WO2011154568A1

WO2011154568A1 - Fold-out shelving unit made of cardboard or a similar material

Info

Publication number: WO2011154568A1
Application number: PCT/ES2011/000189
Authority: WO
Inventors: Francisco Lopez Fernandez
Original assignee: Mestres Armengol, Ferran
Priority date: 2010-06-08
Filing date: 2011-06-07
Publication date: 2011-12-15
Also published as: ES2372076A1; ES2372076B1; US20140014606A1; WO2011154568A8; EP2580997A1; MX2012014308A

Abstract

The shelving unit comprises a rear panel (1) and side panels (2) that can be moved between a folded position, in which said panels are coplanar, and an extended position, in which the side panels (2) are perpendicular to the rear panel (1), a movable support panel (3) that extends from one side panel (2) to the other, and a shelf panel (4) that can be folded up against the rear panel (1). The support panel (3) and the shelf panel (4) are kinematically connected to one another and to the side panels (2) by first and second kinematic connection means, such that the support panel (3) moves nearer and further away parallel to the rear panel (1) and the shelf panel (4) pivots relative to the rear panel (1) when the side panels (2) are moved between the folded position and the extended position.

Description

FOLDING CARTON OR SIMILAR MATERIAL

Technical field

The present invention concerns a folding shelf of cardboard or similar material, such as corrugated cardboard, plastic, corrugated plastic, pen cardboard, etc. The folding shelf of the present invention is useful, for example, as an display for displaying products at a point of sale, and consequently comprises one or more shelves capable of supporting products including relatively heavy items, such as books, cans or canning cans. , bottles, etc. Background of the invention

International patent application WO-A-2009037368 describes a self-expanding folding structure for an exhibitor with shelves, made of cardboard or similar material, comprising a main piece that defines a rear panel and side panels articulated to opposite side edges of said rear panel, where the side panels can be moved between a folded position, in which said side panels and the rear panel are substantially parallel or coplanar, and an expanded position, in which the side panels are substantially perpendicular to the rear panel. The shelf includes shelf panels, each of which has a rear edge articulated to the rear panel articulated so that it can be moved between a folded position, in which the shelf panel is substantially parallel to the rear panel and side panels. when these are in the folded position, and an expanded position, in which the shelf panel forms trihedron angles with the rear panel and with the side panels when they are in the expanded position. The shelf panels are connected to the side panels by means of linking panels that establish a kinematic link between the side panels and the shelf panels and that support the shelf panels at their side edges in the expanded position. Elastic elements are arranged to push the side panels towards the expanded position.

The aforementioned kinematic linkage causes a movement of any of the panels to be automatically communicated to the remaining panels. Thus, when the elastic elements move the side panels from the folded position to the expanded position the shelf panels are also automatically moved to the expanded position, and when the side panels are manually moved from the expanded position to the folded position against the force of the elastic elements the shelf panels are also automatically moved to the folded position.

A drawback of the link panels described in the aforementioned international patent application WO-A-2009037368 is that they only support the shelf panels by their lateral edges in the expanded position, and this entails the risk of the shelf panels being combined or fail under the weight of the articles arranged thereon unless the shelf panels are made of a substantially rigid material or that its front edges are reinforced with fins and folds that add complexity to the structure.

US-A-6715623 discloses a folding shelf made of corrugated cardboard comprising a main piece that defines a rear panel and side panels articulated jointly to opposite side edges of said rear panel. The side panels can be moved between a folded position, in which said side panels and the rear panel are substantially parallel or coplanar, and an expanded position, in which the side panels are substantially perpendicular to the rear panel. Support panels extend from one to the other of the side panels, which are obtained by cuts in said main piece and adopt a substantially parallel and separate position from the rear panel when the shelf is in said expanded position. The shelving includes shelf panels, each of which has a rear edge articulated jointly to the rear panel so that it can be moved between a folded position, in which the shelf panel is substantially parallel to the rear panel and side panels. when these are in the folded position, and an expanded position, in which the shelf panel forms trihedron angles with the rear panel and with the side panels when they are in the expanded position, when the shelf panels are in the expanded position its front regions are supported in the entire width of by the support panels.

A drawback of the aforementioned US-A-6715623 patent is that it does not comprise a kinematic link between the panels integrated in the main piece and the shelf panels, so that to move the shelf from the expanded position to the folded position it is first necessary Fold the shelf panels individually and keep them in the folded position before the side and support panels can be folded. This also makes it impossible or very complicated to incorporate elastic elements arranged to push the shelf into the expanded position so that the folding shelf is self-expanding.

Exhibition of the invention

The present invention contributes to mitigating the above and other inconveniences by providing a folding shelf made of cardboard or similar material, comprising a rear panel and side panels articulated jointly to opposite side edges of said rear panel so that they can be moved between a folded position. , wherein said side panels and the rear panel are substantially parallel or coplanar, and an expanded position, in which the side panels are substantially perpendicular to the rear panel. The shelf further comprises at least one support panel extending from one to the other side panels in a substantially parallel position and separated from the rear panel in said expanded position, and at least one shelf panel movably attached to the rear panel and / or the side panels so that it can be moved between a folded position, in which said pane! of shelf is substantially parallel to the rear panel and to the side panels when they are in the folded position, and an expanded position, in which the shelf panel forms trihedral angles with the rear panel and with the side panels when they are in the expanded position, and It is directly or indirectly supported by said support panel. Retention means are arranged to keep the rear, side and support panels in the expanded position,

The support panel is kinematically linked to the side panels by first kinematic linking means, so that the support panel approaches and moves parallel to the rear panel when the side panels move between the folded position and the expanded position, and the shelf panel is kinematically linked to the support panel by a second kinematic linking means so that the shelf panel pivots with respect to the rear panel when the support panel moves between the folded position and the expanded position.

The said second kinematic linking means comprise at least one kinematic linking panel having a first edge articulated jointly to the support panel and a second opposite edge articulated jointly to the shelf panel in a position between the support panel and the rear panel when They are in the expanded position.

