Refrigeration – With indicator or tester – Diverse function indicators or testers
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-31
2001-01-09
Bayerl, Raymond J. (Department: 2773)
Refrigeration
With indicator or tester
Diverse function indicators or testers
C345S960000, C340S547000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170273
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a display unit for the distribution of products, in particular to a refrigerated display unit for food products such as ice cream and the like.
More specifically, the subject of the invention is a display unit which comprises a cabinet in the form of a chest defining an environment intended to contain the products and having an access aperture at the top.
Cabinets of the above type are widely used for the distribution of products, in particular ice cream and the like, for example in supermarkets and other points of distribution/sale such as cafes and other commercial premises.
Prior art cabinets are essentially containers for conserving the products which, in use, are either removed directly by the customer or by a sales or distribution assistant.
In the case of products such as ice cream and the like, the climate in such cabinets is regulated by thermostat-controlled refrigeration systems of a type known per se.
Until now, the design of such cabinets has generally been aimed at merely fulfilling the essential functional requirement of containing the products, and possibly keeping them at a given temperature, and enabling them to be removed more or less easily.
In a few cases, while fulfilling the basic functional requirements, attention has been given to the aesthetics of the design, so as to give the cabinet a more attractive and pleasing appearance.
The functional characteristics of such units have, however, remained essentially unchanged.
With the above in mind, a main object of the present invention is to provide a display unit of the type described above which, in addition to fulfilling the aforesaid essential functional requirements, encourages interaction with the customer, thereby making it generally more “appealing” and thus more likely to promote the purchase of the products.
This and other objects are achieved according to the invention by providing a unit for the distribution of products having a cabinet which defines an environment for containing the products and which has a top access opening. This unit includes an electric or electronic display panel arranged near the top access opening and operable to generate a plurality of predetermined visual displays. A control means operable by a user, generates these visual displays on the display panel, which also presents static images of the products contained in the unit along with associated luminous devices that can be selectively activated by commands from a user in operating the control means. This display unit is particularly useful for refrigerated products such as ice cream and the like.
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description which follows, provided purely by way of non-limitative example, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
REFERENCES:
patent: 3759059 (1973-09-01), Kenyon
patent: 4274267 (1981-06-01), James et al.
patent: 4359631 (1982-11-01), Lockwood et al.
patent: 4414768 (1983-11-01), Bachmann et al.
patent: 4449761 (1984-05-01), Davis
patent: 4454670 (1984-06-01), Bachmann
patent: 4551935 (1985-11-01), Bachmann et al.
patent: 4602827 (1986-07-01), Cassanova
patent: 4646528 (1987-03-01), Marcade
patent: 5117407 (1992-05-01), Vogel
patent: 5159560 (1992-10-01), Newell et al.
patent: 5593017 (1997-01-01), Powell
patent: 5839112 (1998-11-01), Screitmueller
patent: 2 289 971 (1995-12-01), None
patent: WO 89/07807 (1989-08-01), None
Bayerl Raymond J.
Joseph Thomas
Nestec S.A.
Pennie & Edmonds LLP
LandOfFree
Interactive display unit for refrigerated foods does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Interactive display unit for refrigerated foods, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Interactive display unit for refrigerated foods will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2461396