Module, modular transport and display unit for transporting and displaying products, and related methods

Abstract

A module for a modular transport and display unit for transporting products to a store and then displaying the products within the store is disclosed. The module comprises a shelf adapted to receive products thereon and at least one reconfigurable support structure. The at least one reconfigurable support structure is adapted to be deployed to support one or more additional modules which, when so supported, together with the initial module collectively form a modular transport and display unit. The at least one reconfigurable support structure is also adapted to be housed within the shelf such that each module, and thus the modular unit, can be easily disassembled by a store operator for return to the logistics center without damaging any components.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application relates to modules for modular transport and display units. In particular, this application relates to modules for modular transport and display units of the type that can be used to load products onto for transport to a store and then seamlessly and easily used with minimal effort to display the products in the store, for example, in conjunction with special offers on the products.

[0002] The present application also relates to modular transport and display units and to related methods of assembling or collapsing the modules and / or modular transport and display units for loading products thereon or for returning the modules and / or transport and display units to a service center, respectively, before they can be used again to transport and display new products after repair, cleaning, or reconditioning as necessary. [Background technology]

[0003] In the quest for a truly circular economy, it is becoming increasingly important to reduce or eliminate single-use packaging and adopt pooled product distribution solutions.

[0004] Pallets can be used to display products in stores, and they come in a range of suitable sizes, such as full pallets, half pallets, and quarter pallets, but they can be unattractive and inconvenient for consumers.

[0005] To attract consumers' attention while maintaining ease of transportation, it is available from prior art transport and display units effectively constructed on a transport platform such as a pallet or a pallet on wheels ("cart"). These units are typically made of promotional materials such as cardboard, such as advertising strips, banners, or boards, and may be decorated on-site or before transportation. Further, some of these units may be reconfigurable, foldable, or collapsible, which greatly promotes roundness, and when the product is sold or the special offer ends, the store operator can fold or disassemble them for return and reuse. However, before the units are reused, it may be necessary to repair, clean, or otherwise readjust them. These operations can be costly or time-consuming.

[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for an improved solution that is attractive to consumers, easy for store operators to work with, more convenient, and easier to handle and / or readjust as needed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a module for a modular transport and display unit for transporting a product to a store and then displaying the product within the store, the module comprising a shelf (or tray) adapted to receive the product thereon, and at least one reconfigurable support structure, the at least one reconfigurable support structure being adapted to be deployed in a first assembled configuration, the support structure being adapted to support one or more additional such modules, such that all the modules can collectively form a transport and display unit, and being adapted to be stored in a second folded configuration.

[0008] Such independent modules can be further combined with one or more modules of the same type to provide a complete or more complete transport and display unit, resulting in a robust yet easy-to-work-with transport and display solution that has good operability, is easy to work with in a store, easy to use, and easy to put back for reuse.

[0009] At least one reconfigurable support structure may be rotatably arranged with respect to a shelf or a tray.

[0010] The shelf or tray may comprise a rim adapted to hold products on the shelf or tray. The rim can at least partially surround the shelf or tray. However, it is preferred that the rim completely surrounds the shelf or tray, for example, by being integrally formed with the shelf or tray as a skirt extending vertically from the shelf or tray. To maximize the number of products that can be accommodated on the shelf or tray, the skirt can extend from the edge of the shelf or tray.

[0011] In a preferred configuration, at least one reconfigurable support structure and the rim may be integrated such that the maximum amount of space can be retained on the shelf or tray for the product. For example, the reconfigurable support structure and the rim may be adapted to form a swiveling connection or may be joined / connected by a swiveling connection. In other words, at least one reconfigurable support structure may be rotatably connected to the rim, for example, to the shelf, rather than to other locations on the module, as this further maximizes the loading capacity of the module.

[0012] In the present disclosure, particular attention is paid to how a reconfigurable support structure and a rim can be integrated. For example, a reconfigurable support structure of an assembled configuration may be provided adjacent to, proximate to, or as part of a particular area thereof, such as a rim or a corner, or it may be a component thereof. Thus, when a reconfigurable support structure is assembled, much of the space available on a tray or shelf may be left to accommodate products for transportation and / or display.

[0013] A reconfigurable support structure may comprise one or more stems that may be disposed adjacent to, proximate to, or incorporated as part of a rim of a shelf. A swiveling connection may be provided with at least one pin provided on each stem and at least one guide that may be provided on the rim of the shelf to receive the pin and guide its movement so that at least one reconfigurable support structure can rotate and / or translate relative to the shelf, and as a result, the swiveling end of the stem can clean the rim of the shelf during reconfiguration.

[0014] This configuration is advantageous in that the stem may be disposed adjacent to or proximate to the rim or form part of the rim itself to maximize the space for products on the shelf, but can clean the rim during rotation to reconfigure the reconfigurable support structure. Of course, alternatively, at least one pin may be provided on the rim and at least one guide may be provided on the stem.

[0015] Preferably, at least one pin is provided at the swiveling end of the reconfigurable support structure, which may be the swiveling end of the stem. At least one guide may be in the form of a slot and may be provided, in particular, as a notch that cuts through the (relatively thin) rim of the shelf.

[0016] The pivotable connection may be arranged such that, throughout the entire reconfiguration of the reconfigurable support structure, for example, the minimum distance between the pivotable ends of the reconfigurable support structure measured from the base of the stem, i.e., between the stem base and the rim, is less than a predetermined value. It is important that the support structure clean the rim when reconfigured, and in the assembled position, it is important that the support structure leave as much space as possible on the shelf or tray of the module.

[0017] The pivotable connection may comprise an upper pin and a lower pin provided at a pivotable end of a reconfigurable support structure such as the proximal end of the stem, and two respective upper slots and lower slots provided at the rim of the shelf to guide the movement of the two respective pins. The lower slot may extend linearly along the rim of the shelf, and the upper slot may be arcuate with a downward concave surface. Forming the slots according to these shapes can facilitate the simultaneous and / or sequential translation and / or rotation of at least one reconfigurable support structure, which may be required for the stem base to clean the rim during the reconfiguration of the reconfigurable support structure.

[0018] The upper slot may form a retaining cusp at its end to hold at least one support structure in a first or second configuration. However, the rim may alternatively and / or additionally comprise an elastically flexible retainer for holding at least one support structure in a first or second configuration. However, other types of retainers may be provided.

[0019] Each reconfigurable support structure may comprise a pair of opposing pivotable stems and a bridge connecting the respective distal ends of the pivotable stems. This arrangement is particularly simple and robust.

[0020] The stem can be L-shaped in cross-section, with each angle formed by the L-shape arranged to face the shelf, and it is also a simple means of saving or contributing to the saving of the space above the shelf for any product to be housed thereon.

[0021] The bridge may comprise a pair of opposing brackets arranged to engage with the distal end of the swiveling stem. The pair of opposing brackets may have different shapes, but the preferred shape is L-shaped so as to match the cross-sectional shape of each L-shaped stem.

[0022] The module may comprise two reconfigurable support structures arranged at opposite ends of the shelf or tray.

[0023] Furthermore, the module may be arranged such that the two reconfigurable support structures are folded inwards towards the shelf from their respective first assembled positions, and such that their respective second folded positions are reached by equal and opposite stowing operations. In this arrangement, the reconfigurable support structures may be stowed intuitively and / or neatly.

[0024] At least one reconfigurable support structure may be extensible in addition to being reconfigurable. This will be understood to be particularly advantageous in relation to the modularity of the arrangement. When multiple modules are stacked on top of each other, by changing the length of each support structure, a variable and / or adjustable spacing between the shelves or trays can be easily achieved. This, of course, enables different products, or the same product in different sizes, such as beverages or cosmetics, to be efficiently stored in the modular unit, thereby saving space and maintaining compactness.

[0025] The bridge may be adapted to be arranged in at least a first fully retracted position and a second fully extended position with respect to two stems. These may be the only two positions the bridge is configured to take, or there may of course be any number of intermediate configurations. Preferably, the bridge may be telescopically extensible. The stem engagement brackets may each be slidably disposed on their respective stems.

[0026] Advantageously, the bridge can incorporate an actuating mechanism arranged such that the bridge can be extended or retracted upon actuation of the actuating mechanism. This mechanism may be manually operable, for example, by a store operator.

[0027] Preferably, the actuating mechanism may comprise one or more bolts and biasing means for biasing the bolts into a protruding configuration. In the protruding configuration, the bolts can engage with one or more of the brackets and / or stems of the reconfigurable support structure, for example, a set of openings or recesses provided thereon for this purpose. The actuating mechanism may be configured such that actuation of the actuating mechanism causes the bolts to retract with respect to the biasing means.

[0028] In a particularly preferred arrangement, the shelf is generally rectangular. Preferably, the shelf is sized to correspond to the size of a pallet or cart, or half a pallet or cart. More preferably, the shelf is sized to be a quarter of a pallet or cart.

[0029] Each reconfigurable support structure may be provided adjacent to, next to, on, or in proximity to a short side of a rectangular shelf or tray, thereby facilitating access to any product supported on the shelf (from at least one of the long sides of the rectangle). Each rotatable stem may be provided at each corner of a rectangular shelf to save additional space above the shelf for accommodating products thereon. Each bridge may extend parallel to a corresponding short side of the rectangular shelf and may have the same length as that side. If there is a rim or skirt extending vertically from the shelf or tray, the reconfiguration movement of the reconfigurable support structure can be a two-dimensional rotation / translation on a conceptual plane or reference plane that is substantially parallel to the rim or skirt or that further accommodates the rim or skirt.

[0030] At least one reconfigurable support structure may be dimensioned and arranged such that in its second folded configuration, it lies completely inside the rim. This prevents or reduces accidental damage to the module, for example, during transportation to a repair and / or readjustment facility before the module can be reused.

[0031] Both reconfigurable support structures may be dimensioned and arranged such that when both indicating structures are configured in the second folded configuration, they lie completely inside the rim.

[0032] Preferably, the above conditions are also met when at least one or both of the reconfigurable support structures are extended, so that the store operator does not necessarily have to contract the bridge to be able to store the reconfigurable support structure in a flat and safe configuration.

[0033] Furthermore, at least one reconfigurable support structure may be dimensioned and arranged to lie flat in a second folded configuration having an installation area that is completely enclosed inside the shelf, which further propagates the above-mentioned advantages.

[0034] Furthermore, both reconfigurable support structures may be dimensioned and arranged to lie flat when both indicating structures are configured in the second folded configuration, with their respective footprints being fully contained within the shelf.

[0035] Preferably, the above conditions are also met when at least one or both of the reconfigurable support structures are extended.

[0036] The underside of the shelf may be configured to fit snugly over additional modules and / or over the loading surfaces of pallets or carts to enhance the stability of the unit.

[0037] The rim or skirt may be provided with one or more recesses or handles to facilitate handling of the module by a user, etc., and the user may then better grip the module by hand via the one or more recesses or handles.

[0038] Furthermore, in the first assembled configuration, at least one support structure may be configured to be snugly received by the underside of one or more additional such modules to also enhance the stability of the unit in the assembled configuration.

[0039] Finally, at least one reconfigurable support structure may comprise one or more mechanisms constructed and arranged to hold a packaging element, such as a cardboard sheet, in position when the at least one reconfigurable support structure is in a first assembled configuration. The packaging element or cardboard sheet can, for example, prevent access to the product during transport to the store. The mechanism may include one or more tongues configured to hold the packaging element in position. Preferably, this is done in cooperation with at least a part of the edge. Alternatively or additionally, the mechanism may include one or more slits configured to hold the packaging element in position. Preferably, this is done in cooperation with another reconfigurable support structure described herein. The tongue or slit may be configured such that the packaging element is disposed in a plane with the outer surface of the edge and / or one or more outer surfaces of the associated support structure.

