A display device for supporting a sheet panel and a system and a method of attaching such display device to a surface, such as a window or a wall

Abstract

 By the present invention there is provided a more attractive and improved display device for a sheet panel which is easier to use. According to the invention there is provided a system and a method of attaching a display device where the risk of damaging in particular the edge regions of the sheet during insertion is reduced.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device for supporting a sheet panel and a system and a method of attaching such display device to a surface, such as a window or a wall.

[0002] In public places such as restaurants, museums, etc. it is widely used to provide information to the public by setting up printed sheets. Such information sheets can be of temporary nature, approvals, etc.

[0003] Such information sheet is typically applied to the inside of a window by a strip of adhesive tape in each corner. However, the appearance of such information sheets is often not satisfying, in particularly after the sheet has been sitting in the window for a while.

[0004] As an alternative, such information sheets may be accommodated in a display frame which is attached to a wall of the facility. From EP 1 419 901 and US 6,735,896 examples are known of display devices where the sheet panel is attached by suction or magnetic mounting means.

[0005] Another example of a panel support device is known from GB 2 349 083 where corner and/or side panel support pieces are adhesively attached to a surface, such as a window or a wall. The support pieces are provided with a slit or the like wherein the sheet panel is inserted before attachment to the surface.

[0006] Another drawback of these known devices is that the corner and/or side panel support pieces must be accurately positioned on the surface which is difficult. Typically, the support pieces are positioned on the sheet to be displayed and then attached to the surface when the support pieces are mounted on the panel or sheet. Although this may ensure some accuracy this is still difficult.

[0007] By the invention there is provided a more attractive and improved display device for a sheet panel which is easier to use. According to the invention there is provided a system and a method of attaching a display device where the risk of damaging in particular the edge regions of the sheet during insertion is reduced.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a display device for securing a sheet panel to a surface, such as a window or a wall door panel or the like, said system comprising two substantially parallel guide profiles to be mounted at a predetermined distance adapted to receive two opposite first and second side edge portions of the sheet panel, and a support profile positioned for retaining a third side edge of said sheet, where said support profile is positioned with an orientation substantially perpendicular to said two substantially parallel guide profile at a position adjacent the distal ends of said two guide profiles and therebetween said distal ends, whereby a substantially rectangular display area is defined by said two guide profiles and said support profile.

[0009] Preferably the guide profiles and the support profile are provided with a Z-like cross-section with an outermost adhesive substrate surface and a distal innermost sheet retention portion, whereby a sheet receiving groove is provided between said sheet retention portion and the substrate.

[0010] Advantageously, the adhesive substrate surface of the profile is generally flat and provided with a strip of adhesive material and with an innermost corner section formed with a protrusion sloping towards the substrate ending in a sharp corner.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the invention the profiles are made of a transparent polymeric material, in particular the profiles may be extruded polymeric material profiles.

[0012] Preferably, the guide profiles and the support profile have the same cross-section. Not only does this provide an aesthetically more attractive appearance but does also make the device less costly to manufacture.

[0013] Preferably, the adhesive material is a substantially transparent adhesive material, preferably provided as a strip of adhesive material, in particular a double adhesive tape strip. This makes the device more discrete in appearance.

[0014] According to a second aspect of the invention thee is provided an applicator system for attaching the display device of the first aspect of the invention to a surface, said applicator system comprising a base plate generally corresponding to the size of the sheet and having a distal side and a substrate side, and two opposite side portions and a top and bottom portion, wherein the side portions and the bottom portion are provided with apertures in the side portions for accommodating the guide profiles and an aperture in the bottom portion for accommodating the support profile, said apertures being provided with flexible sheet members on its distal side, to which the profiles are releasably attached in their intended formation.

[0015] Hereby a simple applicator system for the display device is provided which is simple in use and inherently ensures an accurate mounting of the guide and support profiles, so that panels or sheets in a predetermined size can subsequently be inserted and removed without damaging the sheets.

[0016] In the applicator according to the invention the profiles are preferably releasably, adhesively retained along the distal edge of the flexible sheet members so that when the profiles are attached to the surface, i.e. the substrate of the display device, the applicator base can easily be removed.

[0017] In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of attaching a display device to a surface, such as a window panel, said method comprising the steps of: positioning an applicator system according to claim 8 or 9 on a surface (fig. 5), attaching the guide profiles and the support profile respectively by performing the following steps for each of the profile carrying flexible sheet members: bending the flexible sheet members away from the surface and removing the release liner from the surface facing side of the guide profiles and the support profile respectively (fig. 6), and then flexing back the said flexible sheet for adhesively attaching the profile on the surface (fig. 7), before detaching the flexible sheet members from the distal surface of the profiles and removing the applicator base plate (fig. 8).

[0018] Hereby a simple application method is provided which is efficient and inherently ensures an accurate mounting of the guide and support profiles.

[0019] In the following the invention is explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1

is a schematic top view of an application system for a display device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,

figure 2

is a cross-section view along the line A-A in fig. 1,

figure 3

is a schematic top view of the display device when mounted,

figure 4

is a schematic perspective view of a display device according to the invention mounted on a window panel or the like,

figures 5 to 9

show the steps of attaching the display device according to the invention utilising the application system,

figure 10

is a schematic cross-section view of a profile of the display device according to a preferred embodiment, and

figures 11 and 12

show detailed schematic views of problems associated with inferior solutions compared with the display device according to the invention.

[0020] With reference to the figures a display device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown comprising two parallel or at least substantially parallel guide profiles 2 are positioned with a predetermined distance on a surface 10 of a substrate, such as a transparent window panel, a wall panel or the like. The guide profiles 2 have a top and a bottom end. Between the bottom ends of the two guide profiles 2, a third profile 3 is positioned as a support profile for supporting a sheet 4 or the like and/or a transparent protective panel 5, which is inserted between the two guide profiles 2.

[0021] The length H of the guide profiles 2 is of a predetermined size as well as the width B, i.e. the mutual distance between the guide profiles 2, is of a predetermined size. The relation between the length H and the width B is of a predetermined ratio, e.g. corresponding to a standard A4 size sheet size, i.e. a length of 297 mm and a width of 210 mm or vice versa. The display device may alternatively be dimensioned for other standard sizes, such as A3 (420 x 297 mm), B4, etc. in either portrait or landscape orientations. It is of course by the invention realised that the information sheet display device and the applicator system according to the invention may be provided in any predetermined sizes.

[0022] As shown in figures 1 and 2, in order to accurately positioning the profiles 2, 3 of the display device an applicator system is provided. The applicator system comprises a base plate 1. The applicator has a first and second side edge 12 and 13 respectively, a top edge 13 and a bottom edge 14. In the first and second side edges 12, 13 there are provided cut-outs 15 and 16 for accommodating the guide profiles 2, and in the bottom edge 14 there is also provided a cut-out 17 for accommodating the support profile 3. In each of the cut-outs 15, 16 and 17, flexible sheet members 18, 19 and 20 are provided. The flexible sheet members 18, 19 and 20 are attached to the base plate 1 at the inner longitudinal side of the flexible sheet members 18, 19, 20. Along the outer longitudinal sides of the flexible sheet members 18, 19, 20, the profiles 2, 3 are releasably, adhesively attached. How these components of the applicator are assembled is shown in more detail in fig. 2 which is a sectional view A-A of the applicator in figure 1.

[0023] In figures 3 and 4 the resulting display device after having been mounted by the applicator is shown. The guide profiles 2 are positioned in parallel each having a length of H and with a width B measured between the longitudinal inner side stops of the profiles 2 defined by the transition between the outer profile section 23 and the inner profile section 24. The support profile 3 is positioned at the bottom. The inner profile sections 24 of the profiles 2, 3 are lifted relative to the substrate surface 10 thereby defining gaps for accommodating insert sheets 4, 5. In order to facilitate the insert and to avoid damage to the sheet 4 to be inserted, which typically may be paper, at least some of the corners of the profiles 2 and 3 are rounded corners 26. The gap may be dimensioned so that a transparent protective plastic cover 5 may be also be accommodated resulting in that the sheet 4 is sandwiched between this cover 5 and the substrate surface 10.

[0024] In the figures 5 to 9, the sequence of step for applying the display device to the surface is shown.

[0025] In order to position the display device accurately and adhesively attaching it to the surface 10, the applicator system as shown in figures 1 and 2 is positioned on the surface 10, cf. fig. 5. The guide profiles 2 are carried on the flexible sheet members 18, 19 that are fixed to the base plate 1. The profiles 2 are provided with an adhesive strip 22 (see fig. 10) and a release liner 21 on the substrate surface facing outer portion 23 of the profile 2.

[0026] As it is apparent in fig. 5, the applicator does not establish an adhesive contact with the surface underneath, but can be moved around until the desired position is reached. When the applicator is positioned at the desired position on the surface, such as on the window panel, the process of adhesively attaching the guide profiles 2 and the support profile 3 can be initiated.

[0027] This attachment process involves bending the flexible sheet members 18, 19, 20 away from the surface 10 and removing the release liner 21 from the profile surface facing side of the guide profiles 2 and the support profile 3, such as illustrated in fig. 6, thereby exposing the adhesive layer 22 on the profile surface facing side of the guide profiles 2. Subsequently the said flexible sheet 18, 19, 20 is bent back whereby the profile 2, 3 becomes in adhesive contact with the surface 10 and thereby adhesively secured to the surface 10 in the predetermined position on the substrate surface 10 as illustrated in fig. 7. When the profiles 2, 3 are adhesively secured to the surface 10, the flexible sheet members 18, 19, 20 are detached from the distal surface of the inner portion 24 of the profiles 2, 3.

