Patent US5097981A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5097981A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Point-of-purchase coupon dispenser
Assignee: PNC Bank NA
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Filing: 1990-08-24
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Granted: 1992-03-24
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Expires: 2010-08-24
Abstract
Abstract A self-powered, compact intelligent device senses the proximity of a consumer and draws their attention by emitting either a low level beeping sound or a 5-15 second or longer "audible commercial" or other audio/visual signal while simultaneously presenting promotional material. This point-of-purchase coupon dispenser POP-CD offers the consumer the convenience of individual, point-of-purchase coupons for immediate use.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas A. Degasperi
- 👤 John A. Nucatola
- 👤 Scott E. Manzo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 18:36
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F9/00; G07F9/02; G09; G09F; G09F27/00; G09F2027/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A point-of-purchase coupon dispenser comprising: coupon storage means for storing a plurality of coupons, coupon exit means, and means for ejecting coupons one at a time from said storage means through said exit means; audio/visual means for attracting the attention of a consumer; and activation means having consumer sensing means for sensing the presence of a consumer, said sensing means being operatively connected to said audio/visual means and said means for ejecting coupons, whereby when proximity of said consumer is sensed, said audio/visual means and said means for ejecting coupons are activated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A point-of-purchase coupon dispenser comprising: coupon storage means for storing a plurality of coupons, coupon exit means, and means for ejecting coupons one at a time from said storage means through said exit means; audio/visual means for attracting the attention of a consumer; and activation means having consumer sensing means for sensing the presence of a consumer, said sensing means being operatively connected to said audio/visual means and said means for ejecting coupons, whereby when proximity of said consumer is sensed, said audio/visual means and said means for ejecting coupons are activated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The coupon dispenser as claimed in claim 1, further comprising coupon sensing means for sensing the presence of a coupon in said exit means; said coupon sensing means operatively connected with said means for ejecting coupons whereby activation of said means for ejecting coupons is interrupted if the presence of a coupon in said exit means is sensed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The coupon dispenser as claimed in claim 2, wherein said coupon sensing means is an optical sensor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The coupon dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein said consumer sensing means is an ultrasonic detector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The coupon dispenser as claimed in claim 4, wherein said ultrasonic transducer is adjustable in sensing range.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The coupon dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein said audio/visual means is a buzzer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The coupon dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein said audio/visual means is a speaker and an audio message storage device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The coupon dispenser as claimed in claim 7, wherein said audio message storage device is a cassette player.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The coupon dispenser as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a self-contained power source.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The coupon dispenser as claimed in claim 9, wherein said self-contained power source is a battery.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The coupon dispenser as claimed in claim 1, further comprising mounting means for mounting said machine on a retail store shelf.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The coupon dispenser as claimed in claim 1, further comprising automatic shut-off means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The coupon dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein said coupon storage means comprises a removable coupon tray.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The coupon dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for ejecting coupons is a motor with roller means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The coupon dispenser as claimed in claim 13, wherein said removable coupon tray comprises a coupon shoe and a constant spring means to hold a plurality of coupons pressed against a plate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
62 words
The coupon dispenser as claimed in claim 5, further comprising switching means and clock means connected to said ultrasonic transducer whereby said transducer is placed in a transmit mode for a predetermined time and placed in receive mode for an adjustable period of time, whereby the period of time said transducer is in receive mode determines the sensing range of the transducer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
87 words
A point-of-purchase coupon dispenser comprising: coupon storage means for storing a plurality of coupons, coupon exit means, and means for ejecting coupons one at a time from said storage means through said exit means; audio/visual means for attracting the attention of a consumer; activation means operatively connected to said audio/visual means and said means for ejecting coupons to effect activation thereof; and mounting means for mounting said machine on a retail store shelf, wherein said mounting means comprises an upper and lower bracket and a tightening screw.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
87 words
A point-of-purchase coupon dispenser comprising: coupon storage means for storing a plurality of coupons, coupon exit means, and means for ejecting coupons one at a time from said storage means through said exit means; audio/visual means for attracting the attention of a consumer; activation means operatively connected to said audio/visual means and said means for ejecting coupons to effect activation thereof; and mounting means for mounting said machine on a retail store shelf, wherein said mounting means comprises an upper and lower bracket and a tightening screw.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
91 words
A point-of-purchase coupon dispenser comprising: coupon storage means for storing a plurality of coupons, coupon exit means, and means for ejecting coupons one at a time from said storage means through said exit means; audio/visual means for attracting the attention of a consumer; activation means operatively connected to said audio/visual means and said means for ejecting coupons to effect activation thereof; and tamper detection means comprising a mercury switch operatively connected with said audio/visual means whereby said audio/visual means is activated when said machine is moved out of a horizontal position.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
91 words
A point-of-purchase coupon dispenser comprising: coupon storage means for storing a plurality of coupons, coupon exit means, and means for ejecting coupons one at a time from said storage means through said exit means; audio/visual means for attracting the attention of a consumer; activation means operatively connected to said audio/visual means and said means for ejecting coupons to effect activation thereof; and tamper detection means comprising a mercury switch operatively connected with said audio/visual means whereby said audio/visual means is activated when said machine is moved out of a horizontal position.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
119 words
A point-of-purchase coupon dispenser comprising: coupon storage means, including a removable coupon tray for storing a plurality of coupons, said removable coupon tray having a coupon shoe and a constant spring means for holding a plurality of coupons pressed against a plate; coupon exit means; means for ejecting coupons, one at a time, from said storage means through said exit means, wherein said means for ejecting coupons is a motor with a roller and said plate is provided with an opening whereby said roller contacts a coupon pressed against said plate; audio/visual means for attracting the attention of a consumer; and activation means operatively connected to said audio/visual means and said means for ejecting coupons to effect activation thereof.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
119 words
A point-of-purchase coupon dispenser comprising: coupon storage means, including a removable coupon tray for storing a plurality of coupons, said removable coupon tray having a coupon shoe and a constant spring means for holding a plurality of coupons pressed against a plate; coupon exit means; means for ejecting coupons, one at a time, from said storage means through said exit means, wherein said means for ejecting coupons is a motor with a roller and said plate is provided with an opening whereby said roller contacts a coupon pressed against said plate; audio/visual means for attracting the attention of a consumer; and activation means operatively connected to said audio/visual means and said means for ejecting coupons to effect activation thereof.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
108 words
A point-of-purchase coupon dispenser comprising: coupon storage means for storing a plurality of coupons, coupon exit means, means for ejecting coupons one at a time from said storage means through said exit means, and coupon sensing means for sensing the presence of a coupon in said exit means; audio/visual means for attracting the attention of a consumer; and activation means being operatively connected to said audio/visual means, said means for ejecting coupons and said coupon sensing means, said activation means activating said audio/visual means and selectively activating said means for ejecting coupons when said coupon sensing means senses the lack of a coupon in said coupon exit means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
108 words
A point-of-purchase coupon dispenser comprising: coupon storage means for storing a plurality of coupons, coupon exit means, means for ejecting coupons one at a time from said storage means through said exit means, and coupon sensing means for sensing the presence of a coupon in said exit means; audio/visual means for attracting the attention of a consumer; and activation means being operatively connected to said audio/visual means, said means for ejecting coupons and said coupon sensing means, said activation means activating said audio/visual means and selectively activating said means for ejecting coupons when said coupon sensing means senses the lack of a coupon in said coupon exit means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-03-24 | 1995-09-23 | 1996-03-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-24 | 1999-09-23 | 2000-03-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-24 | 2003-09-23 | 2004-03-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |