Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Docket No: 774-002
PRODUCT DISPENSER WITH ACTIVE MEDIA DISPLAY
THOMAS ET AL.
This invention is in the field of commercial product dispensers for paper and
other types of
consumable products, and more specifically discloses a product dispenser with
a removeable
visual display module to allow for advertising on the product dispenser.
BACKGROUND:
Companies are always searching for novel opportunities to advertise their
products or services,
or otherwise provide informational updates, to consumers in their
establishments. Traditional
advertising channels in business establishments included printed advertising
which might be
displayed on the walls, or printed leaflets, pamphlets or the like which could
be distributed.
Many personal services businesses, including any type of retail business,
restaurant or the like,
have been looking for additional locations at which advertising material could
be displayed to
their customers. One of the places where this type of advertising has evolved
over the last
number of years is in public restroom environments, where in addition to
locations for static
wall signage, product dispensers for cleaning products and personal hygiene
products including
soap, paper products and the like, provide additional surfaces on which
signage can be
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mounted. There are other similar locations in public spaces where similar
types of product
dispensers provide novel advertising opportunities.
One of the problems with printed advertising material is that it is static or
fixed in nature - once
it is printed, the content is determined until the new material can be printed
and replaced. Static
advertising such as this is in some applications considered sufficient,
although the development
of dynamic advertising hardware and opportunities, in which the advertising
media can be
changed on a periodic basis without the need to constantly reprint and incur
the labour of
replacement, is in many circumstances considered desirable. One of the dynamic
advertising
approaches which is taken in many such applications is the mounting of
tablets, or computer
screens, which can display video advertising or constantly scrolling video-
based material.
Dynamic advertising installations which use computer displays such as this are
one option but
they are an option which is significant in terms of cost as well as complexity
of installation ¨
specific hardware and requirements are often required to be met to deploy this
type of a method
which can result in significant expense and complexity which is beyond the
resources of many
businesses wishing to employ a nonstatic advertising approach.
If it were possible to come up with a means by which active or dynamic
advertising material
could be displayed to viewers without the cost of a significant hardwired
installation such as
one which would used traditional computer display hardware, it is believed
that this would be
considered widely acceptable in the market. in the context of this type of
active or dynamic
advertising material it is specifically contemplated that active advertising
material would be an
material which include some type of display state change or the like, which
could catch the eye
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of a viewer in the vicinity ¨ for example the entire display could change,
such as changing the
image on the computer display, or it may also be the case that advertising
media which is
displayed could have different areas of the media which would light off or
otherwise to be
emphasized by a controller and a power source connected thereto. It is
believed that in addition
to making the actual active advertising media easier and more cost effective
to change as well
as potentially having a longer lifespan if finished in an active format,
active advertising
material such as is discussed herein is also more eye-catching to a consumer
and may yield
greater advertising results to the advertiser.
In addition to finding a more cost-effective way of deployment of active
advertising media or
material in public spaces and applications, it is also specifically
contemplated that there would
be a great market opportunity to come up with a way to deploy this type of
advertising media or
material in relation to pre-existing product dispensers. If it was possible to
come up with a
means by which active advertising material could be displayed on a product
dispenser, in a way
that pre-existing product dispensers could be retrofitted with this
capability, it is explicitly
contemplated that there would be an even greater potential for uptake on this
advertising
method in the marketplace. The actual advertising method itself, in addition
to the hardware
associated therewith, might represent a novel improvement over the current
state-of-the-art.
Often the installation of static or dynamic advertising and such applications
are present is a
service provided by third-party advertising companies, who will contract with
a particular
venue for the access to that venues public spaces for installation of their
desired advertising
media, and they will pay some type of compensation to the venue for providing
that advertising
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access. In some circumstances where the venue themselves however wish to place
their own
visual content or otherwise, they would not have any ability to recover the
cost of installing the
equipment to do so. If it were possible to provide a method of advertising
which would enhance
the ability of a venue to display active visual content to viewers in their
location without the
need to incur the cost of purchasing and installing advertising equipment, it
is again thought
that there would be a significant market segment who would be positively
inclined towards
acceptance of this type of an approach.
BRIEF SUMMARY:
The invention is a product dispenser for the display of active visual content
to viewers while
allowing for the dispensing of at least one product.
As outlined above, the present invention comprises a product dispenser which
is capable of use in
the provision of active visual content to viewers, as well as a dispenser
cover which can be used to
retrofit pre-existing product dispensers to allow for the practice of the
method of same.
In a first embodiment the invention comprises a product dispenser for the
provision of active visual
content to viewers which dispenser comprises a dispensing mechanism for
storing and dispensing a
product, along with a dispenser cover covering the dispensing mechanism and
having a user-facing
surface. The user-facing surface includes a visual display module attached to
the user-facing surface
thereof which has an active media surface thereon which will display active
visual content to a
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viewer in proximity thereto. The visual display module is attached to the user-
facing surface by the
retaining means, and the active media surface of the module faces in the same
direction as the user-
facing surface, outwards from the dispenser. The module will display active
visual content to
proximate viewers, who might be near the dispenser.
The visual display module might be removable, in which case releasable
retaining means might be
included on the dispenser cover, or in other cases, the visual display module
might be permanently
attached or integrated with the dispenser cover. Both such approaches are
contemplated within the
scope of the present invention. It is specifically contemplated that rendering
the visual display
module removable might be desirable for maintenance purposes.
As outlined above, the visual display module will have its active media
surface facing outward from
the product dispenser. In some embodiments of the product dispenser, the
visual display module may
be attached via releasable retaining means in such a way that the active media
surface is in a parallel
plane to a plane of the user-facing surface of the dispenser cover, and in
other cases, the active media
surface could be approximately coplanar with the user-facing surface of the
dispenser cover i.e. the
visual display module with its active media surface might either effectively
be positioned on the
user-facing surface of the dispenser cover, or in other embodiments might be
positioned such that the
module was positioned recessed within the user-facing surface of the dispenser
cover such that the
active media surface was approximately coplanar with the user-facing surface
of the product
dispenser.
In cases where the visual display module was to be recessed within the
dispenser cover, the user-
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facing surface of the dispenser cover could comprise a module recess extending
inwards from the
user-facing surface of the dispenser cover to allow for accommodation of the
visual display module
inside of the user-facing surface thereof ¨ particularly where it was desired
to position the active
media surface approximately coplanar with the user-facing surface of the
product dispenser. The
reason for in many cases wanting to present a complete product which has an
advertising media
surface approximately coplanar with the user-facing surface of the dispenser
cover would be to
permit for the smoothest outer surface of the dispenser, for cleaning and
other purposes.
