Sales or test display with light guide

A sales or test display, comprising, in the assembled state, a lower level (14) for receiving products, a lighting system (16), and an upper level on which the lighting system is fastened, the lighting system comprising:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a sales or test display, assembled or in a kit, comprising, in the assembled state, a lower level intended to receive products, a lighting system suitable for illuminating the products from above, and an upper level on which the lighting system is fastened. Such displays make it possible to show products to be sold or tested.

Description of Related Art

One lighting system that is currently commonly used comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes (or LEDs), successive in a row, each of the diodes being suitable for emitting an intense white light, primarily in a solid angle forming a cone.

This type of lighting system is suitable for illuminating the products well, from the perspective of the light intensity arriving on the products. However, the illuminated zone has spots or light halos that are clearly identifiable by a user, created by each of the diodes. These spots or halos are detrimental to the esthetics of the display serving the products.

One aim of the invention is therefore to provide a display of the type described above, having technical characteristics making it possible to improve the presentation of the products.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To that end, the invention relates to a sales or test display, assembled or in a kit, comprising, in the assembled state, a lower level intended to receive products, a lighting system suitable for illuminating the products from above, and an upper level on which the lighting system is fastened, the lighting system comprising:at least one base,at least one printed circuit board fastened on the base and including at least one light-emitting diode suitable for emitting a light, anda guide made from a translucent material extending from the base along a line, the guide being located opposite the light-emitting diode along the line to collect and conduct said light,

the guide comprising:an upper surface suitable for downwardly reflecting at least part of the light located inside the guide and forming a reflected light, anda lower surface (58) suitable for allowing at least part of the reflected light to pass and forming a diffused light, the guide being configured to form an illuminated zone on the lower level.

According to specific embodiments, the display includes one or more of the following features, considered alone or according to any technically possible combination(s):the guide is configured so that the illuminated zone is free of a plurality of spots and a plurality of halos separate from one another to the naked eye;the guide comprises polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate or glass;the upper surface defines protuberances or grooves forming a plurality of flat diopters;the upper surface includes a white reflective paint or a white reflective serigraphy;the printed circuit is movable relative to the base between a disassembled position, in which the printed circuit board is separated from the base, and an assembled position, in which the printed circuit board is fastened on the base;the printed circuit board comprises a first plate on which the light-emitting diode is fastened, and the base comprises a second plate extending in a plane perpendicular to the line and parallel to the first plate in the assembled position, and a first pin and a second pin protruding from the first plate along the line and located on the other side of the second plate relative to the guide along the line, the first pin and the second pin being suitable for being received in the assembled position respectively in a first notch and a second notch defined by a peripheral edge of the first plate;the guide comprises a reflective surface located at an end opposite the base along the line, the reflective surface being suitable for reflecting at least part of said light located inside the guide and forming a second reflected light propagating in the opposite direction along the line relative to said light;the line is straight;in the assembled state, the lighting system comprises: a second printed circuit board having a second light-emitting diode, and a second base from which the guide extends along the line, the second printed circuit board being fastened on the second base, and the guide being located opposite the second light-emitting diode along the line;the lighting system comprises one or two light-emitting diodes located at the guide ends along the line,the base or the printed circuit board comprises studs suitable for positioning the base relative to the printed circuit board in the assembled state of the display,the printed circuit board comprises a heat sink,the guide has, perpendicular to the line, a generally circular section, with or without flat, or an elliptical, rectangular, square or trapezoidal section,the largest dimension of the section is inclusively between 2 mm and 16 mm, for example between 6 and 8 mm,the guide is further fastened on the second level by clips or clamping collars, for example made from metal or plastic,the guide is rigid,the guide is flexible, andthe line is curved or defines one or several angles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A display10according to the invention is described in reference toFIG. 1. In this figure, the display10is in the assembled state. The display10is intended to show a user (not shown) products12to be sold or tested.

In a variant that is not shown, the display10is in a kit, that is to say in the unassembled state, in detached parts advantageously packaged in wrappings (not shown).

In the example, the display10comprises a lower level14receiving the products12, a lighting system16suitable for illuminating the products from above, and an upper level18on which the lighting system is fastened.

According to variants that are not shown, the display10can comprises more than two levels. According to one of these variants, the upper level18also comprises products, illuminated from a third level located above the upper level18.

Within the meaning of the present invention, “upper” means that the upper level16is located above the lower level14when the display10is in a normal usage position.

The lower level14advantageously forms a shelf or a drawer intended to receive the products12.