In one embodiment, the first kinematic linking means comprise connection panels having a first edge articulated jointly to each side end of the support panel and a second edge articulated jointly to each side panel in a position between the support panel and the rear panel when in the expanded position. In another alternative embodiment, each side panel comprises a longitudinal fold line substantially parallel to the corresponding side edge of the rear panel and located between the support panel and the rear panel when they are in the expanded position, and the side edges of the support panel are articulated together to the side panels at or near their free front edges.

One of the shelves located in a lower region of the shelf can form a pedestal, in which case the corresponding support panel preferably extends from the shelf panel to the floor or support surface on which the shelf rests in the expanded position. . A folding support structure is arranged between the shelf panel and the floor or support surface, which comprises two or more vertical structure panels articulated jointly to each other. One of said structure panels is articulated jointly to one of the rear, side or support panels and another of the structure panels is articulatedly connected to another of the rear, side or support panels, so that the folding support structure it is moved between a folded position and an expanded position along with the rear, side and support panels when they are moved between the folded position and the expanded position. The structure panels have upper edges and lower edges, and their height is selected such that said upper edges are arranged to support the shelf panel while said lower edges are arranged to rest on the floor or support surface. Thus, thanks to the vertical structure panels, the shelf panel is capable of supporting heavy items even if the folding shelf is made entirely of corrugated cardboard or a similar material.

Optionally, one or more elastic elements, such as annular rubber bands, are arranged to push the rear, side and support panels towards the expanded position and to keep them therein. Thus, thanks to the elastic element or elements, the folding shelf is self-expanding, since it automatically expands from the folded position to the expanded position, while folding from the expanded position to the folded position is performed manually against the force of the elements. elastic Alternatively, since the panels are kinematically linked, the expansion and folding can be done manually easily, and alternative retention means, elastic or not, can be used to keep them in the expanded position.

Preferably, the rear panel and side panels comprise at least one transverse fold line substantially perpendicular to the side edges of the rear panel, so that the shelf can be moved from the folded position to a compact folded position by folding the rear panel and the side panels along said transverse fold line. If the folding shelf is self-expanding by the incorporation of the elastic elements, said compact folded position is stable since the fold along the transverse fold line prevents the elastic means from moving the shelf from the compact folded position to the position expanded. The unfolding from the compact folded position must be started manually until a point reaches from which the elastic means act and the expansion to the expanded position is performed automatically in a few seconds.

To ensure that the transverse fold line forms a spine of a desired width, it comprises two first complementary fold lines mutually parallel and separated by a first distance. If the material is corrugated cardboard or the like, each first complementary fold line comprises, at least one section of its length, a partial cut line on an outer side of the panel and a fold line on the opposite inner side of the panel. In some places, one or more of the rear and side panels has a multilayer region, in which the transverse fold line comprises two complementary second parallel fold lines separated by a second distance smaller than said first distance. Each second complementary fold line comprises a partial cut line on an outer side of the multi-layer region of the panel and a fold line on the opposite inner side. The first and second complementary fold lines are delimited by a complete cut line cross. The said second distance is approximately equal to the first distance minus twice the thickness of the layer or additional layers of said multi-layer region.

In one embodiment, a stepped structure is provided on the shelf panel comprising one or more stepped shelf panels and one or more stepped support panels articulated together. All stepped support panels have a lower edge articulated jointly to the shelf panel, while the upper stepped shelf panel has a rear edge articulated jointly to the rear panel. Obviously, the stepped structure could comprise a single step with a stepped shelf panel and a stepped support panel. Brief description of the drawings

The foregoing and other features and advantages will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of some embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a folding cardboard or similar material shelf according to an embodiment of the present invention in an intermediate position between a folded position and an expanded position;

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing elements that form a shelf of the folding shelf of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the elements of Fig. 2 assembled in an expanded position;

Fig. 4 is a side view of the elements of Fig. 2 assembled in an intermediate position between the folded position and the expanded position;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the folding shelf of Fig. 1 in the expanded position;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a variant of the folding shelf of Fig. 5 with a single shelf forming a base in the expanded position;

Fig. 7 is a side view of a variant of the elements that form the shelf of Fig. 2 assembled in an expanded position;

Fig. 8 is a side view of the elements that form the shelf of Fig. 7 in an intermediate position between the folded position and the expanded position;

Fig. 9 is a side view of another variant of the elements that form the shelf of Fig. 2 assembled in an expanded position;

Fig. 10 is a side view of the elements that form the shelf of Fig. 9 in an intermediate position between the folded position and the expanded position;

Fig. 1 1 is a partial view of the folding shelf in the intermediate position showing a variant of the elements that form the shelf of Figs. 9 and 10; Fig. 12 is a side view of the elements that form the shelf of Fig. 11 in an expanded position;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a collapsible cardboard shelf or similar material according to another embodiment of the present invention in an intermediate position between a folded position and an expanded position;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the folding shelf of Fig. 13 in the expanded position;

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a collapsible cardboard shelf or similar material according to yet another embodiment of the present invention in an expanded position;

Fig. 16 is a side view of elements forming a shelf of the folding shelf of Fig. 15 in an expanded position;

Fig. 17 is a side view of the elements of Fig. 16 in an intermediate position between the folded position and the expanded position;

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a folding cardboard shelf or similar material according to a variant of the shelf of Fig. 13 in an intermediate position between a folded position and an expanded position, where a kinematic linking panel has been omitted to better show a folding support structure according to one embodiment;

Fig. 19 is an exploded perspective view of elements forming the folding support structure of Fig. 18;

Fig. 20 is a perspective view of the elements that form the folding support structure of Fig. 18 in the expanded position;

Fig. 21 is a perspective view of a foldable cardboard shelf or similar material according to a variant of the shelf of Fig. 13 in an intermediate position between a folded position and an expanded position, where a kinematic linking panel has been omitted to better show a folding support structure according to another embodiment;

Fig. 22 is a plan view of the development of an element that forms the folding support structure of Fig. 21;

Fig. 23 is a perspective view of the element that forms the folding support structure of Fig. 18 in the expanded position;

