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(11) | EP 1 145 672 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Retail product display system comprising display blocks |
| (57) The retail product display system comprises at least one demonstration product or
information display block (70;71;72;73;74;75) mounted on a longitudinal demonstration
product display system (11; 21; 31). Said block has two longitudinal walls linked
by two end walls having each a cutout on their back side for hanging said block on
a longitudinal communication holder of the longitudinal display system. The block
holds two demonstration product or information display plates of the type used on
the longitudinal display system. The length of the block corresponds substantially
to the length of one plate, the two plates being placed adjacent in the block according
to the transversal direction. Such retail product display systems may be mounted on
the shelves of a multishelf stand. |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a retail product display system for displaying demonstration products or information on retail products. The invention further relates to a multishelf stand comprising the retail product display system of the invention.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Multi-shelf stands for retail products are usually used in retail shops and are well known in the prior art. An example of such prior art is illustrated by figure 1. Figure 1 shows a part of a multi-shelf stand I having three shelves 10, 20 and 30. Shelves 20 and 30 are shown with retail products 23 and 32 placed on them and which are available for purchase by customers while shelf 10 is shown without such retail products. Each of shelves 10, 20, 30 is equipped on its front edge with a respective longitudinal demonstration product display system 11, 21, 31. Tracks 11, 21, 31 hold each respective demonstration products to be displayed and/or available for test by customers. For instance, it can be seen that demonstration product display system 11 exhibits four mascara brushes with their bottles 12 and six cups 13 each of which contains eyeliners or similar demonstration products. Similarly, shelf 20 exhibits nine powder tablets 22a and three cream jugs 22b. Similarly, shelf 30 exhibits several product packages, lipliners and makeup foundation bottles. Demonstration product display systems usually also display information for customers, such as prices and composition of products.
[0003] Such demonstration product display systems have a drawback consisting in a limited space for accommodating demonstration products or displaying information, and thus, the number of demonstration products and amount of information that can be displayed is limited.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] This object is achieved with a retail product display system according to independent claims 1 and 18. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.
[0006] The demonstration product or information display block according to the invention provides a greater surface for displaying demonstration products or information than a portion of the same width of a longitudinal demonstration product display system, allowing an increase in the number of demonstration products or amount of information exhibited to customers. It also allows each family of demonstration products, e.g. eyeliners, to be concentrated into a more restricted area and thus, it advantageously allows the customer to view all variations of a given family of demonstration products without being obliged to wander along the whole length of the demonstration product display system. Further, the block according to the invention protrudes from the demonstration product display system towards the customer, and thus catches the customer eye and draws attention to the demonstration products it carries. Furthermore, it can be easily placed at any location in the demonstration product display system or change place on it as well as be removed; thus it is adaptable and makes for esthetical effects.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007]
Figure 1 illustrates a partial perspective view of a retail product stand having three shelves equipped each with a demonstration product display system according to the prior art.
Figure 2 illustrates a partial perspective view of a demonstration product display system on which blocks according to a preferred embodiment of the invention will be placed.
Figure 3 illustrates a partial plan view of a block according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 illustrates the section A-A defined in figure 4.
Figure 5 illustrates a partial perspective view of a stand similar to the one shown in figure 1, but equipped with blocks according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Figure 2 shows a partial perspective view of a demonstration product display system 40 for which will be later described a display block according to the invention. Demonstration product display system 40 comprises a shelf support track 41 and a demonstration product track 42. The purpose of shelf support track 41 is to secure demonstration product display system 40 on the front edge of a shelf. For this purpose, shelf support track 41 comprises two parallel legs between which is inserted the front edge of the shelf e.g. in a press-fit manner or secured with screws. Demonstration product track 42 has an L-shaped cross section. The vertical leg 43 of demonstration product track 42 is slidingly mounted on shelf support track 41 by means e.g. of cooperating grooves and protrusions. The longitudinal edges of legs 43 and 44 of demonstration product track 42 each exhibit a longitudinal groove 43a, 44a open one towards the other, said grooves cooperating with at least one demonstration product locator 46 the longitudinal edges of which are inserted in them for holding it. The purpose of demonstration product locator 46 is to receive and locate demonstration products on demonstration product track 42 in order to adequately place said demonstration