EP0353135A1 - Display container for hanging articles - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a rectangular container comprising a bottom and a plurality of cardboard walls, any two adjacent walls defining a dihedral, and means arranged to support several rods (66) furnished with articles (76), at one end of those -this. According to the invention, said support means comprise two main uprights (64, 65) of wood arranged in two consecutive dihedrons of the container and bearing on said bottom, each upright being fixed on the dihedron, and support means (20, 91 , 97) extending transversely between the two main uprights, and having two ends by which they are fixed respectively thereon, said rods being fixed on said transverse support means (20, 91, 97). Application to the manufacture of display containers for department stores.

Description

The invention relates to a parallelepiped container comprising a bottom and a plurality of cardboard walls, any two adjacent walls defining a dihedral, and means arranged to support several rods lined with articles, at one end thereof.

A container of this kind is known from French Patent ^No. 2,575,731 in the name of the Applicant. It is only designed for the storage or transport of hanging items. Bars are provided to support the free end of the rods, during transport but also during storage. The main means for supporting the rods are constituted by wooden cleats glued to a wall of the container, and extending transversely between two dihedrons.

This container is satisfactory. However, deformations of the cleats have been observed in the case of heavy articles, as well as detachment of these.

In addition, there is an increasing desire to simplify department store supply operations. However, the use of the aforementioned container assumes that each of the rods lined with articles is removed, to hang it on a support provided in the department of the store. The simplification of such an operation is desired.

The invention therefore aims to provide a container which on the one hand better withstands mechanical stresses, and on the other hand provides a simplification of store supply operations.

According to the invention, said rod support means comprise two main wooden uprights arranged in two consecutive dihedrons of the container and bearing on said bottom, each upright being fixed on the adjacent dihedron; and support means extending transversely between the two main uprights, and having two ends by which they are fixed respectively thereon, said rods being fixed on said transverse support means.

According to a first embodiment, said transverse support means comprise at least one load bar, each main upright having a mortise in which is housed one end of the load bar.

According to a second embodiment, said transverse support means comprise a load plate or grid, each main upright having a groove in which an edge of the load plate or grid is housed.

According to a variant of the previous embodiment, the container comprises an auxiliary wooden upright fixed to a wall of the container extending between said main uprights, said auxiliary upright extending parallel to the main uprights, the transverse support means comprising at minus a load plate or grid extending between the auxiliary upright and each of the main uprights and fixed in a groove formed therein.

If necessary, the container comprises means for supporting the free end of each rod, fixed in the vicinity of the dihedrons opposite to said main uprights.

In the case where the container is intended to support articles extending over a large part of its height, the means for supporting the free end of the rods comprise an auxiliary bar extending parallel to said load bar between two walls; and two hooks having a part arranged to overlap the upper edge of said walls in the vicinity of the dihedrons, and a part spaced from the wall, comprising a cutout arranged to be crossed by one end of said auxiliary bar.

In the case where the container is intended to support articles of small bulk, said means for supporting the free end of each rod comprise two auxiliary wooden uprights arranged in the vicinity of the dihedrons and fixed on them; and several superimposed auxiliary bars, fixed in the auxiliary uprights.

Advantageously, the container has a precut line defining an upper part located on the side of the free end of the rods.

Advantageously, the container comprises a wooden pallet, fixed by nailing or stapling on the external face of said bottom.

In addition, the container can include two wooden diagonal cleats extending respectively between the upper ends of the main uprights and the bottom.

• La figure 1 est une vue de face en élévation d'un conteneur selon l'invention, comprenant une seule barre de charge pour produits longs.
• La figure 2 est une vue de côté, en coupe selon la ligne II-II de la figure 1,
• La figure 3 est une vue agrandie en perspective d'un détail de la figure 2,
• La figure 4 est une vue en perspective d'un autre conteneur selon l'invention,
• La figure 5 est une vue schématique en elévation latérale, représentant la répartition des efforts supportés par le conteneur, et
• La figure 6 est une vue partielle en perspective d'encore un autre conteneur selon l'invention.

Other details and advantages of the invention will appear during the following description of some preferred embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a container according to the invention, comprising a single load bar for long products.
• FIG. 2 is a side view, in section along the line II-II of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a detail of FIG. 2,
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another container according to the invention,
• FIG. 5 is a schematic view in side elevation, showing the distribution of the forces supported by the container, and
• Figure 6 is a partial perspective view of yet another container according to the invention.

The container 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is a rectangular parallelepiped comprising a front face 2, a rear face 3, two lateral faces 4, 5 and a bottom 6, an opening 7 of dimensions equal to those of the bottom 6 being formed at its upper part.

