Cooler Lock

• US 20180245839A1
• Filed: 04/27/2018
• Published: 08/30/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Triteq Lock & Security LLC
• Original Assignee: Triteq Lock & Security LLC
• Inventors: Denison, William, Roatis, Calin
• Granted Patent: US 10,584,912 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0024 Cams
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0069 bolt position
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/00 Operating or controlling locks or other fastening devices by electric or magnetic means electric permutation locks E05B49/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0001 with electric actuators; Constructional features thereof for vehicles E05B81/04
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0012 with rotary electromotors actuators with rotary electromotors per se H02K7/06, H02K23/68
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0603 the detent moving rectilinearly
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/0046 with a bifurcated bolt
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/0811 the bolts pivoting about an axis perpendicular to the wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/00 Devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal; Miscellaneous locking devices motorcycle helmets A42B3/0413; supporting arrangements specially adapted for fastening helmets B62J11/24; gun racks A47B81/005; showcases with theft protection A47F3/002; anti-theft means for peg-boards, grids or rods for hanging merchandise A47F5/0861; show stands, hangers, shelves with provision against unauthorised removal A47F7/024; for self-service hand-carts A47F10/04; locking skis A63C11/004; locking bolts, nuts or pins F16B41/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0005 using chains, cables or the like chain- or cable-locks of the padlock type E05B67/003; lockable clothing hangers or hanger racks E05B69/006
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0017 Anti-theft devices, e.g. tags or monitors, fixed to articles, e.g. clothes, and to be removed at the check-out of shops
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0082 for office machines, e.g. PC's, portable computers, typewriters, calculators
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/028 Details
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/40 Portable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5009 For portable articles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/625 Operation and control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/70 Operating mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7006 Predetermined time interval controlled

Abstract

A cooler access control system locks a cooler when occurrence of an event is detected that requires limiting access to the inside of the cooler. Examples of such events include the loss of power to the cooler for a predetermined period of time, the opening of the cooler door for longer than an allowed time, the loss of functionality of a temperature probe and others. In an embodiment, a service mode is supported wherein the door is left unlocked despite the occurrence of such an event, to allow a stocker or other personnel to leave the cooler door open while stocking the cooler with product.

Claims

1. An enclosure access control system for locking an enclosure having an enclosure body and an enclosure door which define a product storage area, the product storage area capable of storing a plurality of products, the plurality of products each being available to be selected by a consumer after the door is unlocked and when the door is open, the system comprising:

a locking element being on a first one of the enclosure body and the enclosure door;

a locking mechanism mounted to a second one of the enclosure body and the enclosure door, and configured to selectively engage the locking element to lock and unlock the enclosure door to the enclosure body;

a first controller comprising a first microcomputer operatively connected to the locking mechanism;

a second controller comprising a second microcomputer configured to detect an event resulting in a payment or a payment authorization, and, in response, to communicate with the first controller to unlock the enclosure door from the enclosure body allowing the plurality of products to be selected by the consumer; and

wherein the first controller and second controller are operatively connected.

2. The enclosure access control system in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one controller is configured to detect an event resulting in a change in temperature of the enclosure, wherein the event presents a risk of spoilage of one or more food products in the product storage area, and, in response, to restrict access to the product storage area, wherein restricted access occurs after a temperature level of the product storage area has exceeded 42 degrees F. for a time period of one or more minutes.

3. The enclosure access control system in accordance with claim 1, wherein one of the first and second microcomputers is operatively connected to a network for communicating a message over the network for monitoring an internal temperature of the enclosure or for controlling the locking mechanism or for communicating a parameter of the enclosure.

4. The enclosure access control system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a secured unlocking implement independent from the first controller to selectively unlock the locking mechanism.

5. The enclosure access control system in accordance with claim 1, wherein one of the first and second microcomputers is additionally operatively connected to a key sensor.

6. The enclosure access control system in accordance with claim 1, wherein one of the first and the second microcomputers receives a signal for unlocking the locking mechanism.

7. The enclosure access control system in accordance with claim 1, wherein one of the first and second microcomputers is operatively connected to a switch for detecting a reset signal.

8. The enclosure access control system in accordance with claim 1, wherein one of the first and second microcomputers is operatively connected to a light controller.

9. The enclosure access control system in accordance with claim 1, wherein one of the first and second microcomputers is operatively connected to a keypad.

