Abstract:
An advertising apparatus for placement on a food cart or “duty free” cart permits the passenger to readily identify that “duty free” sale is taking place. The advertising apparatus also permit vendors and manufacturers of the “duty free” items to advertise their products directly on the cart for clear viewing by the passenger. It is further envisioned that the advertising apparatus may be mounted to the service cart at any time to enable third party advertising even when “duty free” sale is not taking place, e.g., during the distribution of food, snacks, meals etc. during the flight.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/876,392 filed Dec. 21, 2006, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure generally relates to advertising instrumentalities and methodologies and, in particular, relates to an advertising apparatus for a food service or “duty free” cart to provide a means for third party vendors to advertise retail products and services, and/or facilitate immediate recognition of “duty free” sales during domestic and/or international flights. 
     2. Discussion of Related Art 
     Food service carts in airplanes are typically utilized to distribute food and drinks during a flight. In international flights, the food service or “duty free” cart may be used for “duty free” sale of goods, items, liquor, electronic equipment, etc. 
     One difficulty encountered with the “duty free” sale of items during a flight is the passenger&#39;s inability to recognize that such sale is taking place. In particular, during the “duty free” sale period, the flight attendant typically advances the food service cart down the aisle for potential sale of items to the passengers. However, the cart often is not recognizable to the passenger as a “duty free” cart for selling “duty free” items, but, in most instances, is viewed as a food cart for the mere distribution of food and drink items. Thus, the passenger has no advance notice of the ability to purchase items from the “duty free” cart. As a direct consequence, the sale of “duty free” items does not realize its potential during an air flight. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, the present disclosure is directed to an advertising apparatus for placement on a food cart or “duty free” cart to enable the passenger to readily identify that “duty free” sale is taking place. The advertising apparatus also permit vendors and manufacturers of the “duty free” items to advertise their products directly on the cart for clear viewing by the passenger. It is further envisioned that the advertising apparatus may be mounted to the service cart at any time to enable third party advertising even when “duty free” sale is not taking place, e.g., during the distribution of food, snacks, meals etc. during the flight. 
     In one embodiment, an apparatus for conveying information relating to commercial goods is adapted for use with a cart of the type used in commercial travel. The cart has a general box like appearance with a pair of side vertical cart walls, a pair of front and rear vertical cart walls and a recessed upper horizontal cart which defines a peripheral wall segment at least partially circumscribing the upper horizontal cart wall. The apparatus includes a plurality of generally flexible interconnected panels. The panels include a centrally positioned panel adapted for placement adjacent the upper horizontal cart wall and opposed longitudinal edges and opposed transverse edges, a pair of upper side panels adapted for placement adjacent the side vertical cart walls and having advertising media displayed on a viewing surface thereof, and first and second intermediate panels connecting each of the upper side panels with the centrally positioned panel. The first intermediate panel is foldably connected to the longitudinal edge of the centrally positioned panel and defines a width generally corresponding in dimension to a height of the peripheral wall segment of the cart. The second intermediate panel is foldably connected to the first intermediate panel and to the upper side panel and defines a width generally corresponding in dimension to the width of the peripheral wall segment of the cart. The dimensioning of the centrally positioned panel and the first and second intermediate panels permits the interconnected panels to be placed in juxtaposed relation to the walls of the cart with minimal extension of the interconnected panels beyond the cart&#39;s dimensioning. Furthermore, the interconnected panels are adapted to fold onto each other to assume a folded condition for storage within a shelf of the cart. 
     A pair of lower side panels may be foldably connected to the upper side panels with at least one of the lower side panels having advertising media displayed on a viewing surface thereof. At least one of the upper side panels may include a pocket which defines an access opening for selective reception and removal of an advertising insert. At least some of the adjacent panels may be interconnected through a plurality of discrete and spaced connecting tabs which are separated by slots. The connecting tabs are dimensioned to displace the adjacent panels relative to each other to facilitate folding of the adjacent panels. 
