Extruded profile for electronic shelf label holder

Abstract

An electronic shelf label holder incorporating a curved upwardly extending edge at the rear of the topmost portion where debris and contaminants can accumulate. By incorporating this feature, the invention enables associates to easily and effectively wipe or clean the topmost surface without the need to actually remove the label holder, since the edge is designed to espouse the curves of a finger making wiping debris simple and effective.

Claims

1. An electronic shelf label holder for securing an electronic shelf label to a shelf, the electronic shelf label holder comprising: a support portion comprising an elongated member adapted to secure the electronic shelf label holder to the shelf; and a gripping portion integral with the support portion, the gripping portion comprising at least one channel configured to receive a paper label and a locking mechanism configured to receive the electronic shelf label; wherein the gripping portion extends from an upper portion of the support portion defining a curved upwardly extending edge and the curved upwardly extending edge extends to contact the shelf when the electronic shelf label holder is secured to the shelf.

2. The electronic shelf label holder of claim 1, wherein the curved upwardly extending edge comprises a radius of curvature between 4 mm and 10 mm.

3. The electronic shelf label holder of claim 1, wherein the support portion comprises a connector.

4. The electronic shelf label holder of claim 3, wherein the connector comprises a recess for receiving a lip of the shelf.

5. The electronic shelf label holder of claim 4, wherein the connector further comprises a resilient arcuate member adapted to press against a first surface of the shelf and a second surface of the shelf.

6. The electronic shelf label holder of claim 3, wherein the connector comprises a first member extending from the upper portion of the support portion in a substantially downwardly direction and adapted to receive a first wire of the shelf.

7. The electronic shelf label holder of claim 6, wherein the connector further comprises a second member extending from a lower portion of the support portion and towards the first member and adapted to receive a second wire of the shelf.

8. The electronic shelf label holder of claim 1, wherein the support portion comprises an adhesive for securing the electronic shelf label holder to the shelf.

9. The electronic shelf label holder of claim 1 further comprising two channels configured to receive the paper label, the channels being parallel and extending opposite each other.

10. The electronic shelf label holder of claim 1 further comprising a non-porous polymer material.

11. The electronic shelf label holder of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a notch adapted to receive a locking pin of the electronic shelf label.

12. A method of securing an electronic shelf label to a shelf, the method comprising the steps of: securing an electronic shelf label holder to the shelf; securing the electronic shelf label to a gripping portion of the electronic shelf label holder, the gripping portion extending from an upper portion of the electronic shelf label holder and defining a curved upwardly extending edge.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein securing the electronic shelf label holder to the shelf comprises using an adhesive.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein securing the electronic shelf label holder to the shelf comprises pressing a resilient arcuate member against a first surface of the shelf and a second surface of the shelf.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein securing the electronic shelf label to the gripping portion of the electronic shelf label holder comprises inserting a locking pin of the electronic shelf label into a notch of the electronic shelf label holder.

16. The method of claim 12 further comprising securing a paper label to the electronic shelf label holder.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising inserting at least one side of the paper label into at least one channel of the gripping portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the invention wherein the extruded profile is a clip-on model for Madix™ shelves.

(3) FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the invention wherein the extruded profile is attached to the shelve using an adhesive.

(4) FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 wherein the extruded profile is installed on a shelf.

(5) FIG. 4 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 wherein the extruded profile is installed on a shelf using an adhesive.

(6) FIG. 5 is a side view of an embodiment of the invention wherein the extruded profile is installed on a single wire shelf.

(7) FIG. 6 is a side view of an embodiment of the invention wherein the extruded profile is installed on a double wire shelf.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(8) A novel ESL holder profile will be described hereinafter. Although the invention is described in terms of specific illustrative embodiment(s), it is to be understood that the embodiment(s) described herein are by way of example only and that the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited thereby.

(9) An embodiment of the invention is seen in FIG. 1 wherein the extruded profile is a clip-on model 100. The clip-on model 100 is to be generally installed on a shelf with a downward face at its outermost portion. As such, the clip-on model may not need any adhesive or fastener to be secured on a shelf and may therefore be easier and faster to install and uninstall then other installation options.

(10) Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 2 in which the extruded profile is an adhesive model 200. The adhesive model 200 may be suited to any shelf having a generally flat surface at its furthermost portion. This extruded profile model may generally be installed on the same shelves than the clip-on model 100, but it may further be installed on shelf types having parts obstructing the access behind the relatively flat surface wherein a clip may not go.

(11) Now referring to FIG. 3, the clip-on model of FIG. 1 is installed on a shelf 40. The shelf 40 for a clip-on model 100 generally has a flat surface going downwards from the outermost portion of the shelf and a smaller horizontal surface going inwards of the shelf starting from the bottom of the flat downward surface. The back surface of the model 100 is to be generally flat so that it may lay on the shelf surface with no free space. Any free space between the back of the clip-on model and the shelf surface may allow the accumulation of unwanted particles such as debris, bacteria and humidity which is to be avoided. Having no space behind the clip-on model 100, unwanted particles may instead accumulate on the top portion of the same. A curved upwardly extending edge 10 is provided at the rear of the top portion. As illustrated in FIG. 3, this curved portion preferably has a radius generally corresponding to the tip of the index finger of the person who will be cleaning the profile. This radius is usually in the range of 4 to 10 mm. The profile should be manufactured to comply with the requirements of the NFS. The curved edge 10 is manufactured so that no unwanted particle is unreachable when the profile is cleaned or wiped. More precisely, any unwanted particle may be wiped with a finger on the curved edge 10.

