Patent Application
20220015555
Embodiments described herein generally relate to devices for displaying products. Specifically, embodiments described herein relate to a display device for illuminating packaged beverages.
Display cabinets, coolers, and the like are often used to store and display products for purchase by consumers. Products may be arranged in the display cabinet to promote visibility of the products while also providing storage of additional products. Display cabinets often have open front walls, or glass panels to allow consumers to view the products available for purchase. However, such display cabinets may do little to attract the attention of consumers, and may not highlight the products available for purchase. Thus, the display cabinet may not help to attract consumers and entice consumers to make purchases.
Some embodiments described herein relate to display system for packaged beverages that includes a display rack having a frame, a first platform configured to support the packaged beverages, and a second platform configured to support the packaged beverages, wherein the second platform is arranged in a plane parallel to and spaced from a plane of the first platform. The display rack includes a first display device arranged on the first platform, and a second display device arranged on the second platform. Each of the first and second display devices includes a panel configured to support the packaged beverages having a front end opposite a rear end, and a light source arranged on the panel and beneath the packaged beverages for illuminating the packaged beverages.
In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the first platform may include a channel configured to receive the first display device.
In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the display rack may further include a stopper arranged on the frame for securing the display rack to a support surface.
In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the display rack may further include a gravity dispenser arranged on the first platform, wherein the gravity dispenser comprises a base that is sloped.
In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the display rack may further include a spring-driven dispenser arranged on the first platform, wherein the spring-driven dispenser comprises a base and a tab driven by a spring.
In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the first and second display devices may each in communication with a control unit configured to selectively illuminate the first and second display devices.
Some embodiments described herein relate to a display device for illuminating a packaged beverage that includes a panel configured to support the packaged beverages, wherein the panel has a front end opposite a rear end, and a top surface having a plurality of transparent portions. The display device further includes a light source arranged within the panel for illuminating the packaged beverage arranged on the panel, and an end cap comprising a front wall arranged at the front end of the panel.
In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the end cap may further include a flange extending from the front wall of the end cap such that the flange is parallel to the panel. In some embodiments, the flange may include a plurality of cutouts.
In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the panel may include a baseplate and a top plate, wherein the top plate defines the top surface.
In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the light source may include a light guide.
In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the light source may include a plurality of light emitting diodes.
In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the display device may further include a power connector configured to place the display device in electrical connection with a power source. In some embodiments, the power connector may include a spring-biased probe.
Some embodiments described herein relate to display cabinet for displaying a packaged beverage that includes a housing defining a storage compartment configured to store the packaged beverage, wherein the storage compartment includes a first side opposite a second side and a front end opposite a rear end. The display cabinet may further include a shelf arranged within the storage compartment and extending between the first side and the second side, and a display device extending along the shelf at the front end of the storage compartment between the first side and the second side. The display device of the display cabinet includes a panel configured to support the packaged beverage having a front end opposite a rear end, a top surface having a plurality of transparent portions, and a light source for illuminating the packaged beverage arranged within the panel.
In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the display device may further include an end cap having a front wall arranged at the front end of the panel.
In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the end cap may further include a flange having a plurality of cutouts, wherein the flange extends from the front wall of the end cap such that the flange is parallel to the panel.
In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the shelf may include a channel in which the display device is arranged.
In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the display cabinet may further include a power bar arranged along a wall of the storage compartment at a front end of the storage compartment, wherein the power bar is configured to provide electrical energy to the display device.
In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the display device may further include a power connector configured to contact the power bar to place the display device in electrical connection with the power bar when the display device is installed within the storage compartment.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the present disclosure and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles thereof and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the same.
Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the claims.
Display cabinets for displaying packaged beverages may do little to highlight the products available for purchase or to attract the attention of consumers. While some display cabinets may include lighting to attract customers, the lighting may be decorative or may illuminate the interior of the display cabinet rather than highlighting the products available for purchase. As a result, display cabinets may not direct a consumer's attention to the products or entice the consumer to purchase the products.
Accordingly, an improved display device for attracting the attention of consumers is desired. Further, a display device that illuminates the products rather than the surrounding area is desired to focus the consumer's attention on the products available for purchase.
