Product display system using radio frequency identification
First Claim
1. A system for the display and distribution of multiple product items, wherein the product items bear RFID identification tags, which comprises(a) a display rack comprising a bottom and confining side structure forming a display track for the presentation of a row of product items supported by said bottom, (b) a pusher sled supported for movement in forward and rearward directions within said display track and having a front wall for engagement with a rearmost product item of a row thereof within said display track, (c) a non-metallic tension element engaging said pusher sled for urging said pusher sled forwardly on said display track to advance product items presented therein, (f) an RFID reader positioned in close relation to said display track for actuating identification tags on product items supported by said display track and reading information obtained therefrom.
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Abstract
A system for the display and distribution of multiple product items, where the product items bear radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, and an RFID reader is associated in close proximity for maintaining effectively continuous inventory control. A product display tray is provided with multiple product channels and individual pusher sleds in the product channels for urging the product items to the front of the display. The pusher sleds are actuated by non-metallic tension elements extending underneath the product items in conjunction with spring-actuated windup reels for maintaining the tension elements under tension urging the sleds in the desired direction. An RFID reader board is disposed directly under the product display tray, arranged for periodic reading of the entire contents of the tray. The non-metallic tension elements, extending underneath the product items, provide for actuation of the pusher sleds without interfering with the radio frequency identification procedures.
91 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A system for the display and distribution of multiple product items, wherein the product items bear RFID identification tags, which comprises
(a) a display rack comprising a bottom and confining side structure forming a display track for the presentation of a row of product items supported by said bottom, (b) a pusher sled supported for movement in forward and rearward directions within said display track and having a front wall for engagement with a rearmost product item of a row thereof within said display track, (c) a non-metallic tension element engaging said pusher sled for urging said pusher sled forwardly on said display track to advance product items presented therein, (f) an RFID reader positioned in close relation to said display track for actuating identification tags on product items supported by said display track and reading information obtained therefrom.
Specification