Fig. 24 is a perspective view of a folding cardboard or similar material shelf according to yet another embodiment of the present invention in an intermediate position between a folded position and an expanded position;

Fig. 25 is a plan view of the shelf of Fig. 24 in the intermediate position; Fig. 26 is a perspective view of a foldable cardboard shelf or similar material according to the present invention in an intermediate position between the folded position and a compact folded position by folding along a transverse fold line; Fig. 27 is a perspective view of the shelf of Fig. 26 in the compact folded position;

Fig. 28 is a perspective view of an enlarged detail showing the inner side of the transverse fold line in a multi-layer region of a side panel of the shelf in an intermediate position between the folded position and a compact folded position;

Fig. 29 is a perspective view of an enlarged detail showing the outer side of the transverse fold line in the multilayer region in the intermediate position between the folded position and a compact folded position;

Fig. 30 is a perspective view of a foldable cardboard shelf or similar material according to a further embodiment of the present invention including a stepped structure in an intermediate position between a folded position and an expanded position;

Fig. 31 is a perspective view of the folding shelf of Fig. 30 in the expanded position;

Fig. 32 is a side view of elements that form the stepped structure of Figs. 30 and 31 in an intermediate position between a folded position and an expanded position; Fig. 33 is a perspective view of a collapsible cardboard shelf or similar material according to another additional embodiment of the present invention in an intermediate position between a folded position and an expanded position;

Fig. 34 is a perspective view of the folding shelf of Fig. 33 in the expanded position;

Fig. 35 is an enlarged view of detail XXXV of Fig. 34;

Fig. 36 is an exploded perspective view showing elements forming a shelf according to a variant of the folding shelf of Fig. 1;

Fig. 37 is a perspective view of a collapsible cardboard shelf or similar material according to yet another additional embodiment of the present invention in an intermediate position between a folded position and an expanded position;

Fig. 38 is an enlarged view of detail XXXVIII of Fig. 37;

Fig. 39 is a perspective view of the folding shelf of Fig. 37 in the expanded position;

Fig. 40 is a side view of elements forming the shelf of the folding shelf of Fig. 37 assembled in an expanded position;

Fig. 41 is a side view of the elements of Fig. 40 assembled in an intermediate position between the folded position and the expanded position;

Fig. 42 is a perspective view of a folding cardboard or similar material shelf according to a further embodiment of the present invention including a stepped structure in an intermediate position between a folded position and an expanded position; Fig. 43 is a perspective view of the folding shelf of Fig. 42 in a position close to the folded position; Y

Fig. 44 is a perspective view of the folding shelf of Fig. 42 in the folded position.

Detailed description of some embodiments

Referring firstly to Figs. 1 to 5, the foldable cardboard or similar material shelf according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a rear panel 1 having opposite side edges and side panels 2 articulated to said opposite side edges of the rear panel 1 in a manner which can be moved between a folded position (not shown), in which said side panels 2 and the rear panel 1 are substantially parallel or coplanar, and an expanded position (shown in Fig. 5), in which the side panels 2 are substantially perpendicular to the rear panel 1.

Although not essential, it is preferred that the rear and side panels 1, 2 are made of the same piece where the articulated joint between them comprises fold lines including crease lines, partial cut lines, or combinations of both. Also preferably, the rear and side panels 1, 2 comprise a transverse fold line 15 substantially perpendicular to the side edges of the rear panel 1, which allows the rear panel 1 and the side panels 2 to be folded from the folded position to a folded position compact, as will be described in greater detail below.

The shelf of Figs. 1 to 5 further comprises a pair of shelf panels 4, each of which has a rear edge articulated jointly to the rear panel 1 so that it can be moved between a folded position, in which said shelf panel 4 is substantially parallel to the rear panel 1 and to the side panels 2 when they are in the folded position, and an expanded position, in which the shelf panel 4 forms trihedral angles with the rear and side panels 1, 2 (Fig. 5). Alternatively or additionally, the shelf panels could be linked to the side panels by means of linking panels such as those described in the cited international patent application WO-A-2009037368 allowing the same movements.

Each shelf panel 4 is associated with a support panel 3, which, in the expanded position, extends from one to the other side panels 2 in a substantially parallel position and separated from the rear panel 1. This support panel 3 it is kinematically linked to the side panels 2 by first kinematic linking means, so that the support panel 3 approaches and moves parallel to the rear panel 1 when the side panels 2 move between the folded position and the expanded position. In the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 5, said first kinematic linking means comprise a pair of connection panels 6, each of which has a first leading edge or edge articulated jointly to a corresponding side end of the support panel 3 and a second edge or rear edge articulatedly connected to the corresponding side panel 2 in a position between the support panel 3 and the rear panel 1 when they are in the expanded position.

To facilitate the movements of the folding shelf between the folded and expanded positions, the distance between the front and rear edges of the connection panel 6 is equal to the distance between the rear edge of the connection panel 6 and the rear edge of the corresponding side panel 2 attached to the side edge of the rear panel 1. In general, the side panels 2 open outwardly to move from the expanded position to the folded position.

In addition, the shelf panel 4 is kinematically linked to the support panel 3 by a second kinematic linking means so that the shelf panel 4 pivots with respect to the rear panel 1 when the support panel 3 moves between the folded position and the expanded position. In the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 5, these second kinematic linking means comprise a kinematic linking panel 5 having a first edge articulated jointly to the support panel 3 and a second opposite edge articulated jointly to the shelf panel 4 in a position between the support panel 3 and the rear panel 1 when they are in the expanded position.

With this construction, all the panels of the folding shelf are kinematically linked to each other, so that the movement of any of them causes the movement of the others. By optionally arranging one or more elastic element 14, such as for example rubber annular bands, so as to push the rear, side, support and shelf panels 1, 2, 3, 4 towards the expanded position, the display is achieved Folding is also self-expanding, that is, capable of automatically expanding from the folded position to the expanded position.

In the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 5, the elastic elements 14 in the form of rubber annular bands are arranged to pull the side panels 2 towards each other, although alternatively they could be arranged to pull other panels towards each other by virtue of the Kinematic linking between all of them. For practical and aesthetic reasons, the elastic elements are arranged adjacent to a lower face of the shelf panels 4 so that they are hidden when the folding shelf is in the expanded position.

