WO2014118528A1

WO2014118528A1 - Display panel and method of manufacture

Info

Publication number: WO2014118528A1
Application number: PCT/GB2014/050225
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alistair Gordon Burns; Alexander John DOIDGE
Original assignee: Artform International Limited
Priority date: 2013-01-30
Filing date: 2014-01-29
Publication date: 2014-08-07
Also published as: GB2512810A; HK1203136A1; GB2512810B; GB201301653D0

Abstract

A display panel having a first surface and at least one elongate channel extending into the display panel from the first surface. The display panel further comprises at least one power supply rail extending along the channel and spaced apart from the first surface. The power supply rail is arranged to be coupled to an electrical power supply. A product display apparatus comprises a display panel and at least one connector. The connector is arranged to engage the channel at a variable position along the length of the channel. The connector comprises at least one electrical contact arranged to contact the at least one power supply rail when the connector engages the channel. The connector forms part of or is arranged to couple to a product display element and arranged to electrically connect the product display element to the electrical power supply.

Description

DISPLAY PANEL AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE

[0001] The present invention relates to a display panel. In particular, embodiments of the present invention relate to a display panel for use in a retail environment as part of a product display apparatus. The present invention may also be used in other environments, for example household, garage, office, outdoor, catering or hospitality environments. The product display apparatus further comprises connectors which forms part of, or are arranged to couple to, product display elements. The connectors couple the product display elements to the display panel so that products may be displayed while supported by the display panel and the product display elements. A method of manufacturing a display panel is also described.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A wide variety of types of product display apparatus are known, for use in a retail environment. These include shelving units where products may be supported on shelves and product display racks where products may be hung from hooks. Both shelves and hooks may be considered to be types of product display elements arranged to directly support products. It is known for a product display apparatus to be provided in a modular format such that the relative spacing between product display elements can be adjusted to accommodate different sizes of products. It is also known for a product display apparatus to be provided in a modular format such that the display area provided by the product display apparatus is adjustable.

[0003] It is known for a product display apparatus to incorporate illumination in order to make the displayed products more appealing to consumers. WO-2006/067396-A1 discloses a product display apparatus comprising one or more product trays, including platform members for supporting products, and an upright spur arranged to support product trays. The upright spur may be wall mounted and incorporates an upright line of holes. Each product support tray includes a connector arranged to engage a respective hole. Each product tray further includes at least one LED to illuminate products on the platform member. Power is supplied to the LEDs from a power source connected to the upright spur. The connector of each product support tray includes electrical connectors which are resiliently biased outwards such that as the connector engages a hole the electrical connectors make electrical contact with power tracks which run up and down the length of the upright spur.

[0004] The product supply apparatus of WO-2006/067396-A1 is limited in that product support trays can only be positioned along the upright spur at a finite number of locations defined by the number of holes. Additionally, WO-2006/067396-A1 is limited in that the holes are arranged in a line, which may not always be the most desirable way of arranging products.

BRIEF SUM MARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0005] It is an aim of embodiments of the present invention to obviate or mitigate one or more of the problems associated with the prior art, whether identified herein or elsewhere.

[0006] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a display panel having a first surface and at least one elongate channel extending into the display panel from the first surface; wherein the display panel further comprises at least one power supply rail extending along the channel and spaced apart from the first surface; and wherein the power supply rail is arranged to be coupled to an electrical power supply.

[0007] The display panel may comprise at least two power supply rails.

[0008] The power supply rail may project from a sidewall of the channel into the channel.

[0009] The channel may be blind and the power supply rail may be positioned between the first surface and the blind end of the channel.

[0010] The channel may taper away from the first surface.

[0011] The display panel may comprise two or more elongate channels spaced apart across the first surface to form a grid of channels.

[0012] The display panel may comprise first and second power supply rails extending along opposite sidewalls of at least one channel, each supply rail being arranged to be coupled to a different terminal of an electrical power supply.

[0013] The display panel may comprise first and second power supply grills, each power supply grill defining a series of fingers and the power supply grills being arranged relative to one another such that the fingers are interlaced, the power supply grills being aligned with the grid of channels such that at least part of a finger from each power supply grill is aligned with at least one channel to form first and second power supply rails within that channel.

