Dispensing – With recorder – register – indicator – signal or exhibitor
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-10
2004-08-31
Nguyen, Dinh Q. (Department: 3752)
Dispensing
With recorder, register, indicator, signal or exhibitor
C222S192000, C222S113000, C222S173000, C141S392000, C141S094000, C221S013000, C221S015000, C040S299010
Reexamination Certificate
active
06783028
ABSTRACT:
The invention disclosed and claimed herein deals with novel fuel dispensing nozzles which are equipped with a system which enables the user to fuel vehicles, while at the same time, participate in a passive or interactive activity such as a novel game, coupon receipt, be exposed to an illumination system (hereinafter intended to include illuminated information areas, illuminated advertising, illuminated advertising display, illumination systems and the like), participate in a survey, or otherwise interact with the system.
The most fundamental use for devices of this invention are for providing a greater customer awareness of store products, services and special sale items, by increasing the convenience of information at the fuel pump, printed or otherwise, along with, or instead of, participation in a variety of games which may be for recreational or entertainment purposes, or may involve prizes and the like. Further, this customer awareness may be enhanced with this invention because of the unique presentation at the pump through the use of an illuminated information area. In addition, this type of device may be entertaining and because it is entertaining, it encourages the customer to remain with the fuel dispensing nozzle during the dispensing of fuel as is required by law and common sense.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention deals with novel fuel dispensing nozzles which are equipped with a system which enables the user to fuel vehicles while at the same time participate in a novel game, receive coupons, or be subjected to an illuminated advertising display or information area. This invention provides a capability of providing enhanced customer awareness through the fueling process of a vehicle. “Games” defined herein is intended to include any game, quiz, or survey mechanism that can be essentially reduced to the size required for the use of the housings of this invention, and as long as the game is capable of providing a response to the use of the fuel dispensing device. Such “games” are, for example, quizzes, board games, games of chance, and other such games that exist or can be created. Examples of board games are checkers, dominoes, and chess. Other games are, for example, roulette, dice, poker, and the like. “Illumination” or “illuminated” as used herein means, but is not limited to, lighting on, in, around, and behind the boot, nozzle or device, via electrical or other illumination or illuminant or luminous systems such as, but not limited to, fluorescent, incandescent, ultraviolet, infrared, laser, fiber optic, light emitting diode (LED), field emitter display (FED), liquid crystal display (LCD), plasma display panel (PDP), holographic and/or electroluminescent, chemiluminescent, photoluminescent, bioluminescent, sonoluminescent, thermoluminescent, types of materials or process or the like, to create such types of materials or processes or the like, to create such illumination or illuminated displays or create illumination or luminous effects.
The devices in their simplest form deal with systems to provide illumination for information, advertisements, create games, or provide coupons or tickets that give the customer special incentives or promotions, or provide gifts or prizes by virtue of being a customer at the store providing the devices.
A device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,170, which issued to Ferguson on Oct. 17, 1995 in which there is described a novel boot and its use on fuel dispensing devices and wherein the boot contains a recording and playback system for messages or sounds as fuel is being pumped into a vehicle. The instant invention is an improvement on those devices and that patent is incorporated herein by reference for all that it teaches about boots, fuel dispensing devices, and methods of dispensing fuel.
Another invention that deals with a boot is that found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,637, which issued Oct. 22, 1991 to Fell in which a message display boot is provided for a fuel dispensing nozzle. The display boot in Fell comprises a flexible plastic boot in close conforming fit over at least the front valve housing of the nozzle and the boot has a message platform upon which rests a printed message placard.
Yet another invention that deals with a fixture for a fuel delivery nozzle is shown in WO 97/02554 in the name of Alvern in which there is shown an information carrying device for a fuel dispensing nozzle which is a container with a cover into which is placed an advertising placard. The container attaches to the handle of the nozzle.
The inventors herein are not aware of any other publications with regard to the invention disclosed and claimed herein.
THE INVENTION
The invention herein deals with novel fuel dispensing nozzles which are equipped with a system which enables the user to fuel vehicles while at the same time participate in a novel game, accept coupons, or be subjected to an illuminated display.
In it's broadest sense, this invention deals with an improved fuel dispensing nozzle, said nozzle comprising a spout and a handle for the spout, wherein the improvement comprises the nozzle having contained therein or attached thereto, a system selected from the group consisting essentially of a delivery means for pre-printed coupons; a system comprising a coupon printer and delivery means for the printed coupons; a game system, an illumination system, and, combinations thereof. Contemplated within the scope of this invention is a nozzle which has a housing within the nozzle per se for containing the systems eluded to supra. Further contemplated within the scope of this invention is a nozzle which has a means of attaching the systems to the exterior of the nozzle.
Another embodiment of this invention deals with an improved boot for a fuel dispensing nozzle wherein the boot is adapted for a close conforming fit over at least a front portion of the fuel dispensing nozzle wherein the boot contains a housing. The improvement over the boot disclosed in the '170 patent set forth supra, is the fact that the housing described herein contains a system which is selected from the group consisting essentially of a system comprising a coupon delivery means for pre-printed coupons, a printer for coupons and a delivery means for the printed coupons; a game system; an illumination system, and, various combinations of the above.
There is a further embodiment of this invention wherein there is disclosed and claimed an improved fuel dispensing nozzle comprising a spout, a handle for the spout, and a boot adapted for a close conforming fit over at least a front portion of the fuel dispensing nozzle and, the boot has in it, a housing. The improvement in this embodiment of the invention is that the housing contains in it, a system selected from the group consisting essentially of a system comprising a coupon delivery means for pre-printed coupons, a coupon printer and a delivery means for printed coupons, a game system, an illumination system, and, combinations of a coupon delivery means for pre-printed coupons, a coupon printer and a delivery means for printed coupons, game systems, illumination systems, and combinations of the coupon delivery means for pre-printed coupons, a coupon printer and delivery means for printed coupons, game systems, and illuminated systems.
Another embodiment of this invention is a nozzle comprising a spout, a handle for the spout, a housing of the nozzle per se, and a cavity in the housing for containing a system, wherein the system is selected from the group consisting essentially of (i) a delivery means for pre printed coupons;(ii) a system comprising a coupon printer and delivery means for the printed coupons; (iii) a game system, (iv) an illumination system, and, (v) combinations of (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv).
There is still another embodiment of this invention which is an improved method of providing a passive or interactive activity during the fueling of a vehicle having a fuel port. The method comprises utilizing a fuel dispensing device which is equipped with a fuel dispensing nozzle which comprises a
Ambrose Alan S.
Ferguson James D.
Advanced Information Systems
Nguyen Dinh Q.
Reising Ethington Barnes Kisselle P.C.
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