, 13a or the side wall 9, 13 of the tray body 3. A second one is the surface 49 on the opposite side of the opening 39. Third and fourth abutment surfaces are the surfaces that extend between the first one and second one. Of the third and fourth abutment surfaces provided by the opening 39 only one abutment surface 51 is shown in figure 4A. With the support 15 in its extended state as shown in figure 4A, abutment surface 47 provided by the support 15 forms together with the inner surface of 9a, 13a of the side wall 9, 13 of the tray body 3 a pair of facing abutment surfaces of the accommodation 41. When support 15, starting from its extended state shown in figure 4A, is rotated about its axis or rotation 25 in the direction of arrow F towards its collapsed state, the abutment surface 47 is (initially) moved towards the inner surface of 9a, 13a of the side wall 9, 13 of the tray body 3 in the direction of arrow G.

As shown in figure 4B, with the support 15 in its collapsed state the accommodation 41 is still there, albeit that instead of three abutment surfaces, the support 15 provides two abutment surfaces 31, 52 that together with the abutment surfaces provided by the opening 39 and the inner surface 9a, 13a or the side wall 9, 13, (as described above above with reference to figure 4A) define the accommodation 41. Abutment surface 52 provided by the support 15 forms together with the inner surface of 9a, 13a or the side wall 9, 13 or the tray body 3 a pair of facing abutment surfaces of the accommodation 41. When support 15, starting from its collapsed state shown in figure 4B, is rotated about its axis or rotation 25 in the direction of arrow A towards its extended state, the abutment surface 31 is (initially) moved towards the inner surface of 9a, 13a of the side wall 9, 13 of the tray body 3 in the direction of arrow H.

As shown in figure 4C, figures 4A and 4B are superimposed, the size and shape of the accommodation 41 with the support 15 in its extended state and the size and shape of the accommodation 41 with the support 15 in its collapsed state correspond, albeit that the accommodation 41 with the support 15 in its extended state has one additional abutment surface 43 that is provided by the support 15.

The support 15 shown in figures 4A-4C has at its free end an abutment 53. The abutment 53 and the accommodation 41 have complementary shapes, in particular interlocking shapes, as will be explained under reference to figures 5 to 7.

Figures 5 and 6 show that the display tray 1 as shown in figure 3 with its supports 15 in their extended state is arranged on a second, identical display tray 101 with its supports 115 in their extended state as well. In particular, the free end of each support 115 or the second display tray 101 is inserted in the direction indicated by arrow I via a respective opening 39 in the carrier floor 5 of the first display tray 3 into a respective accommodation 41. As shown in figure 7, after insertion of the free end of the support 115 into the accommodation 41, the abutment 153 that is provided at the free end of the support 115 nests in the accommodation 41. Furthermore, the abutment 153 abuts each of the abutment surfaces defining the accommodation 41 as a result of the abutment 153 and the accommodation 41 having complementary shapes. In particular, the abutment 153 has for each abutment surface defining the accommodation a complementary abutment surface that is in contact therewith. Abutment surface 155 of the abutment 153 is in contact with the inner surface 9a of the side wall 9. Abutment surface 157 of the abutment 153 is in contact with abutment surface 43 that is provided by the support 15. Abutment surface 159 of the abutment 153 is in contact with abutment surface 45 that is provided by the support 15. Abutment surface 161 of the abutment 153 is in contact with abutment surface 47 that is provided by the support 15. Furthermore, the respective outwardly facing surfaces of the support 115 at the level of the abutment surfaces provided by the opening 39 are each in contact with a respective inwardly facing circumferential abutment surface of opening 39. As a result the abutment 153 at the free end of the support 115 and the accommodation 41 at the hinged end of the support 15 are in form locked relationship, except for translation of the abutment 153 relative to the accommodation 41 in the direction indicated by arrow J opposite to the insertion direc tion, translational movement of the abutment 153 relative to the accommodation 41 is restricted by least one of the abutment surfaces defining the accommodation 41. Additionally, the above described contact between abutment surfaces of abutment 153 and abutment surfaces of the accommodation 41 prevented the supports 115 of the second display tray 101 from rotating about their respective axis or rotation 125 in the direction of arrow B into their collapsed state. The latter even without the accommodation 141 at the hinged end of the supports 115 accommodating a free end of a support or an additional identical display tray therein.