Obviously, the force exerted by the elastic elements 14 also serves to keep the panels of the folding shelf in the expanded position. To prevent the relaxation effect that rubber annular bands can experience when they are held in tension for a long period of time, it may be convenient to install two or more rubber annular bands associated with each shelf panel, each rubber ring band being individually subjected to a lower tension than if there were only one. Alternatively, if the folding shelf is not self-expanding, other elastic retention means or not are provided to keep the rear, side, support and shelf panels 1, 2, 3, 4 in the expanded position, such as one or more surrounding bands or a rigid socket in which lower regions of the rear and side panels 1, 2 are inserted.

In Figs. 2 to 4 shows the construction and operation of one of the shelves of the folding structure according to one embodiment. The support panel 3 is made of a piece of corrugated cardboard or similar material having a pair of fold lines defining fixing fins 3a adjacent to its lateral edges for articulated connection of the support panel 3 to the connection panels 6. Each of the connection panels 6 is in turn made of a corresponding piece of corrugated cardboard or similar material having a fold line defining a fixing flap 6a adjacent to its rear edge for articulated connection of the connection panels 6 to the respective side panels 2. Although not essential, it is preferred that the length of the fixing fins 6a be equal to the length of the connection panels 6 to aid their positioning in relation to the side panels 2. In each one of said fixing fin 6a is formed by punching a hooking member 6b where the flexible element 14 is engaged.

The shelf panel 4 is also made of a piece of corrugated cardboard or similar material having a fold line defining a fixing flap 4a adjacent its rear edge for the articulated connection of the shelf panel 4 to the rear panel 1. Finally, The kinematic linking panel 5 is made of a corresponding piece of corrugated cardboard or similar material having a pair of fold lines defining fixing fins 5a, 5b adjacent to its front and rear edges for articulated joint of the kinematic linking panel 5 to the support panel 3 and the shelf panel 4, respectively. For example, the joints of the different fixing fins to the respective panels are made by gluing.

As shown in Fig. 3 (valid for both the upper shelf and the lower shelf), the shelf panel 4 has a length selected so that in the expanded position a front region thereof is directly supported by the upper edge of the support panel 3, while the kinematic linking panel 5 remains in an inclined position between the shelf panel 4 and the support panel 3 that contributes to supporting a middle region of the shelf panel 4. The kinematic linking panel 5 preferably it forms an acute angle with the shelf panel 4 in the expanded position. When, for example, the support panel 3 is moved towards the rear panel 1 (Fig. 4), either by a direct pressure on it or as a consequence of a movement of the side panels 2 towards the folded position, the linking panel Kinematics 5 pushes the shelf panel 4 upwards to the folded position.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the support panel 3 associated with the upper shelf has a low height while the support panel 3 associated with the lower shelf extends from the corresponding shelf panel 5 to the floor or other support surface on which it is located the folding shelf, forming a base. The fixing fins 6a have a considerable height and the connection panels 6 have an increasing height from the support panel 3 to the corresponding fixing fins 6a. Both the connection panels 6 and the fins of fixing 6a protrude above the corresponding shelf panels 4 in the expanded position. On the upper shelf, the relatively large height of the connection panels 6 and corresponding fixing fins 6a provides a great firmness to the support panel 3 even though it is of low height and is supported in the air.

Fig. 6 shows a variant of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 5 where the upper shelf has been omitted and there is only one lower shelf panel 4 associated with a support panel 3 forming a base.

Figs. 7 and 8 show a variant of the elements 3, 4, 5, 6, 6a that form the upper shelf, which are all analogous to those described above in relation to Figs. 3 and 4 except that in this case the connection panels 6 and their corresponding fixing fins 6a, despite having a considerable height, extend downwards from the level of the shelf panel 4, so that they do not protrude above of the corresponding shelf panels 4 in the expanded position. The relatively large height of the connection panels 6 and corresponding fixing fins 6a gives firmness to the support panel 3.

Figs. 9 and 10 show another variant of the elements 3, 4, 5, 6, 6a that form the upper shelf, which are analogous to those described above in relation to Figs. 3 and 4 except that in this case the connection panels 6 and their corresponding fixing fins 6a have substantially the same height as the support panel 3. In this variant, the support panel 3 has a lower firmness and is suitable for Withstand light items.

Figs. 11 and 12 show yet another variant of the elements 3, 4, 5, 6, 6a that form the upper shelf, which are analogous to those described above in relation to Figs. 9 and 10 with the addition of a cutout 6c made on a lower edge of each connection panel 6 near the support panel 3 to fit with a shoulder 9 fixed on the inner side of the corresponding side panel 2 when the shelf is in position expanded. Thus, the projections 9 support the connection panels 6 in the expanded position and give firmness to the support panel 3 and the shelf panel 4. The projections 9 can be made, for example, of pieces of corrugated cardboard or similar material fixed to the side panels. Optionally, the cuts 6c can be omitted, in which case it will be a lower edge of each connection panel 6 which will rest on the corresponding shoulder 9 in the expanded position.

Figs. 13 and 14 show a folding shelf according to a variant of the folding shelf shown in Fig. 6, which only has a lower shelf panel 4 associated with a support panel 3 forming a base. The difference in this variant is that the connection panels 6 have a much longer length than in the shelf of Fig. 6, and are connected near the free front edges of the corresponding side panels 2. Accordingly, the support panel 3 is located in front of the free front edges of the side panels 2 and the shelf panel 4 rests on the upper edge of the support panel 3 in the expanded position. The result is a folding shelf with a stand provided with a shelf panel 4 of dimensions significantly larger than that of the folding shelf shown in Fig. 6. In the expanded position, the support panel 3, the shelf panel 4 and the connection panels 6 stand out remarkably from the side panels 2, while in the folded position the folding shelf would occupy exactly the same space as the folding shelf shown in Fig. 6, since the maximum width of the shelf in position folded is delimited by the free front edges of the side panels 2 and not by the elements that form the shelf and the base.

