Merchandise display trolley

Abstract

The objective is to provide a product display cart that maintains its functionality as a logistics cart while effectively concealing the cart's distinctive appearance with advertising displays, thereby creating a complete sales area with high promotional potential the moment it is installed in a store. [Solution] The product display cart 1 comprises a cart body 2 having a loading platform 5 equipped with casters 4 at the bottom and side wall portions 6 made of a grid-like frame, and an advertising display panel 3 that is detachably fixed to the outer surface of the side wall portions 6. The advertising display panel 3 is composed of side display panels 3a, 3b and a rear display panel 3c that continuously shield three sides of the cart body 2, and an upper display panel 3d that is disposed to protrude upward from the upper end of the frame on the rear. By fixing each panel to the frame without using tools by means of magnetism or engaging means, it is possible to repurpose it as a product display shelf with high appeal by effectively shielding the appearance while maintaining its function as a cart for logistics.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cart for product display. More specifically, while maintaining the function as a cart for logistics, by effectively shielding the unique appearance of the cart with an advertising display body, it is possible to form a completed sales floor with a high promotional function at the moment of installation in a store. The present invention relates to a cart for product display.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in retail stores such as supermarkets and drugstores, or at sites such as logistics centers, for the transportation and display of products, a logistics cart having a loading platform equipped with casters at the bottom and a side wall portion composed of a lattice-like frame body erected around the loading platform, so-called a cage cart (roll box pallet), is widely used.

[0003] Such a cart can not only efficiently transport a large amount of products at one time, but also, in a store, after transporting products from the backyard to the sales floor, it is often diverted as a product display shelf as it is (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). In particular, Patent Document 1 discloses a foldable configuration having a rear panel and left and right panels and enabling the loading and unloading of products from the front side. Also, Patent Document 2 discloses the basic structure of a general transportation cage cart, such as a frame body constituting a side wall.

[0004] These conventional logistics carts are designed with an emphasis on handling efficiency, and the side wall portion is generally configured by combining metal pipes and wires in a lattice pattern. Thereby, while ensuring the visibility of the loaded products, both weight reduction and robustness are achieved.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 1

[0006] The conventional trolleys described in the background technology section are widely used for efficient transport and to reduce labor in replenishment work in stores. However, when these conventional trolleys are simply placed on the sales floor and used as product display shelves, the following practical problems arise.

[0007] Firstly, there is the issue of aesthetics. Most conventional carts have side walls made of a frame constructed from a grid of metal pipes or wires. As a result, when placed in a sales area, the inorganic metal frame is exposed as a backdrop for the loaded goods, which detracts from the store's atmosphere. In particular, when displaying products that emphasize luxury or brand image (for example, polished rice that emphasizes a specific origin or quality), the exposed metal frame gives consumers a strong impression of it being merely a "tool for logistics," making it difficult to adequately convey the added value of the product.

[0008] Secondly, there is a lack of promotional functionality. Conventional carts are solely intended for transport and temporary display, and therefore lack the design philosophy of providing extensive advertising space on the cart itself. Even if partial plates or other elements are attached to the side walls, the structural components of the cart are exposed, making it impossible to develop large-scale, continuous advertising designs that match the product image. As a result, it was not possible to visually appeal to the product's features from a distance or to create a unified worldview as part of the overall infrastructure of the sales floor, resulting in limited customer attraction.

[0009] Thirdly, there is the difficulty in achieving both installation efficiency and aesthetic appeal. When attempting to decorate conventional carts, store staff have to perform additional work after installation, such as covering them with cloth or propping up signs. However, this not only hinders the original purpose of improving logistics efficiency by integrating the fixtures, but also makes it difficult to securely fix advertising materials due to the uneven surface unique to carts, resulting in an unsightly appearance.

[0010] This invention has been made in view of the above points, and aims to provide a product display cart that maintains its function as a cart for logistics while effectively concealing the cart's distinctive appearance with an advertising display, thereby creating a complete sales area with high promotional functionality the moment it is installed in a store. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] To achieve the above objective, the product display trolley of the present invention is a product display trolley comprising a trolley body having a loading platform with casters at the bottom and a plurality of side wall sections erected from the side edges of the loading platform and comprising a frame assembled in a grid pattern, wherein the trolley body is disposed on the outer side of the side wall sections and has an advertising display panel that shields at least a part of the side wall sections, the advertising display panel is detachably fixed to the side wall sections and the trolley body is configured to be repurposed as a product display shelf.

