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(11) | EP 0 875 187 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | A device for presenting products |
| (57) A device for presenting products comprises a frame (3, 4, 5) and at least one shelf
(2) for supporting products, which is fitted thereto. The shelf (2) can be disposed
at angle to slope down from the rear to the front, whilst the shelf comprises means
for reducing the coefficient of friction of the upper surface of the shelf (2). As
a result of this, the most widely varying products (B) will readily move forward when
a front product is removed from the shelf (2). |
[0001] The present invention relates to a device for presenting products, which device comprises a frame and at least one shelf for supporting products, which is fitted thereto.
[0002] Devices of this kind are used on a very large scale, for example in supermarkets, for presenting foodstuffs and other products. In most cases the shelves of these devices occupy a horizontal position. The consequence of this is that, if products are removed, the products which are still present will remain at the back of the shelf, and shoppers have to reach to the rear to take the products. Furthermore, this makes restocking of the shelf with new products more difficult. Shelves which occupy a sloping position to ensure that the products will be positioned as far as possible to the front are known indeed, but such shelves can only be used for a limited number of products.
[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a device of the kind referred to in the introduction, wherein the above problem has been eliminated in an efficient manner.
[0004] In order to accomplish that objective the device according to the invention is characterized in that the shelf can be disposed at an angle to slope down from the rear to the front, whilst the shelf comprises means for reducing the coefficient of friction of the upper surface thereof.
[0005] Because of the fact that the shelf not only occupies a sloping position, but also comprises means for reducing the coefficient of friction thereof, many types of products will easily slide to the front, without there being a need to dispose the shelf at an unnecessarily large angle, with the attendant risk of the products being damaged. Thus, it is readily possible to place for example six-packs of beer or separate beer bottles on the shelf if said shelf is disposed at a small angle of 5 - 15°, preferably about 10-11°
[0006] If the shelf is made of a metal, it will be advantageous if said means for reducing the coefficient of friction consist of a coating having a low coefficient of friction. Said low coefficient of friction may for example be achieved by adding a friction-reducing agent to a powder coating. Furthermore it is possible to apply a special coating having a low coefficient of friction.
[0007] In order to enable an optimally universal use of the device, the shelf is preferably adjustable between a horizontal position and a downwardly sloping position, as a result of which the shelf can also be used for products which need not be presented in a sloping position.
[0008] It will even be easier for staff members to restock the shelf from the rear if a shelf plank of the shelf is extendably supported and adjustable between a front, extended stocking position, and a rear, retracted user position.
[0009] The invention will be explained in more detail hereafter with reference to the drawing, which shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention.
[0010] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention, which is filled with products.
[0012] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a device for presenting products, in this case consisting of beer packs. Crates of beer A are stacked on the lower shelves 1, whilst beer bottles contained in so-called six-packs B are present on a number of shelves 2 disposed thereabove. Said shelves 2 constitute the subject matter of the present invention.
[0013] As is also apparent from Fig. 2, the device comprises a rear gondola 3, which is connected to front posts 5 by means of connecting elements 4. The use of rear gondolas and front posts makes it possible to dispose the device as an independent unit, independently of a possible rear wall. In this way the device is capable of supporting products having a relatively large weight in a simple and safe manner. Both gondolas 3 and front posts 5 are provided with vertical rows of holes, into which mounting elements of shelves 2 can be hooked at desired levels.
[0014] Fig. 2 shows three shelves 2, which are inserted into the holes (not shown) present in posts 5 and gondola's 3 by means of hooks 6 or the like, and which are thus supported in the correct position. In the illustrated situation shelves 2 are supported in such a manner that they slope downwards from the rear to the front at a small angle, which angle may vary between 5 - 15°, for example, and which is preferably 10 - 11°. It is also possible, however, to place shelves 2 in a horizontal position.
[0015] In order to enable stocking of the shelves 2, said shelves are fitted with a fixed support 7 and with a shelf plank 8 which is movably supported by support 7, which shelf plank can move between a rear, retracted position (the upper two shelves in Fig. 2) and a front, extended stocking position, (lowermost shelf in Fig. 2). In this extended stocking position it is very simple for shop staff to place new products behind the products that are already present on shelf plank 8.
[0016] In the user position, shelf plank 8 is locked in position by means of locking elements disposed to the left and to the right of the shelf, which can only be unlocked by operating two rotary handles simultaneously, in order to move shelf plank 8 forward. A built-in protective device ensures that the locking elements will automatically return to the locking position after a number of centimetres if the handles are not consciously held. A compensation spring is provided for taking up part of the weight of shelf plank 8 and the products present thereon after the shelf plank has been unlocked. A locking pawl 9 ensures that shelf 2 cannot tilt forward in the extended position of shelf plank 8, because said pawl engages in gondola 3, thus protecting the rear side of shelf 2 against being moved in upward direction.
[0017] Fig. 1 shows that shelf plank 8 of shelf 2 comprises a front wall 10 made up of wire, against which the front products present on shelf 2, the six-packs in this case, will be supported. In this embodiment the shelf planks 8 are made of a metal, and they are provided with a powder coating, whereby at least the powder coating present on the upper surface of each shelf plank 8 contains an additive, which functions to provide the upper surface of shelf plank 8 with a low coefficient of friction. The main advantage of this is that the most widely varying products, also light products or products that do not slide easily, will slide forward upon removal of a front product of a number of products placed one behind the other in a row. As a result of this, the device as a whole has a neat and orderly appearance, and a consumer does not have to reach to the rear, whilst also re-stocking on the rear side will be easier if the products are positioned as far to the front as possible. The so-called mirroring of shelves (moving products to the front) is no longer necessary. The smooth upper surface of the shelf planks 8 eliminates the need to dispose shelves 2 at a larger angle, so that little space is lost and the risk that products which slide to the front too quickly will be damaged is minimized.
[0018] The upper surface of shelf planks 8 may also be given a low coefficient of friction in a different manner, for example by means of teflon®,whereby shelf planks 8 may also be made of another material, such as plastic. Shelves 2 may be subdivided into compartments so as to further enhance the impression of an orderly presentation of products.
1. A device for presenting products, which device comprises a frame and at least one
shelf for supporting products, which is fitted thereto, characterized in that the shelf can be disposed at an angle to slope down from the rear to the front, whilst
the shelf comprises means for reducing the coefficient of friction of the upper surface
of the shelf.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said shelf is made of metal, to which a coating
having a low coefficient of friction has been applied.
3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said coating consists of a powder coating which
contains a friction-reducing additive.
4. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said shelf can be disposed
at an angle of 5 - 15°, preferably at an angle of 10 - 11°.
5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said shelf is adjustable
between a horizontal position and a downwardly sloping position.
6. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, which is intended for the presentation
of six-pack beverage packages.
7. A device preferably according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a shelf
plank of the shelf is extendably supported, and wherein said shelf plank is adjustable
between a front, extended stocking position and a rear, retracted user position.
8. A shelf intended for use in a device according to any one of the preceding claims.