U.S. patent application number 13/565978 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-01 for merchandise dispensing unit.
This patent application is currently assigned to HAMLON PTY LTD. The applicant listed for this patent is Lars BRUEGMANN, Radek KALETA. Invention is credited to Lars BRUEGMANN, Radek KALETA.
Application Number | 20130193156 13/565978 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48869384 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130193156 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KALETA; Radek ; et
al. |
August 1, 2013 |
MERCHANDISE DISPENSING UNIT
Abstract
A security dispenser for the display and dispensing of
merchandise items, having an elongate housing for storing a row of
merchandise items, a rear end, a front delivery end, and a lid. An
incremental feed device is disposed in the security dispenser,
comprising a pusher assembly for advancing merchandise items to the
front delivery end, and a stop mechanism allowing the pusher
assembly to achieve its travel in a plurality of predetermined
increments. When the pusher assembly is engaged with the stop
mechanism, an actuator operably connected to the stop mechanism and
having an engagable component, must be actuated by a user wishing
to dispense a merchandise item, causing the pusher assembly to
temporarily disengage the stop mechanism, thereby allowing the
pusher assembly to travel in one of the predetermined
increments.
Inventors: |
KALETA; Radek; (Castle Hill,
AU) ; BRUEGMANN; Lars; (Zhuhai, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KALETA; Radek
BRUEGMANN; Lars |
Castle Hill
Zhuhai |
|
AU
CN |
|
|
Assignee: |
HAMLON PTY LTD
Macquarie Park
AU
|
Family ID: |
48869384 |
Appl. No.: |
13/565978 |
Filed: |
August 3, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/AU2011/000100 |
Feb 3, 2011 |
|
|
|
13565978 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
221/7 ; 221/198;
221/247; 221/279 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 3/002 20130101;
A47F 1/126 20130101; A47F 5/0025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
221/7 ; 221/247;
221/279; 221/198 |
International
Class: |
A47F 1/12 20060101
A47F001/12; A47F 3/00 20060101 A47F003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 4, 2010 |
AU |
2010900432 |
Aug 24, 2010 |
AU |
2010903789 |
Nov 4, 2011 |
AU |
2011904592 |
Claims
1. A security dispenser for the display and dispensing of
merchandise items, said security dispenser having an elongate
housing with a rear end and a front delivery end, a lid and an
incremental feed device disposed therein, said elongate housing for
storing a plurality of merchandise items in a row, said incremental
feed device comprising a pusher assembly powered for the duration
of its travel by a bias means for advancing merchandise items from
said rear end to said front delivery end, and a stop mechanism
allowing said pusher assembly to achieve its travel in a plurality
of predetermined increments, wherein when said pusher assembly is
engaged with said stop mechanism, an actuator operably connected to
said stop mechanism and having an engagable component, must be
actuated by a user wishing to dispense a merchandise item, and
actuation of said actuator causes said pusher assembly to
temporarily disengage said stop mechanism, thereby allowing said
pusher assembly to travel in one of said predetermined
increments.
2. A security dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
incremental feed device is advanced at a low uniform speed.
3. A security dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
merchandise item is removed from said delivery front end in a
downward motion.
4. A security dispenser as claimed in claim 3, wherein said
delivery front end has a narrow aperture that allows for removal of
a merchandise item in said downward motion, and a biased one-way
flap is disposed within said housing that is capable of opening
when a merchandise item is being dispensed, and closes immediately
thereafter thereby preventing access to said merchandise items
stored within said housing.
5. A security dispenser as claimed in claim 4, wherein said
engagable component is a push-button located at or near said narrow
aperture of said delivery front end, and access to said push-button
is hindered by the downward motion of a merchandise item being
dispensed, thereby requiring said user to release said push-button
in order to remove said merchandise item.