[0012] Here, the product display cart has a body comprising a platform with casters on the bottom and multiple side walls that are erected from the side edges of the platform and consist of a lattice-like frame. First, by having casters on the bottom, even when loaded with heavy products, it is extremely easy to transport the cart from the back room to the sales floor and to rearrange its position within the sales floor. Furthermore, by constructing the side walls with a lattice-like frame, sufficient robustness against the load is ensured while the cart itself is lightweight, enabling both high practicality as logistics infrastructure and the ability to flexibly set up sales areas in stores.

[0013] Furthermore, by having advertising display panels positioned on the outer side of the side wall and shielding at least a portion of the side wall, the outer surface of the side wall, which is composed of a grid-like frame, can be covered with advertising display panels, effectively concealing the inorganic appearance characteristic of logistics equipment. This allows for easy conversion into an independent product display fixture that does not detract from the store's atmosphere while maintaining its function as a trolley. In addition, since the wide surface area of ​​the frame can be used as advertising space, it enhances the appeal of the product brand and exhibits excellent promotional effects that improve consumer visibility and purchasing intent.

[0014] Furthermore, the advertising display panels are detachably fixed to the side walls, and the trolley itself is configured to be repurposed as a product display shelf. By making the advertising display panels detachable, the panels can be removed during the logistics process to maintain the same loading and transport efficiency as conventional trolleys, and the trolley can be quickly converted into a display fixture upon arrival at the store. In addition, the appearance can be flexibly changed according to the installation location and promotional content without the need for special tools, enabling mobile and low-cost store setup utilizing existing logistics infrastructure.

[0015] Furthermore, the advertising display panel includes a pair of side display panels arranged on two opposing side walls and a rear display panel arranged on the rear side wall located between the two side walls. When the side display panels and rear display panel are configured to continuously shield three sides of the trolley body, the pair of side display panels and rear display panel continuously shield three sides of the trolley body, thus creating a wide advertising surface with few blind spots that aligns with customer traffic. Moreover, because three sides are covered with a unified design, the inorganic structure unique to the cage trolley is concealed from any angle, creating a high-class and substantial sales area that resembles a standalone permanent fixture within the store. This results in a highly effective presentation that maximizes the brand value of the product.

[0016] Furthermore, the advertising display panel may include an upper display panel that protrudes upward from the upper edge of the side wall. If the upper display panel is positioned higher than the upper edge of the side wall, the upper display panel protruding higher than the upper edge of the side wall can create a large display surface that exceeds the physical height of the trolley body. This dramatically improves visibility from a distance and makes it possible to visually completely eliminate the upper frame characteristic of cage trolleys. By emphasizing the vertical presence of the fixture, it is possible to create eye-catching special sales areas within stores.

[0017] Furthermore, if the advertising display panels are fixed to the side walls in a way that allows for attachment and detachment without the use of tools, via magnetic force, engagement means, or fixing members that clamp the frame, then even store staff without specialized tools or skills can reliably install the advertising display panels in a short time using simple means such as magnetism, engagement, or clamping. This not only allows for quick setup of the sales area immediately after delivery or transport, but also enables easy replacement of panels to match product changes or events. In addition, since the panels can be immediately separated for maintenance, inspection, or cleaning, the operational burden on the site can be greatly reduced. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] The product display cart according to this invention maintains its function as a cart for logistics while effectively concealing the cart's distinctive appearance with an advertising display, thereby enabling the creation of a complete sales area with high promotional functionality the moment it is installed in a store. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] This is an exploded perspective view showing a product display cart according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing an embodiment further comprising an upper display panel. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing the product display cart of the present invention in use with products loaded onto it. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0020] Hereinafter, the cart for product display according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings to facilitate understanding of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cart for product display according to this embodiment uses the basic structure of a so-called "cage cart" used for transportation at a logistics site or in a warehouse, and by imparting a specific advertising display function thereto, it is configured to be directly convertible into a product display shelf (furniture) in a store.

[0021] Specifically, the cart 1 for product display of this embodiment mainly includes a cart body 2 serving as a base for movement and support, and an advertising display panel 3 (3a to 3d) disposed so as to cover the appearance of the cart body 2. The cart body 2 includes a flat loading platform 5 provided with a plurality of casters 4 at the bottom, and side wall portions 6 (6a to 6c) erected upward from the side edges (in this example, both left and right side surfaces and the back surface) of the loading platform 5. The side wall portion 6 is configured as a frame body formed by combining steel or resin pipes or bars in a lattice shape. This frame body functions to prevent the loaded items from falling off and also serves as a mounting base for supporting the advertising display panel 3 described later.

