WO2008098337A1

WO2008098337A1 - Unitary holder for electronic shelf labels and mounting method thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2008098337A1
Application number: PCT/CA2007/000224
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kristen Thatcher; Philip J. Hines
Original assignee: Kost Klip Manufacturing Ltd.
Priority date: 2007-02-14
Filing date: 2007-02-14
Publication date: 2008-08-21

Abstract

A label holder for electronic shelf labels (ESLs) includes a freely swingable C-shape display channel connected by a permanently flexible hinge with a shelf attachment portion and a method of mounting ESLs therein. The C-channel comprises a flat transparent viewing wall with top and bottom rearwardly projecting flange sidewalls each terminating with an extending inwardly lip. The C-shape channel configuration enables it to removably, rearwardly mount, carry, display and cover one or more ESLs in a one-piece combination. In other embodiments of the holder, the holder display portion bottom sidewall includes a downwardly display card holder and a slot for receiving an associated bracket to support said C-channel at a predetermined viewing angle. In a further embodiment of the holder, the holder display portion top and bottom sidewalls each include an inwardly rib defining with the holder flat viewing wall a pocket space for removably engaging printed matter therein.

Description

UNITARY HOLDER FOR ELECTRONIC SHELF LABELS AND MOUNTING METHOD THEREOF

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to label holders for electronic shelf labels used in a retail environment. More particularly, the invention relates to the hingeable transparent display portion of a holder for carrying and covering electronic shelf labels therein and of a method of mounting electronic shelf labels therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently, there is a trend on the part of many supermarkets and mass merchandisers to replace conventional printed shelf labels formed of flexible paper or plastic by Electronic Shelf Labels ("ESLs"). Such ESLs are advantageous from the standpoint that the information displayed by the ESL can be changed remotely, from a central processor via infra-red controllers, radio controllers or hard wiring. The letters and digits on the ESLs display unit are often of the LCD-type and are clear and distinct and can be readily discerned when a potential purchaser is standing directly in front of the display.

Because an electronic shelf label is larger, bulkier and heavier than a conventional paper or plastic label, they are considerably more difficult to mount along the front edges of display shelves. Furthermore, ESLs are also quite costly and need to be protected against damage from incidental contact with shopping carts. Additionally, the LCD display of an ESL can be difficult to read when the surface of the display defines an acute angle with the line of vision of the viewer. Accordingly, it is important to mount ESLs so that they tend to be relatively square to the viewing direction of the shopper.

Therefore, meeting requirements of size, mountability, multifunctional use of space, angular adjustability and cost-effectiveness in a label holder adapted to carry ESLs is generally difficult. Accordingly, it is desirable to optimize the size, minimize costs and reduce the number of elements included in the production of an ESL holder while maximizing the number of functions that such an ESL holder can perform. It is also desirable for the label holder to include aa mechanism to adjust viewing angles and mountability to a variety of merchandising shelves.

To address these requirements, US Patent No. 6,035,569 ('569), Nagel, and US Patent No. 6,119,990 ('99O), Kump, both disclose holders for ESLs that require a separate snap-on cover that must match the relatively complex profile of the extruded carrier member of the holders. Additionally, both '569 and '990 holders require three separate members, one for mounting to a shelf, one to carry ESLs and one to cover and protect them against damage from contact with shopping carts. The '569 and '990 patents recognize some of the problems associated with ESLs, including the need to be able to adjust the orientation of the holder, and thus, of the ESL, to permit the viewer to more readily see the information, particularly if the electronic shelf label is attached to a relatively low shelf.

The constructions proposed by the '569 patent for the required multiple members and the '990 patent for enabling an ESL to be carried and positioned at differing angles have a number of commercial disadvantages. In addition to being somewhat complex and, therefore, expensive to manufacture, they are difficult to use. More specifically, the '990 patent requires the ESL to be removed from the carrier in order to re -orient the same at a different angle. The '990 patent adjusts the angular orientation of the ESL by rotating or sliding complementary concave and convex surfaces of adaptor and holder elements relative to each other, and then fixing the elements in a particular orientation by separate fastener elements such as dart clips, push pins or the like. Such a system is labor-intensive, increasing the costs to the merchandiser. Moreover the use of separate fastening elements is a nuisance since such items are not integrated with the label holder and, therefore, are easily dropped or misplaced.

