Product feed device

Abstract

Goods feed device (1) with a first side wall (2) and a second side wall (3), between which a channel that can be filled with goods is formed, and an adjusting device for adjusting the distance of the first side wall (2) to the second side wall (3), characterized in that the adjusting device comprises a slide (10) by means of which at least one guide track (11, 12) formed at an angle to a longitudinal direction of the first side wall (2) and the second side wall (3) is movable relative to a guide element guided in the at least one guide track (11, 12).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a goods feed device having a first side wall and a second side wall, between which a channel that can be filled with goods is formed, and an adjusting device for adjusting the distance between the first side wall and the second side wall.

[0002] EP 3 597 078 B1 discloses an adjustable shelf for a merchandise display device, in which two wall elements can be positioned at different distances using an adjustment device. The adjustment device comprises a cam that can be locked at different angular positions to adjust the distance. Such an adjustment process is comparatively complex, and the mechanism of the adjustment device has a limited load-bearing capacity.

[0003] To simplify the adjustment of the spacing between side walls in a merchandise display device, EP 3 716 817 B1 discloses a sliding device mounted on a wire support structure, allowing the side walls to be moved along a pair of wire supports. While this allows for easy adjustment, it does not guarantee that the side walls are aligned exactly parallel. Furthermore, the side walls may shift during operation.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a goods feed device in which the distance between two side walls can be effectively adjusted using simple means.

[0005] This object is achieved with a goods feed device having the features of claim 1.

[0006] The goods feed device according to the invention comprises a first side wall and a second side wall, between which a channel that can be filled with goods is formed, and an adjusting device for adjusting the distance between the first side wall and the second side wall. The adjusting device comprises a slide, by means of which at least one guide track aligned obliquely to a longitudinal direction of the first side wall and the second side wall can be moved relative to a guide element guided in the at least one guide track. As a result, the guide track can be moved relative to the guide element via the slide in order to change the distance between the two side walls and thus provide an optimal width for the goods located in the channel with a simple pushing movement.

[0007] The slider can preferably be moved parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first side wall and the second side wall to adjust the distance between the first side wall and the second side wall. For a compact design, the slider can be arranged in a floor area of ​​the channel and moved in the longitudinal direction of the two preferably parallel side walls to reduce or increase the distance. The distance between the first side wall and the second side wall is preferably adjustable via the adjusting device over an adjustment range of at least 30 mm, for example over an adjustment range of between 40 mm and 60 mm. The adjustment range is defined by the difference between the maximum distance between the side walls and the minimum distance between the side walls. This allows the channel to be flexibly adapted to goods of different widths.

[0008] The angle of inclination of the at least one guide track relative to the longitudinal direction is preferably between 15° and 50°, in particular 18° to 30°, wherein the guide element in the guide track is preferably arranged in a self-locking manner, so that after adjustment no unintentional adjustment occurs when pressure is applied against one of the side walls.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of guide tracks are formed on the slide, and the guide elements are connected to the first side wall or the second side wall via retaining webs. This allows the side walls to be held securely in the desired position. It is of course also optionally possible to provide corresponding guide tracks on the side walls, into which guide elements connected to the slide then engage. However, the arrangement of the guide track on the slide has the advantage that the slide can be arranged centrally between the two side walls and all of the guide tracks can be arranged on the slide. The retaining webs, which are preferably connected to one of the two side walls and can optionally also be formed integrally with them, are preferably guided in receptacles perpendicular to the plane of the first and second side walls.This means that the side walls are moved perpendicular to the plane of the side walls during an adjustment process.

[0010] The at least one guide track is preferably designed as a groove that is open at the bottom. This allows the slide to be closed at the top, thus preventing or reducing contamination of the groove.

[0011] Preferably, two guide tracks are provided which cross each other. Several crossed guide tracks can be provided in the longitudinal direction, depending on the length of the side walls. The crossed arrangement of the guide tracks means that one guide track can be assigned to each side wall, so that a particularly large width adjustment for the channel is possible. It is also ensured that both side walls are moved simultaneously during an adjustment movement of the slide, thus ensuring that the side walls are aligned parallel. By arranging several crossing guide tracks, the side walls can be guided at certain intervals; for example, three or four crossed guide tracks are provided so that each side wall is securely held to the slide by two, three or four guide elements.In the case of crossed guideways, the guide elements are preferably elongated and longer than the width of a guideway, so that turning into the wrong guideway is prevented.

[0012] The goods advancement device preferably comprises a spring-loaded goods pusher between the first side wall and the second side wall. This goods pusher can ensure that the goods are each pushed to a front stop, which is provided, for example, on a rail at a front side. The goods pusher is preferably guided along a rail on which one of the several guide rails is formed. The slider of the adjustment device is preferably guided along this rail, so that the goods pusher can be moved along the top side of the rail and the slider interacts with the guide elements towards the bottom side.