The container 1 is made of cardboard, in particular double-sided corrugated cardboard of the standard BC 50 type. It has a front upper part 8 precut on the lateral faces along an inclined line 9, and on the front face along a line 10 parallel to the bottom 6 The precut part 8 has been removed in FIG. 1. Furthermore, a parallelepipedic cover 11 is provided for covering the upper part of the container.

Two wooden uprights 12, 13 of rectangular section are disposed respectively in the two dihedrons defined by the intersection of the rear face 3 with the two lateral faces 4, 5. These uprights are supported on the bottom 6 and the lateral faces and rear, and extend over almost the entire height of the container. In this example, each upright measures, in section, 25 x 50 mm, and leans against a lateral face of the container by its widest face.

Each upright is fixed in the container by a plurality of nails 14 designed particularly for a wood-cardboard assembly. Each nail has for this purpose a flat head of large dimensions, for example having a diameter of about 10 mm. These nails 14 are driven from outside the container, along the two faces of the uprights in contact with the container.

In addition, and depending on the suspended loads, the uprights can be glued to the cardboard.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the uprights 12, 13 support a hollow metal load bar 20 and of rectangular section, which extends over the entire length of the container, its large face being parallel to the rear face 3 of the latter . Each upright 12, 13 has in its upper part a mortise 21, 22 of section corresponding to that of the load bar 20, which crosses the upright transversely, and in which one end of the load bar is housed, before nailing the uprights.

It is advantageous to choose a load bar with standard dimensions. In the present case, its width is equal to 40 mm and its thickness to 10 mm.

Each upright may include other mortises arranged at a spacing under the first, to receive other load bars 23, 24.

The container is provided with a wooden pallet 30 consisting of a restangular frame with the dimensions of the bottom 6 of the container. The pallet 30 comprises two long sides each consisting of a board 31 and two short sides each consisting of two spaced boards 32, 33. The different boards are assembled to each other thanks to four cubic studs 34 placed in the corners of the pallet 30.

The pallet is nailed to the outside of the bottom 6 of the container, by means of nails 35 identical to the aforementioned nails 14, which are driven from inside the container, into the studs 34.

A plurality of metal rods 40 are attached to the load bar 20 by means of hooks 41 arranged to overlap the load bar. If the load bar has standard dimensions, then commercially available rods and hooks can be advantageously used.

Although a permanent fixing of the rods on the load bar is possible, it is preferable to retain the modular solution above faster, in which hooks are used which only overlap the load bar and are maintained on that -this under the effect of the weight of the stems and objects that are hung on it.

The rod support means 40 shown in Figures 1 and 2 are particularly suited to the case where heavy articles are suspended from the rods. In this example, these are decorative garlands 42 folded in half and fixed to the rods 40 by means of hook labels 43 made of cardboard.

Figure 5 highlights the fact that the uprights 12, 13 significantly limit the forces applied to the cardboard structure. The load C represents the total load of the articles suspended along the various juxtaposed rods 40, applying to the center of gravity at a distance d from the longitudinal axis of the load bar.

) = F₂ x L

les montants présentant en section des dimensions L x 1.If the flexural strength of the two rear dihedrons of the container is not taken into account, and the assembly consisting of the two uprights 12, 13, the rods 40 and the hooks 41 is isolated, it is possible to write the following equations of static moments:
- moment in WHERE: C x (d + $\frac{\text{L}}{\text{2}}$

) = F₂ x L

the amounts having in section dimensions L x 1.

) = F1 x L

soit 30 x 0,225 = F₁ x 0,05
soit F₁ = 135 daNFor example, for a load of 30 daN on the load bar, we obtain with L = 50 mm:
30 x 0.275 = F₂ x 0.05
let F₂ = 165 daN
- moment in WHERE: C x (d - $\frac{\text{L}}{\text{2}}$

) = F1 x L

or 30 x 0.225 = F₁ x 0.05
let F₁ = 135 daN

In this simplifying hypothesis, each upright is subjected to compression in O₂ by a force of 82.5 daN, and in tension in O₁ by a force of 67.5 daN.

The compression force, if 1 = 25 mm, induces a wood-to-wood pressure of 82.5: (2.5 x 1) = 33 daN / cm² quite acceptable.

The tension force is directly transmitted to the cardboard dihedrons. Considering that each side of the dihedral cooperates only over a width of 10 cm, this tension induces a tearing stress of: 67.5 daN: 20 cm ≃ 3.4 daN / cm, which is much lower than the tearing limit of a cardboard of type BC 50 in the direction of the grooves, which is greater than 30 daN / cm. For this tension, the shear value of the assembly is: 67.5 daN: 100 (5 + 2.5) = 0.09 daN / cm², which is a very low value.

