EP0712526B1 - Price-indicating cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

A price-indicating cartridge has a bottom part (2) linked by a hinge to a top part (5) that may be folded onto the front side of the bottom part. Information on goods and/or their price is inserted into an intermediate space (12) between the bottom part and the top part. The top part is transparent in the area of said information on the goods and/or their price. In order to stress the number-bearing strips (20) against the top part and to elastically hold them thereon without additional means when the price-indicating cartridge is closed, the intermediate space and the top part are curved around a horizontal axis located behind the price-indicating cartridge. The price-indicating, number-bearing strips (20) are made of an elastically deformable material. The number-bearing strips (20) are thus slightly curved when the price-indicating cartridge is closed, following the curvature of the intermediate space and top part, and are prestressed against the top part because of their elasticity.

Description

The invention relates to a cassette for receiving article and / or price information-bearing numerical strips made of an elastically deformable material, with a lower part and an articulated, hinged to the front of the lower part of the upper part, the numerical strips in a space between the lower part and Upper part are inserted and the upper part is transparent at least in the area of the number stripes.

From DE 34 21 505 C1, a price cassette with a lower part and an upper part hinged to the front part of the lower part is already known, article and / or price information being inserted into a space between the lower and upper part, and that Upper part is transparent at least in the area of this article and / or price information. In the known price cassette, vertical shafts are formed on the lower part, into which individual numerical strips are inserted from above to form the price information. The shafts are separated from one another by webs, these webs being arrowhead-shaped so that the numerical strips do not fall out towards the front. However, this means that the number strips are kept at a distance from the upper part even when the price cassette is closed, so that there is always a free space between the upper part and the number strips. However, such open spaces significantly disturb the appearance, because they cause reflections and distortions. But even if you would simply do without the webs separating the shafts, the number stripes do not touch the top without further measures. They would just fall loose in the price cassette.

In FR-A 2 368 104 a holding profile for attachment to shelf edges is presented, which consists of a rear part and a front part, which are connected to each other at their lower edges, while their upper edges are free. Both parts have a convex curvature. Price information carriers can be arranged between the transparent front part and the rear part by bending the front part away from the rear part.

Another holding profile for attachment to shelf edges is described in CA-A 1,114,605. The profile consists of a concave curved rear part and a hinged front part connected to the rear part. A free space is formed between the rear and front part, which is divided into an upper and a lower half by a web running in the longitudinal direction of the profile. The upper and lower halves are divided into individual compartments by crosspieces that run transversely to the central web, which are used to hold fanfolds.

The object of the invention is to propose a device in which price and or item information carriers are easy to arrange.

This object is achieved in that the space and the upper part are curved about a horizontal axis lying behind the device and that ring-like holding elements are used in the space near the horizontal center of the cassette, on which the digit strips (20) which can be folded up and down are attached next to each other.

This is achieved in an amazingly simple way that the number strips are slightly bent when the price cassette is closed in accordance with the curvature of the space and the upper part. You are thus biased against the upper part and put on the upper part. Furthermore, the fixation of the number strips in the device eliminates the disadvantage that webs between the individual number strips for fixing the number strips must be provided. Such bridges disturb the appearance considerably, because this creates a clear separation between the individual digits. As a result of this advantageous development, the numerical strips are not only fixed in their position, but are also captively fastened in the lower part of the cassette. After opening the price cassette, the digit strips only need to be folded up or down so that the desired information is visible on the digit strip lying on top in the lower half of the cassette. In this development, it is particularly advantageous if the holding elements are designed as U-shaped components which are clipped into a holding groove in the lower part with the two open legs. In this way, the holding elements with the block of digit strips located on them can be completely removed from the price cassette even without any particular difficulty. This is necessary, for example, if the composition of the blocks from number stripes has to be changed. It goes without saying that in addition to digits, other information such as weight unit, piece, bundle, net or the like can also be contained on this number strip. The price cassette can thus be easily adapted to changing requirements due to the interchangeability of the number stripes. So that the distance between the adjacent numerical strips remains constant, it is provided in a further development of the invention that an upwardly projecting vertical extension is formed on the lower leg of the U-shaped component, and connecting webs are formed between these vertical extensions of the U-shaped components arranged next to one another are that connect the components with each other at the desired distance. So that the holding elements for the individual blocks with numerical strips are directly connected to each other and it cannot happen that a different distance occurs due to inaccurate insertion of the individual holding elements. The holding elements thus have the shape of a comb with a U-shaped curve Tines are hooked onto the free ends of the digit strips and the entire clip is then clipped into the lower part with all digit strips. After clipping in, the free ends of the holding elements are then closed, so that no digit stripe can fall out when manipulating the price cassette.

