WO1993018499A1

WO1993018499A1 - Display case with active display board

Info

Publication number: WO1993018499A1
Application number: PCT/US1993/002280
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas V. Moran; Joseph R. Santosuosso; Bennie Reed Downing
Original assignee: Anthony's Manufacturing Company, Inc.
Priority date: 1992-03-13
Filing date: 1993-03-12
Publication date: 1993-09-16

Abstract

A display case (10) having at least one active display board (28) which provides information to customers or retailers which may be directly related, collaterally related, or not related to items displayed in the display case (10). Each display board (28) has a display unit (30), a control circuit (32), and a unit (34) such as a keyboard unit or remote control for inputting information or program instructions to the control circuit (32) or display board (28). The display unit (30) may display stationary or moving information, and the information may be in different languages. Any number of active display boards (28) may be mounted inside or outside the display case (10), inside doors (12), on doors (12), shelves (26), or a surrounding frame (14) of the display case, or on the supporting structure (50) that the display case (10) is mounted on, such as a cabinet or wall.

Description

DISPLAY CASE WITH ACTIVE DISPLAY BOARD

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of applicatio

Serial No. 07/850,867, entitled "DISPLAY CASE WITH ACTIV DISPLAY BOARD," filed March 13, 1992.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to display case such as refrigerator display cases, and more particularly t a display case having at least one active display board whic provides information to customers or retailers.

The glass panels on present commercial refrigerate display case doors may become difficult to see through due t moisture building up on the glass panels as a result of th refrigeration conditions needed for food items kept insid display cases. As such, it may be difficult for customers t see food items kept on display shelves inside the displa cases, or to obtain information about the items such a product names, price or sales information, or the like. Also it is desirable for a retailer to be able to obtain informa tion such as the temperature inside a display case, withou having to open a door to read a thermometer located inside th case.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a displa case having at least one active display board which provide information to customers or retailers which is directl related to items displayed in the display case.

It is another object of this invention to provide display case having at least one active display board whic provides information to customers or retailers which i collaterally related to items displayed in the display case It is still another object of this invention to provide a display case having at least one active display board which provides information to customers or retailers which is not related to items displayed in the display case. It is still another object of this invention to provide a display case having at least one active display board mounted inside or outside the case.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a display case having at least one active display board mounted on a display door.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a display case having at least one active display board removably mounted on a display door.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a display case having an active display board mounted on a display shelf.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a display case having at least one active display board mounted on the frame of the display case. It is still another object of this invention to provide a display case having at least one active display board mounted on a supporting structure or cabinet surrounding the display case.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a display case having at least one active display board mounted thereon which may have information input to the display board from a location distant from the display case.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a display case having at least one display board that is simple in design and inexpensive to manufacture.

These and other objects and advantages are obtained by a display case having at least one active display board which provides information to customers or retailers which may be directly related, collaterally related, or not related to items displayed in the display case. Each display board has a display unit, a control circuit, and a unit such as keyboard unit or remote control for inputting information o program instructions to the control circuit or display board The control circuit may also be voice-activated. The displa unit may be a liquid crystal display unit, cathode ray tub display unit, neon display unit, vacuum fluorescent displa unit, electronic moving message display unit, gas dischar display unit, plasma display unit, or may use light emittin diodes, electro illuminescent materials, fiber optic technolo gy, laser technology, holographic technology, or arty othe technology to display information on the display unit. Also the display unit may display stationary or moving informatio and the information may be in different languages. Any numb of active display boards may be used for the display case, a the display boards may be mounted inside or outside t display case, inside doors, on doors, shelves, or a surroun ing frame of the display case, or on the supporting structu that the display case is mounted on, such as a cabinet wall. The various features of the present invention will best understood together with further objects and advantag by reference to the following description of the preferr embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanyi drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a display case of t present invention having two doors mounted thereon and display board mounted on each door; FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the display case havi a plurality of display boards mounted on two doors;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of one of the display boar of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken in the directi of arrows 4-4 shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is an enlarged, perspective view of one of the display boards of FIG. 2 showing a circuit board attached to a display unit;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the display case having display boards mounted on two doors with the circuit board of each display board shown mounted at a different location than its corresponding display unit;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the display case mounted in a supporting structure, with a plurality of display boards shown mounted on display shelves, on a surrounding frame, and on the supporting structure;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, detailed view of one of the display boards of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the display case having display boards mounted inside two doors;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken in the direction of arrows 10-10 shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken in the direction of arrows 11-11 shown in FIG. 9; FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of one of the display boards of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged elevational view of an upper ^"portion of one door, with the middle portions thereof broken away_r showing upper and lower beams used to mount a display board inside the door; and

