WO2014178027A1

WO2014178027A1 - Roll display system for displaying a number of rolls with a sheet-like product thereon, and the use thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2014178027A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/061154
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jacobus Lambertus Van Merksteijn
Original assignee: CLIMATE INVEST BV
Current assignee: CLIMATE INVEST BV
Priority date: 2013-05-02
Filing date: 2014-05-02
Publication date: 2014-11-06
Anticipated expiration: 2015-11-02
Also published as: NL2010745C2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a roll display system (1) for displaying a number of rolls (2) with a sheet-like product thereon, comprising: a basic construction (3) with a first side (4) and a second side (5), between which the number of rolls can be placed, and rotation means (6) for rotating at least a number of the rolls in a first and/or a second rotation direction for the purpose of rolling up and/or unrolling the product.

Description

ROLL DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR DISPLAYING A NUMBER OF ROLLS WITH A SHEETLIKE PRODUCT THEREON, AND THE USE THEREOF

The invention relates to a roll display system for displaying a number of rolls with a sheet- like product thereon. According to another aspect, the invention relates to the use of the roll display system for displaying a sheet-like product.

Such a roll display system is known as such, for instance for the purpose of showing and/or presenting in shops sheet-like products such as (display) samples of tablecloths, textile or carpet. Such roll display systems are highly suitable in use because they can show and/or present different sheet-like products in a space-efficient manner. If a determined product appeals to a consumer, this consumer can easily unroll the sheet-like product so as to obtain a better view of the shown product. This is particularly useful when the sheet-like product comprises a design, so that unrolling gives the consumer an overall impression of the design. The consumer can also unroll the sheet-like product in order to sever or cut a part of a desired length therefrom and then purchase this part. The cutting or severing can optionally be carried out by a member of shop staff.

A drawback of existing roll display systems is that, after unrolling by the consumer, the rolls with the sheet-like product thereon are not usually rolled up. This results in an untidy appearance despite the best efforts of shop staff.

It is an object of the invention to provide a roll display system which obviates the above stated and other drawbacks.

For the purpose of achieving the above stated and other objects the present invention provides a roll display system according to the appended claim 1. The present invention specifically provides for this purpose a roll display system for displaying a number of rolls with a sheet-like product thereon, comprising:

- a basic construction with a first side and a second side, between which the number of rolls can be placed, and

- rotation means for rotating at least a number of the rolls in a first and/or a second rotation direction for the purpose of rolling up and/or unrolling the product.

Such a roll display system according to the invention makes it possible to clear away the sheet-like product in simple and/or automatic manner by rolling it onto the roll after the sheet-like product has been at least partially unrolled, so that after use the whole has an orderly appearance. The rotation means can alternatively or additionally be configured to rotate the number of the rolls in a direction opposite to the roll-up direction so that the sheet-like product is at least partially unrolled from the roll. An advantage hereof is that at least the number of the rolls can be unrolled automatically, which can for instance be favourable in the case of heavy sheet-like products, wherein the unrolling requires a relatively large amount of effort. In an embodiment the rolls or the number of the rolls are mutually coupled for the purpose of simultaneous rotation of the rolls or the number of the rolls in the first and/or second rotation direction. Mutually coupling the rolls, or the number of the rolls, provides a roll display system wherein said rolls rotate simultaneously so that a good view of the displayed sheet-like products can be obtained in one operation because all rolls unroll simultaneously. Each coupled roll can likewise be rolled up again in efficient manner after the sheet-like product has been shown or presented. The coupling of the rolls provides a simple system, wherein the system need not have means for determining which roll has to be unrolled or rolled up. This is because all rolls or the number of the rolls are rolled up after the consumer has unrolled a single roll or a number of rolls.

In another embodiment said rotation means comprise one belt, one cord or one chain, preferably coupled to each of the rolls or the number of the rolls for allowing rotation of the rolls in the first and/or second rotation direction. Said rotation means make it possible to couple each of the rolls or the number of the rolls so that they can rotate simultaneously. Said rotation means preferably couple the rolls, or the number of the rolls, with slip such that each roll can still be rotated individually. This individual rotation of the rolls can also be achieved by providing said rotation means which rotate said rolls in coupled state in only one rotation direction, while the rolls can rotate individually in the opposite rotation direction, for instance by manual driving. Each roll can in that case be unrolled individually for the purpose of showing the sheet-like product or for severing or cutting off a part of the sheet-like product, while the rolls can then be rolled up simultaneously. This provides a simple system wherein it is not necessary to determine which roll has been unrolled by the consumer.

