Cooler/counter merchandising display unit

Abstract

A cooler/counter merchandising display unit combination wherein a merchandising cooler is integrated into various counter arrangements, the cooler being substantially contained within the footprint of the merchandising counter or check-out counter arrangement. In one embodiment, a modular refrigerated cooler is interfaced with a docking base unit which can be positioned, secured or interfaced at the end of a particular service counter, or between two counter portions. In another embodiment, the docking base unit is integrally formed into the merchandising counter and the modular refrigerated cooler is again interfaced with the integrated docking base unit. In still another embodiment, the service counter, docking base unit and refrigerated cooler are all integrated into a one-piece counter arrangement. At least one access door is provided on the cooler to allow consumers to retrieve products therefrom and at least one of the walls forming the cooler compartment includes a transparent window to allow consumers to view the products positioned within the cooler compartment.

1 . A cooler/counter merchandising display unit comprising:
 a counter having a customer side and an opposite attendant side;   a docking base unit interfaced with said counter;   a modular refrigerated cooler including a storage compartment having at least one wall with a transparent window positioned therein for viewing contents in said compartment by a person positioned on the customer side of the counter, cooling means associated with said storage compartment and operable to cool said compartment, and at least one door forming at least a portion of a wall defming said storage compartment, said at least one door being selectively movable between open and closed positions for removing product from said storage compartment; and   said refrigerated cooler interfacing with said docking base unit such that said refrigerated cooler is operable as a portion of said counter.   
   
   
       2 . The cooler/counter unit of  claim 1  wherein a front wall and a top wall of said storage compartment each includes a transparent window. 
   
   
       3 . The cooler/counter unit of  claim 2  wherein said front wall of said storage compartment includes said door, and wherein said door at least partially includes a said transparent window. 
   
   
       4 . The cooler/counter unit of  claim 3  wherein said door is hingedly mounted to said front wall. 
   
   
       5 . The cooler/counter unit of  claim 3  wherein said door is slidably mounted to said front wall. 
   
   
       6 . The cooler/counter unit of  claim 2  wherein the top wall of said storage compartment includes said door, and wherein said door at least partially includes said transparent window. 
   
   
       7 . The cooler/counter unit of  claim 6  wherein said door is hingedly mounted to said top wall. 
   
   
       8 . The cooler/counter unit of  claim 6  wherein said door is slidably mounted to said top wall. 
   
   
       9 . The cooler/counter unit of  claim 1  wherein said counter has a footprint, and wherein said docking base unit includes upper top side portions and a recessed top front intermediate portion extending between said upper top side portions, said upper top side portions and said top front intermediate surface defining a generally U-shape in plan form. 
   
   
       10 . The cooler/counter unit of  claim 9  wherein said storage compartment is positioned within a recess formed by said U-shaped docking base unit such that said compartment is at least substantially circumscribed by the footprint of said counter. 
   
   
       11 . The cooler/counter unit of  claim 10  wherein said door is mounted on a front vertical face of said storage compartment such that said recessed top front intermediate portion of said docking base unit is recessed at a height relative to said door such that said door is hinged downwardly, with the top surface of said recessed top front intermediate portion acting as a door stop. 
   
   
       12 . The cooler/counter unit of  claim 1  including a rear door forming at least a portion of a rear wall defining the back of said storage compartment, said rear door being selectively movable between open and closed positions for restocking product in said storage compartment. 
   
   
       13 . The cooler/counter unit of  claim 1  wherein said at least one door includes a return mechanism to close said door upon release by a user. 
   
   
       14 . The cooler/counter unit of  claim 13  wherein said return mechanism includes one of a spring or counterweight. 
   
   
       15 . The cooler/counter unit of  claim 1  further including a cabinet for housing said storage compartment and said cooling means. 
   
   
       16 . The cooler/counter unit of  claim 1  wherein the cooling means includes a refrigeration unit. 
   
   
       17 . The cooler/counter unit of  claim 16  further including a cabinet for housing said storage compartment and said refrigeration unit, said cabinet being vented for flow of air into and out of said cabinet. 
   
   
       18 . The cooler/counter unit of  claim 1  wherein the cooling means includes ice. 
   
   
       19 . A cooler/counter display unit comprising:
 a counter having a customer side and an opposite attendant side;   a docking base unit integral with said counter for receiving a modular refrigerated cooler;   said modular refrigerated cooler including a storage compartment having at least one wall with a transparent window positioned therein for viewing contents in the compartment by a person positioned on the customer side of the counter, cooling means associated with said storage compartment and operable to cool said compartment, and at least one door forming at least a portion of a wall defining said storage compartment, said at least one door being selectively movable between open and closed positions for removing product from the storage compartment; and   said refrigerated cooler interfacing with the docking base unit of said counter such that said refrigerated cooler is operable as a portion of said counter.   
   
   
       20 . A cooler/counter display unit comprising:
 a counter having a customer side and an opposite attendant side;   a refrigerated cooler integrated with said counter such that said refrigerated cooler is operable as a portion of said counter, said refrigerated cooler including a storage compartment having at least one wall with a transparent window positioned for viewing contents in the compartment by a person positioned on the customer side of said counter, cooling means associated with said storage compartment and operable to cool said compartment, and at least one door forming at least a portion of a wall defining said storage compartment, said at least one door being selectively movable between open and closed positions for removing product from said storage compartment.   
   
   
       21 . A method of distributing consumable items at a store comprising the steps of: integrating a normally closed cooler into a customer checkout counter so that the cooler is at least substantially circumscribed by a footprint of the checkout counter;
 visually displaying contents in the cooler to consumers; and   making the contents of the cooler available to consumers at the checkout counter for purchase.   
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the step of making the contents of the cooler available includes providing at least one door forming at least a portion of a wall of said cooler, said door being selectively movable between open and closed positions. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said visually displaying step includes providing a transparent window in at least one wall of said cooler, said window positioned to allow viewing of the contents by consumers. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said integrating step includes positioning said cooler within a recess in a docking base unit of said counter, said docking base unit having upper top side portions and a recessed top front intermediate portion extending between said upper top side portions, said upper top side portions and said top front intermediate surface defining a generally U-shape in plan form. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 21  further including cooling the contents of said cooler with a refrigeration unit associated with said cooler. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 21  further including cooling the contents of said cooler with ice. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 22  further including restocking said cooler through a door forming at least a portion of a rear wall of said cooler, said door being selectively movable between open and closed positions.