Technical Field

The present application relates to a module for a modular transport & display unit. In particular, the present application relates to a module for a modular transport & display unit of the type that can be used to load products thereon for transportation to a store and can then be seamlessly and readily used to display said products in, for example, said store, such as in conjunction with a special offer on said products, with minimum effort.

The present application also relates to said modular transport & display units, and to related methods of erecting or collapsing said module and/or modular transport & display unit for, respectively, loading said products thereon, or for returning the module and/or the transport & display unit to a service centre, before it can again be used to transport & display new products, after repair, cleaning or reconditioning, if necessary.

Background

In the quest for a truly circular economy, it is increasingly important to reduce or eliminate single-use packaging and adopt pooled product-distribution solutions.

While pallets can be used to display products in-store, and they come in a range of suitable sizes such as full pallets, half pallets and quarter pallets - they may be unattractive or inconvenient to the consumer.

To attract consumer interest, whilst retaining ease of transportation, there are available from the prior art transport & display units which are, effectively, built upon a transportation platform, such as a pallet or a pallet on wheels (a ‘dolly’). These units may be dressed, onsite, or before transportation, with promotional material, usually made of cardboard, such as advertising strips, banners or boards. Further, some of these units may be reconfigurable, foldable or collapsible - which greatly facilitates circularity: when the products have been sold, or a specific offer is terminated, store operators can fold or dismantle these units for return and reuse. Before the units are reused, however, it may be necessary to repair, clean or, in some other manner, recondition them. These operation may be costly or time-consuming. There is therefore a need for improved solutions which are more convenient, easier to handle and/or, if needed, recondition, whilst still being attractive to the consumer and easy to operate by store operators.

Statement of Invention

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a module for a modular transport & display unit for transporting products to a store and for then displaying said products in said store, said module comprising a shelf (or tray), adapted to receive said products thereon; and, at least one reconfigurable support structure, wherein said at least one reconfigurable support structure is adapted to be deployed in a first, erected configuration, wherein the support structure is adapted to support one or more additional such modules, so that all modules collectively may form said transport & display unit, and to be stowed away in a second, collapsed configuration.

Such an independent module, yet combinable with one or more modules of the same type to provide a full or fuller transportation & display unit, makes for a sturdy yet easy-to-operate transport & display solution which has good manoeuvrability and is easy and friendly to operate in store, and to return for reuse.

Said at least one reconfigurable support structure may be rotatably arranged with respect to the shelf or tray.

The shelf or tray may comprise a border adapted to retain said products on the shelf or tray. The border may at least partially surround the shelf or tray. It is preferred, however, that the border completely surround the shelf or tray, such as by it being integrally formed with said shelf or tray, for example as a skirt that extend perpendicularly from the shelf or tray. To maximise the number of products that can be accommodated on the shelf or tray, the skirt may extend from an edge of said shelf or tray.

In preferred configurations, the at least one reconfigurable support structure and said border may be integrated, so that maximum space may be retained on the shelf or tray for products. For example, the reconfigurable support structure and the border may be adapted to form, or may be joined/jointed by, a pivotable connection. In other words, the at least one reconfigurable support structure may be pivotally connected to the border, rather than elsewhere on the module, for example, to the shelf - as this will further maximise the module’s payload.

Particular attention is given in this disclosure to how the reconfigurable support structure and the border may be integrated. For example, the reconfigurable support structure in the erected configuration may be adjacent to, contiguous to, or even be provided as a portion of, or be part of - the border, or a specific zone of it, such as a corner. When the reconfigurable support structure is erected, therefore, as much of the space available on the tray or shelf may be left to accommodate products for transport and/or display.

The reconfigurable support structure may comprise one or more stems which may be disposed adjacent to, contiguous to or even incorporated as part of - the shelf border. The pivotable connection may comprise at least one pin, which may be provided on a respective stem, and at least one guide, which may be provided on the shelf border, for receiving said pin and guiding its movement such that the at least one reconfigurable support structure may rotate and/or translate with respect to the shelf, such that a pivotable end of said stem can clear the shelf border during reconfiguration.

This configuration is advantageous in that the stem may be positioned adjacent or even contiguous to the border, or may form part of the border itself, to maximise the space for products on the shelf, yet it can clear the border upon rotation to reconfigure the reconfigurable support structure. Of course, alternatively, the at least one pin may be provided on the border and the at least one guide on the stem.

Preferably, the at least one pin is provided on the pivotable end of the reconfigurable support structure, which pivotable end may be a pivotable end of said stem. The at least one guide may be provided in the shape of a slot, and in particular as a cut-out which cuts through the (relatively thin) shelf border.

The pivotable connection may be arranged such that, throughout a reconfiguration of the reconfigurable support structure, a minimum distance between the pivotable end of the reconfigurable support structure, for example measured from a base of said stem, that is between the stem base and the border, is less than a predetermined value. It is important that the support structure clears the border when reconfigured, and it is as important that in the erected position the support structure leaves as much space as possible on the shelf or tray of the module. The pivotable connection may comprise upper and lower pins provided on said pivotable end of the reconfigurable support structure, such as on a proximal end of said stem, and two respective upper and lower slots provided on the shelf border for guiding the movement of said two respective pins. The lower slot may extend linearly alongside the shelf border, and the upper slot may be arcuate with a downward concavity. Forming the slots according to these shapes may facilitate simultaneous and/or sequential translation and/or rotation of the at least one reconfigurable support structure, which may be required for the stem base to clear the border upon reconfiguration of the reconfigurable support structure.

Said upper slot may form a retaining cusp at an end thereof, for retaining the at least one support structure in the first or second configuration. However, said border may alternatively and/or additionally comprise a resiliently flexible retainer for retaining the at least one support structure in the first or second configuration. Other types of retainers may however be provided.

Each reconfigurable support structure may comprise a pair of opposed pivotable stems and a bridge that connects respective distal ends of said pivotable stems. This arrangement is particularly simple and robust.

Said stems may be cross-sectionally L-shaped and are arranged such that the respective angles formed by said L-shapes face the shelf, which again is a simple measure which saves, or contributes to save, space on the shelf for any products to be accommodated thereon.

Said bridge may comprise a pair of opposed brackets arranged to engage with said distal ends of the pivotable stems. The pairs of opposed brackets may have different shapes, but a preferred shape is an L-shape, so as to match with the cross-sectional shape of the respective L-shaped stems.

The module may comprise two reconfigurable support structures disposed at opposed ends of said shelf or tray.

Further, the module may be arranged such that their respective second, collapsed positions are reached by equal and opposite stowing-away operations, such that said two reconfigurable support structures fold inwardly towards the shelf from their respective first, erected positions. In this arrangement, the reconfigurable support structure may be intuitively and/or neatly stowed away.

Said at least one reconfigurable support structure may be, in addition to it being reconfigurable, extendable. It will be understood that this is particularly advantageous in connection with the modularity of the arrangement. When multiple modules are stacked one on another, by changing the lengths of the respective support structures, variable and/or adjustable spacings between the shelves or trays can be easily achieved. This of course allows different products, or different sizes of the same product, for example drinks or cosmetics, to be efficiently stored in the modular units, thereby saving space and retaining compactness.

Said bridge may be adapted to be positioned in at least a first, fully retracted position and in a second, fully extended position with respect to said two stems. These may be the only two positions that the bridge is configured to take, or of course there could be intermediate configurations in any arbitrary number. Preferably, the bridge may be telescopically extendable. Said stem-engaging brackets may each be slidably arranged on a respective stem.

Advantageously, the bridge may incorporate an actuation mechanism arranged such that on actuation of the actuation mechanism the bridge may be extended or retracted. This mechanism may be manually actuatable, for example by a store operator.

Preferably, said actuation mechanism may comprise one or more bolts and a biasing means for biasing said bolts to a projected configuration. In the projected configuration, said bolts may engage with one or more of the brackets and/or stems of the reconfigurable support structure, for example with a set of openings or recesses provided thereon for this purpose. The actuation mechanism may be configured such that the actuation of the actuation mechanism retract said bolts against said biasing means.

In a particularly preferred arrangement, the shelf is generally rectangular. Preferably, said shelf is sized to correspond to the size of a pallet or a dolly, or to that of a fractional pallet or a dolly. More preferably, said shelf is the size of a quarter pallet or a dolly.

Each reconfigurable support structure may be provided adjacent, next, at or in proximity of a short side of the rectangular shelf or tray, and this will facilitate access (from at least one of the rectangle’s long sides) to any products supported on the shelf. Each pivotable stem may be provided at a respective corner of said rectangular shelf, to save further space on the shelf to accommodate products thereon. Each bridge may extend parallel to, and may have the same length, as a corresponding short side of said rectangular shelf. With a border, or skirt, extending perpendicular from the shelf or tray, then the reconfiguration motion of the reconfigurable support structures may effectively be a two-dimensional rotation/translation, on a notional or reference plane parallel to, or in addition containing, said border or skirt.

At least one reconfigurable support structure may be dimensioned and arranged such that, in its second, collapsed configuration, it lies flat, completely inside of said border. This will prevent or reduce accidental damage to the module, for example during transport to a repair and/or reconditioning facility, before the module can be reused.

Both reconfigurable support structures may be dimensioned and arranged such that, when both support structures are configured in the second, collapsed configuration, they lie flat, completely inside of said border.

Preferably, the above condition is also met when at least one or both of said reconfigurable support structures are extended - so the store operator does not necessarily have to retract the bridge to be able to stow away the reconfigurable support structure in a flat, secure configuration.

Further, said at least one reconfigurable support structure may be dimensioned and arranged such that, in the second, collapsed configuration, it lies flat, with a footprint that is completely contained inside said shelf - which propagates the above-referenced advantages even further.

Further still, both reconfigurable support structures may be dimensioned and arranged such that, when both support structures are configured in the second, collapsed configuration, they lie flat, with respective footprints being completely contained inside said shelf.

Preferably, the above condition is also met when at least one or both of said reconfigurable support structures are extended. An underside of the shelf may be configured to snugly fit over a further module and/or over a loading surface of a pallet or a dolly, for increasing stability of the unit.

The border or skirt may be provided with one or more recesses or handles for facilitating the handling of the module, such as by a user who can then better grip said module by hand via said on or more recesses or handles.

Further still, in the first, erected configuration the at least one support structure may be configured to be snugly received by an underside of said one or more additional such modules, also for improving stability of the unit, in the erected configuration.

Finally, the at least one reconfigurable support structure may comprise one or more features constructed and disposed to hold in place a packaging element such as a cardboard sheet, when the at least one reconfigurable support structure is in the first, erected configuration. Said packaging element or cardboard sheet may prevent access to the products during, for example, transportation to the store. Said features may comprise one or more tongues configured to hold in place said packaging element. Preferably, this is done in cooperation with at least a portion of said border. Alternatively, or additionally said features may comprise one or more slits configured to hold in place said packaging element. Preferably, this is done in cooperation with another reconfigurable support structure as described herein. Said tongues or slits may be configured such that the packaging element is arranged flush with an outer surface of the border and/or one or more outer surfaces of the relevant support structure.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a modular transport & display unit for transporting products to a store and for then displaying said products in said store, wherein the unit comprises at least a first module as described herein. Said first module may comprise at least one erected reconfigurable support structure as described herein. Said first module may comprise at least one collapsed reconfigurable support structure as described herein.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a combination of a module as described herein or a modular transport & display unit also as described herein, with a corresponding pallet or dolly. Preferably, the module, modular unit and the pallet or dolly are sized to correspond to a quarter-pallet size. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of erecting and/or collapsing a module as described herein, or a modular unit as described herein, the method comprising deploying a collapsed at least one reconfigurable support structure as described herein in the first, erected configuration and/or stowing away an erected at least one reconfigurable support structure as described herein in the second, collapsed configuration.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of preparing a modular transport & display as described herein, the method comprising: providing a first module as described herein and deploying said at least one collapsed reconfigurable support structure as described herein in the first, erected configuration; stacking at least one further, erected module as described herein on said first module; optionally, loading the unit with one or more products by disposing them on any of the shelves of the first or further module(s) of the modular unit.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of collapsing a modular transport & display unit as described herein, the method comprising: providing a first module as described herein, and stowing away an erected at least one reconfigurable support structure as described herein in the second, collapsed configuration; stacking at least one further, collapsed module on said first module; optionally, unloading the modular unit by removing one or more products from any of the shelves of said first or further module(s).