PCT Publication No. WO 2004/079698, Pricer AB, describes a holder for attaching an ESL to a shelf rail profile. The holder is made of a flat flexible holder member that carries and secures an ESL by either glue, hook, magnetic or plastic melt means. This holder suffers from the disadvantages that it cannot be protected against damage from incidental contact with shopping carts nor can its viewing angle be maintained at different positions.

US Patent No. 6,935,062, Lowry et al. , describes a label holder for ESLs made of three components, a shelf attachment member, a carrier member and a cover member. This holder for electronic shelf labels is disadvantageous because it requires a complex extrusion to manufacture the holder. Since the extrusion is complex in shape, it is also expensive and requires a significant amount of plastic material. Accordingly, it has been considered desirable to develop a new and improved holder for electronic shelf labels and method of mounting them which would overcome the foregoing difficulties and others while providing better and more advantageous overall results.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a label holder for an electronic shelf label comprising: a channel defined by a transparent viewing wall, a first wall and a second wall spaced-apart from each other and projecting from opposite ends of said viewing wall, said first wall including a lip at the end opposite the viewing wall, and said second wall including a lip at the end opposite the viewing wall, said lips extending towards each other, said channel defining a C-shape cavity for selectively carrying and covering an electronic shelf label therein; a shelf attachment member; and a hinge interconnecting said channel to said shelf attachment member.

The viewing wall can be flat. The first wall can be a top wall and the second wall can be a bottom wall.

The top wall can include a downwardly extending protrusion adjacent to but spaced from the viewing wall and the bottom wall can include an upwardly extending protrusion adjacent to but spaced from the viewing wall, the top and bottom protrusions creating in association with the viewing wall two opposing recesses for releasably engaging printed matter.

The viewing wall can include an extension which projects first downwardly and then rearwardly thereby forming into a C-shape cross-section impact absorbing leg for providing a predetermined viewing angle of the C-shape channel relative to an associated shelf and for absorbing impact on an ESL mounted therein.

The channel can further include a display card holder provided by extending said lip of said bottom wall first rearwardly thereby forming a horizontal wall and then downwardly thereby forming a flange wall, the bottom lip and the flange wall defining two opposing walls which provide grip means therein for retaining printed matter therein.

The grip means can comprise fins or fingers mounted on at least one of the opposing walls and extending towards another of the opposing walls. - A -

The channel can further include a mechanism for adjusting the channel angular orientation relative to the shelf mounting attachment.

The mechanism can also comprise a rearwardly opening slot defined between the horizontal wall and a rearwardly extending finger wall adjacent thereto; the slot being adapted to receive an associated bracket therein, and an associated bracket one portion of which being insertable in the rearwardly opening slot and the other portion extending rearwardly into contact with a front portion of an associated shelf or of the shelf attachment member to support the channel at a predetermined viewing angle.

The grip means in the display card holder can include an extension to comprise an S-shape configuration, the extension pressing against a flange wall adjacent thereof to form a clip-shape.

The associated bracket for providing angular adjustment means to the channel can have an arc-shape, an I-shape, an L-shape, an S-shape or a Z-shape.