Fig. 15 shows a variant of the folding shelf shown in Figs. 13 and 14, where the only difference is that the rear edge of the shelf panel 4 is articulatedly connected to the rear panel 1 at a lower level than the upper edges of the support and connection panels 3, 6, and the panel of shelf 4 has a length selected so that a front region thereof is supported in the expanded position on a shoulder 8 protruding from the inner side of the support panel 3, at a level lower than its upper edge. The result is that the base forms a container where upper portions of the support and connection panels 3, 6 provide railings around the front part of the shelf panel 4, whose rear part is delimited by the rear and side panels 1, 2. The shoulder 8 can be formed, for example, by the upper edge of a corrugated cardboard plate or similar material fixed on the inner side of the support panel 3.

Figs. 16 and 17 show the operation of the container formed by the base of the folding shelf according to the variant of Fig. 15. In them, the arrangement of a kinematic linking panel 5 with a leading edge articulated jointly to the support panel 3 can be observed. , or to the plate that provides the shoulder 8, and a rear edge articulated jointly to the shelf panel 4 in a middle region thereof. In the expanded position (Fig. 16), the front region of the shelf panel 4 rests on the shoulder 8 and the kinematic linking panel 5 remains in an inclined position between the shelf panel 4 and the support panel 3, so which contributes to support a middle region of the shelf panel 4.

Fig. 18 shows another variant of the folding shelf shown in Figs. 13 and 14, which additionally includes a folding support structure 10 disposed between the shelf panel 4 and the floor or other support surface on which the shelf rests in the expanded position. In Fig. 18, the kinematic linking panel 5 has been omitted to show more clearly the support structure 10, although in reality the folding shelf of Fig. 18 comprises a pair of narrow kinematic linking panels 5 (not shown) installed in a manner analogous to that described above on both sides of the support structure 10 so as not to interfere with it.

Figs. 19 and 20 show said support structure 10 according to the embodiment of Fig. 18, which comprises two vertical structure panels 11, 12 of corrugated cardboard or similar material, each of which has a vertical fold line , 12a in its middle region and a pair of linear cuts 1 1 b, 12b parallel to said vertical fold line lia, 12a on opposite sides of said vertical fold line ia, 12a. The structure panels 1 1, 12 also have respective fixing fins 11c, 12c on opposite edges thereof. The two structure panels 11, 12 folded by their vertical fold lines l, 12a are assembled by mutual engagement of their linear cuts 1 Ib, 12b as shown in Fig. 20.

In an operative situation (Fig. 18), the support structure 10 is housed within the base of the folding shelf with the fixing flap 11c of one of the structure panels 11 attached to the rear panel 1 and the fixing flap 12c of the other structure panel 12 attached to the inner side of the support panel 3. Thus, the support structure 10 is moved between a folded position and an expanded position together with the rear, side and support panels 1, 2, 3 when they they are moved between the folded position and the expanded position. The height of the support panels 1 1, 12 is selected such that, in the expanded position, one upper edges thereof are arranged to support the shelf panel 4 and lower edges are arranged to rest on the floor or another support surface. Preferably, the structure panels 11, 12 include respective windows l id, 12d (Fig. 19) through which the elastic element 14 is passed in the operative situation (Fig. 18).

Fig. 21 shows a folding shelf similar to that shown in Fig. 18 but including a variant of the folding support structure 10 housed in the base. In this variant, the folding structure comprises a plurality of vertical structure panels 13a-13e articulated jointly to each other by vertical articulation lines forming an accordion structure. In the operative situation, one of the structure panels 13a located at one end of the accordion structure is articulated jointly to the rear panel 1 the structure panel 13e located at the other opposite end of the accordion structure is articulated jointly to the panel of support 3. The support structure 10 moves between pest and expanded positions together with the remaining shelving panels. In the expanded position, the shelf panel 4 is supported on one upper edges of the panels of structure 13a-13e while lower edges thereof rest on the floor or other support surface.

As shown in Figs. 22 and 23, the structure panels 13a-13e are preferably obtained from a single corrugated cardboard plate or similar material provided with parallel fold lines 21 that provide the articulated joint between them, and from the structure panels 13a , 13e located at opposite ends of the plate extend fixing fins 22a, 22b that provide the articulated joint to the rear and support panels 1, 3. Preferably, some of the selected structure panels 13b, 13d include respective windows 23 (Figs. 22 and 23) through which respective elastic elements 14 are passed in the operative situation (Fig. 18).

Figs. 24 and 25 show another alternative embodiment of the folding shelf of the present invention, where instead of the connection panels 6 described above, the first kinematic linking means comprise in each side panel 2 a fold line longitudinal 7 substantially parallel to the corresponding side edge of the rear panel 1. This longitudinal fold line 7 is located between the support panel 3 and the rear panel 1 when the shelf is in the expanded position. In this embodiment, the support panel 3 has its opposite side edges articulatedly joined to the side panels 2, near its free front edges or directly at its free front edges, and the kinematic link panel 5 is articulated jointly to the rear panels and support 1, 3 as described above.

For example, from the opposite side edges of the support panel 3, fixing fins 3a extend for the articulated joint to the side panels, and at the free ends of said fixing fins 3a hook members 3b are formed (Fig. 25) where the flexible element 14 is engaged. In this embodiment, when the folding shelf is moved from the expanded position to the folded position, the rear half of the side panels opens outward while the front half folds in and It overlaps the back half. For this reason, in the folded situation the shelf has a width smaller than that of the embodiments described above.

Figs. 26 and 27 illustrate how a folding shelf according to the present invention can be moved from the folded position (next to that shown in Fig. 26) to a compact folded position (Fig. 27). For this, the rear panel 1 and the side panels 2 comprise a transverse fold line 15 substantially perpendicular to the side edges of the rear panel 1, so that the shelf can be moved from the folded position to the compact folded position by folding the panel rear 1 and side panels 2 by said transverse fold line 15. The elements 3, 4, 5, 6 that form the upper shelf are arranged above the transverse fold line 15 and the elements 3, 4, 5, 6 forming the lower shelf and the base are below the transverse fold line 15, so that they do not interfere with folding.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 26 and 27, the upper part of the rear and side panels 1, 2 folds forward so that the elements 3, 4, 5, 6 that form the upper shelf and the lower shelf with the base are mutually superimposed and substantially covered by the corresponding halves of the rear and side panels 1, 2 when the shelf is in the compact folded position (Fig. 27). However, in other embodiments (not shown) the upper part of the rear and side panels 1, 2 can be folded back, that is, with the two halves of the rear and side panels 1, 2 arranged back to back in the inner side and the elements 3, 4, 5, 6 that form the upper shelf and the lower shelf with the base arranged on the outer sides.

