WO2004043210A1

WO2004043210A1 - Food display case

Info

Publication number: WO2004043210A1
Application number: PCT/CA2003/001721
Authority: WO
Inventors: Glenn Sweeney; Reagh Burgess; R. James Duke
Original assignee: Cool Fresh Designs Inc.
Priority date: 2002-11-13
Filing date: 2003-11-13
Publication date: 2004-05-27
Also published as: AU2003281880A1; CA2411652A1

Abstract

A temperature controlled display case for food products requiring refrigeration suitable for use near high traffic consumer points-of-purchase. The display case allows the food to be seen without opening the display case. The temperature within the case is controlled using a thermostat and a thermoelectric device as a heat pump in conjunction with a single electrically operated motor connected to two sets of aluminum fins and air blowers. One blower circulates the temperature controlled within the display case thereby keeping all food at a uniform temperature.

Description

FOOD DISPLAY CASE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to food display cases. More particularly, the present invention relates to the business of creating food and a closely related display case and the business of the creation and distribution of these. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The means of displaying food at retail outlets is well known. All manners of shelving, bins, free standing racks, and counter top displays are used to display food that doesn't require temperature control. Small counter top displays take a variety of physical forms from cardboard holders and wire racks to clear plastic containers. Common among them all is that they are un-powered, passive devices that provide no environmental control. Since they provide no temperature control the food products displayed cither by their nature do not require refrigeration or they must have more preservatives than their natively refrigerated counter parts. These additional preservatives in the food products make them less tasty man the refrigerated form of the same food.

Refrigerated food display cases used in retail stores are also well known. They are typically large floor standing units that are cooled by means of electric motors, compressors, evaporator and condensing coils. They either have clear uninsulated glass doors or are open in the front and fans are used to keep the cooled air generally within the display case. Due to the large size of compressor powered refrigerated display cases they are not typically located near the checkout counter and arc never seen as counter top units due to their size- noise and the heat they generate.

There exist smaller quieter food coolers described in US 6,073,78889, US 6,026,647, and US 5,860,281 that are used typically in automobiles. These coolers are not used in retail display due to their shape and door arrangement not being appropriate for either freestanding use nor for counter top display. The units have no means of viewing their contents without opening the units.

Food manufacturers are limited in the packaging and labeling that they can use when e)/ produce packaged food that will be displayed in general purpose displays. Without control over exactly how the food will be displayed the manufactures have to put the food into very robust packaging and have to provide labeling on each individual unit. They have no certainty over the lighting their product will be displayed in or even the orientation of their label, with respect to the consumer's angle. When their food is going into general-purpose displays, die food manufacturers are also limited in the techniques that they can use to attract consumers to their product.

It is, therefore- desirable to provide small quiet refrigerated display units where the product offered is attractive and easily accessible to the consumer and the display and food work well together. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one disadvantage of previous art.

In one aspect, there is provided a temperature controlled display case for displaying perishable products on a countertop- the display case comprising: an insulated box having a floor, a back wall, a front wall, and two side walls, thereby defining an interior, the box having a size and shape that allow it to be placed on a countertop, the front wall of the box having a height less than that of the back wall; a hinged lid operably attached to the box for accessing the interior of the box by moving the lid from an open position in which the interior of die box can be accessed, to a closed position in whϊph the lid makes substantially sealing contact with the box such that the interior of the box cannot be accessed, the lid having a window for viewing the interior of the box; and a cooling system operatively contained within the box, the cooling system having an internal air circulation system, a control system, and a thermoelectric heat transfer system.

In one embodiment, the hinged lid is biased to the closed position.

In a second embodiment, the thermoelectric heat transfer system comprises: a first set of cooling fins integral to tire walls and floor of the display case and protruding towards the interior of the case; an inner adapted for placement within the box. the inner liner having a second set of cooling fins protruding towards the exterior of the box; and a thermoelectric device disposed between the first set of cooling fins and the second set of cooling fins for creating a thermal gradient between the first and second sets of cooling fins. In another embodiment, the internal circulation system is located in the interior of the box for circulating air within the box, thereby facilitating transfer of heat to the first set of cooling fins. The display case may further include an external circulation system for further facilitating heat transfer from the second set of cooling fins. The internal and external circulation systems aTe preferably internal and external fans aligned such that they are driven by a single shaft powered by a motor.