An advantage of said belt, cord or chain is that they are suitable for rotating driving as well as for coupling of the rolls. Separate means can alternatively be provided for driving and coupling. One roll can for instance thus be driven, and the other rolls can be coupled to this one roll so that they are also driven. The coupling can for instance be brought about by toothed wheels or the like.

In yet another embodiment said rotation means are driven by a motor connected to a battery or to the mains electricity. The motor is preferably embodied to tension said rotation means so that they engage on said rolls for the purpose of rotating the rolls in a rotation direction.

In a further embodiment the roll display system according to the invention comprises a processor embodied to switch on the rotation means for a determined period of time. This processor makes it possible for the rolls to be rolled up and/or unrolled for a determined period of time. The processor is preferably embodied to switch on the rotation means for a period of time necessary to rotate said rolls about their axis once, twice, three, four or even five times.

In a further embodiment the system comprises a sensor embodied to detect an individual within a determined distance from the roll display system, wherein said processor is embodied to switch on the rotation means for a determined period of time after said sensor has detected the individual and/or once the sensor has detected movement away of the individual beyond a determined limit value. The present invention in this way provides a roll display system which automatically unrolls rolls when a consumer is in the vicinity of the device and/or automatically rolls up the rolls once the consumer has moved away from the device. The rolls can hereby be shown automatically and/or the system remains in tidy order after consumers have looked at or purchased the displayed products. The limit value can for instance be several metres.

The sensor can for instance be an optical sensor or a thermal sensor.

In a further embodiment said processor is embodied to switch on the rotation means with a determined delay once said sensor has detected the individual and/or said processor is embodied to switch on the rotation means periodically. Through the use of such a processor a roll display system can be obtained which operates as preferred and which is automatically kept in tidy order, for instance a determined unit of time after the consumer has looked at or purchased the sheet-like products. Additionally or alternatively the rotation means can be switched on periodically, for instance once an hour or once a day, more particularly at the beginning or end of each day, so that the rolls are at least then displayed in tidy order.

In another embodiment said first and/or second side comprises mounting means for releasably arranging the number of rolls. This is advantageous because an owner of the system can in this way take out said rolls in order to replace them should the sheet-like product be sold out or need replacing. Said mounting means preferably comprise a recess for placing and supporting the roll. This recess has a size such that a roll can be placed through the recess so that space is created for placing of the roll between said first and second sides. Said recess preferably has a diameter larger than the diameter of the roll used.

The rolls can be connected both directly and indirectly to the mounting means. The device for instance comprises for this purpose a number of shafts, which shafts can be connected on one side to the mounting means and on the other to the rolls. The rolls can for instance comprise a central cylindrical longitudinal recess in which the shaft can be disposed. The shafts preferably comprise a non-round section, such as for instance a 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or even more than 10-sided shaft, so that the shaft engages on the roll for the purpose of rotating the roll.

In another embodiment said mounting means comprise an element rotatable by the rotation means, this rotatable element having a roll receiving space embodied to receive and lock said roll or for instance said shaft. Said element rotatable by the rotation means makes it possible to form a connection between the rotation means on the one hand and said roll locked therewith on the other, so that the roll is rotated by rotating the rotatable element. This makes it unnecessary to provide a new connection between the rotation means and the roll every time a roll is replaced, as the roll can be released in simple manner from the rotatable element while the coupling between the rotatable element and the rotation means remains in place. The roll can then be easily replaced by another roll which is received in locked manner in the rotatable element. Said rotatable element is preferably connected to said first or second side using bearings, such as ball bearings.

In a further embodiment the rotatable element comprises a recess for receiving said belt, cord or chain. Said recess preferably has a form such that this form engages on said belt, cord or chain so that the rotatable element can be rotated.

In a further embodiment the rotatable element or optionally said recess thereof comprises a number of teeth for receiving the belt, cord or chain in gripping manner so that the number of rolls can be rotated in the first and/or second rotation direction for the purpose of rolling up and/or unrolling for instance a heavy product, such as a roll with carpet. The teeth can optionally extend at an angle in the first or second rotation direction such that during rotation of the belt, cord or chain the teeth engage on the belt, cord or chain in the first or second rotation direction but not in the other rotation direction, so that the belt, cord or chain can displace freely over the teeth in this rotation direction and the roll is then not rotated.

