The present invention relates to a novel form of roller blind, new apparatus and methods related thereto.

More particularly the present invention relates to a novel roller blind and a novel roller blind system for use, for example, in connection with display cabinets, such as chiller or refrigerator cabinets, tobacco cabinets or drink cabinets and similar such cabinets wherein there is a desires to screen the produce from the consumer at a chosen time.

Background of the invention

In December 2008 the UK government announced that the open display of tobacco at point of sale in shops will be restricted or banned in England and Wales. Such restrictions are also under consideration in Scotland. In other countries, such as Iceland and some provinces of Canada, such bans are already in place.

Under current legislation, in England and Wales large supermarkets will have to remove point of sale displays of tobacco products as early as 2011, smaller retail outlets, e.g. corner shops, will have to follow suit during 2013.

Many retailers say that a display ban complicates the experience for both retailer and customer because, inter alia, the time taken to serve each customer increases significantly and is costly to implement. In Ireland legal action has begun in an attempt to overturn the ban on the display of tobacco products at retail stores, where the retailers argue that the ban severely restricts their ability to provide trade and services.

Thus there is a need for a new form of cabinet which allows the retailer easy access to the sale article, such a pack of cigarettes, whilst satisfying the current of prospective legislative requirements.

The assembly of the present invention is suitable for the retail sale of products such as tobacco products. However, it will be understood by the person skilled in the art that the assembly of the invention may be also suitable for other products that are banned from public display, such as prescription medicines and the like.

Our co-pending International Patent Application number PCT/GB2010/000098 describes a lightweight and inexpensive self-closing cabinet screen for use as a screen with, for example, chiller cabinets. More specifically, PCT/GB2010/000098 describes a horizontally slidable self-closing screen assembly which comprises at least one screen material connected to a roller biasing the screen to an open position, the roller being operably connected to a counterweight and wherein the load provided by the weight is greater than the force provided by the roller biasing the screen.

The assembly of PCT/GB2010/000098 essentially describes a horizontally slidable self-closing screen assembly in which a screen comprises a pair of slidable screening elements which are adapted to be fully opened by, for example, the consumer to allow access to the retail article(s). However, the assembly of PCT/GB2010/000098 is generally not suitable for use in connection with prohibited products, for example, tobacco products, since when the sale articles are accessed by the retailer they will be on display.

Summary of the Invention

We have now found a novel form of screen assembly which facilitates the screening of prohibited material, such as tobacco products.

Thus, according to a first aspect of the invention we provide a slidable screen assembly which comprises a pair of screens wherein each screen is connected to a roller biasing the screen to an open position, the roller being operably connected to a closing mechanism provided that a proximal end of a first screen in the pair of screens is inelastically operably linked to a proximal end of a second screen in the pair of screens, so as to restrict the extent of opening. The screen assembly preferably comprises self closing screens and especially horizontally slidable self-closing screens.

Thus, according to a further aspect of the invention we provide a horizontally slidable self-closing screen assembly which comprises a pair of screens wherein each screen is connected to a roller biasing the screen to an open position, the roller being operably connected to a counterweight located in a counterweight chamber and wherein the load provided by the counterweight is greater than the force provided by the roller biasing the pair of screens provided that a proximal end of a first screen in the pair of screens is inelastically operably linked to a proximal end of a second screen in the pair of screens so as to restrict the extent of opening. The horizontally slidable self-closing screen assembly of the invention is therefore arranged such that, in operation, when either the first or the second screen is operated, the gap between the screens is restricted to the length of the harness.

In addition, the length of the counterweight is substantially half the length of the counterweight chamber. The restriction on the length of the counterweight relative to the length of the counterweight chamber also acts to limit the extent to which any one or both of the screens can open.