6. A security dispenser as claimed in claim 5, wherein said stop
mechanism comprises a flexible elongate member with at least one
array of spaced apart projections, said push-button being operably
connected to said flexible member, and in use at least one of said
projections acts as a stop to prevent travel of said pusher
assembly until said push-button is depressed thereby flexing said
flexible elongate member to disengage said at least one projection
and allow said pusher assembly to travel until it abuts against an
adjacent said projection.
7. A security dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
dispenser is a modular dispenser removably mounted with other like
dispensers in a dispensing unit having a base member.
8. A security dispenser as claimed in claim 7, wherein said modular
dispensers are mounted in side by side relationship.
9. A security dispenser as claimed in claim 7, wherein said modular
dispensers are mounted in a vertical arrangement.
10. A security dispenser as claimed in claim 7, wherein a security
member is removably secured to said base member for preventing
removal of said modular dispensers from said base member.
11. A security dispenser as claimed in claim 10, wherein said base
member has two opposed side walls, and said security member is
removably secured to said side walls.
12. A security dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of
said items to be dispensed comprises an RFID tag, and an RFID
reader associated with said security device is capable of tracking
said items.
13. A security dispenser as claimed in claim 12, wherein said RFID
reader is operably connected to a security surveillance system via
an RFID controller, and wherein when said controller detects a
number of items being dispensed in less than a predetermined time
period said RFID controller signals said security surveillance
system.
14. A dispensing unit having a plurality of security dispensers
disposed therein, said dispensing unit having a base member
supporting said security dispensers, each of said modular security
dispensers for the display and dispensing of merchandise items,
each said security dispenser is elongate with a rear end and a
front delivery end, and an incremental feed device disposed
therein, said security dispenser for storing a plurality of
merchandise items in a row, said incremental feed device comprising
a pusher assembly powered for the duration of its travel by a bias
means for advancing merchandise items from said rear end to said
front delivery end, and a stop mechanism allowing said pusher
assembly to achieve its travel in a plurality of predetermined
increments, wherein when said pusher assembly is engaged with said
stop mechanism, an actuator operably connected to said stop
mechanism and having an engagable component, must be actuated by a
user wishing to dispense a merchandise item, and actuation of said
actuator causes said pusher assembly to temporarily disengage said
stop mechanism, thereby allowing said pusher assembly to travel in
one of said predetermined increments.
15. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein said
dispensing unit has an openable front cover.
16. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 15, wherein said front
cover allows internal access of said dispensing from the front so
that said security dispensers may be cleared, replaced and/or
repaired.
17. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 15, wherein said front
cover is able to pivotally move between an open configuration and
closed configuration.
18. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 17, wherein said cover
has opposed side flanges, and said cover pivots about a rod having
opposed free ends which extend into a respective elongate slot in
each of said side flanges.
19. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 18, wherein a barb on at
least one side wall of said dispensing unit engages a recess on at
least one of said side flanges, when said cover is in said closed
configuration.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to a dispensing unit for the display
and dispensing of merchandise. In particular this invention is
directed towards providing security against pilfering of
merchandise which is displayed in retail outlets.
BACKGROUND
[0002] It is well known to use dispensing units for the display of
merchandise in retail situations. In some instances dispensers and
dispensing units have been employed as deterrent to theft of costly
merchandise items, such as razor blades, cosmetics and the like.
One such dispensing unit utilises an automatic feed display of the
type used in U.S. Pat. No. 4,300,693 (Spamer) to advance
merchandise items stored therein. One of the problems with such
units is that they occasionally jam and are not easily cleared or
able to be replaced or repaired in a retail environment. Also some
of the units do not significantly deter would be
thieves/shoplifters from dispensing multiple items.
