Plastic shelf trim comprising a filler and a storage system comprising the shelf trim

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a shelf trim 5 for a wire shelf 3, the shelf trim com- prising a plastic material with an inorganic filler and being elongated to a length L to fit on the front of a wire shelf 3. The shelf trim has a first cross section 24, along most of said length having a horizontal section 23 presenting a top surface 25 and, under the top surface, a downward facing groove 33 configured to accommodate a first wire 17 of a wire shelf. A vertical section 29 extends downwards from the front of the horizontal section 23 and presents a front surface 31. The shelf trim further has a second cross section 26, at a plurality of locations along the length, where projec- tions 35, 37 extend downwards from lower side of the horizontal section 23 on both sides of the downward facing groove 33. The distance d between the projections closing downwards, thereby providing an opening 39 therebetween that is narrower than the maximum width of the groove 33. This provides a snap fit function when the shelf trim 5 is attached to a wire shelf 3 and allows the shelf trim to be made in one piece by injection moulding.

Description

[0001] PLASTIC SHELF TRIM COMPRISING A FILLER AND A STORAGE SYSTEM COMPRISING THE SHELF TRIM

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a trim or fascia for a shelf.

[0004] Background

[0005] An example of a shelf trim is illustrated in US-5332611 -A where an extruded strip forms a trim that can be snapped on the front end of a shelf.

[0006] Known trims for wire shelfs are made in elongated pieces of solid wood such as birch which are provided with plastic clips for snap-fitting with a shelf wire.

[0007] One problem associated with known shelf trims is how to obtain a robust and inexpensive shelf trim that can be attached to a wire shelf and produce a visual expression as a solid-board shelf.

[0008] Summary

[0009] One object of the present disclosure is therefore to provide a shelf trim or fascia that can be connected to wires of a wire shelf and present a front area that is significantly thicker than the wire.

[0010] This object is obtained by a shelf trim as defined in claim 1. More specifically, the shelf trim comprises a plastic material with a non-plastic filler and is elongated to a length L to fit on the front of a wire shelf. Along most of the length, the shelf trim has a first cross section, which has a horizontal portion presenting a top surface and, under the top surface, a downward facing groove configured to accommodate a first wire of a wire shelf. A vertical portion extends downwards from the front of the horizontal section and presents a front surface. At a plurality of locations along the length, the shelf trim has a second cross section, where projections extend downwards from the lower side of the horizontal section on both sides of the downward facing groove. The distance between the projections is tapering downwards, thereby providing an opening therebetween that is narrower than the maximum width of the groove. This allows the shelf trim to be fitted on a wire shelf front with a snap fit, and thanks to the non-plastic filler, the shelf trim can be efficiently produced in one piece by injection moulding without being subjected to shrinkage or the like. This allows to produce a shelf trim which is robust and easy to use to be produced in an efficient manner. Typically, the non-plastic filler may be an inorganic filler, such as Calcium carbonate, CaCOs.

[0011] The plastic material amy be polyamide 6, PA6.

[0012] In one example, the plastic material is polyamide 6, PA6, comprising 25-50% glass fiber and 10-30% Calcium carbonate, CaCOs, by weight. More specifically, the polyamide 6, PA6, may comprise 35-45% glass fiber and 15-25% Calcium carbonate, by weight. In one example, the polyamide 6, PA6, comprises approximately 40% glass fiber and 20% Calcium carbonate, by weight.

[0013] The shelf trim may be made in one piece, for instance by injection moulding.

[0014] The shelf trim may have a uniform coloring throughout its material as a whole.

[0015] The present disclosure also considers a storage system comprising a wire shelf and a shelf trim as defined above, wherein the wire shelf has a first and a second wire at its front, one stacked on top of the other, with thinner wires sandwiched therebetween. The shelf trim is configured to be fit on the first and second wires with a snap fit.

[0016] Brief description of the drawings

[0017] Fig 1 shows a perspective view of a storage system with a wire shelf and a shelf trim attached thereon.

[0018] Fig 2 shows a side view of the storage system in fig 1 .

[0019] Figs 3A-C illustrate a side view and cross sections of a wire shelf trim.

[0020] Fig 4 shows an ISO view of a wire shelf trim as seen from the rear.

[0021] Detailed description

[0022] Fig 1 shows a perspective view of a storage system 1 with a wire shelf 3 and a shelf trim 5 attached thereon. The wire shelf 3 is suspended between two brackets 7 which in turn are connected to hang standards 9 attached oriented vertically, typically on a wall.

[0023] This configuration, with the exception of the shelf trim 5, has been available for some time. A previous shelf trim was made in solid wood, typically birch, and had separate plastic clips for attaching to the wire shelf 3. The present disclosure relates to an improvement of such a shelf trim, which improvement is the shelf trim 5 or fascia shown in fig 1 and the following drawings.

[0024] Wire shelfs in general are useful as an alternative to board shelves made for instance with an outer melamine laminate, and allow air to circulate, which is desirable in many circumstances, such as in wardrobes. At the same time, the wire shelf 3 has, thanks to the trim, the appearance of a solid shelf as seen from the outside of a cupboard, for instance.

[0025] The wire shelf as shown may comprise a number of base wires 11 running parallel in one direction and a greater number of usually comparatively thinner wires 13 welded thereto. The base wires 11 can be fitted in slots 15 in the brackets 7 to keep the wire shelf 3 firmly connected thereto, as shown in fig 2.

[0026] As shown, it is possible to provide two base wires 17, 19 at the front stacked one on top of the other, with the thinner wires 13 sandwiched therebetween. The same configuration may be used at the rear of the wire shelf, as shown.