The invention is also directed to a method of carrying/displaying/covering one or more electronic shelf labels comprising first providing a unitary label holder including a hingeable swingable combination carrier/display/cover channel according to the invention, secondly swinging upwardly the channel and thirdly back loading the channel with one or more electronic shelf labels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The method of mounting ESLs and the holder of the invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangements of parts, several embodiments of which are described in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the hingeable display portion of a holder for an electronic shelf label (ESL) with the display portion having a J-shape channel hingingly connected with a shelf attachment.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the holder hingeable display portion of FIG. 1 further including a top and bottom inwardly projecting protrusions in the respective top and bottom sidewalls of the holder display portion. FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the holder display portion of FIG. 2 further including a downwardly disposed display card holder.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the holder hingeable display portion of FIG. 3 retaining an ESL therein and further including a rearwardly opening slot over the display card holder including an associated bracket supporting the display portion at a predetermined viewing angle.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the hingeable display portion of a holder of the invention retaining concurrently an ESL next to a printed label with a flag hanging from the display card holder.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the hingeable display portion of the ESL holder of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the hingeable display portion of an ESL holder having an impact absorbing back leg.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the ESL holder of the invention attached to a wire basket and sized to hold a single ESL at a time.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a further embodiment of the hingeable display portion of an ESL holder wherein the display card holder is provided with a clip arrangement.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a further embodiment of the hingeable display portion of an ESL holder showing a low-level display card holder located below the display portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, a new and improved arrangement is provided for mounting, carrying and protecting electronic shelf labels (ESLs) at the front edges of product display shelving, enabling electronic shelf labels to be easily but ruggedly mounted, well protected and, when needed, adjustably positioned. The embodiments of the present invention enable ESLs to be utilized in an entirely practical and effective way in conjunction with display shelving of existing design and construction, such that the installation of ESLs does not require rebuilding of the display fixtures.

Generally, label holders for ESLs are preferably formed by extrusion processes or by injection moulding and include a display portion that cooperates hingingly with a shelf attachment portion. While the present invention is directed to ESL holders in general, it only addresses the hingeable display portion of an ESL holder and not to the shelf attachment portion that must mount to a variety of pricing channels.

The first embodiment of the subject invention is directed to the provision of a novel and improved one-piece co-extruded label holder for ESLs comprising a hingeable display portion permanently attached by a living hinge with a shelf attachment portion; the hingeable display portion performing a combination carrier/display/ cover function for carrying and protecting ESLs against damage from contact with shopping carts. The permanent living hinge of the invention eliminates the complexity of the cross-sectional profile that were present in prior art holders requiring that the cover profile matches closely the carrier profile.

The combination carrier/display /cover portion is made of a front flat transparent viewing wall with top and bottom, rearwardly extending flange sidewalls including inwardly projecting vertical lips, an arrangement that creates a rearwardly channel also referred to as an ESL-channel. The rearwardly channel is sized for releasably receiving and engaging associated ESLs of corresponding heights. The display member is co-extruded with a permanently flexible hinge attached at its top portion to a shelf attachment portion.

In a second embodiment of the ESL holder according to the invention, top and bottom sidewalls of the combination carrier/display/cover portion described in the first embodiment of the ESL holder are further provided with, respectively on each sidewall, an inwardly oriented protrusion such as a longitudinal rib. These protrusions are located next to the front transparent flat wall creating two opposing recesses for releasably receiving and engaging information bearing tickets or printed matter therein.

In a third embodiment of the ESL holder according to the invention, the inwardly vertical Hp in the bottom sidewall located in the combination carrier/display /cover portion disclosed in the second embodiment of the ESL holder further extends horizontally and immediately after downwardly to form a display card holder arrangement including two opposing vertical sidewalls with grip means such as fins or fingers mounted therein. Alternately, the display card holder arrangement takes the shape of a clip.

In a fourth embodiment of the ESL holder according to the invention, the horizontal wall of the display card holder disclosed in the third embodiment of the ESL holder further includes an angular orientation means comprising a rearwardly opening slot defined between the display card holder upper wall and a rearwardly finger wall adjacent thereto for receiving an associated bracket of an I-shape, an L-shape, an S-shape, a Z-shape or other appropriate shapes. To adjust the label holder viewing angle, a portion of the associated bracket is inserted in the rearwardly opening slot and the other portion extending rearwardly into contact with a front wall portion of the shelf attachment so as to support the ESL-channel at a predetermined viewing angle.

In all aforementioned embodiments of the ESL holders according to the invention, the co-extruded combination carrier/display/cover portion, the permanent flexible living hinge and the shelf attachment are continuous, extending along substantially the full or partial length of an associated shelf. This enables one or multiple ESLs that are mounted in the combination carrier/display /cover portion to freely swing upwardly in relation to the shelf attachment.