Where the user-facing surface of the outer dispenser cover includes a module
recess, the visual
display module which is used could be of coordinating shape in circumference
to the module recess
such that the visual display module could be retained within the module
recess.
The module recess in certain embodiments of the dispenser cover might simply
comprise an aperture
in the user-facing surface of dispenser cover and in other circumstances or
embodiments the module
recess could further comprise at least one module support to engage the rear
surface of the visual
display module and cooperate with the retaining means to hold the module in
position within the
dispenser cover. The at least one module support might comprise in some
embodiments a complete
interior surface covering the interior of the module recess, or in other cases
might comprise at least
one support flange extending around the inner circumference of the module
recess, recessed inwards
from the user-facing surface of the dispenser cover, towards the center
thereof, so that the visual
display module would be circumferentially engaged around the outer
circumference of its rear
surface by the support flange when retained within the module recess.
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In some embodiments of the product dispenser of the present invention, the
releasable retaining
means might comprise at least one engaging slot in the user-facing surface for
engaging a
coordinating bendable retaining tab on a rear surface of the visual display
module, whereby the
cooperation of the at least one engaging slot with a coordinating bendable
retaining tab retains the
visual display module and position on the user-facing surface and allows for
the release of the visual
display module therefrom by the bending of the bendable retaining tab to allow
for its
,
disengagement from the at least one engaging slot. Many other types of
releasable retaining means
can be contemplated and all are within the scope of the present invention
insofar as they might
accomplish the same objective of releasably retaining the visual display
module in relation to the
user-facing surface of the dispenser cover.
In some embodiments of the product dispenser of the present invention, the
dispenser cover and the
dispensing mechanism might be integrated into a single component or single
parts. In other types of
product dispensers, the dispenser cover might be removable and the dispenser
cover might include
attachment means to allow for attachment of the dispenser cover to the
dispensing mechanism and
the remainder of the product dispenser. Either type of approach i.e. either an
integrated dispenser
cover and dispensing mechanism, or a detachable dispensing cover from the
remainder of the
product dispenser, is contemplated within the scope of the present invention.
The visual display module itself is contemplated to comprise a power source
and a controller which
can operate in conjunction with the active media surface to provide at least
one visual media display
option which can be selectively activated for display to the viewer in
proximity to visit dispenser by
the controller. The power source might in most cases be a battery although it
could also be a
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hardwired power source of some type ¨ both types of power sources are
contemplated within the
scope of the present invention.
The active media surface itself would effectively comprise some type of an
advertising media
display surface or signage which could be powered to activate certain aspects
thereof in the
provision of at least one visual media display option. For example, the active
media surface might be
a sign of the appropriate size which upon application of power by the
controller could be lit up in
varying ways to provide a visual attraction or visual indication to a
proximate viewer, by which they
could view the "active" visual content. Any type of a signage, panel or other
type of a media surface
which could accomplish the objective of providing at least one visual media
display option for
display to viewers in proximity to the dispenser upon applicaton at the
appropriate time of power by
controller are all contemplated within the scope of the present invention. It
is specifically
contemplated that in some embodiments of the visual display module, the active
media surface
would comprise an "electronic paper" display, such as is known in the art of
electronic displays.
Given that the system and method of the present invention is intended to
provide an active
advertising method at a reasonable cost alternative to the use of full-blown
LCD panels or similar
computer displays, the electronic paper display option is an attractive one
insofar as it would provide
the ability to at a reasonable cost display various advertising indications
without the need to include
a full-blown electronic display and computerized controller associated
therewith.
The product dispenser can be adapted to be surface mounted, on a wall or the
like, or could
alternatively be a dispenser that would sit on a surface such as a tabletop or
the like. The two types
of product dispensers that are specifically contemplated are sheet dispensers
and liquid dispensers ¨
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specifically, the dispensing mechanism might be a roll dispensing apparatus
for the dispensing of
rolled paper products such as toilet paper, paper towels or the like, or could
similarly be a folded
sheet dispensing apparatus for the dispensing of folded sheet paper products
such as paper towels or
the like. In other cases where the dispensing mechanism was not a sheet
dispensing apparatus for the
dispensing of rolled or folded sheet paper products, the dispensing mechanism
might also for
example be a liquid reservoir with a dispensing valve, the product being a
liquid product and the
overall product dispenser being a dispenser of a liquid product. These are
just two examples of
different types of product dispensers in respect of which the method of the
present invention could
be deployed and practiced.
In addition to the product dispenser of the present invention which integrates
a visual display module
into the dispenser cover, there is also disclosed the removable visual display
module for use in
conjunction with the product dispenser, which visual display module comprises
an active media
surface, a controller and a power source, and is removably attachable to a
dispenser cover of a
product dispenser. The controller could operate in conjunction with the active
media surface to as
outlined with respect to the modules above, provide at least one powered
visual media display option
which can be selectively activated for display to a proximate viewer.
The visual display module could be configured such that the active media
surface would be
approximately coplanar with the user-facing surface of the product dispenser
cover to which it would
be attached, when placed thereon. Many different types of active media
surfaces could be
contemplated, as outlined above as well, but it is specifically contemplated
that an "electronic paper"
display or the like would be of attraction from an economic and utility
perspective to provide the
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ongoing ability to provide changing visual indication advertising or other
informational content on
the outer surface of a product dispenser at reasonable cost and requiring
little significant
maintenance.
In addition to the visual display module which is disclosed as well as the
overall product dispenser
incorporating the modified dispenser cover and module, there is also disclosed
in the invention an
additional embodiment which is a dispenser cover for a product dispenser,
which can be used to
provide adaptability of the product dispenser to display active advertising to
viewers. The dispenser
cover comprises a protective shell shaped for attachment to and covering up
the dispensing
mechanism of a product dispenser and having a user-facing surface which
includes releasable
retaining means for the attachment of a removable visual display module to the
user-facing surface
thereof. The visual display module would again have an active media surface
thereon which when
attached thereto faces in the same direction as the user-facing surface of the
dispenser cover, and
which will display active visual content to a viewer in proximity thereto.
This dispenser cover could
be a dispenser cover used in the manufacture of new product dispensers, such
as paper or liquid
dispensers outlined above, in respect of which it was desired to integrate the
active advertising media
display capability of the present invention, or could also be manufactured for
use as a retrofit
product, to be retrofit onto pre-existing product dispensers to adapt them for
incorporation of the
method of the present invention.
