Abstract:
A front module for a portion for supporting products of a product display unit is configured to be disposed at the front end of the portion for supporting products and has a front side configured for displaying text and/or graphics information to customers. The front module has a planar light guide plate to which a light source is associated so that light from the light source is coupled into the light guide plate, wherein the light guide plate is configured to provide a back-lighting for the text and/or graphics information to be displayed on the front side of the front module. The front module enables an efficient and attractive product display. The back-lighting enables display of text and/or graphics information. The light emitted from the light guide plate can be used directly for the illumination of products and the direction of the light emission can adjusted as desired.

Description:
[0001]    The present application claims the priority of German Utility Model No. 20 2013 104 137.8 ‘Module for displaying products with back-lighting function and product display unit’, filed on 11 Sep. 2013, the whole content of which is hereby incorporated by way of reference. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates generally to the displaying or presentation of products, such as cosmetic products, by means of back-lighting and relates in particular to modules embodied as a shelf plates for units for displaying products and their use for units for displaying products. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Units for displaying products of the aforementioned type, also named shelf/module in the prior art, are set up as part of sales counters (also named display), in sales outlets such as supermarkets or drugstores and offer the option to the customer to display a specific product, such as a cosmetic product. The finished shelf/module as part of a display is, for example, set up in a drugstore, department store, perfumery or the like and displays products (such as cosmetic products) for sale to the final consumer. The final product is available in different optics in accordance with customer requirements. 
         [0004]    The product can be regarded in this case as part of a display, but could also stand alone in other embodiments. 
         [0005]    Suppliers of cosmetic products often have their own display units installed in stores, in which they display their products in a uniform manner. As part of such display units shelf plates/modules are required, on the one hand, for accommodating or supporting the products and, on the other hand, for displaying the products. 
         [0006]    So far shelf plates/modules are manufactured individually in accordance to the customer requirements by means of plastics processing (e.g. using thermoforming, injection molding). These shelf plates/modules usually had to be equipped with many different light sources (e.g. LEDs) for illumination purposes. 
         [0007]    For a more effective and more attractive displaying of products it has been convenient to use modules, especially in the field of cosmetic products, which are provided with shelf plates or supporting plates made of a transparent material, such as transparent plastic, which enable a backlight function for back-lighting products to be displayed. The shelf plates or supporting plates serve as a light guide from which the light is coupled out in an appropriate manner for back-lighting of the products. 
         [0008]    Particularly for the displaying of products there is a need for aesthetically designed modules, which, on the one hand, can be produced at low costs and can be configured in a flexible manner and which, on the other hand, are sufficiently robust. 
         [0009]    DE 102010050417 A1 discloses a shelf rail for labeling products having a projecting portion on the underside of which an LED light source is mounted, which emits light downwards. A coupling of light into a light guide plate is not disclosed. 
         [0010]    DE 20208161 U1 discloses a transparent shelf for displaying products which is equipped with a plurality of LEDs so that light is emitted both upwards and downwards in the front area. A coupling of light into light guide plates in the sense of the present application is not disclosed. 
         [0011]    DE 20211858 U1 discloses a plate-shaped shelf plate made of glass having a transverse profile at the front edge at which a fluorescent lamp is disposed. The shelf plate radiates the light upward and downward. A backlight function on the front end is not disclosed. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 1,839,287 discloses the coupling of light from a light source into the faces of two transparent light guide plates, which are each provided with patterns. The general structure, however, is fundamentally different to that of the present application. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel front module for units for displaying products, particularly for cosmetic products, and furthermore a module comprising such a front module, which can be designed stylish, can be produced at low costs and can be configured in a flexible manner and is robust enough in use. Furthermore, a product display unit (unit for displaying products) is to be provided comprising at least one such module. 
         [0014]    According to the invention, there is provided a front module for a portion for supporting products of a product display unit, in particular for a portion for supporting products of a module for a product display unit, wherein the front module is configured to be provided (or positioned) at the front end of the portion for supporting products, wherein said front module has a front side configured for displaying text and/or graphics information for customers. According to the present invention, the front module comprises a planar light guide plate having a light source associated to it so that light from the light source is coupled into the light guide plate, particularly into a face or a light-deflecting portion thereof. Furthermore, the light guide plate is configured to provide a back-lighting function for said text and/or graphics information at least in sections at the front side of said front module. Because the front module offers a backlight function at its front side in the manner of a backlighting emitted from the surface of the light guide plate, according to the invention products can be displayed even more efficiently and in a more attractive manner. In particular, by means of the back-lighting promotional text and/or graphics information can be displayed in a simple way on the front end of the front module. The light emitted from the light guide plate of the front module may further also be used directly for the illumination of products. By suitably shaping the light guide plate of the front module also the direction of the light emission can be adjusted in a suitable manner. In particular, products or portions of a unit for displaying products disposed below and/or above the front module can be illuminated in a suitable manner by means of the light guide plate of the front module. Here, the light guide plate may also be curved at least in sections, and the light may also be emitted from edges and/or curved portions of the light guide plate. 