The cassette can be adapted even more universally to the current needs in terms of appearance if, on the side of the upper part made entirely of transparent material, a window plate is clamped between upper and lower stops in accordance with the curvature of the upper part, which is a in the lower region of the closed price cassette Opening for price information and in the upper area has an opening for article information and is printed on its side facing the upper part. By exchanging these window plates, the price cassette can easily be adapted to the image of a specific supermarket, a specific department or special promotions. The always the same price cassette looks completely different with differently printed window panels. It can also be provided window plates in which the size of the lower opening for the price information is adapted to current needs. Because the window plate is clamped in accordance with the curvature of the upper part, it always lies snugly against the upper part with its surface, is securely held between simple stops by its own pretension and is nevertheless very easy to replace. If very soft, highly flexible material such as thin paper is to be used as the window plate, it makes sense if the window plate is inserted between a snap frame which at the same time has a storage compartment for the item information and is clamped together with the window plate between the stops. This allows the price and article information to be manipulated very easily. With a mere price change, the item information simply open with the upper part and the number stripes can be folded over according to the requirements. It is useful if the receiving compartment has horizontally extending guide grooves into which a label with the item information can be inserted laterally.

In the case of price cassettes without a snap frame for the window plate, it is provided in a particularly advantageous solution that a frame for accommodating a label with the item information is accommodated above the holding elements for the number stripes in the space between the lower part and the upper part, which is articulated close to its upper edge with the lower part connected is. This also allows the item information to be opened separately. In addition, this frame also holds the folded up stripes, which are currently not required for display, until the upper part is finally closed. It is advantageous if the articulated connection between the frame and the lower part is designed to be self-locking is. The frame then remains in any desired position and does not fall down constantly when tampering with the number stripe.

Fig. 1

Eine erfindungsgemäße Preiskassette in Perspektive.

Fig. 2

Die Preiskassette im senrechten Schnitt entsprechend der Linie A-A der Figur 1.

Fig. 3

Das Unterteil der Preiskassette mit eingeklipsten Ziffernstreifen in Perspektive.

Fig. 4

Einen Klapprahmen für die Preiskassette der Figur 2 mit Fensterplatte und Schild für die Artikelinformation.

Fig. 5

Den Schnitt der Figur 2 jedoch mit geöffnetem Oberteil.

Fig. 6

Eine andere Ausführungsform der Preiskassette als Explosionsdarstellung.

Fig. 7

Die Preiskassette der Figur 6 im senkrechten Schnitt mit geöffnetem Oberteil.

Further advantages result from the exemplary embodiments explained below with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows:

Fig. 1

A price cassette according to the invention in perspective.

Fig. 2

The price cassette in the vertical section along the line AA of FIG. 1.

Fig. 3

The lower part of the price cassette with clipped-in number stripes in perspective.

Fig. 4

A snap frame for the price cassette of Figure 2 with window plate and label for the item information.

Fig. 5

The section of Figure 2, however, with the upper part open.

Fig. 6

Another embodiment of the price cassette as an exploded view.

Fig. 7

The price cassette of Figure 6 in a vertical section with the upper part open.

In Figure 1, a price cassette 1 is shown in perspective, which has a lower part 2. On the back of the lower part mounting brackets 3 and 4 are formed, with which the price cassette 1 can be placed on a shelf rail, not shown, or on a holder, not shown. The lower part 2 is covered on the front by a transparent upper part 5. In the upper part 5, a window plate 6 is inserted, which has an opening 7 for item information and an opening 8 for price information. In the illustration in FIG. 1, no corresponding information carriers have been inserted and are therefore also not visible. By hatching the non-transparent areas of the window plate 6, its printable area is shown, through which the overall appearance of the price cassette 1 can be significantly influenced.