The dispenser cover might also include a removable cover which was attached to
the retaining
means in the absence of a visual display module ¨ that is to say that the
dispenser cover of the
present invention can be manufactured in such a way that paper, liquid or
other product dispensers to
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which it was desired to provide the capability of the adoption of the method
of the present invention
could be manufactured with a cover over the retaining means such that the same
dispenser cover
could be used with or without a visual display module and in the case of no
visual display module
being present, the retaining means and any aperture or holes or other
retaining tabs alike in the user-
facing surface of the dispenser cover could be covered by the removable cover.
The dispenser cover could also include on its user-facing surface a module
recess extending inward
therefrom, having a coordinating inner shape and circumference to engage a
visual display module
therein. The module recess could also include a module support to engage a
visual display module in
its retention within the module recess ¨ such as a rear support surface
covering the interior of the
module recess or a support flange extending around the inner circumference of
the module recess
and recessed inwards from the user-facing surface of the dispenser cover
towards the center of the
dispenser unit, such that the visual display module could be circumferentially
engaged by the
support flange when retained within the module recess.
As outlined above, the retaining means used in the dispenser cover could take
many different
approaches as a be understood to those skilled in the art of the manufacturer
of for example injection
molded plastic products and the like. The retaining means could comprise at
least one engaging slot
in the user-facing surface for engaging a coordinating bendable retaining tab
on a rear module
surface of the visual display module, whereby the cooperation of each at least
one engaging slot with
a bendable retaining tab retains the visual display module in position on the
user-facing surface and
allows for the release of the visual display module there from by the bending
of the bendable
retaining tab to allow for its disengagement from the at least one engaging
slot. It will be understood
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that many different types of retaining means could be used, with parallel or
coordinated modification
or manufacture of the visual display modules which it will be desired to
retain on the user-facing
surface of the dispenser cover and any such approaches contemplated within the
scope of the present
invention.
The dispenser cover itself as outlined, providing the capability for the
attachment of the visual
display module in accordance with the present invention, is contemplated to be
covered within the
scope of the claims expressed herein. However, the dispenser cover might also
specifically include
the visual display module retained therein by the retaining means ¨ wherein
the visual display
module comprises a power source and a controller which can operate in
conjunction with an active
media surface to provide at least one visual media display option which can be
selectively activated
for display to the viewer by the controller. This could be many different
types of active media
surfaces and modules including an electronic paper display or the like.
It is explicitly and specifically contemplated that the dispenser cover
outlined herein could be
manufactured in a way that it was a retrofittable cover for use in the
retrofit of an existing product
dispenser to provide the use of the active advertising method of the present
invention in association
therewith. For example the dispenser cover of the present invention can be
manufactured in the
appropriate shape and size to fit over pre-existing paper product dispensers
such as paper towel
dispensers and the like, such that with the appropriate attachment hardware
manufactured thereon,
the dispenser cover of the present invention could be retrofitted or
substituted for the cover
originally manufactured and in place on such a product dispenser such that pre-
existing product
dispensers can be retrofitted in a way that the active advertising method of
the present invention
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could be deployed therewith. As specifically outlined above with respect to
the actual product
dispenser itself of the present invention, the dispenser cover of the present
invention can be
manufactured for use of many different types of pre-existing product
dispensers or product
dispensers which were being manufactured in first instance ¨ it is explicitly
contemplated that the
dispensing mechanism could be a roll dispensing apparatus with the product
itself being a roll paper
product, a folded sheet dispensing apparatus where the product itself is a
folded sheet paper product,
or liquid reservoir with a dispensing valve where the product to be dispensed
was a liquid product.
The method of display of active visual content using the dispenser cover or
product dispenser of the
present invention can be practiced in many environments and with respect to
the dispensers of many
different types of products and they are all contemplated within the scope
hereof.
In addition to the product dispenser, visual display module and dispenser
cover expressed and
outlined herein, there is also disclosed a method of providing active
advertising in a venue. The
method of providing the active advertising in a venue in accordance with the
remainder of the
present invention comprises the placement of at least one product dispenser in
the venue, each
product dispenser comprising a dispensing mechanism for storing and dispensing
a product, a
dispenser cover covering the dispensing mechanism having a user-facing surface
which includes
releasable retaining means for the attachment of a visual display module to
the user-facing surface
thereof, and a removable visual display module having an active media surface
thereon which will
display active visual content to any viewers in close proximity thereto.
Following the provision or
placement of the at least one product dispenser in the venue, the visual
display modules will be
attached to the user-facing surfaces of the dispensers by the respective
retaining means with the
active media surfaces thereof facing in the same direction as the media
circus, and visual content it is
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installed for display on the active media surface of the dispensers in
question for specific use in the
venue. The dispensers would then be operated that is to say that the visual
display modules of being
engaged and the varying visual advertising or media indications on the active
media surface of the
modules in question could be displayed to viewers in proximity to the
dispensers. It is specifically
contemplated that a product supplier could provide these advertising capable
product dispensers to
the venue at no cost to the venue in exchange for the venue purchasing the
product to be dispensed
with the dispenser from the supplier ¨ that is to say that a business method
of providing venues with
advertising capable product dispensers at no cost to them could be deployed.
The method of the present invention would use any type of a product dispenser
that is otherwise in
accordance with the product dispenser outlined herein ¨ that is to say a
visual display module for
example would likely comprise a power source for the controller which can
operate in conjunction
with the active media surface thereof to provide at least one powered visual
media display option
which can be selectively activated for display to the viewer by the
controller. The active media
surface could comprise an electronic paper display or the like.
It will be understood that there are many different approaches which could be
taken to certain
aspects of the problem and opportunity identified by the present invention and
all such brooches and
modifications as would be obvious to those skilled in the art are contemplated
within the scope of
the present invention.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most
significant digit or
digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element
is first introduced.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the product dispenser of the
present
invention, being a paper towel dispenser in its assembled use position;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the product dispenser of Fig. 1 with the
dispenser cover
open, to demonstrate other components of the dispenser;
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the product dispenser of Fig. 1, showing the
component
parts thereof;
FIG. 4 is a cutaway side view of Fig. 1, showing the planar positioning of the
user-
facing surface and the active media surface;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a product dispenser
in
accordance with the present invention, the product dispenser being a liquid
dispenser;
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the product dispenser of Fig. 5, showing the
component
parts thereof;
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FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a visual display
module in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a front view of the visual display module of Fig. 7;
FIG. 9 is a rear view of the visual display module of Fig. 7;
FIG. 10 is a cutaway side view of the visual display module of Fig. 7;
FIGS. 11A through 11D demonstrate active media display indications on the
visual
display module of Fig. 7;
FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a dispenser cover in
accordance with the present invention, with a module recess therein;
FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of the dispenser cover of Fig. 12, with a
cover over
the module recess;
FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of the dispenser cover of Fig. 12, with a
visual
display module attached;
FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of the dispenser cover of Fig. 12;
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FIG. 16 is a flowchart of one embodiment of the advertising method of the
present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As outlined above, the general focus of the present invention is to provide an
enhanced product
dispenser with the ability to display active visual content to nearby viewers.
