Antimicrobial Checkstand Conveyor Belt and Method of Making and Maintaining Same and Engaging Shoppers Using the Checkstand Conveyor Belt as an Advertising Platform

Abstract

A multi-layered polymeric checkstand conveyor belt of the type used in grocery stores that is printed to display advertising information to engage the shopper at the point of sale and coated with a durable and impervious antimicrobial-containing surface coating. The inclusion of a QR code on the printed belt enables a shopper to easily access the information with a QR code reader app on the shopper's cell phone which directs to the store's website. The advertising and information content on the website can be easily changed and updated by the store so that the information content, including store promotions and special events are kept current. The antimicrobial agent in the surface coating is a quaternary ammonium organosilane compound that kills microbes on contact and has long-lasting residual effects to destroy and prevent the proliferation of microbes such as bacteria, viruses, mold, and the like. However, the cleanliness of the antimicrobial checkstand conveyor belt must be maintained by regular, and preferably at least daily, cleaning with an all-purpose cleaner and application of an antimicrobial surface protectant that inhibits the growth of bacteria the conveyor belt surface for an extended period of time. Compliance with the cleaning procedure is facilitated and ensured by the provision of an App downloaded to a tablet PC, for example, that has a detailed dashboard and accessible data to remind, report, and confirm cleaning of the belt.

Claims

1. An multi-layered checkstand conveyor belt comprising: a) a polymeric or fabric-reinforced conveyor belt carcass; and b) a durable scratch-resistant coating applied to the top surface of the polymeric conveyor belt carcass which contains an antimicrobial agent.

2. The multi-layered checkstand belt of claim 1 further including printing on the top surface of the conveyor belt carcass so that the antimicrobial agent coated polymeric checkstand conveyor belt functions as a media platform to convey information.

3. The multi-layered checkstand conveyor belt of claim 1 wherein the antimicrobial agent is an ammonium organosilane compound that is effective against microbes, including bacteria and viruses.

4. The multi-layered checkstand conveyor belt of claim 3 wherein the antimicrobial agent is 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride.

5. The multi-layered checkstand conveyor belt of claim 2 wherein the printing includes a QR code that directs to a website containing advertising and other information.

6. The multi-layered checkstand conveyor belt of claim 5 wherein the website is administered and maintained by the customer to provide customer-specific information.

7. A method of making an antimicrobial checkstand conveyor belt having a polymeric conveyor belt carcass comprising the steps of: a) printing graphics on the top surface of the conveyor belt carcass; b) applying a liquid UV curable polymer coating composition to the top surface of the polymeric conveyor belt carcass, the UV curable polymer coating composition including a surface hardener and an antimicrobial agent; and c) curing the UV curable polymer coating composition to form an antimicrobial checkstand conveyor belt.

8. An apparatus for advertising in a retail store, the apparatus comprising: a) a checkstand having a conveyor belt for transferring product from the shopper to the cashier, the conveyor belt having a top shopper-facing surface; b) advertising subject matter printed on the top shopper-facing surface of the conveyor belt to create a printed conveyor belt, the advertising subject matter including a QR code; and c) an antimicrobial coating on the top shopper-facing surface of the printed conveyor belt.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the advertising subject matter is provided by the retail store.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the QR code links to a website that is administered and maintained by the retail store

11. A method for cleaning and maintaining the antimicrobial checkstand conveyor belt of claim 1 in a cleaning protocol comprising the following steps: a) applying a multipurpose belt cleaner to the antimicrobial checkstand conveyor belt; b) wiping the antimicrobial checkstand conveyor belt with a lint-free cloth and/or cleaning pad to remove any visible dust, debris, and grime resulting in a cleaned conveyor belt; c) applying an antimicrobial protectant to the surface of the cleaned conveyor belt; and d) drying the surface of the conveyor belt by wiping with a clean cloth to form a protective coating.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the antimicrobial protectant comprises an aqueous solution of a quaternary ammonium organosilane compound.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step(s) of repeating said cleaning protocol on a schedule.

14. A method of advertising in a retail store having a checkstand with a conveyor belt for transferring product from the shopper to the cashier, the method comprising: printing advertising subject matter on the top surface of said conveyor belt, said advertising subject matter including a QR code, the QR code being readable by a QR code reader on an internet-enabled device to direct to a website containing additional information and advertising subject matter.