The upper level18is advantageously similar to the first level14, except that it also serves as support for the lighting system16.

As visible inFIG. 2, the lighting system16is suitable for forming an illuminated zone20on the lower level14.

As visible inFIGS. 2 to 4, the lighting system16comprises a printed circuit board22, a base24, and a guide26made from translucent material extending from the base along a line L.

In the example, the line L is straight and advantageously horizontal in the normal usage position of the display10.

The printed circuit board22is fastened on the base24. The printed circuit board22comprises a first plate28serving as support, a light-emitting diode30fastened on the first plate, and a connector32.

Advantageously, the printed circuit board22also comprises a heat sink33.

The first plate28for example includes two orifices34making it possible to fasten the printed circuit board22on the base24using two screws, two rivets or two clips (not shown).

The first plate28advantageously includes a peripheral edge36defining a first notch38, for example located on a large side40of the first plate, and a second notch42, for example located on a small side44.

The light-emitting diode30is for example of the surface-mounted component (SMC) type.

The printed circuit22is advantageously movable relative to the base24between a disassembled position (shown inFIG. 6), in which the printed circuit board is separated from the base, and an assembled position (shown inFIGS. 3 and 4), in which the printed circuit board is fastened on the base.

The base24for example includes a second plate46extending in a plane P perpendicular to the line L and parallel to the first plate28in the assembled position. The base24advantageously comprises a first pin48and a second pin50protruding from the second plate along the line L and located on the other side of the plate relative to the guide26along the line L, the first pin and the second pin being suitable for being received in the assembled position respectively in the first notch38and the second notch42.

The base24is for example made from the same material as the guide26. The base24is advantageously integral with the guide26.

The base24advantageously includes a plurality of studs54on which the printed circuit board22is placed in the assembled position to ensure a predetermined placement of the base relative to the printed circuit board in the assembled position.

According to a variant that is not shown, the studs54are formed by the printed circuit board22and cooperate with the base24.

The second plate46for example includes two orifices56that are aligned with the orifices34of the first plate28in the assembled position, so as to allow the fastening of the printed circuit board22on the base24.

In the assembled position, the guide26is located opposite the light-emitting diode30along the line L to collect and conduct a light L1emitted by the light-emitting diode.

The guide26is configured to form the illuminated zone20on the lower level14from the light L1.

The guide26is configured so that the illuminated zone20is free of a plurality of spots and a plurality of halos separate from one another to the naked eye. Such spots or halos would form if the lower level14was illuminated directly by a plurality of light-emitting diodes.

The guide26comprises one or several optical-grade materials, advantageously allowing a light transmission, as determined according to standard ISO 13468-2 of 2006, greater than or equal to 80%, preferably greater than or equal to 90%. The light transmission permitted by the guide26is advantageously at least equal to that of the window glass.

For example, the guide26comprises polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate or glass. According to one particular embodiment, the guide26is made up of one of these materials, the base24for example forming an endpiece integral with the guide.

In the example, the guide26is rigid.

As visible inFIG. 4, the guide26comprises, in the normal usage position, an upper surface56suitable for downwardly reflecting at least part of the light L1located inside the guide and forming a reflected light L2. The guide26comprises a lower surface58suitable for allowing at least part of the reflected light L2to pass and forming a diffused light L3in turn forming the illuminated zone20.

Advantageously, the guide26comprises a reflective surface60(FIG. 3) located at an end opposite the base24along the line L, the reflective surface60being suitable for reflecting at least part of the light L1located inside the guide and forming a second reflected light L4propagating in the opposite direction along the line L.

For example, the guide26has, perpendicular to the line L, a generally circular section62, forming a flat64(FIG. 4andFIG. 10on the right).

The guide26is advantageously secured with the upper level18owing to one or several clips65(FIG. 1) or clamping collars, for example made from metal or plastic.

The largest dimension D of the section62is for example inclusively between 2 mm and 16 mm, preferably between 6 mm and 8 mm.

According to one particular embodiment, the upper surface56defines protuberances66(FIG. 4) or grooves forming a plurality of flat diopters68respectively having a plurality of inclines α relative to the line L, the inclines advantageously varying relative to one another along the line L. This makes it possible to adjust the quantity of reflected light L2and diffused light L3along the line L.

According to one particular embodiment, the upper surface56bears a white reflective paint or a white reflective serigraphy.

The protuberances66or the grooves are for example oriented perpendicular to the line L.