The display of
active or dynamic visual content, using cost-effective display equipment or
hardware that does
not require a substantial installation burden, potentially enhances the
revenue outcomes for
advertisers while minimizing required cost and resources to install or
maintain such equipment.
In addition to a product dispenser which includes the removable visual display
module at the
time of installation, there is also disclosed herein a retrofit product
approach, which effectively
would comprise the manufacture of a replacement dispenser cover for
installation onto pre-
existing product dispensers which would allow for the attachment of the visual
display module
of the present invention.
A method of use of the equipment of the present invention will allow for the
display of active
visual content and venues potentially without any cost for equipment
installation or retrofit
being incurred by the operator of the venue.
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Product dispensers:
As will be understood from a review of the specification herein, the intended
scope and
operability of the present invention is to provide the ability to provide
active visual content for
display to viewers in proximity to product dispensers of many types. It is
specifically
contemplated that this could be useful in the field of cleaning or hygiene
product dispensers,
including paper dispensers for folded or rolled paper products, liquid
dispensers for useful soap
or the like, or other types of product dispensers which might be located in a
large number of
public facilities, the examples of the applicability of the present invention
which are outlined
herein pertain specifically to paper or liquid dispensers, but it will be
understood that the
invention could be practised in the context of any possible product dispenser
which had a
sufficient user-facing surface to permit the incorporation of a visual display
module therein, and
it will be understood to those skilled in the art of all such dispensers and
all such approaches
are contemplated within the scope of the present invention.
Active visual content:
The context of the phrase "active visual content" as used herein is intended
to indicate any type
of visual content which can visibly be altered during the course of its
viewing by a viewer. The
intended benefit of the present invention is that a product dispenser which is
outfitted with an
active media display system such as that outlined herein will be far cheaper
to produce than one
which includes a complete electronic computer display such as a tablet,
computer monitor or
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the like. It is specifically contemplated that the active media surface and
related components of
the system of the present invention could comprise an "electronic paper"
display such as those
now known in the art ¨ this represents a significant technical enhancement and
cost efficiency
in the manufacture of an active media display surface such as is outlined
herein, over the prior
art which would comprise the use of full tablet computer devices or similar
monitors or panels.
Where and electronic paper module was used, the active visual content which
might be
displayed would be a translucent active media surface which had visual content
printed or
otherwise displayed thereon which could again in conjunction with a power
source and a
controller have different sections which would light up on a time basis or
otherwise - for
example there might be a plurality of different regions of the active media
surface which it was
desired to light up in sequence and those could be individually illuminated
either by LEDs or
other lights placed there behind, or in certain circumstances it is also
contemplated that the
active media surface might comprise an electronic paper surface which had
certain areas which
can be illuminated as desired, or the entirety of the electronic paper surface
could be repurposed
with a new image or message from time to time.
Any type of a visual content display which was interactive or dynamic in any
way, meaning that
it was not simply static and did not remain constant without any change in
behaviour or visual
appearance is contemplated within the scope of active visual content, and all
such approaches
will be understood to be contemplated within the scope of the present
invention. An "electronic
paper" module or similar lower cost electronic module or something similar to
this may be
desirable over for example a tablet computing device or the like, for the
purpose of maintaining
a lower cost of manufacture.
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Using a lower cost electronic module to provide dynamic or active visual
content would also
enhance the ability of the advertising provider or the venue operator to
customize individual
dispensers with individualized or more granular visual content. Some visual
display modules
would allow for simple replacement of the content thereon, either by
reprogramming the
controller associated with the module to display new content or in some cases
replacing the
active media surface with an active media surface that contains a revised
refreshed advertising
message or messages for active or rotating display.
Product overview:
The first aspect of the present invention is a product dispenser for the
dispensing of a product,
which will display active visual content to nearby viewers during its
availability for product
distribution. Figures 1 through 4 shown one embodiment of the product
dispenser 1 of the
present invention. In the case of the product dispenser 1 shown in Figure 1,
it is a dispenser for
roll paper towels, but as outlined elsewhere herein the product dispenser 1
could comprise a
dispenser of one or more products of many kinds.
The product dispenser 1 comprises a dispensing mechanism 2 and a dispenser
cover 3. The
dispensing mechanism 2 is the holder and dispenser of a product which in this
case is a roll 4 of
paper products.
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In addition to the dispensing mechanism 2, the primary aspect of the product
dispenser 1 for the
delivery of the added advertising functionality is related to the dispenser
cover 3. The dispenser
cover 3 is a cover which attaches to the remainder of the product dispenser 1
and covers the
dispensing mechanism 2, providing the exterior aesthetic appearance of the
product dispenser 1
along with covering for safety and noninterference purposes the dispensing
mechanism 2 and
the product 4 contained therein. Dependent upon many aspects of the product
dispenser 1
itself, the dispenser cover 3 might be integrated with the remainder of the
product dispenser 1
and fixedly or permanently attached to the dispensing mechanism 2, or as shown
in the
embodiment of Figures 1 through 4 the dispenser cover 3 can also be a
removable or a line of
cover which can be shifted from a normal use position into an open loading
position etc. Any
product dispenser that otherwise satisfies the general technical requirements
outlined herein i.e.
a dispenser for use in the dispensing of a liquid or paper or other hygiene
product etc. which
includes a cover 3 over a dispensing mechanism 2 will be understood to be
within the scope of
the present invention.
The dispenser cover 3 when attached in position to the remainder of the
product dispenser 1
covers the dispensing mechanism 2 and any product 4 contained therein. The
dispenser cover 3
has a user-facing surface 5 which faces outwards from the wall mount or the
wall to which the
product dispenser 1 might be mounted, in the case of the product dispenser 1
being wall
mounted. The user-facing surface 5 is the surface on which the active visual
content will be
displayed, by incorporation of the visual display module 6 thereon.
