Merchandising Systems, Methods of Merchandising, and Point-Of-Sale Devices Comprising Micro-Optics Technology

Abstract

A merchandising system, including: a consumer product. The merchandising system includes at least one of the consumer product, packaging for the consumer product, and advertisement material pertaining to the consumer product. At least one element of the merchandising system includes indicia and/or an image that relates, or is analogous to, an attribute and/or targeted benefit of the consumer product. At least one element of the merchandising system further includes a micro-optic structure capable of controlling the scatter of light impinging thereon so that the micro-optic structure reflects and/or transmits light in a field of view over which at least a portion of the indicia and/or image appears brighter relative to that outside the field of view.

1 . A merchandising system, comprising: a consumer product; and at least one of the consumer product, packaging for the consumer product, and advertisement material pertaining to the consumer product comprising: a) indicia and/or an image; and b) an optical waveguide for illuminating at least a portion of the indicia and/or image, wherein the optical waveguide comprises a first polymer layer having at least one optical element formed therein for operating on light in a predetermined manner, the first polymer layer having at least two sides and a second polymer layer having at least two sides wherein one of the at least two sides of the first polymer layer is disposed adjacent to one of the at least two sides of the second polymer layer, the first polymer layer having a first index of refraction, the second polymer layer having a second index of refraction, the first index of refraction being higher than the second index of refraction, wherein light projected into the first polymer layer in a direction substantially parallel to the first and second sides of the first polymer layer will be guided through the first polymer layer by internal reflection. 
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the indicia and/or image comprises a trademark or brand name associated with the consumer product. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the indicia and/or image relates or is analogous to an attribute or targeted benefit of the consumer product. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the indicia and/or image relates to brightening, whitening, lightening, coloring, shading, and/or cleaning. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the consumer product is marketed for brightening, whitening, lightening, coloring, shading, and/or cleaning a substrate to which the consumer product is applied. 
   
   
       6 . A merchandising system, comprising:a consumer product; and at least a portion of packaging for the consumer product and/or advertisement material pertaining to the consumer product comprising a polymer substrate comprising: an optic system comprising a waveguide and at least one optical focusing element, the optic system being capable of collecting incident light illuminating the surface of the polymer substrate, directing the collected light into the waveguide, focusing the collected light via the at least one optical focusing element into a smaller area to define a concentration of light, and then reemitting the concentration of light from the surface of the polymer substrate at a region proximate indicia and/or an image that is associated with the consumer product. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the indicia and/or image comprises a trademark or brand name associated with the consumer product. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the indicia and/or image relates or is analogous to an attribute or targeted benefit of the consumer product. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the indicia and/or image relates to brightening, whitening, lightening, coloring, shading, and/or cleaning. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the consumer product is marketed for brightening, whitening, lightening, coloring, shading, and/or cleaning a substrate to which the consumer product is applied. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the consumer product is marketed for changing the appearance and/or condition of a substrate or environment to which it is applied. 
   
   
       12 . A merchandising system, comprising: a consumer product; and at least one of the consumer product, packaging for the consumer product, and advertisement material pertaining to the consumer product comprising: a) indicia and/or an image; and b) an optical system that is capable of concentrating light impinging thereon, the concentrated light illuminating at least a portion of the indicia and/or image. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the indicia and/or image relates or is analogous to an attribute or targeted benefit of the consumer product. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the indicia and/or image relates to brightening, whitening, lightening, coloring, shading, and/or cleaning. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the consumer product is marketed for brightening, whitening, lightening, coloring, shading, and/or cleaning a substrate to which the consumer product is applied. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the indicia and/or image comprises a photograph or illustration of mammalian keratinous tissue. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the indicia and/or an image comprises a first aspect for communicating a first appearance or condition and a second aspect for communicating a second appearance or condition. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the consumer product is marketed for changing the appearance and/or condition of a substrate or environment to which it is applied. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the consumer product is marketed for at least one of cleaning, brightening, whitening, and lightening the substrate.