FIG. 14 is an enlarged exploded view of an upper portion of one door showing how the upper beam and display board may be removed from inside the door.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following specification taken in conjunction with the drawings sets forth the preferred embodiments of the present invention in such a manner that any person skilled in the art can make and use the invention. The embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are the best modes contemplated by the inventors for carrying out their invention in a commercia environment, although it should be understood that variou modifications can be accomplished within the parameters of th present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a display case 10 of the presen invention is shown having two doors 12 mounted on a surround ing frame 14. The doors 12 have glass panels 16 and 18 (se FIG. 4) which allow someone, such as a customer in a supermar ket, to look through the panels 16 and 18 at frozen o refrigerated foods or other items kept inside the case 10.

A door hinge assembly 20 may be used at the upper right hand corner of each door 12, and a torque rod 22 (see FIGS. and 7) may be mounted in an adjustable anchor device 2 attached to the surrounding frame 14 near the lower right-han corner of each door 12.

One such door hinge assembly 20 is shown in FIGS. 3 an 8. This hinge assembly 20 is described in U.S. Patent No 4,671,582, issued to Stromquist, et al. on June 9, 1987, th disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by referenc thereto. However, any other suitable type of hinge assembl may be used instead of the hinge assembly 20 shown in FIGS. and 8.

A torque rod 22 and an adjustable anchor device 24, whic may be used with the display case 10, are described in U.S Patent No. 4,696,078, issued to Stromquist on September 29 1987, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated b reference thereto. It is important to note that any othe suitable types of torque rods or anchor devices may also b used. For example, the torque rod 22 may be mounted in a aperture in the frame 14. Also, a simple hinge may be use instead of a torque rod and anchor device.

If the area inside the display case 10 is refrigerated then moisture may build up on the glass panels 16 and 1 making it difficult for customers to see items kept on displa inside the case 10, or to see information on display shelve 26 (see FIG. 7) such as price information, or the like. For that reason, an active display board 28 is mounted on each door 12 of the display case 10 of FIG. 1. Each display board 28 may contain any information useful to customers or retail- ers directly related, collaterally related, or not related to items displayed inside the case 10. Also, it may be desirable for a retailer or store owner to be able to obtain information such as the temperature inside the display case 10, without having to open a door to read a thermometer located inside the case. A temperature sensing device (not shown) may be used to electronically provide temperature information displayed on the display board 28.

"Directly related" information provided by the display boards 28 would be, for example, information concerning the items displayed inside the case 10 such as price or sales information, the kinds of food items kept in the case 10, product names, coupon information, contest information, or the like. "Collaterally related" information about the items in the display case would be, for example, information about the locations of items in the store at other locations which are companion or collaterally related products, such as chocolate syrup for ice cream. In addition, the display boards 28 may provide information "not related" to the items in the display case 10, such as information concerning sales of other items in a supermarket, information notifying retailers when to service equipment such as refrigeration units located inside the display cases 10, or the like.

It is important to note that the display case 10 of the present invention may be used to display or use items not needing refrigeration. Also, the doors 12 may be solid and not have glass panels 16 and 18. Any type of door may be used with the display case 10 of the present invention. The door 12 shown in FIG. 4 is just one example of a door construction that may be used with the display boards 28. "Door" as used herein refers to any part of a door such as glass panels or a door frame used for the door, the solid panels of a door whe glass panels are not used, or the like.

Each display board 28 may have a display unit 30, circuit board or control circuit 32, and means 34 for input ting information or program instructions or data to th control circuit 32 or display board 28, such as a keyboar unit, or the like. The display board 28 shown in FIGS. 3 an 5 has its control circuit 32 attached to the display unit 30. Information may be input to the display boards 28 b input means 34 such as a computer located at a distan location, or at a completely different geographic location, such as a distant office for a chain of retail stores. Also, the display boards 28 may be electronically connected to grocery store's Bar Coding System, or to a "point of sal system," such as checkout areas, to reflect, for example, ho many items are still in stock in various display cases 10.