[0014] The display panel may further comprise a front panel part defining the front surface and having a reverse surface and a grid of elongate apertures extending through the front panel part and defining the openings of the grid of channels; and a rear panel part arranged to be secured to the reverse surface of the front panel part; wherein the power supply grills are arranged to be captured between the front and rear panel parts. [0015] The front and rear panel parts may be formed from an electrically insulating material and the power supply grills may be formed from an electrically conductive material such that the power supply grills are insulated from one another and such that the first surface of the display panel is electrically insulated.

[0016] The display panel may further comprise a power supply cable arranged to be electrically coupled to the first and second grills and to an external power supply such that each power supply grill is coupled to a different terminal of the external power supply.

[0017] The power supply cable may comprise a first part arranged to electrically couple to an electrical power supply or to an adjacent display panel and a second part arranged to electrically couple to an adjacent display panel such that two or more adjacent display panels may be coupled to a single power supply with the power supply grills of each display panel electrically arranged in parallel.

[0018] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a product display apparatus comprising: a display panel according to any one of the preceding claims; and at least one connector arranged to engage the channel at a variable position along the length of the channel; wherein the connector comprises at least one electrical contact arranged to contact the at least one power supply rail when the connector engages the channel; and wherein the connector forms part of or is arranged to couple to a product display element and arranged to electrically connect the product display element to the electrical power supply.

[0019] According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a product display connector arranged to engage a channel of a display panel, the connector comprising: at least one electrical contact arranged to contact at least one power supply rail extending along a channel of a display panel and spaced apart from a first surface of the display panel when the connector engages the channel through the first surface; wherein the connector forms part of or is arranged to couple to a product display element and arranged to electrically connect the product display element to the power supply rail.

[0020] The connector may comprise a projection arranged to be received in a channel, and the at least one electrical contact is resiliently biased and arranged to protrude from the projection to contact the power supply rail.

[0021] The connector may further comprise at least one resiliently biased clip arranged to be received in a channel other than a first channel which receives the projection and to engage a power supply rail within that other channel such that retraction of the projection from the first channel is resisted, the clip being releasable from the power supply rail to detach the connector from the display panel. [0022] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a display panel comprising: providing a power supply rail arranged to be coupled to an electrical power supply; and forming a display panel having a first surface and at least one elongate channel extending into the display panel from the first surface such that the power supply rail extends along the channel and is spaced apart from the first surface.

[0023] Certain embodiments of the present invention provide the advantage that product display elements may be coupled to the elongate channel at any point along its length, such that the arrangement of displayed products relative to the display panel is adjustable. A further advantage is that because the power supply rail extends along the channel, a connector forming part of or coupled to a product display element may electrically connect to the power supply rail. This allows power to be supplied to the product display element, for instance for use in illumination, regardless of the position of the product display element along the elongate channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a product supply apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 2 and 3 are enlarged perspective views of first and second types of product display elements forming part of the product supply apparatus of Figure 1 ;

Figures 4 to 8 are enlarged partial perspective views of component parts of a display panel forming part of the product supply apparatus of Figure 1 ;

Figure 9 is an exploded cross sectional view of part of the product display apparatus of Figure 1 ;

Figure 10 is a cross sectional view of part of the product display apparatus of Figure 1 with the display panel and the product display element assembled;

Figure 11 is a cross sectional view of part of the product display apparatus of Figure 1 with the display panel and the product display element coupled together;

Figure 12 is a flow chart describing a method of manufacturing a display panel and a product display apparatus, assembling a product display apparatus and displaying products using the product display apparatus;

Figure 13 shows a free standing unit including display panels; Figure 14 shows a countertop display unit including a display panel; and

Figure 15 shows another display unit including display panels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Referring first to Figure 1 , this discloses in an exploded perspective view a display panel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention forming part of a product display apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The display panel comprises a rear moulded panel 1 , first and second power supply grills 2, 3, a front moulded panel 4, a power supply cable 12 comprising first and second parts 6, 7 to couple to adjacent display panels or a separate power supply (not illustrated), and two mounting brackets 5 . The display panel is assembled such that the power supply grills 2, 3 are sandwiched between the rear and front moulded panels 1 , 4. The separate components of the display panel are shown in enlarged form in Figures 4 to 8. The product display apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 further shows first and second types of product display elements 8, 9, which are shown in enlarged forms in Figures 2 and 3. Figures 9 to 11 shown cross sectional views of the product display apparatus of Figure 1 during assembly of the product display apparatus.