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a module for a modular transport & display unit for transporting products to a store and for then displaying said products in said store, said module comprising: a shelf, adapted to receive said products thereon; and, at least one removable support structure adapted to support one or more additional such modules, so that all modules collectively form said transport & display unit.

The various aspects described herein, and the features disclosed in association with each of such aspects, may be combinable with one another, unless expressly stated otherwise or specific technical considerations exist which would prevent such combinations. Brief Description of the Drawings

The present modules and units, and the related methods, will now be described by way of example with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a static reusable free-standing display unit (RFSDU).

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the RFSDU of Figure 1 .

Figure 3A is a front view of a fully assembled static RFSDll with trays arranged in a first arrangement.

Figure 3B is a front view of a fully assembled static RFSDU with trays arranged in a second arrangement.

Figure 4A is a front view of a fully assembled static RFSDU with trays arranged in a third arrangement.

Figure 4B is a front view of a fully assembled static RFSDU with trays arranged in a fourth arrangement.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a first connector of the RFSDU of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a top view of the connector of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a bottom view of the connector of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a bottom perspective view of the connector of Figure 5.

Figure 9 is a side view of the connector of Figure 5.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the connector of Figure 5 attached to a static pallet base, further including a pillar support.

Figure 11 is a top view of a second connector attached to a static pallet base.

Figure 12A is a top view of a static pallet base.

Figure 12B is a zoomed-in top view of an engagement feature of the static pallet base of Figure 12A.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the connector and static pallet base of Figure 11 , further including side and rear pillar supports.

Figure 14A is a side view of a fully erected and extended static RFSDU.

Figure 14B is a front view of the RFSDU of Figure 14A.

Figure 15A is a front view of a partially erected wheeled RFSDU.

Figure 15B is a front view of a fully erected wheeled RFSDU.

Figure 16A is a top view of the connector of Figure 11 , indicating locations of pillar support base regions in a first layout. Figure 16B is a top view of the connector of Figure 11 , indicating locations of pillar support base regions in a second layout.

Figure 16C is a top view of the connector of Figure 11 , indicating locations of pillar support base regions in a third layout.

Figure 17 is a perspective view of a static RFSDU main structure in a first transport configurations, and associated trays.

Figure 18 is a side view of a wheeled RFSDU main structure in a folded configuration.

Figure 19 is a perspective view of a static RFSDll main structure with a rear pillar support partially erected.

Figure 20 is a perspective cutaway view of a nesting point of the connector and a slider of the rear pillar support.

Figure 21 is a perspective view of a rear pillar support base region connected to a rear pillar support slider.

Figure 22 is a perspective view of a side pillar support base region connected to a side pillar support slider.

Figure 23 is a perspective view of a static RFSDU main structure showing the partially erected rear pillar support being moved horizontally into position.

Figure 24 is a perspective view of the static RFSDU main structure of Figure 23, showing the partially erected rear pillar support being lowered into position.

Figure 25 is a zoomed-in perspective view of a connector and pillar support base engagement mechanism in a folded configuration.

Figure 26 is an exploded perspective view of the pillar support base engagement mechanism of Figure 25.

Figure 27A is a side view of the pillar support base engagement mechanism of Figure 25 in a folded configuration.

Figure 27B is a side cutaway view of the pillar support base engagement mechanism of Figure 25 in a folded configuration.

Figure 28 is a side cutaway view of the pillar support base engagement mechanism of Figure 26 in an erected configuration.

Figure 29 is a front view of a fully erected and extended wheeled RFSDU.

Figure 30A is a perspective cutaway view of a telescopic extension mechanism of a pillar support.

Figure 30B is a front cutaway view of the telescopic extension mechanism of Figure 30A. Figure 31 A is a front cutaway view of the telescopic extension mechanism of Figure 30 in a first position.

Figure 31 B is a front cutaway view of the telescopic extension mechanism of Figure 30 in a second position.

Figure 31 C is a front cutaway view of the telescopic extension mechanism of Figure 30 in a third position.

Figure 31 D is a front cutaway view of the telescopic extension mechanism of Figure 30 in a fourth position.

Figure 32 is a second perspective view of a telescopic extension mechanism of a side support in a partially-extended configuration.

Figure 33A shows a perspective view of a static RFSDU with erected side and rear pillar supports, telescopic extension mechanisms of said supports being in a retracted configuration.

Figure 33B is a perspective view of a user extending a telescopic extension mechanism of a rear pillar support of the erected RFSDll of Figure 34A from a retracted configuration.

Figure 34A is a perspective view of a user shortly after extending the telescopic extension mechanism of Figure 33, with the rear pillar support now in a fully-extended configuration.

Figure 34B is a perspective view of the RFSDll of Figure 33, with the telescopic extension mechanisms of the side and rear pillar supports being in a fully-extended configuration.

Figure 35A is a top view of a tray.

Figure 35B is a side view of the tray of Figure 35A.

Figure 36 is a perspective view of a tray inserted into a fully erected and extended static RFSDU.

Figure 37A is a perspective view of a user inserting a tray into a fully erected and extended static RFSDU, via a slot.

Figure 37B is a perspective view of the RFSDU of Figure 37A, with the tray fully inserted into the slot of Figure 37A.

Figure 38 shows a zoomed-in perspective view of a tray inserted into one of the side pillar support slots of Figure 37.

Figure 39A is a zoomed-in perspective view of a side pillar support slot.

Figure 39B is a zoomed-in perspective cutaway view of the side pillar support slot of Figure 39A, showing a flexible tray-engagement mechanism. Figure 40 shows a side cutaway view of the flexible tray-engagement mechanism in a depressed state.

Figure 41 shows a side cutaway view of the flexible tray-engagement mechanism of Figure 40 in a deployed state.

Figure 42A is a zoomed-in side view of a rear pillar support, showing a first locking mechanism.

Figure 42B is a zoomed-in exploded view of the first locking mechanism of Figure 42A.

Figure 43 is a zoomed-in side view of a tray being inserted into the first locking mechanism of Figure 42A.

Figure 44A is a zoomed-in side view of a rear pillar support, showing a second locking mechanism.

Figure 44B is a zoomed-in side view of a rear pillar support, showing a third locking mechanism.

Figure 44C is a zoomed-in side view of a rear pillar support, showing a fourth locking mechanism.

Figure 45A is a perspective view of a user removing a bottom tray from a fully assembled RFSDll.

Figure 45B is a perspective view of a fully erected and extended RFSDll and trays stacked separately.

Figure 46A is a perspective view of a user retracting a telescopic extension mechanism of a side pillar support of a fully erected and extended RFSDll.

Figure 46B is a perspective view of a user folding the pivoted extension mechanism of the side pillar support of Figure 46A.

Figure 47 is a perspective view of a partially erected RFSDU.

Figure 48A is a perspective view of a partially erected RFSDU, showing which direction each pillar support should be moved to enter a transport position.

Figure 48B is a perspective view of the partially erected RFSDU of Figure 48A, showing the partially erected pillar supports in a transport position.

Figure 49A is a perspective view of the partially erected RFSDU of Figure 47, with one of the side pillar supports in a partially collapsed position.

Figure 49B is a perspective view of the RFSDU of Figure 47 in a transport position with trays stacked separately.

Figure 50A is a perspective view of two stacks of trays and RFSDUs in a transport position, stacked on top of one another in an alternating fashion. Figure 50B is a perspective view of two RFSDlls in a transport position stacked upon one another.

Figure 51A is a perspective view of an example, collapsible module comprising two foldable support structures in a stowed-away configuration.

Figure 51 B is a perspective view of an erected module.

Figure 52A is a perspective view of the module of Figure 51A, detachably attached to a pallet base.

Figure 52B is a perspective view of the module of Figure 51 B, detachably attached to a pallet base.

Figure 53A is a perspective view of the module of Figure 51 B, in an erected and extended configuration.

Figure 53B is a perspective view of the module of Figure 53A, detachably attached to a pallet base.

Figure 54A is a perspective view of a stack of seven erected modules detachably attached to a pallet base, forming an example transport & display unit.

Figure 54B is a perspective view of a stack of four collapsed modules forming a collapsed transport & display unit, detachably attached to a pallet base.

Figure 55A is a cutaway view of an extension mechanism of a supporting structure of a module as described herein, in a first position.

Figure 55B is a zoomed-in cutaway view of the extension mechanism of Figure 55A.

Figure 56A is a cutaway view of an extension mechanism of a supporting structure of a module as described herein, in a second position.

Figure 56B is a zoomed-in cutaway view of the extension mechanism of Figure 56A.

Figure 57A is a cutaway view of an extension mechanism of a supporting structure of a module as described herein, in a third position.

Figure 57B is a zoomed-in cutaway view of the extension mechanism of Figure 57A.

Figure 58A is a cutaway view of an extension mechanism of a supporting structure of a module as described herein, in a fourth position.

Figure 58B is a zoomed-in cutaway view of the extension mechanism of Figure 58A.

Figure 59A is a side view of a hinge mechanism of the collapsible module of Figures 51-58, in a first position.

Figure 59B is a zoomed-in side view of the hinge mechanism of Figure 58A.

Figure 60A is a side view of the hinge mechanism of Figure 59, in a second position.

Figure 60B is a zoomed-in side view of the hinge mechanism of Figure 60A. Figure 61 A is a perspective view of a pallet base adapter.

Figure 61 B is a perspective view of a first fully erected example transport & display unit (or RFSDll) including a cardboard dress with products.

Figure 62A is a perspective view of a fully erected example transport & display unit (or RFSDU), with a first cardboard dress being applied thereto.

Figure 62B is a perspective view of the transport & display unit of Figure 62A, with the first cardboard dress installed thereon.

Figure 63A is a perspective view of the transport & display unit of Figure 62A, with a second cardboard dress installed thereon.

Figure 63B is a perspective view of the transport & display unit of Figure 62A, with a third cardboard dress installed thereon.

Figure 64A is a front view of a second fully erected example transport & display unit (or RFSDll) including a cardboard dress with products.

Figure 64B is a top view of a tray including products arranged in a first arrangement.

Figure 64C is a top view of a tray including products arranged in a second arrangement.

Figure 65 is a detailed diagrammatic overview of a use cycle of an RFSDU.

Figure 66 is an exploded, perspective view of a second example, collapsible module comprising two foldable support structures in an erected and extended configuration.

Figure 67A is a side view of a hinge mechanism of the collapsible module of Figure 66.

Figure 67B is a zoomed-in side view of the hinge mechanism of the collapsible module of Figure 66.

Figure 68A is a bottom view of a pin of the hinge mechanism of the collapsible module of Figure 66.

Figure 68B is a side view of the pin of Figure 68A.

Figure 68C is a top view of the pin of Figure 68A.

Figure 68D is a perspective view of the pin of Figure 68A.