         [0015]    The planar light guide plate of the front module provides for a uniform back-lighting, at least over the entire region in which the text and/or graphics information is to be backlit. Advantageously, this region extends over the entire width or almost the entire width of the front module, which may extend over the entire width or almost the entire width of the portion for supporting products in its turn. The text and/or graphics information can be applied directly to the front of the front module, for example by means of a printing or bonding process. 
         [0016]    Conveniently, the light guide plate of the front module is made of a transparent plastics material (such as PMMA, polycarbonate or epoxy resin), e.g. by means of plastic injection molding or extrusion from a suitable plastics material. Conveniently, the light of the associated light source, in particular of a plurality of LEDs or of an LED strip comprising a plurality of such LEDs, is coupled into the front end of the light guide plate or of a light-deflecting portion thereof. The light guide plate comprises structures for coupling-out light that couple the light out from the light guide plate at a suitable location for the back-lighting. This coupling-out may be accomplished by means of scattering structures or particles that are distributed in the light guide material, by means of tiny surface structures or tiny printed patterns, e.g. embodied as grooves, projections or recesses. Furthermore, by adding light-guiding additives the light-guiding characteristics of the light guide plate from plastics material may be further enhanced. Furthermore, a so-called diffuser film, which controls the light scattering effect, may be applied on the top surface of the illuminated plastic plate. The inhomogeneous distribution of the structures for coupling-out causes that the uniform illumination of the surface e.g. is also accomplished by coupling light into only one of the end faces of the light guide plate. To further enhance the luminance, the light sources may in general also be provided at two or more end faces; in the case of the portion for supporting products particularly at two or more end faces of the supporting plate of the portion for supporting products. A back-lighting according to this principle is referred to in English language as edge-lit backlight. 
         [0017]    In order to accomplish a reliable support or accommodation of the products by the portion for supporting products, the latter may be especially shaped like a box, comprising raised side portions extending along the edges for preventing slippage of the products to be displayed. Or sleeve-like receptacles are provided or formed on the shelf plate (supporting plate), preferably made of a transparent or opaque material, in which the products to be displayed may be reliably accommodated. 
         [0018]    According to a further embodiment the front module is further configured to delimit the portion for supporting products at least in sections, for preventing slippage of products from the portion for supporting products, when the front module is connected to the portion for supporting products. For this purpose, the front module may be particularly configured such that, if it is connected to the portion for supporting products, it projects beyond a plane spanned by the portion for supporting products that is used for storage of products in the portion for supporting products, e.g. projecting perpendicular or under an acute angle from this plane. Thus, under normal use conditions, the portion for supporting products does not necessarily need to be oriented exactly horizontally, but may also be arranged inclined, particularly inclined downward towards the front end of the product display unit. 
         [0019]    According to a further embodiment, the light guide plate extends in a different direction in at least one area to form at least one light-deflecting portion for deflecting the light coupled into the light guide plate in a different direction of propagation. Light for a back-lighting can thus be emitted into at least two different directions, which may further enhance the effectiveness in advertising of the front module at an even lower energy consumption. Due to this design, the front module can emit light into more than one spatial direction, which offers significant advantages in the back-lighting but also illumination of portions of a product display unit. A deflection of the direction of light propagation by an angle of 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 75 degrees or 90 degrees has turned out to be of particular advantage. In general, however, the deflection of the direction of light propagation may also be accomplished by substantially 180 degrees, by means of which, for example, a back-lighting on the front side and rear side of the front module may be accomplished. 
         [0020]    According to a further embodiment, the afore-mentioned coupling of light into the light guide plate may also be performed in the region of such a light-deflecting portion, for example, by positioning an LED strip or a linear LED array along the light-deflecting portion. 
         [0021]    According to a further embodiment, the front module may be further configured such that the orientation and/or position of the light source relative to the front side or relative to the light-deflecting portion of the light guide plate may be varied for setting or adjusting the coupling of the light of the light source into the light guide plate, in order to selectively adjust the lighting conditions. For coupling-in the light from the light source via a light-deflecting portion of the light guide plate, particularly the ratio of the coupling of light into portions above and below the light-deflecting portion may be adjusted. 