[0040] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a modular transport and display unit for transporting a product to a store and then displaying the product within the store, the unit comprising at least a first module as described herein. The first module may comprise at least one assembled reconfigurable support structure as described herein. The first module may comprise at least one folded reconfigurable support structure as described herein.

[0041] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a combination of a module as described herein or similarly a modular transport and display unit as described herein and a corresponding pallet or trolley. Preferably, the module, the modular unit, and the pallet or trolley are sized to correspond to a quarter pallet size.

[0042] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of assembling and / or folding the modules described herein, or the module units described herein, is provided, the method comprising deploying at least one reconfigurable support structure described herein that is folded in a first assembled configuration, and / or storing at least one assembled reconfigurable support structure described herein in a second folded configuration.

[0043] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of providing a modular transport and display unit described herein is provided, the method comprising providing a first module described herein and deploying at least one folded reconfigurable support structure described herein in a first assembled configuration; and stacking at least one additional assembled module described herein on the first module; and optionally, loading one or more products into the unit by placing them on any of the shelves of the first or additional module(s) of the modular unit; and comprising.

[0044] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of folding a modular transport and display unit described herein is provided, the method comprising providing a first module described herein and storing at least one assembled reconfigurable support structure described herein in a second folded configuration; and stacking at least one additional folded module on the first module; and optionally, unloading the modular unit by removing one or more products from any of the shelves of the first or additional module(s); and comprising.

[0045] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a module for a modular conveying and display unit for conveying a product to a store and then displaying the product within the store, the module comprising: a shelf adapted to receive a product thereon; at least one removable support structure adapted to support one or more further such modules, such that all the modules collectively form a conveying and display unit; and. [[ID=P8]]

[0046] The various aspects described herein, and the features disclosed in connection with each of such aspects, may be combined with each other where not specifically stated otherwise or where there are no specific technical considerations preventing such a combination.

[0047] Here, the present module and unit, and related methods, are described by way of example with reference to the following drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0049] Similar features across different arrangements are generally labeled using the same reference numbers. Features described in connection with any one of the aspects of the present disclosure may be provided in any of the other aspects disclosed herein, unless there are specific reasons why such a combination may not be possible.

[0050] Axis system The axis system of FIG. 1 depicted for orientation purposes shows a first direction 10, a second direction 20, and a third direction 30 with respect to the orientation of the RFSDU. The first direction 10 may be regarded as an indication of position within the width dimension from right to left. The second direction 20 may be regarded as an indication of position within the height dimension from bottom to top. The third direction 30 may be regarded as an indication of position within the depth dimension from back to front.

[0051] Introduction of the RFSDU As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the reusable self - standing display unit (RFSDU) 100 according to the arrangement of the present disclosure includes a pallet base 120, a connector 140, at least one strut support 160, and at least one tray 220. The RFSDU shown in FIG. 1 is fully combined, fully assembled, fully extended, and a desired number of trays are inserted.

[0052] The pallet base 120 is for supporting the connector and strut support of the RFSDU. The connector is for connecting the strut support to the pallet base 120. The strut support is for supporting the tray 220. The tray 220 is for supporting products.

[0053] The pallet base 120 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a fixed pallet base 125. In other arrangements, the pallet base 120 may be a pallet base 130 with wheels.

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are three strut supports 160. In other arrangements, there may be more strut supports 160 such as four or five, or fewer strut supports such as one or two. Each of the strut supports 160 can be a side strut support 170 or a rear strut support 200. In this example, there are two side strut supports 170 and one rear strut support 200. Each of the side strut supports 170 can be a left strut support 180 or a right strut support 190. In this example, one of the side strut supports 170 is the left strut support 180 and the other side strut support 170 is the right strut support 190. In other arrangements not shown, one of the strut supports 160 may be a front strut support.

[0055] The tray 220 is supported at intervals by the column support 160. These intervals may be regular with the distance between adjacent trays 220 being substantially the same, or may be irregular with the distance between adjacent trays 220 being different.

[0056] In FIGS. 1 and 2, five trays 220 are shown, but fewer trays 220 such as one, two, or three may be used, and more trays 220 such as six, seven, eight, nine, or ten may be used. The distance between the connector 240 and the lower tray may be the same as the distance between each adjacent tray, or may be different such as smaller or larger than that. FIGS. 3A to 4B show fully assembled RFSDUs having different numbers of trays. In FIG. 3A, there are seven trays, each set at a certain interval from the adjacent tray. In FIG. 3A, the distance between the connector 240 and the lower tray is larger than the distance between each adjacent tray. The arrangement shown in FIG. 3B has six trays, with the upper five trays set at a certain interval and the lower tray being further spaced apart. In FIG. 4A, there are five trays set at a certain interval, and the distance between the connector 140 and the lower tray is larger than the distance between each adjacent tray. In FIG. 4B, there are four trays set at a certain interval, and the distance between the connector 240 and the lower tray is smaller than the distance between each adjacent tray.

[0057] Connector The connector 140 is detachably attached to the pallet base 120. Referring now to FIGS. 5-9, the connector 140 includes side surfaces 250, 251, 252, 253 and at least one reinforcing mechanism 152. The reinforcing mechanism 152 is for reinforcing the area of the connector 140. In this arrangement, the connector 140 includes four side surfaces and three reinforcing mechanisms 152. In other arrangements, the connector 140 may include fewer or more side surfaces 250, 251, 252, 253 and / or one, two, four, or five connector reinforcing mechanisms 152, etc. In this arrangement, the four side surfaces of the connector 140 are the connector front side surface 250, the connector rear side surface 251, the connector left side surface 252, and the connector right side surface 253. At least one of the connector reinforcing mechanisms 152 may be a connector corner reinforcing mechanism 153, and the third reinforcing mechanism 152 may be a connector central portion reinforcing mechanism 154. The connector corner reinforcing mechanism 153 reinforces the area of the connector 140 where the side surfaces share a boundary with each other. In this example, the two connector corner reinforcing mechanisms 153 are both located adjacent to the same side surface 252. The connector central portion reinforcing mechanism 154 is located along the length of one side surface 253 and is not directly adjacent to any other side surface.

[0058] The connector 140 has a connector width 240, a connector height 241, and a connector depth 242. The connector 140 has a connector upper surface 244 that extends in the same direction as the connector width 240 and in the same direction as the connector depth 242. The upper surface 244 of the connector 140 has a substantially rectangular outline, having substantially four substantially straight sides, with their opposing pairs being clearly perpendicular to each other and the lengths of the adjacent sides not being equal. The upper surface 244 of the connector 140 includes an inner edge 141 of the connector that defines the boundary of the connector main cross-section. The boundary of the connector main cross-section defined by the inner edge 141 of the connector has a larger surface area compared to the surface area of the upper surface 244 of the connector including the side surfaces 250, 251, 252, 253 and the reinforcing mechanisms 152, 153, 154. The connector width 240 and the connector depth 242 may each be larger than the connector height 241.

[0059] Connector 140 further includes at least one connector strut support guide 142 for receiving and guiding at least one strut support 160. The connector strut support guide 142 may be formed as a groove within the connector 140.

[0060] In this arrangement, as seen in FIG. 11, there are three strut support guides 142, two of which are connector side strut support guides 144 and one of which is a connector rear strut support guide 150. Of the two connector side strut support guides 144, one is a connector left strut support guide 146 and one is a connector right strut support guide 148 for receiving and guiding the left and right strut supports, respectively. The connector rear strut support guide 150 may be for receiving the rear strut support 200. In other arrangements, the connector 140 may include fewer or more connector strut support guides 142, such as one, two, four, or five.

[0061] The connector strut support guides 142 each extend along at least a portion of one or more connector side surfaces 250, 251, 252, 253. The left strut support guide 146 and the right strut support guide 148 each extend along at least a portion of the connector left side surface 252 and the connector right side surface 253, respectively. The left strut support guide 146 and the right strut support guide 148 extend substantially parallel to each other. The rear strut support guide 150 extends along at least a portion of the connector rear side surface 251 and at least a portion of the connector left side surface 252. In this arrangement, the distance that the rear strut support guide 150 extends along the connector rear side surface 251 is greater than the distance that the rear strut support guide 150 extends along the connector left side surface 252. In other arrangements, the rear strut support guide 150 may extend along at least a portion of the connector rear side surface 251 and the connector right side surface 253.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 8, the connector 140 includes a connector fixture 155 for removably attaching the connector 140 to the pallet base 120. The connector fixture 155 can be a U-shaped pin extending from the lower surface of the connector 140.

[0063] Here, referring to FIG. 10, the connector 140 is removably attached to the pallet base 120. The connector 140 may be removably attached to the upper part of the pallet base 120. As shown, the side support 170 is located within the connector side support guide 144.

[0064] The illustrated connector 140 is formed from one integral part, but in other examples, it may be formed from several parts or may be formed as one integral part with the pallet base 120.

[0065] Here, referring to FIGS. 12A and 12B, the pallet base 120 may include a display attachment mechanism 255 for the purpose of removably attaching the display structure 600. The illustrated pallet base 120 in the arrangement includes four display attachment mechanisms 255, but in other arrangements, it may include fewer attachment mechanisms such as one, two, or three, or more attachment mechanisms such as six or eight. The display attachment mechanism 255 does not include movable parts and may be in the same plane as the upper surface of the pallet base 120.

[0066] Introduction of the support Figures 13, 14A, and 14B show a fully assembled and extended RFSDU that includes a fixed pallet base 125. The strut support 160 may each include several parts. The strut support 160 may each include a first part 161 of the strut support, a second part 162 of the strut support, a third part 163 of the strut support, a strut support base region 164, a first hinge 165 of the strut support, and a second hinge 166 of the strut support. The first part 161 of the strut support is located adjacent to the connector 140 and is nested therein. The first part 161 of the strut support includes the strut support base region 164. The strut support base region 164 includes the first hinge of the strut support. The first hinge 165 of the strut support enables the strut support 160 to be folded substantially parallel to the upper surface 244 of the connector 160. The first part 161 of the strut support is located adjacent to the second hinge 166 of the strut support. The second hinge 166 of the strut support is also adjacent to the second part 162 of the strut support. The second hinge 166 of the strut support enables the entire length of the strut support 160 to be pivotally extended. The second part 162 of the strut support is located adjacent to the third part of the strut support. The second part 162 of the strut support may include a tip region 169. The third part 163 of the strut support extends telescopically from the end of the second part 162 of the strut support.

[0067] Strut support hinge The first hinge 165 of the support column support and the second hinge 166 of the support column support pivot between two configurations: non-deployed and fully deployed. Between these two configurations, the first hinge 165 of the support column support and the second hinge 166 of the support column support can be regarded as being partially deployed. When not deployed, the first hinge 165 of the support column support has an opening angle of 0° ± 10°. When fully deployed, the first hinge of the support column support has an opening angle of substantially 90° ± 10°. When not deployed, the second hinge 166 of the support column support has an opening angle of 0° ± 10°. When fully deployed, the second hinge of the support column support has an opening angle of substantially 180° ± 20°. In other arrangements, the first hinge 165 of the support column support and the second hinge 166 of the support column support may have different opening angles, such as substantially 45° ± 10°, substantially 135° ± 20°, or substantially 270° ± 20° when not deployed and when fully deployed with respect to the arrangements described herein.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 17, when the support column support 160 is in the folded configuration, the first portion 161 of the support column support and the second portion 162 of the support column support extend in a direction substantially parallel to the upper surface of the connector 244. In this folded configuration, the tip region 169 of the second portion 162 of the support column support is adjacent to the base region 164 of the first portion 161 of the support column support, and the distance between the tip region 169 and the base region 162 is shorter than the distance between the tip region 169 and the second hinge 166 of the support column support. Further, both the first hinge 165 of the support column support and the second hinge 166 of the support column support are not deployed.