Figure 69A is a perspective view of an inner pillar of the collapsible module of Figure 66.

Figure 69B is a zoomed-in perspective view of the inner pillar of Figure 69A.

Detailed Description

Like features across different arrangements will generally be labelled using the same reference number. Features described in connection with any one of the aspects of this disclosure may be provided in any other of the aspects disclosed herein, unless there are specific reasons for which such combination may not be possible.

Axis system

Depicted for the purposes of orientation, the axis system in Figure 1 indicates a first direction 10, a second direction 20, and a third direction 30, in relation to the orientation of the RFSDU. The first direction 10 may be considered as pointing in the width dimension, from right to left. The second direction 20 may be considered as pointing in the height dimension, from down to up. The third direction 30 may be considered as pointing in the depth dimension, from back to front.

RFSDU introduction

As seen in Figures 1 and 2, a reusable free-standing display unit (RFSDU) 100 according to an arrangement of the present disclosure includes a pallet base 120, a connector 140, at least one pillar support 160, and at least one tray 220. The RFSDU shown in Figure 1 is fully assembled, being fully erected, fully extended, and having a desired number of trays inserted.

The pallet base 120 is for supporting the connector and pillar supports of the RFSDU. The connector is for connecting the pillar supports to the pallet base 120. The pillar supports are for supporting the trays 220. The trays 220 are for supporting products.

The pallet base 120 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is a static pallet base 125. In other arrangements, the pallet base 120 may be a wheeled pallet base 130.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, there are three pillar supports 160. In other arrangements, there may be more pillar supports 160, such as four or five, or there may be fewer pillar supports, such as one or two. Each of the pillar supports 160 may be a side pillar support 170 or a rear pillar support 200. In the present example, there are two side pillar supports 170 and one rear pillar support 200. Each of the side pillar supports 170 may be a left pillar support 180 or a right pillar support 190. In the present example, one of the side pillar supports 170 is a left pillar support 180 and the other side pillar support 170 is a right pillar support 190. In other arrangements not shown, one of the pillar supports 160 may be a front pillar support. The trays 220 are supported at intervals by the pillar supports 160. These intervals may be regular, with the distance between neighbouring trays 220 substantially the same, or irregular, with the distance between neighbouring trays 220 being different.

In Figures 1 and 2, five trays 220 are shown, but fewer trays 220 may be used, such as one, two, or three, or more trays 220 may be used, such as six, seven, eight, nine, or ten. The distance between the connector 240 and the bottom tray may be the same as or different to, such as smaller or larger than, the distance between each neighbouring tray. Figures 3A-4B show fully assembled RFSDlls with differing numbers of trays. In Figure 3A, there are seven trays, each set at regular intervals from neighbouring trays. In Figure 3A, the distance between the connector 240 and the bottom tray is larger than the distance between each neighbouring tray. The arrangement shown in Figure 3B has six trays, with the top five trays being set at regular intervals and the bottom tray spaced further apart. In Figure 4A there are five trays set at regular intervals, and the distance between the connector 140 and the bottom tray is larger than the distance between each neighbouring tray. In Figure 4B, there are four trays set at regular intervals, and the distance between the connector 240 and the bottom tray is smaller than the distance between each neighbouring tray.

Connector

The connector 140 is detachably attached to the pallet base 120. With reference now to Figures 5 to 9, the connector 140 comprises sides 250, 251 , 252, 253, and at least one reinforcement feature 152. The reinforcement features 152 are for reinforcing areas of the connector 140. In the present arrangement, the connector 140 comprises four sides and three reinforcement features 152. In other arrangements, the connector 140 may include fewer or more sides 250, 251 , 252, 253 and/or connector reinforcement features 152, such as one, two, four, or five. In the present arrangement, the four sides of the connector 140 are a connector front side 250, a connector rear side 251 , a connector left side 252, and a connector right side 253. At least one of the connector reinforcement features 152 may be a connector corner reinforcement feature 153, and the third reinforcement feature 152 may be a connector mid-section reinforcement feature 154. The connector corner reinforcement features 153 reinforce the areas of the connector 140 where the sides are coterminous with one another. In the present example, the two connector corner reinforcement features 153 are both located adjacent the same side 252. The connector mid-section reinforcement feature 154 is located along the length of one side 253, and is not directly adjacent any other side.

The connector 140 has a connector width 240, a connector height 241 , and a connector depth 242. The connector 140 has a connector top surface 244 which extends in the same direction of the connector width 240 and in the same direction of the connector depth 242. The top surface 244 of the connector 140 is substantially rectangular in outline, with substantially four substantially straight sides, opposing pairs of which are significantly at right angles to one another, and adjacent sides are of unequal length. The top surface 244 of the connector 140 includes a connector internal border 141 defining the boundary of a connector main cut-out. The boundary of the connector main cut-out defined by the connector internal border 141 has a larger surface area compared with the surface area of the connector top surface 244 comprising the connector sides 250, 251 , 252, 253, and reinforcement features 152, 153, 154. The connector width 240 and the connector depth 242 may each be larger than the connector height 241 .

The connector 140 further comprises at least one connector pillar support guide 142 for housing and guiding at least one pillar support 160. The connector pillar support guides 142 may be formed as grooves within the connector 140.

In the present arrangement and as seen in Figure 11 , there are three pillar support guides 142, of which two are connector side pillar support guides 144 and one is a connector rear pillar support guide 150. Of the two connector side pillar support guides 144, one is a connector left pillar support guide 146 and one is a connector right pillar support guide 148 for housing and guiding left and right pillar supports respectively. The connector rear pillar support guide 150 may be for housing a rear pillar support 200. In other arrangements, the connector 140 may include fewer or more connector pillar support guides 142 such as one, two, four, or five.

The connector pillar support guides 142 each extend along at least a portion of one or more connector sides 250, 251 , 252, 253. The left and right pillar support guides 146, 148 extend along at least a portion of the connector left and right sides 252, 253 respectively. The left and right pillar support guides 146, 148 extend substantially parallel with one another. The rear pillar support guide 150 extends along at least a portion of the connector rear side 251 and along at least a portion of the connector left side 252. In this arrangement, the distance that the rear pillar support guide 150 extends along the connector rear side 251 is greater than the distance the rear pillar support guide 150 extends along the connector left side 252. In other arrangements, the rear pillar support guide 150 may extend along at least a portion of the connector rear side 251 and the connector right side 253.

As seen in Figure 8, the connector 140 includes a connector fixing 155 for detachably attaching the connector 140 to the pallet base 120. The connector fixing 155 may be a II- shaped pin extending from the underside of the connector 140.

With reference now to Figure 10, the connector 140 is detachably attached to the pallet base 120. The connector 140 may be detachably attached to an upper portion of the pallet base 120. As shown, the side pillar support 170 is located within the connector side pillar support guide 144.

The connector 140 shown is formed of one integral part, but in other examples may be formed of several parts or formed as one integral part with the pallet base 120.

With reference now to Figures 12A and 12B, the pallet base 120 may include a display attachment feature 255 for the purpose of detachably attaching a display structure 600. The pallet base 120 of the shown arrangement includes four display attachment features 255, though in other arrangements may include fewer, such as one, two or three attachment features, or more, such as six or eight. The display attachment feature 255 includes no moving parts, and may be flush with a top surface of the pallet base 120.

Pillar support introduction

Figures 13, 14A, and 14B show the RFSDll fully erected and extended, including the static pallet base 125. The pillar supports 160 may each include several sections. The pillar supports 160 may each include a pillar support first section 161 , a pillar support second section 162, a pillar support third section 163, and a pillar support base region 164, a pillar support first hinge 165, and a pillar support second hinge 166. The pillar support first section 161 is located adjacent the connector 140, and nests within it. The pillar support first section 161 includes the pillar support base region 164. The pillar support base region 164 includes the pillar support first hinge. The pillar support first hinge 165 allows the pillar support 160 to fold substantially parallel with the top surface 244 of the connector 160. The pillar support first section 161 is located adjacent the pillar support second hinge 166. The pillar support second hinge 166 is also adjacent the pillar support second section 162. The pillar support second hinge 166 allows for the overall length of the pillar support 160 to be pivotably extended. The pillar support second section 162 is located adjacent the pillar support third section. The pillar support second section 162 may include a tip region 169. The pillar support third section 163 telescopically extends from an end of the pillar support second section 162.

Pillar support hinges

The pillar support first hinge 165 and pillar support second hinge 166 pivot between two configurations: undeployed and fully deployed. Between these two configurations, the pillar support first hinge 165 and pillar support second hinge 166 can be considered as being partially deployed. When undeployed, the pillar support first hinge 165 has an opening angle of 0 degrees, ± 10 degrees. When fully deployed, the pillar support first hinge has an opening angle of substantially 90 degrees, ± 10 degrees. When undeployed, the pillar support second hinge 166 has an opening angle of 0 degrees, ± 10 degrees. When fully deployed, the pillar support second hinge has an opening angle of substantially 180 degrees, ± 20 degrees. In other arrangements, the pillar support first hinge 165 and pillar support second hinge 166 may have different opening angles when undeployed and fully deployed to the arrangement described here, such as an opening angle of substantially 45 degrees, ± 10 degrees, substantially 135 degrees, ± 20 degrees, or substantially 270 degrees, ± 20 degrees.

As shown in Figure 17, when the pillar support 160 is in a folded configuration, the pillar support first section 161 and pillar support second section 162 extend in a direction substantially parallel with the connector top surface 244. In this folded configuration, the tip region 169 of the pillar support second section 162 is adjacent the base region 164 of the pillar support first section 161 , and the distance between the tip region 169 and the base region 162 is shorter than the distance between the tip region 169 and the pillar support second hinge 166. Furthermore, both the pillar support first hinge 165 and the pillar support second hinge 166 are undeployed.

Figure 15A shows a wheeled RFSDll 100 with the first hinges of each pillar support 160 deployed. When the pillar support 160 is in a partially erected configuration, the pillar support first section 161 and pillar support second section 162 extend in a direction substantially perpendicular with the connector top surface 244. In this partially erected configuration, the tip region 169 of the pillar support second section 162 is adjacent the base region 164 of the pillar support first section 161 , and the distance between the tip region 169 and the base region 162 is shorter than the distance between the tip region 169 and the pillar support second hinge 166. In this partially erected configuration, the pillar support first hinge 165 is fully deployed, and the pillar support second hinge 166 is undeployed.

Figure 15B shows a wheeled RFSDll 100 with the first and second hinges of each pillar support 160 deployed. When the pillar support 160 in a fully erected configuration, the pillar support first section 161 and pillar support second section 162 extend in a direction substantially perpendicular with the connector top surface 244. In this fully erected configuration, the tip region 169 of the pillar support second section 162 is not adjacent the base region 164 of the pillar support first section 161 , and the distance between the tip region 169 and the base region 162 is longer than the distance between the tip region 169 and the pillar support second hinge 166. In this fully erected configuration, both the pillar support first hinge 165 and the pillar support second hinge 166 are fully-deployed.

The pillar supports 160, 170, 180, 190, 200 include pillar support slots 167, 177, 187, 197, 207 for supporting trays.