[0022] Furthermore, the cart body 2 of this embodiment is provided with a plurality of shelves 7 (7a to 7d) arranged at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction as a placement space for efficiently displaying products. Each shelf 7 is detachably or foldably attached to the frame body of the side wall portion 6, and together with the loading platform 5, forms a plurality of display surfaces. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, products P such as rice bags can be neatly stacked on each stage, and a large number of products can be effectively displayed within a limited installation area.

[0023] 1. Cart Body The trolley body 2 in this invention serves as a support base for the goods and functions as a frame for holding the advertising display panel 3, which will be described later. The trolley body 2 in this embodiment has the basic structure of a so-called cage trolley and is mainly composed of a loading platform 5 that forms the bottom and side wall portions 6 that are erected from the side edges of the loading platform 5.

[0024] The loading platform 5 is a flat plate-shaped member made of metal (e.g., steel) or synthetic resin, exhibiting a roughly rectangular shape in plan view. The upper surface of the loading platform 5 functions as a loading surface for products to be displayed. Multiple casters 4 are provided on the bottom (underside) of the loading platform 5 as means of movement. The casters 4 are arranged near the four corners of the loading platform 5, and at least some of them (e.g., on the front side) are equipped with swivel casters that can freely change the direction of travel and a stopper mechanism (not shown) for fixing the rotation of the wheels. This enables smooth transport of goods loaded on the platform and secure placement and fixing in a predetermined position within the store.

[0025] The side wall portion 6 is erected vertically upward from the side edge of the cargo bed 5. In this embodiment, the cargo bed 5 has three side wall portions 6 (side side wall portions 6a, 6b, and rear side wall portion 6c) arranged on a total of three sides: the left and right side edges and the rear edge, forming a roughly U-shaped planar configuration with the front side (the side facing the store staff and customers) open.

[0026] Each side wall section 6a to 6c is constructed from a frame made of metal pipes or rods arranged in a grid pattern. Specifically, side wall section 6 consists of an outer frame member defining its outer circumference and a plurality of vertical and horizontal bars arranged at predetermined intervals inside the outer frame member. These grid-like side wall sections 6 have sufficient rigidity to prevent the loaded goods from collapsing and also contribute to reducing the overall weight of the trolley.

[0027] Furthermore, the side wall section 6 plays an extremely important role in this invention. Specifically, each member arranged in a grid pattern functions as a support base for fixing the advertising display panel 3, which will be described later. The outer surface of the metal members constituting the side wall section 6 is used as a magnetic adsorption surface or as a mounting surface for locking fixing members such as engaging devices and clips. In particular, the grid pattern of the side wall section 6 makes it easy to fine-tune the height position and mounting angle of the advertising display panel 3, enabling flexible setup on site.

[0028] Furthermore, the trolley body 2 of this embodiment may have a configuration that allows it to be stored nested with other similar trolleys by folding the side walls 6a and 6b toward the rear side wall 6c when not in use or during transport, and flipping up the loading platform 5. This makes it possible to improve the efficiency of collecting empty trolleys to stores.

[0029] Here, the side wall portion 6 is not limited to a typical lattice structure (a structure consisting of vertical and horizontal bars), but can be included in the "lattice-structured frame" of this invention as long as it has gaps capable of supporting the advertising display panel described later, such as a mesh-like structure including diagonal bars, or a structure in which plate-like members with openings in some parts are combined.

[0030] 2. Ad display panel The advertising display panel 3 is attached to the outer surface of the side wall portion 6 (frame) of the trolley body 2 described above, and is a key component that transforms the inorganic appearance of the logistics equipment into a decorative appearance. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the advertising display panel 3 is composed of the following elements: side display panels 3a, 3b, rear display panel 3c, and upper display panel 3d.

[0031] The material of each panel is not particularly limited, as long as it has a smooth surface suitable for advertising and sufficient shape retention to be supported by the side walls 6. For example, lightweight and highly rigid plastic boards (such as foamed polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride boards, or corrugated plastic sheets), or thick cardboard with printed surfaces, metal plates, or synthetic resin sheets are preferably used. Graphic information such as product logos, descriptions, photographs, prices, or campaign information is displayed on the surface of the panels by printing or pasting.

[0032] <A form that shields the periphery of the side wall (first form)> In a first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 1, the advertising display panel 3 is arranged to shield the perimeter of the side wall portion 6 of the trolley body 2 from multiple angles. Specifically, it comprises a pair of side display panels 3a and 3b arranged on two opposing side wall portions (left side and right side), and a rear display panel 3c arranged on the frame of the rear side wall portion 6 located between these two sides.

