Patent Publication Number: US-2006000848-A1

Title: Dispenser with integral display surfaces

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      The current application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. provisional patent application filed on Apr. 22, 2004, entitled “Dispenser With Integral Display,” having Ser. No. 60/564,635, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention relates to dispenser devices having one or more integral display surfaces that can display indicia such as, for example, advertisements, promotions and the like. More particularly, the invention relates to dispenser devices having integral display surfaces that can be easily interchanged or altered to facilitate updating the displayed indicia.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Products such as candy, gum other items are often placed in vending machines or dispenser devices where they are available to persons wishing to purchase items, and are secured from being stolen or tampered with. Typically, these vending machines are kept in relatively inaccessible places in retail stores because the space occupied by the vending machines are desirable for retail sales displays and the like. Additionally, retailers often charge owners of the vending machines a rental fee for the space occupied by these devices.  
      There is then a need for a dispenser device that an establishment owner will be willing to place in more accessible or prominent locations within the establishment. There is also a need for a dispenser device that can provide additional sources of revenue for the owner of the dispenser device beyond revenue from products dispensed from vending machines.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention is directed towards improved dispenser devices having one or more vending machines and at least one display surface that can display desired indicia including sales related media to consumers. Generally, the dispenser device will have a base portion, a top portion, and a vending machine receiving portion between the base portion and the top portion. Outside facing surfaces of the dispensing device may include front and side panels on the bottom portion, side panels on vending machine receiving portion as well as a facia, back and side panels of the top portion. The dispenser can include one or more display surfaces on the outside facing surfaces of the dispenser device having printed indicia located thereon.  
      Additionally, the dispenser devices can include a lens portion attached to the back panel above the one or more vending machines, which can provide a viewing surface for displaying written text, graphics or other indicia. In some embodiments, the lens can be formed from glass, Plexiglas or a dry erase board. Alternately, the dispenser device can include a screen which can be an active display such as a computer monitor or the like.  
      Due to the presence of the lens or screen and the one or more display surfaces, the improved dispenser devices can display indicia such as graphics, which can facilitate placing the improved dispenser devices in desirable or high traffic area of a store or restaurant. In some embodiments, the dispenser devices can include a light source, which can illuminate the lens, or other desired surfaces of the dispenser device, such that the indicia including graphics and/or text can be easily viewed by an observer. In some embodiments, the panels of the dispenser device having outside facing surfaces including, for example, the side panels, the front panels and the facia, or the display surfaces themselves can be interchangeable, thereby facilitating rotation or updating of the indicia displayed on the dispenser device.  
      The dispenser devices of the present disclosure provide display surfaces for showing indicia such as, for example, advertising or promotions for a retail store or restaurant. Some of the display surfaces, such as the outside facing surfaces of the facia, front, left and right panels, may display advertising thereon which is reasonably permanent and may not be easily changed. However, one or more of the display surfaces may display indicia that can be easily changed as desired. For example, the indicia can be easily changed by printing the indicia on interchangeable panels, writing the indicia on a rewritable surface such as glass or Plexiglas, displaying the indicia on a computer screen, television monitor or the like, or combinations thereof. These display surfaces are desirable because they have a more pleasing appearance and may become a source of advertising revenue. In addition, these display surfaces are also desirable because they provide a surface on which noticeable and easily changeable indicia can be displayed to provide customer related information such as promotions and/or advertisements.  
      A portion, or all, of the panels of the dispenser devices having an outside facing surface can be interchangeable panels, which facilitates replacing one panel(s) with another panel(s) having different indicia printed thereon. In some embodiments, the panels of the dispenser devices having an outside facing surface can include magnetic portions, which allows the display surfaces to be removeably secured such that the display surfaces can be easily applied and removed from the dispenser device. Materials having a magnetized surface and a non-magnetized surface are described in, for example U.S. Pat. No. 6,436,520, entitled “Magnetic Display Device,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. In other embodiments, the panels of the dispenser devices having an outside facing surface can be removeably secured to the dispenser device by, for example, adhesives, set screws, pins and combinations thereof. In further embodiments, the corners and/or periphery portions of the dispenser device can be provided with clip-like engagement members that can secure and hold the display surfaces in desired orientations.  
      The dispenser devices of the present disclosure can include a plurality of sections that can be operably coupled to form the dispenser device. In one embodiment, the dispenser device can include a first section defining an interior storage region, a second section above the first section having an opening adapted to receive at least one vending machine or dispensing apparatus and a third section above the second section having a lens or screen. In some embodiments, the first, second and third sections can be distinct assemblies that are combined to form the final dispenser device, while in other embodiments, the first and third sections can be distinct sections that can be operably coupled to form and define the second section.  