Furthermore, rotation of the support 15 of the first display tray 1 about its axis of rotation 25 in the direction of arrow B is locked after insertion of the abutment 153 at the free end of support 115 of the second display tray 101 in the accommodation 41 at the hinged end of the support 15 of the first display tray 1. As described above described above under reference to figure 4A with the support 15 in its extended state as shown in figure 4A, abutment surface 47 provided by the support 15 forms together with the inner surface of 9a, 13a of the side wall 9, 13 of the tray body 3 a pair of facing abutment surfaces of the accommodation 41. When support 15, starting from its extended state, is rotated about its axis or rotation 25 in the direction or arrow B towards its collapsed state, the abutment surface 47 is (initially) moved towards the inner surface of 9a, 13a or the side wall 9, 13 of the tray body 3. As shown in figure 7, abutment 153 at the free end or support 115 or the second displ ay tray 101 is nested in the accommodation 41 and is interposed between and in contact with both the abutment surface 47 provided by the support 15 and the inner surface of 9a or the side wall 9 of the tray body 3. As a result the abutment surface 47 cannot be moved towards the inner surface of 9a or side wall 9 of the tray body 3, such that support 15 cannot be rotated in the direction or arrow from its extended state into its collapsed state.

In figure 8, the stacked first display tray 1 and second display tray 101 or figures 5 to 7 are shown in perspective view.

Under reference to figures 5 and 6 is described how the abutment 153 at the free end of a support 115 or a second display tray 101 can be nested in the accommodation 41 of a first display tray 1 that is defined by an abutment surface provided by the side wall of the tray body 3, abutment surfaces provided by the opening 39 in the tray body 3, and by abutment surfaces provided by the support 15 in its extended state, in particular surfaces 43, 45, and 47 of the support 15. As described under reference to figure 4B, with the support 15 in its collapsed state the accommodation 41 is also present, albeit that the abutment surfaces defining the accommodation include other surfaces 31, 52 of the support 15. As illustrated by figure 4C, the size and shape of the accommodation 41 with the support 15 in its extended state and the size and shape of the accommodation 41 with the support 15 in its collapsed state correspond. The latter allows the abutment 53 at the free end of support 15 of the first display tray 1 to be accommodated in the accommodation 241 of a third, identical display tray 201, as will be described under reference to figures 9 and 10.

Figures 9 and 10 show that on the free ends of the supports 15 or display tray 1 as shown in figures 5 to 8 is arranged a third, identical display tray 201 with its supports 215 in their collapsed state. In particular, the free end of each support 15 of the first display tray 1 is inserted via a respective opening 239 in the carrier floor 205 of the third display tray 201 into a respective accommodation 241. As shown in figure 10, after insertion of the free end of the support 15 into the accommodation 241, the abutment 53 that is provided at the free end of the support 15 nests in the accommodation 241. Furthermore, as a result of the abutment 53 and the accommodation 241 having complementary shapes, the abutment 53 abuts each of the abutment surfaces defining the accommodation 241. In particular, the abutment 53 has for each abutment surface defining the accommodation 241 a complementary abutment surface that is in contact therewith. Abutment surface 55 of the abutment 53 is in contact with the inner surface 209a or the side wall 209. Abutment surface 59 of the abutment 53 is in contact with abutment surface 231 that is provided by the support 15. Abutment surface 61 of the abutment 53 is in contact with abutment surface 247 that is provided by the support 215. Furthermore, the respective outwardly facing surfaces of the support 15 at the level of the abutment surfaces provided by the opening 239 are each in contact with a respective inwardly facing circumferential abutment surface of opening 239. As a result the abutment 53 at the free end of the support 15 and the accommodation 241 at the hinged end of the support 215 are in form locked relationship, except for translation of the abutment 53 relative to the accommodation 241 in the direction indicated by arrow I opposite to the insertion direction indicated by arrow J, translational movement of the abutment 53 relative to the accommodation 241 is restrict one of the abutment surfaces defining the accommodation 241. Additional, the above described contact between abutment surfaces of abutment 53 and abutment surfaces of the accommodation 241 prevent the supports 15 of the first display tray 1 from rotating about their respective axis of rotation 25 in the direction of arrow B into their collapsed state. As a result of the accommodation 41 at the hinged end of the support 15 accommodating the abutment 153 of the support 115 of the second display tray 101, while the abutment 53 at the free end of the support 15 is accommodated in the accommodation 241 at the hinged end of the support 215 of the third display tray 1, the support 15 is both at its hinged end and at its free end locked for rotation about its axis or rotation 25 in the direction of arrow B out of its extended state toward its collapsed state.