[0003] The present invention seeks to provide a dispensing unit
able to ameliorate at least some of the disadvantages of the prior
art.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0004] According to a first aspect the present invention comprises
consists of a security dispenser for the display and dispensing of
merchandise items, said security dispenser having an elongate
housing with a rear end and a front delivery end, a lid and an
incremental feed device disposed therein, said elongate housing for
storing a plurality of merchandise items in a row, said incremental
feed device comprising a pusher assembly powered for the duration
of its travel by a bias means for advancing merchandise items from
said rear end to said front delivery end, and a stop mechanism
allowing said pusher assembly to achieve its travel in a plurality
of predetermined increments, wherein when said pusher assembly is
engaged with said stop mechanism, an actuator operably connected to
said stop mechanism and having an engagable component, must be
actuated by a user wishing to dispense a merchandise item, and
actuation of said actuator causes said pusher assembly to
temporarily disengage said stop mechanism, thereby allowing said
pusher assembly to travel in one of said predetermined
increments.
[0005] Preferably, said incremental feed device is advanced at a
low uniform speed.
[0006] Preferably, said merchandise item is removed from said
delivery front end in a downward motion.
[0007] Preferably, said delivery front end has a narrow aperture
that allows for removal of a merchandise item in said downward
motion, and a biased one-way flap is disposed within said housing
that is capable of opening when a merchandise item is being
dispensed, and closes immediately thereafter thereby preventing
access to said merchandise items stored within said housing.
[0008] Preferably, said engagable component is a push-button
located at or near said narrow aperture of said delivery front end,
and access to said push-button is hindered by the downward motion
of a merchandise item being dispensed, thereby requiring said user
to release said push-button in order to remove said merchandise
item.
[0009] Preferably, said stop mechanism comprises a flexible
elongate member with at least one array of spaced apart
projections, said push-button being operably connected to said
flexible member, and in use at least one of said projections acts
as a stop to prevent travel of said pusher assembly until said
push-button is depressed thereby flexing said flexible elongate
member to disengage said at least one projection and allow said
pusher assembly to travel until it abuts against an adjacent said
projection.
[0010] Preferably, said dispenser is a modular dispenser removably
mounted with other like dispensers in a dispensing unit having a
base member. In one preferred embodiment, said modular dispensers
are mounted in side by side relationship. In another preferred
embodiment, said modular dispensers are mounted in a vertical
arrangement.
[0011] Preferably, a security member is removably secured to said
base member for preventing removal of said modular dispensers from
said base member. Preferably, said base member has two opposed side
walls, and said security member is removably secured to said side
walls.
[0012] Preferably, each of said items to be dispensed comprises an
RFID tag, and an RFID reader associated with said security device
is capable of tracking said items. Preferably, said RFID reader is
operably connected to a security surveillance system via an RFID
controller, and wherein when said controller detects a number of
items being dispensed in less than a predetermined time period said
RFID controller signals said security surveillance system.
[0013] According to a second aspect the present invention consists
of a dispensing unit having a plurality of security dispensers
disposed therein, said dispensing unit having a base member
supporting said security dispensers, each of said modular security
dispensers for the display and dispensing of merchandise items,
each said security dispenser having an elongate housing with a rear
end and a front delivery end, and an incremental feed device
disposed therein, said elongate housing for storing a plurality of
merchandise items in a row, said incremental feed device comprising
a pusher assembly powered for the duration of its travel by a bias
means for advancing merchandise items from said rear end to said
front delivery end, and a stop mechanism allowing said pusher
assembly to achieve its travel in a plurality of predetermined
increments, wherein when said pusher assembly is engaged with said
stop mechanism, an actuator operably connected to said stop
mechanism and having an engagable component, must be actuated by a
user wishing to dispense a merchandise item, and actuation of said
actuator causes said pusher assembly to temporarily disengage said
stop mechanism, thereby allowing said pusher assembly to travel in
one of said predetermined increments.
[0014] Preferably said dispensing unit has an openable front
cover.
[0015] Preferably said front cover allows internal access of said
dispensing from the front so that said security dispensers may be
cleared, replaced and/or repaired.
[0016] Preferably said front cover is able to pivotally move
between an open configuration and closed configuration.
[0017] Preferably said cover has opposed side flanges, and said
cover pivots about a rod having opposed free ends which extend into
a respective elongate slot in each of said side flanges.