     The centrally positioned panel may extend along substantially the length of the upper horizontal wall of the cart. A front panel may be foldably connected adjacent one of the transverse edges of the central panel and adapted for positioning against the front vertical cart wall. With this arrangement, third and fourth intermediate panels may connect the centrally positioned panel and the front panel. The third intermediate panel is foldably connected to the transverse edge of the centrally positioned panel and defines a width generally corresponding in dimension to a height of the peripheral wall segment of the cart. The fourth intermediate panel is foldably connected to the third intermediate panel and to the front panel and defines a width generally corresponding in dimension to the width of the peripheral wall segment of the cart. The front panel may include advertising media displayed on a viewing surface thereof. A second front panel may be foldably connected to the first mentioned front panel. 
     The panels may be encapsulated within a polymeric overlay. 
     An advertising method for conveying advertising information on a cart of the type used in air travel with the apparatus is also disclosed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and, together with a general description of the disclosure given above, and the detailed description of the embodiment(s) given below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional duty free or food cart utilized during air travel and further illustrating the advertising apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure in a folded condition and positioned within one of the shelves in the cart; 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of the advertising apparatus illustrating the panels in a fully unfolded condition; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the advertising apparatus positioned on the duty free cart; 
         FIG. 3A  is an enlarged isolated view of the area of detail indicated in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of the advertising apparatus illustrating the panels residing on the front or rear cart wall of the duty free cart; 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of the advertising apparatus illustrating the panels residing on a side cart wall of the duty free cart; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an advertising apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure and positioned on a duty free cart; 
         FIG. 7  is a plan view of the advertising apparatus of  FIG. 7  illustrating the panels in the fully unfolded condition; 
         FIG. 7A  is an enlarged isolated view of the area of detail indicated in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIGS. 8A-8D  are a sequence of views illustrating one methodology for folding the advertising apparatus of  FIG. 6  for placement within a shelf of the duty free cart; 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged view of a section of another alternate embodiment of the advertising apparatus of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 10  is a view illustrating a methodology of folding the advertising apparatus of  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings attached hereto wherein like reference numerals identify similar or like components throughout the several views.  FIG. 1  illustrates the advertising apparatus for use with a food cart or “duty free” cart in accordance with the present disclosure.  FIG. 1  depicts a conventional food or “duty free” cart utilized on an airplane. The cart, identified generally by reference numeral  10 , is box like in appearance and consists of a pair of side vertical panels or cart walls  12 , a vertical rear cart wall  14  and a vertical front cart wall  16 . The vertical front cart wall  16  is typically retractable to open and close to permit access to the interior of the cart  10 . The cart  10  further includes lower and upper horizontal walls  18 ,  20 , and may be mounted on rollers  22  or the like to facilitate transport, e.g., down the vessel&#39;s aisle. Disposed within the interior of the cart is a plurality of opposed horizontal rails  24  which accommodate shelving or trays to support the items within the cart. 
     Upper horizontal wall  20  is typically recessed relative to side walls  12 , rear wall  14  and front wall  16  to define peripheral wall segment  26  circumscribing the upper horizontal wall  20 . Peripheral wall segment  26  is inclusive of side wall segments  28  and front and rear wall segments  30 ,  32 . Peripheral wall segment  26  defines a peripheral boundary for upper horizontal wall  20  to assist in retaining food articles on the upper horizontal wall  20  when cart  10  is used to service passengers in its normal capacity. 
