Mounting aid for product samples in vending machines
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TSUCHIYA IND
- Filing Date
- 2022-04-18
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-26
AI Technical Summary
Sheet-like product samples made of synthetic resin cannot be directly attached to the semi-circular product sample mounting holes in vending machine display shelves due to their planar shape, leading to difficulties in attachment and detachment, which increases labor and time during replacement.
An elastic mounting aid made of synthetic resin with a product sample holding part and a product sample mounting hole hooking part, featuring parallel holding plates with engaging pieces, an elastic piece, and latching plates that fit into the mounting hole, allowing smooth attachment and detachment of sheet-like samples.
Enables efficient and labor-saving attachment and detachment of sheet-like product samples to vending machine shelves, reducing labor and time required for replacement, while allowing multiple aids to be stacked for convenient transportation and storage.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to an attachment auxiliary tool made of an elastic synthetic resin for attaching a sheet-like product sample made of synthetic resin to a product sample mounting hole formed in a product sample display shelf of a vending machine.
Background Art
[0002] As a product sample made of synthetic resin used in a vending machine, a planar sheet-like one is more preferable than a conventional three-dimensional one in terms of manufacturing cost and the like. Such a sheet-like product sample is obtained by printing the external appearance of a product on a square synthetic resin sheet.
[0003] In addition, FIG. 12 shows a part of a product sample display shelf of a vending machine. In the product sample display shelf 100, product sample mounting holes 101 are formed at predetermined intervals. Further, the product sample mounting holes 101 have a substantially semi-circular planar shape, and small cutouts 101a, 101a are provided at the left and right opposing positions of the arc-shaped portion, respectively.
[0004] As described above, even if a sheet-like product sample is preferable in terms of manufacturing cost and the like, since the sheet-like product sample is planar, it cannot be directly attached to the product sample mounting hole 101 having the shape as described above.
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0005] Therefore, the present invention enables a planar sheet-like product sample to be attached to the product sample mounting hole having the above-described shape formed in a product sample display shelf of a vending machine, and also enables smooth attachment and detachment, so that the work labor and time can be reduced during replacement of the sheet-like product sample or the like. The present invention aims to provide an attachment auxiliary tool for a product sample.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] The gist of the present invention is an elastic mounting aid made of synthetic resin for attaching a sheet-like product sample made of synthetic resin to a product sample mounting hole formed in a product sample display shelf of an automatic vending machine, comprising a product sample holding part for holding the sheet-like product sample and a product sample mounting hole hooking part for attaching to the product sample mounting hole, wherein the product sample holding part comprises a pair of parallel holding plates on the front, each having an inward-facing sheet-like product sample engaging piece formed on the front surface to engage with the left and right vertical edges of the sheet-like product sample which is curved backward, a connecting piece connecting the upper ends of these holding plates, an inverted U-shaped elastic piece on the front surface connecting the lower ends of the pair of holding plates, and semicircular finger grips formed on the upper part of the elastic piece on each of the pair of holding plates, and the product sample mounting hole hooking part This mounting aid for vending machines consists of an upper fastening plate, which is provided perpendicular to the lower ends of each of the left and right retaining plates and has a slightly larger area than the lower fastening plate described below, and a lower fastening plate, which is provided on the lower surface of the upper fastening plate, has an L-shaped cross-section and a planar shape that matches the contour shape of the product sample mounting hole, and the bottom of the groove formed between it and the upper fastening plate is made to match the contour shape of the product sample mounting hole, and a small engaging projection is provided on a part of the bottom of the groove, and the mounting aid is configured such that the inner edge of the product sample mounting hole at the opposite position is sandwiched between the upper fastening plate and the lower fastening plate, and furthermore, the outer edge of the lower fastening plate is cut off so as not to catch on the inner edge of the product sample mounting hole when the lower side of the product sample retaining part is brought inward and inserted into the product sample mounting hole.
[0007] Furthermore, in the above configuration, ribs may be formed on the back surfaces of each of the left and right retaining plates in the product sample holding section, at a position inward from the tip of the sheet-like product sample engaging piece, along the vertical direction, and at a height lower than the sheet-like product sample engaging piece. [Effects of the Invention]
[0008] The present invention has the above configuration, comprising a product sample holder for holding a sheet-like product sample and a product sample mounting hole latch for attaching to a product sample mounting hole. The product sample mounting hole latch is attached to a product sample mounting hole formed in the product sample display shelf of a vending machine, thereby holding the sheet-like product sample in an upright position with the product sample holder. Therefore, a sheet-like product sample can be opened and attached in an upright position to a product sample mounting hole formed in the product sample display shelf of a vending machine.
