System for displaying self-service items

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of arrangements for the display and sale of self-service items that are to be attached to pegs on a vertical wall of a retail display unit, which is often engaged with a perforated or slotted panel by a cantilever fastener, allowing the organization of the retail display unit to be easily reconfigured.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of arrangements for the display and sale of self-service articles on pegs to be attached to the vertical walls of a retail display unit, often engaged with a perforated or slotted panel by means of a cantilever fastener, allowing the organization of the retail display unit to be easily reconfigured.

[0002] To make shoplifting more difficult, it is known to protect articles displayed in anti-theft boxes, which are difficult to open for a person without a specialized unlocking tool and contain detection markers (e.g. tuned inductive loops or ferrite), so that in the event of passing between gantries placed in the passage downstream of the cash register, an alarm is triggered.

[0003] New forms of shoplifting have emerged, more brutal and rapid, aimed in particular at feeding parallel reselling circuits, including tearing all the articles from the pegs and fleeing quickly without leaving time to discover the thief. This type of theft is justified even if the individual articles have a low unit price, since the collection of stolen articles is then resold individually on parallel distribution networks.

[0004] To counter this new practice, it has been proposed to reinforce the anchoring of the pegs on the retail display unit and to slow down the removal of the articles displayed in front of the pegs, to prevent the removal of entire rows of articles, while preserving the single removal of articles. Solutions have been implemented on special pegs that require a forced action by the person who wishes to take the product from the peg. Performing this action requires lengthening the duration of product removal. PRIOR ART

[0005] In the prior art, there are numerous solutions for display racks with pegs fastened to lath walls or slotted walls, metal grilles, support bars or perforated panels. The use of a matrix of pegs on a display rack provides an aesthetic and organized display area that allows potential buyers to view the goods without the assistance of a salesperson. Often, the goods are kept in transparent packaging or transparent security containers ("blister packs") or transparent anti-theft boxes, configured to hang on the pegs. For "high-risk" articles, it is known to provide a series of S-bends adjacent to the free end of the support bar, to prevent shoplifters from "sweeping" all the articles in the display. It is also known to provide mechanical delay mechanisms adjacent to the free end of the support bar to increase the time required to dispense individual goods from the display hook. It is also known to provide display hooks with locking devices, configured to be positioned on the support bar between the free end and at least one good.

[0006] Patent application WO2009051998 discloses a solution that implements two rods, one rod supporting the article, the other rod intended to be used to hinge two pivot locks, which form a stop to block the advancement of the article suspended from the lower rod. This solution uses a collection of rods and time lock arms. The time lock arms are movable in sequence to allow a potential purchaser to manipulate the article above the arms to detach the article from the display hook. The time lock arms include a conduit slidably disposed on the rod assembly, a first arm rotatably mounted on the conduit, and a second arm fixedly mounted on the conduit spaced apart from the first arm. The first arm is spaced apart from the second arm sufficiently to allow at least one article to be disposed between the arms. The first arm has a circumferentially extending groove, and the conduit has a key.

[0007] Patent application US2001013567 discloses a locking hook assembly that provides for the secure display of merchandise on a vertical support. The locking hook assembly generally includes a mounting bracket configured for attachment to the vertical support. A hook of generally circular cross-section has an inner end fixed to the mounting bracket and extending outwardly therefrom to an outer end. The outer end of the hook has a reduced diameter portion of generally semi-circular cross-section, and the reduced diameter portion includes a recess. To prevent the merchandise from being removed at the outer end, a lock has a semi-circular opening shaped to receive the reduced diameter portion and selectively engage the recess.

[0008] Another solution is described in US5676268, which includes an elongated support member having structure for fixedly attaching the elongated support member to a base at one location. The elongated support member has an entry end that can be directed through an opening in an article to be displayed to allow the article to be placed along the length of the elongated support member and to slide longitudinally. Structure is provided on at least one of the elongated support member and the base to which the elongated support member is fixedly attached at the display location to restrict the article to be displayed from being directed to move in one direction along the length of the elongated support member.