[0026] Referring to Figure 4, the front moulded panel 4 defines a first surface 20. In use, the display panel is mounted, for instance on a wall or a horizontal surface using the mounting bracket 5, such that the first surface 20 faces generally towards persons viewing displayed products. The front moulded panel further defines at least one elongate channel 22 extending into the display panel from the first surface 20. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 there is a plurality of channels 22 arranged in a grid. Each channel has the same dimensions and the channels 22 are aligned and evenly spaced apart. It will be appreciated that this particular arrangement is only one option. In alternative embodiments there may be any number of channels 22 arranged in any pattern. The channels 22 need not be straight or all the same length. In certain embodiments the channel spacing may be even and each channel may be the same width. Referring also to the cross sectional views of Figures 9 to 1 1 , it can be seen that the channels 22 extend all of the way through the front moulded panel 4. Preferably the width of each channel 22 is substantially constant along its length to allow a connector forming part of or arranged to couple to a product display element 8, 9 (as described below) to couple to the channel 22 at any position.

[0027] The rear moulded panel 1 has generally the same dimensions as the front moulded panel 4 in the plane of the front surface 20. The surface of the rear moulded panel 1 that faces the front moulded panel 4 comprises an array of ridges 24 separated by grooves 26, as can be more clearly seen in Figure 9. The ridges 24 are stepped, comprising first broader parts 28 and second narrower parts 30. As shown in Figure 6 the narrower parts 30 are divided to form a line of teeth 32.

[0028] The front moulded panel 4 and the rear moulded panel 1 may be formed from an insulating material such that the power supply grills 2, 3 are electrically insulated. Advantageously, this ensures that the exterior surfaces of the display panel (and in particular, the front surface 22 which faces towards persons viewing displayed products) do not become electrically charged, and so do not present a safety hazard to users. The front and rear moulded panels 4, 1 may be formed from a plastic material, and in particular they may be formed by injection moulding. The skilled person will be aware of suitable alternative materials and fabrication techniques.

[0029] The power supply grills 2, 3 are arranged to supply electrical power to product display elements 8, 9 which are coupled to channels 22. A first power supply grill is coupled to a positive terminal of a power supply and a second power supply grill is coupled to a negative terminal of a power supply. It will be appreciated that either power supply grill 2, 3 may be coupled to either terminal of a power supply. The power supply grills 2, 3 are formed from an electrically conductive material, for instance a metallic material. Electrical power is supplied to a product display element 8, 9 by making electrical contact with both power supply grills, as will be described below in connection with Figures 9 to 1 1.

[0030] Power supply cable 12 is arranged to couple to the power supply grills 2, 3. The cable 12 comprises first and second ring terminals 40, 42 arranged to be secured to the first and second power supply grills 2, 3 respectively by screws 44, 46 which pass through the ring terminals 40, 42 and are secured to threaded terminal blocks 48, 50 formed within the power supply grills 2, 3. The power supply cable 12 comprises first and second parts 6, 7 including separate wires electrically connected to both terminals 40, 42. The first and second parts 6, 7 terminate with male and female connectors 52, 54 respectively such that electrical power can be supplied to a chain of display panels electrically connected in parallel. A male connector 52 at a first end of the chain of display panels is coupled to an electrical power supply such that the power supply grills 2, 3 of each display panel are coupled to the positive and negative terminals of the power supply. Within each display panel a voltage difference is applied between the first and second power supply grills 2, 3 such that power can be supplied to product display elements by bridging the power supply grills 2, 3. The rear moulded panel 1 comprises a clearance hole 66 arranged to allow the power supply cable 12 to pass into the interior of the display panel to couple to the power supply grills 2, 3. The clearance hole 66 may be sealed with a gasket (not illustrated). [0031] The power supply grills 2, 3 are each formed as a comb shape with interlaced fingers 60, 62 extending parallel to the channels 22. The interlaced fingers 60, 62 ensure that for the assembled display panel each channel 22 exposes part of both power supply grills running along the length of the channel 22 as shown in Figure 9. Each channel thus exposes part of each grill 2, 3 on opposite sides of the channel 22 at a position spaced apart from the first surface 20. The portion of each grill 2, 3 expose in each channel 22 comprise first and second power supply rails 200, 202, each connected to a separate terminal of a power supply. Thus a connector is able to supply electrical power to a product display element 8, 9 by electrically contacting both rails 200, 202 within a single channel 22 or in respective separate channels 22. It will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments of the present invention the arrangement of the power supply grills 2, 3 and the channels 22 may be such that each channel 22 comprises only a single exposed power supply rail or two power supply rails of the same polarity, for instance with adjacent channels alternately exposing positive and negative power supply rails. Alternatively, there may be only a single power supply grill arranged such that each channel 22 exposes one or two power supply rails of the same polarity, with the product display elements being arranged to be separately earthed or separately connected to an opposite terminal of the power supply. Further alternatives for supplying electrical power to product display elements will be apparent to the skilled person, in which each channel has at least one power supply rail 200, 202 exposed and extending along at least part of the length of the channel 22 spaced apart from the first surface 20.