Furthermore, rotation of the support 215 of the third display tray 201 about its axis of rotation 225 in the direction of arrow A is locked after insertion of the abutment 53 at the free end of support 15 of the first display tray 1 in the accommodation 241 at the hinged end of the support 215 of the third display tray 201. In accordance with what is described above under reference to figure 4B, with the support 215 in its collapsed state, abutment surface 247 provided by the support 215 forms together with the inner surface of 209a, 213a of the side wall 209, 213 of the tray body 203, a pair of facing abutment surfaces of the accommodation 241. When support 215, starting from its collapsed state, is rotated about its axis or rotation 225 in the direction of arrow A towards its extended state, the abutment surface 247 is (initially) moved towards the inner surface of 209a, 213a or the side wall 209, 213 of the tray body 203. As shown in figure 10, abutment 53 at the free end of support 15 of the first display tray 1 is nested in the accommodation 41 and is interposed between and in contact with both the abutment surface 247 provided by the support 215 and the inner surface of 209a or the side wall 209 of the tray body 203. As a result the abutment surface 247 cannot be moved towards the inner surface of 209a or side wall 209 or the tray body 203, such that support 215 cannot be rotated in the direction of arrow A collapsed state into its extended state.

In the embodiment of the display tray 1, 101, 201 according to the invention shown in figures 1 to 10, the supports 15, 115, 215 extend in upward direction when in their extended state. Alternatively, the supports may extend in opposite, i.e. downward, direction when in their extended state, as will be described below under reference to figures 10 to 14.

Figures 11 A, 12, 13, and 14 correspond to figures 2, 3, 6, and 7, respectively, albeit that there are some differences between the identical first and second display trays 1 and 101 shown in figures 2, 3, 6, and 7 and the first and second display trays 1 and 101 shown in figures 11 A, 12, 13, and 14. The differences are described below.

In stead of the supports 15 being arranged on the inwardly facing surfaces 7a, 1a or the side walls 7, 11, the supports 15 are arranged on the opposite, outwardly facing surface 7b, lib, or the side walls 7, 11. As shown in figure 1 IB, the side walls 9, 11 are provided on the end facing away from the carrier floor 5 with an outwardly extending flange 63, that extends perpendicular to the side walls 7, 11. As illustrated in figure 1 IB, optionally, a cover wall 65 extends from the outward facing end or flange 63 downwards along the side wall 9, 11.

As shown in figure 11, in the collapsed state of support 15, in stead of being in contact with the inner surface 5a or the carrier floor 5, the surface 35 of the support 15 extends along and is in contact with the bottom surface 63a of the flange 63.

As shown in figure 12 in the extended state of the support 15, in stead of being in contact with the inner surface 5 a of the carrier floor 5, the surface 31 of the support 15 extends along and is in contact with the bottom surface 63a of the flange 63.

As shown in figures 11 and 12, the opening 39 adjacent the hinged ends of the supports 15 are not arranged in the carrier floor 5, but in the flange 63. The opening 39 is an opening to an accommodation 41 that is identical to the accommodation 41 of the embodiment of the display tray 1 shown in figures 2 to 7, albeit that the accommodation is mirrored relative to an axis parallel to the carrier floor 5, such that the insertion direction is opposite to the insertion direction of the accommodation 41 of the embodiment of the display tray 1 shown in figures 2 to 7.