FIG. 2 shows a vertical section through the price cassette of FIG. 1 along the line AA, the price cassette 1 being placed on a holding strip 10. The upper part 5 is articulated to the lower part 2 at a pivot point 11. A space 12 is delimited between the lower part 2 and the upper part 5. Approximately halfway up the space 12, a holding groove 13 with undercuts 14 and 15 is formed in the lower part 2. A U-shaped holding element 16 with its open legs is clipped into this holding groove 13. The lower open leg also has an extension 17 projecting vertically upwards, via which, viewed in the horizontal direction, adjacent holding elements 16 are connected to one another. In the Holding element 16 are seen in the drawing, hanging downward hanging numerical strips 20 in blocks. On the side of the upper part 5 facing the space 12, the window plate 6 is clamped between undercut stops 21 and 22. As can be seen more clearly from FIG. 4, the window plate 6 is inserted between a snap frame 23 and is then clamped together with this in the upper part 5. At the same time, this snap frame has a receiving compartment 26 in the region of the opening 7 with horizontal guide grooves 24 and 25 running up and down for receiving an article label 27.

In FIG. 3 it is shown even more clearly in perspective how the numerical strips 20 hang on the holding elements 16 and are arranged next to one another across the width of the space 12. After the holding elements 16, as explained above, are connected to one another via the extensions 17, all the holding elements 16 and blocks of numerical strips 20 form a unit which is clipped closed into the holding groove 13.

With reference to FIG. 5, it is now explained how the price cassette of FIGS. 1 to 4 is to be handled for exchanging the window plate 6 or for changing the item and / or price information. First, the upper part 5 is pivoted upward as shown by the arrow 30 around the hinge point 11. It can then be removed from the upper part 5 of the snap frame 23 and opened. The entire appearance of the price cassette 1 can then be varied by inserting a differently printed window plate 6. If only that If the article label 27 is to be replaced, the snap frame 23 with the window plate 6 can remain in the upper part. The article label 27 can be pulled out and inserted laterally immediately after the upper part 2 has been opened out of the receiving compartment 26 delimited by the guide grooves 24 and 25. To change the price information, the digit strips 20, which are hung above the digit strip 20 with the desired print on the holding element 16, are simply folded upward around the U-shaped part of the holding element 16 according to an arrow 31 at the relevant point. These number stripes thus reach the upper part of room 12. It is therefore not necessary to remove any of the number stripes from the price cassette in order to change the price display. It is therefore impossible for such number stripes 20 to be lost. They are simply folded up or down until the desired number strip 20 is at the top in the lower part of the room 12. The curvature of the space has an advantageous effect insofar as the numerical strips protrude directly with their end facing away from the holding element and can therefore be grasped particularly easily. It can also be excluded that the numerical strips adapt with the time the space 12 is curved, because they are bent in the upper part of the space 12 in the opposite direction to the lower part of the space 12. After all settings have been made, the upper part 5 is simply folded back onto the lower part 2 and engages with a locking lug 28 behind a correspondingly shaped corner 29 of the lower part.

A somewhat modified embodiment of the price cassette 1 according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The same parts are provided with identical reference numerals and only the differences are described below. As can be clearly seen from FIG. 6, in this embodiment the window plate 6 is inserted directly into the upper part 5 and is prestressed between the stops 21 and 22 in accordance with the curvature of the upper part 5. No additional snap frame is used for this. For the article label, a frame 40 is arranged in the upper part of the space 12 for this purpose, which is articulated to the lower part 2 independently of the upper part near its upper edge. This frame 40 in turn has horizontal guides 24 and 25 into which the plate 27 with the article information can be inserted laterally.