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Shown next in this embodiment is a visual display module 6 which will display
the active visual
content of the method and invention to nearby viewers. Sample active visual
content 16 is
shown on the active media surface 7 demonstrated in these Figures although the
specifics of the
content which would be displayed will obviously be infinitely variable and
could be configured
for use in a customized way by location for example ¨ to tailor the
advertising or other media to
be displayed for the maximum benefit for use in the intended use location of
the dispenser 1
itself. The visual display module 6 mounts on or into the user-facing surface
5 of the dispenser
cover 3 to display active visual content. The visual display module 6 has an
active media
surface 7 which is the surface on which visual content will be attached or
displayed. In the
embodiment shown in Figure 1 through 4, the visual display module 6 is
rectangular in shape,
and is attached to the outer surface of the dispenser cover 3.
Figure 3 in particular in exploded view shows retaining means for attachment
of the visual
display module 6 to the user-facing surface 5 which comprises at least one
engaging slot 9 on
the user-facing surface 5 of the dispenser cover 3, and corresponding bendable
retaining tabs 10
on the rear of the visual display module 6 to snap into position in the at
least one engaging slot
9. The at least one engaging slot 9 and corresponding bendable retaining tab
10 shown in this
Figure will be understood to only be one of a large number of different types
of releasable
retaining means which could be designed for use in accordance with the
remainder of the
present invention, all of which are contemplated within the scope hereof.
In the embodiment of Figures 1 through 4, there is a support flange 11 in an
open aperture in
the user-facing surface 5 of the dispenser cover 3, which support flange 11
can engage the
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rearward surface 12 of the visual display module 6 to hold it in place in
relation to the user-
facing surface 5 and the dispenser cover 3. In this particular embodiment the
visual display
module 6 is surface mounted to the user-facing surface 5, resulting in some
thickness of the
visual display module 6 protruding in front of the user-facing surface 5.
Figure 4 shows the
relative relationship and the projection of the forward active media surface 7
in front of the
user-facing surface 5. In other cases and other embodiments, as will be
outlined in further detail
below, a module recess can be used so that the user-facing surface 5 and the
active media
surface 7 are closer to flush to each other.
In operation of this embodiment, the product dispenser 1 could be approached
and used by a
user to dispense and obtain product 4, and the visual display module 6 would
display the
predetermined active visual content on the active media surface 7 during
dispensing or during
the idle time of availability of the product dispenser 1. If it was necessary
at any point to
change the visual content on the active media surface 7, or otherwise remove
or repair the
visual display module 6, the retaining means could be released to allow for
removal, repair and
replacement of the visual display module 6. The active media surface 7 would
"activate" the
media 16 displayed thereon by intermittently altering the appearance of the
media on the active
media surface 7. Also shown in dotted relief in Figure 4 is a controller 13
and the power source
14 integrated within the module 6 ¨ this will be outlined in further detail
elsewhere below and
any number of different types of controllers 13 or power sources 14 are again
contemplated
within the scope of the present invention.
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The visual display module 6 might constantly display the media 16 on the
active media surface
7 in its active fashion i.e. the controller 13 might always be activated, or
in other embodiments,
the module 6 might include proximity sensors, timers or other circuits for
controls which would
allow forward the modification of the behaviour of the module 6 and the
display of the active
media service 7 based upon time of day, proximity of individuals to the
dispenser 1 etc. Again
all such approaches are contemplated within the scope of the present
invention.
Figure 1 shows the product dispenser 1 in a closed and dispensing position,
whereas Figure 2
demonstrates, with respect to this particular type and configuration of a
product dispenser 1, the
dispenser cover 3 being a hinged open position for the purpose of accessing
the equipment
stored within the dispenser 1 it will be understood that many different types
of product
dispenser 1 might include hinges or other means of attachment of the product
dispenser cover 3
if the cover 3 could be opened, and all such approaches are contemplated
within the scope of
the present invention. Similarly, in other cases where the cover 3 was
integrated or unitary with
the remainder of the dispenser 1 and could not be opened, it will be
understood that those types
of embodiments of product dispensers 1 are also contemplated within the scope
of the present
invention in so far as the incorporation of a visual display module 6 therein
and to achieve the
active media display aspect of the invention could still be implemented.
Figure 3 demonstrates the key components of the embodiment of Figure 1 and 2
in exploded
relation, simply to understand the compilation or assembly of the key
components of the
dispenser 1. The cutaway side view of Figure 4 is intended to show the
relation and attachment
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of the key components of the dispenser 1 of these Figures, in their attached
and operational
position.
The dispenser 1 of Figure 1 would be operated by its mounting to a wall or
other surface in a
used location ¨ this particular dispenser 1 being a paper towel dispenser it
might be mounted in
the kitchen, washroom or the like ¨ and the controller 13 and the remainder of
the visual display
module 6 will activate/alternate/animate the content appearing on the active
media surface 7.
People approaching the dispenser 1 to obtain paper towels, or whatever product
is dispensed by
the particular dispenser 1 in question ¨ would be engaged by the active media
content 16
displayed on the active media surface 7. The visual display module 6
integrated into the
product dispenser 1 provides a cost-effective means of visual engagement of
individuals in
proximity to the dispenser 1 ¨ it is contemplated that the actual content on
the active media
surface 7 might be in addition to being customized for the location,
replaceable from time to
time either by requirements of replacement of a portion of the module 6, or in
other cases the
controller 13 activating an electronic paper display might have multiple
content displays stored
therein which could simply be electronically rotated. Both such approaches, to
alternating the
content on the surface 7 from time to time, either by way of a physical
replacement or a
electronic display approach, are contemplated within the scope of the present
invention.
Referring next to Figure 5 and Figure 6 there is shown an alternate embodiment
of product
dispenser 1 in accordance with the present invention, in which the visual
display module 6 is
round rather than rectangular ¨ this particular product dispenser 1 is a
liquid product dispenser,
so that the dispensing mechanism 2 would be a reservoir and valve for the
disbursement of
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liquid product 4. As in the case of the other embodiments outlined herein the
visual display
module 6 would include the necessary power source and electronic controller to
interact and
provide the active visual content via the active media surface 7.
In the embodiment of Figure 5 and 6, the user facing surface 5 and the active
media surface 7
are approximately flush or coplanar. Both for cosmetic or functional hygienic
purposes it may
be desired that the user facing surface 5 and the active media surface 7 be
closer to flush, or
alternatively be set apart further from each other in definition as in the
embodiment of Figures 1
through 4 ¨ any such approach is contemplated within the scope of the present
invention and
obviously the dispenser cover 3 could be modified in terms of the mounting and
attachment of
the module 6 to accomplish either such approach.
