FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a shelve for transporting and displaying goods, more in particular goods in the form of plants or flowers or the like. The shelve is configured to be mounted in a cart, more particularly in a Danish Trolley type cart, i.e. a wheeled shelving unit used to transport goods in horticulture

Flowers and plants are commonly transported on so-called flower carts. A typical flower cart is the Danish Trolley. These types of carts comprise a metal frame that is supported on wheels. The metal frame comprises four corner posts for supporting multiple shelves, each mounted at a different level in the cart. The frame can be disassembled to facilitate storage and allow for efficient transport of empty trolleys.

The shelves typically comprise wood panel fixed to a metal support frame. The support frame is provided with hooks, that can be inserted into slots, also referred to as support openings, provided in the corner posts to mount the shelves in the cart. The corner posts comprise multiple slots to enable supporting multiple shelves, and for mounting a shelve at different levels. The life cycle of these wooden panels is limited. Furthermore, once damaged, the wooden panels cannot be recycled into, or be reused as panels in, new shelves.

To improve recyclability, it has been proposed in the prior art to use plastic shelve bodies.

For example, publication EP1186265 discloses a shelve for use in a Danish Trolley, the shelve comprising an injection moulded plastic shelve body that is supported by two metal support strips. At the bottom side, the injection moulded plastic body has an elaborate rib structure, comprising a grid of intersecting ribs, to provide the plastic body with structural rigidity. The height of the ribs increases towards the middle of the plastic shelve body to provide sufficient reinforcement. The metal support strips are mounted in the plastic body, more in particular are received within the rib structure at the bottom side of the shelve. The metal support strips are designed to be slid into the plastic body, and to be held in place by click fingers clicking into openings provided in the metal support strips. The rib structure in combination with the metal support strips provides the shelve with a significant thickness compared to the weight the shelve has to support. This thickness negatively influences the stackability of the shelve. It is an object of the invention to provide an alternative shelve for transporting and displaying goods. It is a further object of the invention to provide a shelve that allows for efficient recycling and/or reuse of components. It is a further object of the invention to provide a preferably light weight shelve having a low stacking height.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect, the invention provides a shelve according to claim 1.

A shelve, for use in a Danish Trolley, , has and having a length and a width, according to claim 1 comprises:

- an injection moulded plastic shelve body, having a top surface for supporting products, a bottom surface, two longitudinal sides and two cross sides, and

- two metal profiles, each provided with a hook element at opposite ends, for mounting the shelve with the top surface facing upwards in the Danish Trolley, and wherein, when the shelve is mounted in a Danish Trolley, the shelve body rests on the two metal profiles, wherein the injection moulded plastic shelve body comprises:

- two grip openings, which grip openings are provided in the top surface to enable securely engaging the shelve with two hands;

- two longitudinal walls, which longitudinal walls are provided on the top surface of the plastic shelve body, each at a longitudinal side of the plastic shelve body;

- two cross walls, which cross walls are provided on the top surface of the plastic shelve body, each at a cross side of the plastic shelve body;

- multiple longitudinal ribs, which longitudinal ribs are provided on the bottom surface of the plastic shelve body and have a length parallel to the length of the shelve, and which longitudinal ribs extend parallel to each other between the cross sides of the plastic shelve body; - multiple cross ribs, which cross ribs are provided on the bottom surface of the plastic shelve body and have a length parallel to the width of the shelve, and which cross ribs extend parallel to each other between the longitudinal sides of the plastic shelve body; wherein the multiple longitudinal ribs comprise two side ribs, each located at a longitudinal side of the plastic shelve body, and multiple main ribs, located between the two side ribs, and wherein the two side ribs each in combination with an outer main rib define an open slot for receiving one of the two metal profiles, wherein the multiple cross ribs comprise multiple L-ribs, the L-ribs having a flange that is parallel to the bottom surface of the plastic shelve body, and that is spaced from the bottom surface of the plastic shelve body, and wherein the flange connects the outer main ribs; and wherein the two metal profiles each have a wall member, a first flange, and a second flange, wherein the first flange and the second flange are separated by the wall member, and wherein the first flange is located adjacent the bottom surface of the plastic shelve body, and the second flange is level with the flanges of the L-ribs.

A shelve according to claim 1 allows for a low profile shelve, in particular with respect to the weight the shelve can support, and thus for an optimal stacking height. By providing the plastic shelve body with L-shaped cross ribs having a flange that connects the outer main ribs and that is aligned with the second flange of the metal profile, during use, the load caused by the weight of products supported by the shelve is efficiently transferred to the metal profile.