     Although the configuration of commercially available duty free carts are substantially similar for most airlines, the dimensioning of the carts may differ slightly. For exemplative purposes, the height, depth and width of the cart may range as follows: 
     a) height from about 30 inches to about 45 inches; 
     b) depth from about 15 inches to about 25 inches; and 
     c) width ranging from about 8 inches to about 14 inches. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates the advertising apparatus  100  in a fully folded condition and positioned on opposed rails  24  within cart  10 . As shown, the dimensioning of apparatus  100  in the folded condition is selected to generally approximate at least the width of the interior of cart  10  to fit neatly within the cart  10  on a single shelf defined by rails  24 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 2 , the advertising apparatus  100  will be discussed.  FIG. 2  depicts the advertising apparatus  100  in plan view and in a fully unfolded condition. Advertising apparatus  100  includes a plurality of panels foldably connected to each other and adapted to fold onto each other to assume a generally flat panel folded condition for storage as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In one embodiment, advertising apparatus  100  includes first centrally positioned row  102  of four panels  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c ,  102   d , and second and third rows  104 ,  106  of the panels on each side of the centrally positioned row  102 . Each second row  104  includes two panels  104   a ,  104   b  which are connected to respective panels  102   c ,  102   d  of the first centrally positioned row  102 . Each third row  106  includes two panels  106   a ,  106   b  which are connected to respective panels  104   a ,  104   b  of the second rows  104 . Each of the connected panels of the first, second and third rows  102 ,  104 ,  106  may be connected to respective adjacent panels by fold lines and, in some instances, double fold or hinge lines. For example, centrally positioned panels  102   c ,  102   d  are each respectively connected to panels  104   a ,  104   b  of second row  104  through a set of first and second intermediate panels  108 ,  110 . In particular, centrally positioned panels  102   c ,  102   d  are foldably connected along their respective longitudinal edges to first intermediate panels  108 . Second intermediate panels  110  are foldably connected to first intermediate panels  108  and panels  104   a ,  104   b  along respective longitudinal edges thereof. In addition, panel  102   b  is connected to panel  102   c  of first row  102  through third and fourth intermediate panels  112 ,  114 . It is noted that in one embodiment, adjacent panels  104   a ,  104   b  are not connected to each other, and, similarly, adjacent panels  106   a ,  106   b  are not connected to each other. Furthermore, first, second, third and fourth intermediate panels  108 ,  110 ,  112 ,  114  may be subdivided into two sections along e.g., their respective midlines. This arrangement may facilitate folding of advertising apparatus  100  upon itself to assume its folded condition. 
     The particular dimensioning of the panels of apparatus  100  may be varied in accordance with the size of cart  10 , and are intended to generally correspond to the respective dimensions of the walls of the cart  10  upon which the panels are to be positioned. However, in one preferred embodiment, panels  102   c ,  102   d  preferably define a width corresponding to the width of upper horizontal cart wall  20 . In addition, first intermediate panel  108  may defines a width generally approximating the height of side wall segment  28  of peripheral wall segment  26  and second intermediate panel  110  may define a width generally approximating the width of side wall segment  28 . Similarly third and fourth intermediate panels  110 ,  112  define respective widths approximating the height and width of front or rear wall segment  30 ,  32  of peripheral wall segment  26 . 
     Advertising apparatus  100  may be formed from a sheet(s) of SBS bituminous material, polyethylene films, corrugated cardboard, a polymeric material, Tyvek etc, or any other suitable material having some rigidity to withstand normal wear and tear encountered during use. The panels may have a gloss or laminate coating. The panels are preferably die cut to the predetermined dimensions. The single and double fold lines forming first, second, third and fourth intermediate panels  108 ,  110 ,  112 ,  114  may also be die cut and may be in the form of perforated score lines or the like. In the alternative, the panels may be interconnected through living hinges or the like. In one embodiment, the panels are relatively flexible. 
       FIGS. 3-5  illustrate the advertising apparatus  100  mounted on the cart  10 . As shown, panels  102   c ,  102   d  of the first centrally positioned row  102  of panels are positioned on the upper horizontal cart wall  20  while remaining panels  102   a ,  102   b  fold along third and fourth intermediate panels  110 ,  112  to rest upon the front cart wall  16  or optionally, on rear vertical cart wall  14 . Second row  104  of the panels fold along first and second intermediate panels  108 ,  110  to rest upon the vertical side cart walls  12  as shown, and the third rows  106  of panels depend from the respective second rows  104  of panels also to be positioned on the vertical side cart walls  12 . The particular dimensioning of first, second, third and fourth intermediate panels  108 ,  110 ,  112 ,  114  correspond to the height and width of the peripheral wall segments  28 ,  30  to thereby ensure that apparatus  100  is draped about the cart  10  in juxtaposed relation with the cart walls  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  20  with minimal extension of the interconnected panels beyond the carts dimensions, and permits panels  102   c ,  102   d  to reside flat against upper horizontal cart wall  20 . This facilitates securement of the apparatus  100  on cart  10  and transport and manipulation of the cart  10  about the vessel. 