[0032] The fingers 60, 62 of the power supply grills 2, 3 are arranged to be supported by the ridges 24 of the rear moulded panel 1 , such that the edges of the fingers 60, 62 are correctly positioned relative to the channels 22 to form the power supply rails 200, 202. The fingers 60, 62 define a series of elongate slots 64 arranged to pass over the teeth 32 formed in the narrower second part 30 of the ridges 24.

[0033] Referring to Figures 9 to 11 , it can be seen that in cross section the front moulded panel 4 comprises a series of generally U-shaped elements 70 and the spaces between the U-shaped elements 70 define the openings of the channels 22. Opposite the first surface 20, the elements 70 define grooves 72. The grooves 72 are blind and taper inwards towards their blind end. The channels 22 are also tapered extending into the display panel. The teeth 32 are arranged to pass through the slots 64 in the power supply grills 2, 3 and to engage the grooves 72. As best seen in Figure 9, the teeth 32 and the grooves 72 have corresponding shapes such that when fully engaged the power supply grills 2, 3 are trapped between the U-shaped elements 70 of the front moulded panel 4 and the first broader parts 28 of the ridges 24 of the rear moulded panel 1. The grooves 26 of the rear moulded panel 1 comprise a further, blind extension of the channels 22 into the assembled display panel passing through the gaps between adjacent interlaced fingers 60, 62 of the power supply grills 2, 3. The fingers 60, 62 of the power supply grills 2, 3 are each wider than the corresponding U-shaped elements 70 of the front moulded panel 4 such that part of two adjacent interlaced fingers 60, 62 extend into the channels 22 to form power supply rails 200, 202. The channels 22 are larger on the blind side of the power supply rails 200, 202 than on the open side (due to the relative dimensions of ridges 24 and U-shaped elements 70). This assists the connectors engaging the power supply rails 200, 202, as discussed below.

[0034] In certain embodiments of the present invention the width of the channels 22 and the distance from the front surface 20 to the power supply rails 200, 202 for the assembled display panel is chosen to restrict access to the power supply rails 200, 202, thereby reducing the likelihood of a user accidentally coming into electrical contact with the power supply rails 200, 202. Aptly the channel width may be between about 4 mm and 20 mm. More aptly the channel width may be between about 5 mm and 15 mm, and more aptly the channel width may be between about 6 mm and 10 mm. Aptly the distance from the front surface 20 to the power supply rails 200, 202 for the assembled display panel may be between about 5 mm and 25 mm and more aptly between about 8 mm and 15 mm.

[0035] With reference to Figures 4 and 6, it can be seen that the front moulded panel 4 comprises an outer wall 80 which is arranged to pass over the outer circumference of the rear moulded panel 1. The outer wall 80 assists in locating the teeth 32 in grooves 72 during assembly of the display panel. Outer wall 80 defines a series of screw holes 82 which align with screw holes 84 in the rear moulded panel 1. The front and rear moulded panels 4, 1 may be secured to one another using screws 86 which pass through holes 84 in the outer wall 80 into holes 84.

[0036] The front moulded panel may optionally further comprise a hole to accommodate a status indicator 83 which may be an LED. The status indicator may be configured to signal when the panel is connected (i.e. power is running through it), when the panel is off (i.e. no power is running through it) or if there is an error. This may be indicated, for example, through green, red and flashing lights respectively.