When the shelve body supports a sufficiently large a load, the outer ends of the flange of the L-rib push outwards, and, via the outer main rib, against the second flange of the metal profile, which second flange is spaced from the bottom surface of the shelve body. The first flange of the metal profile in combination with the side rib of the shelve body, support the metal profile against rotation about a longitudinal axis of the metal profile, and thus provide support for the L-ribs. The construction of L-ribs, metal profiles and side ribs thus provides the shelve with structural rigidity.

The configuration of metal profiles and the design of ribs of the plastic shelve body according to the invention enables the shelve to support a high weight with ribs having, with respect to the bottom surface of the shelve body, a low height. Thus, the invention provides a shelve able to support a relatively heavy load in combination with a low stacking height. Prior art plastic shelve bodies utilise relatively high ribs, and therefore have a large stacking height. Furthermore, prior art plastic shelve bodies comprises a large number of ribs, and therefore require a relative large volume of plastic. This may result in a large volume relatively heavy shelve body. Furthermore, prior art designs utilise closely spaced together ribs. Do to the limited space between these ribs, these designs do not allow for incorporating L-shaped ribs.

According to the invention, the injection moulded shelve body is on its top side provided with longitudinal walls and cross walls that are integral with the shelve body, and thus with the ribs provided on the bottom surface of the shelve body. This combination of walls and ribs enhances the rigidity of the plastic shelve body.

It is submitted that preferably, the grip openings are elongated openings having a longitudinal axis extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shelve. In an embodiment of a shelve according to the invention, the grip openings are on two sides flanked by a cross rib. Furthermore, the cross ribs that flank the grip openings on the side of the respective grip opening that faces the other grip opening are L-ribs. Furthermore, in this embodiment the flanges of these L-ribs are directed away from the grip opening they flank, and thus form a grip surface for a hand holding the shelve using the respective grip opening.

It is submitted that the grip openings are provided in the top surface of the shelve to enable securely engaging the shelve with two hands, and to enable mounting the shelve in a horizontal position in the frame of the Danish Trolley. In contrast with engaging the shelve at the sides, engaging the shelve using the grip openings makes that the shelve can not easily slip from the hands.

It is submitted that, to provide an enhanced grip, the L-ribs are used to provide a grip surface. Thus the L-ribs allow for the shelve to be gripped between the palm and the fingers, the fingers being able to pressure down onto the flanges of the L-ribs. It is furthermore submitted that in the prior art only ribs, i.e. without a flange, are provided. When the prior art shelve is engaged by hand, the fingers of the hands penetrating the grip openings may be positioned over the tops of the ribs running along the bottom of the shelve. The ribs cause peak pressures in the fingers when the user is gripping the shelve between fingers and palm of the hand. In the prior art, the ribs thus effectively prevent the user from securely gripping the shelve. The invention thus utilises the L-ribs, that are configured for enhancing structural rigidity, for also providing enhanced grip.

In a further embodiment, the grip openings are provided on one side with a grip surface provided by the flange of an L-rib, and on the opposite side with a grip comprising multiple short grip ribs, the grip ribs extend close to each other and extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the shelve. By providing the short grip ribs closely spaced together, the fingers each engage two or more ribs, the ribs extending parallel to the fingers. Thus, the grip ribs provide a grip surface that is larger than the top of a single rib. By providing a larger contact surface for the fingers, peak pressure sin the fingers are reduced.

According to the invention, the metal profiles comprise a first flange and a second flange separated by a wall member. In an embodiment, the metal profile has a l-shaped cross section. In an alternative embodiment, the metal profiles may comprise additional flanges and/or wall members.

In another alternative, preferred, embodiment, the metal profiles have a C-shaped cross section. In such an embodiment, for each of the metal profiles the wall member of the respective metal profile is preferably located adjacent the side rib of the slot in which the respective metal profile is received, and the two side ribs are each provided with at least three mounting apertures, a central mounting aperture that is located halfway the length of the side rib, and two outer mounting apertures located on opposite sides of, and away from, the central mounting aperture, the metal profiles are provided with corresponding fastening means, e.g. a notch, bolt, rivet or pin welded onto the wall member of the metal profile, which fastening means are received in the mounting apertures to mount the metal profile in the slot, the central mounting apertures and the corresponding fastening means are formed to prevent movement of the respective fastening means, and thus of the metal profile, in a longitudinal direction, and the outer mounting apertures and the corresponding fastening means are formed to prevent movement of the respective fastening means, and thus of the metal profile, in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the shelve body while allowing for movement of the respective fastening means, and thus of the ends of the metal profile, in a longitudinal direction.