[0069] FIG. 15A shows the wheeled RFSDU 100 with the first hinge of each strut support 160 deployed. When the strut support 160 is in a partially assembled configuration, the first portion 161 of the strut support and the second portion 162 of the strut support extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the connector upper surface 244. In this partially assembled configuration, the tip region 169 of the second portion 162 of the strut support is adjacent to the base region 164 of the first portion 161 of the strut support, and the distance between the tip region 169 and the base region 162 is shorter than the distance between the tip region 169 and the second hinge 166 of the strut support. In this partially assembled configuration, the first hinge 165 of the strut support is fully deployed and the second hinge 166 of the strut support is not deployed.

[0070] FIG. 15B shows the wheeled RFSDU 100 with the first and second hinges of each strut support 160 deployed. When the strut support 160 is in a fully assembled configuration, the first portion 161 of the strut support and the second portion 162 of the strut support extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the connector upper surface 244. In this fully assembled configuration, the tip region 169 of the second portion 162 of the strut support is not adjacent to the base region 164 of the first portion 161 of the strut support, and the distance between the tip region 169 and the base region 162 is longer than the distance between the tip region 169 and the second hinge 166 of the strut support. In this fully assembled configuration, both the first hinge 165 of the strut support and the second hinge 166 of the strut support are fully deployed.

[0071] The strut supports 160, 170, 180, 190, 200 include strut support slots 167, 177, 187, 197, 207 for supporting the tray.

[0072] Layout of the strut support Here, refer to FIGS. 16A - 16C and FIG. 17. In some configurations, the strut support 160 may be located at various discontinuity points within each connector strut support guide 142, or the connector strut support guide 142 may include a mechanism for facilitating positioning of the strut support 160 at discontinuous intervals. As seen in FIG. 16A, the first layout shows a first base position 541 of the connector left strut support guide 146, a first base position 543 of the connector right strut support guide 148, and a first base position 545 of the connector rear strut support guide 150. Each of the left strut support guide 146 and the right strut support guide 148 includes a front portion that is the portion closest to the connector front side 250 and a rear portion that is the portion closest to the connector rear side 251. The rear strut support guide 150 includes a right portion that extends along at least a part of the connector rear side 251 of the connector 140 closest to the connector right side 253 and a left portion that extends along at least a part of the connector left side 252. The left portion of the rear strut support guide 150 can extend substantially parallel to the left strut support guide 146.

[0073] The first base position 541 is located in the front portion of the connector left strut support guide 146 or closer to the front portion of the connector left strut support guide 146 than the rear portion of the connector left strut support guide 146. The first base position 543 is located in the rear portion of the connector right strut support guide 148 or closer to the rear portion of the connector right strut support guide 148 than the front portion of the connector right strut support guide 148. The first base position 545 is located in the left portion of the connector rear strut support guide 150 or closer to the left portion of the connector rear strut support guide 150 than the right portion of the connector rear strut support guide 150.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 16B, the second layout shows the first base position 541 of the connector left strut support guide 146, the second base position 544 of the connector right strut support guide 148, and the second base position 546 of the rear strut support guide 150. The second base position 544 of the connector right strut support guide 148 is located in the front portion of the connector right strut support guide 148 or closer to the front portion of the connector right strut support guide 148 than the rear portion of the connector right strut support guide 148. The second base position 546 of the connector rear strut support guide 150 is located in the left portion of the connector rear strut support guide 150 or closer to the left portion of the connector rear strut support guide 150 than the right portion of the connector rear strut support guide 150.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 16C, the third layout shows the second base position 542 of the connector left strut support guide 146, the second base position 544 of the connector right strut support guide 148, and the second base position 546 of the rear strut support guide 150. The second base position 542 of the connector left strut support guide 146 is located in the rear portion of the connector left strut support guide 146 or closer to the rear portion of the connector left strut support guide 146 than the front portion of the connector left strut support guide 146.

[0076] Each of the base regions 184, 194, 204 of the corresponding support columns 180, 190, 200 may be located at each of the corresponding first base positions 541, 543, 545 or the corresponding second base positions 542, 544, 546. In the first layout, each of the first hinges 185, 195, 205 and the second hinges 186, 196, 206 of the support columns 180, 190, 200 may not be deployed. This example can be seen in FIG. 17. The RFSDU in such a state may be regarded as being in a transport configuration. In the second and third layouts, in order to prevent the first portions of the left support column 180 and the right support column 190 from interacting with each other, each of the first hinges 185, 195, 205 of the support columns 180, 190, 200 may be deployed. The second hinges 186, 196, 206 of the support columns 180, 190, 200 may or may not be deployed.

[0077] The first, second, and third layouts can each be used for different purposes. For example, as seen in FIGS. 17 and 18, the first layout may be used while the RFSDU is being transported with each of the first hinges 185, 195, 205 and the second hinges 186, 196, 206 not deployed. This is because the first base positions 541 of the connector left support column guide 146, the first base position 543 of the connector right support column guide 148, and the first base position 545 of the connector rear support column guide 150, where the left support column 180, the right support column 190, and the rear support column 200 would be located respectively, are offset from each other. This enables the support columns 180, 190, 200 to rest on the upper surface 244 of the connector 140 and form a substantially flat surface thereon when the first hinges 185, 195, 205 are not deployed.

[0078] The second layout may be used with each of the first hinges 185, 195, 205 and the second hinges 186, 196, 206 in a deployed state. In this layout, the left support strut 180 and the right support strut 190 are located near the front side surface 250 of the connector, and the rear support strut 200 is located near the rear side surface 251 of the connector. As a result, the articles located at the front of the tray 220 are securely supported by the support struts 180, 190, 200.

[0079] The third layout may be used with each of the first hinges 185, 195, 205 and the second hinges 186, 196, 206 in a deployed state. In this layout, the left support strut 180 and the right support strut 190 are located substantially equidistant between the front side surface 250 and the rear side surface 251 of the connector, and the rear support strut 200 is located near the rear side surface 251 of the connector.

[0080] FIG. 18 shows an RFSDU 100 in a first layout where the pallet base 120 is a pallet base 130 with wheels. The pallet base 130 with wheels includes a pallet platform 131 with wheels, a pallet wheel 132 with wheels, a rigid mount 133, and a rotating mount 134. The pallet platform with wheels has a pallet platform width 330 with wheels, a pallet platform height 331 with wheels, and a pallet platform depth 332 with wheels. The pallet platform 131 with wheels also has a pallet platform upper surface 333 and a pallet platform lower surface 334 with wheels, both of which extend in the same direction as the pallet platform width 330 with wheels and in the same direction as the pallet platform depth 332 with wheels. The pallet platform upper surface 333 and the pallet platform lower surface with wheels have a substantially rectangular outline, have substantially four substantially straight sides, their opposing pairs are clearly perpendicular to each other, and the lengths of adjacent sides are not equal. The pallet platform width 330 with wheels and the pallet platform depth 332 with wheels may each be greater than the pallet platform height 331 with wheels.

[0081] The lower surface 334 of the wheeled pallet platform includes two rigid mounts 133, each supporting a wheeled pallet wheel 132. The lower surface 334 of the wheeled pallet platform also includes a rotating mount 134 that supports one wheeled pallet wheel 132. The rotating mount 134 allows the wheeled pallet base 130 to move in different directions across a relatively flat surface such as the floor when the user pushes the pallet base 130 more easily than the fixed pallet base 125, which may or may not be desirable. The wheeled pallet wheels of the rigid mounts 133 and the rotating mount 134 may be different from each other, such as being constructed from different materials, or they may have substantially the same design. The distance from the lower part of one of the wheeled pallet wheels 133 to the upper end of the side support 170 is 240 mm ± 20 mm.

[0082] Assembly of the RFSDU Figure 19 shows a user starting to assemble an RFSDU having support struts 160 in first base positions 541, 543, 545 corresponding to the first layout described in detail above. One of the support struts 160, the rear support strut 200, is shown as being fully assembled and located in the first base position 545 of the connector rear support strut guide 148. Here, with reference to the rear support strut 200 shown in Figure 19, the general assembly of the support struts 160 is described in detail.

[0083] The strut support 160 initially starts in a folded configuration, with neither the first hinge 165 nor the second hinge 166 of the strut support being deployed. To partially assemble the strut support 160, the user lifts the first portion 161 and the second portion 162 of the strut support at the end corresponding to the second hinge 166 of the strut support to rotate the portion around the first hinge 165 of the strut support, thus deploying the first hinge 165 of the strut support. As shown in FIG. 19, this operation corresponds to the arrow 570 indicating the rotation of the first portion 201 of the rear strut support around the first hinge 205 of the rear strut support. When fully deployed and when a first threshold moment around the first hinge 165 of the strut support is reached, the first hinge 165 of the strut support fits precisely into a predetermined position, preventing it from deploying unless a second threshold moment is reached at which the first hinge 165 is released from the predetermined position and does not deploy. This is described in more detail herein. The first and second threshold moments may be in the same direction or in different directions.

[0084] Next, the tip region 169 of the second portion 162 of the strut support is lifted by the user to rotate the second portion 162 of the strut support around the second hinge 166 of the strut support, thus deploying the second hinge 166 of the strut support. As shown in FIG. 19, this operation corresponds to the arrow 571 indicating the rotation of the second portion 202 of the rear strut support around the second hinge 206 of the rear strut support. When fully deployed and when a third threshold moment around the second hinge 166 of the strut support is reached, the second hinge 1 of the strut support fits precisely into a predetermined position, preventing it from deploying unless a fourth threshold moment is reached at which the second hinge 166 of the strut support is released from the predetermined position and does not deploy.

[0085] The first, second, third, and fourth threshold moments may all be in the same direction of rotation, or only three of them, such as the first, second, and third, may be in the same direction of rotation, or two of them, such as the first and third, may be in the same direction of rotation, or each may be in a different direction of rotation.

[0086] First hinge of the support column support Figure 20 shows a left cross-sectional view of the RFSDU of FIG. 19 with the support column support 160 at least partially assembled. The first arrangement of the first hinge 165 of the support column support is shown. In this arrangement, the first hinge 165 of the support column support includes at least one first hinge pin 260 of the support column support, at least one first hinge leg 261 of the support column support, at least one first hinge foot 262 of the support column support, and at least one first hinge slider 263 of the support column support. In the illustrated arrangement, there are two first hinge pins 260 of the support column support, which are located adjacent to both sides of the first portion 261 of the support column support and are arranged to form two points on a line parallel to a part of the connector support column guide 152. Each first hinge pin 260 of the support column support can extend into a recess in the first portion 161 of the support column support in which it is received. Each recess in the first portion 162 of the support column support may have a cross-sectional dimension larger than the cross-sectional dimension of each corresponding first hinge pin 260 of the support column support. Thereby, each first hinge pin 260 of the support column support can rotate within the corresponding recess in the first portion 260 of the support column support. When the support column support 160 is inserted into the connector 140, at least one first hinge leg 261 of the support column support extends into the connector support column guide 142. The first hinge pin 260 of the support column support may be integrally formed with the first hinge leg 261 of the support column support.