Preferably, the control system is a temperature selector and temperature sensor and cooling feedback system, and in a further embodiment, the temperature sensor further comprises a tamper evident display.

In a further embodiment, the control system includes a data recording system for recording the dates and times the lid is moved to the open position.

The perishable foods are preferably snack products and may be of any shape, however a tubular shape is preferred.

Ln a second aspect, a system is provided for enabling an entity to control the distribution of perishable food products at point of sale locations. The system comprises a display case manufacturer for manufacturing the display case of claim 1; a food manufacturer for manufacturing a perishable food product to be displayed in the display case; and a system of agreements amongst the entity, the manufacturers, a retailer displaying the food products, and a distributor for specifying: the perishable food products which may be displayed widiin the display case; the terms of manufacture and shipment of display cases by the display case manufacturer; and the terms of manufacture and shipment of the food product by the food manufacturer to the retailer for countertop display.

The retail store may have a purchase and supply agreement with the entity for managing the quantity of food product distributed by the retail store and may purchase the food product from the entity. T e entity may periodically invoice the retailer to incite payment by the retailer for the food product purchased from the entity. In turn, the retailer may receive payment from a consumer upon distribution of the food product.

A further embodiment may include a distributor for managing the purchase and supply of food products and display cases between the retailer and the entity, and/or a sales agent for, marketing the display case and food product to the retailer.

The entity will preferably identify display case designs that will promote the distribution of a particular food product identified for display within the display case, and may gain intellectual property monopoly for at least one of: the display case designs, a design that has been applied to the food product, any novel combination of the display case with the food product, the food product recipe, and the food product format.

In a third aspect, there is provided a method for distributing perishable food products at point of sale locations comprising the steps of: obtaining a plurality of perishable snack foods; placing the snack foods within the temperature controlled point of sale display case; affixing promotional information and pricing information to the exterior walls or lid of the display case distributing the perishable snack foods to a consumer; placing the snack foods within the temperature controlled point of sale display case; affixing promotional information and/or pricing information to the exterior walls or lid of the display case; distributing the perishable snack foods to a consumer.

The present invention provides a temperature controlled display case with characteristics of size, shape, noise, and heat produced that together make it suitable for use near the point-of-purchase in retail outlets.

In a further embodiment, there is provided a more hygienic means of merchandising fresh food products through temperature control.

In further aspect, the present invention provides a method of merchandising that results in selling food to consumers that has improved taste and texture and that is visually appealing to and convenient for the consumer. Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example ^• only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top view of the display case without the lid.

Fig. 2 is a side cut-away view of the display case.

Fig 3 is an isometric view of the display case without the lid.

Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of the set-up of the business.

Fig- 5 is a schematic representation of the on-going operation of the business. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally, the present invention provides a method and system for placing fresh delicatessen type food products on the counter near the point-of-sale.

The apparatus is a point-of-purchase display case that makes the offered food product more attractive and more accessible to the consumer.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2., a counter top display 1 is provided with walls 4 and a floor 5 made of ridged insulating material and a lid 2. Inside the volume created by the walls 4, floor 5 and lid 2 the product to be sold is displayed- protected and kept at the correct temperature.

The display 1 has a size and shape that allow it to be placed close to highly desirable point-of-purchase location such as right by the checkout counter. The shape of the display 1 prevents other things from being placed on top of the display. The shape allows one display 1 to be used on its own on any flat relatively level surface and it allows several to be easily used side by side or alternatively back to back across a counter that has access from both sides.

The size and weight of the display 1 allow it to fit on virtually any counter top. The display 1 can be easily lifted by one average person thereby making it easy to distribute to retail stores and easy to position within the stores.

The display 1 holds far less saleable product than a floor standing refrigerated display but takes up much less volume, produces less heat and less noise. These attributes make the display 1 suitable for placement near the checkout counter or in other highly desirable locations that have high consumer visibility and traffic especially in comparison to the visibility and traffic past large refrigerated units that are typically located well away from the checkout counter.

The lid 2 on the display 1 is made of a transparent material to allow the displayed food product, and it's labeling to be easily seen. To further enhance the visibility of the product the lid 2 is sloped downward in the direction of where the consumer would be standing. This increases the viewing area relative to the footprint of the bottom of the display 1.

Nothing can easily stay on top of the display and thereby obscure the offered product since objects placed on the lid 2 will tend to slide off. There is no protruding handle that would allow other product or displays or advertising material to stay on the lid 2.