         [0022]    In general, the afore-mentioned front module may be connected with a portion for supporting products of a product display unit using any known connection techniques. In particular screw couplings have turned out to be of particular advantage for this purpose. According to a further embodiment, the front module is further configured to be releasably latched to the portion for supporting products, in particular at a front end thereof. For this purpose, latching elements, such as locking tabs and corresponding locking recesses, are provided on the front module and/or at the front edge of an associated portion for supporting products. 
         [0023]    A particularly high energy efficiency can be achieved according to a further embodiment if the light source of the front module is a linear LED-array or an LED strip. 
         [0024]    According to a further embodiment, additional covers for the LED light sources are not required to avoid bothersome scattering light, etc. in the region of the light sources and of the light coupling, if the linear LED-array or LED strip of the front module is accommodated in an LED housing portion, which extends along a front face of the light guide plate or along a light-deflecting portion formed by the light guide plate, i.e. if the LED housing portion can also serve as an enclosure or edge of the portion for supporting products, resulting in an even more compact structure. 
         [0025]    According to a further embodiment, an even more compact and more flexible structure can be implemented, if the LED housing portion is connected to a carrier (support) of the front module or is formed therein, wherein the front module can be connected with the portion for supporting products via said carrier (support). The carrier may be connected over its entire width of the portion for supporting products with the front module or, for example, only at the sides of the front module. 
         [0026]    According to a further embodiment, a particularly simple and inexpensive structure can be implemented if the afore-mentioned carrier (support) is formed as a transverse strut formed by cutting from a continuous profile. With an appropriate design of the support (carrier) as a continuous profile, the light guide plate of the front module can be held by friction or in a positive-fit manner on the latter. The continuous profile can simultaneously provide further stiffening of the module in the transverse direction. 
         [0027]    According to a further embodiment, a particularly efficient light coupling can be implemented in a simple manner, when the light guide plate of the front module is supported on the afore-mentioned carrier (support) in such a manner that its end face faces the linear LED array or the LED strip and that a center line of a front portion of the light guide plate is aligned with an optical axis of the linear LED-array or LED strip. 
         [0028]    According to a further embodiment, the light used for the back-lighting may be focused in a simple manner to specific portions by means of a cover, where the text information and/or graphics information is to be displayed. Thus, the attention of customers can be attracted in an advantageously simple manner to individual portions of the front module. 
         [0029]    According to a further embodiment this effect can be implemented in a simple manner by means of a strip-like or frame-like cover, which comprises a coating, which extends along an upper and/or lower edge of the front side of the front module or which surrounds the front face in a frame-like manner in order to form a central portion for the back-lighting, which comprises the at least one opening or the at least one passage. 
         [0030]    According to a further embodiment, an additional cover may be provided or the above-mentioned cover may be used to accommodate or hold a planar element, particularly a transparent plastic strip, on which the text information and/or graphics information to be displayed is provided, particularly printed on it. 
         [0031]    According to a further embodiment, the front side of the front module is pivotally supported or the front module may be connected to the portion for supporting products in such a manner that the front module is pivotally supported on the portion for supporting products, so that a viewing angle onto the front side of the front module can be varied, wherein the inclination angle of the front side of the front module can be locked, in particular by means of the same locking elements or using a locking technique. The alignment can thus be suitably varied by pivoting or adjusting the front module and then be fixed without replacement of the front module. 
         [0032]    According to a further embodiment the front module further comprises a receptacle having a rectangular profile, which is preferably designed as a test strip receptacle for accommodating the test strip for cosmetic products, wherein the receptacle is inserted in the front module. Thus, the ability for displaying cosmetics and cosmetic products can be significantly enhanced, because test strips, especially for fragrances or perfumes, can be reliably retained in the receptacle and can be stored at a prominent location for customers, namely at the front end of the front module. 
         [0033]    According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a module for a product display unit for displaying products, in particular for displaying cosmetic products, comprising a portion for supporting products and a front module, as described above, which is disposed at the front end of the portion for supporting products, wherein the portion for supporting products has a supporting plate (shelf plate), which extends horizontally or substantially horizontally, for supporting or accommodating the products to be displayed and wherein the supporting plate (shelf plate) is provided at least in sections with a planar light guide plate that is associated with a light source whose light is coupled into an end face of the light guide plate, wherein the light guide plate is configured to provide a back-lighting function for the products to be displayed at least in sections. 
         [0034]    Preferably, the light guide plate is configured in the same manner as disclosed above in connection with the front module. Despite the reduction of the total number of light sources to only two LEDs or LED strips (on the one hand, for the portion for supporting products, on the other hand, for the front module) according to the present invention an optimum or at least enhanced illumination of products can be ensured. By means of the back-lighting, which is emitted from or coupled out of the surface of the shelf plate, the products disposed on the shelf plate are uniformly illuminated from the bottom, in the manner of a surface illumination, and, if light is also coupled out of the underside of the shelf plate, as well products that are located below the shelf plate are uniformly illuminated from above, for example, products disposed on a further module of a display unit disposed below the module. By controlling the light sources the lighting conditions in the supporting portion and in the front module may be selectively set—even different from each other. At the same time, also a reduced power consumption can thus be achieved according to the invention. 