Biasing means for the roller may comprise conventional means used in a roller blind. Thus, the biasing means may be, for example, a spring biasing means optionally inside the roller, such as a torsion spring. The assembly according to the invention preferentially operates by being opened manually and upon release, the screen will close. Therefore, as hereinbefore described, the load provided by the counterweight should be greater than the load provided by the spring biasing the roller. The difference between the load provided by the spring and the load provided by the counterweight may vary and may influence the speed and or strength at which the screen closes. Thus, for example, the counterweight may have a load which is from 5 to 50% greater than the spring load, or from 10 to 30 % greater than the springload, or from 20% to 30% greater than the spring load, e.g. 25% greater than the spring load. Thus, by way of example only, the assembly may be provided with a spring which has a load of about 1.2kg. It will be understood that the counterweight must be greater than the spring load, however, if the counterweight is too light, compared to the spring load, then the screen may close too slowly. Similarly, if the counterweight is too heavy then the screen may close too quickly and may have the potential to cause injury. Thus, for a spring load of 1.2kg the counterweight should be from about 1.3kg to about 1.7kg, preferably from about 1.4kg to about 1.6kg, more preferably from about 1.45kg to about 1.55kg and most preferably about 1.5kg. Therefore, according to a further aspect of the invention we provide a horizontally slidable self-closing screen assembly as hereinbefore described wherein the spring has a load of 1.2kg and the counterweight has a load of from about 1.3kg to about 1.7kg. Thus, the ratio of the load of the spring versus the load of the counterweight may be from 1 : 1.08 to 1.42, preferably from about 1 : 1.17 to about 1.33, more preferably from about 1:1.21 to about 1:1.29 and most preferably about 1:1.36.

Thus, the screen which, in use, may be horizontally mounted, will comprise a first end which is openable and which travels when the screen is opened and closed. This first end is distal to the torsioned spring roller assembly unit. The second end of the screen is connected to the torsioned spring roller assembly unit and thus when the screen is opened this end is wrapped around the roller. Thus, the counterweight is preferentially operably linked to the distal first end of the screen and therefore when a user opens the screen, the screen is urged to wrap around the roller and the counterweight will be raised. When the user releases the screen the operation of gravity on the counterweight and the greater load provided by the counterweight, when compared to the torsion spring of the roller counterweight, urges the screen to close. Therefore, it is desirable that the distal end of the screen is operably linked to the counterweight. In a particular aspect of the present invention, the distal end of the screen is operably linked to the counterweight via a cable, cord or wire, etc. The cable is preferentially connected between the screen and the counterweight via a pulley.

The harness will preferably comprise an inelastic material although it will be understood by the person skilled in the art that if the harness does comprise a material with a degree of elasticity then a shorter length of harness may be desirable. It is clear that the length of the harness may vary. However, an object of the harness is to restrict the opening of the screens on the cabinet so as to limit the visibility of the visibly prohibited merchandise, e.g. cigarettes, whilst still allowing the retailer access to the product. Thus, the harness will generally be dimensioned to reflect the size of the retail merchandise stored in the cabinet, for example, in the case of a cabinet storing tobacco products, the harness will generally comprise the length, or optionally the width, of a cigarette packet ±10%. The harness may, for example, comprise an inelastic cord, cable or wire, for example, a metal cord, (synthetic) plastics cord, fabric cord, etc, provided the cord is substantially inelastic, i.e. does not stretch.

In an especially preferred aspect of the invention the screen is provided with a pair of connections to the counterweight. For example, when the screen is mounted horizontally the first end of the screen may be operably connected to the counterweight as hereinbefore described adjacent to its upper end and adjacent its lower end. This pair of connections is advantageous in that it enables the screen to open, and especially to close, more smoothly. The use of a pair of screens as described herein is advantageous in that, inter alia, it provides convenient access for the consumer to the merchandise. Moreover, whilst the present invention does envisage the use of a single self-closing barrier screen, a single screen necessarily increases the profile diameter of the roller when the screen is in the open position and thereby the frame housing the assembly must be larger to accommodate this. This consequently reduces the effective selling space for the merchandise which is undesirable for the retailer or merchandise manufacturer. Also, if a single screen is not fully retracted areas of the merchandise display unit may be less accessible. Thus, the use of a double screen assembly as hereinbefore described maximises the visibility and accessibility of the merchandise.

For use with, for example, a tobacco display cabinet the screen may comprise a secure barrier material, e.g. a slash or fire resistant barrier. One example of such a slash or tear resistant barrier material is described in PCT/GB2009/000500.

It is also desirable that the screen may comprise a substantially opaque material. The assembly as hereinbefore described may be placed in a housing unit. Thus, the housing unit may comprise a facia that is mountable on an existing display cabinet. The use of such a housing unit allows the screen assembly of the invention to be easily fitted in situ. The assembly may desirably be arranged so that a cover of the assembly may be easily removed. This is especially beneficial as it facilitates ease of access for cleaning, etc.