[0087] The first hinge foot 262 of the support column support is located at the end of the first hinge leg 261 of the support column support. The first hinge slider 263 of the support column support connects at least one of the first hinge leg 261 of the support column support and the first hinge foot 262 of the support column support to at least one of the first hinge leg 261 of the support column support and the first hinge foot 262 of the support column support.

[0088] Each connector strut support guide 142 may include a connector strut support guide nesting point 143. The connector strut support guide nesting point 143 may be located at each of the first and second base positions of the left, right, and rear strut supports 541, 542, 543, 544, 545, 546. The connector strut support guide nesting point 143 may be part of the connector strut support guide 142 with a recess. A connector strut support guide nesting point lip 256 may define around the recess of the connector strut support guide nesting point 143.

[0089] In the arrangement shown in FIG. 20, each of the first hinge feet 262 of the strut support can fit within the connector strut support guide nesting point 143.

[0090] In the second arrangement shown in FIG. 21, the first hinge 165 of the strut support is similar to that shown in FIG. 20, but there are some differences. For example, the first hinge pin 260 of the strut support can instead be a first hinge assembly 265 of the strut support. Further, the first hinge foot 262 of the strut support may have a cross-sectional dimension larger than that of the first hinge leg 261 of the strut support. This is because the strut support 160 is inserted into the inlet portion of the connector strut support guide 142, its cross-sectional dimension is larger than the cross-sectional dimension of the first hinge foot 262 of the strut support and larger than the cross-sectional dimension of the first hinge leg 261 of the strut support, and is held in the holding portion of the connector strut support guide 142, whose cross-sectional dimension is smaller than the cross-sectional dimension of the hinge foot 262 of the strut support and larger than the cross-sectional dimension of the strut support hinge leg 261, which may be preferable when preventing the strut support 160 from being removed from the connector strut support guide 142. Further, the first hinge slider 263 of the strut support may not exist. This can facilitate the movement of the strut support 160 along the length of the connector strut support guide 142 that can extend along at least two of the four connector side faces 250, 251, 252, 253 such as the rear strut support 200.

[0091] In the third arrangement shown in FIG. 22, the support post support 160 is a side support post 170, and there is a first hinge slider 263 of the support post support. In this particular arrangement, the first hinge legs 261 of the two support posts, the first hinge feet 262 of the two support posts, and the first hinge slider 263 of the support post support are all formed from one integral part. Further, the first hinge foot 262 of the support post support has a terminal lower surface that is coplanar with the terminal lower surface of the first hinge slider 263 of the support post support.

[0092] FIG. 23 shows the user moving the fully assembled support post support 160, which is the rear support post 200 in this image, from the first base position 545 to the second base position 546. To do this, the user needs to lift the support post support before applying a lateral force, allowing the support post base area to move laterally within the connector support post general guide 142. The support post supports can be combined in any order.

[0093] FIG. 24 shows the user lowering the rear support post 200 to the nesting point 143 and the second base position 546.

[0094] The first hinge lock assembly of the support post support FIG. 25 shows a fourth arrangement of the first hinge 165 of the support post support, known as the first hinge lock assembly 350 of the support post support, as seen in the exploded view of FIG. 26. To fix the support post support 160 in place, the first hinge lock assembly 350 of the support post support interacts with the support post guide 142.

[0095] The first hinge lock assembly 350 of the support post support may include at least one extension 359, at least one plunger 351, at least one lock pin 357, at least one rotating pin 358, and a sliding base 367.

[0096] Each of the lock pin 357 and the rotation pin 358 may have a substantially circular cross-section. The cross-sectional dimension of the lock pin 357 may be larger than the equivalent cross-sectional dimension of the rotation pin 358.

[0097] At least one extension 359 may extend from the base of the support support 160 and, in the case of a plurality, may extend in the gap between them. Each extension may include two pin depressions for receiving the lock pin and the rotation pin, one being the lock pin depression 365 and the other pin depression being the rotation pin depression 366. The pin depressions 365, 366 of each extension may be arranged to be concentric with each other, facilitating the insertion of at least one pin through the corresponding depressions in each of them. Each extension 359 includes a first sub-part 360 of the extension and a second sub-part 361 of the extension. The lock pin depression 365 may be located within the first sub-part of the extension, and the rotation pin depression 366 may be located within the second sub-part 361 of the extension.

[0098] The first sub-part 360 and the second sub-part 361 of the extension may be located adjacent to each other and may be formed from a single integral part. The lock pin depression 365 may extend through the first sub-part 360 of the extension, and the rotation pin depression 366 may extend through the second sub-part 361 of the extension. The first sub-part 360 of the extension may be a rectangular parallelepiped. The first sub-part 360 of the extension may include side faces 362. The perimeter of the side faces 362 of the first sub-part of the extension may be rectangular. The second sub-part 361 of the extension may include side faces 363. The side faces may be in a plane defined by the second and third directions. The perimeter of the side faces 363 of the second sub-part of the extension may include three straight side faces and one curved side face. The second sub-part 361 of the extension may extend in the first direction 11 and may have a substantially the same cross-section throughout. The curved side face around the perimeter of the side faces of the second sub-part of the extension may be convex or may extend in the forward direction. The lower face 364 of the second sub-part 361 is substantially flat.

[0099] At least one plunger 351 may include a base portion 352, a central portion 353 that may further include a pin recess 355, and a tip portion 354 that may further include an engagement portion 356. The plunger 351 gradually widens toward its base. The base portion 352 may be a trapezoidal prism. The central portion 353 may be a rectangular parallelepiped. The tip portion 354 is for accommodating and engaging a locking pin. The pin recess can extend through the central portion 353 and can accommodate a rotating pin 358. The engagement portion 356 may be C-shaped and is for engaging a locking pin 357. The base portion 352 of the plunger is wider than the tip portion. The plunger may have two substantially flat and parallel outer surfaces. The plunger may be formed from one integral part or may be several parts attached to each other, optionally detachably attached.

[0100] The sliding base is for accommodating the base portion of the plunger and includes at least one plunger portion 368 and at least two block portions 372. In FIG. 26, there are two plunger portions and three block portions. The block portions are for maintaining the structural integrity of the sliding base. The plunger portions are for accommodating the base portion of the plunger. The plunger portions can accommodate one or more plungers. The plunger portions may have three main parts: one main base portion 369 and two main side portions 370. The base portion can be a plate having a substantially flat upper surface 377 and a lower surface 378. Each side portion is adjacent to the base portion and extends from at least a part of the edge of the base portion. The side portion can extend from at least a part of the opposite edge of the base portion. The side portion can extend substantially perpendicular to the flat upper surface of the base portion such that the upper surface of the base portion is surrounded by at least two of its sides. The side portions can extend in a plane parallel to each other when not deformed. One side portion 370 may include a lip 371 of the side portion. The lip of the side portion can extend in the same plane as the base portion. The lip of the side portion can extend from at least a part of the outer upper edge of the side portion. The base portion and the side portions may have substantially the same thickness. The side portions can extend along a part of the edge of the base portion such that there are gaps on both sides of the side portions. This means that the side portions of the plunger portions are not attached to the block portions and can thus be deformed more easily.

[0101] The block portions 372 may each include a base portion 373 and a tip portion 374. The tip portion 374 is disposed on top of the base portion 373. The tip portion 374 is smaller than the base portion 373 and is disposed at the center on the base portion 373. There may be two types of block portions, an outer block portion 375 and an inner block portion 376. The outer block portion may be thinner than the inner block portion (i.e., extend into the inner block portion). The outer block portion and the inner block portion may have the same cross-section. They may both be parts having a matching cross-section throughout. The thickness dimension of the outer block portion may be substantially the same as the corresponding thickness dimension of the outer extension of the support pillar 160. The plunger portion and the block portion may be formed from one integral part or may be several parts attached to each other, in some cases removably attached. The plunger portion engages with the connector support pillar guide.

[0102] As seen in FIG. 27A, the second sub-portion of the extension of the base portion of the support pillar, the two length dimensions from the center of the cross-section of the rotation pin recess, where the extensions are offset from each other by the deployment angle of the hinge. The first dimensional length is L1 and the second dimensional length is L2. FIG. 27B is a cross-sectional view showing the plunger located within the sliding base. When the first hinge is deployed, the lower support pillar section rotates around the rotation pin, where it has a distance L2 between the rotation pin and the connector upper surface 244. This means that the plunger is pulled upward while the sliding base remains in its original position. When this occurs, the sliding base deforms and the protrusion locks itself into the corresponding recess within the support pillar guide of the connector. This means that the sliding base is locked in place and cannot move in any direction relative to the connector. Next, the locking pin engages with the plunger and the c-section of the tip portion engages with the locking pin. This prevents the support pillar from rotating and tipping over. This can be seen in FIG. 28.

[0103] Telescopic locking mechanism The wheeled RFSDU shown in FIG. 29 includes a strut support that has its first and second hinges fully deployed and extended telescopically. A third portion of the strut support may be extended telescopically by a variable distance and may be locked in a predetermined position at a set interval. The third portion of the strut support may be locked in at least one position by a telescopic locking mechanism 400 that can be seen in FIGS. 30A and 30B. The telescopic locking mechanism may include a lock body 402. The lock body may further include a tip portion 404, a leg portion 414, and a foot portion 416. The tip portion may have an upper surface 408 that is curved. The tip portion may have a lower surface 410 that may be substantially flat. The tip portion may also have at least one side surface 412 that may be substantially flat. The tip portion may have a cross-section that is substantially D-shaped. The tip portion may include an extension 406 of the tip portion that extends from the front face. The extension 406 of the tip portion may include a substantially flat front face. The lock body may include at least one leg portion and at least one foot portion. The at least one leg portion can connect the tip portion to the at least one foot portion. The leg portion may include at least one first leg portion 422 and at least one second leg portion 424. The first leg portion may be directly connected to the tip portion and may be directly connected to the foot portion. The first leg portion may be capable of undergoing elastic deformation. The first leg portion may be curved. The first leg portion may have a consistent thickness along at least a portion of its length. The second leg portion may be directly connected to at least one first leg portion. In the illustrated example, each leg portion includes two first leg portions and one second leg portion. The second leg portion may have a consistent thickness along at least a portion of its length, and this thickness may be greater than the consistent thickness of the first leg portion. The second leg portion may have a shape that is a parallelepiped. The second leg portion may have a shape that is a cuboid.The foot portion may include a foot body 426 that further includes a foot pin 418 and a foot lip 420. The foot portion 416 may include a first side, a second side, an upper side, and a lower side. The foot lip 418 may be located on the upper side of the foot portion 416. The first leg portion may be directly connected to the foot portion at a position corresponding to the intersection between the first side and the upper side. The foot lip may be located on the upper side of the foot portion. The foot pin may be located on the second side. The foot portion may have only a substantially flat surface. The lock body may include at least one symmetry line 430. The lock body may be formed from one integral part.

[0104] The third part of the support pillar can be fitted within the second part of the support pillar. The third part of the support pillar may include several support edges for supporting the lock body. The lock body is in a predetermined position when its movement is restricted by the support edges of the third part of the support pillar. The lock body is held by the support edges of the third part of the support pillar. The support edges may include several parts. The first support edge 450 can extend along at least a part of the length of the third part of the support pillar. The first support edge can prevent the horizontal movement of the tip part of the lock body relative to the third part of the support pillar. The second support edge can extend across at least a part of the width of the third part of the support pillar. The second support edge may be directly adjacent to the first support edge. The second support edge can prevent the upward vertical movement of the lock body relative to the third part of the support pillar when the lock body is in a predetermined position. The second support edge may be adjacent to the upper side of the foot part. The foot lip can be an area with an increased thickness for engaging with the second support edge. The third support edge can also extend across at least a part of the width of the third part of the support pillar. The third support edge may be away from both the first and second support edges. The third support edge can prevent the downward vertical movement of the lock body relative to the third part of the support pillar when the lock body is in a predetermined position. The third support edge may be adjacent to the lower side of the foot part. The second and third support edges may be adjacent to the foot body of the lock body when the lock body is in a predetermined position within the third part of the support pillar.