In an embodiment the present roll display system comprises wheels embodied to support and/or displace the display system so that a mobile display system is hereby obtained which is for instance also suitable for markets or other outdoor events.

In an embodiment the present roll display system comprises an even number of rolls, wherein two rolls at a time are arranged at a suitable mutual distance and at the same height between said first and second side walls. This provides a system which can place rolls of sheet-like product on both sides so that an efficient display system is obtained. The suitable distance between two rolls arranged at the same height preferably becomes smaller the higher the rolls are arranged between said first and second side walls, such that a substantially tapering display system is obtained.

In an embodiment, the sheet-like product is selected from the group consisting of film, tablecloth, oilcloth, carpet and textile such as curtains, rugs and other materials.

In view of the favourable effects of the present roll display system for displaying a sheetlike product, according to another aspect the invention relates to the use of the present roll display system for displaying a sheet-like product selected from the group consisting of film, oilcloth, carpet and textile such as curtains, rugs and other materials.

The invention will be further elucidated with reference to figures shown in a drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a roll display system according to a first embodiment of the invention, and

Figure 2 is a side view of the roll display system of figure 1 , and

Figure 3 shows a cross-section of a roll and a basic part with a first side part, and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a roll and a basic part with a second side part. Figure 1 shows a roll display system (1) for displaying a number of rolls (2) with a sheetlike product thereon, comprising:

- a basic construction (3) with a first side (4) and a second, opposite side (5) between which the number of rolls (2) is placed, and

- rotation means (6) for rotating at least a number of the rolls (2) in a first and/or a second rotation direction for rolling up and/or unrolling the product. Figure 1 further shows that rolls (2) are mutually coupled by rotation means (6) in the form of a belt, so that all rolls (2) can be rotated simultaneously therewith, and the shown or purchased product can be rolled up again after being pulled out by a consumer. The belt is driven by a motor 7 which can be connected to a battery or the mains electricity (not shown).

Figure 1 further shows a sensor (18) which detects the proximity of a consumer. An output of sensor (18) is connected to an input of a processor (not shown). This makes it possible, when sensor (18) detects a consumer and/or detects movement away of the consumer beyond a preset limit value, for belt (6) to be controlled by the processor so that it comes into operation for the purpose of rotating the rolls (2) in the first or second rotation direction. The processor can be configured here to rotate the rolls with a determined delay. The processor can for instance be configured to rotate the rolls 10, 15 or 20 minutes after the consumer has been detected, or for instance 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 minutes after movement away of the consumer has been detected. The system optionally also comprises sensors for recording rotation of rolls (2) so that rolls (2) need only be rotated back after rotation by the consumer.

Figure 1 likewise shows that second side (5) comprises mounting means in the form of a recess (8) for releasably arranging a roll (2). Figure 1 also shows that first side (4) comprises mounting means in the form of a rotatable element (9) with a roll receiving space (11), see figure 3, for receiving and locking a roll (2). Particularly received in receiving space (11) is a hexagonal shaft (14), which extends through a central cylindrical longitudinal recess of roll (2) and which, due to its hexagonal shape, engages on roll (2).

Figure 1 further shows that the roll display system (1) comprises wheels (10) so that a mobile whole is obtained.

The embodiment shown in figure 1 shows four rolls (2), while four rolls are likewise placed on the rear side of the system. In addition, the system tapers toward the top. A compact unit is hereby obtained in which eight rolls (2) can be shown and presented, while all eight rolls (2) are automatically rotatable.

Figure 2 shows a side view of the basic construction (3) with first side (4) and rotation means (6) for rotating at least a number of the rolls in the first and/or the second rotation direction for rolling up and/or unrolling the product. Figure 2 further shows that the rolls are mutually coupled by rotation means (6) in the form of a belt, so that all rolls can hereby be rotated simultaneously. Figure 2 shows that belt (6) couples the rolls via rotatable elements (9) such that the rolls all rotate in the same direction when belt (6) is moved. The same direction is understood here to mean the roll-up direction or the unrolling direction of the rolls. The absolute rotation directions of the two sets of four rolls (2), which as seen in figure 2 are suspended on either side of the construction (3), are opposed.