[0018] Preferably a barb on at least one of side wall said
dispensing unit engages and a recess on at least one of said side
flanges, when said cover is in said closed configuration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a
dispensing unit for the display and dispensing of merchandise, in
accordance with the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of a modular dispenser
of the dispensing unit shown in FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a modular
dispenser of the dispensing unit shown in FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a modular
dispenser of the dispensing unit shown in FIG. 1 with merchandise
items stored therein.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a sectional perspective exploded view of a modular
dispenser of the dispensing unit shown in FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a detail view of the modular dispenser shown in
FIG. 5.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a schematic arrangement of an RFID system to
further enhance the security of the dispensing unit shown in FIG.
1.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a
dispensing unit for the display and dispensing of merchandise, in
accordance with the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a
dispensing unit for the display and dispensing of merchandise, in
accordance with the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a
dispensing unit for the display and dispensing of merchandise in
accordance with the present invention with the front cover in a
"closed configuration".
[0029] FIG. 11a is perspective view of the front the dispensing
unit shown in FIG. 10, with an end portion of the front cover
cutaway.
[0030] FIG. 11b is an enlarged detail of portion of the front cover
cutaway shown in FIG. 11a.
[0031] FIG. 12a is a partial cutaway schematic perspective view of
the front the dispensing unit showing the lock mechanism of the
front cover of the dispensing unit shown in FIG. 10.
[0032] FIG. 12b is an enlarged detail of the lock mechanism shown
in FIG. 12a.
[0033] FIG. 13 is a perspective of the dispensing unit shown in
FIG. 10 with arrow showing turning of lock mechanism knob.
[0034] FIG. 14a is a reduced perspective view of the dispensing
unit shown in FIG. 1, highlighting the barb/recess engagement
between the sidewall and the cover.
[0035] FIG. 14b is an enlarged detail of barb/recess engagement
between the sidewall and the cover shown in FIG. 14a.
[0036] FIG. 15 is a perspective view from above of the dispensing
unit shown in FIG. 1, with the front cover in an "open
configuration".
BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0037] FIG. 1 depicts a dispensing unit 1 for the display and
dispensing of merchandise items in accordance with a first
embodiment of the present invention. Dispensing unit 1 is adapted
to be supported or integral with a retail shelving system (not
shown). Dispensing unit 1 comprises a base member 2, supporting a
plurality of removable modular security dispensers 3 mounted in a
side by side relationship. In this embodiment, the base member 2
may support up to eight modular dispensers 3.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 6, each modular security dispenser 3
comprises an elongate housing 4 defining a track, a pivotal lid 5
and a removable automatic feed device 6. Elongate housing 4, which
has a rear end 7 and a front delivery end 8, is for storing a
plurality of merchandise items 9 in a row along the track.
Automatic feed device 6 is used to forward feed merchandise items 9
towards front delivery end 8. A lower opening 10, being a narrow
aperture in the delivery front end 8 of housing 4, allows for the
foremost merchandise item 9a to drop in a downward direction on to
a ledge 26 to await removal from modular dispenser 3, as shown in
FIG. 4. In this way, items 9 are removed from dispenser 3 in a
downward direction. When merchandise item 9a is removed from
modular dispenser 3, automatic feed device 6 brings the next
succeeding merchandise item 9 to the delivery front end 8.
[0039] In use, when a merchandise item 9 is removed from modular
dispenser 3, and automatic feed device 6 brings the next succeeding
merchandise item 9 to the delivery front end 8, it advances at a
low uniform speed. "Low uniform speed" preferably means a speed
that would take fifteen seconds or more to advance the next
succeeding merchandise item to the delivery front end 8. By
advancing at a low uniform speed, the automatic feed device 6
allows dispenser 3 to store and dispense merchandise items, whilst
at the same time it eliminates the risk of a thief/shoplifter
grabbing a plurality of many merchandise items in a single
grab.