      In a first aspect, the invention pertains to a dispenser device including a first portion having first and second side panels, a top panel, a back panel, a facia portion and a lens or screen operably coupled to the first and second side panels and a second portion having an opening adapted to receive at least one vending machine. In these embodiments, the dispenser device can further include a third portion having a front panel, a back panel, first and second side panels and a base panel operably coupled to define an interior space, wherein the front panel is hingedly coupled to the first side panel such that the front panel can be moved from an open position to a closed position. In these embodiments, at least one vending machine can be positioned within the opening of the second portion, the vending machine having a product storage container operably coupled to a dispenser mechanism.  
      In a second aspect, the invention pertains to a method of dispensing a product including the step of providing a dispenser device comprising a first portion having a lens or screen and a second portion having at least one vending machine, the vending machine having a product storage container operably coupled to a dispenser mechanism. In these embodiments, the method can further include the step of removeably securing a panel to the dispenser, the panel having indicia printed on at least one surface of the panel.  
      It is one feature of the present dispenser to provide display surfaces on which indicia are present. The indicia can include, for example, text, graphics, logos, trademarks, advertisements, promotional literature, and combinations thereof.  
      It is another feature of the present dispenser to provide at least one display surface in which indicia can be changed as desired.  
      It is still another feature of the present dispenser that the display surface on which indicia can be changed as desired, and can be illuminated.  
      It is an advantage of the foregoing features that advertising can be present on the display surfaces.  
      It is another advantage of the foregoing features that the device will be more attractive to retailers, thereby the device will be more likely to occupy desirable retail space.  
      It is still another advantage of the foregoing features that the indicia can be a source of advertising income to retailers and owners of the present device.  
      It is yet still another advantage of the foregoing features that retailers can display information that can be changed as desired.  
      It is yet still another advantage of the foregoing features that the changeable information displayed is readily noticeable to customers. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       FIG. 1  is a front view of one embodiment of a dispenser with an integral display of this invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  showing one type of indicia present on the outside surfaces thereof and depicting erasable indicia present on a lens.  
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  showing another type of indicia present on the outside surfaces thereof and displaying nonerasable indicia from behind the lens.  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  showing yet another type of indicia present on the outside surfaces thereof and displaying erasable indicia present on the lens.  
       FIG. 6  is a front view of another embodiment of a bulk dispenser with integral display having six vending machines.  
       FIG. 7  is a side view of the dispenser of  FIG. 6 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      An embodiment of a dispenser having integral display surfaces is depicted in  FIGS. 1-3  at  100 , and can include a first portion  102 , a second portion  104 , and a third portion  106 . As described above, first portion  102 , second portion  104  and third portion  106  can be distinct portions that are combined to form dispenser  100 . Alternatively, first section  102  and third section  106  can be distinct sections that can be operably coupled to form and define second section  104 .  
      First portion  102  can include a top  110  panel, a facia  112 , a back panel  114 , first side panel  116 , and second side panel  118 . In embodiments where first portion  102  and third portion  106  can be operably coupled to define and form second section  104 , first section  102  can further include a bottom panel. The first and second side panels  116 ,  118  can each define a generally axial slot  120  and  122 , respectively, which can slidably accommodate lens  124 . In some embodiments, lens  124  may be made from materials, such as glass, Plexiglas or a dry erase board, which can erasably retain markings from, for example, fluorescent markers. In these embodiments, indicia can be applied to the lens using a suitable marker, and can be updated and changed as desired. In other embodiments, a screen such as, for example, a computer monitor, liquid crystal display (LCD), light-emitting diode (LED) display, television or the like, which facilitates displaying animated indicia, including text and/or graphics, on dispenser  100  may be included in place of the lens.  
      One or more light sources  126  can be provided on the interior and/or exterior surfaces of dispenser  100  to illuminate desired surfaces of dispenser  100 . Light source  126  can be, for example, a black light, a fluorescent light, an incandescent light, a floodlight or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, light source  126  can be a 10-20 Watt black light powered by a 120 Volt outlet. In some embodiments, light source  126  may be operably mounted to an inner surface of first portion  102  such as, for example, an inner surface facia  112 , to illuminate lens  124 . Additionally or alternatively, one or more light sources can be positioned to illuminate the outside surfaces of side panels  116 ,  118  and/or facia  112 . It is to be appreciated that light source  126  may be of any suitable wattage, and the wattage of the light source(s), as well as the number of light sources, employed in a particular embodiment can be guided by the size of the desired illuminated area and the degree to which the desired indicia are to be illuminated.  