[0013] For easy handling, an access opening or a handle section can be provided in the slider to allow the slider to be moved relative to the first and second side walls, even when the goods pusher is mounted on a shelf and optionally also filled with goods. Optionally, a stop protruding into the channel can be formed on the front of each of the first and second side walls to limit the advancement of goods. The goods can then be guided between the two side walls until they rest against the front stop of the side walls.

[0014] To allow for flexible installation of the product pusher, both side panels are equipped with at least one predetermined breaking point at the rear end, allowing the length of the side panels to be adjusted by breaking off the predetermined breaking point. This allows for adaptation to shelves of varying depths.

[0015] The invention will be explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a goods feed device according to the invention; Fig. 2 a perspective bottom view of the goods feed device of the Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a side view of the goods feed device; Fig. 4 a plan view of the goods feed device; Fig. 5 a sectional front view of the goods feed device; Fig. 6 a perspective view of the goods feed device; Fig. 7 a rear perspective view of the goods feed device, and Fig. 8 a rear perspective product feed device of the Fig. 7 with shortened side walls.

[0016] A goods pusher 1 comprises a first side wall 2 and a second side wall 3, which form a channel for goods between them. These goods can be moved via a goods pusher 4 to a stop on a front side of the goods pusher 1. The goods pusher 4 is movable along a rail 5 and is biased toward the stop 6 by a spring. Such a goods pusher 1 can be mounted on a shelf to allow goods to be attractively presented in a salesroom.

[0017] The two side walls 2 and 3 are arranged parallel, with an angled stop 7 provided on a front side of the first side wall 2 and an angled stop 8 provided on the second side wall 3, so that the foremost item can be pushed via the item pusher 4 in the channel between the side walls 2 and 3 up to the stops 6, 7, and 8, and can then be removed upwards by a person manually or via an ejector mechanism. Openings 9 are provided in both side walls 2 and 3, but these can optionally be omitted.

[0018] To adjust the width of the channel between side walls 2 and 3, an adjustment device with a movable slider 10 is provided. The slider 10 is movable in the longitudinal direction and guided along the rail 5.

[0019] As in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, the slide 10 comprises, on its underside, several guide tracks 11 and 12, which are groove-shaped and extend at an angle to the longitudinal direction, for example, at an angle between 15° and 50°. The guide tracks 11 and 12 intersect each other, and a guide element is guided in each guide track 11 or 12.

[0020] The first side wall 2 is connected to retaining webs 14 that protrude perpendicularly from the plane of the first side wall 2. Each retaining web 14 is provided at its end with a guide element that engages in the guide track 12. On the second side wall 3, retaining webs 13 that protrude perpendicularly from the plane of the second side wall 3 are formed, which are provided with a guide element that engages in the guide track 11. The retaining webs 13 and 14 are each guided in a channel-shaped receptacle 15 so that the retaining webs can only move in their longitudinal direction. By displacing the slider 10 parallel to the longitudinal direction of the side walls 2 and 3, the guide elements are displaced along the guide tracks 11 and 12, which leads to a change in the distance between the first side wall 2 and the second side wall 3, wherein the side walls 2 and 3 remain aligned parallel to one another.To move the slider 10, the user can engage an engagement opening 17 of the slider 10 in order to move it along the rail 5.

[0021] The rail 5 is essentially frame-shaped and has two elongated strips that are connected to each other in the area of ​​the stop 6 via connecting webs. In the rear area, a separate connecting part 18 can connect the two strips. Another connecting web 19 can be provided at the rear end of the rail 5.

[0022] In Fig. Figure 3 shows the side wall 2, which has several predetermined breaking points 20 in the rear area, so that the side walls 2 are connected to each other in the area of ​​the predetermined breaking points 20 only via thin connecting webs 21. The predetermined breaking points 20 serve to optimally shorten the side wall 2.

[0023] In Fig. 4, the goods feed device 1 is shown in a plan view, and the first side wall 2 comprises four retaining webs 14, and the second side wall 3 also comprises four retaining webs 13, so that both side walls 2 and 3 are coupled to the slider 10 via the retaining webs 13 and 14. By moving the slider 10 in the longitudinal direction, the side walls 2 and 3 are simultaneously displaced in parallel to set the desired distance.

[0024] Accordingly Fig. 5, each retaining web 13 can be formed integrally with the side wall 3, and each retaining web 14 can be formed integrally with the first side wall 2. Optionally, the retaining webs 13 and 14 can also be fixed to the side walls 2 or 3 by fastening means. The goods pusher 4 is guided between two guide rails of the rail 5, and the slider 10, on which the guide tracks 11 and 12 are formed, is arranged below the goods pusher 4.