The metal profiles have a wall member that supports and separates the two flanges. The two flanges are integral with the wall member, and are linked with the wall member at ends thereof. The two flanges and the wall member thus provide the metal profile with a C-shaped cross section. This allows for the metal profiles to be mounted in the slots of the shelve body with the wall member of the metal profiles adjacent the side ribs, and thus allows for securing the metal profiles to the side ribs, while allowing for differences between the metal profile and the shelve in elongation and shrinkage caused by temperature changes.

By thus providing the shelve body with the C-shaped metal profiles there is no need for covering the slot, or partially covering the slot, to hold the metal profiles while allowing for sliding movement of the ends thereof. The slots can thus have an open bottom, which allows for thin, low profile shelve, and thus for a low stacking height. Also, by using a metal profile having a C-shaped cross section with the wall member located adjacent the side rib, only a single rib, i.e. only the side ribs and not one or more of the main ribs, is to be provided with mounting apertures.

In a further embodiment, the fastening means have a circular cross section and the central mounting apertures are circular shaped, for securing the metal profiles in the slots and fixing the shelve body relative to the metal profiles, and the outer attachment apertures are elongate shaped, the elongate shaped attachment openings having a longitudinal axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shelve, for securing the metal profile in the slot while allowing for movement of the shelve body relative to the metal profile, more in particular relative to the ends of the metal profiles, in a longitudinal direction thereof, to thus allow for differences between the metal profile and the plastic shelve in elongation and shrinkage caused by temperature changes.

Providing fastening means having a circular cross section in combination with circular and elongated shaped mounting apertures allows for a simple and efficient way for mounting the metal profiles in the slots with open bottom of the plastic shelve body, while allowing for elongation and shortening of the metal profiles relative to the plastic shelve body due to temperature changes.

The metal profiles preferably have a C-shaped cross section, and the flanges of the two metal profiles have a width that preferably is substantially similar to the width of the slot wherein the profiles are received. In an embodiment, the flanges of the metal profiles have a width that is at least 80% of the height of the wall of the metal profiles, preferably have a width that is at least 90% of the height of the wall of the metal profiles, preferably is 100% of the height of the wall member separating the flanges.

In an embodiment, the metal profiles have a C-shaped cross section, the opening of the C- shaped cross section facing towards the outer main ribs, and the metal profiles in combination with the main ribs each enclose a rectangular space extending parallel to the main ribs.

It is submitted that the second flange of the metal profiles has a width that is similar to the width of the slot in which the metal profile is mounted. Thus, during normal use, the ends of the flanges of the metal profile section abut the outer main rib, while flanges of the L-ribs engage the outer main rib on an opposite side thereof. Thus, the outer main ribs form an intermediate between the flanges of the metal profile section and the flanges of the L-ribs, which flanges are level with each other, to enable an optimal load transfer between L-ribs and metal profiles.

In a further embodiment the C-shaped profiles have a length that is shorter than the length of the plastic shelve body, while the hook elements extend beyond the cross walls of the plastic shelve body, and the plastic shelve body is provided with a wall section, extending from the bottom surface of the shelve body, which wall section extends across the end of the metal profile section, such that opening is shielded. It is noted that the wall section is spaced from the metal profile to such an extent that the metal profile is free to expand and shrink do to temperature changes during use.

In an embodiment, the top surface of the shelve body is provided with a sheet, the sheet layer comprising a fibres material for enhancing the strength of the sheet, and wherein the sheet forms part of the top surface providing the shelve body with a high impact surface. Thus, the fibre material in the sheet provides top surface of the shelve with an impact and scratch resistant layer.

In a further embodiment, the sheet is provided with apertures, in which apertures the plastic of the plastic shelve body is level with, or higher than, the surface of the sheet, such that the top surface of the shelve body is formed by areas of plastic material enclosed by areas of sheet material.

Due to the openings in the sheet with fibre materials, which openings are filled with plastic material, the sheet is anchored in the plastic shelve body. Thus, the sheet with fibre material, which due to the use of fibres is able to support tensional forces, increases the strength of the shelve.

In a further embodiment, the plastic of the plastic shelve body is higher than the surface of the sheet, and the openings in the plastic sheet function like grip elements that are provided in a pattern over the top surface of the shelve body, and thus provide the top surface of the shelve with a high impact and scratch resistant top surface and a gripping surface, e.g. similar to a diamond plate, that reduces sliding of products over said top surface.