products in the sight of customers. Demonstration product locator 46 is usually a plate that is slid between longitudinal grooves 43a, 44a. Demonstration product locator 46 may e.g. have openings which are adapted to the shape of corresponding demonstration products and support members under said openings on which the demonstration products will rest in case they do not rest on the horizontal leg 44 of demonstration product track 42. One round opening is illustrated on figure 2. Demonstration product locator 46 may also e.g. include cups for receiving stick-shaped demonstration products as can be taken in figure 1. Demonstration product locator 46 may further have information about e.g. retail products written on it either directly or via labels carried by it, said information being displayed together with the demonstration products. Demonstration product locator 46 thus defines for demonstration product display system 40 a first display width W1 over which demonstration products or information may be displayed, said first width W1 corresponding to the distance between the upper longitudinal edges of longitudinal grooves 43a, 44a. Alternatively, demonstration product locators 46 may be replaced by, or mixed with, one or several plates displaying information written on it about e.g. retail products, said plate being mounted on demonstration product track 42 in the same way as demonstration product locators 46. The longitudinal edge of horizontal leg 44 of demonstration product track 42 is preferably extended by a communication track 45 of a one piece construction with leg 44. The purpose of communication track 45 is to display information such as prices or technical information related to retail products. The longitudinal edge of vertical leg 43 of demonstration product track 42 comprises further a vertical groove 43b into which may be inserted in e.g. a press-fit manner a communication holder 47. Communication holder 47 may also be secured in vertical groove 43b by means of glue, crews or similar. The purpose of communication holder 47 is to carry labels or tags giving information such as product prices or technical information on retail products. The cross-section of communication holder 47 has substantially the shape of a "Y" the base of which is inserted into vertical groove 43b of vertical leg 43. The two other legs of communication holder 47 extend parallel to each other and define between them a groove for inserting labels or tags. Demonstration product display system 40 may further include a housing 48 clipped below shelf support track 41 and demonstration product track 42. More specifically, the shape of housing 48 is adapted to the shape of the lower leg of shelf support track 41 and horizontal leg 44 of demonstration product track 42 which have each a longitudinal channel on which housing 48 is clipped via longitudinal protrusions cooperating with said channels. The purpose of housing 48 is to support an illuminating tube of e.g. the fluorescent type (not represented) secured to the external side of a vertical wall extending under horizontal leg 44 of demonstration product track 42 and to house the ballast for this illuminating tube on the internal side of an other vertical wall extending below shelf support track 41. the illuminating tube and the ballast being secured on housing 48 by means of glue, screws or similar. Housing 48 is closed downwardly by a transparent or translucent screen 49 preferably clipped on the lower edges of the previously mentioned vertical walls of housing 48, said screen extending preferably from the vertical wall below shelf support track 41 up to the longitudinal edge of communication track 45 of demonstration product track 42. This illuminating tube illuminates retail products and demonstration products on the shelf underneath. Further, demonstration product track 42 and demonstration product locators 46 may advantageously be made of translucent or transparent plastic material - e.g. polycarbonate or PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) - allowing illumination of the demonstration products and information carried by them from the back when the illuminating device carried by housing 48 is present. Finally, a respective cheek member 50 (shown not mounted) is mounted on each end of demonstration product display system 40 that matches to the outer shape of the whole. Housing 48, screen 49 and cheek members 50 may be made e.g. in polycarbonate and meet electric protection class II requirements as regards the housing of the ballast of the illuminating tube.
[0009] Usual dimensions of a demonstration product display system 40 are e.g. a total length of 1000 mm and a length between cheek members 50 of 936 mm. Demonstration product display system 40 comprises then e.g. four demonstration product locators 46 arranged on it one after the other and having each the same length of 234 mm, wide of 78 mm and thickness of 10 mm.
[0010] We will now describe a demonstration product or information display block 60 according to the invention with reference to figures 3 and 4. Block 60 is adapted for being mounted on demonstration product display system 40 of figure 2. Figure 3 shows the left region of block 60 in plan view, the right side being symmetrical therewith with respect to a vertical plane. Figure 4 shows a section of block 60 according to arrows A-A in figure 3. Block 60 has a general shape of a bottomless container. It comprises two longitudinal walls 61 and 62. Walls 61 and 62 are linked at both ends by a respective end wall 63 extending perpendicularly between them. Walls 61 and 62 are inclined towards each other from the front side towards the back side of block 60. A communication track 64 is formed in one piece with wall 62. Communication track 64 has the shape of a longitudinal plane strip bordered by two small shoulders and is arranged on the longitudinal edge of wall 62 on the front side of block 60. The cross-section of communication track 64 is advantageously identical in shape and dimensions to communication track 45 of demonstration product track 42.