         [0035]    For reliably supporting or accommodating the products by the portion for supporting products, this can be particularly shaped like a box, having raised side portions extending along the edges to prevent slippage of the products to be displayed. Or sleeve-like receptacles are provided or formed on the shelf plate (supporting plate), preferably made of a transparent or opaque material, in which the products to be displayed are reliably accommodated. 
         [0036]    Preferably, the front module is detachably connected with the portion for supporting products, in particular by latching or a screw connection. Here, the front module can also be pivotally supported relative to the portion for supporting products, to vary or adjust the orientation of the front side of the front module relative to the portion for supporting products, which enables an even more effective displaying of products and associated text information and/or graphics information. 
         [0037]    According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a products display unit for displaying or presenting products, in particular cosmetic products. This products display unit comprises at least one module as described above, which has a front module and a portion for supporting products at the front end of which the front module is provided, which is in particular connected with the latter. 
         [0038]    According to a further embodiment, the supporting plate (shelf plate) is supported or mounted on a rectangular frame, which is connected to fixing portions by means of which the module can be fastened to a holding device. The fixing portions may be formed as L-shaped supporters, wherein a plurality of latching hooks are formed on a leg of the L-shaped supporter facing away from the supporting plate, which are mutually spaced under equal distances and which are configured to be hooked into holding openings of the holding device. Thus, the module can be hooked into or mounted to existing support struts of a product display unit in an advantageously simple manner. 
         [0039]    The shelf plates/modules for the displaying of products, especially of cosmetic products, disclosed herein are characterized by an optimum utilization of light sources, preferably of LED strips, wherein the shelf plates/modules can be preferably attached by means of locking hooks of metal to the back wall of a display. The modules may have different sizes, shapes and colors, depending on the customer. 
         [0040]    According to the invention the basic structure of each module can be that of a member made by plastic injection molding or by extrusion from a plastics material, which has latching hooks of metal at the rear end for inserting in a sales display. On this frame a plastic panel with area illumination or back-lighting (a transparent plastic plate illuminated by means of LEDs) is placed, which is used to illuminate the products. The front end of the shelf plate/module, also named shelfnose, preferably is made of a member formed by plastic injection molding having a curved plastic panel with surface illumination or back-lighting, as well as a text strip put on top of it. The shelfnose may be utilized in different variants; in particular in certain embodiments it may extend under an angle of 0°, 45° or 90°. Further angle variations are of course possible. 
         [0041]    The afore-mentioned approach allows a reduction in the total number of illuminants required for back-lighting and as a result a reduction in power consumption, while improving the illumination of products. 
         [0042]    On the one hand, an optimum illumination of products from above and below is ensured by the centrally disposed and surface-illuminated plastic plate. On the other hand, an optimum illumination of text strip profiles may be accomplished using the various embodiments of shelfnoses/modules of 0°, 45° and 90° orientation, depending on customers&#39; needs. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF OVERVIEW ON DRAWINGS 
         [0043]    Hereinafter, the invention will be described in exemplary manner and with reference to the appended drawings, from which further features and advantages will become apparent to the person skilled in the art. In the drawings: 
           [0044]      FIG. 1A  shows a schematic cross-section of a module for a product display unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0045]      FIG. 1   b  shows a front module of the module of  FIG. 1   a  in a cross-sectional view; 
           [0046]      FIG. 1C  shows the module according to  FIG. 1   a  in a perspective view; 
           [0047]      FIG. 2A  shows a schematic cross-section of a module for a product display unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0048]      FIG. 2B  shows a front module of the module of  FIG. 2   a  in a cross-sectional view; 
           [0049]      FIG. 2C  shows the module according to  FIG. 2   a  in a perspective view; 
           [0050]      FIG. 3A  shows a schematic cross-section of a module for a product display unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0051]      FIG. 3B  shows a front module of the module of  FIG. 3   a  in a cross-sectional view; 
           [0052]      FIG. 3C  shows the module according to  FIG. 3   a  in a perspective view; 
           [0053]      FIG. 4  shows a product display unit having a plurality of modules for the displaying of products in accordance with the present invention, wherein the front modules are oriented in different directions; 
           [0054]      FIGS. 5A-5C  show the front modules according to further embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0055]      FIG. 6A  shows the connection of a front module having a portion for supporting products according to a further embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0056]      FIG. 6B  shows the connection of a front module having a portion for supporting products according to a further embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0057]    Throughout the drawings, identical reference numerals designate identical or substantially equivalent elements or groups of elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0058]    Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a module for a product display unit (a unit for displaying products) will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1   a - 1   c , which generally comprises a portion  1  for supporting products and a front module  20 , which is connected thereto or formed integrally therewith. The module is configured generally in the manner of a shelf board and serves for the supporting of products to be displayed. For this purpose, the shelf plate or supporting plate  2  of the portion  1  for supporting products is supported on a frame comprising the two side parts  3 , a rear cross member  5  and a front module  20 , which serves as a front edge member and which is shown in  FIG. 1   b  on an enlarged scale. The rear cross member  5  and the front module  20  project from the plane which is defined by the supporting plate  2 , so that the products cannot slip off accidentally. The side parts  3  may also be extended upward. The frame of the module may be integrally formed. Conveniently, however, the afore-mentioned frame parts are connected to each other or put together. The supporting plate  2  serves as a portion for supporting products in the sense of the present application, which is generally designated by reference numeral  1 , and is made of a transparent plastic material, which is provided with structures for coupling-out light, as described above, which serves as a light guide plate and thus is provided with a back-lighting function, so that products disposed above and/or beneath the supporting plate  2  can be illuminated. In the latter case, the rear side of the supporting plate  2  is substantially not covered by support structures or frame components. 
