Various street kiosks are widely used. However, known kiosks suffer from a number of disadvantages. One problem is that the footprint or area of the kiosk is generally large for a given display. Thus, such kiosks tend to be either large units, which may be used only in areas where a relatively large area is available, or smaller units which have a very limited capacity and are therefore impractical for most sites. Another problem is that known kiosks are generally intrusive and present an obstruction to pedestrians.

Attempts have been made to provide such kiosks with advertising and/or display panels. However, in general, such attempts have not been successful because of the configuration of conventional kiosks which do not present an efficient display.

This invention is therefore directed towards providing an improved kiosk which will overcome at least some of these difficulties.

Statements of Invention According to the invention there is provided kiosk comprising a pillar having a storage area and an advertising area, the storage area having an outer profile of convex shape in plan view, and, the advertising area having an outer profile of convex shape in plan view.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the curvature of the profile of one of the advertising area and the storage area is greater than the curvature of the profile of the other of the advertising area and the storage area. Preferably the curvature of the profile of the advertising area is greater than the curvature of the profile of the display area. In a particularly preferred embodiment the radius of curvature of the profile of the advertising area is at least 1.5 times the radius of curvature of the profile of the storage area.

In one embodiment of the invention the storage area and the advertising area are disposed on opposite sides of the kiosk. Preferably the centre of curvature of the profile of the advertising area is approximately coincident with the centre of the curvature of the profile of the display area.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the advertising area extends at least partially upwardly of the sales/display area.

It is especially preferred that the kiosk includes a user area, for example, the advertising area may comprise an advertising display area and an associated user area. The user area may include one or more of a seat, an awning, lighting, a telephone station, an information display, an automated cash dispenser, a vending machine. The vending machine preferably includes means for vending tickets. The user area may also include one or more of an internet access terminal or a television monitor.

Preferably the advertising display area and the associated user area are on the same side of the kiosk. Ideally the advertising display area is located above the user area.

In a preferred embodiment the storage area has a door which is operable to provide access to the storage area.

Ideally the door, in the open position, provides a display area. Preferably the door is of curved shape in plan view. In a particularly preferred embodiment the radius of curvature of the door is substantially the same as that of the profile of the storage area so that when the door is in the closed position it presents a unitary body.

For ease of use preferably the door comprises a pair of half doors. Preferably both half doors are hingedly movable between open and closed positions. In a preferred arrangement the door is hingedly movable about longitudinal hinge axis (axes).

In another embodiment of the invention the storage area defines a sales/display area.

In a further embodiment the display area includes an entry port, typically for receiving recyclable material. The display area may have a plurality of entry ports. In this embodiment the kiosk may comprise bin means in the storage area for receiving material delivered through the entry port. Preferably the bin means are movable for entry to and exit from the storage area.

In a preferred embodiment the storage area includes an awning.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof given by way of example only, in which:- Fig. 1 is a perspective view from one side of a sales kiosk having an advertising means according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is ar other perspective view from the other side of the kiosk; Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the kiosk with doors closed; Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the kiosk with doors open; Fig. 5 is a rear elevational view of the kiosk; Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of the kiosk; Fig. 7 is top plan view of the kiosk ; Fig. 8 is a transverse cross sectional view of the main pillar of the kiosk; and Fig. 9 is a partial longitudinal cross sectional view of the pillar of the kiosk.

Detailed Description Referring to the drawings there is illustrated a kiosk 1, particularly for display and sales of newspapers, magazines and convenience products generally. The kiosk 1 comprises a pillar which has a storage area in this case a sales/display area 2 on one side and an advertising area 3 on the other side. The sales/display area 2 is closable by doors 4,5 which are movable, in this case hinged about respective longitudinal hinge axes 6,7 from a closed position as illustrated in Fig. 3 to an open display position as illustrated by Fig. 4. The inner faces of the doors 4,5 have shelves or brackets for holding goods so that in the open position the doors 4,5 also provide display means.

The advertising area 3 has an outer profile which is of convex shape in plan view to present a curved advertising means, especially a prismatic advertising means.

The sales display area 2 also has an outer profile which is of convex shape in plan view to provide a maximum display/sales area with a minimum yet highly effective advertising area. The sales/display area 2 is of generally semi-circular shape in plan view whereas the advertising area 3 is of a convex shape with a radius of curvature which is substantially greater than that of the display/sales area 2. This arrangement provides optimum usage of space while occupying a minimum footprint area. Thus, the kiosk is especially suitable for use in pedestrian areas.

An awing 20 is provided over the doors 4,5 in the open position to protect both customers and a sales attendant.

The kiosk also has a user area which in this case is below the advertising means.

The user area includes a seat 25 which is protected by an awning 26.

The user area may include a telephone booth and/or handset (s). The user area may also include an internet access point which may be combined with a "mobile to mobile"telephone system. A vending machine may also be included such as a vending unit for integrated ticketing such as for transportation by bus/train/taxi and the like. Alternatively or additionally the user area may include a cashless purse or smart card facility. An automated banking point such as a cash dispenser may also be included.

The kiosk may also be used to support an antenna.

In another embodiment the kiosk may be, at least in part, used as a recycling station. In this case the storage area may house one or more bins which may be wheeled in and out through the door (s). The kiosk may have at least one or several entry ports for depositing material, such as plastic bottles and the like especially for recycling.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in construction and detail.