[0037] It will be appreciated by the appropriately skilled person that alternative fabrication techniques may be used to construct a display panel having one or more elongate channels with at least one power supply rail extending along a side wall of the channel spaced apart from a first surface. As one example, insert injection moulding may be used in which the power supply grills are embedded in a solid injection moulded material. [0038] Display panels according to embodiments of the present invention may be installed in a vertical or horizontal orientation, or at any desired inclination in order to display products. As one example, the display panel illustrated in Figure 1 includes a pair of mounting brackets 5, one of which is illustrated in an enlarged form in Figure 8. Each mounting bracket 5 comprises a section of angled material including screw holes 90 arranged to receive screws 92, which are passed through the mounting bracket 5 and are secured to the rear moulded panel 1. The mounting brackets may hook over teeth of one or more channels (not shown) attached to a wall, thereby supporting the display panel and holding it in place on the wall.

[0039] As described above, and as illustrated best in Figure 10, the display panel includes one or more elongate channels 22 which generally taper inwards from the first surface 20 towards their blind ends (formed by the rear moulded panel 1). The power supply rails 200, 202 formed by the power supply grills 2, 3 project into the channel 22 from either side and extend along the length of the channel 22 spaced apart from the first surface 20. The side walls of the channel 22 are stepped back on the blind side of the power supply rails as the first broader part 28 of ridges 24 is narrower at the point in contact with the power supply grills 2, 3 than the contacting part of the U-shaped elements 70. The channels 22 are arranged to receive connectors, an example of which is shown in an exploded cross section view in Figure 9 and assembled in Figures 10 and 11. The connectors may comprise discrete components arranged to couple to a product display element. Alternatively, each connector may form part of a product display element. An exemplary connector 100 is illustrated in Figures 9 to 11. Connector 100 forms part of the product display element 8 illustrated in Figure 2. Product display element 9 illustrated in Figure 3 includes a different form of connector 140.

[0040] Referring in particular to Figures 9 to 11 , connector 100 comprises a projection 102 which is shaped to be received within a channel. As shown in Figure 2 the projection 102 is blade shaped such that it extends along the channel 22 for a greater distance than the width of the channel 22. This reduces twisting of the projection 102 within the channel 22. In cross section, the projection 102 extends from a first end at which it terminates at a transverse wall 104 and generally tapers towards a nose 106. The projection 102 is shaped to fit within the taper of channel 22. In particular, the length of projection 102 is selected such that nose 106 approaches the blind end of channel 22 when the projection 102 is fully inserted into the channel 22. The nose 106 may bear against the blind end to limit further insertion of the projection 102. Close to the wall 104 the sides of the projection 102 conform closely to the shape of the channel 22 such that when the projection 102 is fully inserted into the channel 22 movement of the projection 102, and hence the display element 8, in a direction parallel to the first surface 20 is limited.

[0041] The projection 102 may be formed from a plastic material, and may be formed together with further portions of the connector 100 and the product display element 8, to be described below. The connector 100 is formed in two halves as shown in Figure 9, with the split extending along the centre of the projection 102 in the cross section view of Figure 9. Each half of the projection 102 includes an aperture 108 which connects with an enclosed channel 110 extending along the central spine 112 of the connector 100. The aperture 108 faces outwards from the projection 102 towards a sidewall of the channel 22. The aperture 108 may be surrounded by a wall 1 14 of the projection 102 on all sides. The aperture 108 and the enclosed channel 110 are arranged to receive an electrical contact 116 which comprises a strip of an electrically conductive material, for instance a metal. The strip forming the electrical contact 116 may be substantially as wide as the projection 102, or may be narrower or a wire. The electrical contact 116 is arranged to be inserted into channel 110 through the aperture 108. The portion of the electrical contact 116 exposed within the aperture 108 is bent outwards and then terminates bearing against the edge of the aperture 108 close to the nose 106 such that the electrical contact 116 is resiliently biased outwards from the projection 102 and extends above the walls 114. When the connector 100 is assembled and the projection 102 is inserted into a channel 22 as illustrated in Figure 11 the electrical contacts 116 bear against and make electrical contact with the power supply rails. The electrical contacts 116 are electrically insulated from one another by the walls of the enclosed channels 1 10.

