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Refrigerated case advertising system and methodRelated Patent Categories: Refrigeration, Display TypeRefrigerated case advertising system and method description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070193293, Refrigerated case advertising system and method. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND [0001] The present invention relates to an advertising system for a refrigerated merchandiser. More particularly, the present invention relates to a refrigerated merchandiser that includes a controller which allows a user to modify the advertising system. [0002] Static advertising exists on shopping carts and on display cards attached to shelving. Generally, the static advertising must be manually modified at the advertising location and provides limited advertising flexibility. The static placards used must be frequently updated with new placards to keep up with current promotions and consumer interests. The placards that are replaced are either stored for potential future use, which takes up storage space, or discarded. [0003] Advertising systems also incorporate monitors near checkout lanes or displays at the end of aisles or walkways to display advertising. These systems necessitate local control at each individual store. A retailer typically purchases the merchandiser containing the product to be sold and the system that provides the desired method of advertising, which can pose significant costs to the retailer. When video advertising is desired or required, the retailer must purchase and maintain expensive equipment. Typically, the advertising system requires local control to modify the advertisement displayed on the system. SUMMARY [0004] The invention provides an advertising system for a refrigerated merchandiser used by a retailer to sell food product. Advertising space is displayed on graphic display panels attached to the refrigerated merchandiser. The invention provides a system to control the advertising space locally or from a remote location. Additionally, the invention provides a method of advertising on the refrigerated merchandiser. [0005] In one embodiment, the invention provides a refrigerated merchandiser for maintaining food product at a desired temperature. The refrigerated merchandiser includes a case, a refrigeration system, at least one graphic display panel coupled to the case, and a controller in electrical communication with the graphic display panel. The case includes a product display area adapted to support and display the food product to be visible from the front of the case. The refrigeration system supplies refrigerated air to the product display area maintains the food product at the desired temperature. The controller delivers a signal to the graphic display panel and the graphic display panel displays video advertising based on the signal received from the controller. [0006] In another embodiment the invention provides a method of providing advertising on a refrigerated merchandiser located at a retailer. The method includes providing a refrigerated merchandiser having at least one graphic display panel and a controller in electrical communication with the graphic display panel, providing network service in electrical communication with the controller, delivering video advertising from the network service to the controller, delivering the video advertising from the controller to the graphic display panel, and displaying the video advertising on the graphic display panel. [0007] In yet another embodiment the invention provides a method of providing advertising on a refrigerated merchandiser located at a retailer. The method includes providing a refrigerated merchandiser having advertising space, charging a fee from the case manufacturer to at least one advertiser to advertise on the advertising space, displaying the advertising on the advertising space, and reducing the purchase cost of the refrigerated merchandiser to the retailer by an amount based on the fee charged to the at least one advertiser. [0008] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerated merchandiser of the present invention illustrating graphic display panels displaying static advertisements; [0010] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the refrigerated merchandiser of FIG. 1, illustrating graphic display panels displaying active advertisements; [0011] FIG. 3 is a section view of the refrigerated merchandiser of FIG. 2, illustrating a canopy and a light source; and [0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the refrigerated merchandiser of FIG. 2, including a schematic view of a control system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0013] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including," "comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms "mounted," "connected," "supported," and "coupled" and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, "connected" and "coupled" are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. [0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a refrigerated merchandiser 10. The refrigerated merchandiser 10 includes a case 15 and at least a portion of a refrigeration system 20 (see FIG. 4) to maintain food product (not shown) at a desired temperature. The refrigeration system 20 can include a condenser and one or more fans to generate a refrigerated airflow through an evaporator to cool the food product. The refrigeration system 20 may also include other components, such as one or more compressors, a