[0040] The automatic feed device 6 preferably comprises a spring
loaded pusher assembly 15 similar to known automatic feed devices,
one of which is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,300,693 (Spamer). Pusher
assembly 15 is powered for the duration of its travel by a spring
(bias) means (not shown) for advancing merchandise items 9 from the
rear end 7 to the front delivery end 8. However, in this preferred
embodiment a stop mechanism 20 engages with pusher assembly 15 to
allow pusher assembly 15 to achieve its travel in a plurality of
predetermined increments. Thus the automatic feed device 6 in
combination with stop mechanism 20 form an "incremental feed
device" which allows pusher assembly 15 to travel and push
merchandise items 9 forward in a plurality of predetermined
increments.
[0041] Stop mechanism 20 comprises a flexible elongate member 21
with two arrays (rows) of ramped projections (or teeth) 22
projecting therefrom. Only one of the arrays of ramped projections
22 is utilised at a time. In use, flexible elongate member 21 is
disposed underneath the pusher assembly 15 and the advance of
travel of pusher assembly 15 by spring means is prevented by
engagement of a ramped lug 28, on the underside of and movable with
pusher assembly 15, with one of the projections 22. An actuator
having an engagable component, namely push-button 23, is operably
connected to flexible elongate member 21. When push-button 23 is
depressed, elongate member 21 is actuated by flexing, thereby
disengaging a projection 22 from lug 28, which temporarily
disengages stop mechanism 20 from pusher assembly 15. This allows
pusher assembly 15 to travel in a predetermined increment until it
abuts against an adjacent projection 22 next along in the
array.
[0042] As a user must depress push-button 23 and await dispensing
of an item 9 occurring by travel of pusher assembly 15 at a "low
uniform speed" in a predetermined increment, and then remove the
item 9 before again depressing the push-button 23 to dispense a
further item 9, this will substantially act as a deterrent to a
thief/shoplifter wishing to grab a plurality of items 9.
[0043] A user wishing to dispense a plurality of items 9 cannot
continually keep push-button 23 depressed to rapidly dispense items
9. This is because of the location of push-button 23 on face 24 of
dispenser 3, near opening 10 where item 9 is dispensed to ledge 26.
Ledge 26 projects forwardly away from the bottom of face 24 such
that face 24 is above ledge 26 and below feed device 6. When an
item 9a has dropped down on to ledge 26, push-button 23 on face 24
is behind item 9a. In order for foremost item 9a to be dispensed
from opening 10, in a downward motion towards ledge 26, a user must
take their hand away from push-button 23, after first depressing it
to start the dispensing action, in order to not obstruct or hinder
the dispensing action. As push-button 23 is depressed and released
to dispense an item 9, this ensures that travel of pusher assembly
15 occurs in the earlier mentioned "predetermined increment".
Furthermore, the next dispensing action cannot be started until a
dispensed item 9a is removed from modular dispenser 3 because when
the dispensed item 9a is resting on ledge 26 it covers and blocks
access to push-button 23.
[0044] A further security feature is that an item 9 being dispensed
must pass through a one way opening hinged flap 27 located at the
front delivery end 8, a short distance back from and above opening
10. Whilst an item 9 can push and move past flap 27 in a downward
direction, it cannot be pushed open in an upward direction. As the
opening 10 is narrow and flap 27 is disposed internally a short
distance therefrom, a thief or shoplifter is prevented from easily
accessing the items 9 within housing 4 via opening 10. Flap 27 is
biased upwards by a spring (not shown) such that it is normally
horizontal as shown in FIG. 3.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 1, a security member 11 is fixed to side
walls 12 of base member 2, thereby preventing the easy removal of
modular dispensers 3 from dispensing unit 1, and preventing lids 5
of dispensers 3 from being opened. However, security member 11 can
be removed by a retail employee for filling dispensers 3 or for
their removal and/or exchange. Whilst in this embodiment security
member 11 is shown spanning across the top of dispensing units 3,
it could in other embodiments be a lockable lower member spanning
across the front of dispensing units 3.