         [0059]    Conveniently, the supporting plate  2  is formed by injection molding or extrusion from a plastics material, either as a separate component or integrally together with portions of the frame or with the whole frame portion of the portion  1  for supporting products. 
         [0060]    Further details of the construction of the module and of the coupling of light into the light guide plate of the portion  1  for supporting products and of the front module  20  are shown in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 1   a  and in the enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the front module  20  of  FIG. 1   b.    
         [0061]    Referring to  FIG. 1   b , the portion for supporting products is terminated at the front end by an upstanding transverse strut  9 , which either is part of the portion for supporting products or is part of the frontal module  20 . Conveniently, the front module  20  is connected with the portion for supporting products, but may also be a part of the portion for supporting products and be held on an extension of the side part  3  to this end. The front module  20  comprises a carrier  21  configured as a transverse strut, which is preferably formed of a continuous profile, for example, of an extruded plastic profile or an extruded aluminum profile cut to a given length. Alternatively, the carrier  21  may be formed of a plurality of latching elements and supporting elements, which are arranged along the front end of the portion  1  for supporting products at regular intervals and in which a respective adapter  24  is latched or hooked, which is configured in correspondence to the latching elements or supporting elements, as shown in  FIG. 1   b . At the lower edge  26  of the carrier  21  a transverse recess is formed, in which an LED strip  27  or a plurality of LEDs  27  is (are) accommodated in a suitable configuration and which thus serves as an LED housing portion. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing, the optical axis of the LED strip  27  is inclined with respect to the horizontal supporting plate  2  downward by an angle of 45 degrees and is aligned with the center line of the front end of the light guide plate  28 , which—as well as the supporting plate (shelf plate)  2 —is formed from a transparent plastic material. Thus, the light emitted from the LED strip  27  is coupled into the end face of the light guide plate  28 . 
         [0062]    The light guide plate  28  has a light-deflecting portion, e.g. formed by bending or by integral injection molding or extrusion of the light guide plate  28 . At the light-deflecting portion the light guided in the light guide plate  28  is deflected in a different direction, namely, in the illustrated embodiment, in a direction perpendicularly upward. The front side and/or rear side of the light guide plate  28  is suitably formed in the manner described above, so that the light is coupled out at appropriate locations for providing the back-lighting function. Suitably, this coupling-out takes place homogeneously distributed over the entire surface of the light guide plate  28 , especially also in the region of the light-deflecting portion, as indicated in  FIG. 1   b  by the double arrow in this region. However, the back-lighting may also be accomplished by a partially different design of the light guide plate  28 , even only in sections. As indicated by the double arrows in  FIG. 1   b , which indicate the light coupled-out, this view shows a homogeneous coupling-out over the entire surface of the light guide plate  28 . 
         [0063]    At the front of the carrier  21  two locking projections  23  are formed, in particular embodied as locking noses or supporting noses, so that an adapter  24  formed as a transverse strut is positively retained by them. The light guide plate  28  is held by the adapter  24 . At this instance, the back of the light guide plate  28  may also be covered at least in sections with a coating  25 , e.g. for connecting to the carrier  21  or the adapter  24   
         [0064]    The front side of the light guide plate  28  is covered by a cover having at least one opening or passage for the backlight, in which the text and/or graphics information is displayed by means of the back-lighting. The cover  30  is preferably formed as a plastic strip, which may be covered on its surface, at least in sections, with a coating, in particular a metallization. Such a coating may extend, for example, along a top edge and/or bottom edge of the front side of the front module  20  or may surrounded the front end like a frame, in order to form a central portion having the at least one opening or the at least one passage for the back-lighting. For the displaying of text and/or graphics information particularly a transparent plastic strip may be arranged in front of the respective opening or passage, on which the text and/or graphics information is provided, in particular by printing, so that the information to be displayed is backlit by the out-coupled light. 