It follows from these calculations that it is according to the load C that it is necessary to determine the section L x 1 of the wooden uprights and the type of cardboard used. In particular :
- the forces F₁ and F₂ are reduced by increasing the dimension L of the uprights;
- the pressure on wood on wood in O en is reduced by increasing the dimension 1 of the uprights;
- the value of the force F₁ makes it possible to determine the quality of the cardboard to be used.
- the value of the shear determines the use of additional bonding.

A more exact study should involve the resistance to bending R of the two rear dihedrons which participate in the stabilization of the torque caused by the load C. This resistance, represented in a distributed manner along the uprights in FIG. 5, reduces the forces F₁ and F₂ and introduces a horizontal force f very easily taken up by nailing the cardboard onto the wooden pallet 30. The tearing stress of the cardboard is not substantially modified.

When the container of Figures 1 and 2 is arranged at a point of sale, its upper front part 8 being removed, the uprights 12, 13 are sufficient to sustainably support the rods 40 lined with heavy articles.

During the transport of the filled container to a point of sale, or during its storage, it is preferable to support the rods in the vicinity of their free end to relieve the container, in particular with respect to the dynamic forces resulting from the displacement of it. A wooden cleat 50 is provided for this purpose extending over the entire length of the container, and each end of which is supported by a hook 51. Each hook 51 comprises (FIG. 3) a part 52 of U-shaped section arranged to overlap a side face 5 of the container in a U-shaped cutout 53 made in the side face. This hook 51 comprises another part 54 of L-shaped section having a cutout 55 spaced from the side face of the container and arranged to receive one end of the cleat 50. Preferably, from the upper edge of the cutout 55 extends a T-shaped part 56 arranged to run along the cleat 50, and a staple 57 straddles the T-shaped part 56 and enters the cleat 50: the hook 51 is thus fixed to the cleat 50 so that it does not risk fall during handling of the container and so as to stiffen the front face thereof. It will be noted that each hook 51 is supported on a part of the lateral face of the container which is close to the dihedrons in order to transmit the force of support of the rods 40 to these.

In Figure 4 is shown an alternative embodiment in which the container 60 comprises several load bars 61 to 63 superimposed and supported by two uprights 64, 65, each load bar supporting several rods 66. This container is designed to support articles 76 of small bulk, generally presented in blister. In the case of light articles, it is not necessary to support the free end of the rods 66 with cleats during transport and storage. In the case of heavy articles, two auxiliary uprights 67, 68 may be attached to the side faces of the container, these uprights having mortises for receiving auxiliary bars 69 to 71 superimposed.

The uprights and the auxiliary bars are made of wood, the uprights being nailed to the pre-cut upper front part 72 of the container, near the dihedrons. This comprises, on the front of the container, two doors 73, 74 allowing the introduction of rods 66 lined with articles in the container. Preferably, a cardboard plate 77 is glued to the front face of the container so as to constitute a stop for the doors 73, 74.

In the case where the container has to support extremely heavy articles, it is possible to stiffen its lateral faces 4, 5 by nailing, on the inner side of each of them, a diagonal wooden cleat 44 extending between the upper end of the adjacent upright 12, 13 and the stud 34 of the pallet adjacent to the front face 2 of the container as shown in phantom in FIG. 2.

The main advantages of the invention are recalled below. The support means for the rods are arranged exclusively in the vicinity of the dihedrons of the container, that is to say at the places where the cardboard structure has its best rigidity. The use of wood as the material constituting the uprights allows on the one hand a simple fixing of these by nailing on the cardboard, and on the other hand the use of metal load bars having a significantly greater stiffness as wooden battens, these bars being easily fixed on the uprights by different means. The wooden uprights therefore constitute an original interface between cardboard and metal.

The wooden pallet helps stiffen the container and effectively supports the weight of the lined container with its studs. It allows easy handling of the container by means of a forklift or pallet truck.

Once the container has been sent to the point of sale, its pre-cut upper part is removed: it then constitutes a display stand already stocked. It can be placed on a lower shelf of the gondolas of a store at the head of the gondola or near the cash desks more particularly for seasonal sales. This eliminates any transfer operation one by one of the articles, or transfer of the rods lined with articles, on a display fixed installed at the point of sale.

The internal arrangement of the container according to the invention is quite similar to the devices constituting said displays.

In addition, the external printing of the cardboard makes it possible to present to the customers additional information concerning the products on sale, which cannot be done in the gondolas of the store.