Some embodiments described herein relate to a display device having a light source on which a packaged beverage, such as a bottled beverage, may be placed for display. By placing the packaged beverage on the display device, the light source of the display device may illuminate the beverage within the bottle, providing a unique visual effect that may help to attract consumers. Some embodiments described herein may relate to system of multiple display devices in communication with a control unit for selectively illuminating the display devices. This may allow for display devices to illuminate packaged beverages in a sequence or pattern to help attract the attention of consumers.
In some embodiments, a display device 110 may be arranged in a display cabinet 200 for illuminating a product stored in display cabinet 200, as shown in
In some embodiments, display cabinet 200 may be a cooler for maintaining products at a cool temperature or for storing perishable products. In such embodiments, display cabinet 200 may include a cooling unit for maintaining the storage compartment 230 at a predetermined temperature. Cooling unit may be a cold plate, a vapor-compression refrigeration unit, or a thermoelectric cooling unit, among others. Storage compartment 230 may be insulated to inhibit heat transfer into storage compartment 230. However, in some embodiments, storage compartment 230 may be maintained at ambient temperature.
A display device 110 may be arranged in display cabinet 200 for illuminating packaged beverages 500 within display cabinet 200. As used herein, the term “packaged beverage” may refer to a beverage container that contains a beverage, such as a bottled beverage, e.g., water, soda, sports drink, or coffee- or tea-based beverage, among others.
While the present application may refer primarily to a display device 110 for displaying packaged beverages, display device 110 and display cabinets may be used to display any of various products or merchandise, including but not limited to food items and cosmetic and beauty products, among other merchandise. Display device 110 may also be used with products having that have a clear or light-colored liquid contained in a transparent or translucent packaging, such as perfume or cologne, liquid soap or shampoo, and oils, among others. Display devices 110 described herein may be particularly suited for use in illuminating a product having a container that is transparent or partially transparent, i.e., translucent, so that light may pass through the container. For example, the container may be formed of glass or plastic, among other transparent or partially transparent materials. Further, the liquid stored within the container may be a transparent or partially transparent so that light may pass through and refract within the liquid. For example, the liquid may be water, sparkling water, flavored water, light-colored sodas, such as a lemon-lime soda, or a sports drink, among others. While display device 110 may be used with dark-colored liquids, the lighting effect may not be as great as the light may not pass through the dark-colored liquid or may pass through only to a limited extent.
In some embodiments, a display device 110 may include a panel 120 having a light source 140, as shown in
Light source 140 may be located on or within panel 120, such as between baseplate 127 and top plate 128. Light source 140 may illuminate packaged beverages placed on top plate 128, and may include openings, transparent portions, or both. In some embodiments, top plate 128 may include one or more transparent portions 126 configured to allow light from light source 140 to shine through transparent portions 126 of top plate 128. Transparent portions 126 may have a circular shape, however, in some embodiments, transparent portions may be square, triangular, elliptical, or may have other geometries. Transparent portions 126 may be made of glass, or a transparent plastic, such as polycarbonate, among other transparent materials. A lower end of a packaged beverage may be located on transparent portion 126 of top plate 128 so that packaged beverage is directly above light source 140. In this way, light may be directed from light source 140 into packaged beverage to illuminate the beverage and container, providing a “glowing” effect. The packaged beverage may be arranged in an upright or standing orientation on panel 120.
In some embodiments, light source 140 may be a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), a light guide, a light pipe, or fiber optics, among others. For example, light source 140 may include a linear strip of a plurality of LEDs, or may include circular patterns or LEDs configured to be arranged beneath transparent portions 126 of panel 120. Light source 140 may be configured to provide light that is white or colorless. In this way, a packaged beverage will illuminate in a color based on a color of the beverage. However, in some embodiments, light source 140 may be colored so as to illuminate a beverage within a beverage container in a particular color. For example, when the beverage is water, a green light source may illuminate the beverage so as to illuminate the packaged beverage in a green color. In some embodiments, a coating may be applied on light source 140, such as a hydrophobic coating, to protect light source 140 from moisture.