[0105] The second portion of the strut support may include at least one support edge 460 that is an area of increased thickness for guiding the third portion of the strut support when telescopically extending and holding the third portion of the strut support. The support edge may include at least one foot pin notch 462 that may be similar to a notch. The foot pin notch is for receiving and locking in place the foot pin of the lock body. The foot pin notch may include a horizontal lower surface and may further include an inclined upper surface.

[0106] Figures 31A - 31D show the telescoping lock mechanism in operation. Figure 31A shows the lock body in a non - compressed form. The two foot pins are within the corresponding first foot pin notches. In Figure 31B, the tip portion is pushed down, compressing the lock body and retracting the foot pins from the first foot pin notches. The foot pins are then no longer positioned within the first foot pin notches. The foot pins are retracted due to the compression of the lock body, but the user applies a force to the upwardly directed third portion. As seen in Figure 31C, this causes the third portion to be moved upward relative to the second portion. When the lock body reaches the second foot pin notch, the user stops compressing the lock body and extends the foot pins into the second foot pin notches as shown in Figure 31D. The third portion is then locked in place. These steps can also be seen in Figures 33A - 35B.

[0107] Shelf or tray The tray 220 is for supporting articles within the RFSDU100. The RFSDU100 may include two or more trays at two or more heights.

[0108] The tray comprises a plate body 221. The tray may include a main edge 222 and the plate body may include at least one strut notch 225.

[0109] The plate body 221 is for supporting an article. The plate body can be substantially flat and may have a substantially rectangular upper surface and a lower surface. The upper and lower surfaces of the plate body may share four edges. The plate body may include rounded corners.

[0110] The main edge is for improving the usability of the tray and engaging with the support post. The main edge can extend around the outer periphery of the plate body. The main edge may include a reinforcing structure. The main edge can extend beyond the upper and lower surfaces of the plate body. The main edge can extend along a part of at least one edge of the plate body. The main edge may include a first portion 223 and a second portion 224. The main edges may be spaced apart from each other, forming at least one notch therebetween. The main edge can extend substantially perpendicular to the plate body. The main edge can substantially define the front edge 226, the rear edge 227, and the two side edges 228 of the tray 220. The main edge 222 may further include a reinforcing rib 230 for enhancing its strength characteristics.

[0111] The plate body may further include at least one support post notch 225 for engaging with the support post. At least one notch in the main edge portion may be located at the support post notch of the plate body.

[0112] The tray 220 may have a width of 600 mm, which may or may not include the main edge. The tray 220 may have a depth of 400 mm, which may or may not include the main edge. The main edge may have a height of substantially 30 mm. At least one notch in the main edge may have a width of 60 mm.

[0113] Assuming that the RFSDU is fully assembled and extended, the tray 220 is inserted into the support post slots and subsequently supported by them. The third portion of the support post may include at least one support post slot as shown in FIG. 32.

[0114] As shown in FIGS. 36, 37A, and 37B, when the user inserts the tray 220 into the RFSDU 100, it is oriented substantially flat and enters the support post from the front side of the RFSDU. The front edge of the tray first enters the side support post slot in front of the side edge. When fully inserted, the tray 220 may be removably attached to the rear support post. The engagement of the tray 220 with the side support post can be seen in FIG. 38.

[0115] Tray engagement mechanism In some arrangements, the support post slots 167, 177, 187, 197, 207 may include a tray engagement mechanism 232 to prevent removal of the tray 220.

[0116] The support post slots 167, 177, 187, 197, 207 may include a tray support portion 231. The tray support portion may include a front plate 235 and an attachment structure 236. The cross-section of the attachment structure is shown in FIG. 39B. The attachment structure may further include a tray engagement mechanism 232. The tray support portion may be located substantially equidistant between the front side and the rear side of the support post 160.

[0117] The front plate may be substantially flat and may have a substantially rectangular cross-section. The front plate may have a thickness dimension with an upper side. The upper side can support the tray 220 when in a predetermined position. The front plate may have a front face with four corners. The corners may be filleted.

[0118] The attachment structure is for attaching a front plate to a support post and for supporting a tray. The attachment structure may have internal ribs to provide strength while keeping its weight to a minimum. The attachment structure may also have a rectangular cross-section. The attachment structure may have a cross-section smaller than an equivalent cross-section within the front plate. The attachment structure may be attached directly to the support post. The attachment structure may be located substantially at the center of the front plate.

[0119] The attachment structure may include an upper surface 237. The tray engagement mechanism may be located on the upper surface of the attachment structure. The tray engagement mechanism may be formed integrally with the attachment structure. The tray engagement mechanism may not be attached directly to the support post. The tray engagement mechanisms shown in FIGS. 39A, 39B, 40, and 41 are formed from a lever 233 and a lever end 234. The lever may be substantially thin. In this arrangement, the lever or lever end is attached directly to the support post, but in other arrangements, they may be present. The lever end is bulbous. The lever end may have an increased thickness compared to the lever portion. The lever end may be bulbous compared to the lever. The lever end may extend upward beyond the upper surface of the lever.

[0120] There may be two or more tray support portions on each support post. For example, there may be five, seven, eight, nine, or ten tray support portions. If two or more tray support portions are present, they may be arranged along the length of the support posts 160, 170 such that they are arranged substantially linearly. There may be a gap between the tray support portions to facilitate insertion of a tray therebetween. Thus, the gaps may have a cross-sectional dimension greater than the height of the main edge of the tray 220, or they may be substantially equal to each other. The width of the attachment structure may be substantially equal to the gap of the tray 220, or it may be larger.

[0121] Figure 40 shows a cross-section of the mounting structure with the tray 220 inserted into the space between the two mounting structures, and arrow 238 indicates the direction of movement of the tray relative to the support strut 160. The tray is inserted across the gap at the main edge. The second part of the main edge of the tray 220 may include an inclined sub-part 229 to make it easier for the user to guide the tray across the gap of the tray into the space between the two mounting structures. The tray engagement mechanism is pushed down by the tray and is thus in a pushed-down state.

[0122] Figure 41 shows a snapshot of the user attempting to remove the tray 220, and arrow 239 indicates the direction of movement of the tray relative to the support strut 160. When the tray 220 is partially removed, the gap of the tray 220 is positioned above the tray engagement mechanism. As a result, the tray engagement mechanism is no longer pushed down by the tray 220 and thus returns to its stationary state. In its stationary state, the lever end prevents removal of the tray by engaging with the first part of the main edge. Therefore, the tray cannot be removed. The user then has to move the tray downward to reach the lower part of the support strut while keeping the tray substantially horizontal, where the tray may be reinserted and ready for conveyance.

[0123] Rear locking mechanism The rear locking mechanism 590 removably attaches the inserted tray to the rear support strut 200 and provides stability and support to the tray.

[0124] Here, refer to FIGS. 42A and 42B. The rear locking mechanism may include a tray recess 587 located within the rear support strut and may further include a lock insert 581 and a corresponding lock insert recess 586 located within the rear support strut 200.

[0125] The tray recess may have a rear face 588, an upper face 589, and a lower face 590. The rear face, upper face, and lower face of the tray recess may each include at least one substantially flat portion.

[0126] The lock insert may be removably attached to the rear support strut. The lock insert includes a body 582, an arm 583, and attachment means 585. Both the arm and the attachment means may be attached to the body. The body, arm, and attachment means may be formed as one integral part. The arm may be an extension having an S-shaped cross-section. The arm may include an end, and the end of the arm may be rounded. The arm may be capable of undergoing periodic deformation. The lock insert recess may include a main recess 593 and an attachment means recess 594. The main recess and the attachment means recess may be formed as one recess or may be separate recesses. The recess of the main recess 593 may include an arm recess for providing a volume in which at least a portion of the arm can elastically deform. The attachment means may include a prong. When attached to the rear support strut, the lock insert can rest substantially within the lock insert recess, and the end of the arm can extend toward the tray recess.

[0127] Figure 43 shows the tray inserted into the rear locking mechanism including the lock insert. The arm of the lock insert is in its initial position. When the tray enters the tray recess, the tray contacts the end of the arm and moves it upward so that the end of the arm is positioned substantially within the arm recess of the lock insert recess. This movement of the end of the arm can place the arm under tension, which may be due to the arm being flexible. Then, the tray may be fully inserted such that the rear of the tray contacts the rear of the tray recess. The leading edge of the tray 220 is pushed past the end of the arm of the lock insert, allowing the arm to release its tension and return to its initial position, as a result of which the end of the arm prevents the tray from being removed. To remove the tray, a threshold force is required to move the end of the arm above the leading edge of the tray. The upward movement of the end of the arm may be facilitated by its rounded edge.

[0128] FIG. 44 shows three different arrangements of the rear locking mechanism 580. In FIG. 44A, the lower surface 590 of the tray recess includes a lower lip 591. This lower lip prevents the tray 220 from being removed. In FIG. 44B, the lower lip 591 is present, but the lock insert is not. Therefore, the upper surface 589 of the tray recess is substantially flat. In FIG. 44C, the lower lip of the tray recess is present, and a corresponding notch 592 on the upper surface 589 of the tray recess is present.

[0129] Disassembly of the RFSDU FIG. 45A shows a user removing the tray from a fully assembled and combined RFSDU. The user located at the front side of the RFSDU pulls the tray out of the RFSDU away from the rear support. If there is no tray engagement mechanism, the tray may be completely removed and stacked outside the fully assembled and extended RFSDU as shown in FIG. 45B.

[0130] FIGS. 46A and 46B show a user disassembling the RFSDU after the tray has been removed. The support support starts at the second base position. The user contracts the telescopic locking mechanism and nests the third support support portion substantially within the second support support portion. Then, the user deploys and releases the second hinge of the support support. Then, the user repeats the contraction step and the deployment and release step for each support support, leaving an RFSDU in which the support support is in the second base position, not extended, and only the first hinge is deployed, similar to that seen in FIG. 47.

[0131] Figure 48A shows the RFSDU of FIG. 47, and the direction arrows indicate the directions in which the user must apply force to move the indicated strut supports to the first base position. The rear strut support 200 and the right strut support 190 are returned to the first base position as seen in FIG. 48B. The user then must apply force to the first or second strut support to deploy and release the first hinge, as seen in FIG. 49, resulting in a disassembled RFSDU in the transport position.

[0132] Figure 50A shows the folded RFSDU and two sets of seven trays stacked on top of each other. Figure 50B shows two folded RFSDUs stacked on top of each other. When multiple RFSDUs are stacked, the underside of the pallet base of the "upper" RFSDU is present on top of the folded strut supports.

[0133] Overview of the "Folding Tray" Figures 51A and 51B show an exemplary "folding tray" 800. In this context, "folding" refers to the presence on a base, such as a shelf or tray, of one or more reconfigurable support structures, as further described below. It will be understood that the folding tray 800 described herein constitutes a reconfigurable module 800 for the modular transport and / or display units described herein. The folding tray 800 includes a base 802, a main edge or rim 804, and at least one reconfigurable support structure provided as a generally U-shaped arm 806 that is reconfigurable within the described module 800. The at least one arm 806 includes at least one stem / bracket in the shape of a strut member 808 and at least one cross member or bridge 810 within the described module 800.