(12) In order to be installed on a shelf, the model 100 further comprises a retention clip 110. The retention clip 110 in the embodiment shown has a shape which may cover the bottom and the downward surfaces of the shelf 40. The clip 110 may further have any shape and size which may secure a clip-on model 100 on a shelf. In order to accommodate paper labels, the model 100 may further comprise paper label accommodations 20 of any shape and size known in the art. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 3, such accommodations 20 may be presented as small strips protruding from the top and bottom sections of the model 100. The label strips 20 are sized to receive the respective top and bottom portions of a label. The label strips 20 proportions are manufactured so that the majority of commercially available paper labels may have the majority of the printed information readable when properly installed.

(13) In some cases, ESLs may be installed in label holders in lieu of paper labels. ESL devices may have locking pins to be secured to those label holders. Consequently, the invention may have locking pin accommodations 30 of any shape or size known in the art to accommodate locking pins of the sort. In the presented embodiment, such accommodations 30 may be presented as a strip protruding vertically and away from the topmost portion of the profile 100. The strip 30 comprises two notches 35, 36 going inwards of the profile 100, one at the end and one at the beginning of the strip 30. Such notches 35, 36 may help secure a locking pin in place. Unlike other ESL holders known in the art, accommodations of the kind do not require drilling sections of a shelf to secure the ESLs into place.

(14) FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of an extruded profile 200 made to be coupled with an adhesive for its installation. The adhesive profile 200 may comprise the same label holding mechanisms than the clip-on profile 100. Both models may mainly vary in regards to their fastening mechanism to the shelf 40. In that regard and contrary to the first model embodiment, there may be space between the back surface of the adhesive profile 200 and the flat surface of a shelf 40. The space 210 may allow the insertion of an adhesive 220, such as an adhesive strip with adhesive on both its surfaces. To avoid the accumulation of unwanted particles behind the profile 200, the top portion of the curved edge 10 may be manufactured to protrude towards the flat surface of the shelf 40 so that it may be in contact and may block the passage of the above-mentioned particles. To further stabilize the adhesive profile 200, a stabilizing flange 230 may be positioned on the back of the same and protruding towards the shelf 40.

(15) Shown on FIGS. 5 & 6 are extruded profiles made to be installed on wire shelves 40. This embodiment may be installed on single wire shelves 40, as seen on FIG. 5, and on double wire shelves 40 as seen on FIG. 6. The wire shelf profile 300 may comprise the same label holding mechanisms as the clip-on 100 profile and adhesive profile 200, but may differ from those same models in regard to its shelf securing mechanism. As such, the wire shelf profile 300 may comprise a plurality of tabs allowing a secure fit to a shelf and its wires. The number of tabs may vary and their shape and size may also vary as to fit to different types of wire shelves. In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 & 6, the profile 300 comprises three tabs. A first tab 310, protruding from the top portion of the curved edge 10, is manufactured to apply pressure to the back surface of the shelf 40 while simultaneously protecting the back section of the profile 300 against the entry of unwanted particles from the top. A second tab 320, protruding from the middle section of the back of the profile 300, is manufactured to possibly enter in contact against a wire of the shelf 40. It may prevent the wire shelf model 300 from falling to the ground would the other tabs start sliding off from the shelf 40. A third tab 330, protruding from the bottom section of the profile 300, is manufactured to apply pressure to the forward bottom face of the shelf 40. There is an additional portion protruding from the part in contact with the shelf that may add further stabilization would a second wire be on the shelf in this zone. This portion may go upwards or downwards, depending on the position of the second wire.

(16) Any embodiment of the present invention, such as the clip-on profile 100, adhesive profile 200 and shelf wire profile 300 may be made of any material known in the art, but is to be generally made of a rigid material with an elastic modulus allowing a slight deformation to install and uninstall the invention without having to apply too much force and without risk of breaking it. The material may further be a blend of polymers and may contain non-toxic chemicals that are ROHS compliant comprising, for example, UV stability properties, anti-fungal aspects and a resistance to everyday use impacts. Moreover, the invention may be covered by a surface finish so that it may be completely free of porosity, which may also prevent the accumulation of bacteria. The surface finish may further be manufactured using an anti-bacterial polymer blend for added hygiene and longevity. Because the invention may be used in environments having a low ambient temperature, such as in freezers or fridges, it is also important that the invention be resistant to low temperatures and that it may retain its characteristics and performance as mentioned above in most commercial applications.

(17) While illustrative and presently preferred embodiment(s) of the invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.