Light source 140 may extend along panel 120 from a first side 121 toward a second side 123. Light source 140 may include portions that can be illuminated separately from one another. For example, light source 140 may include a plurality of LEDs arranged on panel 120 and extending from the first side 121 toward second side 123, and LEDs on first side 121 may be illuminated while LEDs on second side 123 are not be illuminated.
In some embodiments, an end cap 130 may be arranged along front end 122 of panel 120. End cap 130 may block light B produced by light source 140 so that light is not directed outward from front end 122 of panel 120 (see, e.g.,
In some embodiments, display device 110 may be arranged on a shelf 240, as shown in
In some embodiments, shelf 240 may include a first region 252 and a second region 254, as shown in
As shown in
In some embodiments, display device 110 may be configured to support a single row of packaged beverages 500, as shown in
In some embodiments, display device 110 may be integrally formed with shelf 240. In some embodiments, display device 110 may be arranged underneath shelf 240. Display device 110 may be secured to an underside of shelf 240, or to opposing walls of a storage compartment of a display cabinet. In such embodiments, shelf 240 may be formed of a transparent material, or may have openings so that light from display device 110 may pass through shelf 240 and illuminate a packaged beverage positioned on shelf 240.
In some embodiments, a display cabinet 600 may include a power bar 680 configured to supply power to display devices 110 within display cabinet 600, as shown in
However, display cabinet 600 differs from display cabinet 200 in that display cabinet 600 includes a power bar 680 for providing electrical energy to display device 110. Power bar 680 may be made of a conductive material, such as a metal, e.g., copper. As best shown in
In some embodiments, display device 110 may further include a power connector 180 for connection to a power source to supply electrical energy to display device 110 and particularly to the light source of display device 110. In some embodiments, display device 110 may include a power connector 180 on a first side 121 of panel 120 and a second power connector 180 on an opposing second side 123 of panel 120, as shown in
Power connectors 180 may be linearly movable from an extended to a compressed configuration. Power connectors 180 may be biased in an extended configuration and may be configured to compress when an inward force is applied to the power connectors 180 along an axis of power connector 180. In some embodiments, power connectors 180 may be spring-biased probes. However, alternate biasing mechanisms may be used.
As shown in
In some embodiments, contact plate 682 of power bar 680 may be arranged at an angle relative to sidewall 631 or sidewall 633 of storage compartment 630. Particularly, contact plate 682 may have an inward angle. In this way, power connectors 180 may exert an inward pressure on power connectors 180 of display device 110 as display device 110 is inserted further into storage compartment 630, and power connector 180 is in connection with contact plate 682 when shelf 640 is installed in display cabinet 600.
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, a first power connector 180 may be arranged on first side 641 of shelf 640 toward rear end 644 of shelf 640, and a second power connector 180 may be arranged on the second side 643 of shelf 640 toward rear end 644 of shelf 640. In such embodiments, power bars 680 may be arranged on opposing first and second sides 631, 633 of storage compartment 630 adjacent rear end 634 for connection to power connectors 180.
In some embodiments, display device 110 may have its own power source. In such embodiments, display device 110 may have one or more batteries, such as disposable or rechargeable batteries. Power source may be stored within panel 120 of display device 110. In some embodiments, display device 110 may be configured to be connected to a power source, such as a power outlet via a power cable, or display device 100 may be connected to a power supply of a display cabinet 200 via a plug-in or connector. In some embodiments, display device 110 may be connected to a solar power source, such as one or more solar cells located on or remote from display device 110.
While some embodiments described herein relate to a display device 110 for use in a display cabinet 200, 600, display device 110 may be used in any of various settings. For example, display device 110 may be arranged on a countertop or tabletop, or may be arranged on another support structure or support surface.
In some embodiments, a display device 110 may be arranged on a display rack 300, as shown in
As shown in
First platform 310 may be the uppermost platform of display rack 300. First platform 310 may have a square configuration so as to support multiple rows of packaged beverages 500, as shown in
In some embodiments, frame 340 and platforms 310, 320 may be formed from wires or wire mesh. This may help to promote air circulation around packaged beverages arranged on display rack 300. For example, each platform 310 may include a plurality of spaced parallel wires connected and supported by crosspieces. However, in some embodiments, frame 340 and platforms 310, 320 may be formed from plastic, metal, or glass sheets or panels.