[0033] By arranging these three panels (side, back, and side) to continuously surround the three sides of the trolley body 2, the exposure of the lattice-like frame is minimized, completely eliminating the visual impression characteristic of cage trolleys. At this time, by butting adjacent panels together without gaps at the boundary lines (corners) of each panel, or by overlapping the end of one panel with the end of another panel, it is possible to create a sense of solidity, like a box-shaped fixture where the three sides are integrated.

[0034] <Version with upper advertising display panel installed (Second form)> Furthermore, as a second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 2, in addition to the three-panel configuration described above, an upper display panel 3d is installed so as to protrude above the rear display panel 3c.

[0035] The upper display panel 3d is fixed so as to protrude further upward from the upper edge of the frame of the rear side wall 6c. By positioning this upper display panel 3d in a predetermined location on the uppermost shelf 7d, a large display surface is formed that exceeds the original size (total height) of the trolley body 2. This makes the height of the advertising surface when viewed from the rear higher than the physical height of the side wall 6.

[0036] The visual effect of this configuration is extremely significant. The vertical extension of the upper display panel 3D makes it easy to identify the special corner within the store even from a distance (ensuring high visibility). Furthermore, when a cart is normally repurposed as a display shelf, the exposed pipe frame at the top leaves a "cart-like" appearance. However, with this configuration, the upper display panel 3D visually obscures and eliminates the frame, giving consumers the visual illusion that it is a large, permanent fixture specifically designed for the store.

[0037] <Other forms depending on the installation environment> The advertising display panel in this invention does not necessarily need to always shield all three sides; its installation configuration can be appropriately selected according to the arrangement (layout) of the product display carts within the store.

[0038] For example, when the trolley body 2 is placed along the wall of the store, or when two trolleys are placed back to back, the rear display panel 3c may be omitted, and only the opposing pair of side display panels 3a and 3b may be installed. This allows for effective decoration of only the sides visible from the aisle, while reducing the cost of panel components and installation time.

[0039] Furthermore, when placing the trolley in a corner, it is also possible to install only the rear display panel 3c and one side display panel 3a (3b) facing the aisle, in an L-shape configuration. Additionally, if specific promotional information needs to be emphasized from the front, it is possible to install only the rear display panel 3c and the top display panel 3d, and intentionally expose the grid-like frame on the sides, prioritizing ease of loading and unloading products (ventilation and visibility).

[0040] Thus, the advertising display panel 3 of this invention utilizes the existing support base of the side wall portion 6 of the trolley body 2, enabling extremely flexible operation by shielding only the necessary surfaces as needed. This flexibility is a major advantage of this repurposed logistics trolley-type fixture that fixed fixtures do not have.

[0041] Furthermore, the shapes of the side display panels 3a, 3b and the rear display panel 3c are not limited to the same rectangular shape as the side wall 6. For example, the design can be further enhanced by cutting the edges of the panels in a curved shape or by having a part of it protrude outside the frame. In addition, providing a transparent window in part of the panel or providing an opening for attaching fixture components such as hooks for hanging products to the side wall 6 through the panel is also within the scope of this embodiment.

[0042] 3.Fixed structure The fixing structure in this invention is designed to quickly and easily attach and detach the aforementioned advertising display panel 3 to the frame 21 of the trolley body 2 without the use of special tools. The main focus of this fixing structure is to allow store staff to intuitively set up and take down the panel on the spot immediately after transport from the logistics site to the store, or in accordance with changes in the content of events at the sales floor. Specific fixing methods include magnetic force, engagement, or clamping, and these can be used individually or in combination.

[0043] <Magnetic fastening> As shown in Figure 1, when the frame of the side wall 6 is made of a ferromagnetic material such as steel, the advertising display panel 3 is fixed by providing a magnetic member 8 such as a permanent magnet or rubber magnet on the back surface (the surface facing the frame). The magnetic member may be directly adhered to the back surface of the panel, or it may be configured as a magnetic clip or magnetic holder to press the panel down from above the frame. Fixing by magnetic force has the advantage of allowing for extremely easy position adjustment and quick correction of minute misalignments and leveling of the panel, as the panel can be attracted to any position on the grid-like frame 21.

