The present invention relates to a presentation device comprising a display space provided for displaying products, which can be closed by a closure element which can be moved up and down via displacement means, in which the display space comprises a rotatable platform which is arranged so as to be able to rotate about a supporting pipe which extends along virtually the entire height of the presentation device. The present invention relates in particular to a presentation device which can be used both inside and outside.

Presentation devices are known per se. In their simplest form, they are designed in the form of one or more shelves placed one above the other or next to one another. Such an embodiment only functions as a storage rack from which the consumer can take his products and is not very appealing. In addition, the products are easily accessible.

In order to be able to display products in a simple, more attractive and more protected manner, it is known to place these in, for example, a showcase. However, this solution has the drawback that showcases, mainly those in which the displayed products are continually being removed from and placed back into the cases, become soiled very quickly, for example due to the fact that in each case the door of the case has to be opened. In addition, due to their widespread use, showcases have lost much of their appeal.

European patent publication EP 0 269 881 describes a presentation device comprising a horizontal platform provided on an underframe on which goods can be displayed and which can be closed by means of a dome which can be moved up and down. The dome can move up and down by means of a gear rack which is provided in the underframe. It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative presentation device which is particularly appealing to the consumer and in which products can be displayed in such a manner that the buying interest of the consumer is stimulated.

The object of the present invention is achieved by providing a presentation device, comprising a display space designed for displaying products, which can be closed by means of a closure element which can be moved up and down via displacement means, in which the display space comprises a rotatable platform which is arranged so as to be able to rotate about a supporting pipe which extends along virtually the entire height of the presentation device and in which the displacement means comprise a counterweight which can be displaced in the supporting pipe, the closure element being connected to said counterweight via one or more connecting cords.

Such a presentation device, whose closure element can be moved up and down vertically, is unique per se and will attract the attention of those people in its immediate vicinity. In addition, due to the presence of the closure element, the products can be stored in a safe and protected manner. In order to allow the consumer an unobscured view, the closure element is preferably made from a transparent material, such as for example glass or plastic. The closure element is in particular designed to extend across at least the region of the display space.

By placing the products on a rotatable platform, they will attract more attention from passers-by.

Said displacement means require at least one fixing point which is situated higher than the closure element. The connecting cords (cables) used are preferably made from a virtually non-stretching material, such as for example steel wire.

In a particular embodiment of the presentation device according to the present invention, the device comprises a superstructure above said display space, into which the closure element can be moved. The superstructure preferably has a larger diameter than the diameter of the display space.

In a more particular embodiment of the presentation device according to the present invention, the device comprises a substructure below said display space, over which the closure element can be moved. The substructure preferably has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the display space.

Since the superstructure has a larger diameter than the display space, which in turn has a larger diameter than the substructure, it is virtually impossible for rainwater to penetrate into the presentation device.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the device comprises lighting means for illuminating the displayed products.

The presentation device according to the present invention is in particular of a cylindrical design. However, it will be evident that the design of the presentation device can also include other suitable shapes, such as for example oval, quadrangular, etc.

The present invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the following detailed description of a presentation device according to the invention. The sole aim of this description is to give an illustrative example and to indicate further advantages and features of the present invention, and can therefore by no means be interpreted as a limitation of the area of application of the invention or of the patent rights laid down in the claims.

In this detailed description, reference numerals are used to refer to the attached drawings, in which: - Fig. 1: is a representation of the presentation device according to the invention in which the closure element is partially situated inside in the superstructure; Fig. 2: is a representation of the presentation device according to the invention in which the closure element closes off the display space;

Fig. 3: is a representation of the presentation device according to the invention in which the closure element is situated partially over the substructure; - Fig. 4: is a cross section of the presentation device according to the present invention.

The presentation device (1), also referred to as an advertising column, according to the present invention and as illustrated in the attached figures, comprises three major parts: a substructure (9), a display space (2) onto which products can be placed and a superstructure (8). The substructure and superstructure are preferably made from a non-transparent material, such as for example stainless steel.