Dispenser:
One of the key components of the product dispenser 1 of the present invention
is a dispensing
mechanism 2, which is responsible for the dispensing of product 4 by the
product dispenser 1.
The dispensing mechanism 2 typically comprises the substructure or frame of
the product
dispenser 1, along with the necessary holder or hardware to engage, retain and
dispense the
product from within the remainder of the dispenser 1.
For example if the product dispenser 1 was a paper towel dispenser for roll
paper towels, the
dispensing mechanism 2 would be the necessary holder and rolling and cutting
apparatus to
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dispense paper towels through an external aperture on the product dispenser 1.
In other cases
where the product dispensed was a folded physical product, there are other
types of dispensing
mechanisms which can be used to dispense the folded product. In still other
cases a liquid
product could be dispensed from a dispensing mechanism comprising a tank or
reservoir of
some kind with a valve, and that product may or may not be under pressure
within the reservoir,
Any number of different types of products can be distributed from a particular
product
dispenser 1 and dispensing mechanism 2 and any type of a product dispenser 1
which would be
used in an environment in which the active visual content method of the
present invention
would be desired to be practised is contemplated within the scope of the
present invention.
Visual display module:
The next element of the invention to be discussed in detail is the visual
display module 6. The
visual display module 6 is the core component of the combined product
dispenser 1 of the
present invention, as well as forming the subject matter of a subset of the
claims herein. The
visual display module 6 of the present invention could also be provided on a
freestanding basis
to retrofit product dispensers 1 with the ability to provide an active media
display in accordance
with the remainder of the present invention in the visual display module 6 is
intended to be
encompassed by the claims of this application on a freestanding basis as well
as as an integrate('
component of the product dispenser 1 or a dispenser cover 3.
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Referring first to Figure 7 there is shown a perspective front view of one
visual display module
6 in accordance with the present invention ¨ the visual display module 6 shown
in this Figure is
rectangular in outer circumference of the active media surface 7, similar to
the product
dispenser 1 shown in Figures 1 through 4. It will be understood however that
the active media
surface 7 could have any number of different shapes without departing from the
intended scope
of the present invention.
Shown on the active media surface 7 of the module 6 demonstrated in Figure 7,
purely for
demonstrative purposes, are three dotted relief media zones 16 ¨ this is
intended to simply
signify or show the different active media areas or active media content
components which
would be displayed on the active media service 7 during the active media
method operation of
the present invention. For example the controller of the module 6 could either
in sequence or in
aggregate activate or illuminate the different media zones on the surface 7.
Also shown in the
embodiment of Figure 7 are retaining tabs 10, similar to those shown in the
visual display
module 6 incorporated into the dispenser 1 shown in Figure 1 through 4, for
the purpose of
retaining the module 6 in place on the user facing surface of a dispenser
cover. Figure 8 is a
front view of the module 6 of Figure 7.
Referring to Figure 9 there is shown a rear view of the visual display module
6 of Figure 7.
The rear surface 17 of the module 6 is shown. Also shown is a housing 18
extending rearward
from the rear surface 17 of the module 6 which contains the controller 13 and
the power source
14 ¨ which could be a battery or other type of power source operatively
connected to the
necessary electronic circuitry to activate the media display by the active
media surface 7 in
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cases where the module 6 was to be recessed such that the active media service
7 was
approximately flush with the user surface of the dispenser cover to which it
was attached, the
rear surface 17 in the housing 18 would be recessed into the user facing
surface of the dispenser
cover. In other cases, such as that shown in Figure 1 et al., where the visual
display module 6 is
placed on the user facing surface 5 of the dispenser cover 3, the rearward
surface 17 of the
module 6 could engage the user facing surface 5 of the dispenser cover 3 with
the housing 18
being recessed therein. In some embodiments, a housing 18 which contained the
power source
14 and the controller 13 could be round as is shown here, and in other cases
the housing 18
could be larger or smaller depending upon the nature and size of the
components to be
contained and the desired method of attachment. In still other cases, the
controller 13 of the
power source 14 might actually be contained within a physically separate
module which would
be included inside of the dispenser cover 3 or elsewhere and could simply be
cabled or
connected to the active media surface 7 ¨ that type of an approach is also
contemplated within
the scope here of although not being shown.
Figure 10 is a cutaway side view of the visual display module 6 of Figures 7
through 9,
demonstrating the configuration of the components thereof in relation to each
other and in
relation to the rear surface 17 of the module 6 which would in many cases
engage the user
facing surface of the dispenser cover of a product dispenser used in
accordance with the
remainder of the present invention.
In cases where the dispenser cover of the product dispenser to which the
module 6 will be
attached, the product dispenser cover might include a recess or an aperture
through which the
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housing 18 could extend for the purpose of providing the optimal flush
mounting configuration.
The recess provided in the user facing surface of the dispenser cover to
accommodate the
placement of the housing 18 therein could have a coordinating inner
circumference, to
approximate the outer circumference of the housing 18. Any number of different
configurations
in this regard will be understood to those skilled in the art and are all
contemplated within the
scope of the present invention insofar as they do not depart from the desired
result which is to
provide for an approximately flush mounted visual display module 6 on a
dispenser cover of a
product dispenser.
The visual display module 6 is capable of displaying active visual content to
a viewer. The
concept of active visual content is discussed in further detail elsewhere
herein - generally
speaking the visual display module 6 will be capable of providing some
changing visual
indication of the visual content contained upon its active media surface 7
during operation
(likely as an electronic paper module or similar approach). The active nature
of the visual
media display which will be provided to proximate individuals could be
anything from the
provision of fully electronically animated content, through to in a more basic
embodiment
selective illumination of multiple illumination zones on an LED panel or the
like which
provided for same. It is really contemplated that any type of an activation of
the active media
surface 7 which would accomplish the objective of catching the eye of an
individual in
proximity to the product dispenser 1 is contemplated within the scope of
activation and active
media content display and any such content display that accomplishes this
objective within the
framework of the remainder of the invention as outlined herein is contemplated
within the
scope of the present invention.
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It is particularly and explicitly contemplated that the visual display module
6, including the
controller 13, the power source 14 and the active media surface 7, could
comprise any number
of types of lower cost basic electronic display devices which would
significantly reduce the cost
comparison to the use of tablet computers, full computer screens or the like.
