Product securement and management system

• US 9,993,091 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2016
• Issued: 06/12/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RTC Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: RTC Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Hardy, Stephen N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Novosad, Jennifer E.
• Application Number:
  US15/388,310
• Publication Number:
  US 20170099959A1
• Time in Patent Office: 537 Days
• Field of Search: 211 593, 211 592, 211119003, 211 4, 211184, 211 9001- 9004, 211150, 211175, 108 60, 108 61, 108 71, 108 6, 312136, 312 35, 312 61, 312 71, 312128, 312131, 312137, 221227, 221255, 221279, 221 75, 221 76, 221 90, 221242, 221226, 221229, 221231, 221232
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 57/585 with connection means slidable in a rail
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 57/586 with connection means movable by sliding on the outside of a rail
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 65/15 Partitions, e.g. dividers
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 73/006 with modular arrangements of identical units
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 87/0223 Shelves stackable by means of poles or tubular members as distance-holders therebetween
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 87/0269 without separate distance holders
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/04 Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles , e.g. by means of gravity or springs
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/12 dispensing from the side of an approximately horizontal stack A47F1/087 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/125 with an article-pushing device
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/126 the pushing device being urged by spring means
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 3/002 Devices for protection against sunlight or theft
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 3/02 with dispensing arrangements A47F1/04 takes precedence; for cigars or cigarettes A24F15/04; for cigarette papers A24F17/00; for hand towels or toilet paper A47K; for photographic paper G03B; coin-freed G07F
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 3/14 Display trays or containers combined with racks A47F5/0025; tray partitions A47F5/005; as racks and transportable with merchandise A47F5/108; made of cardboard A47F5/11; stackable A47B87/02; packing boxes used subsequently as display trays B65D
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/0025 having separate display containers or trays on shelves or on racks
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/005 Partitions therefore horizontally adjustable A47B57/58; constructional details of drawers A47B88/90
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/0068 Shelf extensions, e.g. fixed on price rail
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 7/0007 for stacked articles; Stabilising means therefor for cans or bottles A47F7/281
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 7/28 for containers, e.g. flasks, bottles , tins, milk packs racks or containers with dispensing arrangements A47F1/04; for lipsticks or markers A47F7/0021; for audio/video cassettes or booklike articles A47F7/14
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 7/281 for vertically-stacked containers; Stabilising means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B42F 7/12 Stacked trays
• 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: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

A merchandising system that improves the merchandising of product by limiting the number and the frequency with which product can be removed from, for example, a merchandising shelf. The merchandising system may include a base configured to support product and a housing configured to engage the base. The housing may comprise a top wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a front retaining wall mounted to the base at an angle. The system may further include a spring-urged pusher movably mounted on the base. The system may further include an opening defined by the first side wall and the front retaining wall through which product may be removed.

Claims

1. A merchandising system, comprising:

a base configured to support product, the base defining a front edge, a back edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge;

a housing configured to engage with the base, comprising a top wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall;

a spring-urged pusher movably mounted on the base; and

a front retaining wall, wherein the front retaining wall is mounted at an angle relative to the base and extends from the second side edge toward the first side edge and toward the front edge,

wherein the front retaining wall, the first side wall, and the top wall define an opening for removing product laterally from the base, wherein the opening opens towards the first side edge, and

wherein the opening is configured to allow a single product positioned between the front retaining wall and the spring-urged pusher to be removed at one time.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising products placed in the housing, wherein the opening is less than a width of two products positioned between the front retaining wall and the spring-urged pusher.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the opening is approximately 50% wider than a width of a single product.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the opening is approximately a width of the single product.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the front retaining wall is mounted at a 45 degree angle relative to the base and extending from the second side edge toward the first side edge.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the front retaining wall does not fully extend from the second side edge to the first side edge.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the pusher includes an angled pusher face positioned such that the pusher face angle relative to the base corresponds to the angle of front retaining wall.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising a lever operatively coupled to the merchandise system for partially ejecting product through the opening.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the pusher places positive pressure on products against the front retaining wall.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the front retaining wall is mounted at a 30 or 60 degree angle relative to the base and extending from the second side edge toward the first side edge.