The transparent lid 2, the slope of the lid and having nothing set on the lid combine for good product visibility. The consumer can see the merchandise without lifting or opening anything. The consumer can be attracted to purchase the product based upon the product's looks and/or packaging. Making the product easily visible allows the consumer to be attracted to purchase the product based upon the looks of the product and the looks of the packaging. The easy visibility allows the store operator to observer the need for product replenishment. It also allows the system provider to easily verify that the product displayed is merchandise that the retailer is authorized to have in the display. In an alternate embodiment the lid 2 material is a magnification lens, or incorporates a lens or lenses, so that the food product inside the display 1 appears larger to the consumer.

The lid 2 material provides insulation thereby reducing power consumption. The insulating properties of the lid 2 also prevent or dramatically reduce frosting of the lid or condensation on the lid. The formation of frost or condensation on the lid 2 is undesirable because it will obscure the viewing of the product and its packaging. In the preferred embodiment the lid 2 is comprised of two layers of lightweight plastic with an insulating air gap in between them.

The lid 2 on die display 1 has an integrated lifting handle. The lower portion of the lid 2 overhangs the display 1 and can be grasped and used to lift the whole lid. This operation is easy for the consumer and very intuitive thereby encouraging first use by die consumer. There is no latch or closure that must be dealt with by the consumer. This use of the lid as the lifting handle lowers the cost of manufactaring the device and makes it easy to clean compared to a lid with a separate lifting handle.

The lid 2 material is lightweight making it easy to lift the lid and to lift the whole unit. The low weight of the lid keeps the display unit 1 from tipping over backwards when the lid 2 is left in the fully raised position. When the lid 2 is in the fully raised position the center of gravity of the lid 2 is outside the footprint of the display case 1 but the center of gravity of the display case 1 as a whole remains within the footprint of the bottom of the display case. The lid material is non-absorbing so it will not easily get dirty when touched by grubby hands and when pop, coffee and other substances are spilled on it while in use in a retail location. The slope of the lid will prevent spilled substances from pooling on the lid. When the lid does get dirty it can be easily cleaned.

The lid hinge 3 is made of a flexible membrane material attached in a strip along one edge of the lid and to one edge of the body of the display 1. This hinge 3 provides sealing of air thereby reducing energy required to maintain the correct environment inside the display case. The hinge material won't squeak or rust and is easy to clean.

In one embodiment the lid material has an image formed in a translucent way in the otherwise transparent lid 1. The image can be a product brand, the system operator's brand or some other visual advertising such as for a companion or complimentary product to what is being displayed in the display case 1.

The walls 4 and floor 5 of the display are constructed of ridged insulation or alternatively with an inner and outer skin made of ridged plastic and the area between the two skins filled with either air or insulation. These construction techniques have a relatively low manufacturing cost while keeping energy use low and keeping the weight of the unit down.

The temperature inside the display 1 is kept at a different temperature than the surrounding air through the use of a thermoelectric device 16 to pump heat from one set of heat fins 15 or 16 to the other set of fins 15 or 16. The thermoelectric device 1 sits in the wall 4 of the unit between the two sets of aluminum fins 15 and 17, one set 15 on the inside of the unit and the other 17 on the exterior of the unit. When an electric current is applied to the thermoelectric device 16, one side of the thermoelectric device and the fins attached to it gets hot while die other side is cooled. The direction of the heat flow depends upon the direction of the electric current. A fan 12 on the inside of the unit is used to circulate the cooled (or heated) air from the fins 15 over the displayed product and back to the fins 15. The air circulates from the bottom of the unit to the top. The product inside the display case 1 is thereby maintained at the desired temperature. A fan 13 (or blower) on the outside of the unit is used to blow ambient air over the exterior fins 17 rejecting the heat removed from the display 1 as well as the heat generated by the motor 11 and thermoelectric 16. The fans 12, 13 on the inside and outside of the unit are aligned so that they can be on a single shaft 14 driven by a single motor 11 thereby reducing cost compared with using separate motors. The fans and cooling fins are sized so that they provide adequate heat transfer relative to each other when operated at the same speed. The fans 12, 13 operate at the same speed due to sharing a single motor 11 and being on the same shaft 14 with no gearing.