[0028] When the profiles 2, 3 are all detached from the flexible sheet members 18, 19, 20 the applicator base plate 1 is then removed, as shown in fig. 8, leaving the profiles 2, 3 mounted in their predetermined configuration on the surface 10 of the window panel or the like.

[0029] When the profiles 2, 3 are positioned, a sheet 4, such as an information paper sheet, may be inserted, optionally together with a protective cover panel 5, as shown in fig. 9.

[0030] In fig. 10, the cross-section of the profile 2, 3 is shown in detail. The profile 2, 3 has a general (reversed) Z-like shape with an outer profile portion 23 which is adapted to adhesively engage the substrate surface 10 (see e.g. figs. 5-9) and an inner profile portion 24 which is providing a gap 29 between this inner profile portion 24 and the surface 10 for receiving and accommodating one or more sheets 4, 5. On the top of this inner profile portion the top surface is adapted to be releasably adhered to the flexible member sheets 18, 19, 20 of the applicator (see figures 1, 2 and 5 to 9).

[0031] On the substrate surface facing side of the outer profile portion 23 there is provided an adhesive layer 22, such as a double adhesive strip, with a release liner 21 thereon. The profile portion 23 is furthermore provided with a bulge or downward protrusion 25 which ensures a sharp corner terminating the footprint of the profile when adhesively mounted to the substrate surface 10. This protrusion 25 drops below the otherwise planar surface of the outer profile portion 23 at a distance substantially corresponding to the thickness of the adhesive layer 22. This ensures that the paper sheet 4 during insertion or when inserted does not accidentally become caught by the inner edge of the adhesive layer 22 and thereby retained in the profile 2, 3, such as illustrated in fig. 11. In order to avoid this, it is found advantageous by the invention to provide the profiles 2, 3 with sharp corners in the formation of the gap 29 instead of a curved profile shape as shown in fig. 11. A similar disadvantageous solution is shown in fig. 12, where a U-shaped profile 28 is shown. The U-shape involves the risk that the paper sheet 4 can be caught in the adhesive attachment and not find its way into the gap and even if the paper sheet 4 should be accommodated in the gap it will with the U-profile be with a small distance to the underlying surface 10 which means that moisture and dirt can be collected.

[0032] The invention is described above with reference to some preferred embodiments. However, it is realised by the invention that other variants may be provided without departing from the scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A display device for securing a sheet panel to a surface, such as a window or a wall door panel or the like, said system comprising
two substantially parallel guide profiles to be mounted at a predetermined distance adapted to receive two opposite first and second side edge portions of the sheet panel, and
a support profile positioned for retaining a third side edge of said sheet, where said support profile is positioned with an orientation substantially perpendicular to said two substantially parallel guide profile at a position adjacent the distal ends of said two guide profiles and therebetween said distal ends, whereby a substantially rectangular display area is defined by said two guide profiles and said support profile.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the guide profiles and the support profile are provided with a Z-like cross-section with an outermost adhesive substrate surface and a distal innermost sheet retention portion, whereby a sheet receiving groove is provided between said sheet retention portion and the substrate.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the adhesive substrate surface of the profile is generally flat and provided with a strip of adhesive material and with an innermost corner section formed with a protrusion sloping towards the substrate ending in a sharp corner.

4. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the profiles are made of a transparent polymeric material.

5. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the profiles are extruded polymeric material profiles.

6. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the guide profiles and the support profile have the same cross-section.

7. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the adhesive material is a substantially transparent adhesive material, preferably provided as a strip of adhesive material, in particular a double adhesive tape strip.

8. An applicator system for attaching a display device according to any of the preceding claims to a surface, said applicator system comprising a base plate generally corresponding to the size of the sheet and having a distal side and a substrate side, and two opposite side portions and a top and bottom portion, wherein the side portions and the bottom portion are provided with cut-outs in the side portions for accommodating the guide profiles and a cut-out in the bottom portion for accommodating the support profile, wherein there is provided flexible sheet members on the distal side of the cut-outs, to which the profiles are releasably attached in their intended formation.

9. An applicator system according to claim 8, wherein the profiles are releasably, adhesively retained along the distal edge of the flexible sheet members.

10. A method of attaching a display device to a surface, such as a window panel, said method comprising the steps of:

positioning an applicator system according to claim 8 or 9 on a surface (fig. 5),

attaching the guide profiles and the support profile respectively by performing the following steps for each of the profile carrying flexible sheet members:

bending the flexible sheet members away from the surface and removing the release liner from the profile surface facing side of the guide profiles and the support profile respectively (fig. 6) thereby exposing an adhesive layer on said profile surface, and then

flexing back the said flexible sheet for adhesively attaching the profile on the surface (fig. 7),

detaching the flexible sheet members from the distal surface of the profiles and removing the applicator base plate (fig. 8).

Drawing