[0134] In the illustrated example, there are two arms 806, and each arm includes two support members 808 and one cross member 810. The arm 806 as seen in the configuration of FIG. 51B is in an inverted U shape, the support members 808 form two parallel sides, and the cross member 810 connects them. Further, the arm 806 may have at least one axis of symmetry, that is, the two halves of the U shape are symmetric. In the illustrated example, the axis of symmetry bisects the cross member 810.

[0135] The base 802, that is, the shelf or tray 802 itself, is for supporting products. The base 802 is substantially flat and has a substantially rectangular upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface and the lower surface of the base 802 share four edges. The base 802 includes perforations 812 for facilitating drainage and / or increasing static friction to prevent the product from moving from a predetermined position.

[0136] The main edge 804 (which, alternatively, is referred to as a hem or a skirt as in the description of the present invention and the appended claims) improves the usability of the module or tray 800 and is for aligning the foldable tray 800 when stacking the trays. It also provides several pivotable connections, as further described below, together with the U-shaped arm 806. The main edge 804 extends around the outer periphery of the base 802. The main edge 804 may include a reinforcing structure. The main edge 804 extends beyond the upper and lower surfaces of the base 802. The main edge 804 also extends along a portion of at least one edge of the base 802. The main edge 804 also extends substantially perpendicular to the base 802. The main edge 804 may include at least one alignment protrusion 814 located on at least one of the upper or lower surfaces of the main edge 804. In the illustrated example, the main edge 804 has four alignment protrusions 814 located at the four corners of the main edge 804. The alignment protrusion 814 has an alignment recess (not shown) corresponding to the lower surface of the main edge 804. When stacking the foldable trays 800, the alignment protrusions 814 of the lower tray 800 are inserted into the alignment recesses, resulting in the alignment of the trays 800. This enhances the stability of the stack of modules 800 when the arms 806 are folded. The main edge 804 also defines the front edge, rear edge, and two side edges of the foldable tray 800. The main edge 804 may further include reinforcing ribs to enhance its strength characteristics.

[0137] Figures 52A and 52B show the foldable tray 800 in an "unassembled" (i.e., folded or collapsed) configuration and an assembled configuration located on top of the pallet base 120.

[0138] Figures 53A and 53B show the foldable tray 800 in an assembled and extended configuration.

[0139] Figure 54A shows seven assembled foldable trays 800 stacked on top of each other and located on the upper part of the pallet base 120. Figure 54B shows four unextended and unassembled foldable trays located on the upper part of the pallet base 120. One foldable tray 800 or module 800 may already be regarded as an RFSDU. However, more generally, an RFSDU, i.e., a transport and display unit, comprises two or more stackable modules 800. The stacking of two or more foldable modules 800 is more generally regarded as an RFSDU.

[0140] Extension mechanism of the foldable tray As seen in FIGS. 55A and 55B, at least one arm 806 includes an extension mechanism 820. The extension mechanism 820 includes a control body 822, a pin body 826, several pin depressions 830, 832, 834 for receiving a part of the pin body 826, and elastic devices 836, 838. The control body 822 also includes a control projection 824. The control body 822 is biased by a first elastic device 836. There may be one or more control bodies 822 on each arm 806. In the illustrated example, there is one control body 822 as part of each extension mechanism 820. The pin body 826 may include an engagement pin 828. The pin body 826 and the engagement pin 828 may be formed as one integral part. The engagement pin 828 may be received in any of the pin depressions 830, 832, 834. The pin body 826 is biased by a second elastic device 838. The first elastic device 836 and the second elastic device 838 may be one or more springs, specifically one or more tension coil springs and / or compression coil springs.

[0141] During normal use of the extension mechanism 820, the first elastic device 836 and the second elastic device 838 are elastically biased. Further, the first elastic device 836 and the second elastic device 838 each have a spring constant, and the spring constant of the first elastic device may be greater than the spring constant of the second elastic device 838. The control body 822 and the pin body 826 may be biased substantially perpendicular to each other by their respective elastic devices 836, 838. One or more pin bodies 826 may be present as part of each extension mechanism 820. In the illustrated example, two pin bodies 826 are present as part of each extension mechanism 820.

[0142] The control body 822 and the pin body 826 have substantially parallel upper and lower surfaces. The control body 822 and the pin body 826 also abut against each other along at least one of their side surfaces. The abutting side surfaces of the control body 822 and the pin body 826 are substantially flat, but may not be substantially perpendicular to the upper and lower surfaces. In the illustrated example, the abutting side surfaces of the control body 822 and the pin body 826 are inclined such that a vertical movement of one of the bodies 822, 826 causes a horizontal movement of the other, and a horizontal movement of one causes a vertical movement of the other. In the illustrated example, the two pin bodies 826 abut against the control body 822 on both sides of the control body 822.

[0143] The cross member 810 includes at least one cross member recess 810. The extension mechanism 820 is at least partially located within the cross member recess 821. In the illustrated example, the control body 822 and the pin body 826 are substantially located within the cross member recess 821.

[0144] Each strut support 808 includes an inner strut (or stem) 852 and an outer strut (or bracket) 854. The outer strut (or bracket) 854 and the cross member (or bridge) 810 are formed as one integral part. Thus, the outer strut (or bracket) 854 covers the inner strut (or stem) 852 along at least a portion of the length of the strut support 808. The inner strut 852 may be made of a metal such as aluminum or stainless steel. The outer strut 854 may be made of a plastic material. The inner strut 852 includes a first inner strut engagement pin recess 830 and a second inner strut engagement pin recess 832. The pin recesses 830, 832 may be located at different distances along the length of the inner strut 852. The first inner strut engagement pin recess 830 may be located closer to the base of the inner strut 852 than the second inner strut engagement pin recess 832. Thus, the second inner strut engagement pin recess 832 may be located closer to the distal end or tip of the inner strut 852 than the first inner strut engagement pin recess 830.

[0145] The extension mechanism is generally similar to those commonly found in the state of the art regarding suitcase handles. Figures 55A - 58B show snapshots of the extension mechanism at various stages of deployment / extension.

[0146] Figures 55A and 55B show the extension mechanism 820 in a first position. The control body 822 is in a first stationary position. In this position, the first inner strut engagement pin recess 830 and the outer strut engagement pin recess 834 are aligned, and more specifically, may be concentrically aligned. The pin body 826 extends into at least one of the pin recesses and locks the extension mechanism 820 in the first position. More specifically, the engagement pin 828 extends into the first inner strut engagement pin recess 830 and the outer strut engagement pin recess 834. When the control body 822 is in the first position, the first elastic device 836 is in a substantially extended configuration, and the second elastic device 838 is in a substantially compressed configuration.

[0147] Figures 56A and 56B show the extension mechanism 820 in the second position. The control body 822 is in the second depressed position. The user must press the control projection 824 to compress the first elastic device 836. As a result, the pin body 826 extends inwardly, creating a space for being biased by the second elastic device 838. This movement of the pin body 826 contracts the engagement pin 828, meaning that it is no longer located within the first inner strut engagement pin recess 830 or the outer strut engagement pin recess 834. In this position, the extension mechanism 820 can extend freely, and thus the user can pull the crossbar 810 upward (in the direction indicated by the black arrow in Figure 56A) to extend the extension mechanism.

[0148] Figures 57A and 57B show the extension mechanism 820 in the third position. In this position, the arm 806 is extended. The control body 822 remains in the second depressed position. The outer strut 854 slides over a part of the inner strut 852, and as a result, the second inner strut engagement pin recess 832 and the outer strut engagement pin recess 834 are now aligned, and more specifically, they may be concentrically aligned.

[0149] Figures 58A and 58B show the extension mechanism 820 in the fourth position. In this position, the extension mechanism is fully deployed and the arm 806 is extended. The control body 822 is again in the first position due to the biasing of the first elastic device 836. As a result, the pin body 826 returns to its first position, pushing the engagement pin 828 into the aligned recesses 832, 834 to lock the extension mechanism 820 in this fourth position.

[0150] When starting from the fourth position, in order to contract and lock the extension mechanism 820, the user can apply a force to the control projection 824 to push down the control body 822. As a result, the control body 822 returns to its second position. This results in the extension mechanism 820 being in its third position. Here, while continuing to push down the control body 822, the user can push the cross member 810 downward to contract the extension mechanism 820. This results in the extension mechanism 820 moving to its second position. Here, the user can then stop applying a force to the control projection 824, and the biasing of the first elastic device 836 moves the control body 822 back to its first position. As a result, the extension mechanism returns to its first position.

[0151] Hinge mechanism of the folding tray Considering FIGS. 59A - 60B here, the arm 806 is attached to the module (or folding tray) 800, more specifically to its edge 804, via a hinge mechanism (or pivotable connection) 850. More specifically, the inner support column 852 (or stem) is attached to the folding tray 800 via the hinge mechanism 850. The direction arrow 880 in FIG. 59A indicates the upward direction. The hinge mechanism 850 ensures that the base portion of the support column member 808 follows the inner wall of the main edge 804 during deployment or assembly, enabling the support column member 808 to be firmly hinged away from the corner of the main edge 804. Thus, it minimizes the space required for the base portion of the support column member 808 to rotate. Otherwise, the support column member 808 would need to be hinged further away from exactly the corner of the main edge 804. Instead, the hinge mechanism 850 enables the support column member 808 to be hinged very close to the corner. This means that the fully deployed hinge mechanism 850 allows the support column member 808 to approach the inner wall of the main edge 804 by up to 30 mm compared to other hinge mechanisms. This provides additional space available for products on the shelf 802.

[0152] The hinge mechanism 850 includes a lock assembly 855, at least one pin, and at least one pin guide or recess 862. In the illustrated example, there are a first pin 861 and a second pin 868 both connected to the inner support 852, and the lock assembly 855 includes a hinge arm recess 856 and a hinge arm 858. The hinge arm 858 is configured to elastically deform. The hinge arm 858 includes a tab 859 and a head 860. The tab 859 is attached to the main edge 804 at a first portion and to the head 860 at a second portion. The tab 859 is an elongated element and is configured to elastically deform. The tab 859 can elastically deform when the first pin 861 moves within the first pin recess or guide 862, abuts against the head 860, and a force is applied.

[0153] The hinge arm recess 856 may be located above the first pin recess 862. The hinge arm recess 856 and the first pin recess 862 may be two portions of one continuous recess. The first pin recess 862 may include a leg portion 863 and a hook or cusp portion 864. The leg portion 863 and the hook or cusp portion 864 may form an "r" shape such that the leg portion 863 is an elongated channel and the hook portion 864 is also a channel but shorter than the leg portion 863, and portions 863, 864 extend so as to form an acute angle with each other. The hinge arm recess 856 may be shaped such that the hinge arm 858 extends at least partially through the first pin recess 862. In this example, the head 860 of the hinge arm 858 extends partially through the leg portion 863 of the first pin recess 862, and the portion of the leg portion 863 is large enough for the first pin to fit substantially completely on both sides where the head 860 extends through the leg portion 863.

[0154] The second pin recess 870 may be located below the first pin recess 862. The second pin recess 870 can be a linear elongated channel oriented to extend parallel to the base 802 when viewed from the side.

[0155] The first pin recess 862 and the second pin recess 870 may be substantially the same width. The first pin 861 and the second pin 868 may be substantially the same size.

[0156] In this example, the lock assembly 855 and the pin recesses 862, 870 are formed from the main edge 804.