The flow of the air is directed inside the display 1 by openings in the top and bottom of the baffle 10 inside of the display 1. The baffle 10 separates the product area from the fan 13 and fin 15 area. The air flows in a hole at the top of baffle 10 then through the fan 12 then across the aluminum heat transfer fins 15 and then through the area between the floor 5 and the false bottom 6 and then into area where the food 24 is stored. The air flowing into the product space washes the underside of the lid 2 of the display 1 preventing it from being obscured by moisture or frost. The raised, false bottom 6 inside the display 1 allows room for air circulation beneath the food 24 diereby keeping all of the food product 24 at a uniform and desired temperature.

A thin layer of ceramic 18 is used between the fins 15 and the thermoelectric 16 and between fins 17 and the thermoelectric 16. The ceramic 18 is an electrical insulator and keeps the thermoelectric from electrically shorting to the fins 15 & 17, In an alternate embodiment the fins 15 & 17 are anodized and the ceramics 18 are omitted. The anodizing forms a sufficient electrical insulating layer to keep the thermoelectric 16 from shorting on the fins 15 & 17.

An air baffle 19 is located such that is separates fan 12 and fan 13 as well as separating fins 15 and fins 17. This baffle 19 keeps the air that is circulated by fan 12 within the interior of the display case from mixing with ambient air that is circulated by fan 13 over fins 17.

An opening is located on the rear exterior surface 53 of the display 1 to allow ambient air to come into fan 13. Air is drawn in by fan 13 and is blown across fins 17. A second opening located on the rear exterior surface 53 of the display 1 allows the air back to the surroundings after it has passed through fins 17. In one embodiment the openings are designed with protrusions such that if the back of the display 1 is butted up against something vertical like a wall, there are still sufficient gaps for the air flow into the inside (fan 13 side) and sufficient gaps for the air to be expelled from the inside '(fin 17 side) back to the surroundings-

A control 20 is located inside the display 1 in the preferred embodiment. The control 20 is connected to a temperature sensor 21 that is located where it can sense the temperature of the air surrounding the displayed product. When the display 11 is used for cooling and the temperature sensor 21 senses a temperature above a first set point the control 20 will cause the motor 11 and thermoelectric 16 to operate. When the temperature sensor 21 senses a temperature below a second set point the control 20 will cause the motor 11 and thermoelectric 16 to stop by turning off the flow of electrical power to them. ΛVhen the temperature rises above the first set point the control 20 will causes the motor

11 and thermoelectric to start again. The control 20 thereby maintains a temperature inside the display case 1 between the two set points. The control may be an integrated microprocessor control .

In another embodiment no control 20 or temperature sensor 21 are provided to reduce the manufacturing cost and improve reliability by having fewer components. The motor 1 1 and thermoelectric 16 run continuously. In this embodiment the motor 11 , fans

12 & 13, thermoelectric 16 and heat sinks 15 &. 17 are carefully sized so that when the motor 11 and thermoelectric 1 run continuously the temperature is maintained within an acceptable range.

In a further embodiment the lid 2 is treated to reduce the glare off the surface in order to make the product more visible. They lid 2 may also be treated so that it filters out ultraviolet light in order to better preserve the 'product, make it look better and to preserve taste longer. h a further embodiment the fan 13 is not present and the fins 17 are enlarged so that they can provide sufficient heat transfer with natural convection.

In a further embodiment there is a switch 22 that indicates when the lid 2 has been raised. In order to reduce energy by not blowing the cool air out of the display case 1 when the lid 2 is open, the control 20 turns off the motor 11 while the lid is open.

In a further embodiment there are short legs on the bottom of the display 1 to create a small air gap between the bottom of the display 1 and the counter top that it is sitting on. The gap reduces heat transfer between the display 1 and the counter top thereby reducing the power consumed and heat generated by the display 1.

It is desirable that the display 1 not easily moved from the desired location on the counter Double-sided tape is affixed to the bottom surface 55 to hold the display in place so that a significant deliberate effort is required to move the display 1. Simple bumping of the display during reloading product or during normal use will not cause the display 1 to move.

A roughly rectangular shaped gasket 23 sits between the lower edge of the lid 2 and top surface 54 of the body of the display 1. The top surface 54 of the body is a sloped surface shown best in figure 3. When the lid 2 is closed the gasket 23 minimizes air leakage between the interior of the display 1 and the surrounding ambient air thereby minimizing the electrical energy used to cool or heat the interior air. The gasket 23 also serves to reduce the noise caused by the lid 2 being dropped closed.