Figures 13 and 14 show that an identical second display tray 101 with its supports 115 in their extended state is arranged on the first display tray 1 shown in figure 12 with its supports 15 in their extended state as well. In particular, the free end of each support 115 or the second display tray 101 is inserted through a respective opening 39 in the flange 63 or the first display tray 1 into a respective accommodation 41. As shown in figure 14, after insertion of the free end of the support 115 into the accommodation 41, the abutment 153 that is provided at the free end of the support 115 nests in the accommodation 41. Furthermore, the abutment 153 abuts each of the abutment surfaces defining the accommodation 41 as a result of the abutment 153 and the accommodation 41 having complementary shapes. In particular, the abutment 153 has for each abutment surface defining the accommodation a complementary abutment surface that is in contact therewith. Abutment surface 155 of the abutment 153 is in contact with the inner surface 9a of the side wall 9. Abutment surface 157 of the abutment 153 is in contact with abutment surface 43 that is provided by the support 15. Abutment surface 159 of the abutment 153 is in contact with abutment surface 45 that is provided by the support 15. Abutment surface 161 of the abutment 153 is in contact with abutment surface 47 that is provided by the support 15. Furthermore, the respective outwardly facing surfaces of the support 115 at the level of the abutment surfaces provided by the opening 39 are each in contact with a respective inwardly facing circumferential abutment surface of opening 39. As a result the abutment 153 at the free end of the support 115 and the accommodation 41 at the hinged end of the support 15 are in form locked relationship, except for translation of the abutment 153 relative to the accommodation 41 in the direction indicated by arrow J opposite to the insertion direc tion indicated by arrow I, translational movement of the abutment 153 relative to the accommodation 41 is restricted by at least one of the abutment surfaces defining the accommodation 41. Additionally, the above described contact between abutment surfaces of abutment 153 and abutment surfaces of the accommodation 41 prevents the supports 115 of the second display tray 101 from rotating over their respective axes or rotation 125 in the direction or arrow B into their collapsed state. The latter even without the accommodation 141 at the hinged end of the supports 115 accommodating a free end of a support or an additional identical display tray therein.

Furthermore, rotation of the support 15 of the first display tray 1 about its axis of rotation 25 in the direction of arrow B is locked after insertion of the abutment 153 at the free end of support 115 of the second display tray 101 in the accommodation 41 at the hinged end of the support 15 of the first display tray 1.

Despite the differences between the identical first and second display trays 1 and 101 shown in figures 2, 3, 6, and 7 and the first and second display trays 1 and 101 shown in figures 11 A, 12, 13, and 14, the functionality or both according to.

Both expensively allow for making a stack of display trays, as will be described under reference to figures 15 to 17.

Figure 15 shows that a stack of display trays 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, according to the present invention is arranged on a wheeled carrier 70, also known as a dolly. Whether each of the display trays 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, the supports are in their collapsed state.

In figure 16 and 17 the same stack of display trays 1, 101, 201, 301, 401 is shown as in figure 15, while the supports 15, 115, 215 and 315 are in their extended state, while the supports 415 or display tray 401 are in their collapsed state. The display trays 1, 101, 201, 401 shown in figure 16 are identical to the embodiment of the display tray as shown in figures 1 to 8, i.e. the embodiment of the supports 15 extend upwards in their extended state. The display trays 1, 101, 201, 401 shown in figure 16 are stacked in accordance with the method of stacking as described above under reference to figures 5, 6, 9, and 10, the abutment 53 at the free end of a support 15 or a first display tray is nested in the accommodation 41 at the hinged end of a support 15 or a second, adjacent display tray in the stack. A similar stack of display trays can be made with the design of the display tray shown in figures 11 to 14. In that case, instead of the top display tray 401, the bottom display tray 1 has its supports 15 in their collapsed state.

In figures 18 to 20 a further alternative embodiment of the displays tray according to the present invention is shown. The alternative embodiment shown in figures 18 to 20 corresponds to the embodiment shown in figures 1 to 10, although there are some differences as described below.

A first difference is that the length 1 or the supports 15 is different. In the embodiment shown in figures 1 to 10, the length of the supports 15 is such that the pair 67 of supports 15a, 15b and the pair 69 of supports 15c, 15d that are arranged on the same side wall 9, 11, do not overlap when in the supports 15 are in their collapsed state. In the alternative embodiment shown in figures 18 to 20, the length of the supports 15 is such that the pairs 67, 69 or supports 15a, 15b; 15c, 15d that are arranged on the same side wall 9, 11, do not overlap when in the supports 15 are in their collapsed state.