Figs. 28 and 29 show in detail the inner side and the outer side, respectively, of the transverse fold line 15 in a region where the side panel 2 has a fold that provides a double layer region 2. For example, this fold and the double layer region 2a are located along the free front edges of the side panels 2 to reinforce said edges and at the same time present a smooth edge 2b that conceals the internal structure of the corrugated cardboard or similar material that if the fold does not exist would be visible on said edges.

To facilitate the folding in the double layer region 2a without crushing and tearing, the transverse fold line 15 comprises, in the single layer regions 2, two complementary first fold lines 15a, 15b mutually parallel and separated by a first distance di and, in the double layer regions 2a, two complementary second fold lines 15c, 15d mutually parallel and separated by a second distance d2 less than said first distance di. Each of said first complementary fold lines 15a, 15b comprises, at least one section of its length, a partial cut line on an outer side of the panel (Fig. 29) and a fold line on the opposite inner side of the panel (Fig. 28), and each of the second complementary fold lines 15c, 15d comprises a partial cut line on an outer side of the double layer region 2a of the panel (Fig. 29) and a fold line on the opposite inner side of the double layer region 2a of the panel (Fig. 28). The first and second complementary fold lines 15a, 15b; 15c, 15d are delimited by a full cross-section line 16 at the boundary between the single layer region 2 and the double layer region 2a.

Alternatively, the fold can provide a region with a thickness of more than two layers, or the region of two or more layers can be formed by overlapping and joined layers of corrugated cardboard or similar material without a fold, being in any case applicable the technique described in relation to Figs. 28 and 29. When there is a double layer region 2, said second distance d2 is approximately equal to the first distance, less than twice the thickness of the corrugated cardboard or similar material. Generally speaking, when the panel has a region of multiple layers 2a, the second distance d2 is approximately equal to the first distance, less than twice the thickness of the layer or additional layers of said region of multiple layers 2a. The first distance di is selected to provide a spine of a desired width, for example to house the elements 3, 4, 5, 6 that form the shelves in the compact folded position.

The transverse fold line 15 including the first and second complementary fold lines 15a, 15b; 15c, 15d and the full cut line 16 is compatible with other longitudinal fold lines 24 including crease lines, partial cut lines, or combinations of both, such as, for example, the fold lines connecting the rear panel 1 with side panels 2.

Figs. 30 and 31 show a folding shelf according to a further embodiment of the present invention, which is essentially analogous to the shelf described above in relation to Fig. 13, with the addition of a stepped structure 17 arranged on the panel of shelf 4 associated with the support panel 3 that forms the base.

Fig. 32 shows the construction of the stepped structure 17, which comprises an upper stepped shelf panel 18 having a rear edge articulated jointly to the rear panel 1 and a pane! of stepped support 1 having an upper edge articulated jointly to a leading edge of said stepped shelf panel 18 and a bottom edge articulated jointly to the shelf panel 4. The stepped structure 17 further comprises an additional stepped shelf panel 18a having a rear edge articulated jointly to the stepped support panel 19 and a additional stepped support panel 19a having an upper edge articulated jointly to a leading edge of said additional stepped shelf panel 18a and a lower edge articulated joined to the shelf panel 4.

One skilled in the art will understand that further additional steps may be added, each with a corresponding additional stepped shelf panel 18a with a rear edge articulated jointly to the adjacent additional stepped support panel 19a and an additional stepped support panel 19a with an upper edge articulated jointly to the leading edge of the additional stepped shelf panel and a bottom edge articulated joined to the shelf panel 4. With this construction, whatever the number of steps, the stepped structure 17 can be moved between a folded position and an expanded position together with the rear, side, support and shelf panels 1, 2, 3, 4 of the folding shelf when they are moved between the folded position and the expanded position.

In the embodiment of Fig. 32, which comprises two steps, the stepped shelf panel 18 and a front panel 19b corresponding to the upper step, as well as the additional stepped shelf panel 18a and the additional stepped support panel 19a corresponding to the lower step is formed from a corrugated cardboard plate or similar material provided with fold lines between the panels and fixing fins 25, 26 at its ends for fixing glued to the rear panel 1 to the shelf panel 4, while the stepped support panel 19 corresponding to the upper step is formed by another plate of the same material fixed to the inner side of said front panel 19b and provided at its lower end with a fixing flap 27 for fixing glued to the shelf panel 4. The panel of additional stepped support 19a acts at the same time as a front panel for the lower step. Other configurations will occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Figs. 33 to 35 show a folding shelf according to another additional embodiment of the present invention, which is analogous to the shelf described above in relation to Figs. 1 to 5, with the difference that here, the side panels 2 include upper and front reinforcing fins 28, 29 extending from their upper and front edges, respectively (Fig. 33). These upper and front reinforcing fins 28, 29 are connected to the respective side panels 2 by means of fold lines 30, and in use situation (Figs. 34 and 35) are folded around said fold lines 30 and joined to interior surfaces of the side panels 2, for example by adhesive. Thus, the upper and front edges of the side panels 2 are reinforced by the upper and front reinforcing fins 28, 29 and also have a neat appearance since the internal structure of the corrugated cardboard is hidden. In addition, notches 31 are formed on the front edges of the upper and front reinforcing fins 28, 29 that have horizontal bottom edges 31a (Fig. 35), which are at the height of the lower surfaces of the shelf panels 4 when the folding shelf is in the expanded position. Thus, in the expanded position (Figs. 34 and 35), the side edges of the shelf panels 4 are in contact with the internal surfaces of the side panels 2 and the front ends of the shelf panels 4 are inserted into the notches 31 and rest on the lower horizontal edges 31a thereof, thereby providing additional support for the shelf panel 4. In Fig. 35 the support panel 3 has been omitted for clarity of the drawing. However, in the expanded position the shelf panel 4 also rests on the upper edges of the support panel 3, the connection panels 6 and the fixing fins 6a.