In a fifth embodiment of the invention, the cross-sectional profile of the hingeable display portion of the ESL holder is identical to that of the fourth embodiment of the invention with the exception that the holder length is substantially reduced to cover the length of an ESL.

Those of ordinary skills in the art will recognize that in contrast to label holders of prior art that have a display portion wherein the carrier member cooperates with a distinct cover member, the label holder of the present invention provides a display portion that combines all carrier/display /cover members into a unitary construction. This novel unitary arrangement not only reduces the complexity of the label holder extrusion, but also importantly, reduces the amount of plastic material needed to manufacture the holder and consequently its cost. Additionally, with the label holder according to the invention, mounting and removal operations of ESLs are substan- tially improved. And furthermore, such novel arrangement integrating two separate functions into a single multifunctional unit provides a compact holder.

In accordance with the present invention, an improved method of back loading ESLs into a label holder is disclosed. The novel method consists in mounting or loading ESLs from behind the back face of a swingable transparent unitary channel that performs concurrently both a carrier function and a cover function.

In any of its forms, the invention serves to accommodate in a highly practical, economical and effective way, a method of mounting, carrying, displaying and covering of electronic shelf labels ESLs in connection with existing, conventional display shelving.

One advantage of the present invention is the provision of a holder for electronic shelf labels which is sturdy, durable, simple and cost-effective to manufacture.

Another advantage of the invention is the provision of a holder for electronic shelf labels wherein the display portion is made of a single-piece unitary construction for rearwardly and removably carrying and covering electronic shelf labels, concur- rently with printed labels.

A further advantage of the invention is the provision of a holder for an electronic shelf label which display portion further includes a downwardly display card holder for displaying selective decorative and informational printed matter.

Another advantage of the invention is the provision of a holder for an electronic shelf label wherein the C-shape or J-shape of its hingeable display portion remains generally the same, whereas its attachment portion is selectively adapted for selective secure attachment to a wide variety of retail shelving configurations.

A further advantage of the present invention is in the provision of a holder for an electronic shelf label which, when installed on a shelf, deflects outwardly away from the shelf to absorb impact upon being inadvertently contacted by a consumer or a shopping cart. Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a holder for an electronic shelf label wherein the hingeable display portion is provided with bracket means for adjusting its viewing angle relative to the shelf attachment.

A further advantage of the present invention is the provision of a holder for an electronic shelf label wherein the display portion of the holder is provided with a backwardly C-shape impact absorbing leg for both selective adjustment of the viewing angle of its display member relative to an associated shelf and for absorbing impact on mounted ESLs.

Still another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a holder for electronic shelf labels having a display portion that is upwardly connected by a living hinge to a shelf attachment portion for preventing dust and spilled liquids from contacting the associated electronic shelf labels.

Furthermore, another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a back loading method for carrying, displaying and covering ESLs in a one-piece unitary label holder.

For a more complete understanding of the above and other features and advantages of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the invention and to the accompanying drawings.

The present invention is directed primarily to the display portion 20 of a holder 10 for electronic shelf labels (ESLs) and to the method of mounting such ESLs into said display portion 20. Such holder 10 generally includes a display portion 20 cooperating hingingly with a shelf attachment portion 40. Therefore, the present invention will not address the variety of shelf attachment configurations required for mounting holder 10 to a variety of pricing channels or shelves S. A person skilled in the art would without exercising inventive ingenuity be able to adapt the subject invention to existing configurations.

With reference now to FIG. 1, a holder 10 for an electronic shelf label (ESL) or the like is formed in accordance with the present invention from polyvinyl chloride plastic or any other suitable plastic by extrusion, molding, or any suitable plastic forming techniques. Preferably, the first embodiment of holder 10 is an extrusion having the profile as shown in FIG. 1. In this first embodiment of the invention, label holder 10 includes an ESL carrier/display/cover member 20 permanently interconnected hingingly by hinge 60 to a shelf mounting attachment member 40. The ESL carrier/display /cover member 20 has an overall rectangular J-shape configuration, also referred to as J-channel 20 or ESL-channel, that slidably or snappingly accommodates and frictionally retains therein associated electronic shelf labels (ESLs) as seen in FIGS. 4 and 7.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the J-channel 20 is defined by a transparent, flat, viewing wall 22, and top and bottom flange walls 24, 26, also referred to as first and second sidewalls 24, 26, respectively. The top and bottom walls 24, 26 project rearwardly from a back face 28 of viewing wall 22, preferably a like distance and substantially perpendicular to viewing wall 22. Top sidewall 24 includes a Hp 27 projecting downwardly. Bottom sidewall 26 includes a lip 21 projecting upwardly. Top and bottom sidewalls 24, 26 are arranged generally parallel to each other to accommo- date an associated ESL in the recess defined therebetween and together with the viewing wall 22.