         [0065]    The cover  30  itself may also be formed as a flexible plastic profile, the front end of which embraces the front end of the bent portion of the light guide plate  30 —in the region of the LED housing portion  26 —and the rear end of which embraces the upper edge of the light guide plate  28 . In particular, the cover  30  can be clipped directly on the light guide plate  30  or supported by side panels  22  of the front module (see  FIG. 1   c ). 
         [0066]    In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1   b , the light is coupled out uniformly into the directions indicated by the double arrows, which thus not only illuminates the front end of the front module  20  but also regions below and obliquely below the front module  20 . 
         [0067]    According to  FIG. 1   b  a clearance is provided between the transverse strut  9  and the carrier  21 , into which a supporting web  33  is inserted or clipped, at an upper end of which two lateral webs  34  form a receptacle  35  for receiving, for example, text strips, caption labels or products price tags, or which serves, according to a preferred embodiment, as a receptacle or support of cosmetic test strips. 
         [0068]      FIG. 1   c  shows the complete shelf plate/module, as it will be mounted later into the product display units. 
         [0069]    According to  FIG. 1   a , the frame of the module is connected to fixing portions  7 , which are formed as L-profiles in the illustrated embodiment and which serve to fix the module on a holding device. Preferably, a plurality of mutually equally spaced latching hooks  8  are provided on the shorter leg of the L-profiles  7 , which can be hooked into the holding openings of a support bar. In this way, a simple vertical adjustment of the module can be implemented. 
         [0070]    Furthermore, a box-shaped LED-receiving portion  5  is also provided at the rear end of the shelf plate (supporting plate)  2 , which accommodates an LED strip or a plurality of LEDs in a suitable arrangement, which extend(s) in a transverse direction. The power supply for the LED lighting units  6 ,  27  may be supplied directly via mounting portions  7  made of metal or via cables that extend along these mounting portions  7 . 
         [0071]      FIG. 4  shows a product display unit  15  for the displaying of cosmetic products, comprising three modules  1  of the type as described above, which are each composed of a portion  1  for supporting products and of a front module  20  connected thereto. These modules  1  are hooked into support struts  16  via the L-profiles  7  and latching hooks provided thereon. The product display unit  15  further comprises a box-shaped base body  17 , which may serve for the storage of other products but also for the storage of electronic components, particularly transformers, batteries or switching units for the LED lighting units. 
         [0072]    As will become apparent to a person skilled in the art when studying  FIG. 4 , the modules  1  can be also connected in a different manner with a supporting structure or suspended in a supporting structure. For example, the supporting structure can be configured as a carcass, into which the modules  1  are directly screwed or plugged. 
         [0073]      FIGS. 2   a - 2   c ,  3   a - 3   c  and  4   a - 4   c  show further variants of the module described above. According to  FIGS. 2   a - 2   c , the front side of the front module  20  is aligned substantially in parallel with the horizontal supporting plate  2 , which—in comparison—only requires a simple support profile  21  of a different design. The double arrows in  FIG. 2   b  indicate the direction of propagation of the light coupled out from the light guide plate  28 . Thus, in this embodiment the light is emitted mainly vertically upwards, but also horizontally forward and obliquely downward. 
         [0074]    According to  FIGS. 3   a - 3   c  the front side of the front module  20  extends substantially at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the horizontal supporting plate  2 , which—in comparison—only requires a simple support profile  21  of a different design. The double arrows in  FIG. 3   b  indicate the direction of propagation the light coupled out from the light guide plate  28 . Thus, in this embodiment the light is emitted predominantly at an angle of 45 degrees obliquely upwards, but also vertically downward. 
         [0075]    According to  FIGS. 2   a - 2   c , the front side of the front module  20  is aligned substantially in parallel with the horizontal supporting plate  2 , which—in comparison—only requires a simple support profile  21  of a different design. The double arrows in  FIG. 2   b  indicate the direction of propagation of the light coupled out from the light guide plate  28 . Thus, in this embodiment the light is emitted mainly vertically upwards, but also horizontally forward and obliquely downward. 
         [0076]    As will be readily appreciated by the person skilled in the art, in this manner any other angle can be implemented, under which the front side of the front module  20  is aligned with respect to the horizontal supporting plate  2 . 