In an embodiment, the hook elements have a top surface, which top surfaces of the hook elements are level with the top surface of the plastic shelve body. Thus, the hooks in combination with the top surface of the shelve body form a stacking surface. In an embodiment, the hook elements are integral with the wall member of the metal profile.

In an alternative embodiment, the hook elements are separate elements that are fixed to the metal profiles. For example, in an embodiment, the hook elements are cut from plate material and mounted to an outward facing surface of the wall member, and the hook elements have a thickness, in a plane parallel to the top surface of the shelve, and in a direction parallel to the width of the shelve, that is similar to the thickness of the side ribs, such that an outward facing surface of the hook element is substantially flush with an outward facing surface of the side rib extending along the respective profile.

In an embodiment, the second flange of the metal profiles has a bottom surface that faces away from the wall of the metal profile, and the flanges of the L-ribs have a bottom surface, facing away from the wall of the L-rib, and the bottom surfaces of the second flanges are flush with the bottom surfaces of the flanges of the L-ribs.

According to the invention, the shelve body is an injection moulded plastic component, and, the side walls, the longitudinal ribs, and the cross ribs are integral with the shelve body. Furthermore, according to the invention, the L-ribs are integral with the plastic shelve body. Preferably, the flanges of the L-ribs have a width that is at least 50% of the height of the wall member of the respective L-rib.

The invention furthermore provides a Danish Trolley provided with one or more shelves according to the invention.

In an embodiment, the Danish Trolley according to the invention comprises a base, the base having a floor and corner mounts and being supported by swivel wheels, wherein the base is at four corners provided with corner posts, which corner posts are inserted in the corner mounts, wherein the posts each have multiple slots for mounting a shelve according to the invention in the Danish Trolley, i.e. between the posts of the trolley. The multiple slots allow for a shelve to be mounted in the Danish Trolley at different heights.

The invention furthermore provides a method for providing a Danish Trolley according to the invention, the method comprising mounting shelves according to the invention into a trolley frame of a Danish Trolley.

The inventio furthermore provides a method for providing a plastic shelve body according to the invention. The invention furthermore provides a method for manufacturing a shelve according to the invention, the method comprising: injection moulding the plastic shelve body, providing the metal profiles with hook elements, and mounting the metal profiles in the open slots of the plastic shelve body.

In a further embodiment, the method comprises the steps: providing a sheet, the sheet comprising a fibres material for enhancing the strength of the sheet, wherein the sheet is provided with a pattern of apertures; mounting the sheet in a cavity of an injection mould such that one or more injectors for injecting plastic material into the cavity are aligned with one of the apertures in the sheet, such that when the injectors inject plastic material into the cavity, the plastic material is injected against a wall of the cavity and not against the sheet.

In a preferred embodiment, the ribs, i.e. the cross ribs and the longitudinal ribs, each have the same hight relative to the bottom surface of the shelve body. Thus, when the shelve is stacked upon another shelve, the ribs rest on the top surface of the other shelve. By providing the ribs with a similar height, they provide a solid support when stacking the shelves on top of each other.

According to a second aspect, the inventio furthermore provides a shelve for use in a Danish Trolley wherein the shelve comprises a plastic shelve bod and two metal profiles, the metal profiles having a L-shaped or C-shaped cross section, which metal profiles are each mounted in a slot of the plastic shelve body, the slot having an open bottom. Providing the metal profiles with one or more flanges, and mounting the metal profiles in slots with an open bottom, allows for a shelve with a low stacking height.

A shelve for use in a Danish Trolley, the shelve having a length and a width, according to the second aspect of the invention comprises:

- an injection moulded plastic shelve body, having a top surface for supporting products, a bottom surface, two longitudinal sides and two cross sides, and

- two metal profiles, each provided with a hook element at opposite ends, for mounting the shelve with the top surface facing upwards in the Danish Trolley, and wherein, when the shelve is mounted in a Danish Trolley, the shelve body rests on the two metal profiles, wherein the injection moulded plastic shelve body comprises:

- two grip openings, which grip openings are provided in the top surface to enable securely engaging the shelve with two hands;

- two longitudinal walls, which longitudinal walls are provided on the top surface of the plastic shelve body, each at a longitudinal side of the plastic shelve body;

- two cross walls, which cross walls are provided on the top surface of the plastic shelve body, each at a cross side of the plastic shelve body;

