Abstract: A method for media content tracking is disclosed. The method includes receiving a user identifier and instructing display systems to display media content based on the user identifier. Each display system has a corresponding screen. The method also includes receiving image data from an imaging system configured to have a field of view arranged to capture images of a user. The method further includes determining gaze characteristics of the user including a gaze target of the user. The method further includes determining whether the gaze target corresponds to one of the screens. When the gaze target corresponds to one of the screens, the method includes determining a time period of gaze engagement with the corresponding screen. The method also includes storing at least one of the gaze characteristics and the media content or an identifier of the media content displayed on the screen corresponding to the gaze target.

Abstract: A transportable container for flowable bulk goods includes a bottom support and a stretch wrap spirally wrapped around the bottom support and extending vertically in relationship to the bottom support. Bulk goods are disposed within the stretch wrap and at least of portion of the bulk goods are disposed in direct contact with the stretch wrap to squeeze the bulk goods together and generate hoop forces for stabilizing the bulk goods in the transportable container. The transportable container has a shape that varies radially in vertical relationship to the bottom support for adjusting the hoop forces vertically along the transportable container. The varied shape of the transportable container can be, for example, tapered, hour-glass shaped, or pumpkin shaped.

Abstract: A method for product compliance includes receiving, at data processing hardware, a planogram defining a representative placement of a product on a display shelf and receiving at least one image from an imaging device having a field of view arranged to capture a top surface of the display shelf. The method also includes determining whether the product is disposed on the display shelf based on the at least one image. When the product is disposed on the display shelf, the method includes determining an actual placement of the product on the display shelf and comparing the actual placement of the product to the representative placement of the product defined by the planogram. The method further includes determining a planogram compliance based on the comparison of the actual placement of the product to the representative placement of the product and communicating the planogram compliance to a network.

Abstract: A merchandizing case may include a housing having first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth walls. The first wall may oppose and may be substantially parallel to the second wall, the third wall may oppose and may be substantially parallel to the fourth wall, and the fifth wall may oppose and may be substantially parallel to the sixth wall. The housing may have an interior volume defined by the first wall, the second wall, the third wall, the fourth wall, the fifth wall, and the sixth wall. A first dispensing opening may be formed in the first wall to provide access to the interior volume and is usable when the housing is supported by the fourth wall. A second dispensing opening may be formed in the second wall to provide access to the interior volume and is usable when the housing is supported by the second wall.

Abstract: The packaging system forms a transportable container for bulk goods having stretch wrap that is spirally wrapped about a bottom support and bulk goods to define the transportable container. The stretch wrap contacts at least a portion of the bulk goods to squeeze and lock together the bulk goods. During filling, the bottom support of the transportable container lowers as the transportable container is formed to accommodate additional bulk goods. The stretch wrap is prestretched from a non-stretched state to a stretched state prior to disposing the wrap about a slip frame former in the stretched state. The wrap returns to its non-stretched state as it is disengaged from the slip frame former to squeeze and lock together the bulk goods disposed therein. The packaging system results in a transportable container that is optimally packed and shaped for the efficient filling of a truck for shipping.

Abstract: A method for transmitting a campaign notification message to a shopper mobile computing device includes receiving a condition set from a computing device corresponding to a user for generating the campaign notification message. The condition set includes a defined campaign type, at least one proximity detection device activated by the user and at least one proximity-based delivery parameter indicating campaign content related to the defined campaign type, wherein the campaign content is associated with a corresponding range of proximities in relation to the activated proximity detection device. The method also includes receiving proximity information from the shopper mobile computing device indicating a proximity of the shopper mobile computing device in relation to the activated proximity detection device.

Abstract: A method for transmitting a campaign notification message to a shopper mobile computing device includes receiving a condition set from a computing device corresponding to a user for generating the campaign notification message. The condition set includes a defined campaign type, at least one proximity detection device activated by the user and at least one proximity-based delivery parameter indicating campaign content related to the defined campaign type, wherein the campaign content is associated with a corresponding range of proximities in relation to the activated proximity detection device. The method also includes receiving proximity information from the shopper mobile computing device indicating a proximity of the shopper mobile computing device in relation to the activated proximity detection device.

Abstract: A packaging system (20) for forming and filling a transportable container (22) of plurality of bulk goods includes a frame (26) having a bottom support (48) and an upper support (32). An upper turntable (34) is rotatably supported within the upper support (32) and a lower turntable (50) is rotatably supported on the bottom support (48). A drive system (58) includes at least one pulley system (62, 64, 66) interconnected to the upper and lower turntables (34, 50) for simultaneously driving and synchronizing rotation of the upper and lower turntables (34, 50) with the at least one pulley system (62, 64, 66). A slip frame former (42) extends downwardly from the upper turntable (34) and a roll of stretch wrap (92) is disposed in overlapping relationship with the slip frame former (42) and the bottom support (48) during simultaneous and synchronized rotation of the turntables (34, 50) with the at least one pulley system (62, 64, 66).