Therefore, according to a further aspect of the invention we provide a housing unit, e.g. a display cabinet, adapted to contain or containing a slidable screen assembly which comprises a pair of screens wherein each screen is connected to a roller biasing the screen to an open position, the roller being operably connected to a closing mechanism provided that a proximal end of a first screen in the pair of screens is inelasticaily operably linked to a proximal end of a second screen in the pair of screens, so as to restrict the extent of opening.

Preferably the housing unit, e.g. a display cabinet, is adapted to contain or containing a horizontally slidable self-closing screen assembly which comprises a pair of screens wherein each screen is connected to a roller biasing the screen to an open position, the roller being operably connected to a counterweight located in a counterweight chamber and wherein the load provided by the counterweight is greater than the force provided by the roller biasing the pair of screens provided that a proximal end of a first screen in the pair of screens is inelasticaily operably linked to a proximal end of a second screen in the pair of screens. The housing unit may be provided with one or more channels in which the one or more pulleys may sit. Thus, when the screen is opened or closed and the one or more pulleys linked to the first end of the screen travel with the screen, the one or more pulleys are provided with a smooth travelling surface. Preferably, each travelling pulley is provided with its own channel.

It is desirable that the unit is provided with a pair of screens each of which is slidable. Each of the screens may be independently slidable or may be operably linked. However, regardless of whether the screens are operated independently they will remain tethered to the harness and thereby a predetermined limit will be placed on the maximum separation of the screens on opening, i.e. when a user slides one screen both W

screens slide open and/or closed.

In a yet further aspect of the invention we provide a cabinet, such as a display cabinet, etc. fitted with a screen assembly and/or a housing unit as hereinbefore described.

In a further aspect of the invention the screen assembly or the unit may be fitted with one or more sensors, which might be beneficial as an additional safety measure, alternatively or in addition, if a sensor is e.g. a motion sensor, it may enable the opening and/or closing of the screen to be automated. Thus, for example, automatic opening and/or closing sensor may be operate a microwave Doppler action or may comprise active or passive infrared detection which detects the motion of a person, e.g. a retailer, approaching the cabinet or screen. Such sensors may be used to detect movement of a person approaching the screen and thus the screen may be automated and set to open when a person is in the vicinity.

When the assembly is automated as hereinbefore described, the screen may, for example, be connected to one or more motors. The assembly may use conventionally known motors which may be mechanical, pneumatic, electrical or kinetic in nature. Alternatively, the automated assembly may use one or more actuators. The one or more actuators according to this aspect of the invention may be pneumatic or electrical actuators. If more than one actuator or motor is present they may be the same or different. When the assembly of the invention is automated, the assembly may include a counterweight as hereinbefore described or may the assembly may rely solely on the use of the one or more motors. It will be understood by the person skilled in the art that when the assembly includes a motor, this may optionally be with or without the use of a sensor.

Furthermore, the assembly may be maintained in the open position by the use of one or more magnets, for example, electro magnets. The one or more magnets according to this aspect of the invention may optionally be part of a timed relay that is adjustable so that the amount of time the assembly is held in the open position can be a manufacturers fixed setting or may be adjusted, e.g. manually, to suit user requirements. When the assembly comprises a manually adjustable magnetic system as hereinbefore described, this system may also incorporate a manual override capable of being operated to keep the doors open for unlimited periods to allow access for longer periods of time. Such a system is advantageous, inter alia, it allows the screen to be maintained in the open position to permit the stocking of shelves, maintenance, etc.

The unit as hereinbefore described may be provided pre-assembled. Alternatively, the unit may be provided in kit form. Therefore, according to a yet further aspect of the invention we provide a kit comprising;

(i) a first and second screen;

(ii) a roller assembly including a torsion spring for each of the first and second screens, a counterweight located in a counterweight chamber and pulley system and wherein the load provided by the weight is greater than the force provided by the roller biasing the first and second screens;

(iii) an inelastic link member operably linkable to a proximal end of a first screen in the pair of screens and to a proximal end of a second screen in the pair of screens; and (iv) optionally a housing unit adapted to contain a slidable screen assembly.

Desirably, the length of the counterweight is substantially half the length of the counterweight chamber as hereinbefore described.

In addition, the assembled display unit may be provided with a control system which can be programmed so as to be capable of controlling the environment of the display unit by controlling, for example, lighting, temperature, air flow, e.g. by being operably linked to a fan, pump or the like. The control system may be used to add control over other integral display cabinet components. Thus, according to this aspect of the invention we provide a housing unit, e.g. a display cabinet as hereinbefore described, which is operably linked to a control unit, as hereinbefore described.

