DISPLAY DEVICES AND METHODS FOR USING SAME

• US 20200135061A1
• Filed: 10/31/2019
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vendii, LLC
• Original Assignee: Vendii, LLC
• Inventors: Miller, Chris
• Granted Patent: US 11,276,332 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 3/0434 Glass or transparent panels
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2007/1856 characterised by the supporting structure
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 23/065 Advertising in food vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/204 specially adapted to be attached to a shelf or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 7/10 and slideably mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 7/18 Means for attaching signs, plates, panels, or boards to a supporting structure

Abstract

Disclosed herein are display devices and systems including a collapsible display assembly: the assembly having a plurality of panels having a predetermined area and thickness, the plurality of panels connected using a plurality of living hinges; a plurality of posts connected to at least one panel; a plurality of protrusions disposed on at least one surface of at least one panel, the protrusions configured to limit a range of motion of at least one living hinge. Also disclosed herein are methods of using the disclosed display devices and systems, for example, to display information in a vending machine, such as pricing and/or caloric information.

Claims

1. A display device having a collapsible display assembly, the assembly comprising:

a plurality of panels having a predetermined area and thickness, the plurality of panels connected with living hinges;

a plurality of posts connected to at least one panel of the plurality of panels;

one or more protrusions disposed on at least one surface of at least one panel, the one or more protrusions configured to limit a range of motion of at least one living hinge of the living hinges.

2. The display device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of panels comprises a display panel, the display panel having a polygonal shape, the display panel containing two sides each being operatively attached to a living hinge.

3. The display device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of panels comprises one or more mid panels, and wherein at least one mid panel has a plurality of posts connected to its largest surface area side.

4. The display device of claim 3, further comprising one or more slides configured to attach, using an attachment feature, to at least one surface of a panel of the plurality of panels, wherein the one or more slides are configured to retain the device within a display channel.

5. The display device of claim 4, wherein the display panel comprises at least one transparent display panel having a rectangular or square shape.

6. The display device of claim 4, wherein the living hinges each define a hinge axis parallel to a plane formed from each panel of the plurality of panels.

7. The display device of claim 4, wherein the living hinges define fold lines between at least two panels of the plurality of panels.

8. The display device of claim 7, wherein the collapsible display assembly is configured to have a folded state and a collapsed state.

9. The display device of claim 8, wherein when the collapsible display assembly is configured collapsed, the plurality of panels forms a substantially planar shape.

10. The display device of claim 9, further comprising a least one connector configured to releasably maintain a least a portion of the display assembly in a predetermined shape.

11. The display device of claim 10, wherein the display assembly is a single piece of material.

12. The display device of claim 11, wherein the single piece of material is an injection molded plastic.

13. The display device of claim 12, wherein the plurality of posts are injection molded plastic.

14. The display device of claim 11, wherein the one or more protrusions extend orthogonally from at least one panel, and wherein the one or more protrusions are configured to abut against another protrusion to limit range of motion of the living hinges.

15. A food product vending system, comprising:

a vending machine, the vending machine comprising one or more shelves disposed within a refrigerated space interior to the vending machine, the one or more shelves configured to support various food products, the one or more shelves comprising a display channel defined on a forward-facing edge of the one or more shelves, the display channel configured to display and retain a display device, and the display device comprising;

a hinged base member having a display panel formed of an at least partially transparent material;

at least one indicia member disposed behind the display panel, the at least one indicia member configured to display indicia through the display panel; and

at least one engaging member operatively connected to the display panel and the at least one indicia member, the at least one engaging member configured to slidably engage with a display channel of a vending machine associated with a food product.

16. The food product vending system of claim 15, wherein the hinged base member further comprises at least one mid panel foldably connected to the display panel, the at least one mid panel configured to retain the at least one indicia member behind the display panel.

17. The food product vending system of claim 16, wherein the hinged base member further comprises at least one end panel foldably connected to the at least one mid panel, the at least one end panel configured to retain the at least one engaging member.

18. The food product vending system of claim 17, wherein the display panel, the at least one mid panel, and the at least one end panel each comprise one or more protrusions configured to retain the hinged base member in an appropriate folded state for display of the at least one indicia member.

19. A method of forming a display device, the method comprising:

forming a hinged base member having an at least partially transparent display panel;

forming at least one indicia member configured to display indicia through the display panel;

forming at least one engaging member configured to slidably engage with a display channel of a vending machine associated with a food product;

arranging the at least one indicia member and the at least one engaging member onto the hinged base member; and

folding the hinged base member to form a display assembly.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein arranging the at least one indicia member and the at least one engaging member comprises fixedly attaching the at least one indicia member and the at least one engaging member to the hinged base member using adhesive or glue.