[0011] A respective shoulder 65 arranged on the inner side of end walls 63 extends from wall 61 to wall 62. A further shoulder 66 may be arranged adjacent to communication track 64 on the inner side of wall 62 and extending between shoulders 65 of end walls 63. Shoulders 65 and 66 form support means on which can rest two demonstration product locators 46 of figure 1 side by side, one being located towards wall 61 and the other towards wall 62. Of course, demonstration product locators 46 may be replaced by information displaying plates similarly to the possibility mentioned for the demonstration product display system 42. For this, the distance between walls 61 and 62 measured along shoulder 65 is twice as great as the width of demonstration product locator 46, i.e. 156 mm for a locator width of 78 mm. It also means that the distance between end walls 63 is equal to the length of demonstration product locator 46, i.e. 234 mm. End walls 63 each constitute an abutment for the two demonstration product locators 46 in the longitudinal direction while walls 61 and 62 each constitute an abutment in the transverse direction. Demonstration product locators 46 are inserted successively from the front side of block 60. For instance, the first demonstration product locator is placed on shoulders 65 and then slid against wall 61. The longitudinal edge of wall 61 on the front side of block 60 form a shoulder 67 inwardly which maintains the upper edge of this first demonstration product locator. The second demonstration product locator is then placed against shoulders 65 and 66 between the first demonstration product locator and wall 62. In order to facilitate the insertion of demonstration product locators 46 on block 60, it is advantageous to provide each demonstration product locator 46 with two protuberances located on the face towards shoulders 65, one on the left edge region and the other on the right edge region of demonstration product locator 46, e.g. at the middle of its width. Correspondingly, two cutouts are arranged on the upper face of each shoulder 65 in order to cooperate each with a protuberance of a respective demonstration product locator 46. Thus, the cooperation of the two protuberances of the first demonstration product locator 46 with the corresponding cutouts of shoulders 65 prevents the demonstration product locator 46 from sliding on shoulders 65 when the second demonstration product locator 46 is not inserted yet. These first and second demonstration product locators are adjacent according to the transverse direction and define a second display width W2 over which block 60 may display demonstration products or information, said second display width W2 corresponding to the distance between the longitudinal edge of shoulder 67 and the abutment portion of wall 62 for the second demonstration product locator. Thus, said second display width W2 is substantially twice as great as the first display width W1 defined for demonstration product display system 40. The demonstration product locators are sufficiently well held by the previously described means because shoulders 65 are inclined substantially at 45 degrees upwards from wall 62 towards wall 61 - and hence demonstration product locators 46 too - when block 60 is mounted on demonstration product display system 40 as will be described now.
[0012] Block 60 is advantageously mounted in a cantilever fashion on demonstration product display system 40. More precisely, block 60 is advantageously mounted in a cantilever fashion on demonstration product track 42 for extending at least from longitudinal groove 43a to longitudinal groove 44a. Thus, block 60 extends above the space corresponding to the first width W1 of demonstration product display system 40. For this. block 60 has a longitudinal groove 68a on the back side of block 60 which extends along the whole length of block 60. The cross section of longitudinal groove 68a corresponds to the shape and size of the cross section of communication holder 47. Longitudinal groove 68a defines hooking means for mounting block 60 onto demonstration product track 42 equipped with communication holder 47 by placing longitudinal groove 68a on communication holder 47 until the back side of walls 63 contacts the longitudinal edge of vertical leg 43 and the longitudinal edge of communication track 45 of demonstration product track 42. In the described embodiment, as block 60 is hollow shaped, longitudinal groove 68a is implemented as follows. End walls 63 have each a cutout 68 extending preferably along wall 61 on the back side of block 60. Cutouts 68 are dimensioned correspondingly to the external width and height of the cross section of communication holder 47 of figure 2. Cutouts 68 define hooking means for mounting block 60 onto demonstration product track 42 equipped with communication holder 47. Block 60 is mounted onto demonstration product track 42 equipped with communication holder 47 by placing both cutouts 68 of walls 63 on communication holder 47 until the back side of walls 63 contacts the longitudinal edge of vertical leg 43 and the longitudinal edge of communication track 45 of demonstration product track 42. As cutouts 68 are preferably located along wall 61, the latter abuts the back side of communication holder 47 when block 60 is mounted on demonstration product display system 40, thus improving the holding of block 60 on it. In other words, wall 61 defines a longitudinal wall of longitudinal groove 68a. Further, the distance between the inner side of the longitudinal edge of wall 61 and the outer side of the longitudinal edge of wall 62 measured on the back side of block 60 is advantageously equal to the distance between the back side - i.e. the side towards shelf support track 41 - of communication holder 47 and the longitudinal free edge of communication track 45; as a result, the longitudinal edge of wall 62 on the back side of block 60 will rest on the longitudinal edge of communication track 45. Block 60 may be mounted at any longitudinal location of demonstration product display system 40. Further, block 60 may be easily removed from demonstration product display system 40 by lifting block 60 so as to disengage cutouts 68 from communication holder 47.