The products are displayed on a rotatable platform (4) which is provided in the display space (2) and which is arranged so as to be able to rotate about a supporting pipe (5) which extends along virtually the entire height of the presentation device (1).

In order to cause the platform (4) to rotate, the presentation device according to the present invention furthermore comprises a drive system which is attached to the supporting pipe (5). The drive system inter alia comprises a motor (11), a reduction gearbox (12), a drive gear (13) and ball bearings (14). However, the drive gears can be replaced by drive belts.

In order to protect the products (goods) on display from the environment, the presentation device (1) comprises a closure element (3) which can be moved up and down and has a shape which corresponds to the shape of the rest of the presentation device (1). In the illustrated figures, the presentation device (1) is of cylindrical design, as a result of which the closure element (3) is also cylindrical. However, it is evident that other suitable shapes are also possible.

The closure element (3) is virtually entirely made of a transparent material, preferably a suitable plastic (for example polycarbonate) or optionally laminated glass, so that passers-by have an unimpeded view of the products on display. Producing the closure element (3) in glass will ensure a presentation device of high quality and appealing appearance.

Normally, as is illustrated in Fig. 2, the closure element (3) protects the display space (2) and for this purpose the closure element (3) is dimensioned such that it extends across at least the region of the display space (2). hi order to gain access to the display space (2), and to thus for example place products in the presentation device (1) or to remove them therefrom, the closure element (3) can be moved up or down, as is evident from Figs. 1 and 3. A presentation device of such design enables simple cleaning of the closure element (3), both on the inside and on the outside.

Since the superstructure (8) has a larger diameter than the display space (2), which in turn has a larger diameter than the substructure (9), the closure element (3) will slide at least partly over the substructure (9) when it is moved downwards and it will slide at least partly into the superstructure (8) when it is moved upwards. In addition, the water will run off the device in case of rain and will not be able to penetrate into the latter.

In order to be able to move the closure element (3) up and down, the presentation device (1) comprises displacement means. The displacement means inter alia comprise a counterweight (6) which is displaceable in the supporting pipe (5), the closure element (3) being connected to said counterweight (6) via one or more connecting cords (7). The supporting pipe (5) is preferably arranged centrally in the presentation device (1). The connecting cords (cables) (7) employed are preferably made from a virtually non-stretching material, such as for example steel wire. At one or more points, the closure element (3) is suspended from these connecting cords (7) which are attached to the counterweight (6) which is situated in the central supporting pipe (5) via a number of wheels. The central supporting pipe (5) and the counterweight (6) which can be displaced therein ensure that the closure element (glass wall) can move upwards and downwards virtually precisely vertically.

The upward and downward movement of the closure element (3) can be effected both manually and automatically. The presentation device (1) can also be provided with locking means, preventing the closure element (3) from being moved up or down by unauthorized individuals.

The presentation device (1) comprises lighting means (10) for illuminating the products on display. The products on display may, for example, be illuminated from inside by arranging a fluorescent light on the upper side of the display space. It is evident that other known light sources can also be provided. The displayed products can also be illuminated from the outside by arranging, for example, a halogen spotlight on the outside of the of the presentation device.

The presentation device (1) according to the present invention can also be provided with wheels, for example on the bottom side, in order to be able to move the device in a simple manner.

The presentation device (1) according to the present invention is suitable for both internal and external use and will attract the attention of passers-by due to its specific embodiment. Moreover, the presentation device (1) also imparts the products displayed therein an air of exclusivity. The products displayed in the presentation device can also be separated from one another by fitting vertical walls in the presentation device. The presentation device (1) according to the present invention is also simple to maintain.

The exclusivity of the presentation device (1) is furthermore underlined by the fact that there are no struts between the substructure and superstructure. In addition, the central supporting pipe (5) can be made invisible to the passers-by by fitting a few walls around this supporting pipe on the rotating platform (4) which then also divide the display space into different sections. In this manner, a visual effect is achieved in which the superstructure seems to float unsupported.