[0157] When the arm 806 is folded or placed (not shown), the hinge mechanism 850 houses the arm 806. When the hinge mechanism 850 is not folded / unfolded, the first pin 861 is positioned within the hook portion 864 of the first pin recess 862, and the second pin 868 is positioned within the first portion of the second pin recess 870. As the arm 806 is assembled, the first pin 861 begins to move through the hook portion 864 and past the joint connecting the leg portion 863 of the first pin recess 862 and the hook or cusp portion 864. At the same time, the second pin 868 moves from the first end of the second pin recess 870 and is near the substantially midpoint of the second pin recess 870 by the time the first pin 861 reaches the leg portion 863 of the first pin recess 862. As the first pin 861 moves through the leg portion 863 of the first pin recess, the first pin 861 abuts against the head 860 of the hinge arm 858, elastically deforming the tab 859 and pushing the head 860 substantially completely into the hinge arm recess 856 and out of the first pin recess 862. This is shown in FIGS. 59A and 59B. At this point, the arm 806 is almost completely assembled. The first pin 861 continues to move through the leg portion 863 until the first pin 861 reaches the end of the leg portion 863 and can no longer move. As shown in FIGS. 60A and 60B, since the first pin 861 reaches the end of the leg portion 863 and can no longer move, the hinge arm 858 returns to its rest position, effectively compressing the first pin 861 against the end of the first pin recess 862, more specifically the leg portion 863. The second pin 868 reaches the second end of the second pin recess 870. Here, the arm 806 is substantially assembled. Thus, in summary, when a first predetermined moment around the hinge mechanism 850 is reached that is sufficient to deform the tab 859 and allow the first pin 861 to continue its travel within the leg portion 863, the hinge mechanism is fully deployed, and the hinge mechanism 858 prevents folding unless the hinge mechanism 850 is released from position and a second threshold moment is reached in the opposite direction where it does not fold / unfold.

[0158] For the hinge mechanism 850 to be fully undeployed, the arm 806 may need to contract. However, this may not be required as an alternative. When the hinge mechanism 850 is fully undeployed, the arm 804 seats under the upper surface of the main edge 804, allowing the trays 800 to be stacked on top of each other without the arms interfering (and thus potentially being damaged unintentionally).

[0159] The swivel mechanism 850 described herein, including the pin / guide system described herein, is such that the reconfigurable arm 806 can be guided from an assembled configuration to a stowed configuration and vice versa, and the stem / base 808 of the arm 806 in the assembled configuration is integrated as seamlessly as possible with the edge or rim 804. Thus, in combination with the L - shaped cross - section of the stem / base 808, the reconfigurability of the arm 806 does not adversely affect the product - holding ability of the module or tray 800.

[0160] Transportation of Articles The modules 800 described herein require extra protection during transportation and thus facilitate the transportation of articles that are then easily displayed in a store, for example, for sale. Each tray 800 can be sealed using disposable panels made from a material such as cardboard. This sealing configuration may require a total of three panels: two side panels and one U - shaped cover. The arm 806 includes a series of tongues to secure the side panels. The side panels can slide from above into dedicated slits provided in the arm before being pushed downwards and secured. The cross - member 810 may be triangular and includes tongues with protrusions arranged to prevent the side panels from being pulled out. The U - shaped cover covers the space between the two arms of the tray 800. When in their predetermined positions on the tray 800, the three panels are independent and not in contact with each other.

[0161] Assembly of a Transport and Display Unit with a Cardboard Dress Figure 61A shows the insert 902 for the pallet base 120. The purpose of the insert 902 is to prevent the lateral movement of the foldable tray 800 stacked thereon. The insert 902 engages with the attachment mechanism 255 of the pallet base 120 (shown in FIG. 12B) and is configured to engage with the corresponding recess in the base 802 of the foldable tray 800, thereby preventing the lateral movement of the foldable tray 800. The insert 902 can extend over the upper surface 122 of the pallet base 120. At least two inserts 902 may be deployed on both sides of the pallet base 120.

[0162] When combining the modular transport and display unit with the foldable tray 800, the user may first insert two inserts 902 into the corresponding attachment mechanisms of the pallet base 120. The first tray 800 may begin to fold and then be fully assembled by the user and may be extended by the user as needed. Next, the first folded tray 800 may be placed on top of the pallet base 120, and the insert 902 may be positioned within the corresponding recess of the base 802. Next, additional trays may be assembled by the user, extended, and stacked one on top of the first tray 800 in turn. The user may then have a transport and display unit similar to that seen in FIG. 54A with a fewer or greater total number of trays 800.

[0163] Now, referring to FIGS. 62A and 62B. When the RFSDUs 100, 800 are fully combined, the user may enclose the RFSDUs 100, 800 within the display structure 600. The display structure 600 is for displaying the RFSDU in a store having a branding strategy suitable for the product shown on the RFSDUs 100, 800 and may be composed of cardboard. The display structure 600 may include at least one tray cover for covering the exposed edges of the tray.

[0164] The cardboard dress 950 shown in FIG. 62A is an example of a display structure 600. Next, the user can slide the cardboard dress 950 on top of the stack of trays 800 so as to cover at least a part of the transport and display units 100, 800. As shown by the direction arrow 948 in FIG. 62A, the cardboard dress 950, described here as a sleeve, may slide downward from above the stack onto the stack of trays 800. Other installation methods are also possible. For example, the cardboard dress may be supplied as an open foldable sheet rather than a sleeve and may be wrapped around the unit. In the described installation, the cardboard dress 950 may further comprise at least one tab 960 that may be folded when the cardboard dress 950 reaches its display position relative to the stack of trays 800. The tab 960 engages at least one tray 800 via its base 802 or main edge 804 to ensure that the cardboard dress 950 stays in place. The cardboard dress 950 may have a lower edge that is substantially coplanar with the upper surface 122 of the pallet base 120. However, various other configurations are also possible.

[0165] The cardboard dress 950 can take many different forms that may be implemented for different retail purposes. However, in FIGS. 62A and 62B, the cardboard dress 950 comprises a lower cover 951 that substantially completely covers at least one of the trays 800. The illustrated cardboard dress 950 also comprises a headboard 952 and may further comprise at least one sideboard 953 (shown in FIG. 63A). Additionally, the cardboard dress 950 may include at least one tray cover 954 for covering at least a part of the upper surface of the base 802 of the tray 800 (as shown in FIG. 63B) and may cover at least a part of the main edge 804 (internally). The at least one tray cover 954 is generally separate from the cardboard dress 950.

[0166] Figure 62B shows a transport and display unit having a first cardboard dress design 957. The first cardboard dress design 957 includes a lower cover 951 and a headboard 952. The second cardboard dress design 958 shown in Figure 63A includes the lower cover 951, the headboard 952, and two sideboards 953. As shown in Figure 63A, the topmost tray 800 of the stack may not include any of the arms 806. Figure 63B shows a third cardboard dress design 959 including the lower cover 951 and two tray covers 954. In each of the cardboard dress designs 957, 958, and 959, the two lowermost trays 800 are substantially completely covered by the cardboard dress 950, more specifically, the lower cover 951. Thus, the two lowermost trays can only function as a support structure without accommodating any products, or alternatively, can store a large quantity of products for sale, but they are usually not accessible to customers and can be used to replenish the upper display tray as needed.

[0167] Referring to FIGS. 61B and 64A - 64C, in some examples, the product 610 may be provided on the tray 220 and then inserted into the RFSDU, or alternatively, the product 610 may be placed on the tray 220 when the tray 220 is already fully inserted. Further, in examples such as the folding tray 800, the merchandise may be provided on the folding tray 800 before stacking, when stacked, or after stacking.

[0168] Figure 64A shows a front view of a transport and display unit filled with the product 610. The product 610 can be seen to be located on two trays 800 that remain uncovered by the cardboard dress 950. To restrict the movement of the product 610, spacers 961 may be added to the trays 800. [[ID=X]]

[0169] Figures 64B and 64C show different product arrangements on trays 220, 800 that may be implemented. Trays 220, 800 may not be filled to the maximum capacity of product 610 in order to enhance the attractiveness of the product. Each tray 220, 800 of RFSDU100, 800 may accommodate the same number of products 610 or different numbers of products 610. In Figure 63B, products 610 are arranged in columns such that each column accommodates the same number of products. In Figure 63C, products 610 are arranged such that some columns accommodate fewer products 610 than other columns.

[0170] Usage cycle of RFSDU Figure 65 shows the usage cycle of RFSDU through the supply chain. The conveyance symbol generally represents conveyance and may include one or methods selected from trucks, automobiles, vans, trains, ships, or airplanes.

[0171] The tray and the folded RFSDU are provided separately at the service center 704 before being conveyed to the packing / common packing location 706. Then, the RFSDU is fully assembled by the user, and the products may be packed manually, in a partially automated manner, or in a substantially automated manner. The tray may be pre-packed with products before being inserted into the RFSDU or may be packed later. The RFSDU is covered by the display structure 600. The RFSDU with products packed and covered by the display structure is known as the loaded RFSDU. The number of trays can be adapted to the point-of-sale management design requirements. Then, the loaded RFSDU is conveyed to the retailer distribution center 708. Then, the loaded RFSDU is conveyed to the store 710. The RFSDU is received, handled, and placed on display in the store for sales promotion purposes.

[0172] After use, when the sales promotion is exhausted, the display structure 600 is removed and discarded, and as described above, the RFSDU 100 may be folded and placed in the transport position. Then, the tray and the folded RFSDU may be returned to the retailer distribution center before returning to the service center for sorting, inspection, cleaning, and repair.

[0173] Regarding the foldable tray 800, the tray 800 is provided at the service center 704 before being transported to the packing / common packing location 706. Then, the RFSDU is fully assembled by the user, and the product may be manually packed, packed in a partially automated manner, or packed in a substantially automated manner. If the RFSDU includes two or more foldable trays 800, the trays 800 may be pre-packed with products before stacking, and the packages may be stacked later. Then, the RFSDU is covered by the display structure 600. The RFSDU with the product packed and covered by the display structure is known as the stacked RFSDU. The number of trays 800 can conform to the point-of-sale management design requirements. Then, the stacked RFSDU is transported to the retailer distribution center 708. Then, the stacked RFSDU is transported to the store 710. The RFSDU is received, handled, and placed on display in the store for sales promotion purposes. After use, when the sales promotion is exhausted, the display structure 600 is removed and discarded or recycled, and each tray 800 may be reconfigured by storing its arm before being stacked again as seen in FIG. 54B. Then, the stack of foldable trays 800 may be returned to the retailer distribution center before returning to the service center for sorting, inspection, cleaning, and repair.

[0174] Removable support structure With particular reference to FIG. 63A, in the context of a fully formed and assembled product display unit, it was noted above that the top tray advantageously may not include a support arm. After all, such a tray may not need to provide support to another tray disposed thereon. Thus, any reconfigurable arm 806 provided on this particular tray will of course potentially remain unused and thus may be considered unnecessary or undesirable if the tray is always used as the top tray of the display unit. Thus, the top tray need only be provided essentially as a conventional tray (although, of course, one adapted to be supported from below by the arm 806 of another tray 800). Alternatively, the support arm 806 may be removable to maintain maximum flexibility of use. An implementation of a removable support arm 806 is described below.

[0175] FIGS. 66-69B relate to a second example of a collapsible tray 920. The first example of the collapsible tray 800 and the second example of the collapsible tray 920 are substantially the same except for several differences described in detail below, which are aimed at facilitating the removal and reattachment of at least one arm 930 of the collapsible tray 920 to / from the collapsible tray 920, similar to the arm 806 of the collapsible tray 800. At least one arm 930 may be disposable and may not be reattached once removed from the collapsible tray 920. At least one arm may be constructed from one or more materials including aluminum, stainless steel, cardboard, or plastic materials, the latter two materials being of course most suitable for disposable arms. At least one arm 930 may or may not extend. In the trays 920 shown in FIGS. 66-67B, the arm 930 is telescoping.