     Panels  104   a ,  104   b ,  106   a ,  106   b  may incorporate advertising indicia or information positioned on a viewing surface to be clearly viewed by the passenger during maneuvering of the cart  10  along the aisle. Moreover, any of the panels may have an advertisement “A” associated therewith to permit vendors to advertise as desired. Alternatively, the panels or placards may serve as the advertising medium upon which the advertisements, logos etc. are printed or drawn. As a further alternative, any of the panels may incorporate transparent pockets  116  having an access opening  118  to receive advertising brochures or placards. One such pocket  116  is depicted in the isolated view of  FIG. 3A  and may incorporate a transparent material affixed to the respective panel along three sides of the pocket  116 . 
     In addition, panels  102   a ,  102   b  may also include advertising information and/or writing or symbols or a pocket  116  with associated advertising placard “p”. When panels  102   a ,  102   b  are positioned on front cart wall  16 , the advertisements will readily apprise passengers of the upcoming duty free sales period. 
     Another feature of the present disclosure is the ability to fold the advertising apparatus  100  onto itself to form an arrangement where the panels are in folded superposed relation.  FIG. 1  illustrates the fully folded condition of the advertising apparatus  100 . In addition, the panels of the advertising apparatus are preferably dimensioned whereby, in the folded condition, the advertising apparatus  100  may be stored within one of the shelving units defined by rails  24  of the cart  10  thereby enhancing storage and usability of the apparatus. It is further envisioned that a container or package cover may receive or be positioned about the folded advertising apparatus  100  to preserve the condition thereof. 
     Thus, the advertising apparatus of the present disclosure may be placed on the food cart during normal distribution of meals snacks, etc to provide a means for vendors of the like to advertise within the airplane. Additionally, or in the alternative, the advertising apparatus may be mounted on the “duty free” cart prior to “duty free” service. This will advantageously alert the passenger to “duty free” purchasing availability as the passenger views the cart move down the aisle. Furthermore, specific items available for purchase may be advertised on the panels of the advertising apparatus. It is further envisioned that the respective airline could use the advertising apparatus as a medium to announce travel information, reduced fair rates, etc. . . . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6-7 , there is illustrated another embodiment of the present disclosure. Advertising apparatus  200  includes single central panel  202  defining longitudinal axis “x”, and having longitudinal edges  204  and transverse edges  206 . Apparatus  200  further includes upper side panel  208  and lower side panel  210 . Upper side panel  208  is connected to central panel  202  through first and second intermediate panels  212 ,  214 . 
     In accordance with this embodiment, central panel  202  defines a length and width generally approximating the length and width of horizontal cart wall  20  to fit substantially precisely within the confines of peripheral cart wall segment  26 . Similar to the first embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the respective widths of first and second intermediate panels  212 ,  214  generally approximate the height and width of peripheral cart wall segment  26  depending above horizontal cart wall  20  to snugly fit in juxtaposed relation with the wall segments as best depicted in  FIG. 6 . 
     Advertising apparatus  200  may be adapted for a cart  10  of different dimensions than the cart of  FIG. 1 . For example, each of panels  202 ,  208 ,  210 ,  212 ,  214  may define similar longitudinal lengths, e.g., ranging from about 26 inches to about 30 inches. The width of central panel  202  may range from about 10 inches to about 14 inches and the widths of upper and lower side panels  208 ,  210  may range from about 10 inches to about 14 inches. Either or both of upper and lower side panels  208 ,  210  may incorporate at least one pocket  216  for removably receiving a placard “p”. 