      As described above, second portion  104  can include an opening or recess adapted to receive at least one vending machine or dispenser. In some embodiments, second portion  104  can include respective first and second top panels  140  and  142 , a back panel  144  (which is optionally integral with the back panel  114 ), respective first and second side panels  146  and  148  (also optionally integral with first and second side panels  116 ,  118 ), and a bottom panel  150  to define an opening  152 . In other embodiments, second portion  104 , and opening  152 , can be formed and defined by operably coupling first portion  102  and third portion  106 . At least one device, such as vending machines  154 ,  156  and  158 , may be securably disposed in second portion  104  such that the devices are viewable via the opening  152 . Although  FIGS. 1-3  depict and embodiment having three vending machines disposed in second section  104 , embodiments are contemplated having 1,2, and 4-6 vending machines disposed within second section  104 . In some embodiments, back panel  144  can include an opening covered by hinged door  160  and secured by lock  162 . In these embodiments, door  160  can be opened to provide access to, for example, the cash boxes of vending machines  154 ,  156 , and  158 .  
      Third portion  106  can include a front panel  170 , a back panel  172  (which is optionally integral with the back panels  144  and  114 ), respective first and second side panels  174  and  176  (also optionally integral with the left and right panels  146  and  148  and  116  and  118 ), and a base  178 . In embodiments where first section  102  and third section  106  can be operably coupled to form and define second section  102 , third portion  106  can further include a top panel. In the embodiment depicted, front panel  170  is hinged to first side panel  174  and is secured by lock  180 . Panels  170 ,  172 ,  174 , and  176 , and base  178  can be operably coupled to define a storage area  182 , which can be used to store, for example, additional product for refilling vending machines  154 ,  156 ,  158  disposed in second section  104 . In some embodiments, one or more of the panels that form third section  106  can comprise a vent  181  to facilitate airflow into and out of storage area  182 . In some embodiments, base  178  can include a plurality of casters  183 , which facilitates moving dispenser  100  to different locations within a store or restaurant. In some embodiments, casters  183  can include a locking mechanism to reduce movement of dispenser  100  once dispenser  100  has been positioned in a desired location. Suitable casters are sold by, for example, Algood Casters Limited (Toronto, Ontario).  
      Referring to  FIGS. 3-7 , each of the instant facia, front, side panels may include indicia as indicated at  184 ,  186 , and  188  displayed thereon. The indicia  184 ,  186 , and  188  may be imprinted directly on the surfaces of these elements. Alternatively, the indicia may be printed on separate panels or the like and held in place on the surfaces by adhesives, magnets, pins, set screw, clips or the like. In other embodiments, the separate panels printed with indicia thereon may be held in place between the instant facia, front, and side panels and by a clear outer materials such as Plexiglas or the like. As more fully explained below, indicia as indicated at  190  in  FIGS. 3 and 5  may be removably placed on lens  124 . In addition, indicia, such as indicated at  192  in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , may be displayed behind lens  124 . The indicia  130  may be printed on separate panels held in place between the lens  124  and the back  114 .  
      In use, one or more vending machines can be disposed and optionally secured in the second portion  104  of the instant dispenser so that the front of the vending machines is visible and accessible to purchasers. The purchasers may purchase items by depositing money in the vending machines and receiving products therefrom. Items, such as additional products to be dispensed by the vending machines, markers, erasers and cleaning products, may be stored in the storage area  182  until needed for use. Additionally, further indicia may be placed on lens  124  in the manner depicted in  FIG. 3  and indicated at  190 . The indicia  190 , in the embodiment shown, displays information that can be changed as desired, for example, a menu changing daily. If a black light is present, and the indicia are written with a fluorescent marker, the indicia are emphasized and more easily noticed by potential customers. The information presented by the indicia can be changed as desired by erasing the markings and scripting updated information such as, for example, a new daily menu, sale or other promotion. The embodiments shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  at  200  and  210 , respectively, illustrates different information that can be displayed on lens  124 . As depicted in  FIG. 4 , indicia  192  can include a advertising circular, or other promotion literature, operably coupled to an inside surface of lens  124  such that the advertising circular is visible through lens  124 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , dispenser and display  220  is shown to demonstrate an embodiment with a plurality (e.g., six) of vending machines. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the dimensions of the instant dispenser and display are variable in response to such factors as available space to accommodate the device and available space for the indicia.  
      The embodiments above are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Additional embodiments are within the claims. Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.