An input line 33 is shown in FIG. 8 for inputtin information or program instructions or data to the contro circuit 32 from the input means 34. However, such informa tion, instructions or data may also be input to contro circuit 32 by a remote control 34, which transmits signals t a receiver 35. In such a case, an input line 33 would not b needed. The receiver 35 may be located anywhere on the doo 12, display board 28, frame 14, or supporting structure 5 (see FIG. 7) . Alternatively, input line 33 may be plugge into the control circuit 32. For such a case, numeral 3 would represent an input socket 35 for line 33. The contro circuit 32 may also be voice or sound activated, and numera 35 would then represent a microphone 35 for receiving voice o sound commands.

The display unit 30 shown in FIG. 5 displays informatio useful to customers and is preferably a liquid crystal displa unit (LCD) . However, the display board 28 may use an desirable display unit or means of displaying information suc as a cathode ray tube display unit, neon display unit, vacuu fluorescent display unit, electronic moving message display unit, gas discharge display unit, plasma display unit, or may use light emitting diodes, electro illuminescent materials, fiber optic technology, laser technology, holographic technol- ^0<3Y_r or any other technology to display information on the display unit. Also, any desirable control circuit 32 or means 34 (see FIG. 8) for inputting information may be used for the display board 28. It is the intent of this application that the present invention not be limited by the type of display board 28 used with the display case 10.

A display board 28 may be used having a display unit 30 with any desirable number of spaces for any type of indicia such as letters and numbers. The display unit 30 may also have different rows of spaces for displaying information, and may display stationary or moving information. For example, the information may move from right to left, or may move upward, on the display unit 30, or may flash on and off, or be in different colors, as programmed by the control circuit 32 and entered by input means 34. Also, information may be displayed in more than one language.

Preferably power is supplied to the display board 28 by cable 36 from hinge assembly 20 as shown in FIG. 3. However, any desirable means may be used to supply power to one or more of the display boards 28 used with the display case 10. A display board 28 may be mounted to the door 12 con¬ struction shown in FIG. 4 by providing an aperture 38 in panel 16 as shown. - Any suitable sealant or seal 40 may be used between display unit 30 and aperture 38, and/or a seal 42 may be provided between circuit board 32 and panel 16. FIG. 2 shows a plurality of display boards 28 mounted on the doors 12 of another display case 10. Any number of display boards 28 may be used for the display case 10, and power may be supplied to the display boards 28 using any desirable method. Also, a single means 34 may be used for inputting information to all of the display boards 28 used fo the display case 10, or more than one means 34 may be used.

FIG. 6 shows another display case 10 having activ display boards 28 mounted on two doors 12. However, th display units 30 and control circuits 32 of the display board 28 are mounted at different locations on the doors 12. FIG. 8 is an enlarged, detailed view of one of the display board 28. Note that display unit 30 is mounted at a differen location than the control circuit 32, and is mounted i aperture 38 in glass panel 16. The control circuit 32 may b mounted at any location on the door 12, and is powered throug cables 36 and 44. Means 34, which may be located on o outside the display case 10, or at a distant location from th display case 10, inputs information to the control circuit 3 which controls the information provided by display unit 3 through cables 46. If desired, the display unit 30 and/o control circuit 32 may be mounted on door frame 48.

FIG. 7 shows yet another display case 10 mounted in supporting structure 30 such as a cabinet or wall. Th display case 10 has a plurality of display boards 28 mounte on display shelves 26 inside the case 10, on surrounding fram 14, and on the supporting structure 50. The display units 3 and control circuits 32 of the display boards 28 may or ma not be attached, and may be mounted at the same location or a different locations on the display case 10. Also, one or mor means 34 may be used for inputting information to the displa boards 28, or to the display boards 28 on one or more displa cases 10.

The display boards 28 may be mounted inside or outsid the display cases 10. It is important to note that both type of active display boards 28 shown in FIGS. 3 and 8 may be use for the same display case 10, or on one or more display case 10. Any of the display boards 28, described herein and show in FIGS. 1-8, may be used in any combination in the displa case 10, or on more than one display case 10. Also, an number of doors 12 (one or more) may be used for the display case 10. In other words, the features of the designs shown in FIGS. 1-8 may be combined as desired.