The illuminated zone20is advantageously homogeneous. In the illuminated zone20, an intensely illuminated oblong central part70is shown, surrounded by a first peripheral part72that is slightly less illuminated, and a second peripheral part74that is even less illuminated. The central part70is the only spot of the illuminated zone20. To the naked eye, an observer does not detect other spots. This observer also does not detect a plurality of halos. The illuminated zone20does not result from light projection cones created by a plurality of diodes, but a continuous diffusion of light along the line L by the guide26.

To assemble the display10, the lower level14and the upper level18are assembled (FIG. 1) in a manner known in itself.

Then, the printed circuit board22is taken from the disassembled position (FIG. 6) to the assembled position (FIGS. 3 and 4). The first pin48is engaged in the first notch38(FIG. 4) and the second pin50enters the second notch42. The first plate28comes into contact with the studs54. Advantageously, the studs54very precisely fix the relative position of the base24with respect to the printed circuit board22, and in particular relative to the light-emitting diode30, so that the guide26is perfectly opposite the latter.

Next, the printed circuit board22is fastened on the base24, for example owing to push rivets engaged in the orifices34of the first plate28and in the orifices56of the second plate46.

The fastening of the illumination system16is for example finalized by fastening the guide26on the upper level18using clips65.

The operation of the display10results from its structure and will now be briefly described.

The display10is in the assembled state. The products12are optionally placed on the lower level14and are illuminated from above by the lighting system16.

Other products are optionally placed on the upper level18. These products are for example illuminated by another level, not shown, or by the ambient light.

During operation, the light-emitting diode30emits the light L1(FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 6), which enters the guide26.

The light L1propagates in the guide26. The upper surface56downwardly reflects at least part of the light L1and forms the reflected light L2(FIG. 4).

The lower surface58allows at least part of the reflected light L2to pass and forms the diffused light L3.

By falling on the lower level14or on the products12, the diffused light L3forms the illuminated zone20.

The optional reflective surface60returns, in the opposite direction along the line L, the light L1that has not left the guide26, and forms the second reflected light L4. The second reflected light L4is also reflected by the upper surface56and diffused by the lower surface58.

Owing to the above features, the display10creates a more pleasant illuminated zone for an observer, unlike what would happen with a plurality of diodes mounted in a line. Owing to its technical features, the display10therefore improves the presentation of the products12.

Advantageously, the display10makes it possible to create an illuminated zone20with a homogeneous and smooth appearance for the observer.

Furthermore, the display10, using only a single diode in the example above, allows significant energy savings. Its environmental impact is also reduced, since the consumption of a single light-emitting diode is low.

The optional feature according to which the upper surface56forms the protuberances66makes it possible to modulate the diffused light L3and for example to [give] it a substantially constant intensity along the line L.

We will now describe several variants of the display10. These variants remain similar to the display described above in reference toFIGS. 1 to 6. The similar elements bear the same numerical references and will not described again. Only the differences will be described in detail below.

According to a first variant shown inFIG. 7, the display10does not comprise the reflective surface60. The display10comprises a second printed circuit122and a second base124located at the opposite end of the guide26relative to the base24.

The second printed circuit board122and the second base124are advantageously structurally similar to the printed circuit board22and the base24, and work similarly. The second printed circuit board122is fastened on the second base124.

The second printed circuit board122comprises a second light-emitting diode130suitable for emitting a second light L5that enters the guide26and propagates there in the opposite direction relative to the light L1. The second light L5is reflected by the upper surface56and diffused by the lower surface58and contributes to forming the illuminated zone20.

According to a second variant shown inFIG. 8, the line L is not straight, but curved. The line L is for example flat.

According to another example, the line L is warped.

According to one particular embodiment, the guide26is not rigid, but flexible, which makes it possible to give the desired shape to the line L and to adapt the lighting system16to the circumstances.

According to a third variant shown inFIG. 9, the line L is not straight, but broken, that is to say straight in pieces. In the example, the line L includes two straight pieces LL and LLL, for example forming a right angle between them.

The guide26comprises two parts26A and26B extending along the pieces LL and LLL.

Between the parts26A and26B, the guide26includes a reflective surface160suitable for the light L1arriving from the part26A to be guided in the part26B, and advantageously conversely for the light arriving in the part26B to be guided in the part26A.

According to other embodiments, the line L is broken into more than two parts, forming several angles between them, for example any angles.

According to variants shown inFIG. 10, the section62of the guide26does not have a general circular shape with the flat64. From left to right inFIG. 10, the section62is for example rectangular, circular with no flat, elliptical, trapezoidal or square. Other shapes are possible.