Figure 3 shows how roll (2) is rotatably coupled to first side (4) via the mounting means in the form of rotatable element (9) in which the shaft (14) of roll (2) is locked in the roll receiving space (11). Rotatable element (9) is connected to first side (4) via ball bearings (12) so that rotatable element (9) with roll (2) received therein (2) can rotate relative to first side (4) of the basic construction. Figure 3 further shows that rotatable element (9) comprises a recess (13) for receiving the belt (6). In order to allow proper engagement of rotatable element (9) on shaft (14), this shaft (14) is provided with a wedge (16). It is noted that shaft (14) is received releasably in the cylindrical longitudinal recess of roll (2). Owing to its hexagonal form the shaft (14) engages on the cylindrical longitudinal recess of roll (2) such that roll (2) is rotated by a rotation of shaft (14). When a roll (2) is replaced, a new roll (2) can be arranged on shaft (14).

With the shown system the consumer can pull out the roll (2) for the purpose of better viewing of the sheet-like product on roll (2) and/or purchasing a part of the sheet-like product. The roll can be pulled out without co-rotation of the other rolls (2) in the system since the resistance of the total number of rolls (2) coupled via belt (6) is greater than the resistance of roll (2) over shaft (14).

Figure 4 shows second side (5) with recess (8) therein for receiving the shaft (14) with roll (2) thereon, wherein shaft (14) has a substantially round portion (15) so that shaft (14) can rotate smoothly in recess (8). Because recess (8) is open, roll (2) can be easily placed in second side (5).

It is noted that the invention is not limited to the shown embodiments but also extends to variants within the

scope of the appended claims.

It will thus be apparent that the device is not limited to displaying the eight rolls shown. Any desired number of rolls can be displayed with the device according to the invention, optionally by providing more mounting means.

Claims

1. Roll display system for displaying a number of rolls with a sheet-like product thereon, comprising:

2. Roll display system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rolls or the number of the rolls are mutually coupled for the purpose of simultaneous rotation of the rolls or the number of the rolls in the first and/or second rotation direction.

3. Roll display system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said rotation means comprise one belt, one cord or one chain coupled to each of the rolls or the number of the rolls for allowing simultaneous rotation of the rolls in the first and or second rotation direction.

4. Roll display system as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein said rotation means are driven by a motor connected to a battery or to the mains electricity.

5. Roll display system as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, further comprising a processor embodied to switch on the rotation means for a determined period of time.

6. Roll display system as claimed in claim 5, comprising a sensor embodied to detect an individual within a determined distance from the roll display system, wherein said processor is embodied to switch on the rotation means for a determined period of time after said sensor has detected the individual.

7. Roll display system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said processor is embodied to switch on the rotation means with a determined delay once said sensor has detected the individual.

8. Roll display system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said processor is embodied to switch on the rotation means periodically.

9. Roll display system as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein said first and/or second side comprise mounting means for releasably arranging the number of rolls.

10. Roll display system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said mounting means comprise a recess for placing and supporting the roll.

11. Roll display system as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein said mounting means comprise an element rotatable by the rotation means, this rotatable element having a roll receiving space embodied to receive and lock said roll.

12. Roll display system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein said rotatable element is connected to said first or second side using bearings.

13. Roll display system as claimed in claims 11 or 12 and 3, wherein said rotatable element comprises a recess for receiving said belt, cord or chain.

14. Roll display system as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein said rotatable element or said recess thereof comprises a number of teeth for receiving the belt, cord or chain in gripping manner so that the number of rolls can be rotated in the first and/or second rotation direction for the purpose of rolling up and/or unrolling for instance a heavy product, such as a roll with carpet.

15. Roll display system as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, which further comprises wheels embodied to support and/or displace the display system.

16. Roll display system as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, which comprises an even number of rolls, wherein two rolls at a time are arranged at a suitable mutual distance and at the same height between said first and second side walls.

17. Roll display system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the suitable distance between two rolls arranged at the same height becomes smaller the higher the rolls are arranged between said first and second side walls, such that a substantially tapering display system is obtained.

18. Roll display system as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the sheet-like product is selected from the group consisting of film, oilcloth, carpet and textile such as curtains, rugs and other materials.

19. Use of the roll display system as claimed in any of the foregoing claims for displaying a sheetlike product selected from the group consisting of film, oilcloth, carpet and textile such as curtains, rugs and other materials.