[0042] Within the product display element 8 the electrical contacts 116 may be coupled to a light source 118, for instance by wires within the body of the product display element 8 so that power may be supplied to the light source 118 from the power supply via power supply cable 12, power supply grills 2, 3 and electrical contacts 116. The arrangement of light source 118, and other potential uses of the electrical power supplied via the display panel, may be entirely conventional and so will not be further described. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments a product display element may not require a source of electrical power and so in such embodiments the electrical contacts 116 may be dispensed with.

[0043] The connector 100 further comprises first and second retaining clips 120 built out from walls 104. The clips 120 comprise first parts 122 extending in a first direction generally parallel to projection 102 and second parts 124 extending in a second direction generally parallel to spine 1 12. As shown in Figure 2, the clips 120 are broad relative to the width of the channel 22 and extend along the length of the channel 122 parallel to the projection 102. The first clip parts 122 terminate with an overhanging hook 126 which is arranged to clip over the power supply rail 200, 202 in adjacent channels 22 to the channel 22 receiving the projection 102, when the projection 102 is fully inserted into a first channel 22. The retaining clips 120 are resiliently formed such that as the projection 102 is inserted into a channel 22 the first clip parts 122 move apart to allow the hooks 126 to pass the power supply rails 2, 3 before springing back to prevent the projection 102 from being withdrawn from the channel 22. The clips 120 are arranged to engage power supply rails 200, 202 when the nose 106 of projection 102 engages the blind end of the channel 22

[0044] The second clip parts 124 are bent inwards towards the spine 112 at their far end. As the first clip parts 122 move outwards the walls 104 bend such that the second clip parts 124 move inwards. The inward turning parts of the second clip parts 124 limit movement towards the spine 112. When it is desired to remove a connector 120 from the display panel the second clip parts 124 may be pressed together towards the spine 112 to release hooks 126 from the power supply rails 2, 3.

[0045] Referring to Figure 2, it can be seen that the product display element 8 comprises the connector 100 and a continuation 130 of the spine 1 12, which terminates with a kinked portion 132. Products to be displayed incorporated holes sized to fit over spine 112 within their packaging, such that the packages may be threaded onto the spine, with kinked portion 130 reducing the risk of products sliding back off the spine 112. It will be appreciated that the size and shape of the product display element may vary widely, including for instance the size and shape of the continuation of the spine 1 12 to receive the product packages. As noted above, light source 118 is provided to illuminate displayed products. The location and features of the light source 1 18 may vary widely.

[0046] Figure 3 illustrates an alternative product display element 9, which includes a similar spine continuation 130 to support packages. Product display element 9 further comprises a parallel bar 134 which terminates in a hanger 136 overlapping the kinked portion 132 arranged to display information, such as a price, about the displayed products. The connector 140 of the product display element 9 differs from the connector 100 described above in that it comprises first and second projections 102 arranged to engage two adjacent channels 22, such that in combination with clips 120 the connector 140 spans four adjacent channels 22 within the display panel. This advantageously gives greater strength and rigidity to the product display element 9 such that heavier products can be displayed. It will be appreciated that further variations may include a larger number of channels being engaged. It will be appreciated that for connector140 it is not essential that both projections 102 include electrical contacts 1 16, or alternatively each projection 102 may include a single electrical contact 116. In a further variation a connector may include only a single clip 120 arranged to engage a power supply rail 200, 202 in an adjacent channel 22 on one side only of the projection 102. Further modifications to connectors arranged to couple to the display panel and make electrical contact with one or power supply rails, and optionally to firmly engage the display panel, will be readily apparent to the skilled person.

[0047] As discussed above in connection with the description of the power supply cable 12, display panels in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may be positioned adjacent to one another to form a larger display area. In particular, the display panel shown in Figure 1 is square or rectangular, and so may readily tessellate to cover a larger area of wall, forming essentially a larger continuous display panel. The display panels may also be mounted on a horizontal surface such as a table or counter, or at any arbitrary angle.