The surfaces on the front 50 and sides 51 & 52 are used to display advertising about the product contained within die display 1. Advertising is also placed on the other highly visible surface, the sloped surface 54 that is visible even when the lid is closed because the lid is transparent. In the preferred embodiment the advertising is a material that contains a 3D image such that the image and/or text changes when viewed from different angles. For example, when viewed from one angle a logo would be visible while- moving to an angle either side of this the words "Fresh is Best" would appear. Moving further or back would then cause the logo to reappear replacing the words "Fresh is Best".

In a further embodiment the control 20 records the date and times that the lid is opened based upon the indication from switch 22. This data is later transmitted to the system operator cither by wireless means, or via a dialup modem connected to a phone line or via a connection to the same data network that the retail store uses for its bankcard autiiorizations. The data collect provides useful marketing information to the provider of the display case and food.

While the display alone can provide significant advantages over existing displays, , the tastmess, texture and quality of the food is further enhanced by the method of creating and supplying the display case and the food, and significant benefits flow to the business that creates them in the manner described as follows. The business consists of the following major participants: System operator 70 (SYSOP), one or more food manufacturers 71 (FMFG). one or more display case (or equipment) manufacturers 72 (DCMFG), a distribution chain 73 (DISTC), Retail stores 74 and Consumers 76.

A business called the SYSOP can create value by engaging in a business described as follows. Figure 4 shows the setup of the business SYSOP engages in. The SYSOP 70 researches and identifies opportunities for combinations of food and displays. Having identified a specific commercially interesting opportunity, the SYSOP produces designs, Tecipes, specifications and quality standards for the food and it's packaging and labeling. The SYSOP also produces designs and specifications for an associated display case that will hold the specific food, display it in an attractive and easily accessible manner to consumers, and keep the food at a desired temperature. The food and the display case are designed 80 together to produce a desirable combination. Each is designed with the full knowledge of the other and tradeoffs are made between the food, packaging and display. Further, the SYSOP has full knowledge of the available logistics options for delivering the food from the food manufacturer to the display case and can thereby rely on particular attributes of these available logistical methods when designing the food, packaging and displays.

At the time of design the SYSOP also considers product branding, product advertising, design patents and trademarks. The SYSOP may design the shape and/or color of the food, its packaging and labeling in such a manner that is may be more easily or more strongly trademarked or more strongly protected by a design patent. The SYSOP likewise may design the shape of the display case to be very distinctive to the consumer and more strongly protected by a design patent and trademark. Such a case design may require a modified food shape or a change in its packaging. Alternatively a particular food shape or packaging may require a unique corresponding display case. Since the SYSOP has control over all aspects of the food, its packaging, labeling, presentation and the display cases characteristics and labeling, the SYSOP may create desirable combinations. For example, these combinations may be desirable in terms of the how fresh and tasty the food can be when received by the consumer, or the combination may be optimal in terms of total life cycle cost of food manufacturing and distribution, or the combination is highly distinctive yet at an acceptable cost.

The SYSOP may, for example identify that one desirable feature to create is a product with no packaging at all to appeal to those concerned -with packaging waste. At the same time, eliminating the individual unit packaging can save money. The SYSOP then integrates this feature into its system by designing a display case that can appropriately protect unpacked individual food items and creates the food item in a manner that it doesn't require such packaging. In order to provide the necessary ingredient labeling and product advertising that is normally on individual packaging, SYSOP designs an alternate labeling scheme into the display case. This labeling could be included in the bulk packaging used to transport the product from the FMFG 71 to the display case whereupon delivery this labeling is detached and inserted into a slot on the side or front of the display case.

The SYSOP 70 seeks intellectual property protection 81 , at the appropriate time, including patents, design patents and registered trademarks related to the food, its packaging and/or labeling, the display case and combinations of these.

After the food and its corresponding display case are designed 80, the SYSOP 70 does a number of activities that can done simultaneously (in parallel) or in a number of possible sequences.

The SYSOP 70 negotiates and contracts 82 with one or more FMFG 71 to manufacture the food according to the designs 83 and specifications that the SYSOP 70 has produced. The manufacturing of food includes the food preparation, packaging, labeling and quality control.