[0013] Walls 61, 62 and 63 are preferably obtained by plastic molding. The plastic material of walls 61, 62 and 63 may be of a translucent or transparent type, e.g. PC or PMMA, for allowing illumination from the back thanks to the illuminating tube optionally nested under demonstration product track 42. Walls 61, 62 and 63 are assembled by means of glue, screws, welding or similar.
[0014] Figure 5 illustrates a partial perspective view of a stand similar to the one shown in figure 1, but equipped with several blocks of the type of block 60. The same reference numerals indicate the same elements as in figure 1. One recognizes shelves 10, 20, 30 each equipped with its respective demonstration product display system 11, 21 .31 which are assumed to be of the type of demonstration product display system 40. As mentioned in relation with figure 2, the length of demonstration product display system 40 is adapted for receiving four demonstration product locators 46. Two demonstration product or information display blocks 70 and 71 of the type of block 60 are mounted side by side on the middle of demonstration product display system 21 in the way previously described. Each block 70, 71 has a length corresponding substantially to one demonstration product locator 46. Block 70 carries two demonstration product locators 70a, 70b adjacent according to the transverse direction. Similarly, block 71 carries two adjacent demonstration product locators 71a, 71b. Demonstration product locators 70a, 70b, 71a, 71b are of the type of demonstration product locators 46 as regards their size. As can be noted in figure 5, blocks 70 and 71 carry all demonstration products that were located over the whole length of demonstration product display system 21 of figure 1 while said blocks only occupy substantially half of the length of demonstration product display system 21. Thus, the other half of the length of demonstration product display system 21 - i.e. a quarter of its length on each side of blocks 70, 71 - is available for displaying either further demonstration products or information for customers.
[0015] Similarly, two demonstration product or information display blocks 72 and 73 of the type of block 60 are mounted side by side on the middle of demonstration product display system 11. Demonstration product locators 46 of demonstration product display system 11 on each side of blocks 72, 73 comprise cups 13 of figure 1 and carry the same demonstration products. The demonstration products 12 of figure I are now carried by block 72 while block 73 carries further demonstration products which were not displayed on demonstration product display system 11 in figure 1. One can see that each block 72, 73 carries only one demonstration product locator 72a, 73a which is twice as wide as demonstration product locator 46 instead of carrying two demonstration product locators of the type of demonstration product locator 46. The length of each demonstration product locator 72a, 73a is equal to the length of one demonstration product locator 46.
[0016] Similarly, two demonstration product or information display blocks 74 and 75 of the type of block 60 are mounted on the middle of demonstration product display system 31 and carry all the demonstration products displayed over the whole length of demonstration product display system 31 in figure 1. Blocks 74 and 75 comprises each two adjacent demonstration product locators 74a, 74b, respectively 75a, 75b which are each of the type of demonstration product locator 46 as regards their sizes. Thus, space on demonstration product display system 31 is freed on each side of blocks 74, 75 for displaying further demonstration products or information for customers. As it can be noted in figure 5, block 74 and block 75 are separated from each other by a given distance with help of a smaller block 76. Block 76 is in fact a simplified version of block 60. Block 76 has the same cross section than block 60, except that it is less high as shown on figure 5; thus, block 76 extends over the display width of demonstration product display system 31 similarly to blocks 74 and 75. Block 76 has a longitudinal groove at the backside thereof for mounting purpose on demonstration product display system 31 similarly to longitudinal groove 68a of block 60. Block 76 is less long than block 60 and does not carry a removable demonstration product locator. In case block 76 is used for carrying demonstration products, its demonstration product locator is preferably made in one piece with block 76. Block 76 may also be used for displaying information or carrying a mirror.
[0017] Of course, the number of blocks mounted on each demonstration product display system can be varied instead of being two as illustrated in figure 5.
