(19)
(11) EP 2 181 627 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
26.06.2013 Bulletin 2013/26

(21) Application number: 08380310.6

(22) Date of filing: 31.10.2008
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
A47F 5/11(2006.01)

(54)

Self-mountable display stand

Selbstaufbauender Anzeigeständer

Support d'affichage avec dépliage automatique


(84) Designated Contracting States:
ES PT

(43) Date of publication of application:
05.05.2010 Bulletin 2010/18

(73) Proprietor: Smurfit Kappa Portugal, S.A.
4485-71 Arvore-Vila do Conde (PT)

(72) Inventor:
  • De Araújo Gonçalves, Nuno Filipe Pinto Borges
    4485-71 Arvore-Cila Do Conde (PT)

(74) Representative: Gonzalez Palmero, Fé 
Calle Sagasta, 4
28004 Madrid
28004 Madrid (ES)


(56) References cited: : 
EP-A- 1 530 933
US-A- 5 193 466
WO-A-01/78040
US-A1- 2008 173 602
   
       
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description

    OBJECT OF THE INVENTION



    [0001] The present invention relates to a display stand, of the type which configures a kind of column or display with several compartments stacked one on top of another and opened frontally, specifically to a display stand produced based on corrugated cardboard.

    [0002] Such display stands are known from WO 01/78040, EP 1 530 933 A or US 2008/0173602 A.

    [0003] The object of the invention is to achieve a simply structured, and consequently very economical, display stand, which is collapsible, so that in inoperative situations it is practically flat and its volumetric occupation is small, but with the special feature that it is also self-mountable, i.e. it goes automatically from the collapsed position to the assembled position, without anything more than a slight initiating handling of said transformation effect.

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION



    [0004] Within the wide range of display stands known to date, variables both within its own structural conception and in the material wherefrom it is constituted, cardboard display stands are known, such as those which are closest to the object of the invention, wherein by means of a special configuration for the piece or pieces which constitute it, a type of column is achieved of greater or lesser height, suitably compartmentalized into different levels in order to constitute a display stand, but nevertheless these display stands suffer from a problem which is basically centred on the following aspects: either the display stand is not collapsible and not in the least self-mountable, so that its volumetric occupation in inoperative situation is quite large, which negatively results in storage and transportation costs, or the display stand is collapsible, in order to eliminate the aforementioned problem, in which case it requires relatively complicated assembly operations, which in many cases the user of the display stand is unwilling or unable to perform.

    DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION



    [0005] The self-mountable display stand proposed by the invention resolves the abovementioned problem in a completely satisfactory manner, combining the benefits of the conventionally assembled and assemblable display stands.

    [0006] In order to do this, and more specifically, the display stand proposed is constituted by means of the functional combination of two pieces of corrugated cardboard or such like, of basically rectangular outline, and on each one are defined two longitudinal folding lines determining three sections, one central and wider, and two lateral and thinner, so that these two pieces are intended to join to each other at their lateral sections, configuring a lateral, cross-sectional rectangular body, elongated vertically, wherein the lateral sections of each one of its two pieces form the walls, also lateral to the tubular body, while the middle sections of each piece configure the frontal face and the rear face of the aforementioned tubular body, which, in turn, constitutes the display case.

    [0007] As a complement to the structure described in the frontal body, and more specifically in the intermediate section thereof, is established a longitudinal line of repetitive die-cutting, each one of which defines a frontal fixed slat, and a wide flap which bends backwards and finishes off in a second slat which, by means of adhesive, attaches to the piece constituting the rear wall of the tubular body. A folding line is situated in the middle area of the flap which permits the folding of said flap upon itself when the frontal face and the rear face of the display case come into contact with each other, i.e. in inoperative situation thereof.

    [0008] In the folding line that connects the frontal slat with the foldable flap it has been provided that preferably there exist a pair of cutting lines, each one constituting emerging tabs of the frontal slat which function as retaining buffers for the objects located on the flap in extended situation thereof.

    [0009] In order for the self-mountable display stand to be constructed practically instantaneously, it is provided that the rear piece incorporates on its longitudinal vertical edges a plurality of small perforated tabs, with those on one edge connected to those on the other by means of elastic elements which remain hidden under the foldable flaps, so that the tension of these elastic elements permits that the flat body tend to automatically and instantaneously become a tubular body, which constitutes the display stand in working situation.

    [0010] It is only left to point out that, in order to prevent the undesired extension of the display stand when it is in storage or inoperative situation, it has been provided that the flat body configured thereby is foldable at its transversal middle line, so that this folding prevents the action of the aforementioned elastic elements for the extension of the tubular body, which requires a prior manual extension of the two halves of the flat tubular body for this manoeuvre.

    DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS



    [0011] In order to complement the description being carried out and with the object of helping towards a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, in accordance with a preferred practical embodiment thereof, a set of drawings has been included as an integral part of said description wherein the following has been represented in an illustrative and non-limitative character:
    Fig. 1
    shows a frontal elevational view of one of the pieces which participates in the self-mountable display stand which constitutes the object of the present invention, specifically the frontal piece in the display stand assembly;
    Fig. 2
    shows a frontal elevational view of the other laminar piece which participates in the display stand, i.e. the rear piece;
    Fig. 3
    shows a cross-sectioned profile of the two pieces of the previous figures, duly assembled;
    Fig. 4
    shows, finally, a series of sequences of a self-mountable display stand, carried out in accordance with the present invention, from its storage situation to its final situation of use, with four intermediate phases of self-mounting.

    PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION



    [0012] In view of the figures shown, it can be observed how the display stand proposed is constituted by means of two laminar pieces (1 and 2), preferably of cardboard, of a basically rectangular outline, of coinciding dimensions in length and approximate dimensions in width, as will be seen below, the frontal piece (1) incorporating a pair of longitudinal cutting and folding lines (3-4), which define in the laminar body three longitudinal sections, one intermediate section (5) and two lateral sections (6-6'). In the central section (5) is established in the die-cutting operation transversal slats (7) framed by respective pairs of folding lines (4) which connect them to the lateral sections (6), these slats (7) being delimited below by a cutting line (8) and above by a folding line (9), joining that cutting line (8) without continuity, to the corresponding lateral cutting lines (3) which divide the laminar body.

    [0013] For their part, the folding lines (9) configure the hinge for respective flaps (10) which fold backwards and which will be discussed below.

    [0014] For its part, the rear piece (2) incorporates two longitudinal folding lines (11) which define therein, just like in the first piece (1), three laterally adjacent sections, one central section (12) dimensionally coinciding with the section (5) of the frontal piece (1), and two lateral sections (13) coinciding in turn with the width of the lateral sections (6) of the frontal piece (1), in the initial position thereof whereafter, through a longitudinal folding line (14), are established tabs (14) which, provided with adhesive, overlap the marginal areas (13) of the rear piece (2) in order to join both pieces and make them into a tubular body.

    [0015] For their part, the aforementioned flaps (10) of the frontal piece (1) feature a transversal folding line (15) next to its free edge and determinant of another slat (16), opposite to the slat (7), intended to attach itself by means of adhesive to the frontal face of the rear piece (2), said flaps (10) being foldable over themselves, just as the tubular body, through an intermediate folding line (17) parallel to that previously mentioned (15).

    [0016] As a complement to the structure described, the rear piece (2) is equipped at the level of the fixed frontal slats (7) with pairs of lateral tabs (18) provided with holes (19) which allow the coupling of a rubber band or other elastic element which tends to tense the longitudinal joining edges between both pieces and, consequently, to the self-mountable tubular body, or what is the same, to the self-assembly of the display stand.

    [0017] The only thing left to point out is that, for the purpose of preventing the elastic elements from acting incorrectly, i.e. when the display stand is in storage situation, it is provided that the display stand, in collapsed position, collapses about its transversal and middle line (20), the display stand adopting the position shown in the 1st sequence of figure 4, wherein the abovementioned rubber bands or elastic elements are completely inoperative, it being sufficient to manually unfold the display stand from said position of the 1st sequence to that of the 4th sequence, so that from here it proceeds to the self-assembly thereof due to the effect of the aforementioned elastic elements, with a good positional stability thereof corresponding to the final sequence of an undefined form, while it is not manually actuated upon against said elastic elements.


    Claims

    1. Self-mountable display stand, of the type which configure a kind of prismatic column with panels at different heights, characterized in that it is constituted by means of the combination of two laminar pieces (1 and 2), preferably of corrugated cardboard, being defined in the frontal piece (1) a pair of combined longitudinal cutting and folding lines (4-3), positionally facing folding lines (11) disposed on the rear piece (2), so that one and the other permit the folding of both pieces in order to configure both U-sectioned channelled bodies, facing each other at their openings and the frontal piece (1) having longitudinal and marginal flaps (14) to attach by means of adhesive to the lateral sections or areas (13) of the rear piece (2), in order to configure a tubular body capable of adopting a flat or prismatic-rectangular disposition, at the same time that the longitudinal folding lines of the frontal piece (1) define therein foldable flaps (10) through the folding lines (9) and thanks to the existence of the cutting lines (3), flaps equipped on their transversal free edge with tabs (16) defined by folding lines (15) which permit fastening with the collaboration of adhesive of said flaps to the intermediate section (12) of the rear piece (2), at the same time that said flaps (10) are foldable over themselves by means of transversal folding lines (17).
     
    2. Self-mountable display stand, according to claim 1, characterized in that the frontal piece (1) is capable of adapting to the rear piece (2) along its entire length in collapsed or inoperative position, and of automatically spreading out to the prismatic rectangular configuration position through effect of elastic elements established between the longitudinal edges of the rear piece (2), specifically between tabs (18) of the latter.
     