FIG. 9 shows a display case 10 having display boards 28 mounted inside two doors 12. FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate how each display board 28 is mounted inside the door 12 between glass panels 16 and 18 separated by spacer 52. The display board 28 is mounted on a lower beam 54 and against an upper beam 56. As shown in FIG. 13, the beams 54 and 56 extend horizon¬ tally across the top of the door 12. The ends 55 of lower beam 54 are attached to the door frame 48 using any suitable fastening means, such as nuts, bolts, screws, welds, or other fasteners. Vertical members 58 are mounted on top of beam 54, near the ends 55 of the beam 54. The members 58 are fastened to the door frame 48 using any suitable fastening means, such as nuts, bolts, screws, welds, or any other fastener, and may be fastened to beam 54, if desired, using any suitable fasten¬ ing means. The upper beam 56 has upper flanges 58, and portions 60 extending past ends 59 of the beam 56. Portions 60 are preferably removably attached to the top of each vertical member 58 by any suitable fastening means, such as screws 62 shown in FIG. 14, or any other fastener. As explained below, it is advantageous to have the upper beam 56 removably attached to the vertical members 58. However, beam 56 may be permanently attached to members 58, if desired.

The upper beam 56 also has lower flanges 66 with channels 68 therein. Bumpers 74 engage the channels 68. However, any suitable means may be used for attaching the bumpers 74 to the flanges 66. The bumpers 74 are preferably made out of rubber or plastic such as neoprene or vinyl. However, any suitable material may be used. The bumpers 74 are preferably elongat¬ ed, as shown in FIG. 13. The bumpers 74 reduce heat transfer from inside panel 18 to outside panel 16, and provide a cushioning effect between the beam 56 and the panels. Th lower beam 54 also has upper and lower flanges 64 and 70, respectively, and bumpers 76 engaged to channels 72 in flange 70. Bumpers 76 are like bumpers 74, and are used for the sam purpose as bumpers 74.

Alternatively, beams 56 and 54 may be used without uppe flanges 58 and 64, if desired. Also, beams 56 and 54 general ly have an I-beam cross-section. However, other cross sections or configurations may be used for beams 56 and 54. Sealant 78 may be used between the spacer 52 and the panels 1 and 18, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Also, insulators (no shown) may be used between the spacer 52 and the panels 16 an 18. The spacer 52 may have any cross-section, and may b hollow and filled with desiccant (not shown) , if desired. Examples of hollow spacers with insulators are shown in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the display board 28 i mounted on flange 70 of the lower beam 54 and rests agains both beams 54 and 56, which hold the display board 28 in plac against outside or front glass panel 16. Also, as shown i FIG. 13, the lower flange 66 and bumper 74 on the front sid of the upper beam 56 do not extend all the way along th length of the beam 56, or are cut off or discontinued at end 73, in order to provide sufficient space for the display boar 28. Likewise, upper flange 64 of the lower beam 54 is als cut off or discontinued at ends 63, to provide space for th display board 28.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 14, borders 17 may be painte or otherwise coated around the periphery of the outside glas panel 16 using any suitable paint or coating material. Preferably, border 17 is painted or coated on the back side o panel 16, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. However, border 17 ma be painted or coated on the front side of panel 16, i desired. Also, an opaque sheet material may be used instea of a paint or coating material, if desired. Alternatively the periphery of panel 16 may be a solid opaque material, rather than transparent glass.

A portion of the border 17 at the top of the door 12 is not painted or coated so that a window or opening 19 is formed, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 14. This opening 19 allows a person to look through the glass panel 16, and see the display unit 30 of the mounted display board 28. Opening 19 may have any suitable shape or configuration, and may match the shape of the display unit 30. Also, the display unit 30 may have any desirable shape or configuration.

If upper beam 56 is removably attached to vertical members 58 by screws 68, then the display board 28 may be easily removed from inside the door and replaced, if neces¬ sary, by simply loosening the screws 62. It may be necessary to replace a defective or malfunctioning display board 28. Also, it may be desirable to replace an older display board 28 with a different type of display board 28 or an updated version of the display board 28. As such, the removable feature of the display board 28 provides important advantages. The display board 28 may be powered by cables 36 from hinge assembly 20 as shown in FIG. 12. However, any suitable means may be used to power the display board 28. Also, as explained above, information or program instructions may be input to the control circuit 32 of the display board 28 by any input means 34 described above. The features of any of the designs shown in FIGS. 1-14 may be combined as desired.

The panels 16 and 18 may be solid opaque panels rather than glass panels. In such a case, an opening 19 would be provided in the front or outside solid panel for viewing the display unit 30, such as a glass window. Alternatively, the display board 28 mounted between the panels 16 and 18 may have a protruding display unit 30 that extends through an opening in the front panel 16 like the display unit 30 shown in FIG. 4. The above description discloses the preferred embodiment of the present invention. However, persons of ordinary skil in the art are capable of numerous modifications once taugh these principles. Accordingly, it will be understood by thos skilled in the art that changes in form and details may b made to the above-described embodiments without departing fro the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. A display case for displaying items, comprising: a surrounding frame; at least one hinged door mounted on said frame; and at least one active display board mounted on said display case, each of said display boards including: a. a display unit displaying information; b. a control circuit controlling said information displayed on said display unit; and c. a unit inputting programming instructions to said control circuit.