In order to make overlap of the pair 67 of supports 15a, 15b possible, the supports 15a, 15b are mutually offset over a distance along an offset axis that is parallel to the respective axes of rotation 25a, 25b. In particular, the support 15a is in contact with the inner surface 7a or side wall 7, while the support 15b is in contact with the inner surface 71a or a plate 71. The plate 71 has a thickness and is with its opposite surface 71b in contact with the inner surface 7a or side wall 7. Furthermore, the display tray 1 is provided with an additional wall 73 parallel to the side wall 7, the outer surface 73b or which is in contact with the support 15b.

In order to make overlap of the pair 69 of supports 15c, 15d possible, the supports 15c, 15d are mutually offset over a distance along an offset axis that is parallel to the respective axes of rotation 25c, 25d. In particular, the support 15d is in contact with the inner surface 1 la or side wall 11, while the support 15c is in contact with the inner surface 75a or a plate 75. The plate 75 has a thickness and is with its opposite surface 75b in contact with the inner surface 1 la or side wall 11. Furthermore, the display tray 1 is provided with an additional wall 77 parallel to the side wall 11, the outer surface 77b or which is in contact with the support 15c.

The plates 71 and 75 may also be embodied by a local thickening or the side wall.

A second difference is that supports 15a and 15c are mutually connected by means of a connection plate 81, and that supports 15b and 15d are mutually connected by means of a connection plate 83. The connection plate 81 allows for rotating the supports 15a and 15c simultaneously , while the connection plate 83 allows for rotating the supports 15b and 15d simultaneously. As shown in figure 19, the height hi of the side walls 9, 13 is less than the height h ₂ of the side walls 7, 11, for accommodating the connection plates 81, 83, when the supports are 15 in their extended state.

Mutually connecting the supports that rotate about co-axial axes or rotation by means of a connection plate can also be applied to the embodiment of the display tray as shown in figures 1 to 10 and to the embodiment of the display tray as shown in figures 11 to 14.

The additional walls 73, 77 of the embodiment of the display tray as shown in figures 18 to 20 may also be applied in the embodiment of the display tray according to the invention shown in figures 1 to 10, without the pairs or supports mutually overlapping. In such a case one of the surfaces of the support is in contact with the inner surface of the side wall while the opposite surface of the support is in contact with the additional wall.

In the different from the display tray according to the invention shown in figures 1 to 20, the supports are provided with a hole 27 that allows for an apparatus to engage the supports 15.

The side walls on which the supports 15 are arranged may be provided with a cut-out to allow engaging members of an apparatus to reach the holes 27 from opposite side of the side walls. Furthermore, instead of or in addition to a hole 27, the supports may be provided with an engaging member that extends side ways, such as a tab. For instance a tab may extend from a perpendicular to the surface 21 of the support 15. This would require a cut-out in the side wall to allow the support to be rotated into its collapsed state.

In the different from the display tray according to the invention shown in figures 1 to 20, the side walls 7 and 11 on which the supports are arranged longer than the side walls 9 and

13. Alternatively, the side walls 7 and 11 on which the supports are arranged shorter than the side walls 9 and 13, or the supports are arranged on side walls 9 and 13 instead of on side walls

7.

In the various of the display tray according to the invention shown in figures 1 to 20, the underside of the carrier floor is flat. Alternatively, the underside of the carrier floor is shaped such that it is partly nested in a second display tray when the display trays are stacked with their supports in the collapsed state.

In the different of the display tray according to the invention shown in figures 1 to 20, the display trays each have four supports. It is also possible that a display tray according to the invention has fewer or more supports, depending on the specific shape of the display tray.

The accommodation is according to the invention shown in figures 1 to 20, the accommodation is partly defined by an abutment surface provided by the support.

Alternatively, it is possible, as shown in figure 21, that the accommodation 541 is only defined by abutment surfaces 541a-d provided by the tray body 503. In such an embodiment the accommodation of the abutment in the accommodation does not block rotation of the support 515 about its axis of rotation 525.

In the various of the display tray according to the invention shown in figures 1 to 20, one of the abutment surfaces of accommodation is the inner surface 9a, 11a or the side wall 9,11.

Alternatively, that abutment surface is a surface provided by the support. In such an embodiment, shown in figure 22, the support 615 has a substantial U-shaped opening, the base of the U-shape is provided by abutment surface 643, one leg of the U-shape is provided by abutment surfaces 645 and 647 of the support, and the other leg of the U-shape is provided by a surface 646 facing the abutment surfaces 645 and 647.

