Small format retail business building

Abstract

A small format retail business building includes a modular enclosure with at least four insulated walls, an insulated roof disposed over the walls, and a facade located parallel to each wall and adhered to the roof. The roof can support at least about 20 pounds per square foot and the roof and the walls are encapsulated with an elastomeric multilayer system. The system includes a first curable elastomeric layer, a polymeric mesh disposed on the first curable elastomeric layer, a second curable elastomeric layer disposed on the polymeric mesh, at least one insulated door disposed in one wall, at least one drive up window disposed in one wall and a framed flooring comprising a curable elastomer.

Description

FIELD

The present embodiments relate generally to small format retail business buildings.

BACKGROUND

Most of the world's urban landscape embraces fixed or movable kiosks selling drinks, coffee, ice-cream, sandwiches, toasted sandwiches, “bruschettas” (seasoned bread slices), sausages, “piadinas” (unleavened bread pieces), pizzas or crepes (in recent times even outside France) which are prepared on demand and sold hot. Movable kiosks of this type are also used at fairs, festivals, sporting events and the like, to provide the crowd not only with traditional comforts (coffee, hot or cold drinks in general) but also with a snack or light meal based on sandwiches, toasted sandwiches, bruschettas, piadinas, pizzas, sausages or crepes (by their very nature, such kiosks are unable to offer more).

The present applicant has noted that many people who at mealtimes during such occasions have to be content with the type of food provided by the aforesaid kiosks, would in fact as an alternative prefer a plate of variously flavored hot pasta (i.e. the classical Italian first pasta-based course), even if eaten while standing. However nobody has as yet attempted to offer such a service because the traditional kiosks are not equipped for this purpose.

The present embodiments meet these needs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description will be better understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings as follows:

FIG. 1 depicts a side, perspective view of an embodiment of a small format retail business building.

FIG. 2A depicts a side view of an embodiment of a framed drive-thru window disposed in a side wall of a small format retail business building.

FIG. 2B depicts a side view of an embodiment of a framed window disposed in a side wall of a small format retail business building.

FIG. 3 depicts a side view of an embodiment of a small format retail business building.

FIG. 4 depicts an example of a floor plan of an embodiment of a small format retail business building.

The present embodiments are detailed below with reference to the listed Figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Before explaining the present embodiments in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited to the particular embodiments and that it can be practiced or carried out in various ways.

The present embodiments relate to small format retail business buildings.

The embodied buildings have a modular enclosure with at least three insulated walls, an insulated roof disposed over the walls. A facade is located parallel to each wall and adhered to the roof. The façade can be connected to the roof using an adhesive, such as a water-proof anaerobic adhesive. Each facade piece can include a thickness ranging from about 20 inches to about 26 inches.

The roof and the walls are encapsulated with an elastomeric multilayer system that is composed of at least three layers: two elastomeric layers with a polymeric mesh disposed in between the two elastomeric layers. The polymeric mesh is a flexible, stretchy, and light materials, such as a polyester woven mesh. As an example, the polymeric mesh can be a solvent borne, single component coating. The mesh can be a tough flexible material that displays good UV and can be water resistance. The mesh can be ozone resistant, acid, and alkali resistant. The enclosure and the roof can support at least about 20 pounds per square foot.

The embodied buildings can include one or more insulated doors and/or one or more windows disposed in one or more walls. One or more drive-thru windows can be disposed in one or more walls.

The embodied buildings can include a framed flooring to serve as the foundation of the building. The framed flooring can be composed of pressure treated wood floor joists covered with pressure treated plywood and a curable elastomer. The wood floor joists can be standardized to fit 16 inch centers or in other size centers for easy installation. The framed flooring is adapted to support at least 100 pounds per square foot. The framed flooring can further include insulation disposed below the plywood. For example, the framed flooring can include fiberglass insulation.

The embodied buildings can include one or more anchors attached to the modular enclosure. The anchors are used for support and can support the building from seismic shock. An example anchor has between a 15 inch and an 18 inch diameter. Anchors can be used that support the building from seismic shock corresponding to 2005 California seismic zone number 4.

The present embodiments of the buildings are adapted to withstand wind loads of at least about 140 mph. The buildings have a minimum solid bearing pressure of 2000 pounds per square foot and are designed to conform to all building codes for all US jurisdictions.

The buildings can include one or more overhangs framing one or more of the drive-thru windows, framing one or more of the doors, or framing one or more of the windows. The overhangs can be used for signage and to hide items, such as rooftop equipment, in order to provide a more aesthetic building. The overhangs can be attached directly to the building or can be supported by one or more columns that provide a mount. Each column can have a slot for receiving a rigid solid material that anchors the columns to the wall with a bolt, such as a lag bolts. The column can be constructed from a closed cell rigid polymer (for example, Styrofoam) that can be transparent to transmission and reception of communication frequencies. Examples of communication frequencies include a digital wireless link to the internet, a server link from a first location to the building, a radio frequency, or combinations thereof.

The embodied buildings can include equipment disposed on the roof. For example, the building can include air conditioning equipment, heating equipment, a satellite dish, a long range wireless antennae, and combinations thereof. The embodied buildings can include one or more fabricated ADA bathrooms located within the enclosure. The embodied buildings can include a kitchen area. The embodied buildings can include one or more self service areas located inside or adjunct outside the enclosure.