- multiple longitudinal ribs, which longitudinal ribs are provided on the bottom surface of the plastic shelve body and have a length parallel to the length of the shelve, and which longitudinal ribs extend parallel to each other between the cross sides of the plastic shelve body;

- multiple cross ribs, which cross ribs are provided on the bottom surface of the plastic shelve body and have a length parallel to the width of the shelve, and which cross ribs extend parallel to each other between the longitudinal sides of the plastic shelve body; wherein the multiple longitudinal ribs comprise two side ribs, each located at a longitudinal side of the plastic shelve body, and multiple main ribs, located between the two side ribs, and wherein the two side ribs each in combination with an outer main rib define an open slot for receiving one of the two metal profiles, wherein the two metal profiles each have a wall member and a first flange, which first flange is located adjacent the bottom surface of the plastic shelve body and which wall member is located adjacent the side rib of the slot in which the respective metal profile is received, and wherein the two side ribs are each provided with at least three mounting apertures, a central mounting aperture that is located halfway the length of the side rib, and two outer mounting apertures located on opposite sides of, and away from, the central mounting aperture, wherein the metal profiles are provided with corresponding fastening means, e.g. a notch, bolt, rivet or pin welded onto the wall member of the metal profile, which fastening means are received in the mounting apertures to mount the metal profile in the slot, wherein the central mounting apertures and the corresponding fastening means are formed to prevent movement of the respective fastening means, and thus of the metal profile, in a longitudinal direction, and wherein the outer mounting apertures and the corresponding fastening means are formed to prevent movement of the respective fastening means, and thus of the metal profile, in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the shelve body while allowing for movement of the respective fastening means, and thus of the metal profile, in a longitudinal direction.

The metal profiles have a wall member that supports at least one flange. The flange is integral with the wall member, and is linked with the wall member at an end thereof. The flange and the wall member thus provide the metal profile with an L-shaped cross section. In a further embodiment, the metal profiles have a wall member that supports two flanges, which flanges are integral with the wall member at ends thereof, and thus provide the metal profile with a C-shaped cross section.

Thus providing the metal profiles with an L-shaped or C-shaped cross section allows for the metal profiles to be mounted in the slots of the shelve body with the wall member of the metal profiles adjacent the side ribs, and thus allows for securing the metal profiles to the side ribs, while allowing for differences between the metal profile and the shelve in elongation and shrinkage caused by temperature changes. Furthermore, by thus providing the shelve body with the L-shaped or C-shaped metal profiles, there is no need for covering the slot, or partially covering the slot, to hold the metal profiles. The slots can thus have an open bottom, which allows for thin, low profile shelve, and thus for a low stacking height.

In yet a further embodiment according to a second aspect of the invention, the fastening means have a circular cross section and the central mounting apertures are circular shaped, for securing the metal profiles in the slots and fixing the shelve body relative to the metal profiles, and the outer attachment apertures are elongate shaped, the elongate shaped attachment openings having a longitudinal axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shelve, for securing the metal profile in the slot while allowing for movement of the shelve body relative to the metal profile, more in particular relative to the ends of the metal profiles, in a longitudinal direction thereof, and to thus allow for differences between the metal profile and the shelve in elongation and shrinkage caused by temperature changes. Providing fastening means having a circular cross section in combination with circular and elongated shaped mounting apertures allows for a simple and efficient way for mounting the metal profiles in the slots with open bottom of the plastic shelve body, while allowing for elongation and shortening of the metal profiles relative to the plastic shelve body due to temperature changes.

It will be appreciated that the benefits of the shelve as discussed above with respect to the second aspect of the invention are applicable to the first aspect of the invention, and vice versa.

The invention thus provides an alternative shelve for transporting and displaying goods. The invention furthermore provides a shelve for use in a Danish Trolley having an injection moulded plastic shelve body having a low stacking height.

The invention furthermore provides a set of parts for providing a Danish Trolley, the set of parts comprising a base having a floor, corner mounts and swivel wheels, the set of parts further comprising four corner posts and multiple shelves according to the invention.

Whilst primarily presented for illustrative purposes with reference to one or more of the figures, any of the technical features addressed below may be combined with any of the independent claims of this application either alone or in any other technically possible combination with one or more other technical features.