Pillar support layouts

Reference is now made to Figures 16A-C and 17. In some configurations, the pillar supports 160 may be located at various indiscrete points within their respective connector pillar support guide 142, or the connector pillar support guide 142 may include features for facilitating the location of the pillar supports 160 at discrete intervals. As seen in Figure 16A, a first layout shows a first base location 541 of the connector left pillar support guide 146, a first base location 543 of the connector right pillar support guide 148, and a first base location 545 of the connector rear pillar support guide 150. Each of the left and right pillar support guides 146, 148 include a front portion, which is a portion closest to the connector front side 250, and a rear portion, which is a portion closest to the connector rear side 251. The rear pillar support guide 150 includes a right portion, which extends along at least a portion of the connector rear side 251 of the connector 140 closest to the connector right side 253, and a left portion, which extends along at least a portion of the connector left side 252. The left portion of the rear pillar support guide 150 may extend substantially parallel with the left pillar support guide 146. The first base location 541 is located either at the front portion of the connector left pillar support guide 146 or closer to the front portion of the connector left pillar support guide 146 than to the rear portion of the connector left pillar support guide 146. The first base location 543 is located either at the rear portion of the connector right pillar support guide 148 or closer to the rear portion of the connector right pillar support guide 148 than to the front portion of the connector right pillar support guide 148. The first base location 545 is located either at the left portion of the connector rear pillar support guide 150 or closer to the left portion of the connector rear pillar support guide 150 than to the right portion of the connector rear pillar support guide 150.

As seen in Figure 16B, a second layout shows the first base location 541 of the connector left pillar support guide 146, a second base location 544 of the connector right pillar support guide 148, and a second base location 546 of the rear pillar support guide 150. The second base location 544 of the connector right pillar support guide 148 is located either at the front portion of the connector right pillar support guide 148 or closer to the front portion of the connector right pillar support guide 148 than to the rear portion of the connector right pillar support guide 148. The second base location 546 of the connector rear pillar support guide 150 is located either at the left portion of the connector rear pillar support guide 150 or closer to the left portion of the connector rear pillar support guide 150 than to the right portion of the connector rear pillar support guide 150.

As seen in Figure 16C, a third layout shows a second base location 542 of the connector left pillar support guide 146, the second base location 544 of the connector right pillar support guide 148, and a second base location 546 of the rear pillar support guide 150. The second base location 542 of the connector left pillar support guide 146 is located either at the rear portion of the connector left pillar support guide 146 of closer to the rear portion of the connector left pillar support guide 146 than to the front portion of the connector left pillar support guide 146.

The base regions 184, 194, 204 of each of the corresponding pillar supports 180, 190, 200 may be located at each of the corresponding first base locations 541 , 543, 545 or corresponding second base locations 542, 544, 546. In the first layout, each of the first and second hinges 185, 186, 195, 196, 205, 206 of the pillar supports 180, 190, 200 may be undeployed. An example of this can be seen in Figure 17. An RFSDll in such a state may be considered as being in a transport configuration. In the second and third layouts, each of the first hinges 185, 195, 205 of the pillar supports 180, 190, 200 may be deployed, in order to prevent the first sections of the left pillar support 180 and right pillar support 190 from interacting with one another. The second hinges 186, 196, 206 of the pillar supports 180, 190, 200 may be either deployed or undeployed.

The first, second, and third layouts can each be utilised for different purposes. For example, as seen in Figures 17 and 18, the first layout may be used with each of the first and second hinges 185, 186, 195, 196, 205, 206 undeployed, whilst the RFSDll is being transported. This is because the first base location 541 of the connector left pillar support guide 146, the first base location 543 of the connector right pillar support guide 148, and the first base location 545 of the connector rear pillar support guide 150, where the left pillar support 180, the right pillar support 190, and the rear pillar support 200 would be located, respectively, are offset from one another. This allows the pillar supports 180, 190, 200 to rest on the top surface 244 of the connector 140 when the first hinges 185, 195, 205 are undeployed, and form a substantially flat surface thereupon.

The second layout may be used with each of the first and second hinges 185, 186, 195, 196, 205, 206 deployed. In this layout, the left pillar support 180 and the right pillar support 190 are located near the connector front side 250, and the rear pillar support 200 is located near the connector rear side 251. As a result, goods loaded at a front portion of the trays 220 would be securely supported by the pillar supports 180, 190, 200.

The third layout may be used with each of the first and second hinges 185, 186, 195, 196, 205, 206 deployed. In this layout, the left pillar support 180 and the right pillar support 190 are located substantially equidistantly between the connector front side 250 and the connector rear side 251 , and the rear pillar support 200 is located near the connector rear side 251.

Figure 18 shows the RFSDU 100 in the first layout, where the pallet base 120 is the wheeled pallet base 130. The wheeled pallet base 130 includes a wheeled pallet platform 131 , a wheeled pallet wheels 132, a rigid mount 133, and a swivel mount 134. The wheeled pallet platform has a wheeled pallet platform width 330, a wheeled pallet platform height 331 , and a wheeled pallet platform depth 332. The wheeled pallet platform 131 also has a wheeled pallet platform top surface 333 and a wheeled pallet platform bottom surface 334 which both extend in the same direction as the wheeled pallet platform width 330 and in the same direction as the wheeled pallet platform depth 332. The wheeled pallet platform top surface 333 and the wheeled pallet platform bottom surface are substantially rectangular in outline, with substantially four substantially straight sides, opposing pairs of which are significantly at right angles to one another, and adjacent sides are of unequal length. The wheeled pallet platform width 330 and the wheeled pallet platform depth 332 may each be larger than the wheeled pallet platform height 331.

The wheeled pallet platform bottom surface 334 includes two rigid mounts 133 which each support wheeled pallet wheel 132. The wheeled pallet platform bottom surface 334 also includes one swivel mount 134 which supports one wheeled pallet wheel 132. The swivel mount 134 allows the wheeled pallet base 130 to be moved across a relatively flat surface, such as a floor, in different directions by a user pushing said pallet base 130 more readily than the static pallet base 125, which may or may not be desirable. The wheeled pallet wheels of the rigid mounts 133 and the swivel mount 134 may be different from one another, such as being constructed of different materials, or they may be of substantially the same design. The distance from the bottom of one of the wheeled pallet wheels 133 to the top of the side pillar supports 170 is 240mm ± 20mm.

Assembly of RFSDU

Figure 19 shows a user beginning to erect an RFSDU with pillar supports 160 in first base locations 541 , 543, 545, corresponding with the first layout described in detail above. One of the pillar supports 160, the rear pillar support 200 is shown fully erected and located in the first base location 545 of the connector rear pillar support guide 148. The erection of the pillar support 160 in general will now be described in detail, with reference made to the rear pillar support 200 shown in Figure 19.

The pillar support 160 initially begins in the folded configuration, with both first and second hinges 165, 166 undeployed. In order to partially erect the pillar support 160, the user lifts the pillar support first and second sections 161 , 162 at ends corresponding with the pillar support second hinge 166, in order to rotate said sections around the pillar support first hinge 165, thus deploying the pillar support first hinge 165. Shown in Figure 19, this action corresponds with arrow 570 indicating the rotation of the rear pillar support first section 201 around the rear pillar support first hinge 205. When fully deployed, and provided a first threshold moment around the pillar support first hinge 165 is reached, the pillar support first hinge 165 will click into position, preventing it from undeploying unless a second threshold moment is reached wherein the first hinge 165 will click out of position and undeploy. This is described in more detail further on in this specification. The first and second threshold moments may be in the same direction, or in different directions.

The tip region 169 of the pillar support second section 162 is then lifted by the user in order to rotate the pillar support second section 162 around the pillar support second hinge 166, thus deploying the pillar support second hinge 166. Shown in Figure 19, this action corresponds with arrow 571 indicating the rotation of the rear pillar support second section 202 around the rear pillar support second hinge 206. When fully deployed, and provided a third threshold moment around the pillar support second hinge 166 is reached, the pillar support second hinge 166 will click into position, preventing it from undeploying unless a fourth threshold moment is reached where the pillar support second hinge 166 will click out of position and undeploy.

The first, second, third, and fourth threshold moments may all be in the same rotational direction, or only three may be in the same rotational direction, such as the first, second, and third, or two may be in the same rotational direction, such as the first and third, or each may be in a different rotational direction.

Pillar support first hinge

Figure 20 shows a cutaway view of the left-hand side of the RFSDll of Figure 19, with the pillar support 160 at least partially erected. A first arrangement of the pillar support first hinge 165 is shown. In this arrangement, the pillar support first hinge 165 comprises at least one pillar support first hinge pin 260, at least one pillar support first hinge leg 261 , at least one pillar support first hinge foot 262, and at least one pillar support first hinge slider 263. In the arrangement shown, there are two pillar support first hinge pins 260, located adjacent opposite sides of the pillar support first section 261 , and arranged such that they form two points on a line parallel with a portion of the connector pillar support guide 152. Each pillar support first hinge pin 260 may extend into a recess of the pillar support first section 161 , where it is accommodated. Each recess of the pillar support first section 162 may have a cross-dimension which is larger than a cross-dimension of each corresponding pillar support first hinge pin 260. This allows each pillar support first hinge pin 260 to rotate within the corresponding recess of the pillar support first section 260. When the pillar support 160 is inserted into the connector 140, the at least one pillar support first hinge leg 261 extends into the connector pillar support guide 142. The pillar support first hinge pin 260 may be formed integrally with the pillar support first hinge leg 261. The pillar support first hinge foot 262 is located at a terminal end of the pillar support first hinge leg 261. The pillar support first hinge slider 263 connects at least one of the pillar support first hinge leg 261 and the pillar support first hinge foot 262 with at least one of the pillar support first hinge leg 261 and the pillar support first hinge foot 262.

Each connector pillar support guide 142 may include a connector pillar support guide nesting point 143. The connector pillar support guide nesting point 143 may be located at each of the first and second base locations of the left, right, and rear pillar support guides 541 , 542, 543, 544, 545, 546. The connector pillar support guide nesting point 143 may be a portion of the connector pillar support guide 142 comprising a recess. A connector pillar support guide nesting point lip 256 may define the perimeter of the recess of the connector pillar support guide nesting point 143.

In the arrangement shown in Figure 20, each of the pillar support first hinge feet 262 may fit within the connector pillar support guide nesting point 143.

In the second arrangement shown in Figure 21 , the pillar support first hinge 165 is similar to that shown in Figure 20, but there are a number of differences. For example, the pillar support first hinge pin 260 may instead be a pillar support first hinge assembly 265. Furthermore, the pillar support first hinge foot 262 may have a larger cross-dimension than the pillar support first hinge leg 261. This may be preferable in preventing the pillar support 160 from being removed from the connector pillar support guide 142, as the pillar support 160 may be inserted at an entry portion of the connector pillar support guide 142, with a cross-dimension both larger than a cross-dimension of the pillar support first hinge foot 262 and larger than a cross-dimension of the pillar support first hinge leg 261 , and retained in a retaining portion of the connector pillar support guide 142, with a cross-dimension both smaller than a cross-dimension of the pillar support hinge foot 262 and larger than a crossdimension of the pillar support hinge leg 261. Additionally, the pillar support first hinge slider 263 may not be present. This may facilitate the movement of the pillar support 160 along the length of the connector pillar support guide 142 which may extend along at least two of the four connector sides 250, 251 , 252, 253, such as the rear pillar support 200.

In the third arrangement shown in Figure 22, the pillar support 160 is a side pillar support 170, and the pillar support first hinge slider 263 is present. In this particular arrangement, the two pillar support first hinge legs 261 , the two pillar support first hinge feet 262, and the pillar support first hinge slider 263 are all formed of one integral part. Furthermore, the pillar support first hinge feet 262 have terminal bottom surfaces which are flush with the terminal bottom surface of the pillar support first hinge slider 263.

Figure 23 shows the user moving the fully erected pillar support 160, which in this image is the rear pillar support 200, from the first base location 545 to the second base location 546. In order to do this, the user needs to lift up the pillar support before applying a lateral force, allowing the pillar support base region to move laterally within the connector pillar support guide 142. The pillar supports can be assembled in any order.