[0027] Figs 3A-C illustrate a side view (fig 3A) and cross sections (figs 3B, 3C) of a wire shelf trim 5, and fig 4 shows an ISO view of the shelf trim as seen from the rear. As best seen in fig 4, the wire shelf trim 5 comprises three snap fit connectors 21 which are adapted to connect with the wire shelf 3 as will be shown. A greater or smaller number of such connectors 21 may be provided. They are narrow enough to fit between two adjacent wires 13 of the thinner type that run from the rear to the front of the shelf.

[0028] Generally, the wire shelf trim 5 is elongated to a length I, typically about 450 mm, or about 600 mm, or in the range between 400-700 mm, to fit on the front of a wire shelf 3, preferably up to the mid-line of the lateral brackets 7.

[0029] The shelf trim 5 has a first cross section, illustrated in fig 3B along most of its length. This cross-section has a horizontal section 23 presenting a top surface 25. Under the top surface 25, a downward facing groove 27 is provided to accommodate the upper wire 17 (cf. fig 2) of a wire shelf 3. A vertical section 29 extends downwards from the front of the horizontal section 23 and presents a front surface 31 .

[0030] To provide the aforementioned snap-fit connectors 21 , a second cross section 26 is provided at a plurality of locations along said length, as illustrated in fig 3C. In addition to the configuration of the cross section in fig 3B, projections 35, 37 in this cross section extend downwards from lower side of the horizontal section on both sides of the downward facing groove 27, the distance d between the projections tapering downwards, thereby providing an opening 39 therebetween that is narrower than the maximum width of the groove 27. This provides a snap fit function as illustrated in fig 2, when the shelf trim 5 is attached to the wires 17, 19.

[0031] As indicated in fig 4, an additional cut-out 41 may be provided at each end of the shelf trim 5 to make room for the ends of the brackets 7 when the shelf trim 5 is attached thereto.

[0032] The shelf trim 5 may be produced in one piece by injection moulding plastic. As the material thickness is relatively large (several millimeters) as seen in the cross section in fig 3B for instance, it is proposed to use a non-plastic filler in order to make the moulded product retain its shape and solidify in an efficient manner with reasonable cycle times. The non-plastic filler may typically be an inorganic filler as will be discussed or for instance saw dust.

[0033] The inorganic filler may be Calcium carbonate, CaCOs, although other minerals may be considered. Preferably a significant proportion of glass fiber may also be added to the compound in order to provide strength and resilience.

[0034] The plastic material may be polyamide 6, PA6, also known as polycaprolactam.

[0035] A composition may be considered where the plastic material is polyamide 6, PA6, comprising in the range 25-50% glass fiber by weight. Also 10-30% Calcium carbonate, CaCO3, by weight, may be added.

[0036] This composition may have a uniform coloring throughout the material as a whole, such that machining the trim, for instance, does not substantially change its color.

[0037] In a more specific example, the plastic material is polyamide 6, PA6, comprising 35- 45% glass fiber and 15-25% Calcium carbonate, CaCOs, by weight.

[0038] In a yet more specific example, the plastic material may be polyamide 6, PA6, comprising approximately 40% glass fiber and 20% Calcium carbonate, by weight.

[0039] The present disclosure also considers a storage system with a wire shelf 3 and a shelf trim 5 as described above. The wire shelf 3 may then comprise a first 17 and a second 19 wire at its front, one stacked on top of the other, with thinner wires 13 sandwiched therebetween. The shelf trim 5 is fitted on the first and second wires 17, 19 with a snap fit, fitting the upper wire 17 in the groove and clasping the lower wire 19 with the snap elements 21 . The snap elements 21 fit in between adjacent wires 13 running perpendicularly to the first and second wires 17, 19.

[0040] The present disclosure is not limited to the above examples and may be varied and altered in different ways within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A shelf trim (5) for a wire shelf (3), characterized by -comprising a plastic material with an non-plastic filler;-being elongated to a length (L) to fit on the front of a wire shelf (3); -having a first cross section (24), along most of said length having a horizontal section (23) presenting a top surface (25) and, under the top surface, a downward facing groove (27) configured to accommodate a first wire (17) of a wire shelf (3), and a vertical section (29) extending downwards from the front of the horizontal section (23) and presenting a front surface (31 ); and-having a second cross section (26), at a plurality of locations along said length, where projections (35, 37) extend downwards from lower side of the horizontal section (23) on both sides of the downward facing groove (27), the distance (d) between the projections closing downwards, thereby providing an opening (39) therebetween that is narrower than the maximum width of the groove (33).

2. A shelf trim according to claim 1 , wherein the non-plastic filler is an inorganic filler.

3. A shelf trim according to claim 2, wherein inorganic filler is Calcium carbonate, CaCOs.

4. A shelf trim according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the plastic material is polyamide 6, PA6.

5. A shelf trim according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plastic material is polyamide 6, PA6, comprising 25-50% glass fiber and 10-30% Calcium carbonate, CaCOs, by weight.

6. A shelf trim according to claim 5, wherein the plastic material is polyamide 6, PA6, comprising 35-45% glass fiber and 15-25% Calcium carbonate, CaCOs, by weight.

7. A shelf trim according to claim 6, wherein the plastic material is polyamide 6, PA6, comprising approximately 40% glass fiber and 20% Calcium carbonate, CaCOs, by weight.

8. A shelf trim according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the shelf trim is made in one piece.

9. A shelf trim according to any of the preceding claims, having a uniform coloring throughout the material as a whole.

10. A storage system comprising a wire shelf (3) and a shelf trim (5) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the wire shelf (3) has a first (17) and a second (19) wire at its front, one stacked on top of the other, with thinner wires (13) sandwiched therebetween, and the shelf trim (5) is configured to be fit on the first and second wires (17, 19) with a snap fit.

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