[0176] As can be seen in FIGS. 67A and 67B, one difference between the folding trays 800 and 920 is that instead of extending around the perimeter of the base at a substantially constant height like the main edge 804 of the folding tray 800, the main edge 922 of the folding tray 920 is reduced in height along its sides, which is the reduced edge 922. This reduced edge 922 has the further advantage of reducing the likelihood that the product will catch on the main edge 922 when removed from the folding tray 920 by the user, resulting in an improved user experience and reducing the amount of material required for the manufacture of the folding tray 920. The main edge 922 may be of a greater height at the corners of the edge 922 to facilitate the inclusion of the hinge mechanism.

[0177] One further difference is that at least one pin 871, but preferably all pins 871, of the folding tray 920, similar to the first pin 861 and / or the second pin 868 of the folding tray 800, are removably attachable to at least one inner support 926, similar to the inner support 852. The folding tray 920 may include two pins 871 per support 926, for a total of eight pins 871. The pins 871 are, in the example shown, implemented essentially as inserts and / or screws. More specifically, the pins 871 may be considered screw-in inserts, set screws, grub screws, and / or headless screws. Further, the pins 871 may be considered partially threaded headless screws. In the example shown, each pin 871 is substantially the same, but in principle different pins may be used.

[0178] As shown in FIGS. 68A to 68D, pin 871 includes a shaft 872, a screw drive portion 874, and a point 875. The shaft 872 further includes a threaded portion 873 that extends along a portion of the shaft 872. In some pins, the threaded portion 873 can extend substantially along the entire shaft 872 and may thus be considered to be fully threaded. The screw drive portion 874 of the illustrated pin is a hexagonal socket head, although other pins can utilize various other drive styles, such as a cross-shaped screw drive portion like a Phillips screw drive portion. The point 875 is a flat point, although it can be different in other embodiments, such as a cup point, a conical point, or an elliptical point.

[0179] As seen in FIGS. 69A and 69B, the inner strut 926 further includes at least one pin engagement mechanism 928 for removably attaching at least one pin 871 to the inner strut 926. In this tray, each inner strut 926 includes two pin engagement mechanisms 928, although in other trays, each inner strut may include a different number of pin engagement mechanisms 928, such as three, four, or five. Each pin engagement mechanism 928 of the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 69A and 69B is a recess and may be formed as a perforation passing through the entire inner strut 926. The pin engagement mechanism 928 is threaded to engage the threaded portion 873 of the pin 871. The pin engagement mechanism 928 has a circular cross-section.

[0180] The user can removably attach each pin 871 to one of at least one inner support 926 using a tool. Alternatively, the user can removably attach each pin 871 to one of at least one inner support 926 without using a tool. Each of at least one pin 871 is removably attached to one of at least one inner support 926 by screwing each pin 871 into one of at least one pin engagement mechanism 928. Further, in other trays, the pins 871 can be removably attached to the inner supports 926 by alternative engagement means, such as snap fit or interference fit. When the removable pin 871 is removed, the corresponding support 926 can be easily removed from the tray 920.

Claims

1. A module for a modular transport and display unit for transporting products to a store and then displaying the products within the store, wherein the module comprises: A shelf adapted to receive the product thereon, wherein the shelf has a rim that at least partially surrounds the shelf and is adapted to hold the product thereon, A reconfigurable and removable support structure rotatably positioned relative to the shelf and pivotably connected to the edge thereof, Equipped with, The at least one reconfigurable support structure is The first assembled configuration is deployed, and the support structure is adapted to support one or more further such modules, so that all modules collectively form the transport and display unit. It can be stored in a second folded configuration, or Completely removed from the aforementioned shelf A module that is adapted to this purpose.

2. The aforementioned edge completely surrounds the shelf, Preferably, the edge is formed integrally with the shelf, More preferably, the edge is provided as a skirt that extends perpendicularly to the shelf, More preferably, the module according to claim 1, wherein the skirt extends from the edge of the shelf.

3. The reconfigurable support structure is positioned adjacent to the edge of the shelf, and the swivel connection comprises at least one pin and at least one guide for receiving the pin and guiding its movement, and as a result, the at least one reconfigurable support structure is adapted to rotate and translate relative to the shelf so that the swivel end of the at least one reconfigurable support structure can clean the edge of the shelf during reconfiguration. Preferably, at least one pin is provided at the swivel end of the reconfigurable support structure, More preferably, the guide is provided in the shape of a slot, The module according to claim 1, more preferably, the guide is provided as a notch passing through the edge of the shelf.

4. The module according to claim 3, wherein the swivelable connector is positioned such that throughout the entire reconstruction of the reconfigurable support structure, the minimum distance between the swivelable end of the reconfigurable support structure and the edge is less than a predetermined value.

5. The module according to claim 3, wherein the swivelable connector comprises an upper pin and a lower pin provided at the swivelable end of the reconfigurable support structure, and two upper slots and a lower slot for guiding the movement of each of the two pins, wherein the lower slot extends linearly along the edge of the shelf and the upper slot is arch-shaped with a downward concave surface.

6. The module according to claim 5, wherein the upper slot has a retaining cusp at its end for holding the at least one support structure in a first or second configuration.

7. The module according to claim 5, wherein the edge comprises an elastically flexible retainer for holding the at least one support structure to the first or second configuration.

8. The module according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the pins is removable, preferably both pins are removable.

9. Each reconfigurable support structure comprises a pair of opposing swivelable stems and a bridge connecting the distal ends of each of the swivelable stems, Preferably, the stem has an L-shaped cross-section, and is arranged so that each angle formed by the L-shape faces the shelf. More preferably, the module according to claim 1, comprising a pair of opposing brackets arranged to engage with the distal end of the swivelable stem.

10. The module according to claim 1, comprising two such reconfigurable support structures positioned at opposing ends of the shelf, wherein the module is arranged such that the two reconfigurable support structures fold inward toward the shelf from their respective first assembled positions, and each second folded position is equally reached by opposite storage operations.

11. The at least one reconfigurable support structure is further extendable, Preferably, the bridge is adapted to be positioned at least in a first fully retracted position and a second fully extended position relative to the two stems. More preferably, the bridge is extendable and retractable. More preferably, the module according to claim 1, wherein each of the stem engagement brackets is slidably positioned on its respective stem.

12. The bridge incorporates the operating mechanism, which is arranged such that the bridge can be extended or retracted when the operating mechanism is activated. Preferably, the operating mechanism comprises one or more bolts and a biasing means for biasing the bolts into a protruding configuration. Preferably, the module according to claim 11, wherein the actuation mechanism is configured such that the actuation mechanism causes the bolt to contract relative to the biasing means.

13. The aforementioned shelves are generally rectangular, Preferably, the shelf is the size of a pallet or trolley, or half a pallet or trolley. More preferably, the module according to claim 1, wherein the shelf is the size of a quarter pallet or a trolley.

14. Each reconfigurable support structure is provided on the short side of the rectangular shelf, Preferably, each swivelable stem is provided at each corner of the rectangular shelf, More preferably, the module according to claim 13, wherein each bridge extends parallel to the corresponding short side of the rectangular shelf and has the same length.

15. The module according to claim 1, wherein the at least one reconfigurable support structure is sized and positioned to lie completely inside the edge in its second folded configuration.

16. The at least one reconfigurable support structure is sized and positioned to lie completely inside the edge in its second folded configuration, and both reconfigurable support structures are sized and positioned to lie completely inside the edge when both support structures are configured in the second folded configuration, Preferably, the module according to claim 10, wherein the above condition is also satisfied when at least one or both of the reconfigurable support structures are extended.

17. The module according to claim 1, wherein the at least one reconfigurable support structure lies down in the second folded configuration and is sized and positioned such that its contact area is entirely contained within the shelf.

18. The at least one reconfigurable support structure is sized and positioned to be flat in a second folded configuration having a footprint that is completely enclosed inside the shelf, and both reconfigurable support structures are sized and positioned to lie down when both support structures are configured in the second folded configuration, with their respective footprints completely contained inside the shelf. Preferably, the module according to claim 10, wherein the above condition is also satisfied when at least one or both of the reconfigurable support structures are extended.

19. The module according to claim 1, wherein the lower side of the shelf is configured to fit snugly onto a further module and / or onto the loading surface of a pallet or trolley.

20. The module according to claim 1, wherein in the first assembled configuration, the at least one support structure is configured to be tightly received by the underside of one or more further such modules.

21. The at least one reconfigurable support structure comprises one or more mechanisms constructed and arranged to hold a packaging element, such as a cardboard sheet, in a predetermined position when the at least one reconfigurable support structure is in the first assembled configuration. Optionally, the mechanism comprises one or more tongues configured to cooperate with at least a portion of the edge to hold the packaging element in place, and / or The module according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism comprises one or more slits configured to hold the packaging element in place, preferably in cooperation with another reconfigurable support structure.

22. A module for a modular transport and display unit for transporting products to a store and then displaying the products within the store, wherein the module comprises: A shelf adapted to receive the aforementioned product is placed on top of it, A support structure comprising at least one removable support structure adapted to support one or more further such modules, wherein all modules collectively form the transport and display unit, A module equipped with [the necessary components].

23. The module according to claim 22, wherein the at least one removable support structure, when present, is adapted to be reconfigurable between the first assembled configuration and a second retracted or folded configuration, and the support structure is adapted to support one or more further such modules.

24. A modular transport and display unit for transporting products to a store and then displaying the products within the store, wherein the unit comprises at least one first module as described in any one of claims 1 to 21. Optionally, the first module comprises at least one assembled, reconfigurable support structure. A modular transport and display unit in which the first module optionally comprises at least one foldable, reconfigurable support structure.

25. A combination of a module according to any one of claims 1 to 23, or a modular transport and display unit according to claim 24, with a corresponding pallet or trolley, Preferably, the combination of the module, modular unit, and pallet or trolley is sized to correspond to a quarter pallet.

26. A method for assembling and / or folding a module according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the method includes unfolding at least one reconfigurable support structure in a first assembled configuration and / or storing the assembled at least one reconfigurable support structure in a second folded configuration.

27. A method for preparing a modular transport and display unit according to claim 24, wherein the method is To unfold the at least one foldable, reconfigurable support structure in the first assembled configuration, Stacking at least one further assembled module on top of the first module, The unit can be loaded with one or more products by optionally placing them on the shelves of the first module or any further module of the modular unit. Methods that include...

28. A method for folding a modular transport and display unit according to claim 24, wherein the method is To house the assembled at least one reconfigurable support structure in the second folded configuration, The process involves stacking at least one further folded module on top of the first module, Unloading from the modular unit by optionally removing one or more products from the shelves of the first or further modules (one or more), Methods that include...

29. A modular transport and display unit for transporting products to a store and then displaying the products within the store, wherein the unit comprises at least one module according to claim 22 or 23.

30. A combination of the module according to claim 22 or 23 with a corresponding pallet or trolley, Preferably, the combination of the module, modular unit, and pallet or trolley is sized to correspond to a quarter pallet.

31. A method for providing the module according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the method includes attaching at least one removed support structure and / or removing at least one removable support structure, Optionally, the method includes unfolding at least one reconfigurable support structure in the first assembled configuration and / or retracting the assembled at least one reconfigurable support structure in the second folded configuration.

32. A method for preparing or folding a modular transport and display unit according to claim 29, wherein the method includes attaching at least one detachable support structure and / or removing at least one detachable support structure.

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