[0046] From time to time, should merchandise items 9 get stuck in
elongate housing 4 or automatic feed device 6 become stuck, the
modular nature of each modular dispenser 3, its pivotal lid 5 and
removable automatic feed device 6 means that faulty or jammed
modular dispensers 3 can be readily removed from the dispensing
unit 1 to be cleared, replaced and/or repaired. Therefore, the
arrangement of dispensing unit 1 both acts as a deterrent to theft
of retail items and allows for ease of maintenance.
[0047] As previously mentioned, whilst flexible elongate member 21
has two arrays (rows) of ramped projections (or teeth) 22
projecting therefrom, only one array of projections 22 is used at a
time. The two arrays each have different spacing for projections
22, thereby allowing a flexible member 21 of stop mechanism 20 to
be set up in a choice of travel increments, to suit different
merchandise items to be dispensed, by moving ramped lug 28 sideways
to engage the other array.
[0048] In a further enhanced security arrangement, RFID technology
may be used in conjunction with dispensing unit 1 and dispensers 3
as shown in FIG. 7. Each merchandise item 9 would be provided with
a passive RFID tag 30. An RFID reader 31 associated with a
dispensing unit 1 30 or dispenser 3 would be located in close
proximity thereto. The RFID reader 31 may operably be connected to
an in-store security surveillance system 50 via a controller 32.
The controller 32 may be separate or integral with the RFID reader
31. Should controller 32 detect that a plurality of items 9, which
for example may be three or four items 9, are dispensed in a under
a predetermined time interval the RFID controller may signal the
in-store security surveillance system. This may include alerting
in-store security staff to an incident of potential theft, and/or
ensure that camera surveillance data is stored for the relevant
time of the incident occurring.
[0049] FIG. 8 depicts a second embodiment of a dispensing unit 1a
for the display and dispensing of merchandise, in accordance with
the present invention. Dispensing unit 1a is similar to dispensing
unit 1 shown in FIG. 1, except that its modular security dispensers
3 are mounted in a vertical arrangement in its base member 2a. The
dispensers 3 of dispensing unit 1a are similar to those of
dispensing unit 1. In this example, there a four vertically
arranged dispensers 3.
[0050] FIG. 9 depicts a third embodiment of a dispensing unit 1b
for the display and dispensing of merchandise, in accordance with
the present invention. Dispensing unit 1b is similar to dispensing
units 1 and 1a, except that dispensing unit 1b has its modular
security dispensers 3 mounted both side by side and vertically in
its base member 2b. In this example, there are twelve dispensers 3
arranged in an array three wide by four high.
[0051] In the dispensing unit 1 of the first embodiment where a
plurality of security dispensers 3 are arranged side by side,
lockable pivotal lid 5 is used to prevent access to the internals
of the housing of each security dispenser 3. In order clear,
replace and/or repair the security dispensers, pivotal lid 5 must
be raised from above. This arrangement may not suit certain retail
environments where it is difficult to have pivotal lid 5 opened
from above to gain access to a security dispensers 3. As such, for
retail environments where the first embodiment is not suited due to
restricted access from above, a fourth embodiment is proposed as
follows.
[0052] FIGS. 10 to 15 depict a dispensing unit 100 for the display
and dispensing of merchandise items in accordance with a fourth
embodiment of the present invention. Dispensing unit 100 is adapted
to be supported or integral with a retail shelving system (not
shown). Dispensing unit 100 comprises a base member (hidden) and
side walls 112, supporting a plurality of security dispensers 103
mounted in a side by side relationship. In the present embodiment,
there are three security dispensers 103.
[0053] Each dispenser 103 like that of dispenser 3 of the first
embodiment, is elongate and has a track and a removable automatic
feed device 6.