With reference to the figures, FIG. 1 depicts a side, perspective view of an embodiment of a small format retail business building (2). The modular building comprises three or more walls, wherein one front wall (4) and one side wall (6) are shown in FIG. 1. The figures depict an embodiment, wherein the retail business building (2) has four walls. One back wall (5) and a second side wall (7) can be seen in FIG. 4. An insulated roof (3) is disposed over the at least four walls (4, 5, 6 and 7) and is adapted to support at least about 20 pounds of weight per square foot. The roof and walls are encapsulated with an elastomeric multilayer system.

One or more insulated doors (8) can be disposed in the front wall (4) and one or more windows (9) can be disposed in a side wall (6) as depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2A depicts a side view of an embodiment of a small format retail business building (2) with a framed drive-thru window (12) disposed in a side wall (6). The building can include an overhang (14) that frames the drive-thru window (12). The overhang (14) can be attached to the building, more specifically attached to the roof (3), or supported by one or more columns (16). The columns can be constructed from a closed cell rigid polymer that is transparent to transmission and reception of communication frequencies.

FIG. 2B depicts a side view of an embodiment of a small format retail business (2) with a framed window (10) disposed in a side wall (7). The window can be framed by an overhang (14) which can be attached to the building (2) or supported by one or more columns (16).

FIG. 3 depicts a side view of an embodiment of a small format retail business (2).

The side view of the building shows an insulated roof (3) and an insulated side wall (6). A window (9) and a framed drive-thru window (12) are disposed in the side wall (6). The drive-up window is framed by an overhang (14) which can be used for signage (18) as well as to hide items that are stored on the rooftop.

FIG. 4 depicts an example of a floor plan of an embodiment of a small format retail business. The modular building comprises at least four walls (4, 5, 6 and 7) with at least one insulated door (8) disposed in one wall (4). The modular building includes a framed flooring (20) to serve as the foundation of the building. The building further comprises a framed drive-thru window (12) and a framed window (10) which are disposed in the side walls of the building (6 and 7). The windows can be framed by an overhang (14) which is attached to the building or supported by one or more columns (16).

The floor plan of the embodiment includes one or more fabricated bathrooms (22) to be built in compliance with the American Disabilities Act and located within the enclosure of the building. A kitchen area (24) can be included in the embodied building. In addition, the building can include a self service area(s) (26) located inside or adjunct outside the enclosure.

While these embodiments have been described with emphasis on the embodiments, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the embodiments might be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

Claims

1. A small format retail business building comprising:

a. a modular enclosure comprising at least four insulated walls, an insulated roof disposed over the walls, and a facade located parallel to each wall and adhered to the roof, wherein the roof is adapted to support at least about 20 pounds per square foot, wherein the roof and the walls are encapsulated with an elastomeric multilayer system comprising: i. a first curable elastomeric layer; ii. a polymeric mesh disposed on the first curable elastomeric layer; iii. a second curable elastomeric layer disposed on the polymeric mesh; and

b. at least one insulated door disposed in one wall;

c. at least one drive-thru window disposed in one wall;

d. a framed flooring comprising pressure treated wood floor joists covered with pressure treated plywood comprising a curable elastomer, wherein the framed flooring is adapted to support at least 100 pounds per square foot;

e. at least four anchors attached to the modular enclosure, wherein the anchors adapted to support the building from seismic shock; and

wherein the building is adapted to withstand wind loads of at least about 140 mph, and wherein the building comprises a minimum solid bearing pressure of 2000 pounds per square foot.

2. The building of claim 1, further comprising an overhang framing the drive-thru window.

3. The building of claim 2, wherein the overhang is supported by at least one column, wherein the column is composed of a closed cell rigid polymer that is transparent to transmission and reception of communication frequencies.

4. The building of claim 3, wherein the communication frequencies comprise a digital wireless link to the internet, a server link from a first location to the building, a radio frequency or combinations thereof.

5. The building of claim 3, wherein the closed cell rigid polymer is styrofoam.

6. The building of claim 1, further comprising equipment disposed on the roof, wherein the equipment is selected from the group consisting of air conditioning equipment, heating equipment, a satellite dish, a long range wireless antennae, and combinations thereof.

7. The building of claim 1, further comprising at least one self service area located inside or adjunct outside the enclosure.

8. The building of claim 1, further comprising a fabricated ADA bathroom located within the enclosure.

9. The building of claim 1, further comprising a kitchen area.

10. The building of claim 1, wherein the polymeric mesh comprises a polyester woven mesh.

11. The building of claim 1, wherein the facade is connected to the roof using an adhesive, wherein the adhesive is a water-proof anaerobic adhesive.

12. The building of claim 1, wherein each facade comprises a thickness ranging from about 20 inches to about 26 inches.

13. The building of claim 1, wherein the framed flooring further comprises insulation disposed below the plywood.

14. The building of claim 15, wherein the insulation is a fiberglass insulation.

15. The building of claim 1, wherein the anchors adapted to support the building from seismic shock corresponding to 2005 California seismic zone number 4.