[0009] US5624040 discloses a security system for display racks in which packaged merchandise is threaded onto the free end of a hanger rod through an opening in the package for display. The free end of the hanger rod is threaded and a threaded cap is screwed onto the free end of the rod to prevent the package from being removed. The cap has a pair of opposed grooves and a special key is provided to remove the cap.

[0010] The solution proposed by the present invention

[0011] To remedy the drawbacks of the solutions of the prior art, the present invention, according to its most general meaning, relates to a system for displaying self-service articles according to claim 1.

[0012] According to a first variant, the ring is composed of a hollow body and the teeth are composed of flexible blades bent in the shape of an "L" with a fixed end extending longitudinally and a mobile end whose edge can restingly engage between two notches of the notched area of the peg.

[0013] According to a second variant, the mobile end extends in a plane inclined with respect to the transverse plane of the body, to abut against the back of the notch during the application of force in the direction of the free end of the peg to which the ring is threaded, the actuating device being composed of a mobile member whose inner end separates the edge from the mobile end when pressure is applied on the outer part of this mobile member.

[0014] According to another variant, the ring is composed of a detachable nut and the peg is composed of a rod with a threaded free end section.

[0015] Preferably, the nut comprises an axially mobile hammer which, at rest, is pushed against the back of the ring and has a seat for attaching the fixed end of at least one flexible blade, the mobile end of which extends in a transverse plane, the edge resting at rest on the bottom of the thread, the nut also comprising a separation bearing which blocks the mobile end of the blade when the hammer is pushed backwards and a clearance which releases the end of the blade when the hammer is pushed forwards from the ring, the outer surface of the body constituting the actuating device which acts by rotation.

[0016] According to a variant, the mobile blade is replaced by at least one ball engaged in the thread.

[0017] Advantageously, the notch or thread section is composed of a hollow portion engaged on the end of a smooth peg.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the notch or thread section forms an angle with the longitudinal axis of the back of the peg.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the notch or thread section extends through a smooth section.

[0020] According to a first variant, the ring is integrated into an anti-theft box.

[0021] According to a second variant, the ring is integrated into the packaging of the article.

[0022] The application also relates to an anti-theft box intended to equip a system for displaying self-service articles, this system being composed of a network of pegs intended to hold the articles, the packaging of the articles having a hole for the passage of the pegs and the pegs being composed of a cylindrical rod with a notched free end section, characterized in that the packaging of the articles has a hole for the passage of the pegs, this hole being extended by a ring with at least one tooth which can be detached by an external actuating device.

[0023] The application also relates to a ring intended to equip a system for displaying self-service items, the system consisting of a network of pegs intended to hold items, the packaging of which has a hole for the passage of said pegs and said pegs consisting of a cylindrical rod with a notched free end section, characterized in that said packaging has a hole for the passage of a peg, said hole being extended by a ring with at least one tooth that can be disengaged by an external actuating device.

[0024] The application relates to a peg intended to equip a system for displaying self-service items, the system being intended to be used for packaging items with a hole for the passage of said pegs and spacers formed from a ring with at least one tooth that can be disengaged by an external actuating device, said ring having an external cross section that is greater than the cross section of said hole, characterized in that said peg consists of a cylindrical rod with a notched free end section.

[0025] Advantageously, the system comprises an anti-theft device comprising a ball lock by means of a peg added or integrated into the system. The peg can be retractable.

[0026] The anti-theft device can also comprise a hanger via a housing arranged to receive the system.

[0027] The anti-theft device can also comprise a lockable retention device positioned on one of the wiring of an adjustable cable lock called "spider" (trade name). The hook that integrates said system allows it to be hung on the peg.

[0028] According to a variant, said ring has a complementary locking device of an anti-theft tag.

[0029] According to a variant, said ring has a housing for engagement with a hanger.

[0030] According to a variant, said ring has an additional locking device of an adjustable cable lock for suspending a product protected by said cable lock. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0031] The application will be better understood on reading the following description with reference to the attached drawings showing, by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment thereof, in which:

[0032] In the drawings:

[0033] [ Figure 1 ] Figure 1 A front view of a peg according to the application is shown.