In an alternative aspect of the present invention horizontally slidable self-closing screen assembly may be constructed without the need for the counterweight as hereinbefore described. We have surprisingly found that because the proximal ends of two respective blinds are restricted in their separation by a harness, the self closing mechanism can be simplified by, for example, the location of one or more magnets on the edge of one or both of the slidable screen assemblies.

Thus, according to this aspect of the invention we provide a horizontally slidable screen assembly which comprises a pair of screens wherein each screen is connected to a roller biasing the screen to an open position, wherein a proximal end of a first screen in the pair of screens is inelastically operably linked to a proximal end of a second screen in the pair of screens and at least one of the screen assemblies is provided with a magnet located to be adjacent the proximal edge of the other screen assembly.

It will be understood by the person skilled in the art that the horizontally slidable screen assembly according to this aspect of the invention may be a self closing screen assembly as hereinbefore described, but desirably it is not a self-closing screen assembly, i.e. an assembly in which the user is required to close the screen(s).

Desirably each screen assembly is provided with at least one magnet adjacent a magnet of opposite polarity on the proximal edge of the adjacent screen.

According to a yet further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of screening a cabinet which comprises fitting to a cabinet a slidable screen assembly which comprises a pair of screens wherein each screen is connected to a roller biasing the screen to an open position, the roller being operably connected to a closing mechanism provided that a proximal end of a first screen in the pair of screens is inelastically operably linked to a proximal end of a second screen in the pair of screens, so as to restrict the extent of opening. Preferably, the method of screening a display cabinet comprises fitting to a cabinet a horizontally slidable self-closing screen assembly which comprises a pair of screens wherein each screen is connected to a roller biasing the screen to an open position, the roller being operably connected to a counterweight located in a counterweight chamber and wherein the load provided by the counterweight is greater than the force provided by the roller biasing the pair of screens provided that a proximal end of a first screen in the pair of screens is inelastically operably linked to a proximal end of a second screen in the pair of screens.

Desirably, in the method of the invention the length of the counterweight is substantially half the length of the counterweight chamber as hereinbefore described.

Preferably in this aspect of the invention the method comprises fitting to a cabinet a screen assembly in a housing unit as hereinbefore described. Alternatively, the method of the invention may comprise a method of screening a display cabinet which comprises fitting to a cabinet a horizontally slidable screen assembly which comprises a pair of screens wherein each screen is connected to a roller biasing the screen to an open position, wherein a proximal end of a first screen in the pair of screens is inelastically operably linked to a proximal end of a second screen in the pair of screens and at least one of the screen assemblies is provided with a magnet located to be adjacent the proximal edge of the other screen assembly.

According to the method of this aspect of the invention the screen assembly may be a self closing screen assembly as hereinbefore described, but desirably it is not a self- closing screen assembly.

The assembly of the present invention, unit or kit of the present invention is advantageous in that, inter alia, it proposes a frame that incorporates two vertically positioned self-retracting blinds. This will then create a self closing barrier screen that can be fitted to the front of a cabinet. When fitted the self closing barrier screen will be in the closed position. This means that the two screens (left & right) will meet in the centre. To open the self closing barrier screen, the customer pushes aside the relative left or right side screen to access the product. The relative left or right screen will then close automatically to centre slowly.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1(a) illustrates a harnessed screening assembly in the closed position comprising counterweights;

Figure 1(b) illustrates a harnessed screening assembly comprising counterweights opening to the left;

Figure 1(c) illustrates a harnessed screening assembly comprising counterweights opening to the right;

Figure 1(d) illustrates a lower pulley arrangement of a harnessed screening assembly comprising counterweights;

Figure 1(e) illustrates an upper pulley arrangement of a harnessed screening assembly comprising counterweights;

Figure 1(f) illustrates a harness arrangement of a screening assembly comprising counterweights;

Figure 2(a) illustrates a harnessed screening assembly in a central closed position comprising magnets;

Figure 2(b) illustrates a harnessed screening assembly comprising magnets opening to the right;

Figure 2(c) illustrates a harnessed screening assembly comprising magnets in a closed position to the right;

Figure 3 illustrates an angled spring assembly;