10. The enclosure access control system in accordance with claim 1, wherein one of the first and second microcomputers is operatively connected to a latch position sensor.

11. The enclosure access control system in accordance with claim 1, wherein one of the first and second microcomputers is operatively connected to a door sensor.

12. The enclosure access control system in accordance with claim 1, wherein one of the first and second microcomputers is operatively connected to a clock.

13. The enclosure access control system in accordance with claim 1, wherein one of the first and second microcomputers is powered by a battery.

14. The enclosure access control system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first and second microcomputers are operatively connected by one or more signal communication lines.

15. The enclosure access control system in accordance with claim 1, wherein one of the first and second microcomputers is operatively connected to a payment authorization device.

16. The enclosure access control system in accordance with claim 1, wherein one of the first and second microcomputers is operatively connected to a product selection device.

17. The enclosure access control system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a key for selectively actuating the locking mechanism.

18. The enclosure access control system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a manual release actuator for manually actuating the locking mechanism to unlock the enclosure door.

19. The enclosure access control system in accordance with claim 11, wherein the one of the first and second microcomputers detects when the enclosure door is open.

20. The enclosure access control system of claim 2, wherein the at least one controller is configured to not restrict access to the product storage area when the temperature of the product storage area is rapidly changing at temperatures above 42 degrees F.

21. The enclosure access control system of claim 20, wherein the at least one controller is configured to restrict access to the product storage area after the temperature of the product storage area stops changing rapidly and remains above 42 degrees F.

22. The enclosure access control system of claim 20, wherein the rapidly changing temperature is decreasing.

23. The enclosure access control system of claim 2, wherein the time period of one or more minutes is equal to or less than 45 minutes.

24. The enclosure access control system of claim 2, wherein the time period of one or more minutes is equal to or less than 30 minutes.

25. The enclosure access control system of claim 2, wherein the time period of one or more minutes is equal to or greater than 15 minutes.

26. An enclosure and access control system, the enclosure having an enclosure body and an enclosure door which define a product storage area, the product storage area capable of storing a plurality of products, the plurality of products each being available to be selected by a consumer after the door is unlocked and when the door is open, the system comprising:

a locking element being on a first one of the enclosure body and the enclosure door;

a locking mechanism mounted to a second one of the enclosure body and the enclosure door, and configured to selectively engage the locking element to lock and unlock the enclosure door to the enclosure body;

a first controller comprising a first microcomputer operatively connected to the locking mechanism;

a second controller comprising a second microcomputer, the second controller operatively connected to a) the first controller, and b) a local or wide area network for controlling the lock mechanism; and

a product selection device or a payment authorization device operatively connected to one of the first and second microcomputer.

27. The enclosure and access control system of claim 26, wherein one of the first and second controllers is configured to detect an event resulting in a payment or a payment authorization, and, in response, to unlock the enclosure door to the enclosure body allowing the plurality of products to be selected by the consumer.

28. The enclosure and access control system of claim 26, wherein the enclosure door is configured such that the plurality of products are viewable prior to opening the enclosure door.

29. A method for controlling access to an enclosure, the enclosure having an enclosure body and an enclosure door which define a product storage area, the product storage area capable of storing a plurality of products, the plurality of products each being available to be selected by a consumer after the door is unlocked and when the door is open, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a locking element on a first one of the enclosure body and the enclosure door;

providing a locking mechanism mounted to a second one of the enclosure body and the enclosure door, wherein the locking mechanism selectively engages the locking element to lock and unlock the enclosure door to the enclosure body;

providing a first controller comprising a first microcomputer operatively connected to the locking mechanism;

providing a second controller comprising a second microcomputer, the second controller operatively connected to a) the first controller, and b) a local or wide area network for controlling the lock mechanism;

providing a product selection device or a payment authorization device operatively connected to one of the first and second microcomputer;

transmitting payment authorization from the product selection device or the payment authorization device to one of the first and second microcomputers;

controlling the locking mechanism via the other one of the first and second microprocessors, and unlocking the locking mechanism to permit removal of a purchased product upon receipt of the payment authorization.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising the steps of:

detecting an event resulting in a change in temperature of the enclosure, wherein the event presents a risk of spoilage of one or more food products in the product storage area; and

prior to the step of unlocking, restricting access to the product storage area by not unlocking the locking mechanism upon receipt of the payment authorization, wherein restricted access occurs after the temperature level of the product storage area has exceeded 42 degrees F. for a time period of one or more minutes.