EP1122705A1

EP1122705A1 - Price tag holder device

Info

Publication number: EP1122705A1
Application number: EP00830069A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Carlo Re
Original assignee: Recarlo Srl
Current assignee: Recarlo Srl
Priority date: 2000-01-31
Filing date: 2000-01-31
Publication date: 2001-08-08

Abstract

A price tag holder device to be applied to an article, comprising a base body (2) housing a support (3) carrying a label (20) that contains graphic indications, said support panel being movable to a display position at which at least a portion of said label (20) is made visible. The device further comprises elastic means (5) to push said support (3) towards said display position. The support is preferably formed as a panel (3) carrying a label (20), and axially slidable to be partially extracted from the base body (2) at one end thereof under the thrust of a helical spring (5), with a closing element (4) being provided at the other end of the base body (2). There are further provided means (8,9) to lock the panel in a completely retracted position within the base body, and means (7) to releasably apply the device to an article.

Description

This invention generally relates to a device provided with a replaceable graphic indication and fit to be applied on an article, wherein the graphic indication is visible only by carrying out a manoeuvre on the device which in particular can be a price tag holder.
For simplicity, hereinbelow a price tag holder will be detailedly illustrated, while it is nevertheless to be understood that the principles of the invention can be applied to articles of various type, adapted to house (replaceable) graphic information and/or signs relating to such article.
Several types and makes of price tag holders are known that nevertheless have disadvantages and limitations in respect of their cost, the facility of use or replacement of the label carrying the price, and of the possibility of showing or not the price to the purchaser.
The object of the present invention is to provide a price tag holder that is simple to be manufactured and effective when used, and adapted to selectively show of price information, and allowing for an easy and quick replacement of thereof.
These objects are achieved through a price tag holder or device as claimed in claim 1. Further advantageous characteristics are recited in the dependent claims.
The present invention generally comprises a price tag holder or device that can be attached or fitted to an article, and provided with a label carrying graphic indications and mounted to a support member which is movable through an external operation for exposing outwards of the device at least a portion of said label.
According to a preferred embodiment, a price tag holder according to the invention comprises a base and a sliding support member or panel carrying a (preferably self-adhesive) label with pricing and other information, in which the panel is partially pushed outside of the holder by a spring for viewing or attaching (or in case replacing) the label. After the panel has been released, the spring drives it to an opening position. Advantageously the price tag holder is made of plastics, with parts that can be assembled together to form the holder, and disassembled in case a replacement is needed.
Moreover the proposed arrangement of the device according to the invention allows to customise its outer surfaces (the top and bottom faces) by either screen printing or directly moulding signs and the like.
The invention will now be disclosed in the following with reference to the attached drawings illustrating preferred but non-limiting embodiments thereof, in which:
Figure 1 is a top view of a price tag holder according to the invention in a closed position;
Figure 2 is a top view of a price tag holder according to the invention in an open position;
Figure 3 is a side cross-section view of device of Figures 1 and 2; and
Figure 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the device according to the present invention.
With reference to the Figures, the illustrated device or price tag holder 1 comprises a base or base body 2, having a substantially cylindrical shape, housing an axially slidable support or panel 3 that is partially extractable from the body 2 at one end thereof, and a closing element or cover 4 at the other end of the base body.
In the illustrated embodiment, the body 2 comprises an axial cylindrical hole 10 along which the panel 3 is slidable.
The cover 4 is releasably fastened to the body 2, in particular through pegs 7. Advantageously the parts are injection moulded plastic pieces.
The panel 3 is formed as a small plate having a substantially flat portion on which a (preferably adhesive) label 20 can be applied. The small plate ends with a cover 8 at the outer end; while at the opposite end projections 11 allow to guide the same through sliding grooves and prevent the exit from the body 2.
A helical spring 5 is arranged between the panel 3 and the closing element 4, more precisely an end of the spring is partially lodged in an axial seat 13 formed on the closing element 4 whereby the spring press against the panel 3 and keeps it in an extended position as illustrated in Figure 3.
When the device is closed, i.e. the panel is completely retracted within the body 2, the spring 5 is compressed, and the panel is locked in the retracted position by two side joints 14 provided with undercuts.
When the base body 2 is joined to the cover 4, the device has an irregular prismatic shape as it is better shown in the embodiment of Figure 4. At the opposite end of the panel there are provided two recesses for lodging arrow-shaped hooking members with a cord to fasten the price tag holder to the article.
The device according to this invention further allows for customising their outer surfaces (bottom and top faces) by applying additional signs or indicia through screen printing or directly forming such signs upon moulding the pieces.
Additional embodiments of the invention are possible that are not illustrated in detail, since they will result evident to the skilled of the art and fall within the invention scope.
For instance, the base body 2 can be partially transparent, in order to make visible from the outside at least a portion of an element of a movable support which carries the label, where this latter can be rotated by a compressed spring, in order to position the label vis-à-vis the transparent portion.
This invention is applicable in realising devices provided with replaceable graphic indications such as price tag holder for articles, in which the graphic indication are non-immediately visible to the user.

Claims

A device to be applied to an article and provided with replaceable graphic indications, particularly a price tag holder for an article, characterised in that it comprises:

a base body (2) housing a support (3) carrying a label (20) that contains said graphic indications, said support panel being movable to a display position at which at least a portion of said label (20) is made visible;

elastic means (5) to push said support (3) towards said display position; and

means (7) for releasably attaching said device to an article.
A price tag holder device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said movable support is shaped as a panel (3) axially slidable and partially extractable from said base body (2) at one end thereof, and that said elastic means (5) comprises a helical spring which is compressed by the introduction of said panel (3) into said base body (2).
A price tag holder device as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that said support (3) comprises a small plate having a substantially flat portion on which a label (20) can be applied, said small plate ending with a cover (8) at its outer end, while providing at the opposite end projections (11) for guiding said plate along grooves to prevent said support (3) from completely coming out of said base body.
A price tag holder device as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that it comprises a closing element (4) shaped as a cover, at the other end of said base body (2).
A price tag holder device as claimed in the preceding claims, characterised in that said base body (2) is provided with a substantially cylindrical axial hole (10) in which said panel (3) can slide.
A price tag holder device as claimed in the preceding claims, characterised in that said base body (2) and said cover (4) form an irregular prismatic element after they have been assembled together.
A price tag holder device as claimed in the preceding claims, characterised by providing at the end opposite to the one from which said panel is extractable, two recesses for housing an arrow-shaped hooking members with a cord to fasten the price tag holder to an article.
A price tag holder device as claimed in the preceding claims, characterised in that it provides for at least an outer surface on which additional signs or indicia can be applied through screen printing or directly formed upon moulding.
A price tag holder device as claimed in the preceding claims, characterised in that at least a portion of the outer surface of said body (2) is transparent.