Theft deterrent system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A product dispensing system comprising:
- (a) at least one product dispensing unit;
(b) an adjustable product dispensing unit housing that may be reconfigured to house various sized product dispensing units;
(c) at least one theft deterring mechanism that provides a time delay after a product is dispensed before the system will dispense a second product, wherein the time delay comprises;
(i) a resistance mechanism; and
(ii) a button accessible to a user and coupled to the resistance mechanism, the button having a ready position wherein activation of the button from the ready position to an activated position causes a product to be dispensed, and wherein the resistance mechanism delays the button returning to the ready position, wherein the at least one product dispensing unit comprises a plurality of product dispensing units; and
(d) a door assembly comprising;
(i) a front panel,(ii) a bottom panel and(iii) an upper panel,wherein when the front panel is opened, the bottom panel and the upper panel move together, blocking access to any product inside the housing.
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Abstract
Systems for deterring theft of retail products. Systems of this invention provide theft deterrent dispensing modules for dispensing products and may incorporate theft deterrent measures including mechanical deterrents, time delays and sound. The dispensing modules may include one or more pusher assemblies for dispensing product. Certain systems of this invention may also include a lockout feature, so that only one pusher assembly may be activated to dispense a product at one time.
357 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A product dispensing system comprising:
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(a) at least one product dispensing unit; (b) an adjustable product dispensing unit housing that may be reconfigured to house various sized product dispensing units; (c) at least one theft deterring mechanism that provides a time delay after a product is dispensed before the system will dispense a second product, wherein the time delay comprises; (i) a resistance mechanism; and (ii) a button accessible to a user and coupled to the resistance mechanism, the button having a ready position wherein activation of the button from the ready position to an activated position causes a product to be dispensed, and wherein the resistance mechanism delays the button returning to the ready position, wherein the at least one product dispensing unit comprises a plurality of product dispensing units; and (d) a door assembly comprising; (i) a front panel, (ii) a bottom panel and (iii) an upper panel, wherein when the front panel is opened, the bottom panel and the upper panel move together, blocking access to any product inside the housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A product dispensing system comprising:
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(a) at least one product dispensing unit; (b) an adjustable product dispensing unit housing that may be reconfigured to house various sized product dispensing units; and (c) at least one theft deterring mechanism that provides a time delay after a product is dispensed before the system will dispense a second product, wherein the time delay comprises; (i) a resistance mechanism; and (ii) a button accessible to a user and coupled to the resistance mechanism, the button having a ready position wherein activation of the button from the ready position to an activated position causes a product to be dispensed, and wherein the resistance mechanism delays the button returning to the ready position, wherein the product dispensing unit further comprises a pusher system, wherein the pusher system comprises; (i) a track comprising an aperture and a front lip; (ii) a pushing ram in sliding engagement with the track and that holds product against the front lip; and (iii) a spring that urges the pushing ram toward the front of the track. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A product dispensing system comprising:
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(a) at least one product dispensing unit; (b) an adjustable product dispensing unit housing that may be reconfigured to house various sized product dispensing units; (c) at least one theft deterring mechanism that provides a time delay after a product is dispensed before the system will dispense a second product, wherein the time delay comprises; (i) a resistance mechanism; and (ii) a button accessible to a user and coupled to the resistance mechanism, the button having a ready position wherein activation of the button from the ready position to an activated position causes a product to be dispensed, and wherein the resistance mechanism delays the button returning to the ready position, (d) a pusher system, wherein the pusher system comprises; (i) a track; (ii) a pushing ram in sliding engagement with the track; and (iii) a spring that urges the pushing ram toward the front of the track; and (e) a door assembly comprising; (i) a front panel, (ii) a bottom panel and (iii) an upper panel, wherein when the front panel is opened, the bottom panel and the upper panel move together, blocking access to any product inside the housing. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A product dispensing system comprising:
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(a) at least one product dispensing unit; (b) an adjustable product dispensing unit housing that may be reconfigured to house various sized product dispensing units; and (c) at least one theft deterring mechanism comprising; (i) a plurality of actuators accessible to a user, each actuator cooperating with a pin, and (ii) a lockout bar comprising a plurality of channels configured to accept a pin associated with an actuator, wherein the channels are shaped so that when a pin associated with an actuator enters a channel, the lockout bar shifts, preventing access to the remaining channels so that only one actuator can be activated at one time, and wherein the theft deterring mechanism further comprises providing a time delay after a product is dispensed before the system will dispense a second product. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A product dispensing system comprising:
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(a) at least one product dispensing unit; (b) an adjustable product dispensing unit housing that may be reconfigured to house various sized product dispensing units; (c) a button accessible to a user and coupled to a resistance mechanism, the button having a ready position and wherein activation of the button from the ready position to an activated position causes a product to be dispensed; and (d) a pusher system comprising; (i) a track comprising an aperture and a front lip; (ii) a pushing ram in sliding engagement with the track and that holds product against the front lip; (iii) a spring that urges the pushing ram toward the front of the track; (iv) a lifter slide coupled to the track; wherein activation of the button to the activated position moves the lifter slide from a starting position to an extended position, and wherein the resistance mechanism slows the speed at which the lifter slide returns to the starting position and delays the button returning to the ready position after a product has been dispensed. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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Specification