Vertical Cigar Display System for Visibility and Inventory Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional cigar display systems obscure the visibility of cigars, facilitate the spread of disease through handling, and complicate inventory tracking due to the use of wooden boxes that can hold varying numbers of cigars.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an enclosure with product trays featuring a base, frame, and display bars with tubular channels arranged in a grid pattern, allowing cigars to be displayed vertically and easily monitored, along with a humidor configuration that includes extendable display trays and RFID tracking for inventory management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional wooden boxes are used to store and display cigars, then the cigars can be stored in varying quantities, but the visibility of cigar rings is obscured and inventory tracking becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The display system is segmented into individual slots within a grid, with each slot holding a single cigar or leaving the slot visibly empty. This segmentation allows customers to see through the display to the cigar rings at the bottom of each slot, solving the visibility problem while maintaining organized storage capacity.
2Ease of operation
If traditional wooden boxes with open lids are used for display, then customers can browse selections, but disease can spread through handling multiple cigars
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a removable tray as an intermediary between the customer and the cigars. Customers handle the tray rather than the cigars directly, and the tray can be sanitized between uses. This mediator prevents direct contact with cigars while still allowing customers to view and select products.
3Quantity of substance
If traditional wooden boxes are used for cigar storage, then storage capacity is provided, but inventory monitoring becomes a major challenge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates visual feedback mechanisms where empty slots in the grid display are immediately visible to both customers and store owners. This real-time visual feedback system allows instant inventory monitoring without requiring manual counting, as missing cigars create obvious gaps in the organized grid arrangement.
4Quantity of substance
If cigars are displayed in traditional boxes, then storage is provided, but the display lacks aesthetics to encourage purchase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional horizontal box displays to a vertical grid arrangement where cigars stand upright in individual slots. This dimensional change creates an eye-level display that showcases cigar rings and branding more effectively, improving aesthetic appeal while maintaining storage capacity through the organized grid structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system, and apparatus for displaying tobacco products comprises an enclosure and at least one product tray inside the enclosure, the product tray comprising a base, a frame formed around the base, and a series of display bars disposed in the frame, the display bars including a series of product stand holes for displaying the tobacco products individually and vertically.