Figure 24 shows a user lowering rear pillar support 200 into nesting point 143 and second base location 546.

Pillar support first hinge locking assembly

Figure 25 shows fourth arrangement of the pillar support first hinge 165, known as a pillar support first hinge locking assembly 350, which is seen in an exploded view of Figure 26. The pillar support first hinge locking assembly 350 interacts with the pillar support guide 142 in order to secure the pillar support 160 in position.

The pillar support first hinge locking assembly 350 may include at least one extension portion 359, at least one plunger 351 , at least one locking pin 357, at least one rotational pin 358, and a sliding base 367.

Each of the locking and rotational pins 357, 358 may have a substantially circular crosssection. A cross-dimension of the locking pin 357 may be larger than an equivalent crossdimension of the rotational pin 358.

The at least one extension portion 359 may extend from the base section of the pillar support 160, and, if more than one in number, may extend with gaps therebetween. Each extension portion may include two pin cavities for housing locking and rotational pins: one is a locking pin cavity 365, and the other pin cavity is a rotational pin cavity 366. The pin cavities 365, 366 of each extension portion may be arranged such that they are concentric with one another, facilitating the insertion of at least one pin through the corresponding cavity in each of them. Each extension portion 359 contains an extension first sub-portion 360 and an extension second sub-portion 361 . The locking pin cavity 365 may be located within the extension first sub-portion, and the rotational pin cavity 366 may be located within the extension second sub-portion 361 .

The extension first and second sub-portions 360, 361 are located adjacent one another, and may be formed of one integral part. The locking pin cavity 365 may extend through the extension first sub-portion 360, and the rotational pin cavity 366 may extend through the extension second sub-portion 361 . The extension first sub-portion 360 may be a cuboid. The extension first sub-portion 360 may include a side surface 362. The perimeter of the extension first sub-portion side 362 may be a rectangle. The extension second sub-portion 361 may include a side surface 363. The side surfaces may be in the plane defined by the second and third directions. The perimeter of the extension second sub-portion side surface

363 may include three straight sides and one curved side. The extension second subportion 361 may extend in the first direction 11 , and may have substantially the same crosssection throughout. The curved side of the perimeter of the extension second sub-portion side surface may be convex, and may extend in a front-facing direction. A bottom surface

364 of the second sub-portion 361 is substantially flat.

The at least one plunger 351 may comprise a base portion 352, a mid portion 353 which may further comprise a pin cavity 355, and a top portion 354 further comprising an engagement portion 356. The plunger 351 gradually widens towards its base. The base portion 352 may be a trapezoidal prism. The mid portion 353 may be cuboid. The top portion 354 is for accommodating and engaging with the locking pin. The pin cavity may extend through the mid portion 353 and may accommodate a rotational pin 358. The engagement portion 356 may be c-shaped, and is for engaging with the locking pin 357. The base portion 352 of the plungers is wider than the top portion. The plunger may have two substantially flat, parallel outer surfaces. The plungers may be formed of one integral part, or may be several parts attached, possibly detachably attached, to one another.

The sliding base is for housing the base portion of the plungers, and comprises at least one plunger portion 368 and at least two block portions 372. In Figure 26, there are two plunger portions and three block portions. The block portions are for maintaining structural integrity of the sliding base. The plunger portions are for accommodating the base portion of the plungers. The plunger portions may accommodate one or more plungers. The plunger portion may have three main portions: one main base portion 369, and two main side portions 370. The base portion may be a plate, having substantially flat upper and lower surfaces 377, 378. Each side portion may be adjacent the base portion, extending from at least a portion an edge portion of the base portion. The side portions may extend from at least a portion of opposite edge portions of the base portion. The side portions may extend substantially perpendicularly from the flat upper surface of the base portion such that the upper surface of the base portion is enclosed on at least two of its sides. The side portions may extend in planes parallel with one another when undeformed. One side portion 370 may contain a side portion lip 371. The side portion lip may extend in the same plane as the base portion. The side portion lip may extend from at least a portion of an outer, upper edge of the side portion. The base and side portions may have substantially the same thickness. The side portions may extend along a portion of an edge portion of the base portion such that a gap is present at either side of the side portions. This means that the side portions of the plunger portions are not attached to the block portions, and as such can deform more readily.

The block portions 372 may each comprise of a base portion 373 and a top portion 374. The top portion 374 is arranged on top of the base portion 373. The top portion 374 is smaller than the base portion 373, and is arranged centrally on said base portion 373. There may be two types of block portion: an outer block portion 375 and an inner block portion 376. The outer block portion may be thinner (i.e. extending in than the inner block portion. The outer and inner block portions may have identical cross-sections. They may both be parts with a consistent cross-section throughout. A thickness dimension of the outer block portion may be substantially the same as a corresponding thickness dimension of the outer extension portion of the pillar support 160. The plunger portions and the block portions may be formed of one integral part, or may be several parts attached, possibly detachably attached, to one another. The plunger portions engage with the connector pillar support guide.

As seen in Figure 27A, the extension second sub-portion of the extension of the base portion of the pillar support includes two length dimensions from the centre of a crosssection of the rotational pin cavity, offset from each other by the deployment angle of the hinge. In a first dimension length is L1 , in second dimension length is L2. Figure 27B shows a cross section showing the plunger located within the sliding base. When the first hinge is deployed, the bottom pillar section rotates around the rotational pin, with the distance L2 now between the rotational pin and the connector top surface 244. This means that the plunger is pulled upwards, whilst the sliding base remains in its original position. When this happens, the sliding base is deformed and a protrusion locks itself into a corresponding recess in the pillar support guide of the connector. This means that the sliding base is locked into position, and cannot be moved in any direction relative to the connector. The locking pin then engages with the plungers, with the c-section of the top portion engaging with the locking pin. This prevents the pillar from rotating and falling over. This can be seen in Figure 28.

Telescopic locking mechanism

The wheeled RFSDll shown in Figure 29 includes pillar supports with their first and second hinges fully deployed, and telescopically extended. The pillar support third section may be telescopically extended by a variable distance, and may be locked into position at set intervals. The pillar support third section may be locked into at least one position by a telescopic locking mechanism 400, which can be seen in Figures 30A and 30B. The telescopic locking mechanism may include a locking body 402. The locking body may further include a top portion 404, a leg portion 414, and a foot portion 416. The top portion may have an upper surface 408 which may be curved. The top portion may have a lower surface 410 which may be substantially flat. The top portion may also have at least one side surface 412 which may be substantially flat. The top portion may be substantially D-shaped in cross-section. The top portion may include a top portion extension 406, extending from a front surface. The top portion extension 406 may include a substantially flat front surface. The locking body may include at least one leg portion, and at least one foot portion. The at least one leg portion may connect the top portion with the at least one foot portion. The leg portion may include at least one first leg portion 422 and at least one second leg portion 424. The first leg portion may be directly connected to the top portion, and may be directly connected to the foot portion. The first leg portion may be capable of undergoing elastic deformation. The first leg portion may be curved. The first leg portion may have a consistent thickness along at least a portion of its length. The second leg portion may be directly connected to the at least one first leg portion. In the example shown, each leg portion includes two first leg portions and one second leg portion. The second leg portion may have a consistent thickness along at least a portion of its length, and this thickness may be larger than the consistent thickness of the first leg portion. The second leg portion may be parallelepiped in form. The second leg portion may be cuboid in form. The foot portion may include a foot body 426 further including a foot pin 418 and a foot lip 420. The foot portion 416 may include a first side, a second side, an upper side, and a lower side. The foot lip 418 may be located on the upper side of the foot portion 416. The first leg portion may be directly connected to the foot portion at a location corresponding with an intersection between the first side and the upper side. The foot lip may be located at the foot portion upper side. The foot pin may be located at the second side. The foot portion may have exclusively substantially flat surfaces. The locking body may include at least one line of symmetry 430. The locking body may be formed out of one integral part.

The pillar support third section may fit within the pillar support second section. The pillar support third section may include a number of supporting edges for supporting the locking body. The locking body is in position when its movement is restricted by the supporting edges of the pillar support third section. The locking body is retained by the supporting edges of the pillar support third section. The supporting edges may include several portions. A first supporting edge 450 may extend along at least a portion of the length of the pillar support third section. The first supporting edge may prevent horizontal movement of the top portion of the locking body relative to the pillar support third section. A second supporting edge may extend across at least a portion of the width of the pillar support third section. The second supporting edge may be directly adjacent the first supporting edge. The second supporting edge may prevent vertical movement upwards of the locking body relative to the pillar support third section when the locking body is in position. The second supporting edge may be adjacent the foot portion upper side. The foot lip may be an area of increased thickness for engaging with the second supporting edge. A third supporting edge may also extend across at least a portion of the width of the pillar support third section. The third supporting edge may be separate from both the first and second supporting edges. The third supporting edge may prevent vertical movement downwards of the locking body relative to the pillar support third section when the locking body is in position. The third supporting edge may be adjacent the foot portion lower side. The second and third supporting edges may be adjacent the foot body of the locking body when the locking body is in position in the pillar support third section.

The pillar support second section may include at least one supporting edge 460, which is an area of increased thickness, for guiding the pillar support third section when telescopically extending and retaining it. The supporting edge may include at least one foot pin cut-out 462, which may be similar to a notch. The foot pin cut-out is for accommodating the foot pin of the locking body and locking it into place. The foot pin cut-out may include a horizontal lower surface and may further include an angled upper surface.

Figure 31 A to 31 D show the telescopic locking mechanism in action. Figure 31 A shows the locking body in an uncompressed form. The two foot pins are in corresponding first foot pin cut-outs. In Figure 31 B, the top portion is pushed down, compressing the locking body which retracts the foot pins from the first foot pin cut-outs. The foot pins are then no longer located within the first foot pin cut-outs. Whilst the foot pins are retracted due to the compression of the locking body, the user applies a force to the third section, directed upwards. As seen in Figure 31 C, this causes the third section to move upwards in relation to the second section. When the locking body reaches the second foot pin cut-outs, the user stops compressing the locking body, causing the foot pins to extend into the second foot pin cut-outs, shown in Figure 31 D. The third section is then locked into position. These steps can also be seen in Figures 33A-35B.

Shelf or Tray

The trays 220 are for supporting goods in the RFSDll 100. The RFSDU 100 may include more than one tray at more than one heights.

The tray comprises a plate body 221. The tray may include a main edging 222, and the plate body may include at least one pillar cut-out 225.

The plate body 221 is for supporting goods. The plate body may be substantially flat, and may have a substantially rectangular upper and lower surfaces. The plate body upper and lower surfaces may share four edges. The plate body may include rounded corner portions.

The main edging is for improving usability of the trays and engaging with the pillar supports. The main edging may extend around a perimeter of the plate body. The main edging may include a reinforcing structure. The main edging may extend beyond the plate body upper and lower surfaces. The main edging may extend along a portion of at least one edge of the plate body. The main edging may include a first portion 223 and a second portion 224. The main edging portions may be separate from one another, forming at least one break therebetween. The main edging may extend substantially perpendicularly to the plate body. The main edging may substantially define a front edge 226, a back edge 227, and two side edges 228 of the tray 220. The main edging 222 may also further include reinforcement ribs 230 for increasing its strength characteristics.

The plate body may further comprise at least one pillar cut-out 225, for engaging with a pillar support. The at least one break of the main edging portions may be located at the pillar cut-out of the plate body. The tray 220 may have a width of 600mm, which may or may not include the main edging. The tray 220 may have a depth of 400mm, which also may or may not include the main edging. The main edging may have a height of substantially 30mm. The at least one break in the main edging may have a width of 60mm.