The SYSOP 70 negotiates and contracts 84 with one or more DCMFG 72 to manufacture the display case according to the designs and specifications 85 that the SYSOP 70 has produced. The manufacturing of the display case includes the material procurement, fabrication, assembly, labeling, testing and quality control necessary to produce a display case that meets the specifications 85 that SYSOP 70 provides.

SYSOP 70 may make the arrangements directly with FMFG 71 and DCMFG 72 or engage a knowledge agent or subcontractor to establish and maintain these relationships on its behalf.

Following the design of the display case and food, and contracting with FMFG and DCMFG, SYSOP begins operating the business as shown in Figure 5. SYSOP promotes the display case and food combination to retail stores. SYSOP 70 may also make arrangements 88 with sales agents 75 to act on its behalf in the marketing and sales 89 of the food and display equipment to retail stores. These sales agents promote 89 the display case and food product combination to retails stores. The sales agent 75 may also assist SYSOP 70 with making arrangements with the retailer's wholesale division or preferred contractual distributor. In any case the SYSOP 70 is establishing relationships to get contracts with the distributors 73 and retail stores 74, get the display cases 1 delivered to the retail stores 74 and an ongoing supply of matching food supplied to the distributors 73 for onward supply to the retail stores 74. For efficiency the display cases may be shipped 87 to the distributors 73 directly from the DCMFG 72 or even directly to individual retail stores based upon instructions 86 from SYSOP 70.

The distributors 73 and SYSOP 70 enter into purchase and supply agreements 91 for SYSOP 70 to supply specific food to the distributor. As part of these agreements 91, the distributors 73 agree not to knowingly distribute product from others sources for use in the SYSOP display case. The distributors 73 also agree to provide data 99 to SYSOP regarding its shipments to retail stores 74. In the preferred embodiment the distributor 73 is also responsible for the distribution of display cases to retail stores 74 that have entered into an agreement with SYSOP.

The retail stores 74 sign an agreement 90 with SYSOP 70 to place SYSOP's display cases 1 into their stores. SYSOP 70 may lease or rent the display cases 1 to the retail stoτes 74 in which case the required contractual obligations may be contained in the lease or rental agreement. Whatever its form, the agreement 90 between SYSOP 70 and the retail store 74 has the contractual restrictions that only food authorized by SYSOP 70 is to be placed in the display case. There are additional contractual obligations of the retail store 74 such as a restriction on the location of the display case 1 within the store, maintaining prescribed handling of the food, maintaining die branding of the case and food, and the return of display case to SYSOP when it ceases to be used. SYSOP 70 agrees to maintain or replace the display cases 1 as necessary and has the right to replace the display case with one with different attributes when necessitated due to a change in the corresponding food supply and has the right to change The branding on the display case. As part of the agreement 90 between SYSOP 70 and the retail stores 74, SYSOP undertakes responsibility for the quality assurance of the display cases and the food for the display cases. SYSOP 70 also grants the retail store 74 the necessary rights to use the display case and otiier necessary rights.

In some cases to address stores' financial preferences or to deal with liability and insurance issues or for other reasons, it may be preferable for SYSOP 70 to sell the display case to the retail store 74 for their full value or on a subsidized basis. In either case there is a contract between SYSOP 70 and the retail store 74 with restrictions, responsibilities and rights similar to those in the lease and rental agreements.

After the necessary agreements are in place, the retail store 74 would place orders 92 with their distributor 73. Distributors 73 would aggregate these orders 92 and place orders 93 with SYSOP. SYSOP would place orders 94 with the FMFG 71 and the FMFG 71 would ship 95 die food to the appropriate distributor 73. A distributor's 73 orders 93 to the SYSOP 70 would be based upon its forecasting system and/or based upon consolidation of orders 92 from the retail stores 74 that is serves. The FMFG 71 would invoice 96 SYSOP for food shipped 95 to the distributors 73 and SYSOP 70 would pay 97 these invoices. The distributor 73 would invoice 102 the retail store 74 for the distribution of the SYSOP-controlled food and receive their payments 103. The distributor 73 would also provide data 99 to the SYSOP 70 about the quantities of food delivered to each retail store 74 and the dates of these deliveries. SYSOP 70 would use this data 99 and generate invoices 100 the retail stores 74 who would pay 101 these invoices.

