System for coupling package displays to remote power source

• US 20080202003A1
• Filed: 02/22/2008
• Published: 08/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philip Morris USA Incorporated (Altria Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Philip Morris USA Incorporated (Altria Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sweeney, William R., Maher, Robert J., Totty, Kristen M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,881,327 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 40/446
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/12 Audible, olfactory or visual signalling means B65D51/248, B65D55/028, B65D79/02 and B65D81/24 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/167 by electrophoresis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/05 using capacitive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/402 the two or more transmitting or the two or more receiving devices being integrated in the same unit, e.g. power mats with several coils or antennas with several sub-antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment

Abstract

A merchandising system having a power distribution device associated with a package support system, and a package having a sensory output such as an image display capable of using power, data and/or signals provided from the power distribution device to produce a desired output when the package is associated with the package support system. Packaging materials of the package form the coupling medium for contactless coupling such as capacitive coupling of a controlled signal provided to the package support system to a display on the package.

Claims

1-5. -5. (canceled)

6. A package comprising:

an image display that can be remotely controlled by a power and/or data source located external to said package;

one or more electrically conductive packaging materials connected to said image display, said one or more packaging materials acting as a coupling medium for contactless coupling to the power source.

7. The package according to claim 6, wherein:

said image display includes electric field sensitive materials.

8. The package according to claim 6, wherein:

said image display is controllable when said package is positioned in close proximity to the power and/or data source, and said display is fixed when said package is moved away from the power and/or data source.

9-22. -22. (canceled)