         [0077]    As becomes apparent from  FIG. 4 , by means of the module according to the present invention the illumination conditions in a product display unit can be adjusted very variably and individually, as indicated by the black lines  20  projecting from the front module. For example, the front module  30  of the bottom module is arranged in parallel with the horizontal supporting plate  2  so that light is emitted substantially only upward from the front surface, whereas the front module  20  of the middle module is inclined by an angle of about 45 degrees relative to the supporting plate  2  so that light is emitted both inclined upward and vertically downward from the front surface of the front module  20 , whereas the front module  20  of the uppermost module is perpendicular relative to the supporting plate  2 , so that the light is emitted substantially only horizontally forwards from the front side of the front module  20 , i.e. toward the customers, namely is emitted also obliquely downward and inward. By varying the angle of inclination of the front module  20 , these lighting conditions can be varied in a simple manner. 
         [0078]    In order to accomplish an even greater flexibility, according to a further embodiment (not shown) the front side of the front module  20  may be also pivotally supported, so that the viewing angle onto the front side of the front module  20  may be varied. Here, the inclination angle of the front side of the front module  20  preferably can be locked, in particular by means of locking members (screws or the like) thereof, or by means of locking. 
         [0079]      FIG. 5   a  shows a front module  20  according to a further embodiment of the present invention. Light emitted from the LED strips  27  and coupled into the light guide plate  28  via the end face, propagates within the light guide plate  28 , is deflected in the region of the light-deflecting portion  28   a  in a different direction, namely, by an angle of about 135 degrees, and is guided further within the upper portion of the light guide plate  28 . As indicated by the arrows in  FIG. 5   a , the light is uniformly coupled out from the front side of the light guide plate  28  and is emitted at a right angle relative to the surface of the light guide plate  28  by the latter. In the non-curved portions of the light guide plate  28 , thus the light is emitted vertically downwards or at an angle of about 45 degrees upward and forward. Furthermore, the light is also coupled out from the light deflecting portion  28   a , particularly toward the front side in the direction of an observer. The coupling-out of light may also always be accomplished in the region of the light-deflecting portion  28   a , in particular perpendicular to the local surface. If the coupling-out of light should be considered as bothersome in the region of the light-deflecting portion  28   a , a cover for blocking or at least for attenuating the out-coupled light may be provided in this area. 
         [0080]      FIG. 5   b  shows a front module  20  according to a further embodiment of the present invention. By means of a suitable design of the light guide plate  28 , the light is emitted under an acute angle of about 45 degrees and backward on the underside of the front module  20 . This effect can be utilized for the illumination of products or portions disposed underneath a product display unit. In the region of the light-deflecting portion at the front end of the front module  20  a cover  36  is provided, which blocks or at least attenuates the light coupled out in this area as desired. 
         [0081]      FIG. 5   c  shows a front module  20  according to a further embodiment of the present invention. Different from  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b , the light of the LED strip  27  is coupled uniformly into the lower and upper portion of the light guide plate  28  via the light deflecting portion  28   a , from where the light is irradiated again in the manner as described above, as indicated by the arrows. The coupling is done expediently in such a manner, that about equal amounts of light are coupled into the portion of the light guide plate  28  extending obliquely upward and into the horizontal portion of the light guide plate  28 , from where the light is again coupled out. According to a further embodiment (not shown), the orientation and/or position of the LED strip  27  relative to the light-deflecting portion  28   a  may also be adjusted for varying the afore-mentioned amounts of light that are coupled into the portion of the light guide plate  28  extending obliquely upward and into the horizontal portion of the light guide plate  28 . To this end the LED strip  27  may be pivotally supported relative to the light-deflecting portion  28   a.    
         [0082]    According to a further embodiment (not shown), according to which the light is coupled into the light guide plate via the end face thereof, an LED strip may be pivotally supported relative to its end surface in the same manner in order to optimize or suitably adjust the efficiency of coupling the light into the light guide plate. 
         [0083]      FIG. 6   a  shows the coupling of a front module  20  with a portion  1  for supporting products in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention. According to  FIG. 6   a , the front edge  9   a  of the portion  1  for supporting products is extended horizontally and forms, together with the front side of the cross strut  9 , a rectangular receptacle, which is limited laterally by the front ends of the frame side parts  3  of the portion  1  for supporting products. In this receptacle a plurality of supporting members or locking members  40  are provided at regular spacings along the front edge  9   a  of the portion  1  for supporting products, which are each formed as flat members made of metal or plastic. These members each have a bevel  41 , which is delimited by an upper retaining nose  42  and a lower retaining projection  43 , respectively. Between the bevel  41  and the upper retaining nose  42  and the lower retaining lug  43 , respectively, a recess  44  is formed, which is engaged with (particularly hooked into) a correspondingly formed coupling member or latching element (not shown) on the rear of the front module  20  in a positively-fit manner. In this manner, the front module  20  can be coupled to the front end of the portion  1  for supporting products. 
