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US 2003/0196976 A1Published application
Shelf module for use within a collapsible display structure
Assignee90034174 Quebec Inc.
InventorPaul Gervasi
Life of this patent
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Assignee90034174 Quebec Inc.
InventorPaul Gervasi
Estimating the term…
A collapsible display structure and a shelf module for insertion therein are provided. The display structure includes a back panel and a first and second wing panel that are connected to the back panel and are movable between an expanded position and a collapsed position. The interior surface of the wing panels includes guides for receiving a shelf module. The shelf modules include a frame and a merchandise-receiving portion for holding an item of merchandise to be displayed. The shelf modules further include guide-engaging elements for engaging the guides on the display structure. The shelf module includes a locking device that is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position the locking device prevents the shelf module from being removed from the display structure. In the unlocked position the locking device allows the shelf module to be removed from the display structure.
A shelf module suitable for use with a collapsible display structure including guides for engaging the shelf module, said shelf module comprising:
A shelf module suitable for use with a collapsible display structure including guides for engaging the shelf module, said shelf module comprising:
A shelf module suitable for use with a collapsible display structure including guides for engaging the shelf module, said shelf module comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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Show stands, hangers, or shelves characterised by their constructional features: display racks with shelves or receptables
Show cases or show cabinets: adjustable, foldable or easily dismountable
Special furniture, fittings, or accessories for shops, storehouses, bars, restaurants or the
Term end not estimated
The present invention relates to the field of display structures suitable for displaying merchandise. More specifically, the present invention relates to collapsible display structures capable of receiving shelf modules for holding merchandise.
Display structures for displaying articles of merchandise are well known in the art. Such display structures are commonly used in retail outlets such as grocery stores and pharmacies for displaying small articles of merchandise such as cosmetics and toiletries.
Merchandise display structures, according to the prior art, generally include a back panel and two side panels that are rigidly connected to one another. These rigidly connected panels create a cumbersome structure that is difficult to transport and occupies a large amount of storage space when not in use. In addition, merchandise display structures according to the prior art often include holes or grooves in their back panels through which merchandise-receiving portions such as hooks or shelves are connected. This essentially means that the merchandise-receiving portions are cantilevered from the back panel. When the merchandise is placed on these merchandise-receiving portions, a significant amount of force is exerted on the connection between the merchandise-receiving portion and the back panel. This force can cause damage to the back panel and, in a worse case scenario, can even cause the connection between the back panel and merchandise-receiving portion to break entirely.
A detailed description of examples of implementation of the present invention is provided hereinbelow with reference to the following drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the display structure in accordance with a first example of implementation of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the display structure shown in FIG. 1 in an assembled state with one wing panel in a collapsed position;
In the drawings, embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for the purposes of illustration and as an aid to understanding, and are not intended to be a definition of the limits of the invention.
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a collapsible display structure 20 in accordance with a specific example of implementation of the present invention. As can be seen, collapsible display structure 20 includes a back panel 22, a first wing panel 24 and a second wing panel 26. Back panel 22 includes a front surface 28, a back surface (not shown) and two opposed lateral edge 30 and 32. First wing panel 24 and second wing panel 26 each have an interior surface 34 (shown on first wing panel 24), an exterior surface 36 (shown on second wing panel 26), and a peripheral edge 38 positioned between the interior surface 34 and the exterior surface 36. In the embodiment shown, first wing panel 24 and second wing panel 26 are both rectangular in shape and therefore peripheral edge 38 includes four portions, namely a top portion, a bottom portion, a front portion and a back portion. It should be appreciated that the first wing panel 24 and the second wing panel 26 may be formed into any shape or size that is suitable to be connected to back panel 22.
Positioned between first wing panel 24 and back panel 22, and between second wing panel 26 and back panel 22 are flexible strips 40. Flexible strips 40 are preferably made of flexible synthetic materials, including plastics, which is able to bend repeatedly without breaking. Flexible strips 40 are adapted to connect the first wing panel 24 and the second wing panel 26 to differing ones of the two opposed lateral edges 30 and 32. In a preferred embodiment flexible strips 40 are thermally bonded between the first wing panel 24 and the back panel 22 and between the second wing panel 26 and the back panel 22. It should be appreciated that flexible strips 40 can be attached between the panels using adhesive glue, staples or any other suitable fastening techniques.