[0044] <Securing by engagement means> Engagement methods include the use of hook-shaped members or hook-and-loop fasteners. For example, a hook member is provided on the upper back of the advertising display panel 3 to hook onto the horizontal bars (horizontal pipes) of the frame of the side wall 6. This allows for stable hanging and fixing using the panel's own weight. Alternatively, a cable tie-type engagement device can be used to wrap around and secure the vertical and horizontal bars of the frame, or the panel can be fixed by connecting hook-and-loop fasteners provided on both the panel and the frame. These are extremely effective in preventing the panel from falling off due to vibration or impact.

[0045] <Clamping with fixing members> The clamping mechanism is used to secure the components (pipes and rods) of the lattice-like side wall section 6 using elastically deformable fixing members such as clips and catchers. For example, a resin clip with a U-shaped cross-section and an opening slightly narrower than the diameter of the pipe is provided on the back of the panel. By pressing this clip against the ribs of the frame of the back wall section 6, the panel can be secured with a single touch. In this case, the clip firmly grips the frame, so even in configurations that protrude upward from the frame, such as the upper display panel 3d, tilting due to wind or contact can be prevented, and strong support can be achieved.

[0046] None of the above fixing structures require any tools such as screwdrivers or wrenches. This allows delivery staff and store staff to quickly "convert" the cart into a display fixture only when needed, without compromising the cart's original loading and unloading function. Furthermore, since the panels can be immediately separated when not in use, the workload is minimized when folding the cart for nesting storage or when replacing the panels to display different products.

[0047] 4. Implementation of product display Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the actual display of goods P using the product display cart according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, goods P (for example, bags of rice) are stacked in multiple layers on the shelves 7 (7a to 7d) installed in the internal space formed by the loading platform 5 and side walls 6 of the cart body 2.

[0048] In this configuration, the side display panels 3a, 3b and the rear display panel 3c are positioned to surround the product from three sides, effectively shielding the grid-like frame from the customer's line of sight. This eliminates the impression of it being an impersonal piece of logistics equipment, creating a decorative display space that matches the brand image of product P.

[0049] Furthermore, the upper display panel 3d protrudes significantly above the displayed product P, allowing for a powerful appeal to a distance regarding the product P's features, brand name, and even its image character. Thus, the product display trolley 1 of this invention can seamlessly transition from the logistics process to in-store display while still loaded with products, and can create a special sales area with a high promotional effect in a very short time after arriving at the site.

[0050] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various design modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in the embodiments described above, a trolley with three side walls was exemplified, but the advertising display panel may also be applied to a trolley with only two side walls, or to a trolley with side walls (including door bodies) on all four sides. Furthermore, the number of divisions and mounting positions of the advertising display panel can be appropriately changed according to the layout of the sales area where it is installed and the purpose of sales promotion. In addition, the fixing structure to the frame can be appropriately combined with magnets, hooks, clips, etc., and the forms exemplified in this specification are merely examples. Thus, all modifications that can be normally made by a person skilled in the art are included within the scope of the rights of the present invention.

[0051] In summary, the product display cart according to this invention maintains its function as a cart for logistics while effectively concealing the cart's distinctive appearance with an advertising display, thereby enabling the creation of a complete sales area with high promotional functionality the moment it is installed in a store. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0052] 1 Product display trolley 2. Bogie body 3. Ad display panel 3a, 3b Side display panels 3c Rear display panel 3D top display panel 4 casters 5. Cargo bed 6. Side wall section 6a, 6b Side wall section 6c Rear side wall 7, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d shelves 8 Magnetic material P product

Claims

1. A trolley for displaying goods, comprising a trolley body having a platform with casters at the bottom, and a plurality of side wall sections erected from the side edges of the platform and comprising a frame assembled in a grid pattern, The side wall portion has an advertising display panel disposed on the outer surface side of the side wall portion, which shields at least a part of the side wall portion. The advertising display panel is detachably fixed to the side wall, and the trolley body is configured to be repurposed as a product display shelf. Trolley for product display.

2. The aforementioned advertising display panel is The plurality of side wall sections includes a pair of side display panels disposed on two opposing side wall sections and a rear display panel disposed on the rear side wall section located between the two side wall sections. The side display panel and the rear display panel are configured to continuously shield three sides of the bogie body. A trolley for displaying goods as described in claim 1.

3. The advertising display panel further includes an upper display panel that protrudes upward from the upper edge of the side wall, and the upper display panel is configured to be higher than the upper end position of the side wall. A trolley for displaying goods according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The advertising display panel is fixed to the side wall portion in a manner that allows for attachment and detachment without the use of tools, via magnetic force, engaging means, or fixing members that clamp the side wall portion. A trolley for displaying goods according to claim 1 or claim 2.

Images