This would make
it more affordable for people to adopt an advertising method as outlined
herein, particularly
given that many of these dispensers are used in washrooms or other less than
hygienic locations
where they may be exposed to significant ongoing stress and both from the
purpose of
minimizing the installation cost as well as minimizing maintenance cost it
would be desirable to
provide this type of an approach ¨ provision of the visual display module 6 of
the nature
outlined herein which is a reasonable cost alternative to a full-blown
computer implementation
really is considered by the inventors to not only formed the core of the
present invention but
also to be the basis on which this type of a method will substantially and
significantly rollout
into industry. When it was required to repair the visual display module 6 -
for example to
replace a battery power source 14 or otherwise, or to change the visual
content 704 on the
active media surface 7, the visual display module 6 could be removed from the
dispenser cover
3 for this purpose, and then reinstalled.
The embodiment shown in these Figures includes a controller 13 and a power
source 14 which
in the context of an electronic paper module or similar display the controller
13 and the power
source 14 could work in conjunction with the active media surface 7 to provide
the active visual
content when in operation. In some embodiments, the visual content 16 could be
a translucent
applique which could be attached to the active media surface 7 and the active
media surface 7
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might be divided into a plurality of lit zones, such that the visual display
module 6 could
animate or activate the visual content 16 by lighting up certain zones of the
active media
surface 7 therebehind to cause certain of the zones and related portions of
the visual content
704 to become illuminated. Figures 11A through 11D are provided to demonstrate
one
potential visual progression of the active media content 16 on the surface 7
as might be
activated by a controller 13 etc. These Figures demonstrate the progressive
activation or
visualization of three different zones on the active media surface 7, as first
demonstrated in
dotted relief on Figure 7. The controller 13 might activate the visual content
lettered as A, B
and C in progression, as shown, or might alternatively illuminate statically
or in an on-and-off
flashing manner for example all of the zones at the same time as shown in
Figure 11D. These
Figures are really intended just to show a couple of different options as to
how the visual media
content might be actively displayed in accordance with the present invention
but it will be
understood that they are not to be considered as limiting or exhaustive in any
way. Any type of
added display hardware and software combination resulting in the ability to
provide any type of
an active media display on the surface of the visual display module are all
contemplated within
the scope of the present invention.
Many types of active media surface 7 and related electronic components of the
visual display
module 6 can be contemplated and any approach which allows for a visual
display module 6
which can be removeably attached to a dispenser cover 3 of a product dispenser
1 to provide
active visual content is contemplated within the scope of the present
invention.
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Media ready dispenser cover:
In addition to the product dispenser 1 and the visual display module 6 which
are shown in
Figures 1 through 10 and the related claims to those aspects of the present
invention there is
also disclosed the media ready dispenser cover, for use either in OEM or
retrofit applications to
allow for the fit out of product dispensers for use in the active media
display method outlined
herein. The media ready dispenser cover of the present invention could be used
with any
product dispenser that had a removable or interchangeable dispenser cover
there on ¨ the media
ready dispenser cover of the present invention could be manufactured in
varying shapes and
sizes or with varying adapters to allow for its attachment to a product
dispenser to retrofit or
outfit a product dispenser for use along with a removable visual display
module in accordance
with the present invention.
The media ready dispenser cover of the present invention would be removably
attachable to a
product dispenser, so that it could be retrofitted or fitted onto a new
dispenser, to enable the
active media display method of the present invention to be used with a pre-
existing dispenser or
a dispenser which was otherwise not specifically manufactured for the purpose
¨ it is
specifically contemplated that a media ready dispenser cover which would allow
for retrofitting
of product dispensers to allow for the practice of the present invention by
the attachment of Abe
removable visual media display module 6 thereto forms a significant aspect of
the equipment of
the present invention.
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A dispenser cover 3 which has retaining means to removably attach a visual
display module 6
thereto onto a user facing surface 5 could be sold without the visual display
module 6, with or
without a cover attached in place of the visual display module 6, and could
even be
subsequently upgraded with the addition of a visual display module 6 in
accordance with the
remainder of the invention ¨ that is to say that the dispenser cover could be
sold on a
freestanding basis or could be integrated into product dispensers 1 otherwise
being sold,
without the visual display module 6 being attached, such that if a purchaser
of product
dispensers later wish to add the visual display module 6 that could be done.
The sale of a
product dispenser 1 which could be upgraded with the visual display module 6
could provide
maximum customer flexibility, since while some customers purchasing a product
dispenser 1
might not immediately require the active advertising method of the invention,
by selling them a
product dispenser 1 with dispenser cover 3 capable of subsequently accepting
the attachment of
a visual display module 6 maximum flexibility is achieved, and the manufacture
of the
dispenser cover 3 with retaining means thereon would not significantly impact
manufacturing
cost.
Figure 12 shows a front perspective view of one embodiment of a media ready
dispenser cover
3 in accordance with the present invention which could be used on a pre-
existing product
dispenser which was not manufactured with the capability of attachment of the
visual display
module 6 in accordance with the remainder of the present invention thereto.
For the purpose of
homogeneity and flow in the remainder of the patent specification, the media
ready dispenser
cover 3 shown in this figure is a media ready dispenser cover 3 detached from
the overall
product dispenser shown in Figure 1. It is of the same shape and size for the
purpose of
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explaining the content of the invention that will be understood to those
skilled in the art of
design of these types of products that virtually any shape and size of a
dispenser cover 3 could
be manufactured with appropriate hardware or adapters for attachment thereof
to a product
dispenser without in any way departing from the intended scope of the present
invention.
The embodiment of the media ready dispenser cover 3 shown in Figure 12 shows
the removable
attachment means for the attachment of a module 6 although the module 6 is not
attached in this
figure. In this case the removable attachment means 9 for engagement of the
visual display
module comprise a plurality of slots in the user facing surface 5 through
which coordinating
tabs from the module 6 can extend to attached module. Also shown is a module
recess 11 into
which rearward hardware of the visual display module 6 can be recessed when
attached.
A mounting hook 19 is shown in this Figure as well ¨ this is the mounting
hardware which
would be used to attach the media ready dispenser cover 3 to a product
dispenser. The
mounting hook 19 will be understood to be really only one of literally
limitless numbers of
different types of hooks or hardware which could be used to render a media
ready dispenser
cover 3 in accordance with the remainder of the present invention attachable
to a particular type
of a product dispenser. The attachment hardware 19 could even be
interchangeable such that
different types of attachment hardware 19 could be provided for the
interchangeable use of a
single model of a media ready dispenser cover 3 with different types of
dispensers.