[0054] Each dispenser 103, has a rear end 107 and a front delivery
end 108, and is for storing a plurality of merchandise items in a
row along the track. Automatic feed device 6 is used to forward
feed merchandise items towards front delivery end 108. However
unlike dispenser 3 of the first embodiment, each dispenser 103 does
not have an elongate housing and pivotal lid. Instead, in the
present embodiment each dispenser 103 is defined by its elongate
track and automatic feed device 6 is flanked by either two
partition walls 104, or a partition wall 104 and side wall 112.
[0055] In use, when a merchandise item is removed from dispenser
103, and its automatic feed device 6 brings the next succeeding
merchandise item to delivery front end 108, it advances at a "low
uniform speed" similar to the first embodiment. By advancing at a
low uniform speed, the automatic feed device 6 allows dispenser 103
to store and dispense merchandise items, whilst at the same time it
eliminates the risk of a thief/shoplifter grabbing a plurality of
many merchandise items in a single grab.
[0056] Automatic feed device 6 preferably comprises a spring loaded
pusher assembly 15 similar to the first embodiment. The fourth
embodiment also utilises a stop mechanism and push button similar
in function to that described and shown with reference to the first
embodiment.
[0057] However the fourth embodiment differs from the first
embodiment by the means by which internal access is made to the
dispensing unit and dispensers by retail employees or maintenance
staff. In the first embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each
security dispenser 3 has its own housing 4, pivotal lid 5 and front
delivery end 8. A security member 11 is fixed to side walls 12 of
base member 2, thereby preventing the easy removal of modular
dispensers 3 from dispensing unit 1, and preventing lids 5 of
dispensers 3 from being opened. However, security member 11 can be
removed by a retail employee for filling dispensers 3 or for their
removal and/or exchange. Whilst security member 11 is shown
spanning across the top of dispensing units 3, it is understood
that alternatively a lockable lower member spanning across the
front of dispensing units 3 could used.
[0058] Reverting now to the fourth embodiment, each dispenser 103
does not have an individual housing or pivotal lid. Instead, the
dispensing unit 100 has a lockable pivotal front cover 130 which
can be pivotally opened by a retail employee for filling dispensers
103 or for the removal and/or exchange of the component parts
thereof. In addition to providing internal access to the dispensing
unit 100, pivotal front cover 130 acts as "single wall member" for
each of the delivery front ends 108 of dispensers 103.
[0059] Pivotal front cover 130 is preferably made of clear plastic
material and pivots about rod 131, between a "closed configuration"
and an "open configuration". A locking mechanism 140 is used to
lock the front cover 130 in the closed configuration.
[0060] Pivotal front cover 130 has two opposed side flanges 132.
Each side flange 132 has slot 137, and the opposed free ends of rod
131 extend into a respective slot 137. Rod 131 is able to move or
translate within the slots 137.
[0061] Each side flange 132 of front cover 130 has a projection 133
with a slot recess 134 there below. In the "closed configuration"
each side flange 132 is lockably engaged with an associated
upwardly projecting barb 135 in a respective side wall 112. Cover
130 is held in the "closed configuration" with barbs 135
inter-engaged with their respective recesses 134.
[0062] When in the "closed configuration", and latch 147 of lock
mechanism 140 is latched, cover 130 cannot be moved upwardly.
However, when lock mechanism 140 is unlocked by turning knob 148 as
shown by arrow A in FIG. 13, cover 130 can be pivotally opened, see
arrow C in FIG. 15 to the open configuration.
[0063] From time to time, should merchandise items get stuck in any
of dispensers 103 or their respective automatic feed devices 6
become stuck, pivotal front cover 130 may be opened so that the
dispenser 100 may be cleared, replaced and/or repaired.
[0064] It should be understood that biased mechanism (not shown)
may be used to bias cover 130 towards the closed configuration.
[0065] The terms "comprising" and "including" (and their
grammatical variations) as used herein are used in an inclusive
sense and not in the exclusive sense of "consisting only of".
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