2. The display case of Claim 1 wherein said display unit uses one of cathode ray tube technology, neon technology, vacuumfluorescent technology, electro illuminescent technolo¬ gy, fiber optic technology, liquid crystal technology, gas discharge technology, plasma technology, light emitting diode technology, laser technology, and holographic technology.

3. The display case of Claim 1 wherein said display board is mounted on said surrounding frame.

4. The display case of Claim 1 wherein said display board is mounted on said door.

5. The" display case of Claim 1 wherein said display case has shelves mounted therein and said display board is mounted on one of said shelves.

6. The display case of Claim 1 wherein said information displayed by said display unit is one of directly related, collaterally related, and not related to items displayed in the display case.

7. The display case of Claim 1 wherein said displa unit displays moving information.

8. A display case comprising: a surrounding frame; at least one door mounted on said frame; and at least one active display board mounted on sai display case, each of said display boards including: a. means for displaying information; b. means for controlling said informatio displayed by said means for displaying; and c. means for inputting instructions to sai means for controlling said information.

9. The display case of Claim 8 wherein said means fo displaying in one of cathode ray tube technology, neo technology, vacuum fluorescent technology, electro illumin escent technology, fiber optic technology, liquid crysta technology, gas discharge technology, plasma technology, ligh emitting diode technology, laser technology, and holographi technology.

10. The display case of Claim 8 wherein display board i mounted on said door.

11. The display case of Claim 8 wherein said displa board is mounted on said surrounding frame.

12. The display case of Claim 8 wherein said displa case has shelves mounted therein and said display board i mounted on one of said shelves.

13. A display case, said display case being mounted o a supporting structure, comprising: a surrounding frame; a door mounted on said frame; a shelf mounted inside said display case; and at least one active display board selectively mounted on said surrounding frame, said door, said shelf, and said supporting structure, each of said display boards including: a. a display unit displaying information; b. a control circuit controlling said information displayed on said display unit; and c. a unit inputting instructions to said control circuit.

14. The display case of Claim 13 wherein said control circuit is attached to said display unit.

15. The display case of Claim 13 wherein said control circuit and said display unit are mounted at different locations.

16. The display case of Claim 13 wherein said display unit uses one of cathode ray tube technology, neon technology, vacuum fluorescent technology, electro illuminescent technolo¬ gy, fiber optic technology, liquid crystal technology, gas discharge technology, plasma technology, light emitting diode technology, laser technology, and holographic technology.

17. The^'display case of Claim 13 wherein said display case has items on said shelf and said information is directly related to said items.

18. The display case of Claim 13 wherein said display case has items on said shelf and said information is collater¬ ally related to said items.

19. The display case of Claim 13 wherein said displa case has items on said shelf and said information is no related to said items.

20. The display case of Claim 13 wherein one of sai display boards has said control circuit attached to sai display unit, and another one of said display boards has sai control circuit and said display unit mounted at differen locations.

21. A display case for displaying items, comprising: a surrounding frame; a door mounted on said frame, said door having tw panels; and an active display board mounted between said tw panels.

22. The display case of 'Claim 21 further comprisin means for mounting said active display board between said tw panels.

23. The display case of Claim 21 wherein said activ display board includes: a display unit displaying information; a control circuit controlling said informatio displayed on said display unit; and a unit inputting instructions to said contro circuit.

24. The display case of Claim 23 wherein said panels ar glass panels and said display unit is visible through one o said panels.

25. The display case of Claim 23 wherein said displa unit extends through an opening in one of said panels.

26. The display case of Claim 22 wherein said mounting means includes upper and lower beams and vertical members mounted inside said door.

27. The display case of Claim 26 wherein said upper beam is removably attached to said vertical members.

28. The display case of Claim 26 wherein said upper and lower beams have bumpers attached thereto.

29. The display case of Claim 23 wherein said unit inputting instructions is a remote control, and said active display board further includes a receiver for receiving signals transmitted from said remote control.

30. The display case of Claim 23 wherein said control circuit is sound activated, and said active display board further includes a microphone.