[0048] As noted above in connection with the description of the connectors, the connectors may form part of or be integrally formed with a product display element, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, or the connectors may be separate components arranged to couple to product display elements. If a connector comprises a separate component then an additional coupling mechanism is required to couple to a product display element, and to supply electricity to the product display element if required. Such a coupling mechanism may be entirely conventional, and so will not be further described. Additionally, if a connector comprises a separate component then the form of the connector may differ, including for instance the form of a retaining clip to secure the connector to a display panel.

[0049] Possible alternative product display elements and connectors include illuminated brackets comprising a connector incorporating a light source arranged to support and illuminate a product display element. Such product support element may comprise a shelf, an illuminated frame, a product display case or any other shape and form arranged either to directly support products or to be positioned close to products, for instance to supply illumination. Alternatively, the connectors may not incorporate a light source, instead including an electrical connector to supply current to a supported product display element. Further options for product display elements and connectors able to couple to a display panel as described above, and able to draw electrical power from a power supply rail within a channel of the display panel will be readily apparent to the appropriately skilled person.

[0050] In an alternative embodiment, rather than the rear moulded panel comprising a line of teeth 32 as described with respect to Figure 9, for supporting the power supply rails 2, 3, the front moulded panel may comprise the line of teeth and would provide a similar function to that previously discussed.

[0051] It will be appreciated that a panel or a plurality of panels may be installed in many alternative configurations. Rather than wall mounting a panel as described above, a panel or panels may be freestanding, or part of a freestanding unit, counter top, table top or floor mounted, or provided on any other suitable surface. An example of a further configuration is illustrated in Figure 13 where display panels 4 are arranged as part of a freestanding unit. Upon each panel there is mounted a variety of display elements (e.g. hooks, shelves and boxes) which are electrically and physically attached to the display panel 4 via connectors 100.

[0052] A further example is illustrated in Figure 14 where the display panel 4 is a countertop display. In this example an edge lit light box 1402 can be positioned and connected (using connectors 100) anywhere on the display panel 4 through a decorative finishing panel 1400.

[0053] As a yet further example panels may be arranged as illustrated in Figure 15 with a horizontal panel and a vertical panel (which may be wall mounted). Connectors 100 attach a lighting fin 1504 to the vertical panel. A clear shelf 1502_! is located into the lighting fin 1504 to thereby become illuminated. Through the use of adjustable connectors, the shelf may be fitted at any angle. Attached to the horizontal panel (via connectors 100) is an illuminating angle block 1500 into which a clear shelf 1502₂ may be located. Other alternative configurations may include, for example, using the display panels as cupboard doors or drawer fronts or orienting them at any intermediate angle.

[0054] It will be appreciated that any desired display element configurations or combination of display element configurations may be attached to a display panel 4 via connectors 100.

[0055] Although specific examples show the display panels 4 as being generally square or rectangular in shape, the panels may be any desired shape. For example, the panels may be shaped as circles, ovals, triangles, trapeziums, kites, diamonds, semi-circles, crescents, any regular polygon, any irregular polygon or any combination of shapes. It will be appreciated that the display panel can have any required dimensions, but as an example a display panel may be about 15 x 20 cm, or 30 x 45cm, or 40 x 90 cm and the assembled panel may have a depth of 3 cm for example or aptly between about 1 cm and 4 cm.

[0056] Referring to Figure 12, a method of manufacturing a display panel and a product display apparatus, assembling a product display apparatus and displaying products using the product display apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention will now be described. At step S300 the front and rear moulded panels of the display panel are formed. As noted above the panels may be formed from a plastic material, for instance by injection moulding, though other suitable materials and manufacturing techniques will be readily apparent. As step S302 the power supply grills are formed. The power supply grills may be cut from a sheet of metal. At step S304 the power supply grills are positioned over the teeth formed on the rear moulded panel. At step S306 the power supply cable is inserted through the aperture in the rear moulded panel and the terminals are secured to the power supply grills by the screws. At step S308 the front moulded panel is positioned over the rear moulded panel and then secured to the rear moulded panel by the screws. At step S310 at least one connector is assembled from moulded plastic parts and the electrical contact strips. If the connector is integrally formed with a product display element then further components of the product display element such as a light source are assembled. At step S312 the display panel is mounted to a display surface, for instance using the mounting brackets, and the power supply cable is coupled to a power supply. Optionally, there may be two or more adjacent display panels, and the power supply cables may be used to connect the display panels together in a chain to couple to a single power supply. At step S314 the connector may be coupled to a channel in one or more display panel. At step S316 products may be displayed on a product display element, of which the connector is an integral part, or to which the connector couples.