Assuming the RFSDU is fully erected and extended, the tray 220 is inserted into the pillar support slots and is subsequently supported by them. The pillar support third section may include at least one pillar support slot, as shown in Figure 32.

As seen in Figures 36, 37A and 37B, when a user is inserting the tray 220 into the RFSDU 100, it is oriented substantially flat, and enters the pillar supports from a front side of the RFSDll. The front edge of the tray first enters the side pillar support slots before the side edges. When fully inserted, the trays 220 may be detachably attached to the back pillar support. The engagement of trays 220 with the side pillar supports can be seen in Figure 38.

Tray engagement mechanism

In some arrangements, the pillar support slots 167, 177, 187, 197, 207 may include a tray engagement mechanism 232 for preventing the removal of the tray 220.

The pillar support slot 167, 177, 187, 197, 207 may comprise a tray supporting portion 231. The tray supporting portion may include a front plate 235 and an attachment structure 236. A cross-section of the attachment structure is shown in Figure 39B. The attachment structure may further include the tray engagement mechanism 232. The tray supporting portion may be located substantially equidistantly between front and back sides of the pillar support 160.

The front plate may be substantially flat, and may be substantially rectangular in crosssection. The front plate may have a thickness dimension, with an upper side. The upper side may support the tray 220 when in position. The front plate may have a front surface having four corners. The corners may be filleted.

The attachment structure is for attaching the front plate to the pillar support, and for supporting the trays. The attachment structure may have internal ribbing to provide strength whilst keeping its weight to a minimum. The attachment structure may also be rectangular in cross-section. The attachment structure may have a smaller cross-section than an equivalent cross-section in the front plate. The attachment structure may be attached directly to the pillar support. The attachment structure may be located in substantially the centre of the front plate.

The attachment structure may include a top surface 237. The tray engagement mechanism may be located on a top surface of the attachment structure. The tray engagement mechanism may be formed integrally with the attachment structure. The tray engagement mechanism may not be attached directly to the pillar support. The tray engagement mechanism shown in Figures 39A, 39B, 40, and 41 is formed of a lever 233 and a lever end portion 234. The lever may be substantially thin. In this arrangement, the lever or lever end portion are attached directly to the pillar support, but in other arrangements they may be. The lever end portion be bulbous. The lever end portion may have an increased thickness compared with the lever portion. The lever end portion may be bulbous compared with the lever. The lever end portion may extend upwards beyond a top surface of the lever.

There may be more than one tray supporting portion on each pillar support. For example, there may be five, seven, eight, nine, or ten tray supporting portions. If there is more than one tray supporting portion, they may be arranged along the length of the pillar support 160, 170 such that they are arranged in substantially a straight line. There may be a gap between the tray supporting portions in order to facilitate the insertion of a tray between neighbouring tray supporting portions. As such, the gap may have a cross dimension which is larger than the height of the main edging of the tray 220, or they may be substantially equal to one another. The width of the attachment structure may be substantially equal to the gap of the tray 220, or it may be larger.

Figure 40 shows the cross-section of the attachment structure with the tray 220 inserted into a space between two attachment structures, with the arrow 238 showing the direction of tray movement relative to the pillar support 160. The tray has been inserted past the gap of the main edging. The second portion of the main edging of the tray 220 may include an angled sub-portion 229, for making it easier for the user to guide the tray into the space between the two attachment structures beyond the gap of the tray. The tray engagement mechanism is pushed downwards by the tray, and is thus in a depressed state.

Figure 41 shows a snapshot of the user attempting to remove the tray 220, with the arrow 239 showing the direction of tray movement relative to the pillar support 160. As the tray 220 is partially removed, the gap of the tray 220 is located above the tray engagement mechanism such that the tray engagement mechanism is no longer depressed by the tray 220 and thus returns to its resting state. In its resting state, the lever end portion blocks the removal of the tray by engaging with the first portion of the main edging. As such, the tray cannot be removed. The user must then move the tray downwards, whilst keeping the tray substantially horizontal, to reach the bottom of the pillar support, where it may be reinserted, ready for transport.

Rear locking mechanism

A rear locking mechanism 590 detachably attaches an inserted tray to the rear pillar support 200, providing stability and support to said tray.

Reference is now made to Figures 42A and 42B. The rear locking mechanism includes a tray cavity 587 located within the rear pillar support, and may further include a locking insert 581 , and a corresponding locking insert cavity 586 located within the rear pillar support 200.

The tray cavity may have a rear surface 588, an upper surface 589, and a lower surface 590. The rear, upper, and lower surfaces of the tray cavity may each include at least one substantially flat portion.

The locking insert may be detachably attached to the rear pillar support. The locking insert includes a main body 582, an arm 583, and attachment means 585. The arm and attachment means may both be attached to the main body. The main body, arm, and attachment means may be formed as one integral part. The arm may be an extension having an s-shaped cross-section. The arm may include an end portion, and the end portion of the arm may be rounded. The arm may be capable of undergoing cyclic deformation. The locking insert cavity may include a main cavity 593 and an attachment means cavity 594. The main cavity and the attachment means cavity may be formed as one cavity, or they may be separate cavities. The main cavity 593 cavity may include an arm cavity for providing a volume within which at least a portion of the arm may elastically deform. The attachment means may include prongs. When attached to the rear pillar support, the locking insert may rest substantially within the locking insert cavity, and an end portion of the arm may extend towards the tray cavity. Figure 43 shows a tray being inserted into the rear locking mechanism including a locking insert. The arm of the locking insert rests in an initial position. As the tray enters the tray cavity, it comes into contact with and displaces an end portion of the arm upwards, such that the end portion of the arm is located substantially within the arm cavity of the locking insert cavity. This movement of the end portion of the arm may place the arm under tension, which may be due to the arm being flexible. The tray may then be inserted fully, such that a rear portion of the tray contacts the rear surface of the tray cavity. The main edging of the tray 220 is pushed beyond the end portion of the arm of the locking insert, allowing the arm to release its tension and return to its initial position, such that the end portion of the arm prevents the tray from being removed. To remove the trays, a threshold force is required in order to displace the end portion of the arm upwards, above the main edging of the tray. The displacement of the end portion of the arm upwards may be facilitated by its rounded edge.

Figure 44 shows three different arrangements of rear locking mechanism 580. In Figure 44A, the tray cavity lower surface 590 includes a lower surface lip 591. This lower surface lip prevents the tray 220 from being removed. In Figure 44B, the lower surface lip 591 is present, but no locking insert. As such, the tray cavity upper surface 589 is substantially flat. In Figure 44C, the tray cavity lower surface lip is present, and a corresponding cutout 592 on the tray cavity upper surface 589 is present.

Disassembly of RFSDU

Figure 45A shows a user removing trays from a fully erected and assembled RFSDU. The user, located at a front side of the RFSDU, pulls the trays out of the RFSDU, away from the rear pillar. If no tray engagement mechanism is present, the trays may be removed fully, and may be stacked outside of the fully erected and extended RFSDU as shown in Figure 45B.

Figures 46A and 46B show the user disassembling the RFSDU after the trays have been removed. The pillar supports begin in second base locations. The user retracts the telescopic locking mechanism, to nest the third pillar support section substantially within the second pillar support section. The user then undeploys the second hinge of the pillar support. The user then repeats the retracting and undeploying steps for each pillar support, leaving an RFSDU with pillar supports in second base locations, unextended and with only the first hinge deployed, similar to that seen in Figure 47. Figure 48A shows the RFSDU of Figure 47, with directional arrows indicating the direction the user must apply a force in order to move the indicated pillar supports to a first base location. Rear and right pillar supports 200, 190 are moved back to first base locations, as seen in Figure 48B. A user must then apply a force to the first or second pillar supports to undeploy the first hinges, as seen in Figure 49, resulting in a dissembled RFSDll in a transport position.

Figure 50A shows two sets of a folded RFSDll and seven trays stacked on top of each other. Figure 50B shows two folded RFSDU’s stacked on top of each other. When multiple RFSDUs are stacked, the underside of the pallet base of the ‘on top’ RFSDU rests on the folded pillar supports.

‘Foldable tray’ overview

Figure 51 A and Figure 51 B show an exemplary ‘foldable tray’ 800. In this connection, ‘foldable’ refers to the presence on a base such as a shelf or a tray of one or more reconfigurable support structures, as it will be described further below. It will be understood that the foldable tray 800 described herein constitutes a reconfigurable module 800 for a modular transport and/or display unit as described herein. The foldable tray 800 includes a base 802, main edging or border 804, and at least one reconfigurable support structure, which, in the described module 800, is provided as a reconfigurable, generally U-shaped arm 806. The at least one arm 806 includes at least one stem/bracket, which in the described module 800, is in the shape of a pillar member 808, and at least one cross member or bridge 810.

In the example shown, there are two arms 806, and each arm includes two pillar members 808 and one cross member 810. The arm 806, a seen in the configuration of Figure 51 B, is an inverted U-shape, with the pillar members 808 forming two parallel sides and the cross member 810 connecting them. Further, the arm 806 may have at least one line of symmetry, i.e. the two halves of the U-shape are symmetric. In the shown example, the line of symmetry bisects the cross member 810.

The base 802, that is the shelf or tray 802 per se, is for supporting products. The base 802 is substantially flat and has a substantially rectangular upper and lower surfaces. The upper and lower surfaces of the base 802 share four edges. The base 802 includes perforations 812 to facilitate drainage and/or increase static friction, preventing the products from moving out of place.

The main edging 804 (this feature is alternatively referred to as border or skirt, as in the statement of invention and in the appended claims) is for improving usability of the modules or trays 800 and aligning foldable trays 800 when stacking said trays. It also provides, together with the U-shaped arms 806 a number of pivotable connections, as will be described further below. The main edging 804 extends around a perimeter of the base 802. The main edging 804 may include a reinforcing structure. The main edging 804 extends beyond the upper and lower surfaces of the base 802. The main edging 804 also extends along a portion of at least one edge of the base 802. The main edging 804 also extends substantially perpendicularly to the base 802. The main edging 804 may include at least one alignment nub 814 located on at least one of upper or lower surfaces of the main edging 804. In the example shown, the main edging 804 has four alignment nubs 814 located at four corners of the main edging 804. The alignment nubs 814 have corresponding alignment cavities (not shown) on the lower surface of the main edging 804. When stacking the foldable trays 800, the alignment nubs 814 of the lower tray 800 insert into the alignment cavities, resulting in alignment of the trays 800. This increases the stability of a stack of modules 800 when the arms 806 are folded. The main edging 804 also defines a front edge, a back edge, and two side edges of the foldable tray 800. The main edging 804 may also further include reinforcement ribs for increasing its strength characteristics.

Figures 52A and 52B show the foldable tray 800 in ‘unerected’ (i.e. folded or collapsed) and erected configurations, situated on top of a pallet base 120.

Figures 53A and 53B show the foldable tray 800 in an erected and extended configuration.

Figure 54A shows seven erected foldable trays 800 stacked on top of each other, situated on top of a pallet base 120. Figure 54B shows four unextended and unerected foldable trays, situated on top of a pallet base 120. One foldable tray 800 or module 800 may already be considered as an RFSDll. However, more generally, an RFSDll, or transport & display unit, will comprise two or more stackable modules 800. A stack of two or more foldable modules 800 is more commonly considered an RFSDll.

