Pressing device for exerting a compressive force against merchandise in a merchandise display device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pressing devices for goods display systems are either complex or costly to produce, and they may not efficiently manage gaps created when items are removed from a shelf, as they rely on dead weight or solid materials for compressive force.

Innovation Solution

A pressing device with a base body featuring a passage for pourable or flowable material, such as sand or liquid, which generates a defined weight force, and a contact surface designed for movement along an inclined shelf to exert compressive force effectively while being cost-effective and simple to manufacture using extrusion processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a pressing device uses a solid mass body (e.g., concrete block) to generate compressive force, then the compressive force is stable and reliable, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressive force stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing device uses a hollow body structure instead of a solid mass body. The hollow body is filled with pourable or flowable material (such as sand, water, or granular material) to generate the required compressive force. This approach reduces manufacturing cost and complexity while maintaining the stability and reliability of the compressive force, as the fill material provides consistent weight without requiring complex solid casting processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes hydraulic or pneumatic principles by employing pourable or flowable materials (liquids or granular materials) within the hollow body to generate compressive force. The fluid or granular material can be easily poured into the hollow body during assembly, simplifying manufacturing while providing stable weight-based compression through gravitational force acting on the fluid/granular material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Device complexity

If a pressing device uses dead weight of a running body to generate pushing force, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision and control over compressive force decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanism simplicityVSAvoidcompressive force definition
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention allows for precise control of compressive force by changing the parameters of the fill material (such as density, volume, or type of material). By selecting different pourable or flowable materials and adjusting their quantity, the compressive force can be precisely defined and controlled. The hollow body structure enables easy adjustment of material volume, providing manufacturing precision without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Force

If the pressing device is placed on an inclined shelf surface, then the compressive force is automatically generated through gravity, but the device may tilt or become unstable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressive force generationVSAvoiddevice stability on inclined surface
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The hollow body is designed with a curved or rounded bottom surface that can adapt to the inclined shelf surface. This curvature allows the pressing device to maintain stable contact with the inclined surface, preventing tilting while still allowing gravitational force to generate the required compressive force against the goods. The rounded geometry distributes contact pressure evenly and prevents the device from toppling on the incline.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution allows for a technically simple and cost-effective production of a pressing device that efficiently closes gaps in a goods display system by using readily available and inexpensive materials, ensuring stable and effective compressive force application.

Implementation Method 1

A defined weight force is generated by the mass body in order to generate a pressure force acting on the goods when the pressing device is placed on an inclined surface of a shelf

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

the shelf is to be arranged in an inclined position, for example by the front end of the shelf with the goods stopper provided there being lower than the rear end with the pressing device provided there

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3957215A1Pressing device for exerting a compressive force against merchandise in a merchandise display device
Publication Date: 2022.02.23 NILSSON RICKARD
  • EP3957215A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3957215A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3957215A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a pressing device (1) for exerting a pressing force (F) against goods (400) of a merchandise display device. The pressing device (1) comprises a pressing surface (2) for transmitting the pressing force (F) to the goods (400). The pressing device (1) further comprises a mass body (M) which has a predetermined mass in order to exert a defined weight force by which the pressing force (F) is effected. In addition, the pressing device (1) comprises a contact surface (3) for placing on an inclined surface (40) supporting the goods (400). It is provided that the mass body (M) has a base body (4) which includes a passage (5) having a central axis (6), wherein a predetermined quantity of a pourable and/or flowable material (7) is received in the passage (5) in order to generate the defined weight force.