[0057] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of them mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

[0058] Features, integers, characteristics or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

[0059] The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A display panel having a first surface and at least one elongate channel extending into the display panel from the first surface;

wherein the display panel further comprises at least one power supply rail extending along the channel and spaced apart from the first surface; and

wherein the power supply rail is arranged to be coupled to an electrical power supply.

2. A display panel according to claim 1 , wherein the power supply rail projects from a sidewall of the channel into the channel.

3. A display panel according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the channel is blind and the power supply rail is positioned between the first surface and the blind end of the channel.

4. A display panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the channel tapers away from the first surface.

5. A display panel according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising two or more elongate channels spaced apart across the first surface to form a grid of channels.

6. A display panel according to claim 5, comprising first and second power supply rails extending along opposite sidewalls of at least one channel, each supply rail being arranged to be coupled to a different terminal of an electrical power supply.

7. A display panel according to claim 6, comprising first and second power supply grills, each power supply grill defining a series of fingers and the power supply grills being arranged relative to one another such that the fingers are interlaced, the power supply grills being aligned with the grid of channels such that at least part of a finger from each power supply grill is aligned with at least one channel to form first and second power supply rails within that channel.

8. A display panel according to claim 7, further comprising:

a front panel part defining the front surface and having a reverse surface and a grid of elongate apertures extending through the front panel part and defining the openings of the grid of channels; and a rear panel part arranged to be secured to the reverse surface of the front panel part;

wherein the power supply grills are arranged to be captured between the front and rear panel parts.

9. A display panel according to claim 8, wherein the front and rear panel parts are formed from an electrically insulating material and the power supply grills are formed from an electrically conductive material such that the power supply grills are insulated from one another and such that the first surface of the display panel is electrically insulated.

10. A display panel according to any one of claims 7 to 9, further comprising:

a power supply cable arranged to be electrically coupled to the first and second grills and to an external power supply such that each power supply grill is coupled to a different terminal of the external power supply.

11. A display panel according to claim 10, wherein the power supply cable comprises a first part arranged to electrically couple to an electrical power supply or to an adjacent display panel and a second part arranged to electrically couple to an adjacent display panel such that two or more adjacent display panels may be coupled to a single power supply with the power supply grills of each display panel electrically arranged in parallel.

12. A product display apparatus comprising:

a display panel according to any one of the preceding claims; and

at least one connector arranged to engage the channel at a variable position along the length of the channel;

wherein the connector comprises at least one electrical contact arranged to contact the at least one power supply rail when the connector engages the channel; and

wherein the connector forms part of or is arranged to couple to a product display element and arranged to electrically connect the product display element to the electrical power supply.

13. A product display connector arranged to engage a channel of a display panel, the connector comprising:

at least one electrical contact arranged to contact at least one power supply rail extending along a channel of a display panel and spaced apart from a first surface of the display panel when the connector engages the channel through the first surface; wherein the connector forms part of or is arranged to couple to a product display element and arranged to electrically connect the product display element to the power supply rail.

14. A product display connector according to claim 12 or 13 further comprising an attachment element arranged to couple the connector to the display panel.

15. A product display connector according to claim 14 wherein the attachment element comprises a retaining clip or hook element.

16. A product display apparatus according to claim 12 or a product display connector according to any of claims 13 to 15, wherein the connector comprises a projection arranged to be received in a channel, and the at least one electrical contact is resiliently biased and arranged to protrude from the projection to contact the power supply rail.

17. A product display apparatus or a product display connector according to claim 14, wherein the attachment element comprises at least one resiliently biased clip arranged to be received in a channel other than a first channel which receives the projection and to engage a power supply rail within that other channel such that retraction of the projection from the first channel is resisted, the clip being releasable from the power supply rail to detach the connector from the display panel.

18. A method of manufacturing a display panel comprising:

providing a power supply rail arranged to be coupled to an electrical power supply; and

forming a display panel having a first surface and at least one elongate channel extending into the display panel from the first surface such that the power supply rail extends along the channel and is spaced apart from the first surface.