Abstract: A vertical form fill and seal system supports a sheet of material having material segments and a tube sized for drawing edges of the elongated sheet of material together in an overlapping configuration to form the sheet into a substantially tube shape. The VFFS also includes a sealer that seals the edges of the material to one another and a gusseting mechanism sized for forming a gusseted tuck in each of a left panel portion of the material and a right panel portion of the material. A cutting mechanism removes a first portion and a second portion of a first segment of the material segments in order to form a first cut and a second cut in the first segment and a sealing mechanism folds and seals the first segment at the first cut and at the second cut to provide an end wall with a substantially flat, rectangular-shaped footprint.

Abstract: A filled snack product includes a first sheet having a first surface. A plurality of filling lines are disposed upon the first surface of the first sheet. Each of the plurality of filling lines are spaced to define a void between each of the adjacent filling lines. A second sheet is disposed over the first sheet and secured to at least a portion of the first sheet to sandwich the plurality of spaced filling lines between the first and second sheets. A plurality of docking holes are disposed upon the first and second sheets. The plurality of docking holes and the plurality of spaced filling lines allow for the pinning of the first and second sheets at the voids disposed between the spaced filling lines and further for the release to steam and/or gas from the filled snack product during heating to minimize puffing of the filled snack product.

Abstract: A method for media content tracking is disclosed. The method includes receiving a user identifier and instructing display systems to display media content based on the user identifier. Each display system has a corresponding screen. The method also includes receiving image data from an imaging system configured to have a field of view arranged to capture images of a user. The method further includes determining gaze characteristics of the user including a gaze target of the user. The method further includes determining whether the gaze target corresponds to one of the screens. When the gaze target corresponds to one of the screens, the method includes determining a time period of gaze engagement with the corresponding screen. The method also includes storing at least one of the gaze characteristics and the media content or an identifier of the media content displayed on the screen corresponding to the gaze target.

Abstract: A method for product compliance includes receiving, at data processing hardware, a planogram defining a representative placement of a product on a display shelf and receiving at least one image from an imaging device having a field of view arranged to capture a top surface of the display shelf. The method also includes determining whether the product is disposed on the display shelf based on the at least one image. When the product is disposed on the display shelf, the method includes determining an actual placement of the product on the display shelf and comparing the actual placement of the product to the representative placement of the product defined by the planogram. The method further includes determining a planogram compliance based on the comparison of the actual placement of the product to the representative placement of the product and communicating the planogram compliance to a network.

Abstract: A shaping assembly for producing a discrete spiral shaped food product includes a die that defines at least one aperture that is centered on an aperture axis. The at least one aperture extends to an aperture exit and allows for the movement of a stream of food mass through the aperture and out the aperture exit. A shaping tool includes at least one slicing blade that is disposed over at least a portion of the aperture exit to slice the stream of food mass into a plurality of food mass portions. A coupling arrangement engages the shaping tool to facilitate rotation of the slicing blade to spin the plurality of food mass portions into a spiral shaped stream of food mass. The slicing blade simultaneously slices and spins the stream of food mass to create the spiral shaped stream of food mass. A crimper is used to cut the spiral shaped stream of food mass into the discrete spiral shaped food products.

Abstract: A method of producing an edible food product includes the step of forming a vessel core with a first material having a first level of susceptibility to heating by induction. The method also includes the step of casting an apron of a second material with a second level of susceptibility to heating by induction lower than said first level around at least a first portion the vessel core in an in situ casting process to form a clad cooking vessel having a cooking surface. An uncooked food product is then disposed on the cooking surface of the clad cooking vessel and heated to produce the edible food product by subjecting the vessel core to a magnetic field.

Abstract: The disclosed retail case includes a base member and an upper member selectively attached to the base member. The base member has a bottom wall and at least two base walls extending from the bottom wall. The base walls have an outer surface and an inner surface. The upper member has a top wall and at least two upper walls extending from the top wall. The upper walls have an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface of the upper walls attaches to the inner surface of the respective base walls at an attachment portion of the upper walls that is selectively removable from the upper walls to allow the attachment portion to remain attached to the base member when the upper member is removed from the base member. The attachment portion may also associate with flap portions that are connected to form a divider.