[0034] [ Figure 2 ] Figure 2 An exploded view of the free end of a peg according to the application is shown.

[0035] [ Figure 3 ]Figure 3 perspective view of a security box according to the application.

[0036] [ Figure 4 ] Figure 4 perspective view of a security blister pack according to the application.

[0037] [ Figure 5 ] Figure 5 sectional view of a detachable nut according to the application during the hanging peg loading phase.

[0038] [ Figure 6 ] Figure 6 sectional view of a detachable nut according to the application during the article removal from the hanging peg phase.

[0039] [ Figure 7 ] Figure 7 exploded view of a detachable nut according to the application.

[0040] [ Figure 8 ] Figure 8 perspective view of a fly hammer of a detachable nut according to the application.

[0041] [ Figure 9 ] Figure 9 schematic view of a ring according to a variant of the application.

[0042] [ Figure 10 ] Figure 10 schematic front view of a variant of the application.

[0043] [ Figure 11 ] Figure 11 schematic side view of a variant of the application.

[0044] [ Figure 12 ] Figure 12 detailed view of a variant of the application.

[0045] [ Figure 13 ] Figure 13 perspective view of another variant of the application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] The delay function for retrieving the article is obtained by the necessary time corresponding to the button of the detachable nut integrated with the rotation setting.

[0047] The release path of the article is obtained by the helical path (thread) present on the hanging peg supporting the article. The movement of the button is achieved by the interaction of the complementary thread present therein. In the variant described below, this thread is, for example, in the form of three blades (in particular metal) placed at 120°.

[0048] This configuration is not limiting: the number of leaves can be different (for example, a single leaf or a larger set of leaves), and the orientation can be different.

[0049] Similarly, the leaves can be made of materials other than metal.

[0050] To enable the button to perform the delay function and the disengagement function, these leaves have an axial degree of freedom with respect to the peg. To allow the 3 leaves to move simultaneously, they are associated by means of an additional component called a fly. For example, the leaves are fixed in place by snap-fastening in the fly.

[0051] To optimize the interaction of the leaves with the threads of the peg, the leaves are offset based on the pitch of the threads of the peg.

[0052] This offset is also present in the positioning of the disengagement bearing, in order to optimize the blocking of the leaves in the delay mode. To automatically switch from the delay mode to the release mode, a spring is associated with this function. This degree of freedom will allow the leaves to move in 2 different zones.

[0053] The release zone inside the button will allow the leaves to move freely in a dedicated housing while sliding (mounting) on the threads of the peg. The movement of the fly in this zone is the result of the pressure exerted by the leaves on the threads when the delay button is inserted on the peg. This movement is the result of the direction of movement of the peg and of the point of contact between the leaves and the threads of the peg.

[0054] The delay zone inside the button does not allow the leaves to move freely. Indeed, in this zone, the space has been removed and replaced by a stopper, leaving only the axial movement of the fly to be able to act. Thus, the leaves cannot slide on the threads; the only way to make the leaves advance is to make them follow the helical path created by the threads. The movement of the fly in this zone is the result of the action of the spring that pushes the fly backwards.

[0055] During an attempted theft, the thief will try to quickly remove the product from the peg without following the helical path of the threads. This gesture of pulling the system forward will help to keep the fly in place in the delay zone by pressing the leaves against the threads (point of contact).

[0056] The disengageable button can be actuated by leaves or by balls or by any other interaction solution.

[0057] The design of the peg must take into account ensuring sufficient distance between the threaded peg and the price support rod (paper or electronic) in order to guarantee the legibility of the instructions for use of the delay button. The threaded zone can be made by machining the metal rod, by adding one or more additional components assembled at the end of the metal rod, to adapt the desired delay time. The position and length of the threaded zone will be adjusted according to the specifications of the customer.

[0058] The keying system ensures the perfect positioning of the flyweights or balls in the body of the button, so as to guarantee the association of each leaf with its respective bearing.