[0009] Furthermore, when attaching the product sample holder, which holds a sheet-like product sample, to the product sample mounting hole using the product sample mounting hole latch, the pair of parallel holding plates on the left and right of the product sample holder are brought inward. In this state, the lower latch of the product sample mounting hole latch is inserted through the product sample mounting hole. Then, when the pressure on the pair of holding plates is released, they are pushed apart by the action of the elastic piece, and their spacing returns to its original state. The edge of the product sample mounting hole then fits into the groove formed between the upper and lower latch. This completes the attachment. At this time, each of the small engaging protrusions provided on a part of the bottom of the groove fits into the small notches provided in the product sample mounting hole, so that the product sample holder can be positioned so that the sheet-like product sample it holds always faces forward. In addition, when bringing the pair of retaining plates inward, the thumb and index finger can be placed on the finger rests formed on each plate, and the plates can be brought together by pinching them from the inside. Therefore, if the pair of retaining plates are pressed from the outside, the fingers will come into contact with the sheet-like product samples already attached to the product sample mounting holes on both the left and right sides, but this can be avoided and the plates can be attached smoothly. Furthermore, this also allows the width of the product sample holding section to be made as wide as possible.
[0010] When holding a sheet-like product sample in the product sample holder, the sheet-like product sample is bent backward by pushing both left and right ends toward the back, and in this state, the left and right vertical edges are engaged with the sheet-like product sample engaging pieces formed on each of the pair of holding plates in the product sample holder.
[0011] Furthermore, the outer edge of the lower latching plate is cut in such a way that it is less likely to catch on the inner edge of the product sample mounting hole when inserting the lower part of the product sample holder into the product sample mounting hole by bringing it inward. This allows for smooth attachment and detachment, thereby reducing the labor and time required when changing sheet-type product samples.
[0012] Furthermore, if ribs are formed along the vertical direction at a position inward from the tip of the sheet-like product sample engaging piece on the back of each of the left and right holding plates in the product sample holding section, and are lower in height than the sheet-like product sample engaging piece, then multiple mounting aids according to the present invention can be stacked without shifting, making them convenient for transportation and storage. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0013] [Figure 1] This is a front view of a mounting aid according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a rear view of the same object. [Figure 3] This is a right side view of the same object. [Figure 4] The same plane diagram. [Figure 5] The same base view. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram of the usage method, and is a front view showing the state before and after installation in the product sample mounting hole. [Figure 7] This is a bottom view of the state shown in Figure 6. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram of the usage method, and is a front view showing the product sample holding section with the pair of left and right holding plates moved inward. [Figure 9] This is a bottom view of the state shown in Figure 8. [Figure 10]It is a view seen from the side in a state where a plurality of mounting aids according to embodiments of the present invention are stacked for transportation or storage. [Figure 11] It is an end view of a cut portion along line A - A in FIG. 10. [Figure 12] It is a plan view of a part of a product sample display shelf of a vending machine.
Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention
[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0015] In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a mounting aid made of an elastic synthetic resin, which is for attaching a sheet - like product sample made of synthetic resin to a product sample mounting hole 101 formed in a product sample display shelf 100 of a vending machine.
[0016] The mounting aid 1 further includes a product sample holding portion for holding the sheet - like product sample and a product sample mounting hole latching portion for attaching to the product sample mounting hole.
[0017] Reference numeral 2 denotes the product sample holding portion, which is formed with a pair of left - and - right parallel holding plates 4, 4 having sheet - like product sample engaging portions 3, 3 with an inward cross - section for engaging the left and right vertical side portions of a sheet - like product sample S curved with a warp toward the back side on the front surface, a connecting piece 5 connecting the upper ends of these holding plates 4, 4, a front - side reverse U - shaped elastic piece 6 connecting the lower ends of the pair of left - and - right holding plates 4, 4, and semi - circular finger - hanging pieces 4A, 4A formed on the upper part of the elastic piece 6 of each of the pair of left - and - right holding plates 4, 4.
[0018] 7 is the product sample mounting hole latching portion, which is provided at the lower end of each of the pair of left and right holding plates 4, 4 at a right angle thereto. It includes upper latching plates 8, 8 that are slightly larger in area than the lower latching plate described later, and lower latching plates 10, 10 provided on the lower surface of the upper latching plates 8, 8. The lower latching plates 10, 10 are L-shaped in cross-section and have a planar shape that conforms to the contour shape of the product sample mounting hole 101. The bottom of the groove G formed between the upper latching plates 8, 8 coincides with the contour shape of the product sample mounting hole 101, and engaging small protrusions 9, 9 are provided on a part of the bottom of the groove G. The upper latching plates 8, 8 and the lower latching plates 10, 10 are configured to sandwich the inner edge of the opposing position of the product sample mounting hole 101.
[0019] Also, the outer peripheral edges 10', 10' of the lower latching plates 10, 10 are cut so that they are less likely to be caught by the inner edge of the product sample mounting hole 101 when the lower side of the product sample holding portion 2 is moved inward and inserted into the product sample mounting hole 101.
[0020] Furthermore, ribs 11, 11 having a height lower than that of the sheet-like product sample engaging pieces 3, 3 are formed along the vertical direction at positions inside the tips 3', 3' of the sheet-like product sample engaging pieces 3, 3 on the back surface of each of the pair of left and right holding plates 4, 4 in the product sample holding portion 2.
[0021] Next, the usage method of the mounting auxiliary tool 1 according to the above embodiment will be described.
