[0001] The refillable automatic dispenser of consumer products integrated in shop window
of foods and beverages retailers may enable to distribute products automatically also
during closing hours to shop owners who cannot or do not want to manage the shop personally
all over the day. This system enables a sales increase, also for perishable products
which otherwise would be wasted. For instance we can think about fresh milk expiring
the next day, which cannot be sold the day after, but can be purchased by people who
want to drink it the next morning. Safety increases, as it is very unlikely that someone
tries to break the shop window risking to be shot by a video camera which can also
be connected with surveillance centers. During closing hours, the shop appearance
is very improved: from closed shutters to "talking" windows, with the retailer who
can also "discuss" friendly with his customer through the monitor. The shop owner
can leave his shop without necessarily lose all of the possible sales. Some kinds
of consumer products dispensers are available in closed locations, eg. offices, or
at transportation stations. Such dispensers are conceived as "cupboards" refilled
by external firms using standard assortments, with various problems for assortment
and commercial reasons: these dispensers are in competition with the traditional retailers,
the assortments are almost entirely made by dried products which are not first necessity
but yummy, we can find snacks and nuts but not bread or milk. There are then big technological
problems: the communication and repairing of breakages is not fast, sometimes it is
the customer who should take the initiative to contact the repairing firm by phone
(rarely happening), cleaning is not always excellent (take in mind that we are talking
about dispensing foods), safety levels are relatively low (preventing shatter and
burglary may be difficult), in practice there is no communication towards the customer
from the machine. In addition, usually the customers do not know who are the suppliers
of the foods that they are buying. The proposed apparatus enables a certain level
of distributive automation for the needs of the traditional retail. Instead of machines
working independently from the surrounding environment, machines increasing distribution
capabilities for the needs of retailers who already trade in direct way. Adaptations
are necessary with reference to either technological, distributive and location matters,
related to dispensers dimensions, positioning, kinds of products sold, payment functions,
safety and hygiene conditions and, maybe, also communication levels with the customer.
The dispenser (Figure nr. 1, "A"), shaped as a parallelepiped, integrated in the shop
window, enables products distribution, and can be opened by the shop owner to be refilled.
The meaning of "integrated in the shop window" is positioned in a shop window facing
external space. "Shop window" means therefore "external facade" and is not necessarily
referring to a glass surface, even if this will be the ordinary situation. The case
of the dispenser (Figure nr. 2, "1") is made of stainless steel or other kinds of
metal or alloy or plastic with features of hits and wear standing, with parts in plastic
and glass. The dimensions are variable depending on the kind of shop, shop window
and products assortments which will be offered. The dispenser positioning in height
is set in a way to make easy correct visualization and management of the various tools.
The front face of the dispenser is transparent to allow visibility of the offered
products ("2"). The described dispenser will mainly be positioned in the front face
of foods and beverages shops, supermarkets, bars, pubs. The internal sections containing
the products ("3") can be adjusted in dimensions and temperatures, to make possible
conservation of dried and fresh products of various dimensions. Each section is marked
by a code corresponding to a product. The customer who wants a particular product
needs to digit the corresponding code on the selection keyboard ("7a"). The related
price and other possible information (about products availability, breakages, etc.)
appear on the display ("7b"). On customer confirmation, the machine requires to insert
coins (in slot "5a") or notes (in slot "5b"), dispensing the possible change in mouth
"5c". At the same time the selected product drops in drawer "4" and can be picked
up opening the related door. The shop owner will daily take off the money opening
a dedicated box which collects it. Furthermore, prepaid personal cards can be used.
In this case, cards will be inserted in in slot "6". Prepaid cards can be used in
two ways. In the first case, only the data about the residual credit are associated.
In the latter case, other data are also stored, firstly the "status" of customer,
secondly some personal data, and possibly data related to previous purchases or preferences
of the specific customer. After inserting the card, the display "7b" or the monitor
"12" will be able to show possible dedicated promotions or price conditions for the
specific customer. Other kinds of messages could be showed, as indicated in the continuation
with reference to monitor "12". Prepaid cards therefore are useful to reduce cash
payments, anticipate incomes of the shop owner but also customize the service. For
example, if a retailer wastes on average 5 "brioches" per day, using this system and
the cards he can be able to sell some brioches "in anticipation", and he can therefore
practice some discounts on products that otherwise would be completely lost. There
is some difference between wasting 35 brioches per week or selling 20 of them with
anticipated incomel Microprocessors included in the machine then allow to store selling
data associated with a particular card, and this makes possible to know the preferences
of each customer through analysis of the related information flows and to structure
further dedicated special offers or promotions. Mouth"6" can also be used to pay using
the ordinary credit cards. The protection system increases safety levels. Video camera
"9" is positioned in the facade of the shop to shoot activities happening in front
of the shop window. Shatterproof and burglary proof sensors ("14") are positioned
in the shop window and to protect video camera "9" and monitor "12", and they communicate
shatter or burglary attempts. The communication system "8" can then send the related
data flow to alarm or registration tools of the shop owner (arrow "10"), or to external
organizations like surveillance centers (arrow "11"). A screen ("12") allows informative,
promotional, advertising and entertainment communications. The messages showed can
refer to the purchase being carried out, to the shop or also to different subjects.
Messages can be informative (eg.: products features, usage of dispenser, further information),
promotional (eg.: discounts, special offers), advertising (eg.: commercials, messages)
or entertainment. The screen activates when a customer begins to operate, or when
somebody is detected in the area in front of the shop window. If a personal card is
inserted, different options are possible, for example the favourite shop clerk of
the customer may appear calling him/her by name. All the described activities are
coordinated by microprocessors for the setting and recording of sales and communication
activities (13). Possible needs to store large quantities of data (among which, for
example, video flows from the video camera and video messages on the screen) are solved
using digital memories accessible from the shop owner. Figure 1 shows a possible positioning
of the described apparatus in the shop window of a shop. "A" is the dispenser, "B"
the video camera, "C" the screen. A patent is required and, at the same time, if this
request could not be accepted as it is, the possibility to access every possible conversion
faculty stated by the relevant rules, including the acceptance of some of the required
claims or the conversion of the present application in an application for utility
model, keeping the possibility to appeal possible decisions not entirely coincident
with the original application. At the same time, we are available to proceed with
further clarifications, modifications or integrations if required by the Office.