[0059] Each peg performs several functions:

[0060] a) The peg acts as a support for the articles, the smooth portion of the stem (100) allows the articles to be packaged to be made available to be threaded onto the stem due to the hole and to be hung and possibly slid longitudinally through the notched area (102) until the removal end

[0061] b) The peg acts to block the articles by interaction of its notched end with the spacer ring that blocks the articles "upstream", the cross section of which is greater than that of the hole of the package

[0062] c) Each article is separated by the ring ("spacer ring") which makes it necessary to remove the articles one after the other, with a certain lag time between two removals, caused by the passage of the ring through the notched area.

[0063] It is therefore not possible to remove a series of articles on the peg with a single gesture.

[0064] Description of the hanging peg

[0065] Figure 1 The peg shown is formed by a stem (100) of circular cross section, for example, the rear end (101) of which is bent and the front end (102) of which has a thread of length corresponding to the desired delay time. This delay time corresponds to the time required to unscrew the product from the peg. In order to shorten or lengthen the delay time, the stem (100) or its threaded end (102) can be replaceable, either by means of snap-fastening means or at the time of manufacture or by the store manager.

[0066] Normally, a second stem (110) is placed in parallel to support, at its front end, a display support for the designation of the article and / or the price. The rear ends of the two stems (100, 110) are joined in a hook interface (120) which, in the example shown, has two claws (121, 122) intended to be snap-fastened into a perforated or slotted panel.

[0067] Figure 2 An embodiment of the peg is shown assembled on the free end of the stem (100) by two threaded half-shells (103, 104) fixed by gluing, welding or snap-fastening.

[0068] Packaging of the article

[0069] The articles are placed in the anti-theft holder system (10) associated with the anti-theft box shown or with Figure 3 the anti-theft holder system (10) associated with the anti-theft box shown or withFigure 4 The blister pack (20) shown is encapsulated. The packs (10, 20) have holes (21) allowing storage on a peg (100) surrounded by a ring (200). A crimp (22) fixes the ring (200) to the blister pack (21).

[0070] It is also possible to provide items with packs that are simply pierced to allow positioning on the peg (100), alternating them with the ring (200). The ring (200) can also have retractable pegs (40) or additional pegs (41) in order to associate an anti-theft tag with the ball lock.

[0071] Detail of the ring (200)

[0072] Figure 5 and Figure 6 show cross sections of an embodiment of the ring (200) in the phase of engagement on the peg (where pressure is exerted on the front face of the item in the direction of the arrow (1)) and in the phase of removal of the item (where movement is made in the direction of the arrow (2) with respect to the peg).

[0073] The ring comprises a hollow body (210) of cylindrical shape made of plastic material, open at the front by an opening (211) of section complementary to that of the peg (100) and closed at the rear by a pierced membrane seal (212).

[0074] It contains a tubular flyweight (220) pushed against the rear membrane seal (212) by a spring (213) supported on an annular stop (214) provided on the front of the hollow body (210). The flyweight is fixed with three flexible blades (230) of "L" shape, the rear portions (231, 241, 251) of which extend in the longitudinal plane and the front portions (232, 242, 252) of which extend in the transverse plane. The transverse edges of the front portions (232, 242, 252) come into contact with the surface of the peg (100), in particular the threaded portion (102), when the item begins to engage. A stop (205) limits the flexion of the rear portions (231) of the flexible blades.

[0075] During a succession of items engaging on the peg, the pressure exerted in the direction of the arrow by the end portions (232, 242, 252) of the blades (230) in contact with the thread (102) pushes the flyweight (220) back into the hollow body (210) by compression of the spring (213). In this position, the clearance (215) allows the blades (230) to flex sufficiently to release the passage of the thread (102).

[0076] When the article is removed, the pressure exerted by the contact of the end (232, 242, 252) of the leaf (230) with the thread (102) in the direction of the arrow 2 combines with the pressure of the spring to push the fly hammer (220) towards the pierced membrane seal (212). In this position, the leaf (230) cannot move freely in the gap (215). Indeed, the stop prevents any bending of the leaf, thus preventing the axial movement of the ring (200).