In some embodiments, an upstanding wall 316, 326 may extend along at least a portion of the perimeter 315, 325 of each platform 310, 320. As shown in
While embodiments described herein primarily refer to a display rack 300 having platforms 310, 320 with a rectangular or square configuration, platforms may have alternate shapes. In some embodiments, for example, platforms may have a curvature, and may have an arced shape. Thus, display rack 300 may have an amphitheater shape. Further, platforms may have a serpentine or undulating shape to provide additional visual interest.
In some embodiments, display rack 300 may include securement devices for securing display rack 300 to a support structure. In
In some embodiments, display rack 300 may further include a gravity dispenser 380 configured to convey packaged beverages to a front of display rack 300 for easy access by consumers, as shown in
Gravity dispenser 380 may further include dividers 386 extending upward from base 381 to help maintain packaged beverages 500 in an upright orientation and to restrain lateral movement of packaged beverages 500 on platform 310, such that packaged beverages 500 may only move in a direction toward front end 382 of display rack 300. In some embodiments, panel 120 of display device 110 arranged at front end of platform 310 may similarly be sloped to allow packaged beverages 500 to slide from gravity dispenser 380 onto panel 120 and toward front end 122 of panel 120. Panel 120 of display device 110 and base 381 of gravity dispenser 380 may be sloped at the same angle. Top surface 125 of panel 120 may form a continuous surface with top 385 of base 381 so that packaged beverages 500 may readily slide from base 381 of gravity dispenser 380 onto panel 120 of display device 110 when a packaged beverage 500 in a front row of platform 310 is removed.
In some embodiments, display rack 300 may include a spring-driven dispenser 390 for conveying packaged beverages toward a front end of display rack 300 for easy access by consumers, as shown in
In some embodiments, a display device 110 may be in communication with a control unit 150 that controls illumination of light source 140 of display device 110, as shown in
Control unit 150 may cause display devices 110A, 110B to illuminate in a sequence or pattern. A light source 140 of a display device 110 may be illuminated in a pattern or to provide a visual effect. For example, control unit 150 may illuminate light source 140A to sequentially illuminate the bottles in a row, such that a first bottle A is illuminated, a second bottle B is illuminated as the first bottle A ceases to be illuminated, and a third bottle C is illuminated as the second bottle B ceases to be illuminated, and so on. Alternatively, the first bottle A may illuminate, the second bottle B may illuminate with the first bottle A still illuminated, and the third bottle C may illuminate with the first and second bottles A, B still illuminated. In another example, the light source 140A may illuminate bottles A, B, C at a low intensity and the intensity of illumination may increase to a maximum and then decrease to provide a pulsing effect. In another example, light source 140A may illuminate the bottles in the row in a random pattern, such as A, C, B, C, etc.
In some embodiments, a second display device 110B may also be in communication with control unit 150. Control unit 150 may control operation of both first display device 110A and second display device 110B. Control unit 150 may illuminate first display device 110A and subsequently illuminate second display device 110B. For example, each of bottles A, B, C may be illuminated, and then each of bottles D, E, F may be illuminated as A, B, C cease to be illuminated. In another example, the bottles in each row may illuminate sequentially such as by illuminated in order bottles A, B, C, D, E, and F. In another example, bottles may be illuminated in a random pattern e.g., E, A, C, D, B, F, etc.
If programmable logic is used, such logic may execute on a commercially available processing platform or a special purpose device. One of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can be practiced with various computer system configurations, including multi-core multiprocessor systems, minicomputers, and mainframe computers, computer linked or clustered with distributed functions, as well as pervasive or miniature computers that may be embedded into virtually any device.
For instance, at least one processor device and a memory may be used to implement the above described embodiments. A processor device may be a single processor, a plurality of processors, or combinations thereof. Processor devices may have one or more processor “cores.”
Various embodiments of the invention(s) may be implemented in terms of this example computer system 1700. After reading this description, it will become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art how to implement one or more of the invention(s) using other computer systems and/or computer architectures. Although operations may be described as a sequential process, some of the operations may in fact be performed in parallel, concurrently, and/or in a distributed environment, and with program code stored locally or remotely for access by single or multi-processor machines. In addition, in some embodiments the order of operations may be rearranged without departing from the spirit of the disclosed subject matter.