Referring next to Figure 13 there is shown a perspective view of the media
ready dispenser
cover 3 of Figure 12 which has a removable cover 20 attached to the user
facing surface 5
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thereof, to obscure or cover the recess 11 and the attachment points 9 ¨ a
media ready dispenser
cover in accordance with this Figure could be sold preinstalled or on a
retrofitted will basis for
use of many different types of product dispensers and would allow for the
subsequent removal
of the removable cover 20 and replacement thereof with a visual display module
6.
Referring next to the embodiment demonstrated in Figure 14, there is shown
another figure with
a similar media ready dispenser cover 3 with the visual display module six
similar to that shown
in earlier Figures and narrative in this application for demonstrative
purposes ¨ the active media
service 7 and the media content itself 16 can be seen. Media content 16
comprising in this case
three different media zones which could be illuminated or activated by the
controller as
required are shown, within this case one of the three active media content
zones being actuated
and the other two not being actuated, as they are shown in dotted relief.
Figure 15 shows an interior perspective view of the media ready dispenser
cover 3 of Figures
12 through 14. The inside of the module recess 11 and the module attachment
points 9 can be
seen, and the rectangle shown in dotted relief in this figure demonstrates the
positioning of the
visual display module 6 on the outer user facing surface of the device.
As outlined in further detail elsewhere herein in certain embodiments of the
media ready
dispenser cover 3 with the visual display module 6 attached, the power pack
and controller for
the module 6 might be integrated there with such that they were recessed into
the user facing
surface 5 of the cover 3, or in other cases they might be mounted as a
separate freestanding
control module inside of the cover 3 and simply connected to the rear of the
active media
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display surface 7. Both such approaches are contemplated within the scope of
the present
invention.
By manufacturing the dispenser cover 3 for after market attachment to a
dispenser, the active
advertising functionality of the present invention can be extended to a large
quantity of pre-
existing dispensers already in the marketplace. Dispensers could dispense one
or more products
- all such sizes of dispensers are contemplated within the scope of the
present invention.
Retrofit dispenser cover:
It is explicitly contemplated that a dispenser cover in accordance with the
present invention,
including the visual display module 6 which would allow for the practice of
the active media
method outlined herein could be made available for sale on a retrofit basis,
to allow for the
retrofit of pre-existing product dispensers to practice the active advertising
method outlined
herein. A dispenser cover for use and attachment to a pre-existing product
dispenser, which has
a user facing surface accommodating and outward facing active media surface of
the display
module in accordance with the remainder of the present invention is explicitly
contemplated to
be within the scope of the present invention.
In addition to a complete product dispenser I, it will also be understood that
the present
invention logically includes a retrofit option which can be used with pre-
existing product
dispensers, to deploy the method and methodology of the present invention in a
widest possible
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selection of locations including those which already have pre-purchased or
preinstalled product
dispensers which it is desired to retrofit with the active visual content
ability of the present
invention.
It is specifically contemplated that the primary basis on which a retrofit
ability could be used to
deploy the method of the present invention would be to produce a retrofit
dispenser cover which
could be capable of accepting a visual display module as is the case with the
fully manufactured
product dispensers of the present invention otherwise outlined herein. The
dispenser cover 3
could be made in a replacement shape to replace the OEM shell for a product
dispenser 1. A
different dispenser cover 3 could be produced for different types of product
dispenser 1 for
which it was desired to retrofit with the active advertising ability of the
present invention.
Advertising method:
Another aspect of the present invention is an advertising method, by which the
product
dispenser for the display of active visual content of the present invention
can be made available
to a venue for their use. It is specifically contemplated that the venue
owners may not want to
pay for the deployment of advertising around visual media content in their
establishments as it
would simply add cost, but in certain cases they may be prepared to accept the
deployment of
advertising material in their establishments at no cost to them. It is
specifically contemplated
that a novel business method for the placement of visual media content as
outlined elsewhere
herein is enabled by the use of the active media display product dispenser
outlined in the
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remainder of this application. At the highest level, this business method
comprises the
provision at no cost to a venue of active media display equipped product
dispensers in exchange
for the venue purchasing consumable or disposable dispensed products from the
operator of the
method. The operator of the method would then sell some or all of the
advertising media
content space on the dispensers in question to third parties who are
interested in advertising
those establishments. Ad purchasers received deployment of their content in
desirable
locations, and the locations receive the activated product dispensers which
their customers may
enjoy, along with discounted dispensed product inputs.
Figure 16 is a flowchart demonstrating the steps of one embodiment of an
advertising method in
accordance with the present invention. There is disclosed a method of
providing active
advertising in the venue, which comprises a number of steps. The first step,
shown at 16-1,
comprising the placement of at least one product dispenser in a venue. The
product dispensers
would be the dispensers of hygiene, sanitation or any other type of a
disposable product as
outlined elsewhere herein which could be equipped with the remainder of the
necessary
modifications to allow for the display of active media content. Specifically,
each product
dispenser comprises a dispensing mechanism for storing and dispensing product,
dispenser
cover covering the dispensing mechanism and having the user facing surface,
and a removable
visual display module attached to the user facing surface and having an active
media surface
thereon which will display active visual content two of you are in proximity
thereto ¨ where
individual content is installed on the active media surface for specific use
in the venue.
39
CA 02948271 2016-11-14
Docket No: 774-002
The next step in the method is to confirm or install venue specific active
visual content onto the
active media surface of the visual display module of each product dispenser
installed within the
venue. This is shown at step 16-2.
Following the installation of venue specific active visual content on the
active media surface of
the product dispensers installed in the venue, at step 16-2, the dispensers
are used to display
that active visual content to people in proximity to the dispensers, in
accordance with the
remainder of the system and method outlined herein.
The at least one product dispenser could be provided along with the active
visual content to the
venue for use at no cost, in exchange for the venue purchasing consumable
products for
dispersal from the vendor supplying the at least one product dispenser.
It will be apparent to those of skill in the art that by routine modification
the present invention
can be optimized for use in a wide range of conditions and application. It
will also be obvious
to those of skill in the art that there are various ways and designs with
which to produce the
apparatus and methods of the present invention. The illustrated embodiments
are therefore not
intended to limit the scope of the invention, but to provide examples of the
apparatus and
method to enable those of skill in the art to appreciate the inventive
concept.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that many more modifications besides
those already
described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein.
The inventive
CA 02948271 2016-11-14
Docket No: 774-002
subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the scope of the
appended claims.
Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms
should be interpreted
in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular,
the terms "comprises"
and "comprising" should be interpreted as referring to elements, components,
or steps in a non-
exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or
steps may be present,
or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are
not expressly
referenced.
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