Extension mechanism of foldable tray

As seen in Figures 55A and 55B, the at least one arm 806 includes an extension mechanism 820. The extension mechanism 820 includes a control body 822, a pin body 826, several pin cavities 830, 832, 834 for receiving a portion of the pin body 826, and elastic devices 836, 838. The control body 822 also includes a control protrusion 824. The control body 822 is biased by a first elastic device 836. There may be one or more control bodies 822 in each arm 806. In the shown example, there is one control body 822 as part of each extension mechanism 820. The pin body 826 may include an engagement pin 828. The pin body 826 and the engagement pin 828 may be formed as one integral part. The engagement pin 828 may be received within any of the pin cavities 830, 832, 834. The pin body 826 is biased by a second elastic device 838. The first and second elastic devices 836, 838, may be one or more springs, and may be specifically one or more tension and/or compression coil springs. In normal use of the extension mechanism 820, the first and second elastic devices 836, 838, are elastically biased. Further, the first and second elastic devices 836, 838 each have a spring constant, and the spring constant of the first elastic device may be greater than the spring constant of the second elastic device 838. The control body 822 and the pin body 826 may be biased in substantially perpendicular directions to one another by their respective elastic devices 836, 838. There may be one or more pin bodies 826 as part of each extension mechanism 820. In the shown example, there are two pin bodies 826 as part of the extension mechanism 820.

The control body 822 and the pin body 826 have substantially parallel upper and lower surfaces. The control body 822 and the pin body 826 also abut one another along at least one of their side faces. The abutting side faces of the control body 822 and the pin body 826 are substantially flat, but may not be substantially perpendicular to the upper and lower surfaces. In the example shown, the abutting side faces of the control body 822 and the pin body 826 are slanted such that vertical movement of one of the bodies 822, 826 causes horizontal movement of the other, and horizontal movement of one causes vertical movement of the other. In the shown example, the two pin bodies 826 abut the control body 822 on opposite sides of the control body 822.

The cross member 810 includes at least one cross-member cavity 810. The extension mechanism 820 is located at least partially within the cross-member cavity 821. In the shown example, the control body 822 and pin body 826 are located substantially within the cross-member cavity 821 .

Each pillar support 808 includes an inner pillar (or stem) 852 and an outer pillar (or bracket) 854. The outer pillar (or bracket) 854 and the cross member (or bridge) 810 are formed as one integral part. As such, the outer pillar (or bracket) 854 covers the inner pillar (or stem) 852 along at least a portion of the length of the pillar support 808. The inner pillar 852 may be made of a metal, such as aluminium or stainless steel. The outer pillar 854 may be made out of a plastic material. The inner pillar 852 comprises a first inner pillar engagement pin cavity 830, and a second inner pillar engagement pin cavity 832. The pin cavities 830, 832 may be located at different distances along the length of the inner pillar 852. The first inner pillar engagement pin cavity 830 may be located closer to the base of the inner pillar 852 than the second inner pillar engagement pin cavity 832. As such, the second inner pillar engagement pin cavity 832 may be located closer to a distal end or tip of the inner pillar 852 than the first inner pillar engagement pin cavity 830. The extension mechanism is in principle similar to that seen commonly in the state of the art relating to suitcase handles. Figures 55A through 58B show snapshots of the extension mechanism at various stages of deployment/extension.

Figures 55A and 55B show the extension mechanism 820 in a first position. The control body 822 is in a first, rest position. In this position, the first inner pillar engagement pin cavity 830 and the outer pillar engagement pin cavity 834 are in alignment, and may more specifically be in concentric alignment. The pin body 826 extends into at least one pin cavity, locking the extension mechanism 820 in a first position. More specifically, the engagement pin 828 extends into the first inner pillar engagement pin cavity 830 and outer pillar engagement pin cavity 834. When the control body 822 is in the first position, the first elastic device 836 is in a substantially extended configuration, and the second elastic device 838 is in a substantially compressed configuration.

Figures 56A and 56B show the extension mechanism 820 in a second position. The control body 822 is in a second, depressed position. A user must press the control protrusion 824, compressing the first elastic device 836. This creates space for the pin body 826 to extend inwardly, biased by the second elastic device 838. This movement of the pin body 826 retracts the engagement pin 828, meaning it is no longer situated within the first inner pillar engagement pin cavity 830 or the outer pillar engagement pin cavity 834. In this position, the extension mechanism 820 is free to extend, and thus a user may pull upwards (direction indicated by the black arrow on Figure 56A) on the cross member 810 to extend the extension mechanism.

Figures 57A and 57B show the extension mechanism 820 in a third position. In this position, the arms 806 have been extended. The control body 822 remains in the second, depressed position. The outer pillar 854 has been slid over a portion of the inner pillar 852 such that the second inner pillar engagement pin cavity 832 and the outer pillar engagement pin cavity 834 are now in alignment, and may more specifically be in concentric alignment.

Figures 58A and 58B show the extension mechanism 820 in a fourth position. In this position, the extension mechanism has been fully deployed, and the arms 806 are extended. The control body 822 is again in the first position, due to the biasing of the first elastic device 836. As a result, the pin body 826 extends back into its first position, pushing the engagement pin 828 into the aligned cavities 832, 834 and locking the extension mechanism 820 in this fourth position.

When starting from the fourth position, in order to retract and lock the extension mechanism 820, a user may apply a force to the control protrusion 824 to depress the control body 822. This moves the control body 822 back to its second position. This results in the extension mechanism 820 being in its third position. Here, whilst continuing to depress the control body 822, the user may push downwards on the cross member 810, and retract the extension mechanism 820. This results in the extension mechanism 820 being moved to its second position. Here, the user may then cease applying a force to the control protrusion 824, and biasing of the first elastic device 836 causes the control body 822 to move back to its first position. As a result, the extension mechanism is back into its first position.

Hinge mechanism of foldable tray

Now considering Figures 59A to 60B, the arms 806 are attached to the module (or foldable tray) 800, and more particularly to its edging 804, via a hinge mechanism (or pivotable connection) 850. More specifically, the inner pillar 852 (or stem) is attached to the foldable tray 800 via the hinge mechanism 850. The directional arrow 880 in Figure 59A indicates the upwards direction. The hinge mechanism 850 ensures that a base portion of the pillar member 808 follows an inside wall of the main edging 804 during deployment or erection, allowing the pillar member 808 to be hinged securely away from a corner of the main edging 804, thus minimising the space required for the base portion of the pillar member 808 to rotate; else, the pillar member 808 would need to be hinged further away from the very corner of the main edging 804. Instead, the hinge mechanism 850 permits the pillar member 808 to be hinged very close to said corner. This means that the fully deployed hinge mechanism 850 allows the pillar member 808 to be up to 30mm closer to an inside wall of the main edging 804 compared with other hinging mechanisms. This results into additional space available for the products on the shelf 802

The hinge mechanism 850 comprises a locking assembly 855, at least one pin, and at least one pin guide or cavity 862. In the shown example, there is a first pin 861 and a second pin 868 which are both connected to the inner pillar 852, and the locking assembly 855 comprises a hinge arm cavity 856 and hinge arm 858. The hinge arm 858 is configured to elastically deform. The hinge arm 858 comprises a tab 859 and a head 860. The tab 859 is attached to the main edging 804 at a first portion, and at a second portion it is attached to the head 860. The tab 859 is an elongated element, and is configured to elastically deform. The tab 859 may elastically deform as the first pin 861 moves within the first pin cavity or guide 862 and abuts the head 860, applying a force.

The hinge arm cavity 856 may be situated above the first pin cavity 862. The hinge arm cavity 856 and the first pin cavity 862 may be two portions of one continuous cavity. The first pin cavity 862 may include a leg portion 863 and a hook or cusp portion 864. The leg portion 863 and hook or cusp portion 864 may form an “r” shape such that the leg portion 863 is an elongate channel and the hook portion 864 is also a channel albeit shorter than the leg portion 863 and extends such that the portions 863, 864 form an acute angle with one another. The hinge arm cavity 856 may be shaped such that the hinge arm 858 extends at least partially through to the first pin cavity 862. In the present example, the head 860 of the hinge arm 858 extends partially through the leg portion 863 of the first pin cavity 862, with sections of the leg portion 863 large enough for the first pin to fit substantially completely either side of where said head 860 extends through the leg portion 863.

The second pin cavity 870 may be situated below the first pin cavity 862. The second pin cavity 870 may be a straight elongate channel oriented such that it extends parallel to the base 802 when viewed from the side.

The first and second pin cavities 862, 870 may be substantially the same width. The first and second pins 861 , 868 may be substantially the same size.

In the present example, the locking assembly 855 and pin cavities 862, 870 are formed from the main edging 804.

When the arm 806 is folded or laid (not shown), the hinge mechanism 850 stows away the arm 806. When the hinge mechanism 850 is folded/undeployed, the first pin 861 is located within the hook portion 864 of the first pin cavity 862 and the second pin 868 is located within a first portion of the second pin cavity 870. As the arm 806 is erected, the first pin 861 begins to move through the hook portion 864 and beyond the bend connecting the leg portion 863 and the hook or cusp portion 864 of the first pin cavity 862. Simultaneously, the second pin 868 moves from the first end portion of the second pin cavity 870, and is substantially near the mid-point of the second pin cavity 870 by the time the first pin 861 reaches the leg portion 863 of the first pin cavity 862. As the first pin 861 travels through the leg portion 863 of the first pin cavity, it abuts the head 860 of the hinge arm 858, elastically deforming the tab 859 and pushing the head 860 substantially wholly into the hinge arm cavity 856 and out of the first pin cavity 862. This is shown in Figures 59A and 59B. At this point, the arm 806 is almost entirely erected. The first pin 861 continues to travel through the leg portion 863 until said first pin 861 reaches the end of said leg portion 863 and cannot travel any further. As the first pin 861 reaches the end of the leg portion 863 and cannot travel any further, shown in Figures 60A and 60B, the hinge arm 858 returns to its resting position, effectively compressing the first pin 861 against the end of the first pin cavity 862, more specifically the leg portion 863. The second pin 868 reaches the second end portion of the second pin cavity 870. The arm 806 is now substantially erected. Thus, in summary, provided a first predetermined moment around the hinge mechanism 850 is reached, sufficient to deform the tab 859 and allow the first pin 861 to continue its journey within the leg portion 863, the hinge mechanism will be fully deployed, with the hinge arm 858 preventing it from folding unless a second threshold moment is reached in the opposite direction wherein the hinge mechanism 850 will click out of position and fold/undeploy.

The arms 806 may need to be retracted in order for the hinge mechanism 850 to be fully undeployed. However, this may alternatively not be required. When the hinge mechanism 850 is fully undeployed, the arms 804 sit below the top surface of the main edging 804, allowing the trays 800 to be stacked on top of one another without the arms interfering (and therefore, potentially, being inadvertently damaged).

The pivotal mechanism 850 described herein, which includes a system of pin/guides as described herein, is such that the reconfigurable arm 806 can be guided from the erected configuration to the stowed-away configuration, and vice versa, with the stem/base 808 of the arm 806 in the erected configuration being as seamlessly integrated as possible with the edging or border 804. Accordingly, and even more in combination with the L-shape of the section of said stem/base 808, the reconfigurability of the arm 806 will not adversely impact the product-holding capability of the module or tray 800.

Transport of goods

The modules 800 described herein thus facilitate the transportation of goods which require extra protection during transit and are then to be readily exhibited in a store, for example, for sale. Each tray 800 can be sealed using disposable panels, made from a material such as cardboard. Three panels in total may be required for this sealing configuration: two side panels and one U-shaped cover. The arms 806 include a series of tongues to keep the side panels secure. A side panel can be slid into dedicated slits provided in the arms from the top before being pushed downwards and secured. The cross member 810 includes tongues with projections which may be triangular and arranged to prevent the side panels from being pulled out. The U-shaped cover covers the space between the two arms of the trays 800. When in position on the tray 800, the three panels are independent, and not in contact with one another.

