GB2504200A - A portable device with an interface and a telecommunications device - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable device includes an interface and a telecommunications device. Ideally the device collects waste and the interface is a screen whose contents can be updated in real time via the telecommunications device which could be wifi. The device could achieve the combined functions of a menu and an ash tray on a table. A customer could also use data on the device as an identifier of location to publicise or review the location. The device could be a folding blank.

Description

ENCLOSURE/COMMUNICATIONS This invention relates to communications (especially real-time telematic) cooperating enclosures for the display of, and to digital signage (especially in circumstances requiring impending change and/or updating content to displayed reminders; and more so when configured with tableware', packaging and transportable signage etc. and is concerned with dedicated digital solicited communications, efficiency, sanitary practice and particularly to the means of enablement disposed as a mobile-phone App.' or application.

It is common practice in hospitality areas, especially restaurants and cafes/coffee bars, mobile catering vehicles, and particularly those with limitations (of personnel, space etc.) to provide a multitude of individually packaged servings of condiments and the like for the customer's convenience; following dispensing, these evacuated enclosures thereafter require means for efficient and appropriate disposal. Following statute banning the practice of smoking within said establishments and public places the provision of collection' trays for the disposal of ash and any un-smoked remains has ceased; these receptacles once commonplace, required continual cleaning and were generally used as means for the cumulation of litter and other' debris.

The failure to provide an alternative means for the disposal of such waste not only presents a health and safety issue especially from the scattering of said foodstuffs at the place of use and to adjacent floor-space but it also creates an ambience of untidiness in general and especially when its dispersal may be exacerbated by brisk air movement or other, and/or similarly when the litter can only be placed in evacuated utensils during or after use. This creates incidental difficulties for its immediate or subsequent removal by staff, particularly when inaccessible, disengaged from communications means or otherwise deployed.

Excellence in communications is a requisite to provide exemplary customer service; in addition unobtrusive, concise and discreet means to deliver necessary information (especially if requiring of multilingual or complex description[s]) and/or to gather feedback thereafter) to enable improvements to be made to output is fundamental to continuing success.

To overcome these difficulties the invention discloses a modular station [preferably disposable] for the sanitary containment and/or removal of small debris accumulated from activity (especially dining), and constructed (especially for ease of use and storage) typically from paperboard or a polymer enclosure (thermoplastic sheet/panel) especially configured as an information (especially digital) communications vehicle for the display of banners, reminders and similar; the enclosure thereafter may be creased and folded as necessary and formed such that a portion may be used as a receptacle for the cumulating, carriage and transfer of product (especially litter/waste)and other portion(s) disposed to include telecommunications apparatus (for engagement with mobile phone(s) transponding with adjacent digital signage means and other similar devices (especially by means of QR coding) to display digitally' configured banners and reminders. It is expected the invention may be disposed for use with takeaway' product(s) as wrapping', portable digital signage configured especially as apparel, tabard etc. without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Preferably including sanitary means, that especially in warmer climes with exigency to exclude pests, insects and especially flies from the vicinity of those attendant (enabled in particular by means of a (non-toxic) insect repellent or pesticide especially disposed to the seam adhesive or possibly integral (through application) to the stock' blank) although this may be omitted if not necessary); the stock/blank adapted preferably for subsequent lamination and/or printing for example with the establishment's output (menu) or other communicated information; it is possible for the structure (or a portion of same) to be disposed with an aromatic flame-retardant wax or polymer (especially a thermoplastic adherent coating adapted for the extinguishment and entrapment of resultant waste from the smoking of tobacco products, cigarettes or similar the purpose of which is to diminish the spread of such litter especially when external to the hostelry building (and particularly when exposed to a greater element of climatic influence) The essence of the invention discloses a portable vehicle that is maintenance free, that can be easily stored, and that may be substituted regularly for the sanitary containment and the transportation of product (especially litter for its disposal), and configured for the cooperating display of banners (and updating in real-time of information, especially of output' and solicited local reminders' and for the offering and/or purchase of preferences' enabled (particularly by QR bar-coding and cooperating mobile-phone telematic communications mobile payments platform[s]); that includes means for the gathering and reviewing of user feedback to enable improvements to delivery of output.

The invention is configured for use by including cooperating and interactive Wifi transponder apparatus 5 (wireless protocol enabled communications display vehicle, especially an easily viewable cooperating display membrane', e'paper or similar) and/or other cooperating telematic apparatus for the communication and display of updated information reminders' etc. disposed to the vehicle' to enable real-time' communications and interaction between the cooperating users when adjacent to/from the invention through the cooperating application downloadable to their mobile portal/handset (mobile-phone) reference patent application(s): No GBOlll998.l and No 1203796.6 and No 1202780.1.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Blank 1 (which may include displayed information and/or reminders) is cut and scored for folding; the blank is thereafter folded along the score-lines 2 2a 2b 2c and 2d such that a containing portion 3 for the cumulating and transport of product is formed. Adhesive 4 (especially hot-melt' disposed with a pesticide or repellent) is applied, to seam portion A' together with portion B', thereafter enabling the structure to be erected for use, cooperating tabs and slots may be used as alternative means of attachment, especially for thermoplastic blanks where it may be preferred for retractable engagement and/or to sustain its final shape, omitting the need for an adhesive.

Adjacent portion 5 is configured for the disposal of augmented reality structure' internet enabled telecommunications means for the engagement, updating and viewing of digitally communicated information typically enabled using applied QR coding links' or similar.

It is envisaged the enclosure member' and the digital display membrane' to be configured other than described previously, for example as an integral polymer sheet disposed as wrapping especially when transparent for packaging i.e. carton, carrier-bag' or similar and/or as an insert, attachment or integral to suitable adjacent constructs [for example disposed as windows, walls etc as means especially for digital signage and real-time interactive communication, or as wearable apparel.

Figure 1 is illustrative of a blank, cut and scored for folding.

Figure 2 is illustrative of the forming of the containment portion of the apparatus.

Figure 3 is illustrative of the invention completed for use.

(It is possible that aspects and/or structure described in previous Application(s) No GB0111998.1 and No 1203796.6 and No 1202780.1 and No 1301974.0 to be disposed to, without departing from the scope of, the present invention) Further modifications of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.