[0018] The invention was described with reference to preferred embodiments. However, many variations are possible within the scope of the invention. The length and second display width W2 of block 60 may be different from the length of, and twice the width of, the demonstration product locator 46 used on the longitudinal demonstration product display system 40 itself. It is possible to create demonstration product locators or information display plates specifically for block 60 which may not be suitable for use on the demonstration product display system 40 itself. The demonstration product locators for block 60 may also be shorter than the distance between end walls 63 in which case a further longitudinal shoulder may be arranged on wall 61 similarly to longitudinal shoulder 66 on wall 62 for supporting - if wished - a plurality of such demonstration product locators placed adjacent according to the longitudinal direction, said locators having then a width corresponding to the distance between walls 61, 62 at the level of said shoulders. Demonstration product locators or information displaying plates may also be secured by means of glue, welding, screws or similar in which case shoulders 65 and 66 may be omitted. Where communication holder 47 is absent from demonstration product display system 40, the mounting means of block 60 onto demonstration product display system 40 may be adapted as follows. A possibility consists in adapting the thickness and the orientation of wall 61 on the back side of block 60 so that the longitudinal edge of wall 61 on said back side may be inserted in vertical groove 43b arranged on the longitudinal edge of vertical leg 43 which normally receives communication holder 47. Another possibility consists in arranging two spaced feet or plugs protruding from the longitudinal edge region of wall 61 on the back side of block 60 which are adapted to be inserted into vertical groove 43b. Alternatively, these two latter mounting means of block 60 may also be inserted into the groove for holding labels of communication holder 47 when present instead of groove 43b.
1. Retail product display system, comprising:
- at least one longitudinal display system (40) having at least a first display portion of a first width;
- at least one display block (60) having a second display portion of a second width, said block being mounted on said longitudinal display system above said first display portion;
wherein said second width is greater than said first width.2. Retail product display system according to claim 1, characterized in that said second width is substantially twice as great as said first width.
3. Retail product display system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that:
- said longitudinal display system has a first length;
- said display block has a second length;
wherein said second length is substantially a quarter, a third or a half as great as said first length.4. Retail product display system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said display block comprises at least one releasable display plate (70a, 70b; 71a,
71b; 72a; 73a; 74a, 74b; 75a, 75b).
5. Retail product display system according to claim 4, characterized in that said display plate (72a; 73a) has a width which is equal to said second width.
6. Retail product display system according to claim 4, characterized in that said display plate (70a; 70b; 71a; 71b; 74a; 74b; 75a; 75b) has a width which is
equal to said first width.
7. Retail product display system according to claim 6, characterized in that said longitudinal display system (40) comprises at least one releasable display plate
(70a; 70b; 71a; 71b; 74a: 74b; 75a; 75b) having the same width and the same length
as said releasable display plate (46) of said display block (60).
8. Retail product display system according to claim 4, characterized in that said display plate (70a; 70b; 71a; 71b; 74a; 74b; 75a; 75b) has a width which is
equal to half of said second width.
9. Retail product display system according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that said display plate is supported by shoulders (65, 66) of said display block (60).
10. Retail product display system according to claim 4 to 8, characterized in that said display block comprises two longitudinal walls (61, 62) and two end walls (63)
which define abutments for said display plate (70a, 70b; 71a, 71b; 72a; 73a; 74a,
74b; 75a, 75b).
11. Retail product display system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said display block (60) comprises a longitudinal groove (68a) extending along the
whole length thereof and in that said longitudinal display system comprises a longitudinal flat member (47) which
is inserted into said longitudinal groove (68a).
12. Retail product display system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that said display block comprises two end walls (63) each having a cutout (68) and in that said longitudinal display system comprises a longitudinal flat member (47) which
is inserted in said cutouts (68).
13. Retail product display system according to claim 12, characterized in that said display block comprises a longitudinal wall (61) abutting said longitudinal
flat member (47).
14. Retail product display system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said display block comprises a longitudinal wall (61) an edge of which is inserted
into a longitudinal groove (43b) arranged on said longitudinal display system (40).
15. Retail product display system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said display block (60) comprises two longitudinally aligned plugs protruding out
of said display block, said plugs being inserted into a longitudinal groove (43b)
arranged on said longitudinal display system (40).
16. Retail product display system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that said longitudinal display system (40) comprises a first longitudinal communication
track (45) adjacent to said first display portion and in that said display block (60) comprises a second longitudinal communication track (64)
adjacent to said second display portion.
17. Retail product display system according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that said display block (60) is removable from said longitudinal display system (40).
18. Multishelf stand comprising at least one retail product display system according to
any one of claims I to 17.