Assembly of transport & display unit with cardboard dress

Figure 61 A shows an insert 902 for a pallet base 120. The purpose of the insert 902 is to prevent lateral movement of a foldable tray 800 stacked thereupon. The insert 902 engages with the attachment feature 255 of the pallet base 120 (shown in Figure 12B), and is configured to engage with a corresponding recess in the base 802 of the foldable tray 800, thereby preventing lateral movement of said foldable tray 800. The insert 902 may extend above the top surface 122 of the pallet base 120. At least two inserts 902 may be deployed on opposing sides of the pallet base 120.

When assembling a modular transport & display unit comprising a foldable tray 800, the user may first insert two inserts 902 into corresponding attachment features of the pallet base 120. A first tray 800 may begin folded, and then be fully erected by the user, and may be extended by the user if necessary. The first folded tray 800 may then be placed on top of the pallet base 120, with the inserts 902 located within corresponding recesses of the base 802. Further trays may then be erected by the user, and may be extended, and stacked upon the first tray 800 one after another. The user may then have a transport & display unit similar to that seen in Figure 54A, with a fewer or greater total number of trays 800.

Reference is now made to Figures 62A and 62B. When the RFSDU 100, 800 is fully assembled, a user may then enclose the RFSDU 100, 800 within a display structure 600. The display structure 600 is for displaying the RFSDU in a shop with branding appropriate for products being displayed on said RFSDU 100, 800, and may be constructed out of cardboard. The display structure 600 may include at least one tray cover for covering an exposed edge of the tray.

The cardboard dress 950 shown in Figure 62A is an example of a display structure 600. The user may then slide said cardboard dress 950 over the stack of trays 800, to cover at least a portion of the transport & display unit 100, 800. As indicated by directional arrow 948 in Figure 62A, the cardboard dress 950, which is here described as a sleeve, may be slid downwards over the stack of trays 800 from above the stack. Other manners of installation would be possible. For example, the cardboard dress may be supplied as an open, foldable sheet rather than a sleeve, and wrapped around the unit. In the described installation, the cardboard dress 950 further comprises at least one tab 960 which may be folded down once the cardboard dress 950 has reached its display position relative to the stack of trays 800. The tab 960 engages with at least one tray 800 via its base 802 or main edging 804 to ensure the cardboard dress 950 remains in position. The cardboard dress 950 may have a lower edge which is substantially flush with the top surface 122 of the pallet base 120. However, a variety of other configurations would be possible.

The cardboard dress 950 may take many different forms which may be implemented for different retail purposes. In Figures 62A and 62B, however, the cardboard dress 950 comprises a lower covering 951 which covers substantially fully at least one of the trays 800. The shown cardboard dress 950 also comprises a headboard 952 and may further comprise at least one sideboard 953 (shown in Figure 63A). Furthermore, the cardboard dress 950 may include (as shown in Figure 63B) at least one tray cover 954 for covering at least a portion of the top surface of the base 802 of the tray 800, and may cover (internally) at least a portion of the main edging 804. The at least one tray cover 954 is generally separate from the cardboard dress 950.

Figure 62B shows a transport & display unit with a first cardboard dress design 957. The first cardboard dress design 957 includes a lower covering 951 and a headboard 952. The second cardboard dress design 958 shown in Figure 63A comprises a lower covering 951 , a headboard 952, and two sideboards 953. The uppermost tray 800 of the stack may not include any one of the arms 806, as shown in Figure 63A. Figure 63B shows a third cardboard dress design 959 comprising a lower covering 951 , and two tray covers 954. In each of the cardboard dress designs 957, 958, 959, the lowermost two trays 800 are substantially fully covered by the cardboard dress 950, more specifically the lower covering 951. The lowermost two trays, therefore, may only function as support structures, without accommodating any products, or may alternatively store quantities of products for sale, which however would not normally be accessible t customers, but could be used to refill the upper display trays, when necessary. With reference to Figures 61 B and 64A to 64C, in some examples products 610 may be provided on trays 220 and then inserted into the RFSDU, or alternatively products 610 may be placed on trays 220 when the trays 220 have already been fully inserted. Furthermore, in examples such as the foldable tray 800, the products may be provided on the foldable trays 800 before stacking, if stacked, or after stacking.

Figure 64A shows a front view of a transport & display unit filled with products 610. The products 610 can be seen as being located on the two trays 800 which remain uncovered by the cardboard dress 950. Spacers 961 may be added to the trays 800 to limit the movement of the products 610.

Figures 64B and 64C show different product arrangements on trays 220, 800 which may be implemented. The trays 220, 800 may not be filled to maximum capacity of products 610 in order to increase the attractiveness of said products. Each tray 220, 800 of an RFSDll 100, 800 may contain the same number of products 610, or a different number of products 610. In Figure 63B, the products 610 are arranged in columns such that each column contains the same number of products. In Figure 63C, the products 610 are arranged such that some columns contain fewer products 610 than others.

Use cycle of RFSDU

Figure 65 shows the use cycle of the RFSDU through the supply chain. The transportation symbols represent transport generally, and may include one or methods selected from lorry, car, van, train, ship, or aircraft.

The trays, and folded RFSDUs are provided separately at a service centre 704, before being transported to a packing/co-packing location 706. The RFSDUs are then fully assembled by a user, and products may be filled manually, filled in a partially-automated manner, or filled in a substantially automated manner. The trays may be pre-filled with product before insertion into the RFSDU, or loaded afterwards. The RFSDU is covered by the display structure 600. The RFSDU filled with products and covered by a display structure is known as a loaded RFSDU. The number of trays may match the point-of-sale design requirements. The loaded RFSDU is then transported to a retailer distribution centre 708. The loaded RFSDU is then transported to a store 710. The RFSDU is received, handled, and placed on display at the store for promotional purposes. After use, once the promotion is exhausted, the display structure 600 is removed and disposed of, and the RFSDU 100 may be folded and placed into the transport position as described previously. The trays and the folded RFSDU may then be transported back to the retailer distribution centre, before they return back to the service centre for sorting, inspection, cleaning, and repair.

In relation to the foldable trays 800, the trays 800 are provided at the service centre 704, before being transported to a packing/co-packing location 706. The RFSDlls are then fully assembled by a user, and products may be filled manually, filled in a partially-automated manner, or filled in a substantially automated manner. If the RFSDll includes more than one foldable trays 800, the trays 800 may be pre-filled with product before stacking, or loaded afterwards. The RFSDU is then covered by the display structure 600. The RFSDU filled with products and covered by a display structure is known as a loaded RFSDU. The number of trays 800 may match the point-of-sale design requirements. The loaded RFSDU is then transported to a retailer distribution centre 708. The loaded RFSDU is then transported to a store 710. The RFSDU is received, handled, and placed on display at the store for promotional purposes. After use, once the promotion is exhausted, the display structure 600 is removed and disposed of, or recycled, and each tray 800 may be reconfigured by stowing away its arms, before being restacked, as seen in Figure 54B. The stack of foldable trays 800 may then be transported back to the retailer distribution centre, before they return back to the service centre for sorting, inspection, cleaning, and repair.

Removable support structures

We have described above, in particular in connection with Figure 63A, that in the context of a fully formed and erected product display unit, the uppermost tray may advantageously not include the supporting arms. After all, such a tray may not be required to provide support to another tray disposed thereon. Hence, any reconfigurable arms 806 provided on this specific tray could remain potentially unused - provided the tray is of course always used as the topmost tray of the display unit - and could therefore be considered to be unnecessary or unwanted. Accordingly, the uppermost tray could just be provided as an essentially conventional tray (although one that is of course adapted to be supported from below by the arms 806 of another tray 800). Alternatively, the support arms 806 could be removable - to maintain maximum flexibility of use. Below, we describe an implementation of removable supporting arms 806. Figures 66 to 69B relate to a second example of foldable tray 920. The first example of foldable tray 800 and the second example of foldable tray 920 are substantially the same, apart from a number of differences described in detail below, which are directed towards facilitating the detachment and reattachment of at least one arm 930 of the foldable tray 920, analogous to the arms 806 of the foldable tray 800, from and to the foldable tray 920. The at least one arm 930 may be disposable, and once detached from the foldable tray 920 may not be reattached. The at least one arm may be constructed out of one or more materials, including aluminium, stainless steel, cardboard, or plastic materials - the latter two materials being of course best suited to the case of a disposable arm. The at least one arm 930 may or may not extend. In the tray 920 shown in Figures 66 to 67B, the arm 930 does extend and retract.

As seen in Figures 67A and 67B, one difference between the foldable trays 800, 920 is that instead of extending around the perimeter of the base at a substantially consistent height as does the main edging 804 of the foldable tray 800, the main edging 922 of the foldable tray 920 is of a reduced height along its sides, this being a reduced edging 922. This reduced edging 922 reduces the likelihood of products getting caught on the main edging 922 when being removed from the foldable tray 920 by a user, resulting in an improved user experience, and may have the further benefit of reducing the amount of material needed for the manufacture of the foldable tray 920. The main edging 922 may be of greater height at the corners of said edging 922 to facilitate the inclusion of the hinge mechanism.

One further difference is that at least one pin 871 but of course preferably all pins 871 of the foldable tray 920, analogous to the first pin 861 and/or the second pin 868 of the foldable tray 800, are detachably attachable to at least one inner pillar 926, analogous to the inner pillar 852. The foldable tray 920 may comprise a total of eight pins 871 , two for each pillar 926. The pin 871 is in the shown example implemented essentially as an insert and/or as a screw. More specifically, the pin 871 may be considered as a threaded insert, set screw, grub screw, and/or headless screw. Further, the pin 871 may be considered as a partially threaded headless screw. In the shown example, each pin 871 is substantially the same, but different pins could in principle be used.

As shown in Figures 68A to 68D, the pin 871 comprises a shaft 872, a screw drive 874, and a point 875. The shaft 872 further comprises a threaded portion 873 which extends along a portion of the shaft 872. In some pins, the threaded portion 873 may extend along substantially the entire shaft 872, and thus be considered as fully threaded. The screw drive 874 of the pin shown is a hexagonal socket head, but other pins may utilise a variety of other drive styles, for example a cruciform screw drive such as a Phillips screw drive. The point 875 is a flat point, but may be different in other embodiments, e.g. a cup point, a conical point or an oval point.

As seen in Figure 69A and 69B, the inner pillar 926 further comprises at least one pin engagement feature 928 for detachably attaching the at least one pin 871 to said inner pillar 926. In the present tray, each inner pillar 926 comprises two pin engagement features 928, but in other trays each inner pillar may comprise a different number of pin engagement features 928, such as three, four, or five. Each pin engagement feature 928 in the present embodiment shown in Figures 69A and 69B is a cavity, and may be formed through the entirety of the inner pillar 926 as a perforation. The pin engagement feature 928 is threaded in order to engage with the threaded portion 873 of the pin 871. The pin engagement feature 928 has a circular cross-section.

The user may use a tool to detachably attach each pin 871 to one of the at least one inner pillars 926. Alternatively, the user may detachably attach each pin 871 to one of the at least one inner pillars 926 without the use of a tool. Each of the at least one pins 871 is detachably attached to one of the at least one inner pillars 926 by screwing each pin 871 into one of the at least one pin engagement features 928. Further, in other trays, the pin 871 may detachably attach to the inner pillar 926 by an alternative engagement means, for example a snap fit or an interference fit. Upon removal of the removable pins 871 , the corresponding pillars 926 will easily detach from the tray 920.