The general rectangular configuration of the J-channel 20 remains constant in all embodiments of the invention and accordingly may be shaped and sized to accom- modate reception of any and all types of ESLs.

The permanent flexible living hinge 60 interconnects an upper portion of top sidewall 24 with an edge portion 42 (FIG. 6) or an upper portion 44 (FIG. 1) of a conventional shelf attachment 40. The upwardly location of hinge 60 enables J-channel 20 to become a freely swingable channel 20 wherein associated ESLs can be rearwardly and removably mounted, carried, displayed, covered and protected behind the transparent back face 28 of J-channel 20. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the position of the living hinge 60 between J-channel 20 and shelf attachment 40 prevents dust and spilled liquids from contacting associated ESLs. Furthermore, J-channel 20 when installed on a shelf S (in FIG. 4) deflects outwardly away from the shelf S to absorb impact upon being inadvertently contacted.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 7, different embodiments of the display portion 120, 220, 320 and 420 of holders 110, 210, 310 and 410 are illustrated. Except as shown and described herein, all combination carrier/display/cover J-channels 20 in holders 110, 210, 310 and 410 have the same general J-shape configuration as in holder 10 except for respectively, two added protrusions, a display card holder and the same with a slot or a combination thereof. Accordingly, like components of holder 110, 210, 310 and 410 relative to the holder 10 are identified with like reference numerals which are 100, 200, 300 and 400 greater than those used with respect to the holder 10, respectively. New components are identified with new reference numerals and/or letters.

FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the hingeable display portion 120 of ESL holder 110. In this second embodiment of the invention, all features described in the first embodiment of the display portion 20 are included. More particularly, display portion 120 further includes a top and bottom inwardly oriented protrusions 23 and 25 in the form of longitudinal ribs 23 and 25 respectively positioned on each of top and bottom sidewalls 24 and 26. These protrusions are located close to the front wall back face 28 creating two opposing grooves Gl and G2 for releasably receiving and engaging information bearing tickets or printed matter therein (see FIG. 6). Such printed matter may be selectively placed concurrently with ESLs.

The opposed, inward faces 32, 34 of the top and bottom walls 24, 26, respectively, include grooves Gl, G2. Groove G2 for accommodating projection P extending outwardly from the associated ESLs positioned in the J-channel 20. This construction allows associated ESLs to be inserted and removed from the recess defined in the J-channel 20 by pressing and/or by movement of the ESL in a direction toward and/or away from the viewing wall 22.

Referring to FIG. 3, a third embodiment of the display portion 220 of holder 210 is illustrated. This third embodiment of the invention includes all the features described in the first embodiment of holder 10 with addition of an arrangement that includes a downwardly display card holder 80. To form the display card holder 80, the upwardly bottom lip 21 of the bottom sidewall 26 in display portion 220 is further extended first rearwardly forming a horizontal wall 82 followed immediately by a downwardly forming vertical wall 81. The two opposing downwardly projecting vertical walls 21, 81 include fins 84 or fingers 84 mounted therein on at least one of said opposing vertical walls 21, 81 and extending towards another of said opposing vertical walls 21, 81. Fins 84 or fingers 84 are used to selectively frictionally retain an advertising flyer or the like inserted in-between fins 84 or fingers as shown in FIG. 5. Alternatively, the display card holder 80 takes the shape of a clip 82 as illustrated in FIG. 9. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the display card holder 80 can be located behind or below the bottom sidewall 26 as shown in FIG. 10.