Although the principles of the invention have been set forth above with reference to specific, it must be understood that this description is given solely by way of example and not as limitation to the scope of protection, which is defined by the appended claims.

Claims (16)

Conclusions 1. Display tray, comprising: a bearing floor; and a support with a hinged end and a free end; at which the support at its hinged end is hingedly connected to the supporting floor for rotation around a axis of rotation between a folded-out state and a folded-in state. 2. Display tray according to claim 1, at which the support at its free end has a support point; the display tray comprises an accommodation; and at least with the support in its unfolded state, the support and the accommodation have complementary forms. The display tray of claim 2, wherein the complementary shapes are such that when the support of the support of a second, identical display tray is accommodated in the accommodation of the display tray, rotation of the support of the first display tray is blocked. 4. Display tray according to claim 2 or 3, at which the complementary forms are nesting forms. 5. Display tray according to one of claims 2 to 4, at which the complementary forms are interlocking forms. 6. Display tray according to one of claims 1 to 5, at which the accommodation comprises a pair of mutually facing support surfaces; wherein one of the pair of mutually facing support surfaces is a surface of the support that is moved at least partially toward the other of the pair of opposed support surfaces when the support is rotated between the unfolded state and the collapsed state. The display tray of claim 6, wherein the support comprises two support surfaces; wherein one of the support surfaces of the support is one of the pair of opposed support surfaces of the accommodation when the support is in its unfolded state; and the other of the support surfaces of the support is one of the pair of opposed support surfaces of the accommodation when the support is in its collapsed state. The display tray of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the support comprises the accommodation. The display tray of any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the accommodation is arranged at the hinged end of the support. The display tray of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the support point comprises a support surface that is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the support; and the accommodation comprises a complementary support surface. A display tray according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein in the folded-out state the support extends substantially perpendicularly to the bearing floor; and in the collapsed state the support extends along the bearing floor. The display tray of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the support is a one-piece body. The display tray of claim 12, wherein the support is plate-shaped. A display tray according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the support is hingedly connected to the bearing floor by means of a hinge configured to allow rotation of the support around a single axis of rotation and to allow translation along and limit rotation around other motion axis lines. The display tray of claim 14, comprising: a tray body comprising the bearing floor; wherein the tray body comprises a wall perpendicular to the bearing floor; and the support is arranged on the wall; the hinge comprises the side wall, and comprises a pin extending transversely to the wall, which passes through the support, and which defines the axis of rotation of the support; and the support and the wall have respective surfaces facing each other and in contact with each other. The display tray of claim 15, wherein the hinge further comprises an additional wall extending parallel to the wall on the opposite side of the support, the surface of the additional wall facing the wall being in contact with a facing surface of the support. The display tray of claim 15 or 16, wherein the wall of the hinge is a support surface of the accommodation. The display tray of claim 16 or 17, wherein the additional wall is a support surface of the accommodation. 19. Display tray according to one of claims 2 to 18, comprising: at which a tray body comprising the bearing floor; the track body adjacent to the hinged end of the support an opening has to the accommodation. The display tray of claim 19, wherein the opening to the accommodation is dimensioned and shaped to closely fit the dimensions and shape of the cross-section of the support. 21. with 20; Method for setting up a display, comprising providing a first display tray according to any of claims 1 to moving the support in the unfolded state; providing a second, identical display tray; arranging the first display tray and the second display tray the one above the another such that the free end of the support of the first display tray rests against the second display tray. 22. Method according to claim 21 at which the first and second display trays are at least according to claim 2; and at which arranging the first display tray and the second display tray the one above the further comprising accommodating the support at the free end of the support in the accommodation of the second display tray. 23. at which Method according to claim 22 the accommodation of the second display tray is arranged at the hinged end of the support of the second display tray, and by accommodating the support at the free end of the support of the first display tray in the accommodation of the second display tray, the support of the first display tray and the support of the engaging the second display tray such that the rotation of the support of the second display tray is blocked about its axis of rotation. A method according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein - moving the support in the unfolded state is only effected by rotation of the support about its axis of rotation. 1/9 15c