Figure 4 illustrates a housing unit for the screen assembly Referring to figures 1(a) to (f), a screen assembly (1) comprises a first screen (2) and a second screen (3) located adjacent to each other in a housing (4). Each of the first and second screens is connected to a roller blind unit (5a and 5b) including a charged torsion spring assembly (not shown) which is responsible for retracting the fabric (6) of the screen (1 and 2) evenly into the roller blind unit (5a and 5b). Pulley cables (7a and 7b) are routed through the housing unit and connect to a weight (8a and 8b). The weight (8a and 8b), acts as a constant load. This load is constantly pulling the screen assembly (1) to the closed position. Each of the first and second screens (2 and 3) comprises a proximal edge (9a and 9b) and a distal edge (10a and 10b). Each proximal edge (9a and 9b) is provided with a pin (11a and 1 lb). As shown, the pins (11a and lib) are located close to one another and at the uppermost region (12a and 12b) of the screen assembly (1). Although not shown in the figures hereto a corresponding pair of pins may also be provided in the lower region of the screen assembly. However, whilst this is a desirable arrangement, it will be well understood by a person skilled in the art that the precise location as illustrated is not essential and should not be construed as limiting. A harness (13) is located about the pins (11a and l ib), thus restricting the permitted separation of each of the proximal edges (9a and 9b) of the first and seconds screens (2 and 3).

In figure 1(b) illustrates the harness (13) is shown restricting the permitted separation of each of the proximal edges (9a and 9b) of the first and seconds screens (2 and 3). When opened to the left, the left hand counterweight (8a) drops and the right hand counterweight (8b) is raised. Figure 1(c) illustrates the opposite movement of the counterweight (8b) when the screen assembly is opened to the right. Figure 1(d) illustrates a lower pulley arrangement comprising a vertical pulley cable (14) and a horizontal pulley cable (15). In use, the vertical pulley cable (14) transfers the movement of the counterweight (8a) to the horizontal pulley cable (15). The horizontal pulley cable (15) is operably linked (not shown) to the screen (2). Figure 1(e) illustrates a corresponding upper pulley arrangement.

Figure 1(f) illustrates a harness (13) located around pins (1 la and l ib). The extent to which the harness restricts the opening of the screens may be varied depending upon, inter alia, the nature of the product being screened. Referring to figures 2(a) to (c) a harnessed screening assembly (1) comprises a first screen (2) and a second screen (3) located adjacent to each other in a housing (4). Each of the first and second screens is connected to a roller blind unit (5a and 5b) for retracting the fabric (6) of the screen (1 and 2). Each of the first and second screens (2 and 3) comprises a proximal edge (9a and 9b) and a distal edge (10a and 10b). Each proximal edge (9a and 9b) is provided with a pin (11a and l ib). As shown, the pins (11a and 1 lb) are located close to one another and at the uppermost region (12a and 12b) of the screen assembly (1). A harness (13) is located about the pins (11a and 1 lb), thus restricting the permitted separation of each of the proximal edges (9a and 9b) of the first and seconds screens (2 and 3). Each of the screens (1 and 2) is provided with a magnet (16a and 16b) and the magnets (16a and 16b) are located such that they are adjacent each other on either edge (9a and 9b) of the corresponding screen (1 and 2). The screens (1 and 2) are desirably each provided with a handle (18a and 18b). No counterweights and no pulley cables are required. Referring to figure 3 which illustrates an angled spring assembly; A 2 part sprung adjustable bracket (31), attached to a linear bearing (32) will allow the handle assembly to extend as the handle is moved to the open position (along positions marked 34&35) along the shaft (33) A to B. The spring will then be in the extended position. The force then applied by the extended spring will force or pull the handle back to its start position (centre), as shown in the diagram 3.

The same arrangement as shown in diagram 3 is the same for top and bottom of the frame.

The sprung adjustable bracket will have to exert a greater force that supplied by the torsional load exerted by the blind roller tube assembly to allow the handle to pull back to its resting position as shown in diagram 3.

The benefits of using this method include:

1. A simpler and more efficient method.

2. The side sections of the frame are more slender.

3. Fewer materials required.

4. Quicker and easier to assemble.

5. The completed frame can be sited at any angle or orientation.

6. No limitation of width vs. height ratios. Referring to figure 4 a housing unit (19) for use in the screen assembly (1) is provided with locating brackets (20) which enables the housing unit (1) to be retro-fitted to an existing display cabinet (not shown).

0176P.WO.Spec(3)