[0022] First, the product sample mounting hole latching part 7, which is located at the bottom of the product sample holding part 2, is attached to the product sample mounting hole 101. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the pair of parallel holding plates 4, 4 on the left and right of the product sample holding part 2 are brought inward by placing the thumb and index finger on the respective finger hooks 4A, 4A. In this state, the lower latching plates 10, 10 of the product sample mounting hole latching part 7 are inserted and passed through the product sample mounting hole 101. Then, when the pressure on the pair of holding plates 4, 4 by the finger hooks 4A, 4A is released, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the elastic piece 6 pushes them apart, returning the gap between them to its original position, and the edge of the product sample mounting hole 101 fits into the groove G formed between the upper latching plates 8, 8 and the lower latching plates 10, 10. This completes the attachment. Furthermore, at this time, the small engaging protrusions 9, 9 provided on a part of the bottom of the groove G fit into the small notches 101a, 101a provided in the product sample mounting hole 101, so that the product sample holder 2 can be positioned so that the sheet-like product sample S held by it always faces forward. In addition, when bringing the pair of left and right holding plates 4, 4 inward, the thumb and index finger can be placed on the finger hooks 4A, 4A formed on each of them, and they can be brought together by pinching them from the inside. Therefore, if the pair of holding plates 4, 4 are pressed from the outside, the fingers will come into contact with the sheet-like product samples S already attached to the product sample mounting holes 101, 101 on both the left and right sides, but this can be avoided and the plates can be attached smoothly. Moreover, this also allows the width of the product sample holder 2 to be made as wide as possible.
[0023] Next, as shown in Figure 4, the sheet-like product sample S is bent backward by pushing both its left and right ends toward the back, and in this state, the left and right vertical edges are engaged with the sheet-like product sample engaging pieces 3, 3 formed on the left and right pair of holding plates 4, 4 in the product sample holding section 2. When removing the sheet-like product sample S, the upper end of the sheet-like product sample S is grasped and pulled upward, and then removed by following the reverse procedure described above.
[0024] As this embodiment has the above configuration, a flat, sheet-like product sample S can be attached to the product sample mounting hole 101 formed in the product sample display shelf 100 of the vending machine. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, the outer edges 10', 10' of the lower fastening plates 10, 10 are cut in such a way that they do not easily catch on the inner edge of the product sample mounting hole 101 when the lower side of the product sample holding part 2 is brought inward and inserted into the product sample mounting hole 101. This allows for smooth attachment and detachment, thereby reducing the labor and time required when changing sheet-like product samples.
[0025] Furthermore, on the back surfaces of the left and right pair of holding plates 4, 4 in the product sample holding section 2, ribs 11, 11 are formed along the vertical direction at a position inward from the tips 3', 3' of the sheet-like product sample engaging pieces 3, 3, and are lower in height than the sheet-like product sample engaging pieces 3, 3. As a result, multiple mounting aids 1 according to this embodiment can be stacked without shifting, making them convenient for transportation and storage. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0026] 1. Mounting aid 2 Product sample holding section 3.3 Sheet-type product sample engagement piece 4, 4 Left and right pair of retaining plates 4A, 4A finger rest 5 Connecting piece 6. Front inverted U-shaped elastic piece 7 Product sample attachment hole hook part 8, 8 Upper hanging plate 9, 9 Small engagement protrusion 10, 10 Lower hanging plate 10′, 10′ Outer edge of the lower latching plate 11, 11 Ribs S Sheet-type product sample 101 Product sample mounting holes 101a, 101a Small notch
Claims
1. An elastic mounting aid made of synthetic resin for attaching a sheet-like product sample made of synthetic resin to a product sample mounting hole formed in the product sample display shelf of a vending machine, It consists of a product sample holding part for holding the aforementioned sheet-like product sample, and a product sample mounting hole hooking part that is attached to the product sample mounting hole, The product sample holder comprises a pair of parallel holder plates, each having a sheet-like product sample engaging piece formed on its front surface to engage with the left and right vertical edges of a sheet-like product sample; a connecting piece connecting the upper ends of these holder plates; and an inverted U-shaped elastic piece connecting the lower ends of the pair of holder plates. The aforementioned product sample mounting hole latching portion is provided perpendicular to the lower ends of each of the left and right retaining plates, and consists of an upper latching plate which is slightly larger in area than the lower latching plate described later, and a lower latching plate which is provided on the lower surface of the upper latching plate, has an L-shaped cross-section and a planar shape which matches the contour shape of the product sample mounting hole, and the bottom of the groove formed between it and the upper latching plate matches the contour shape of the product sample mounting hole, and is configured to sandwich the inner edge of the product sample mounting hole at the opposing position between the upper latching plate and the lower latching plate, and is an attachment aid. Furthermore, the mounting aid for product samples in vending machines is characterized in that the outer edge of the lower latching plate is cut in such a way that it is less likely to catch on the inner edge of the product sample mounting hole when the lower side of the product sample holding part is brought inward by the elastic piece and inserted into the product sample mounting hole.
2. The product sample mounting aid for a vending machine according to claim 1, wherein a rib is formed on the back of each of the left and right holding plates in the product sample holding section, at a position inward from the tip of the sheet-like product sample engaging piece, along the vertical direction, and at a height lower than the sheet-like product sample engaging piece.