Mobile dispensing display, method for conversion of shopping cart into dispensing display and method of advertising and dispensing products

• US 20040216339A1
• Filed: 06/03/2004
• Published: 11/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dennis D. Garberg, Jon Walker, Mark J. Hunter, Steve Kucharski
• Original Assignee: Dennis D. Garberg, Jon Walker, Mark J. Hunter, Steve Kucharski
• Inventors: Walker, Jon, Kucharski, Steve, Garberg, Dennis D., Hunter, Mark J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,195,155 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 40/308
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/137 having wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2204/02 comprising a heating unit
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2204/04 comprising a cooling unit
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2204/06 comprising insulating materials
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/02 involving parts being adjustable, collapsible, attachable, detachable or convertible
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1408 Display devices mounted on it, e.g. advertisement displays
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/142 mounted on the basket
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1468 Additional trays
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1472 Supports for specific articles B62B3/1468 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 23/06 the advertising matter being combined with articles for restaurants, shops or offices on paper articles G09F23/10

Abstract

A mobile dispensing display, method for conversion of shopping cart into dispensing display and a method of advertising and dispensing products involves the use of a conventional shopping cart. The shopping cart is provided from a store where the promotional activity is to be conducted and converted into a mobile dispensing display by mounting an advertising display onto the basket and mounting a product sample support panel on the shopping cart over the child seat. The mobile display may be moved intermittently to advantageous locations throughout the store where shoppers congregate. Product to be sold and/or sampled, as well as coupons or other promotional materials may be placed in the cart, whereby the cart becomes a mobile promotional and sales display as the user functions as a shoppers assistant providing information, samples or coupons. The user is not restricted to a single location, and may maintain personal and promotional items under direct supervision.

Claims

1. A method of advertising and dispensing a product within a store in which shoppers view and purchase various products, said product advertising and dispensing method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a mobile product display, wherein the mobile display comprises a shopping cart including a basket and a child seat supported on a plurality of wheels;

(b) locating the mobile display within the store;

(c) placing the product within the basket; and

(d) manually distributing promotional items for the product from the mobile display to shoppers.

2. The product advertising and dispensing method as claimed in claim 1,

step (a) including the step of mounting to the basket an advertising display bearing product indicia about the product,

step (a) also including the step of orienting the advertising display on the basket so that the product indicia is oriented away from the interior of the basket.

3. The product advertising and dispensing method as claimed in claim 2,

step (a) including the step of supporting on the shopping cart a product sample support panel in a substantially covering relationship to the child seat.

4. The product advertising and dispensing method as claimed in claim 3,

step (a) including the step of receiving a backrest of the child seat within a complemental opening defined in the panel.

5. The product advertising and dispensing method as claimed in claim 4,

step (a) including the step of resting the panel on an upper rim of the basket.

6. The product advertising and dispensing method as claimed in claim 5,

step (a) including the step of fastening the panel to the shopping cart with at least one coupling member.

7. The product advertising and dispensing method as claimed in claim 6,

step (b) including the step of intermittently moving the mobile display to various locations within the store.

8. The product advertising and dispensing method as claimed in claim 7,

step (b) including the steps of moving the mobile display to and temporarily maintaining the mobile display at selected locations of customer concentration within the store.

9. The product advertising and dispensing method as claimed in claim 8,

step (c) including the step of maintaining the product within the basket at a temperature which is above or below ambient temperature.

10. The product advertising and dispensing method as claimed in claim 9,

step (c) including the steps of placing an insulating carrier within the basket and storing the product within the insulating carrier.

11. The product advertising and dispensing method as claimed in claim 10,

step (c) including the step of placing a phase change material within the insulating carrier.

12. The product advertising and dispensing method as claimed in claim 11,

step (d) including the step of distributing samples of the product to shoppers.

13. The product advertising and dispensing method as claimed in claim 12,

step (d) including the step of maintaining the samples at a temperature which is above or below ambient.

14. The product advertising and dispensing method as claimed in claim 13;

and

(e) dispensing saleable units of the product from the basket to shoppers.

15. The product advertising and dispensing method as claimed in claim 14;

and

(f) restocking the basket with the product.

16. The product advertising and dispensing method as claimed in claim 15,

step (f) including the steps of moving the mobile display to a stationary store display for the product and replenishing the basket with product from the stationary display.

17. The product advertising and dispensing method as claimed in claim 16,

step (d) including the step of having a shopper'"'"'s assistant man the mobile display and verbally provide shoppers with information regarding the product.

18. The product advertising and dispensing method as claimed in claim 17,

step (a) including the step of mounting to the basket an advertising display bearing product indicia about the product,

step (a) including the step of orienting the advertising display on the basket so that the product indicia is oriented away from the interior of the basket.

19. The product advertising and dispensing method as claimed in claim 18,

step (a) including the step of supporting on the shopping cart a product sample support panel in a substantially covering relationship to the child seat,

step (d) including the step of placing the samples on the support panel.

20. The product advertising and dispensing method as claimed in claim 19,

step (d) including the step of distributing coupons for the product to shoppers.

21. The product advertising and dispensing method as claimed in claim 20,

step (d) being performed while the mobile display is being moved.

22. The product advertising and dispensing method as claimed in claim 21,

step (d) including the step of distributing coupons for the product to shoppers.

23. The product advertising and dispensing method as claimed in claim 22,

step (d) including the step of having a shopper'"'"'s assistant man the mobile display and verbally provide shoppers with information regarding the product.

24. The product advertising and dispensing method as claimed in claim 23,

step (d) being performed while the mobile display is being moved.

25. The product advertising and dispensing method as claimed in claim 24;

and

(e) dispensing saleable units of the product from the basket to shoppers.

26. The product advertising and dispensing method as claimed in claim 25;

and

(f) restocking the basket with the product.

27. The product advertising and dispensing method as claimed in claim 26,

step (f) including the steps of moving the mobile display to a stationary store display for the product and replenishing the basket with product from the stationary display.