[0025] Fig. Figure 6 shows the goods feed device 1 with the goods pusher 4 in a forward position. To fill the channel between the side walls 2 and 3, the goods pusher 4 is moved rearward, and a corresponding number of goods are inserted between the goods pusher 4 and the stop 6. If the distance between the side walls 2 and 3 needs to be changed, the pusher 10 can be moved longitudinally relative to the side walls 2 and 3 until the desired width is set.

[0026] In the Fig. 7 and Fig. Figure 8 shows the assembly of the goods feed device 1 when the length is to be shortened. Corresponding predetermined breaking points 20 are provided on the side wall 2, and further predetermined breaking points 30 are provided on the side wall 3, which are only connected to each other via thin connecting webs 21 and 31. Fig.8, a section of the side wall 2 or 3 can be removed if a section of the side wall 2 or 3 is separated via a predetermined breaking point 20 or 30, so that the side wall is broken off in the region of a connecting web 21 or 31.

[0027] The rail 5 is also provided with a plurality of predetermined breaking points 22 at the rear end and can be shortened to the required length if necessary. The strips of the rail 5 are secured to each other via the connecting part 18, which can be attached to the strips in the rear area, for example, with pins that engage in corresponding openings.

[0028] In the illustrated embodiment, each side wall 2 or 3 is provided with four retaining webs 13 and 14. It is, of course, also possible to change the number of retaining webs 13 and 14, for example, to provide only two or three of them, or more than four.

[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, an adjustment of both side walls 2 and 3 is provided upon movement of the slider 10. It is of course also possible to provide an adjustment device on only one side and to firmly connect the side wall to the rail 5 on the other side. List of reference symbols 1 goods feed device 2 side wall 3 side wall 4 goods pushers 5 Rail 6 stop 7 stop 8 stop 9 Opening 10 sliders 11 Guideway 12 guideway 13 Stop bridge 14 Holding bridge 15 recording 17 Access opening 18 Connecting part 19 Connecting bridge 20 predetermined breaking point 21 Connecting bridge 22 Predetermined breaking point 30 predetermined breaking point 31 Connecting bridge QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 3 597 078 B1

[0002] EP 3 716 817 B1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Goods feed device (1) with a first side wall (2) and a second side wall (3), between which a channel is formed that can be filled with goods, and an adjusting device for adjusting the distance between the first side wall (2) and the second side wall (3), characterized by in that the adjusting device comprises a slider (10) by means of which at least one guide track (11, 12) formed obliquely to a longitudinal direction of the first side wall (2) and the second side wall (3) is movable relative to a guide element guided in the at least one guide track (11, 12). [2] Goods feed device according to claim 1, characterized by that the slider (10) for adjusting the distance between the first side wall (2) and the second side wall (3) is movable parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first side wall (2) and the second side wall (3). [3] Goods feed device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the distance between the first side wall (2) and the second side wall (3) can be adjusted by the adjusting device over an adjustment range of at least 30 mm. [4] Goods feed device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the angle of inclination of the at least one guide track (11, 12) relative to the longitudinal direction is between 15° and 50°. [5] Goods feed device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a plurality of guide tracks (11, 12) are formed on the slide (10) and the guide elements are connected to the first side wall (2) or the second side wall (3) via holding webs (13, 14). [6] Goods feed device according to claim 5, characterized by that the holding webs (13, 14) are guided in receptacles (15) perpendicular to the plane of the first side wall (2) or second side wall (3). [7] Goods feed device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the at least one guide track (11, 12) is designed as a downwardly open groove. [8] Goods feed device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that two guideways (11, 12) cross each other and several crossed guideways (11, 12) are provided in the longitudinal direction. [9] Goods feed device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a goods slider (4) pre-tensioned by a spring is arranged between the first side wall (2) and the second side wall (3). [10] Goods feed device according to claim 9, characterized by that the goods pusher (4) is guided along a rail (5) and the slider (10) of the adjusting device is also guided along the rail (5). [11] Goods feed device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat an engagement opening (17) or a handle portion for moving the slider (10) relative to the first side wall (2) and the second side wall (3) is formed in the slider (10). [12] Goods feed device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that on the first side wall (2) and the second side wall (3) a stop (7, 8) projecting into the channel is formed on a front side in each case to limit the advance of the goods. [13] Goods feed device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one predetermined breaking point is provided on the first side wall (2) and the second side wall (3) at the rear end for shortening the length of the side wall (2, 3).

Images