FIGS. 4 and 6 refer to a fourth embodiment of the display portion 320 of holder 310 of the invention. This fourth embodiment of the invention 320 further includes, in addition to all features included in the third embodiment of the invention, an angular orientation adjustment means 90 comprising an opening slot 94 (see FIG. 6) created in-between two opposing walls 82 and 92 (see FIG. 6). Wall 82 being the horizontal upper wall 82 of display card holder 80. Wall 92 is formed by a rearwardly oriented finger 92 projecting first from the bottom wall lip 21 and then extending rearwardly and generally parallel to the bottom wall 26 in a direction toward shelf attachment 40. The opening slot 94 is provided to receive an associated bracket 50 as shown in FIG. 4.

Bracket 50 (see FIG. 4) may also take a shape selected from the group of arc-shape, an I-, an S-, a Z-, or an L- shape, or other shapes (not shown). Bracket 50, constructed of resilient material, provides display portion 320 with a rearwardly inclination relative to vertical by a select angle when in its operative position. The resiliency of bracket 50 allows it to absorb and accommodate shocks by a shopper removing items from the associated retail shelf S (FIG. 4) to which the holder 310 is attached to or the shelf beneath the one to which the holder 310 is attached to. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the viewing angle may be varied by adopting a bracket 50 of different width to define different viewing angles of the display portion 320 relative to a vertical plane.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 label display behind the transparent wall 22 of the

J-channel 20 is accommodated by inserting the desired printed matter in the pocket space defined by the two opposing grooves Gl and G2 and the back face 28 (see FIG. 2).

FIG. 7 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the hingeable display portion 420 of holder 410 which is substantially identical to holder 110 except that the hingeable combination carrier/display /cover channel 420 is provided with a backwardly C-shape impact absorbing leg 430. Leg 430 is made of a resilient material and is formed by first projecting downwardly from the flat viewing wall 22 followed by curving rearwardly and upwardly so as to obtain the C-shape leg 430 shown in FIG. 7 or other shapes of the like. Leg 430 performs two functions, one for selective adjust- ment of the viewing angle of the holder display portion 420 relative to an associated shelf S and second for absorbing impact on mounted ESLs.

FIG. 8 illustrates the sixth embodiment of the hingeable display portion 520 of a holder 510 attached by means of a shelf attachment to a wire fixture S such as a wire basket. Holder 510 includes a display portion 520 which is substantially identical to the display portion 320 of holder 310 with the exception that the extrusion profile of holder 510 is cut to a predetermined length to carry and cover an ESL. The shelf attachment portion 40 illustrated in FIG. 8 is adapted for releasable connection to a wire basket, a wire rack, or other type of retail wire fixture S.

FIG. 9 illustrates the seventh embodiment of the hingeable display portion 620 of a holder 610 which is substantially identical to holder 110 except for first an additional selective angular adjustment means 90 of the holder display portion 620 relative to an associated shelf S, said angular adjustment means 90 provided by an upwardly opening slot 94 created by two opposing walls 21, 81 and second for an additional display card holder 80 provided by a downwardly flange wall 92 having an S-shape configuration for providing a clip-shape arrangement having grip means between two opposing walls 92, 81 for retaining printed matter therein.

In a further embodiment of the invention as illustrated in FIG. 10, the hingeable display portion 720 of a holder 710 is substantially identical to holder 110 with the exception that the bottom sidewall 26 is provided first with an additional downwardly display card holder 80 comprising two opposing walls 21, 81 with fins mounted therein, said display card holder being located below the level of said bottom sidewall 26 and second with an additional selective angular adjustment means 90 of the holder display portion 720 relative to an associated shelf S or a shelf attachment 40, said angular adjustment means 90 comprising an upwardly opening slot 94 created by two opposing walls 81, 92.

Generally, the shelf attachment 40 is adapted to secure holders 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 and 710 to a variety of associated shelves S as seen in FIGS. 4, 7, and 8. The present invention is adapted to be releasably secured to all types of shelving S, and the invention is not to be construed as being limited for use in association with any particular brand or type of shelving.