Processor device 1704 may be a special purpose or a general purpose processor device. As will be appreciated by persons skilled in the relevant art, processor device 1704 may also be a single processor in a multi-core/multiprocessor system, such system operating alone, or in a cluster of computing devices operating in a cluster or server farm. Processor device 1704 is connected to a communication infrastructure 1706, for example, a bus, message queue, network, or multi-core message-passing scheme.
Computer system 1700 also includes a main memory 1708, for example, random access memory (RAM), and may also include a secondary memory 1710. Secondary memory 1710 may include, for example, a hard disk drive 1712, or removable storage drive 1714. Removable storage drive 1714 may include a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, a flash memory, or the like. The removable storage drive 1714 reads from and/or writes to a removable storage unit 1718 in a well-known manner. Removable storage unit 1718 may include a floppy disk, magnetic tape, optical disk, a universal serial bus (USB) drive, etc. which is read by and written to by removable storage drive 1714. As will be appreciated by persons skilled in the relevant art, removable storage unit 1718 includes a computer usable storage medium having stored therein computer software and/or data.
Computer system 1700 (optionally) includes a display interface 1702 (which can include input and output devices such as keyboards, mice, etc.) that forwards graphics, text, and other data from communication infrastructure 1706 (or from a frame buffer not shown) for display on display unit 1730.
In alternative implementations, secondary memory 1710 may include other similar means for allowing computer programs or other instructions to be loaded into computer system 1700. Such means may include, for example, a removable storage unit 1722 and an interface 1720. Examples of such means may include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such as that found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an EPROM, or PROM) and associated socket, and other removable storage units 1722 and interfaces 1720 which allow software and data to be transferred from the removable storage unit 1722 to computer system 1700.
Computer system 1700 may also include a communication interface 1724. Communication interface 1724 allows software and data to be transferred between computer system 1700 and external devices. Communication interface 1724 may include a modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet card), a communication port, a PCMCIA slot and card, or the like. Software and data transferred via communication interface 1724 may be in the form of signals, which may be electronic, electromagnetic, optical, or other signals capable of being received by communication interface 1724. These signals may be provided to communication interface 1724 via a communication path 1726. Communication path 1726 carries signals and may be implemented using wire or cable, fiber optics, a phone line, a cellular phone link, an RF link or other communication channels.
In this document, the terms “computer program medium” and “computer usable medium” are used to generally refer to media such as removable storage unit 1718, removable storage unit 1722, and a hard disk installed in hard disk drive 1712. Computer program medium and computer usable medium may also refer to memories, such as main memory 1708 and secondary memory 1710, which may be memory semiconductors (e.g. DRAMs, etc.).
Computer programs (also called computer control logic) are stored in main memory 1708 and/or secondary memory 1710. Computer programs may also be received via communication interface 1724. Such computer programs, when executed, enable computer system 1700 to implement the embodiments as discussed herein. In particular, the computer programs, when executed, enable processor device 1704 to implement the processes of the embodiments discussed here. Accordingly, such computer programs represent controllers of the computer system 1700. Where the embodiments are implemented using software, the software may be stored in a computer program product and loaded into computer system 1700 using removable storage drive 1714, interface 1720, and hard disk drive 1712, or communication interface 1724.
Embodiments of the invention(s) also may be directed to computer program products comprising software stored on any computer useable medium. Such software, when executed in one or more data processing device, causes a data processing device(s) to operate as described herein. Embodiments of the invention(s) may employ any computer useable or readable medium. Examples of computer useable mediums include, but are not limited to, primary storage devices (e.g., any type of random access memory), secondary storage devices (e.g., hard drives, floppy disks, CD ROMS, ZIP disks, tapes, magnetic storage devices, and optical storage devices, MEMS, nanotechnological storage device, etc.).
It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description section, and not the Summary and Abstract sections, is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or more but not all exemplary embodiments of the present invention(s) as contemplated by the inventors, and thus, are not intended to limit the present invention(s) and the appended claims in any way.
The present invention has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention(s) that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, and without departing from the general concept of the present invention(s). Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance herein.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 202041030501 | Jul 2020 | IN | national |