receiver, and one or more expansion valves. The refrigerated merchandiser 10 is an open front merchandiser, although other styles of refrigerated merchandisers are also considered (e.g., closed front merchandiser). The refrigerated merchandiser 10 may include a medium temperature merchandiser, in which the air temperature within the case 15 is maintained within a standard temperature range of 32.degree. F. to 41.degree. F. Such merchandisers may include, for example, meat merchandisers, deli and dairy merchandisers, and produce merchandisers. Alternatively, the refrigerated merchandiser 10 may include a low temperature merchandiser, in which the air temperature within the case 15 is maintained at a temperature below 32.degree. F. Such a merchandiser may include, for example, a reach-in frozen food merchandiser. [0015] The case 15 includes a lower portion 25, walls 30, and a canopy 35. The case 15 defines a product display area 40 between the lower portion 25 and the canopy 35. The product display area 40 permits customer access to refrigerated products (not shown) through an opening 45 adjacent a front of the case 15. A plurality of shelving units 50 supports the refrigerated products within the product display area 40. The lower portion 25 includes a bumper 55 coupled to the case 15 adjacent the opening 45. The bumper 55 inhibits damage to the case 15 from impact by shopping carts or other objects. [0016] The refrigerated merchandiser 10 further includes a plurality of graphic display panels 60 attached to the front of the merchandiser 10. Each of the graphic display panels includes advertising space (e.g., flat panels, night curtain space, etc.) visible to a consumer. In some embodiments, only a single graphic display panel 60 is attached to the case 15. In the construction of the refrigerated merchandiser 10 shown in FIG. 1, some of the plurality of graphic display panels 60 are attached to the lower portion 25 adjacent the bumper 55 and the other of the graphic display panels are attached to the canopy 35. The plurality of graphic display panels 60 extend approximately end-to-end across a substantial length of the lower portion 25 and the canopy 35. [0017] The graphic display panels 60 on the lower portion 25 can include static advertisements such as signs, decals, transparencies, graphic panels, placards or the like. The plurality of graphic display panels 60 on the canopy 35 are configured to display video advertising that includes static video advertisements or active video advertisements. The graphic display panels 60 on the canopy 35 can include liquid crystal displays (LCDs) to display the video advertising, although other graphic display panels are also possible (e.g., plasma screens, etc.). The static advertisements and the static video advertisements can include a word or words, a picture, a combination of words and pictures, and the active video advertisements can include motion video (e.g., television advertisements, etc.). The video advertising on the canopy 35 shown in FIG. 1 illustrates an example of static advertisements which can be confined to the graphic display panel 60 on which it is displayed or spread across the plurality of graphic display panels 60. The static video advertisement on the canopy 35 can be similar to a static advertisement on the lower portion 25 in that it includes no motion within the advertisement. [0018] The video advertising of FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an active advertisement. The configuration of the plurality of graphic display panels 60 allow the active advertisement to "travel" across each of the plurality of graphic display panels 60. The direction of "travel" for the active advertisement can be in any direction when facing the front (e.g., left, right, up, down). [0019] In some embodiments, the locations of the graphic display panels can vary. For example, the graphic display panels can be located on one of either the lower portion 25, the canopy 35, or elsewhere on the merchandiser. Also, it should be noted that use of the term graphic display panel incorporates any panel that is capable of displaying a static advertisement, a static video advertisement, an active video advertisement, or static video and active video advertisements. [0020] FIG. 2 shows a controller 65 attached to a top of the case 15 and adjacent the canopy 35. The controller 65 is in electrical communication with the plurality of graphic display panels 60 on the canopy 35 through a first communication means 70. The controller 65 is operable to send a signal using the first communication means 70 to each of the plurality of graphic display panels 60 independent of the remaining of the plurality of the graphic display panels 60. The signal is indicative of video advertising to be displayed on the plurality of graphic display panels 60. Continue reading about Refrigerated case advertising system and method... Full patent description for Refrigerated case advertising system and method Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Refrigerated case advertising system and method patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Refrigerated case advertising system and method or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Cooling and climate conditioning system for a vehicle Next Patent Application: Refrigeration unit condensation prevention Industry Class: Refrigeration ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Refrigerated case advertising system and method patent info. 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