Product securement and management system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11058234-B2
Application number	US-201916431350-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 4, 2019
Priority date	Feb 3, 2004
Publication date	Jul 13, 2021
Grant date	Jul 13, 2021

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. The merchandise system may be configured to hold a number of products, such as cans (for example, baby formula cans) in the merchandise system that would be accessible to the customer one at a time out of the front of the merchandise system. The front of each merchandise system may include its own individual security window attached to the merchandise system that allows the customer to remove one can at a time.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A merchandising system, comprising:
a first shelf configured to support a first plurality of products;
a front retaining wall extending upward from the first shelf;
at least one side wall extending upward from the first shelf;
a rotatable barrier mounted to a front rail located on a second shelf positioned above the first shelf, wherein the second shelf is configured to support a second plurality of products,
the rotatable barrier being rotatable from a closed position to an open position such that the rotatable barrier is rotatable in an upward direction, wherein the closed position inhibits access to the first plurality of products on the first shelf and the open position permits removal of at least one of the first plurality of products, and wherein when the rotatable barrier is in the closed position, the rotatable barrier extends downward from the second shelf toward the first shelf; and
a sensor mounted on the rotatable barrier, wherein the sensor detects movement of the rotatable barrier and communicates rotatable barrier movement information to an alert device.

2. The merchandising system of claim 1 , wherein the rotatable barrier includes a cam-shaped end that attaches to the front rail.

3. The merchandising system of claim 1 , wherein when the rotatable barrier is in the open position for a predetermined time period, the alert device provides a signal indicating a potential theft situation.

4. The merchandising system of claim 3 , wherein the signal from the alert device is a wireless signal to a receiver.

5. The merchandising system of claim 4 , wherein the receiver is a store computer or cellular device.

6. The merchandising system of claim 3 , wherein the alert device activates a security video camera in a vicinity of the merchandising system.

7. The merchandising system of claim 1 , further comprising a pusher to urge the first plurality of products toward the front retaining wall.

8. The merchandising system of claim 1 , wherein the rotatable barrier is formed from a transparent material.

9. A method comprising:
providing a merchandising system that includes a front retaining wall mounted on a first shelf and extending upward from the first shelf, the first shelf supporting a first product;
mounting a movable barrier to a front rail located on a second shelf positioned above the first shelf, the second shelf supporting a second product, wherein the movable barrier is movable from a closed position that inhibits access to the first product on the first shelf to an open position that allows access to the first product on the first shelf over the front retaining wall, and wherein when the movable barrier is in the closed position, the movable barrier extends downward from the second shelf toward the first shelf;
overlapping the movable barrier and at least a portion of the front retaining wall when the movable barrier is in the closed position;
placing a sensor on the movable barrier, wherein the sensor detects movement of the movable barrier;
configuring the sensor to communicate information of the movement of the movable barrier to an alert device.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the movable barrier is rotatably mounted to the second shelf, and
the movable barrier includes a cam-shaped end that attaches to the front rail.

11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
configuring the alert device to send a signal to a receiver, when the movable barrier is in the open position for a predetermined time period.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the signal from the alert device is a wireless signal.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the receiver is a store computer or cellular device.

14. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
providing a pusher to urge the first product forward toward the front retaining wall.

15. A merchandising system, comprising:
a base configured to support a plurality of products;
a front retaining wall extending upward from the base;
a box-shelf having a top wall, a back wall, and two side walls, wherein the top wall is positioned above the base and the top wall, the back wall and the two side walls are joined to form the box-shelf;
a shelf support mounted to the box-shelf, where the shelf support is configured to mount to a vertical support of the merchandising system;
a barrier mounted to the top wall of the box-shelf, wherein the barrier is rotatable about a hinge positioned above the front retaining wall, and wherein the barrier is rotatable from a closed position to an open position, wherein the closed position inhibits access to the plurality of products on the merchandising system and the open position permits removal of at least one of the plurality of products and wherein when the barrier is in the closed position, the barrier extends downward from the top wall of the box-shelf toward the base; and
a sensor mounted on the barrier, wherein the sensor detects movement of the barrier and communicates information of the movement of the barrier to an alert device and wherein when the barrier is in the open position for a predetermined time period, the alert device provides a signal indicating a potential theft situation.

16. The merchandising system of claim 15 , further comprising a pusher to urge the plurality of products toward the front retaining wall.

17. The merchandising system of claim 15 , wherein the signal from the alert device is a wireless signal to a receiver, wherein the receiver is a store computer or cellular device.

18. The merchandising system of claim 17 , wherein the signal is received by a processor for further signal processing, and wherein the further signal processing includes determining whether a theft situation exists.

19. The merchandising system of claim 15 , wherein the alert device is positioned on a shelf of the merchandising system.

20. The merchandising system of claim 15 , wherein the alert device activates a security video camera in a vicinity of the merchandising system.

Assignees

• Rtc Ind Inc

Inventors

• Dipaolo Tony
• Hardy Stephen N
• Wildman John

Classifications

• A47F2003/008

  with pivoting front glass panel · CPC title

• A47F3/004

  adjustable, foldable or easily dismountable · CPC title

• A47F3/002 Primary

  Devices for protection against sunlight or theft · CPC title

• A47F1/12

  dispensing from the side of an approximately horizontal stack {(A47F1/087 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• A47F1/126

  the pushing device being urged by spring means · CPC title