Advantageous embodiments of the shelve according to the invention and the method according to the invention are disclosed in the sub claims and in the description, in which the invention is further illustrated and elucidated on the basis of a number of exemplary embodiments, of which some are shown in the schematic drawing. In the figures, components corresponding in terms or construction and/or function are provided with the same last two digits of the reference numbers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a shelve for use in a Danish Trolley according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows multiple exemplary embodiments of shelves according to the invention mounted in a Danish Trolley; Fig. 3 shows a perspective bottom view of an exemplary embodiment of a shelve body of a shelve according to the invention;

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of two exemplary embodiments of metal profiles of a shelve according to the invention;

Fig. 5 shows a side view of three exemplary embodiments of shelves according to the invention stacked upon each other;

Fig. 6 shows an enlarged partial side view of the shelves of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 shows an enlarged partial front view of the shelves of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 shows a partial perspective view in cross section of an exemplary embodiment of a shelve according to the invention; and

Fig. 9 shows a perspective view in close up of a grip opening of the shelve of Fig. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a shelve 1 for use in a Danish Trolley according to the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a Danish Trolley 2, the trolley comprising multiple shelves 1 according to the invention. The Danish Trolley comprises a base 3, with a floor and corner mounts 4, and is supported by swivel wheels 5. The base 3 is at four corners provided with corner posts 6. The corner posts 6 are inserted in the corner mounts 4. In the embodiment shown, the posts 6 have multiple slots 7 for mounting a shelve in the Danish Trolley 2, i.e. between the posts of the trolley. The multiple slots 7 allow for a shelve 1 to be mounted in the Danish Trolley 2 at different heights. Thus, the position of the shelves 1 can for example be matched with the seize of the products to be placed on the shelves 1.

It is submitted that shelves according to the invention may also be used in transport devices or storage devices similar to the Danish Trolley shown in Fig. 2. For example, the shelves may be used in in a display rack, the display rack comprising posts having slots similar to the slots of the Danish Trolley for mounting the shelves.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, each of the shelves 1 is provided with two grip openings 8 for engaging the shelve, and to thus facilitate manipulating the shelve, in particular facilitate lifting the shelve 1 out of the slots 7 and mounting the shelves into the slots. In the embodiment shown, the grip openings 8 are elongated openings having a longitudinal axis extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shelve.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective bottom view of the shelve 1 that is also depicted in Fig. 1. The shelve 1 has a length and a width, and comprises an injection moulded plastic shelve body 9 and two metal profiles 22.

The injection moulded plastic shelve body 9 is provided with two grip openings 8, which grip openings are provided in the top surface 10 to enable securely engaging the shelve 1 with two hands.

When the shelve 1 is mounted in a Danish Trolley, the shelve body rests on the two metal profiles 22. The two metal profiles 22, depicted in isolation in Fig. 4, are each at opposite ends provided with a hook elements 14. The hook elements 14 are configured to engage the slots 7 in the corner posts of a Danish Trolley to thus mount the shelve 1, with the top surface of the shelve facing upwards, in the in the Danish Trolley.

The injection moulded plastic shelve body 9 has top surface 10 for supporting products, a bottom surface 11 , two longitudinal sides 12, and two cross sides 13.

The injection moulded plastic shelve body 9 is on its top surface provided with two longitudinal walls 16, each at a longitudinal side 12 of the plastic shelve body, and two cross walls 17, each at a cross side 13 of the plastic shelve body.

On its bottom surface the injection moulded plastic shelve body 9 is provided with multiple longitudinal ribs 18 and multiple cross ribs 19.

The multiple longitudinal ribs 18 have a length parallel to the length of the shelve 1, and extend parallel to each other between the cross sides 13 of the plastic shelve body 1.

The multiple cross ribs 19 have a length parallel to the width of the shelve 1 , and extend parallel to each other between the longitudinal sides 12 of the plastic shelve body 1.

The multiple longitudinal ribs 18 comprise two side ribs 18S, each located at a longitudinal side 12 of the plastic shelve body 1, and multiple main ribs 18M, located between the two side ribs 18S. The two side ribs 18S each in combination with an outer main rib 18M define an open slot 20 for receiving one of the two metal profiles 22.

According to the invention, some of the cross ribs 19 are L-ribs 19L, the L-ribs having a flange 21 that is parallel to the bottom surface 11 of the plastic shelve body 9, and that is spaced from the bottom surface 11 of the plastic shelve body 9. The flange 21 extends along the length of the L-rib 19L, and connects the outer main ribs 18MO.

In the embodiment shown, the shelve is provided with ten cross ribs 19, of which six are L- ribs 19L. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the L-ribs are provided such that the flange of the L-ribs is provided on the side that faces towards the center of the shelve.

Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the shelve is provided with eight longitudinal ribs 18, of which two are side ribs 18S and six are main ribs 18M. Of the main ribs 18M, tow are outer main ribs 18MO.

According to the invention, the two metal profiles 22 each have a wall member 23, a first flange 24, and a second flange 25, wherein the first flange and the second flange are separated by the wall member, and wherein the first flange is located adjacent the bottom surface 11 of the plastic shelve body, and the second flange is level with the flanges 21 of the L-ribs 19L.

Fig. 8 shows a cross sectional view of the shelve 1 , depicting the open slot 20 with the metal profile 22 received therein and part of an L-shaped cross rib 19L.

The L-shaped cross rib 19L has a flange 21 that is aligned with the second flange 25 of the metal profile 22 and that connects the outer main ribs 18MO, of which one is shown. During use, the load caused by the weight of products supported by the shelve 1 is transferred via the L-rib 19L to the metal profile 22.

When the shelve body 9 supports a sufficiently large load, it will bend. The bending of the shelve body pushes the outer ends of the flange 21 of the L-rib 19L outwards, and, via the outer main rib 19MO, against the second flange 25 of the metal profile 22, which second flange 25 is spaced from the bottom surface 11 of the shelve body 9. The first flange 24 of the metal profile 22 in combination with the side rib 18S of the shelve body, supports the metal profile against rotation about a longitudinal axis of the metal profile, and thus support the L- ribs.

The configuration of metal profiles 22 and plastic shelve body 9, more in particular the L-ribs 19L and the open slot 20, according to the invention enable the shelve 1 to support a high weight with ribs having, with respect to the bottom surface 11 of the shelve body, a low height. Thus, the invention provides a shelve 1 able to support a relatively heavy load in combination with a low stacking height.

Fig. 9 shows one of the grip openings of the shelve 1 in close up. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the grip openings 8 are on two sides flanked by a cross rib 19. For each grip opening 8, the cross rib 19 that flanks the grip opening on the side that faces the other grip opening is an L-rib 19L. Furthermore, the flanges 21 of these L-ribs 19L are directed away from the grip opening 8, and thus form a grip surface for a hand holding the shelve using the respective grip opening.

It is submitted that to enable a good grip, the L-ribs 19L are provided adjacent the grip openings to provide a grip surface. The L-ribs thus allow for the shelve to be gripped between the palm and the fingers, the fingers being able to pressure down onto the flanges of the L- ribs 19L adjacent the grip openings.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the grip openings 8 are furthermore on one side, opposite the side flanked by the L-rib, provided with a grip comprising multiple short grip ribs 26. These grips are provided for when a hand engages the side of the grip that faces away from the other grip. The grip ribs 26 extend close to each other, in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the shelve 1, and in a direction parallel to the fingers engaging the grip opening 8.

By providing the short grip ribs 26 closely spaced together, the fingers of a hand may each engage two or more ribs. Thus, the grip ribs 26 provide a grip surface that is larger than the top of a single rib. By providing a larger contact surface for the fingers, peak pressure sin the fingers are reduced.

In the embodiment shown, the second flange 25 of the metal profiles 22 has a bottom surface that faces away from the wall 56 of the metal profile, and the flanges 21 of the L-ribs 19L have a bottom surface, facing away from the wall 31 of the L-rib 19L, and the bottom surfaces of the second flanges are flush with the bottom surfaces of the flanges of the L-ribs, see for example Fig. 8.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, for each of the metal profiles 22 the wall member of the respective metal profile 23 is located adjacent the side rib 18S of the open slot 30 in which the respective metal profile is received, see Fig. 8. Furthermore, the two side ribs 18S are each provided with at least three mounting apertures 27, see Fig. 5. One central mounting aperture 27C is located halfway the length of the side rib 18S. Two outer mounting apertures 270 are located on opposite sides of, and away from, the central mounting aperture 37C, see Fig. 6.

The metal profiles 22 are provided with corresponding fastening means, in the embodiment shown in the form of a notch 28, onto the wall member 23 of the metal profile. The fastening means are received in the mounting apertures 27 to mount the metal profile 22 in the slot 20. The central mounting aperture 27C and the corresponding fastening means 28 are formed to prevent movement of the respective fastening means, and thus of the metal profile, in a longitudinal direction.

The outer mounting apertures 270 and the corresponding fastening means 28 are formed to prevent movement of the respective fastening means, and thus of the metal profile, in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the shelve body while allowing for movement of the respective fastening means, and thus the ends of the metal profile, in a longitudinal direction.

