Abstract:
A shelf display device including a base in the form of a mat ( 11 ) with a hinged panel ( 13 ) attachable thereto. Hinged panel is biased by a spring ( 17 ) such that product (such as glass bottles B) can be pulled or pushed over said hinged panel which displays product/price information.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a shelf display device, e.g. as used in the retail of bottled beverages. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Supermarket shelves and the like are usually constructed from sheet metal mounted on a frame with provision for adjusting the height between shelves, dependent on the items being accommodated for display. It is also common for each shelf to have a receiving channel that can hold a clip-in plastic device that displays price information etc. Such a device has been known to be configured to hold more substantial information, such as a pamphlet with promotional material. 
         [0003]    A problem noted with conventional display shelves is that, when a bottle is pulled by a shopper over the clip-in plastic device, it can be popped out of the channel. The fallen display device then needs to be put back into place by retail staff. A similar problem is experienced when shelves are stocked in the first place, particularly if there is not a great deal of clearance between the product and the shelf above, i.e. the display tag becomes an obstruction. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The present invention seeks to address these problems and/or provide a display device that can be used with available shelf systems in a retail outlet. 
         [0005]    In one broad aspect of the invention there is provided a shelf display device including a base with a hinged panel extending therefrom. 
         [0006]    In use, the base is a mat placed on a shelf such that the hinged panel is located at the forward edge of said shelf. The base mat may be fixed via suitable fasteners/adhesives or held in place by the weight of product stocked thereon, e.g. a glass bottle of alcoholic beverage. 
         [0007]    Preferably, the hinged panel is spring-biased, preferably in both (forwards and backwards) directions, such that when product is pulled or pushed over said panel it automatically returns to its display/rest position. 
         [0008]    In a preferred embodiment there are multiple panels, e.g. approximately the same width as product (a beverage bottle), arranged on the mat. 
         [0009]    Preferably the mat includes perforations such that it can be customised to a shelf width or available product space in situ. 
         [0010]    Preferably, the base mat includes holes (preferably perforated for removal in situ) on its surface for receiving fasteners to be affixed with a metal shelf. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  shows an overview of a shelf display device according to the invention with multiple products (glass bottles) in place. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates a frontal view of a shelf display device according to the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates a further frontal view. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  illustrates a frontal exploded view of components of the hinged panel according to the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  illustrates a rear exploded view of components of the hinged panel. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  illustrates a frontal view showing hinged panels in three respective positions. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    As illustrated, the shelf display device  10  according to the invention comprises a base mat  11  with a front edge ridge  12  that is able to locate thereon a hinged panel  13 . In the preferred embodiment illustrated, panel  13  is primarily constructed of a connector or clip element  14  to which is hingedly attached a face element  15  in a conventional hinged arrangement, e.g. a single pivot axis X defined by spaced spigots in the clip element  14  which are received by corresponding holes in the face element  15 . 
         [0018]    The clip element  14  connects to the edge ridge  12  of base mat  11  by clipping into place in an interference fit. Alternatively, the face element  15  could be attached for hinged movement directly to a suitable molding in the base mat  11  or the connector element  14  could be slidably engaged with a front edge of the base mat in some other way. 
         [0019]    In a yet further embodiment the connector element  14  with hinged face panel  15  could clip/attach directly to a shelf in a supermarket (provided with an edge ridge or otherwise attached by fasteners/adhesives). 
         [0020]    As seen in  FIG. 2 , the base mat  11  includes a perforation  16  to enable its length to be broken into a shorter piece, such that the size of the device can be tailored to available shelf space. By way of example such perforations may be provided at foot long intervals or any appropriate dimension. 
         [0021]    Preferably each mat unit  11  includes a dovetail  24  to enable multiple mats to be joined together. 
         [0022]    Also visible in  FIG. 2  is a keyhole perforation  22  to receive a fastener such as a push pin or screw that can join the mat  11  to a wooden or metal shelf underneath. 
         [0023]    Multiple hinged panels  13  can be located adjacent one another as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  6 . Preferably the width of a panel  13  will correspond somewhat to the product being displayed as in  FIG. 6  where bottles B are removed/replaced from/to a shelf; however, as in  FIG. 1 , the width of hinged panels may be twice the width of a product or more. In the preferred form the hinged panel should be sized to accommodate a 750 mL, 1000 mL, 1125 mL or 1750 mL glass bottle. Likewise, the depth of mat  11  is sized to accommodate the intended product, e.g. three or four bottles deep. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate detail of the hinged panel  13 ; specifically showing a resilient element in the form of an L-shaped spring  17  which is received at one end by two holes in a molded part  18  of the connector element  14 . The loop end of spring  17  is received by a slot  19  in the rear side of face element  15 . When assembled, spring  17  provides a bias in both directions such that the hinged panel will return to an upright rest position R shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 . It is intended that when a bottle B is pulled from the shelf, hinged panel  13  is able to move forward (position F) and, when a bottle B is restored to a shelf, hinged panel  13  is able to move backward (position B) if necessary. 
         [0025]    Also in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a snap-fit holder element  20  is provided that mates with suitable flanges  21  in the rear side of face element  15 . This results in a compartment that can hold promotional literature (e.g. a take-away pamphlet, cocktail recipe cards) in addition to the front of face element  15  that may display pricing and basic product information. Preferably, the movement of hinged panel  13  is limited (e.g. by a stop element or maximum extension of spring  17 ) to prevent promotional matter from falling out but also, in the illustrated embodiment, a spring paper clip  23  in the surface of holder element  20  can be provided to secure items within the compartment. 
         [0026]    By the nature of front ridge  12  and connector element  14  it will be appreciated that the hinged panel  13  can slide to any position on the base mat  11  to allow for any number of face panels and configurations. 
         [0027]    The hinged panel  13  allows the customer to remove product without having to lift the bottle up and over the door, and also allows for easy restocking of the shelf by the store associates and shelf stackers. 
         [0028]    The display device of the present invention can be molded from suitable plastics components as illustrated, however, other forms are possible within the scope of the invention.