Fig. 36 shows in explosion some elements 3, 4, 5, 6 that form the shelf and its support and kinematic linking device according to a variation of the same elements described above in relation to Fig. 2. In the variation of This Fig. 36, the mentioned elements are grouped into only three pieces 33, 34, 35. A first 33 of the pieces is formed by the shelf panel 4 and its corresponding fixing flap 4a, The second piece 34 includes the panel of support 3, connection panels 6, and fixing fins 6a. The third piece 35 integrates the kinematic linking panel 5, the fixing flap 5a, which is connected to a leading edge of the kinematic linking panel 5 by a fold line and in use situation is attached to the support panel 3, for example by means of adhesive, and a reinforcement panel 32, which is connected to a rear edge of the kinematic linking panel 5 by a fold line 32a and in use situation is attached to a lower surface of the shelf panel 4, by example by adhesive.

The said reinforcement panel 32 has the same dimensions as the shelf panel 4, which greatly facilitates the positioning of the third piece 35 during gluing operations. Once adhered, the reinforcement panel 32 provides an overall reinforcement of the shelf panel 4 and also acts as the fixing flap 5b described above in relation to Fig. 2.

Figs. 37 to 41 shows yet another additional embodiment of the folding shelf of the present invention, which, like the previous embodiments, comprises a rear panel 1, a pair of side panels 2 articulated jointly to opposite vertical edges of the rear panel 1, a shelf panel 4 connected to the rear panel 1 by a horizontal articulation line, a support panel 3 articulatedly connected to the side panels 2 by a pair of connection panels 6 forming the first kinematic linking means, and a panel of kinematic linking 5 that forms the second kinematic linking means articulated connected by one end to the support panel 3 and the other end to the shelf panel 4.

The particularity of the embodiment shown in Figs. 37 to 41 is that the shelf panel 4 and the kinematic linking panel 5 are formed by a single piece 37 of cardboard provided with a semi-art 36 (better shown in Fig. 38) formed on its upper face. The aforementioned half-block 36 does not affect the lower face of the piece 37, so that in the expanded position (Figs. 37, 39 and 40) the shelf panel 4 and the kinematic linking panel 5 are arranged coplanarly in a horizontal position jointly offering a complete shelf, where the facing edges of the semicircle 36 rest against each other providing sufficient resistance to the shelf to support loads that do not exceed a predetermined threshold. When the folding shelf is moved from the expanded position to the folded position, the piece 37 is folded around the semi-art 36 and the kinematic linking panel 5 fulfills its function as the second kinematic linking means for folding the shelf panel 4.

Figs. 42 to 44 show yet another additional embodiment of the present invention, wherein the folding shelf comprises a rear panel 1, side panels 2, a support panel 3, a shelf panel 4, a kinematic linking panel 5, a pair of connection panels 6 and a stepped structure 17 analogous to those described above in relation to Fig. 30. The rear panel 1 and the side panels include a transverse fold line 15. The difference is that, here, the side panels 2 parallel fold lines 38 include the front vertical edges thereof. The part of the side panels 2 comprised between these fold lines 38 and said front vertical edges defines fins 39 which in the expanded position are arranged coplanar with the rest of the respective side panels 2 because they are pressed against the connection panels 6 by the force of the elastic element 14.

However, when the folding shelf is moved from the folded position to the compact folded position by folding the rear panel and the side panels 2 by said transverse fold line 15, said fins 39 can be folded inwards by the fold lines 38 and partially superimposed on the stepped structure 17, which is also being folded (Fig. 43). When the folding shelf is in the compact folded position (Fig. 44), the folded top of the rear panel 1 is partially superimposed on the alerts 39 so as to prevent them from opening, and the fins 39, which are at their Once partially superimposed on the shelf panel 4 and the stepped structure 17, they prevent the support panel 3, the shelf panel 4 and the stepped structure 17 from expanding due to the tension of the elastic element 14.

However, it is sufficient to manually start the lifting of the rear panel 1 so that the fins 39 are released and the tension of the elastic element 14 triggers the expansion of the support panel 3, the shelf panel 4 and the stepped structure 17. It will be understood that the behavior of the fins 39 would be analogous even if the shelf panel 4 was not associated with a stepped structure 17.

Modifications and variations will occur to one skilled in the art from the embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

REIVI DICATIONS

1. - Folding cardboard shelf or similar material, comprising

a rear panel (1);

side panels (2) articulated jointly to opposite side edges of said rear panel (1) so that they can be moved between a folded position, in which said side panels (2) and the rear panel (1) are substantially parallel or coplanaries, and an expanded position, in which the side panels (2) are substantially perpendicular to the rear panel (1);

at least one support panel (3) extending from one to the other of the side panels (2) in a substantially parallel position and separated from the rear panel (1) in said expanded position; Y

at least one shelf panel (4) movably attached to the rear panel (1) and / or to the side panels (2) so that it can be moved between a folded position, in which said shelf panel (4) is substantially parallel to the rear panel (1) and to the side panels (2) when they are in the folded position, and an expanded position, in which the shelf panel (4) forms trihedral angles with the rear panel (1) and with the side panels (2) when they are in the expanded position, and is supported by said support panel (3);

characterized in that the support panel (3) is kinematically linked to the side panels (2) by first kinematic linking means, so that the support panel (3) approaches and moves parallel to the rear panel (1) when the side panels (2) move between the folded position and the expanded position, and the shelf panel (4) is kinematically linked to the support panel (3) by a second kinematic linking means so that the shelf panel ( 4) pivots with respect to the rear panel (1) when the support panel (3) moves between the folded position and the expanded position.