The consumer 76 would receive the food product 104 in exchange for a form of payment 105 accepted by the retail store 74. The food product that the consumer 76 receives is desirable in terms of freshness, visual appeal, taste, texture, PH and other discernable attributes. In an alternate embodiment the distributors would place orders with a Broker acting on behalf of SYSOP. The Broker would place orders with SYSOP to forward to the FMFG and provide instructions to ship a portion of the order to each distributor. The FMFG would provide the food to the distributors as instructed. The SYSOP would pay the FMFG for the product shipped and the Broker a commission. The distributors would provide data to the Broker on the dates and times of deliveries to retail stores, locations of delivery and quantities of food delivered. The Broker would also provide this data in detail but consolidated to the SYSOP about all the food deliveries from all distributors within a reporting period. Alternatively, the distributors would be required by their agreement with SYSOP to provide the data directly to SYSOP.

Typically the distributors 73 would deliver the display case or cases to a newly signed-up retail store 74 along with first food delivery.

The business that SYSOP would engage in is better understood with an illustration of this method of doing business. For this we will use as an example the fictional food product "Wedgie". There is an existing well-established large market for wedgies. They are sold in numerous convenience stores and grocery stores. No brands dominates the wedgie market, there are over 100 current wedgie brands in the US alone. There are currently two classifications of wedgies, those that require refrigeration and those that don't. The ones that require refrigeration are located in a general purpose cooler or the deli section of grocery stores or in a general purpose refrigerated display case in convenience stores. The wedgies that don't require refrigeration are located in containers near the checkout stands as wedgies are an impulse purchase; they are a treat rather than a basic staple. The wedgies that don^'t require refrigeration do so by means of having many more preservatives, less moisture, and a different pH than found in those that require refrigeration and hence they aren't as tasty as the refrigerated version. Some consumers conscious of the content of the food they consume, don't like that fact that there are many preservatives and additives within the room-temperatute-type wedgies and hence they buy fewer than they would otherwise. Similarly there are some consumers who don't like to buy products that have a lot of packaging and room-temperature-type wedgies offered in open containers at the checkout stand contain a lot of packaging in relation to the size of the wedgie. These consumers would be more inclined to buy wedgies with less packaging. Every group of consumers would buy more wedgies that are conveniently located near the checkout.

SYSOP identifies an opportunity to provide a tastier, fresher wedgie conveniently located near the checkout stand and with less packaging. SYSOP designs a novel temperature controlled display case appropriate to be located near the. checkout stand and hold a significant volume of product for its foot print on the counter. The wedgies are designed to be of a size that will easily fit within the new display unit. The recipe for the wedgies uses far fewer preservatives than normal counter displayed wedgies and hence they taste better and are more appealing to those conscious of their food intake. Also, since taste and texture will be superior they will also appeal to consumers for those reasons.

SYSOP contracts with XY2 Equipment to manufacture the wedgie display cases based on the design SYSOP has developed. SYSOP contracts with A&B Foods to manufacture the wedgies. SYSOP then engages the WIZBANG Food Marketing Group to reach distributors and get them to carry the wedgie product and to get contracts with retail stores. The contracts between SYSOP and the retail stores requires that as long as the display cases are located on the checkout counter and only used to display SYSOP's new wedgie the cases are provided free of charge. SYSOP authorizes A&B Foods to ship product to certain distributors who have signed agreements with SYSOP.

While most Wedgies contain vegetables SYSOP chose to emphasis this for use in its marketing plans and designed the wedgie in a "V" shape and branded it with a distinctive "VW" to tie into a planned "Veggi Wedgie" promotion. The display case was designed to have ridges to support the bottom of the "V" and each "V" shaped wedgie placed on top of the previous one would nest into the one below. The display case itself, was appeared to look like a "V" when viewed from above with the wide part of the V at the back where the cooling mechanism for the display was located. SYSOP filed a design patent on the display case and on the design of the wedgie. SYSOP then began a branding campaign and advertising campaign secure in the knowledge that the. brand equity it is creating cannot easily be side stepped. SYSOP receives a good margin on its product and experiences significant business volume due to the attractiveness of its product to consumers. To complete the above example the distribution of the food from the FMFG to the distributors and then to the retail stores and the payments and flow of data takes place according to one to the methods described previously.