[0077] However, by turning the hollow body, unscrewing is caused, which makes it possible for the hollow body (200) and the fly hammer (210) provided with the protrusion (218) to advance until it passes through the threaded portion (102), the protrusion (218) acting as a position key for the fly hammer (220).

[0078] Variant embodiment

[0079] Figure 9 An alternative embodiment is schematically shown, in which the peg (100) has a notched front end. The flexible leaf (230) has a front part inclined with respect to the transverse plane. This inclination ensures an elastic deformation for the bulk loading of articles when the ring (200) is engaged on the peg (100) and is pushed away from the free end (102).

[0080] The removal requires the use of a push button (270) to push the flexible leaf (230) back, which requires the customer to activate a single article at a time, the last article being placed before the notched area (102).

[0081] Association of the delaying device with the anti-theft device

[0082] The present invention can be added to any existing anti-theft device by means of the hinged area.

[0083] As an example, Figure 12 An embodiment is shown in which the anti-theft device actuates a hook (285) suitable for attaching a lanyard (286) around the protected article. This lanyard (286) can in turn be secured by a "security spider" type anti-theft box.

[0084] As an example, Figure 13 Another embodiment is shown in which the anti-theft device actuates a hook (285) capable of being attached to an anti-theft box (287) around the protected article.

Claims

1. A system for displaying self-service items, the system consisting of at least one peg intended to hold an item, the packaging of said item having a hole for the passage of said peg, the system being characterized in that said at least one peg consists of a smooth rod whose cross-section is less than or equal to the cross-section of said hole over the length intended to receive said packaging, said rod having a notched free end section, the system further comprising a spacer formed by a ring, said ring having: • an internal cavity whose cross-section is complementary to that of said rod and greater than the cross-section of said notched free end section, and • at least one tooth that can be disengaged by an external actuating device to interact with the notches of said notched free end section in repose, • the outer cross-section of said ring being greater than said cross-section of said hole, wherein said ring consisting of a hollow body and said tooth consisting of a flexible blade bent into an "L" shape, said flexible blade having a mobile end and a longitudinally extending fixed end, the edge of said mobile end being able to engage between the two notches of said notched free end section in repose.

2. The system for displaying self-service items of claim 1, wherein, said mobile end extending in a plane inclined with respect to the transverse plane of said hollow body to rest against the back of said notches during the application of a force on said ring in the direction of the free end of said peg to which said ring is threadably coupled, said actuating device consisting of a mobile member whose inner end separates said edge from said mobile end when pressure is applied on the outer side portion of said mobile member.

3. The system for displaying self-service items of claim 1, wherein, said ring consisting of a disengageable nut and said peg consisting of a rod having said notched free end section threaded.

4. The system for displaying self-service items of claim 3, wherein, said nut containing an axially mobile hammer that is pushed against the back of said ring in repose and having a seat for the attachment of said fixed end of at least one flexible blade, said mobile end of said blade extending on a transverse plane, said edge of said mobile end engaging at the bottom of said thread in repose, said nut further comprising a separation bearing that blocks said mobile end of said blade when said hammer is pushed back and a clearance that releases said mobile end of said blade when said hammer is pushed forward from said ring, the outer surface of said hollow body constituting said actuating device acting by rotation.

5. The system for displaying self-service items of claim 1, wherein, said notched free end section consisting of a hollow portion engaging on the free end of a smooth peg.

6. The system for displaying self-service items of claim 1, wherein, the longitudinal axis of said notched free end section forms an angle with the longitudinal axis of the rear portion of said peg.

7. The system for displaying self-service items of claim 1, wherein, said notched free end section extends through a smooth section.

8. The system for displaying self-service items of claim 1, wherein, said ring is integrated in an anti-theft box.

9. The system for displaying self-service items of claim 1, wherein, said ring is integrated into said packaging of said item.

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