In Figure 7, the operation of the price cassette 1 of Figure 6 is shown using a vertical section. First of all, the upper part 5 is opened upwards in accordance with the arrow 30. If necessary, the window plate 6 and the plate 27 with the article information are thus directly accessible. Both can be exchanged directly, the numerical strips 20 located in the upper part of the space 12 being secured by the frame 40 which is then still above it. If the price information is to be changed, the frame 40 with the sign 27 is also folded up. The numerical strips 20 are thus completely free and can be folded up or down in this way until the desired one Imprint located in the lower part of the room 12 on the uppermost stripe 20. Then the frame 40 is folded back into its rest position against the arrow 32 and thus immediately secures the numerical strips 20 against unintentional folding. The upper part 5 is then folded over the lower part 2 and the price cassette closed.

Overall, when the price cassettes of both exemplary embodiments are closed, the numerical strips 20 are bent, at least in the lower part of the space 12, in accordance with the curvature of the upper part 5 and therefore bear against the inside of the upper part 5 with a prestress. Regardless of the thickness of the block of numerical strips 20, it is thus always ensured that the information to be displayed is always directly behind the upper part 5 and thus ensures a uniform appearance without additional means being required.

It may be necessary to replace individual number stripes 20 if the desired representation is not contained once on a block of number stripes 20. The holding elements 16 can then be easily clipped out of the holding groove 13. The upper leg of the U-shaped holding elements 16 is then exposed and a new number strip 20 can be threaded there or number strips 20 not required in the future. Then the entire bar with the number strips 20 is clipped back into the holding groove 13.

Claims (9)

1. A cassette for receiving digit tags made of an elastically deformable material and carrying merchandise- and/or price-related information items, with a bottom part (2) and a top part (5) jointed thereto by means of a hinge and adapted to be folded onto the front side of the bottom part (2), in which the digit tags (20) are inserted into an intermediate space (12) between the bottom part (2) and the top part (5) and the top part (5) is transparent at least in the area of the digit tags, characterized in that the intermediate space (12) and the top part (5) are curved about a horizontal axis located behind the cassette (1), and that ring-type holding elements (16) are inserted in the intermediate space (12) close to the horizontal center line of the cassette for side-by-side attachment of the digit tags (20) which are adapted to be flipped up and down.
2. The cassette according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding elements (16) are configured as U-shaped components having their two open legs clipped into engagement with a retaining groove (13) of the bottom part (2).
3. The cassette according to claim 2, characterized in that an upwardly extending vertical projection (17) is provided on the lower leg of the U-shaped component (16), and that connecting ribs are formed between the vertical projections (17) of the adjacent U-shaped components (16) to connect the U-shaped components (16) with each other at a fixed relative distance.
4. The cassette according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that on the side of the top part (5) facing the intermediate space (12), which top part is completely made of a transparent material, a window plate (6) is clamped in between top and bottom stops (21, 22) such as to be curved in accordance with the curvature of the top part (5), the window plate having in the bottom area of the closed price marking cassette (1) an opening (8) for carriers of price-related information items, and in the top area an opening (7) for carriers of merchandise-related information items, and is overprinted with information on the side facing the top part (5).
5. The cassette according to claim 4, characterized in that the window plate (6) is sandwiched in a folding frame (23) having at the same time a compartment (26) for receiving a carrier of merchandise-related information items and being clamped between the stops (21, 22) together with the window plate (6).
6. The cassette according to claim 5, characterized in that the receiving compartment (26) has horizontally extending guide grooves (24, 25) into which a tag (27) carrying the merchandise-related information is slidable laterally.
7. The cassette according to any one of the claims 2 to 4, characterized in that a frame (40) for receiving a tag (27) carrying the merchandise-related information is accommodated above the holding elements (16) for the digit tags (20) in the intermediate space (12) between the bottom part (2) and the top part (5), the frame being jointed to the bottom part (2) by means of a hinge at a location close to its upper edge.
8. The cassette according to claim 7, characterized in that the frame (40) has horizontally extending guide grooves (24, 25) into which the tag (27) is slidable laterally.
9. The cassette according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the hinge joint between the frame (40) and the bottom part (2) is of the self-locking type.

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