Abstract:
Disclosed is a system for real-time measurement of inventory on shelves. The system uses light sensors placed in association with the inventory and the shelves to measure in real-time the removal/replacement of inventory from the shelves. When inventory is on the shelves, less light reaches the light sensors. As inventory is removed from shelves, the light sensors receive more light. The difference in light received generates as signal that can be measured, thereby allowing for determining inventory levels on each shelf. The system may be retro-fitted to existing shelving systems, thereby avoiding the cost of purchasing new shelving systems. The system can work on any shelving system, including gravity-feed roller shelf (GRS), flat shelves, and spring loaded pusher shelves, and is unaffected by usual temperatures found in retail establishments and can thus work in both refrigerated and unrefrigerated systems. Also disclosed are related methods.
Abstract:
A pusher tray is provided. The pusher tray includes a base structure defining a retail merchandise support surface. A pusher is slidably retained on the base structure and configured to bias retail merchandise toward a front stop of the pusher tray. The pusher has a floor and a front wall extending upwardly from the floor such that the front wall is oriented at an acute angle relative to the retail support surface. A pair of dividers are slidably mounted to the base structure. Each of the pair of dividers includes an arcuate frame portion and a pair of support elements supporting the arcuate frame portion such that a portion of each support element is tangent to a radius of curvature defined by each arcuate frame portion.
Abstract:
The present application provides a cutlery dispenser for use with a number of cutlery utensils. The cutlery dispenser may include a housing and a front cover. The front cover may include a dispensing opening and a spring loaded retainer such that the cutlery utensils may be loaded through the front cover and may be dispensed therefrom.
Abstract:
A product management display system for merchandising product on a shelf includes at least one tray having a front rounded portion and defining a plurality of apertures and having two sides. A lip may extend upward from the front rounded portion of the at least one tray. A front shelf may extend forward from the lip. The at least one tray may include one divider extending upwardly from each of the two sides and a front wall. The front wall may include a top wall, a bottom wall, and two side legs. The front wall, bottom wall, and two side legs may form a wall aperture and the front wall may include a plurality of projections configured to engage with the plurality of apertures on the tray.
Abstract:
A merchandise pusher tray is provided. The merchandise pusher tray includes a base structure. The base structure is configurable for bar or shelf mounting. The base structure includes a pair of load bearing members for supporting a floor of the base structure. The merchandise pusher tray also includes at least one divider mounted to and adjustable in a first direction relative to the base structure. The merchandise pusher tray also includes a pusher mounted to and movable in a second direction relative to the base structure. A locking arm is provided for locking the pusher in a locked position and automatically unlocking the pusher from the locked position upon the exertion of an actuation force against the locking arm.
Abstract:
A product dispensing system (10) is disclosed that includes: a push member (54) and a container (12) comprising an internal volume and an opening (28) into the internal volume. The container houses a plurality of products within its internal volume. Upon extending through the opening of the container, the pus member is biased into engagement with the products in the container.
Abstract:
A merchandising system (100) 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 (104) configured to support product and a housing (102) 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. The system may further include a spring -urged pusher (126) movably mounted on the base, a locking assembly, and an electronic control unit the triggers the locking assembly, locking the door from opening and stopping the pusher from moving product forward to the door.
Abstract:
A pusher merchandising system adapted to be attached to a shelf for displaying merchandise items at a forward edge of the shelf comprising a shelf attachment portion that is shaped and configured to attach to a forward edge of a merchandise shelf. The system comprises an attachment section to be mounted on the front edge of a shelf surface, a number of tracks including pusher biased toward the front of the shelf, and divider portions that separate the chutes for retaining products for sale. The end of shelf dividers include a wall that can be flush or immediately adjacent the shelf supports at the end of a shelf, and have attachment mechanisms at either the back or front end, making them universally attachable in different orientations to either a left or right end of shelf configuration. The attachment of the tracks and dividers to the attachment portion comprise opposed triangular teeth or other appropriate retention means at a proximal end of the portion, and a cutout in the base removed from the proximal end that attaches when the portions is depressed toward the surface, which locks the portion in place until it is removed by pivoting the portion away from the shelf surface.
Abstract:
Systems and methods of a package advance system for moving a package on a shelf of a vending machine that may include an end plate positioned on the shelf, a dispensing door positioned near a dispensing end of the shelf that opens to dispense the package, and a spring system affixed to the end plate that applies a force on the end plate towards the dispensing door.