2. - Shelving according to claim 1, characterized in that said second kinematic linking means comprise at least one kinematic linking panel (5) having a first edge articulated jointly to the support panel (3) and a second opposite edge articulated jointly to the shelf panel (4) in a position between the support panel (3) and the rear panel (1) when they are in the expanded position.

3. - Shelving according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said first kinematic linking means comprise connection panels (6) having a first edge articulated jointly to each side end of the support panel (3) and a second edge joined articulated to each side panel (2) in a position between the support panel (3) and the rear panel (1) when they are in the expanded position.

4. - Shelving according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said first kinematic linking means comprise in each side panel (2) a longitudinal fold line (7) substantially parallel to the corresponding side edge of the rear panel (1) and located between the support panel (3) and the rear panel (1) when they are in the expanded position, where side edges of the support panel (3) are articulated together to the side panels (2) at or near their free edges.

5. Shelving according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the shelf panel (4) has a length from its rear edge to its selected leading edge so that a front region thereof is supported by an upper edge of the panel support (3) when they are in the expanded position.

6. - Shelving according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the shelf panel (4) has a length from its rear edge to its selected leading edge for a front region thereof is supported by a shoulder (8) that protrudes from an inner face of the support panel (3) when they are in the expanded position.

7. - Shelving according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said kinematic linking panel (5) forms an acute angle with the shelf panel (4) when they are in the expanded position to provide additional support for the shelf panel ( 4).

8. - Shelving according to claim 3, characterized in that said connection panels (6) are supported by respective projections (9) protruding from an internal face of the corresponding side panels (2) when they are in the expanded position.

9. - Shelving according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a folding support structure (10) is arranged between the shelf panel (4) and a support surface on which the shelf rests in the expanded position, said said comprising support structure (10) at least two vertical structure panels (1 1, 12, 13a-13e) jointly joined to each other and each jointly connected to at least one of the rear, side and support panels (1, 2, 3) so that the support structure (10) is moved between a folded position and an expanded position together with the rear, side and support panels (1, 2, 3) when they are moved between the folded position and the expanded position.

10. - Shelving according to claim 9, characterized in that said structure panels (1 1, 12, 13a-13e) have one upper edges arranged to support the shelf panel (4) and lower edges arranged to rest on said surface of support when they are in the expanded position.

1 1. - Shelving according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that retention means are arranged to keep the rear, side and support panels (1, 2, 3) in the expanded position,

12. - Shelving unit according to claim 1, characterized in that said retention means comprise at least one elastic element (14) arranged to push the rear, side and support panels (1, 2, 3) towards the expanded position and keep them in the same.

13. - Shelving according to claim 12, characterized in that said elastic element (14) is arranged to pull the side panels (2) towards each other.

14. - Shelving unit according to claim 13, characterized in that the elastic element (14) is arranged adjacent to a lower face of the shelf panel (4) when it is in the expanded position.

15. - Shelving according to claim 12, 13 or 14, characterized in that the elastic element (14) is an annular rubber band.

16. - Shelving according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rear panel (1) and the side panels (2) comprise at least one transverse fold line (15) substantially perpendicular to the side edges of the rear panel (1) so that the shelf can be moved from the folded position to a compact folded position by folding the rear panel (1) and the side panels (2) by said transverse fold line (15).

17. - Shelving according to claim 16, characterized in that the transverse fold line (15) comprises two first complementary fold lines (15a, 15b) mutually parallel and separated by a first distance (di) selected to provide a spine of a width desired, where each first complementary fold line (15a, 15b) comprises, at least one section of its length, a partial cut line on an outer side of the panel and a fold line on the opposite inner side of the panel.

18. - Shelving according to claim 17, characterized in that at least one of the rear and side panels (2) has a multilayer region (2a), and the transverse fold line (15) comprises in said region of multiple layers ( 2a) two second complementary fold lines (15c, 15d) mutually parallel and separated by a second distance (d2) less than said first distance (di), where each second complementary fold line (15c, 15d) comprises a cut line partial on an outer side of the multilayer region (2a) of the panel and a fold line on the opposite inner side of the multilayer region (2a) of the panel.

19. - Shelving according to claim 18, characterized in that said first and second complementary fold lines (15a, 15b; 15c, 15d) are delimited by a complete cross-sectional line (16).

20. - Shelving according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that said second distance (d2) is approximately equal to the first distance (di) less than twice the thickness of the layer or additional layers of said region of multiple layers (2a).

21. - Shelving according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the shelf panel (4) a stepped structure (17) is provided comprising at least one stepped shelf panel (18) with a rear edge articulated jointly to the rear panel (1) and a stepped support panel (19) with an upper edge articulated jointly to said stepped shelf panel (18) and a bottom edge articulated jointly to the shelf panel (4), such that said stepped structure (1 7 ) can be moved between a folded position and an expanded position together with the rear, side, support and shelf panels (1, 2, 3, 4) when they are moved between the folded position and the expanded position.

22. - Shelving unit according to claim 21, characterized in that it comprises at least one additional stepped shelf panel (18a) with a rear edge articulated jointly to the stepped support panel (19) or to another adjacent stepped support panel (1 a) and an additional stepped support panel (19a) with an upper edge articulated jointly to said additional stepped shelf panel (18a) and a lower edge articulated jointly to the shelf panel (4).

23. - Shelving according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the shelf panel (4) and the kinematic linking panel (5) are formed as a single piece (37) provided with a half-shell (36) that affects only one upper face thereof, so that the shelf panel (4) and the kinematic linking panel (5) are arranged in a coplanar manner together forming a complete shelf in the expanded position.

24. - Shelving according to claim 16 or 21, characterized in that the side panels (2) include fold lines (38) parallel to the front vertical edges thereof, where a part of the side panels (2) comprised between these lines of fold (38) and said front vertical edges define fins (39) which in an expanded position are coplanar with the rest of the respective side panels (2) and in a compact folded position they are arranged partially superimposed on the shelf panel ( 4) and the stepped structure (17) while a portion of the rear panel (1) is partially superimposed on the fins (39).

25. - Shelving according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shelf panel (4) has a rear edge articulated jointly to the rear panel (1).