The wall member 23 of the metal profiles 22 supports and separates the first flange 24 and the second flange 25. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the two flanges are integral with the wall member, and are linked with the wall member at ends of the flanges. The two flanges and the wall member thus provide the metal profile with a C-shaped cross section. This allows for the metal profiles 22 to be mounted in the open slots 20 of the shelve body 9 with the wall member 23 of the metal profiles adjacent the side ribs 18S, and thus allows for securing the metal profiles to the side ribs, while allowing for differences between the metal profile and the shelve in elongation and shrinkage caused by temperature changes.

By thus providing the shelve body 9 with the C-shaped metal profiles there is no need for covering the slot, or partially covering the slot, to hold the metal profiles. The slots can thus have an open bottom, which allows for thin, low profile shelve, and thus for a low stacking height. Also, by using a metal profile having a C-shaped cross section with the wall member located adjacent the side rib, only a single rib is to be provided with mounting apertures.

In the embodiment shown, the fastening means 28 have a circular cross section and the central mounting apertures 27C are circular shaped, for securing the metal profiles 22 in the slots and fixing the shelve body 9 relative to the metal profiles. The outer attachment apertures 270 have an elongated shape, having a longitudinal axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shelve 9, and thus secure the metal profile 22 in the open slot 20 while allowing for movement of the shelve body 9 relative to the metal profile, in a longitudinal direction thereof, to thus allow for differences between the metal profile and the plastic shelve in elongation and shrinkage caused by temperature changes. In the embodiment shown, the metal profiles 22 have a C-shaped cross section, the opening of the C-shaped cross section facing towards the outer main ribs 19MO, and the metal profiles in combination with the main ribs each enclose a rectangular space extending parallel to the main ribs, see Fig. 8. It is submitted that the second flange 25 of the metal profiles has a width that is similar to the width of the slot 20 in which the metal profile 22 is mounted.

Thus, during normal use, the ends of the flanges of the metal profile section abut the outer main rib, while flanges of the L-ribs engage the outer main rib on an opposite side thereof. Thus, the outer main ribs form an intermediate between the flanges of the metal profile section and the flanges of the L-ribs, which flanges are level with each other, to enable an optimal load transfer between L-ribs and metal profiles.

Also, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the C-shaped metal profiles 22 have a length that is shorter than the length of the plastic shelve body 9, while the hook elements 14 extend beyond the cross walls 17 of the plastic shelve body 9. The plastic shelve body 9 is provided with a wall section 30, extending from the bottom surface of the shelve body, which wall section extends across the end of the metal profile section, such that opening is shielded, see Fig. 7.

In the embodiment shown, see Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, the hook elements 14 have a top surface 29, which top surfaces of the hook elements are level with the top surface of the plastic shelve body.

Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the hook elements 14 are cut from plate material and mounted to an outward facing surface of the wall member 23. The hook elements 14 have a thickness that is similar to the thickness of the side ribs 18S, such that an outward facing surface of the hook element is substantially flush with an outward facing surface of the side rib extending along the respective profile.

In the embodiments shown in Fig. 2, the shelves 1 are provided with a sheet with apertures.

In the apertures, the plastic of the plastic shelve body is higher than the surface of the sheet, such that the top surface of the shelve body is formed by areas of plastic material enclosed by areas of sheet material. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the openings in the plastic sheet function like grip elements that are provided in a pattern over the top surface of the shelve body, and thus provide the top surface of the shelve with a high impact and scratch resistant top surface and a gripping surface, e.g. similar to a diamond plate, that reduces sliding of products over said top surface. Reference signs 01 Shelve 02 Danish Trolley 03 base Danish Trolley 04 corner mount Danish Trolley 05 swivel wheels Danish Trolley 06 corner post Danish Trolley 07 slots in corner posts 08 grip openings

09 injection moulded plastic shelve body

10 top surface plastic shelve body

11 bottom surface plastic shelve body

12 longitudinal side plastic shelve body

13 cross side plastic shelve body

14 hook elements

15

16 longitudinal walls

17 cross walls

18 longitudinal ribs 18S side ribs 18M main ribs 18MO outer main rib

19 cross ribs 19L L-ribs

20 open slot

21 flange L-ribs

22 metal profiles

23 wall member metal profile

24 first flange metal profile

25 second flange metal profile

26 short grip ribs

27 mounting apertures

27C central mounting aperture 270 outer mounting aperture

28 notch for mounting metal profiles

29 top surface hook element 30 wall section end of metal profile

31 wall member L-rib