15. The method of advertising of claim 14 wherein the top surface of said conveyor belt further includes a coating comprising an antimicrobial agent.

16. The method of advertising of claim 14 wherein the shopper is further provided with supplementary advertising media including said QR code.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0042] Comprehension of the invention is facilitated by reading the following detailed description, in conjunction with the annexed drawing, in which:

[0043] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an antimicrobial checkstand conveyor belt bearing printed advertising media in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an antimicrobial conveyor belt bearing printed advertising media in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, the conveyor belt 10 is printed with customer branding, such as color choice and customer logo 11. In this particular embodiment, the printing also includes the manufacturer's trademark 13 and logo 12 which helps to promote the customer's sanitation practices. Since the antimicrobial checkstand belt is an integral part of the store's sanitation effort, this is a perfect location to let shoppers know that the store is investing in their health and safety. Inclusion of QR code 14 further engages the shopper to obtain additional information and enhances the shopping experience.

[0045] QR code (an acronym for Quick Response code) 14 is a type of matrix or two-dimensional barcode. A barcode is a machine-readable optical label that contains information about the item to which it is attached. Due to their fast readability by an imaging device, such as a camera, the use of QR codes in marketing has proliferated due to the almost ubiquitous use of mobile phones bearing cameras. The fact that more than 60% of consumers are using their mobile phone as their primary communication device supports the potential of the QR code at the checkout area.

[0046] When QR code 14 is scanned with an internet-enabled mobile device, such as the shopper's own cell phone, the code directs to a website that is displayed on the shopper's device which provides up-to-the-minute information to the shopper, such as the current store promotions and specials. Of course, touting the sanitization practices implemented by the store for the shopper's health and safety on this website builds goodwill. Since the website is administered and maintained by the store, the information can be kept current without requiring any modification of the antimicrobial conveyor belt.

[0047] QR codes have been well-used for various purposes, such as by the manufacturer or distributor of goods to provide additional information on a product and method of using the product. QR codes have also been used by retail outlets in connection with loyalty programs. The QR codes for loyalty programs are typically printed on the receipt for a purchase or on the products themselves. However, QR codes have not been printed on a conveyor belt of the type used in retail establishment checkstands as part of an advertising and promotional program t the point of sale.

[0048] The advertising subject matter printed on the antimicrobial checkstand conveyor belt of the present invention may include, inter alia, branding pertinent to the retail store; branding pertinent to products in the retail store; advertisements and promotions offered by the retail store and/or its vendors; information provided by a third party, concerning, for example, local events, such as concerts or sports events and fund-raising events by a charity seeking contributions; and information about the cleaning and sanitization effort being implemented by the store.

[0049] The use of the QR code advantageously enables the customer, which may be a grocer, to engage with manufacturers of the consumer goods being sold in the grocery store to create another income stream for the store. Manufacturers of products, or providers of services, can purchase advertising on the conveyor belt media platform and/or on the grocer's website to which the QR code directs.

[0050] The QR code as printed on the conveyor belt can also be provided to the shopper on supporting materials displayed at the checkout or on other advertising media in the retail store on advertising campaign items, such as posters, window displays, banners, counter displays, menu displays, cash register overlays, free standing cutouts, dynamic advertisements on electronic displays, and the like. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the QR code can be provided to the shopper on a printed flyer, for example, that can be handed, or otherwise provided, to the shopper at the check-out to provide yet another opportunity to re-engage the shopper at home.

[0051] Although the invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments and applications, persons skilled in the art can, in light of this teaching, generate additional embodiments without exceeding the scope or departing from the spirit of the invention herein described. In particular, while the disclosure herein has been directed to the grocery industry, the technology is applicable to any retail (or other) outlet that uses a checkstand conveyor. General merchandise stores, such as Walmart, or discount stores, such as dollar stores, and the like, all use conveyor belt checkstands and would greatly benefit from the invention of the present application. Even in an industrial situation, it could be advantageous to print information on a conveyor belt, such as identification or the goods being conveyed or instructions to employees. Of course, the use of a QR code would permit an employee to access more detailed or current instructions and information.

[0052] Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawing and description in this disclosure are proffered to facilitate comprehension of the invention, and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof. Moreover, the technical effects and technical problems in the specification are exemplary and are not limiting. The embodiments described in the specification may have other technical effects and can solve other technical problems.