         [0084]    The front module  20  comprises two side covers  50 , in which an aperture  51  is formed, which serves as a rotation axis. Corresponding openings  10  are also formed at the front end of the frame side parts  3  of the portion  1  for supporting products. Pins, bolts, screws or similar connecting elements can be engaged into these openings  10 ,  51  so that the front module  20  can be pivoted relative to the portion  1  for supporting products about a rotation axis formed by said pin, bolt, screw or the like. The desired orientation of the front module  20  can be locked finally by means of a fixing element  52 , e.g. by means of a locking screw. In order to ensure a sufficient pivoting movement of the front module  20 , the size of the aperture  44  may be suitably adapted to that of the connecting element or locking element (not shown) on the rear side of the front module  20 . 
         [0085]    According to a further embodiment, the afore-mentioned pivotable support of the front module is not provided. Rather, the front module is directly hooked into the connecting element or locking element (not shown) on the rear side of the front module  20  and the connection is secured by means of the locking element  52 . 
         [0086]      FIG. 6   b  shows the connection of a front module, having a portion for supporting products according to a further embodiment of the present invention. According to  FIG. 6   b  an opening  11  is formed in the transverse strut  9  at the front edge of the portion  1  for supporting products, into which the projections  61  can be inserted, which are formed on the rear side of the adapter  24  of the front module  20 . More specifically, each of the projections  61  comprises a sliding shoe  62  on its underside, which can slide on the inside of the bottom of the portion  1  for supporting products for guiding the adapter  24  while it is connected with the portion  1  for supporting products. For guiding the adapter  24 , guide slots  12  are also formed in the plastic plate  2 , which cooperate positively with the extensions  61 . Furthermore, elastic latching lugs  63  are formed on the projections  61 , which can engage in corresponding openings  13  or recesses in the plastic plate  2 . Thus, by means of the adapter  24  the front module  20  can be detachably connected to the portion  1  for supporting products. The orientation of the adapter  24  relative to the portion  1  for supporting products can still be fixed by means of a guide tab  64 . 
         [0087]    In order to adjust the orientation of the front side of the front module  20  by pivoting of the front module  20 , apertures  10  and  51  are formed on the sides  60  or  50  of the adapter  24  and of the front module  20 , respectively, in the manner described above, which can engage with the pins, bolts, screws or similar connecting elements. The desired orientation of the front module  20  can be locked finally by means of a fixing element  52 , e.g. by means of a locking screw. 
         [0088]    As will become readily apparent to the person skilled in the art upon studying the above description, the shelf plate (or supporting plate) of portion for supporting products does not necessarily need not be positioned exactly horizontally. Rather, it can also be arranged inclined, e.g. inclined obliquely downward toward the front end of product display unit. As will become readily apparent to the person skilled in the art upon studying the above description, the features described above may also be combined with each other in other ways than specifically disclosed above. Thus, the scope of protection of the appended claims shall be based on a rather broad interpretation. As will become readily apparent to the person skilled in the art upon studying the above description, further modifications may be performed which are to be covered by the appended claims, provided they continue to fall under the general spirit of the invention and the scope of protection of the appended claims. 
       LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0000]    
       
           1  shelf plate/portion for supporting products 
           2  plastic plate 
           3  side part of frame 
           4  stop 
           5  rear LED housing 
           6  LEDs/strip of LEDs 
           7  Mounting portion 
           8  latching hook 
           9  transverse strut 
           9   a  bottom edge of portion  1  for supporting products 
           10  axis of rotation of front module 
           11  opening 
           12  guide slot 
           13  recess 
           15  product display unit 
           16  mounting strut 
           17  base body 
           20  front module 
           21  carrier 
           22  side part 
           23  projection 
           24  adapter 
           25  intermediate layer 
           26  front LED housing 
           27  LEDs/strip of LEDs 
           28  plastic plate/light guide plate 
           28   a  light deflecting portion 
           29  gap 
           30  cover 
           31  front end of cover 
           32  rear end of cover 
           33  supporting web 
           34  lateral web/tab 
           35  receptacle for labeling 
           36  cover 
           40  latching or supporting member 
           41  bevel 
           42  upper retaining lug 
           43  lower retaining lug 
           44  recess 
           50  lateral cover of front module 
           51  axis of rotation of front module 
           52  locking member for front module 
           60  lateral member of adapter  24   
           61  extension 
           62  slide show 
           63  locking tab 
           64  guide tab