, The above example is illustrative of the method and shows the significant benefits that flow to SYSOP from this method of doing business. In real life "wedgies" could be products such as pastries, cheese sticks, bread sticks, beef jerky, fish treats, kippered beef, yogurt, sushi, meat pies, and fruit treats. In each case, the specific display case configuration, temperature storage, product recipe, shape, color, packaging, labeling, and novel twist and branding created by SYSOP would vary depending upon the nature of the product opportunity and consumers targeted. One example of the benefits that can be provided with the described system and method is providing a food close to the point of purchase that is easier to chew than a shelf-stable equivalent. The fresh product delivered using a cooled display case can be eaten by people with dentures while the shelf stable product presents them challenges. In another example the texture and feel of a cooled food can be appealing compared with the same food delivered at room temperature. The benefits to consumers translate to significant financial benefits to SYSOP.

The above-described embodiments of the present invention are intended to be examples only. Alterations, modifications and variations may be effected to the particular embodiments by those of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A temperature controlled display case for displaying perishable products on a countertop, the display case comprising: an insulated box having a floor, a back wall, a front wall, and two side walls, thereby defining an mterior, the box having a size and shape that allow it to be placed on a countertop, the front wall of the box having a height less than that of the back wall; a hinged lid operably attached to the box for accessing the interior of the box by moving the lid from an open position in which the interior of the box can be accessed, to a closed position in which the lid makes substantially sealing contact with the box such that the interior of the box cannot be accessed, the lid having a window for viewing the interior of the box; and a cooling system operatively contained within the box, the cooling system having an internal air circulation system, a control system, and a tiierrnoelectric heat transfer system for providing cooling to the interior of the box.

2. The display case of claim 1 wherein the hinged lid is biased to the closed position.

3. The display case of claim 1 wherein the thermoelectric heat transfer system comprises a first set of cooling fins integral to the walls and floor of the display case and protruding towards the interior of the case; an inner liner adapted for placement within the box, the inner liner having a second set of cooling fins protruding towards the exterior of the box; and a thermoelectric device disposed between the first set of cooling fins and the second set of cooling fins for creating a thermal gradient between the first and second sets of cooling fins.

4. The display case of claim 1 wherein the internal circulation system is located in the interior of the box for circulating air within the box, thereby facilitating transfer of heat to the first set of cooling fins

5. The display case of claim 4, further comprising an. external circulation system for further facilitating heat transfer from the second set of cooling fins.

6. The display case of claim 5 wherein the internal and external circulation systems are internal and external fans aligned such that they are driven by a single shaft powered by a motor.

7. The display case of claim 1 wherein the control system is a temperature selector and temperature sensor and cooling feedback system.

8. The display case of claim 7 wherein the temperature sensor further comprises a tamper evident display.

9. The display case of claim 1 wherein the control system further comprises a data recording system for recording the dates and times the lid is moved to the open position.

10. The display case of claim 1 wherein the perishable foods are snack products.

11. The display case of claim 1 wherein the snack products are essentially tubular in shape.

12. A system enabling an entity to control the distribution of perishable food products at point of sale locations comprising:

-a display case manufacturer for manufacturing the display case of claim 1 ;

-a food manufacturer for manufacturing a perishable food product to be displayed in the display case; and

-an agreement system amongst the entity, the manufacturers, a retailer displaying the food products, and a distributor for specifying: the perishable food products which may be displayed within the display case; the terms of manufacture and shipment of display cases by the display case manufacturer; and the terms of manufacture and shipment of the food product by the food manufacturer to the retailer for countertop display.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the retail store has a purchase and supply agreement with the entity for managing the quantity of food product distributed by the retail store.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the retailer purchases the food product from the entity- and where the entity periodically invoices the retailer to incite payment by the retailer for the food product purchased from the entity.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein the retailer delivers the food product to a consu er and receives payment from the consumer for the food product.

16. The system of claim 12, further comprising a distributor for managing the purchase and supply of food products and display cases between the retailer and the entity.

17. The system of claim 12 wherein the entity identifies display case designs that will promote the distribution of a particular food product identified for display within the display case.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the entity gains intellectual property monopoly for at least one of: the display case designs, a design that has been applied to the food product, any novel combination of the display case with the food product, the food product recipe, and the food product format.

19. The system of claim 12, further comprising at least one sales agent for marketing the display case and food product to the retailer.

20. A method for distributing perishable food products at point of sale locations comprising the steps of: obtaining a plurality of perishable snack foods placing the snack foods within the temperature controlled point of sale display case 1 affixing promotional information and pricing information to the exterior walls or e display case distributing the perishable snack foods to a consumer