       FIG. 7A  illustrates one preferred methodology for connecting each of panels of apparatus  200 . In particular, adjacent panels of apparatus  200  are preferably connected by a plurality, e.g., three or more connecting tabs  218  extending between the adjacent panels which, in the illustration, includes upper and lower side panels  208 ,  210 . Connecting tabs  218  are discrete and are disposed in longitudinal spaced relation between the panels. Connecting tabs  218  are of sufficient length to displace respective adjacent panels  208 ,  210  relative to each other. This arrangement facilitates folding of the adjacent panels  208 ,  210  to their folded condition. In one embodiment, some, possibly, all, of the panels  202 ,  208 ,  210 ,  212 ,  214  are connected to their respective adjacent panels by connecting tabs  218 . 
     Panels  202 ,  208 ,  210 ,  212 ,  214  may be encased within a polymeric laminate which provides structural stability, and significantly increases the shelf life of apparatus  200  permitting, e.g., the apparatus  200 , to be reused a number of times. The laminate encasing preferably provides an outer peripheral sealed edge  220  or extension beyond the peripheries of the panels which further protects the panels from damage. The sealed edge  220  is best disclosed in  FIG. 7B . The laminate may extend over slots  222  defined between adjacent tabs  218 . 
       FIGS. 8A-8B  illustrates one sequence of steps of folding apparatus  200  to assume the folded condition for storage within cart  10 . Initially, lower side panel  210  adjacent a first side of the duty free cart  10  is folded along connecting tabs  218  and slots  222  onto upper panel  208  as shown in  FIG. 8A . The folded lower and upper side panels  208 ,  210  are then folded along second intermediate panel  214  and the first and second intermediate panels  212 ,  214  collapse upon each other as depicted in  FIG. 8B . The procedure is continued on the other side of the cart  10  through the sequence of folds depicted in  FIGS. 8C-8D . In the fully folded condition, panels of apparatus  200  are substantially in juxtaposed relation and fit within the peripheral confines of peripheral wall segment  26  on horizontal cart wall  20 . The folded apparatus  200  may be stored within peripheral segment  26  on horizontal cart wall  20  or on a shelf defined by opposed rails  24  of cart  10  in a similar manner to that described in with the embodiment of  FIG. 1  where the apparatus  200  will be available for subsequent use. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates another alternate embodiment of the present disclosure. This embodiment is substantially similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 6-8 . However, in accordance with this embodiment, panel  202  and first and second intermediate panels  212 ,  214  each include at least one, preferably, a plurality of fold lines. For example, central panel  202  may include additional fold lines  202   a  adjacent each longitudinal edge  204 , and first and second intermediate panels  212 ,  214  may include respective additional fold lines  212   a ,  214   a . Fold lines  202   a  enhance adaptability of central panel  202  to a variety of sizes or different widths of upper horizontal wall  20  depending on the size of or type of cart used. Thus, if central panel  202  is too large in width for the upper horizontal wall  20 , the central panel may be folded along at least one fold line  202   a  to fit within opposed peripheral wall segments  28  of the cart as, e.g., depicted in  FIG. 10 . Fold lines  202   a  may be spaced at predetermined distance or increments. Similarly, fold lines  212   a ,  214   a  of first and second intermediate panels  212 ,  214  enhance adaptability of panels  212 ,  214  to peripheral wall segment  28  having different heights or widths depending on the cart type and size. It is further envisioned that fold lines may be incorporated into third and fourth intermediate panels  112 ,  114  in the embodiment of  FIG. 1  to accommodate variations in the width and height of wall segment  30 . 
     The advertising apparatus and method of use thereof may be used in conjunction with a food cart or “duty free” cart on an airplane or any other means of transportation including ships, trains, buses, or any other commercial or personal modes of transportation. 
     Although the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. For example, one or more of the panels may be removed, altered in dimension or size, relocated, etc. It is appreciated, that the present disclosure is not to be limited to the number of rows, panels and dimensions thereof identified in  FIG. 2 , or  FIG. 7  but, rather, may assume other configurations, sizes, numbers of rows and panels and still achieve the objectives of the present disclosure.