Item presentation system

Abstract

A display system combines a rotating carousel and a waterwall feature, enabling food, drink and other items to be presented in a unique and decorative manner. The carousel, disposed at a predetermined height within a cabinet, provides a continuous elongated track with a surface upon which articles are placed. An elongated open slot is surrounded by the track, and a motor rotates the carousel around the open slot. A first water tray is supported above the open slot, and a second water tray is supported below the open slot. One or more openings in the first water tray causes water from the first water tray to fall as a vertically oriented sheet, through the open slot, and into the second water tray. An electric recirculating water pump disposed in the cabinet operative to pump water collected by the lower tray back up to the upper tray.

1 . A system for presenting articles to a viewer, comprising:
 a floor-standing cabinet having front, back and side panels defining a height, a width, and a depth;   a carousel disposed at a predetermined height within the cabinet, the carousel defining a continuous elongated track with an upwardly facing horizontal surface and an elongated open slot surrounded by the continuous track;   an electric motor disposed in the cabinet operative to rotate the carousel around the open slot;   a first water tray supported at predetermined height above the open slot, and a second water tray supported below the open slot;   one or more openings in the first water tray causing water from the first water tray to fall from the first water tray as a vertically oriented sheet, through the open slot, and into the second water tray;   an electric recirculating water pump disposed in the cabinet operative to pump water collected by the lower tray back up to the upper tray;   wherein the upwardly facing horizontal surface of the carousel is adapted to receive articles placed thereon; and   an opening in the front panel of the cabinet enabling an observer to view the articles as the carousel rotates, with the sheet of falling water serving as a backdrop to the articles as they move.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , including an opening in the back panel of the cabinet enabling an observer to view the articles from the back of the cabinet as the carousel rotates, with the sheet of falling water serving as a backdrop to the articles as they move. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the speed of the carousel is adjustable. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the water pump has a flow rate that corresponds to the one or more openings in the first water tray to ensure that the upper and lower trays maintain consistent water levels. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a light source supported to illuminate the vertically oriented sheet of falling water. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the upper tray is transparent or translucent to better illuminate the vertically oriented sheet of falling water. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a light-transmissive panel disposed in front of the vertically oriented sheet of falling water to minimize water splashing on the carousel. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined height of the carousel is 30 to 45 inches from the ground. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the opening in the front panel uncovered enabling articles to be placed on, and removed from, the carousel through the opening. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the opening in the front panel includes a door with a transparent window preventing articles to be placed on, and removed from, the carousel without opening the door.