Advantageously, these display containers are shipped two by two, facing front, with a general overcasting, which thus ensures:
- natural protection of doors and pre-cutting;
- protection of the color printing of the display;
- an interesting package of 1.2 x 1.2 x 1.2 m in international format.

According to the variant of FIG. 6, the container has two main uprights 81, 82 fixed in two consecutive dihedrons thereof and an auxiliary upright 83 fixed between the two main uprights on the rear face 84 of the container.

In this example, the auxiliary upright 83 extends, like the main uprights, over practically the entire height of the container.

The amounts are fixed to the container as described above.

The main uprights 81, 82 have, on a face facing the auxiliary upright 83, a groove 85, 86 extending over the entire height of the upright. On the two faces of the auxiliary upright 83 facing the main uprights 81, 82, there is a groove 87, 88 extending over the entire height of the upright.

Between the main upright 81 and the auxiliary upright 83 extends, over only a part of the height thereof, a perforated load plate 91, in particular metallic. Known in itself, this plate has a large number of holes 92 intended to receive hooks 93 supporting rods 94. Two lateral edges 95, 96 of the plate 91 extend in the grooves 85, 88 of the two uprights.

Thus the plate 91 equipped with several rods to which several articles are hung is held firmly by the main upright 81 and the auxiliary upright 83. Advantageously, the plate 91 thus equipped can be removed from the container by simple vertical sliding and be fixed on a support of display of a point of sale.

Between the auxiliary upright 83 and the other main upright 82 extends a load grid 97, in particular metallic, known in itself and arranged to receive hooks 98 supporting rods 99. In this example, rod 97 s' extends over almost the entire height of the uprights. Like the plate 91, it extends by two lateral edges in the grooves 86, 88 of the two uprights.

Alternatively, there is no provision for an auxiliary amount disposed between the main amounts; a plate or grid extends from one main post to the other main post.

Claims (10)

1.- Parallelepiped container comprising:
- a bottom (6) and a plurality of walls (2, 5) made of cardboard; any two adjacent walls defining a dihedral; and
- Means arranged to support several rods (40) lined with articles (42), by one end thereof; characterized in that said support means comprise:
- Two main uprights (12, 13) of wood arranged in two consecutive dihedrons of the container and bearing on said bottom, each amount being fixed on the adjacent dihedron; and
- support means (20, 91, 97) extending transversely between the two main uprights, and having two ends by which they are fixed respectively thereon, said rods being fixed on said transverse support means (20, 91, 97). 2 - container according to claim 1, wherein said transverse support means comprise at least one load bar (20), each main upright (12, 13) having a mortise (21, 22) in which is housed one end of the load bar (20). 3.- container according to claim 1, wherein said transverse support means comprise a plate (91) or a grid (97) of load, each main upright (81, 82) having a groove (85, 86) in which is housed an edge of the load plate or grid. 4.- container according to claim 1, which comprises an auxiliary upright (83) of wood fixed on a wall (84) of the container extending between said main uprights (12, 13), said auxiliary upright extending parallel to the uprights. main, the transverse support means comprising at least one plate (91) or one load grid (97) extending between the auxiliary upright (83) and each of the main uprights (12, 13) and fixed in a groove (85,87; 86,88) formed therein. 5. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, which comprises means (50, 51) for supporting the free end of each rod, fixed in the vicinity of the dihedrons opposite to said main uprights. 6. Container according to claim 2 in combination with claim 5, intended to support articles (42) extending over a large part of its height, the means for supporting the free end of the rods comprising:
- an auxiliary bar (50) extending parallel to said load bar between two walls; and
- two hooks (50) having a part (52) arranged to overlap the upper edge of said walls in the vicinity of the dihedrons, and a part (54) spaced from the wall, comprising a cutout (55) arranged to be crossed by one end of said auxiliary bar (50). 7. Container according to claim 5, intended to support articles (76) of small size, the said means for supporting the free end of each rod comprising:
- two auxiliary uprights (67, 68) of wood arranged in the vicinity of the dihedrons and fixed on them; and
- several superimposed auxiliary bars (69, 71), fixed in the auxiliary uprights. 8.- container according to any one of the preceding claims, which comprises a precut line (9, 10) delimiting an upper part (8) located on the side of the free end of the rods (40). 9. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, which comprises a wooden pallet (30) fixed by nailing or stapling on the external face of said bottom (6). 10.- container according to any one of the preceding claims, which comprises two cleats wooden diagonals (44) extending respectively between the upper ends of the main uprights (12,13; 64,65) and the bottom (6).

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