Furthermore, the present invention describes an improved method of removably back loading ESLs into a unitary, swingable, rearwardly combination carrier/display/cover channel. According to this method, an ESL is mounted, carried and protected behind the transparent protective ESL-channel 20 by first flipping upwardly the ESL-channel 20 for exposing the channel wall back face 28 for back loading purposes; secondly, by inserting ESL projection P into recess G2 with the ESL facing the transparent face 28 for displaying clearly the ESL screen content and thirdly, by pressing the ESL lower edge into the channel for securely carrying and covering the ESL. To remove the ESL, the same steps are followed, but in a reverse order.

Those of ordinary skills in the art will recognize that the electronic shelf label holders 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 and 710 and brackets 50 described herein are all preferably extruded with the respective illustrated profiles. Thus, each holder and their members can have any desired length along their longitudinal axis, i.e. , the axis of extrusion. Furthermore, given that the illustrated holders 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 and 710 and members are extrusions, all portions shown in each profile are preferably continuous and uninterrupted along the length of the extrusion unless shown otherwise.

The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. Of course, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding the preceding specification. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A label holder for an electronic shelf label comprising: a channel defined by a transparent viewing wall, a first wall and a second wall spaced-apart from each other and projecting from opposite ends of said viewing wall, said first wall including a lip at the end opposite the viewing wall, and said second wall including a lip at the end opposite the viewing wall, said lips extending towards each other, said channel defining a C-shape cavity for selectively carrying and covering an electronic shelf label therein; a shelf attachment member; and a hinge interconnecting said channel to said shelf attachment member.

2. A label holder as defined in claim 1 wherein said viewing wall is flat.

3. A label holder as defined in claim 1 wherein said first wall is a top wall and said second wall is a bottom wall.

4. A label holder as defined in claim 3 wherein said top wall include a downwardly extending protrusion adjacent to but spaced from said viewing wall and said bottom wall includes an upwardly extending protrusion adjacent to but spaced from said viewing wall, said top and bottom protrusions creating in association with said viewing wall two opposing recesses for releasably engaging printed matter.

5. A label holder as defined in claim 3, wherein said viewing wall includes an extension which projects first downwardly and then rearwardly thereby forming into a C-shape cross-section impact absorbing leg for providing a predetermined viewing angle of the C-shape channel relative to an associated shelf and for absorbing impact on an ESL mounted therein.

6. A label holder as defined in claim 3, wherein said channel further includes a display card holder provided by extending said lip of said second wall first rearwardly thereby forming a horizontal wall and then downwardly thereby forming a flange wall; said lip of said second wall and said flange wall defining two oppos- ing walls which provide grip means therein for retaining printed matter therein.

7. A label holder as defined in claim 6, wherein said grip means comprises fins or fingers mounted on at least one of said opposing walls and extending towards another of said opposing walls.

8. A label holder as defined in claim 3, wherein said channel further includes a mechanism for adjusting angular orientation of the channel relative to said shelf attachment member.

9. A label holder as defined in claim 6, wherein said channel further includes a mechanism for adjusting angular orientation of the channel relative to said shelf attachment member.

10. A label holder as defined in claim 9 wherein said mechanism comprises: a rearwardly opening slot defined between the horizontal wall and a rearwardly extending finger wall adjacent thereto; said slot for receiving an associated bracket therein; and an associated bracket one portion of which is insertable in said rearwardly opening slot and the other portion extending rearwardly into contact with a front portion of an associated shelf or of said shelf attachment member to support said channel at a predetermined viewing angle.

11. A label holder as defined in claim 7, wherein said grip means in said display card holder includes an extension which causes the grip means to assume an S-shape configuration the extension pressing against a wall adjacent thereof to form a clip-shape.

12. A label holder as defined in claim 9, wherein the associated bracket for providing angular adjustment means to said channel is an arc-shape, an I-shape, an L-shape, an S-shape or a Z-shape.

13. A method of carrying/displaying/covering one or more electronic shelf labels comprising first providing a unitary label holder including a hingeable swingable combination carrier/display/cover channel according to claim 1 , secondly swinging upwardly said channel and thirdly back loading said channel with one or more electronic shelf labels.