Transparent liquid crystal display on display case

• US 10,417,943 B2
• Filed: 01/29/2018
• Issued: 09/17/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Manufacturing Resources International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Manufacturing Resources International, Inc.
• Inventors: Dunn, William
• Primary Examiner(s): Duong, Thoi V
• Application Number:
  US15/882,817
• Publication Number:
  US 20180151097A1
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13 based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2023/0025 on containers
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 23/0058 on electrical household appliances, e.g. on a dishwasher, a washing machine or a refrigerator
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 23/06 the advertising matter being combined with articles for restaurants, shops or offices on paper articles G09F23/10
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 23/065 Advertising in food vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/35 being liquid crystals G09F9/302 takes precedence; liquid crystal materials C09K19/00; liquid crystal panels comprising a number of electrodes in a single cell per se G02F1/13
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/18 using liquid crystals

Abstract

A point-of-sale advertising system for use with a display case having a front glass sheet positioned in front of a cavity for accepting goods, the system containing a transparent LCD positioned behind the front glass sheet, and a plurality of LEDs positioned adjacent to one pair of opposing edges of the LCD and arranged so that light which is emitted from the LEDs is directed backwards towards the cavity. Further embodiments may also contain a door assembly and frame surrounding the front glass sheet and LCD, a switch positioned to determine when the door assembly is open or closed, and electrical circuitry adapted to turn off the LEDs when the door is open and turn on the LEDs when the door is closed.

Claims

1. A display case comprising:

a housing that defines a cavity that is adapted to receive goods;

a front glass substrate positioned over said cavity;

a transparent LCD adapted to produce an image such that an individual may see through said LCD into said cavity, said LCD having a first pair of opposing edges; and

a plurality of LEDs adapted to provide lighting for said LCD, said LEDs positioned adjacent to at least one of said first pair of opposing edges of said LCD.

2. The display case of claim 1 wherein said LEDs are configured such that light which is emitted from said LEDs is directed backward toward said cavity.

3. The display case of claim 2 wherein said LEDs are configured such that light which is emitted from said LEDs is primarily directed backward toward said cavity.

4. The display case of claim 2 wherein said LEDs are configured such that light which is emitted from said LEDs is adapted to reflect back toward said LCD to create a backlight for said LCD.

5. The display case of claim 1 wherein:

a first set of said LEDs is positioned adjacent to a first one of said opposing edges of said LCD; and

a second set of said LEDs is positioned adjacent to a second one of said opposing edges of said LCD.

6. The display case of claim 5 wherein:

said LCD has a second pair of opposing edges; and

said first pair of opposing edges is longer than said second pair of opposing edges.

7. The display case of claim 5 wherein:

said LCD has a second pair of opposing edges; and

said first pair of opposing edges is shorter than said second pair of opposing edges.

8. The display case of claim 5 wherein:

said LCD has a second pair of opposing edges;

a third set of said LEDs is positioned adjacent to a first one of said opposing edges of said second pair; and

a fourth set of said LEDs is positioned adjacent to a second one of said opposing edges of said second pair.

9. The display case of claim 1 wherein said first pair of opposing edges are vertical edges of said LCD.

10. The display case of claim 1 wherein said first pair of opposing edges are horizontal edges of said LCD.

11. The display case of claim 1 further comprising a rear glass substrate positioned over said cavity such that said LCD is positioned between said rear glass substrate and said front glass substrate.

12. The display case of claim 1 wherein said LEDs are in line with said at least one of said first pair of opposing edges of said LCD.

13. The display case of claim 1 wherein said LEDs are planar with said LCD.

14. The display case of claim 1 wherein said LEDs abut said at least one of said first pair of opposing edges of said LCD.

15. The display case of claim 1 further comprising a door assembly comprising said front glass substrate and said LCD.

16. The display case of claim 15 further comprising:

a switch positioned to determine when said door assembly is open or closed; and

electrical circuitry in communication with said switch, said electrical circuitry adapted to turn off said LEDs when said door assembly is open and turn on said LEDs when said door assembly is closed.

17. The display case of claim 1 further comprising:

masking around a portion of said front glass substrate;

wherein said LEDs are positioned behind said masking.

18. The display case of claim 17 further comprising:

a power supply in electrical communication with said LEDs;

wherein said power supply is positioned behind said masking.

19. The display case of any of claims 1 to 18 wherein said display case is of a type selected from coolers and freezers.