    3. Self-mountable display stand, according to previous claims, characterized in that both joined pieces are equipped with a transversal middle folding line (15) which permits folding the tubular body in half, in collapsed situation, in order to prevent the undesired self-mounting of the display stand.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Selbstmontierbares Ausstellregal von der Sorte, die eine Art prismatische Säule mit Fächern auf unterschiedlichen Höhen ausbilden, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es aus einer Kombination aus zwei Laminatteilen (1 und 2), vorzugsweise aus Wellpappe, besteht, wobei am Vorderteil (1) ein Paar kombinierte, längsverlaufende Schnitt- und Faltlinien (4-3) definiert sind, die gegenüber von auf dem Rückteil (2) angeordneten jeweiligen Faltlinien (11) liegen, sodass die einen und die anderen das Falten der beiden Teile ermöglichen, um die jeweiligen geriffelten Körper mit einem U-förmigen Querschnitt, dessen Mündungen entgegengesetzt sind, auszubilden und wobei das Vorderteil (1) über Längs- und Randrippen (14) zur Fixierung mittels Kleber an die Seitenzonen oder -bereiche (13) des Rückteils (2) verfügt, um einen Rohrkörper auszubilden, der in der Lage ist, eine flache oder prismatisch-rechteckige Gestalt anzunehmen, wobei gleichzeitig die längsverlaufenden Faltlinien des Vorderteils (1) an demselben, dank des Vorhandenseins der Schnittlinien (3), über die Faltlinien (9) klappbare Klappen (10) definieren, wobei die Klappen an ihrer freien Querkante (16) mit Rippen versehen sind, die durch Faltlinien (15) definiert sind, die die Fixierung der besagten Klappen mit Hilfe eines Klebers an den Zwischenbereich (12) des Rückteils (2) ermöglichen, wobei gleichzeitig die besagten Klappen (10) über längsverlaufende Faltlinien (17) in sich faltbar sind.
     
    2. Selbstmontierbares Ausstellregal nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Vorderteil (1) in der Lage ist, sich im gefalteten oder nicht funktionsfähigen Zustand des Ausstellregals in seinem ganzen Umfang an das Rückteil (2) anzupassen und automatisch dazu neigt, durch die Wirkung von elastischen Elementen, die zwischen den Längskanten des Rückteils (2), insbesondere zwischen Laschen (18) des Letzteren, angeordnet sind, die Position der prismatisch-rechteckigen Gestalt anzunehmen.
     
    3. Selbstmontierbares Ausstellregal nach den vorhergehenden Ansprüchen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass beide verbundene Teile mit einer querverlaufenden, mittleren Faltlinie (15) versehen sind, die es ermöglicht, den Rohrkörper im gefalteten Zustand in der Mitte zu biegen, um eine unerwünschte Selbstmontage des Ausstellregals zu verhindern.
     


    Revendications

    1. Présentoir à montage autonome, du type de ceux qui configurent une sorte de colonne prismatique avec des panneaux à différentes hauteurs, caractérisé par le fait qu'il est constitué par la combinaison de deux pièces laminaires (1 et 2), de préférence en carton ondulé, étant définie sur la pièce frontale (1) une paire de lignes longitudinales combinées de coupe et de pliage (4-3), positionnées face à des lignes de pliage (11) respectives disposées sur la pièce postérieure (2), de façon que les unes et les autres permettent le pliage des deux pièces pour configurer des corps cannelés respectifs avec une section en "U", opposés par leurs embouchures et la pièce antérieure (1) disposant d'ailettes longitudinales et marginales (14) pour une fixation par adhésif aux zones ou secteurs latéraux (13) de la pièce postérieure (2), de façon à configurer un corps tubulaire susceptible d'adopter une disposition plane ou prismatique-rectangulaire, alors qu'en même temps les lignes longitudinales de pliage de la pièce frontale (1) définissent sur cette dernière des rabats (10) rabattables à travers les lignes de pliage (9) et grâce à l'existence des lignes de coupe (3), rabats munis sur leur bord transversal libre d'ailettes (16) définies par des lignes de pliage (15) qui permettent la fixation avec la collaboration d'un adhésif desdits rabats au secteur intermédiaire (12) de la pièce postérieure (2); lesdits rabats (10) étant en même temps pliables sur eux-mêmes au moyen de lignes transversales de pliage (17).
     
    2. Présentoir à montage autonome, selon la revendication I, caractérisé parce que la pièce frontale (1) est susceptible de s'adapter à la pièce postérieure (2) sur toute son extension en situation de pliage ou inopérante du présentoir, et de tendre automatiquement à la position de configuration prismatique-rectangulaire sous l'effet d'éléments élastiques installés entre les bords longitudinaux de la pièce postérieure (2), concrètement entre des pattes (18) de cette dernière.
     
    3. Présentoir à montage autonome, selon les revendications précédentes, caractérisé parce que les deux pièces jointes possèdent une ligne transversale et médiane de pliage (15) qui permet de plier le corps tubulaire sur sa moitié, en situation de pliage, pour éviter le montage autonome du présentoir lorsqu'on ne le souhaite pas.
     




    Drawing














    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description