AU622902B2

AU622902B2 - Merchandise display and dispenser

Info

Publication number: AU622902B2
Application number: AU34858/89A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Keith William Nelson
Original assignee: CHAIN REACTION MANUFACTURING P
Current assignee: CHAIN REACTION MANUFACTURING PTY Ltd
Priority date: 1988-05-19
Filing date: 1989-05-19
Publication date: 1992-04-30
Anticipated expiration: 2009-05-19
Also published as: AU3485889A

Description

To: The Commissioner of Patents PATENT ATTORNEY SERVICES 26 Ellingworth Parade, Box Hill, Victoria, 3128 Australia.

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AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT COMPLETE SPECIFICATION 622902

ORIGINAL

(FOR OFFICE USE) Class Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority: Related Art: Int Class Name of Applicant(s): CHAIN.R E.ACT.I.N.MANUFATURING PY. L.TD.

Address of Applicant 8 Fonc.eca S.treet., Mordialloc Victoria Australia 3195 Actual inventor(s) EITH WILLIAM NELSON Actual I nventor .KEITH .W.I..L.LIAM..N..ELSO. N. Address for Service: PATENT ATTORNEY SERVICES 26 Ellingworth Parade, Box Hill, Victoria 3128 Complete specification for the invention entitled: MERCHANDISE DISPLAY DISPENSER The following statement is a full description of this invention., including the best method of performing it known to us 1.

i:i 1 MERCHANDISE DISPLAY AND DISPENSER This invention relates to product display apparatus, particularly although not exclusively of the kind used for displaying merchandise to potential customers.

In service stations used for sale of motor fuel for vehicles, merchandise and particularly engine oil is desirably displayed to motorists in relatively close proximity to the fuel pumps used for filling the motor vehicle fuel tanks. Close proximity of engine lubricating oil containers to the fuel pumps o ,10 has been found to significantly increase oil sales. However the o provision of lubricating oil containers in display stands also 0 o makes it relatively easy for the oil containers to be stolen.

S00 This ease with which oil containers may be stolen discourages owners of service stations from displaying engine oil in display stands located adjacent to the fuel pumps. It is believed that no satisfactory display stand or apparatus has been developed or is available to overcome the theft problem described above while .a simultaneously allowing bona fide purchasers of engine oil containers to select and remove oil containers from a display stand or the like in proximity to the fuel pumps.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a product display apparatus which will enable a bona fide or authorised user of a product to have access to the product while unauthorised access to the product is effectively inhibited or discouraged.

product display apparatus includingj--a-product support for supporting asoodat~ as to be visible to a user; a retainer sbeing Movablc froo i ea 2

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i.|F t- According to the present invention there is provided a product display apparatus including: a product support for su1pporting a product so as to be visible to a user; a signalling apparatus located in the vicinity of the product support and which is selectively operable by a user to cause operation of a signal means for the purpose of indicating a desire to remove the product from the product support, the signal means being located at a site remote from the product support where an operator is stationed; a retainer associated in use with the product and being movable from a retaining position in which the retainer is operative to retain the product against removal from the product support to a release position in which theretainer allows removal of the product from the product support; a S selectively operable retainer lock associated with the retainer

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and operable to lock the retainer against movement from its Sl: retaining position to its release position, the retainer lock thereby preventing normal removal of the product from the 09 00 product support; a remote lock actuator located at said site remote from the product support, the retainer lock being responsive to operation of the lock actuator by said operator in response to operation of said signal means so as to disable the retainer lock and enable movement of the retainer from its retaining position to its release position and thereby allow removal of the product from the product support.

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L_ the product against removal from the product support a release position in which the retainer allows remov- of the product from the product support; a selecti ely operable retainer lock associated with the retainer .ad operable to lock the retainer against movement from its etaining position to its release position, the retainer ock thereby preventing normal removal of the product fro the product support; a remote lock actuator arranged to b located in use remote from the retainer .0 lock, the retaine lock being responsive to operation of the S lock actuato by an operator so as to disable the retainer lock o and ena e movement of the retainer from its retaining position to its release position and thereby allow removal of the product 44* th product 4up-ort The product support preferably includes a passive retainer operable to restrain or inhibit in a passive manner removal of the product from the product support, the passive retainer I, comprising a retaining formation which is operable together with the retainer when in its retaining position to resist direct S 20 withdrawal of the product from the product support. For example, the retaining formation may comprise a shelf for supporting the product and an associated upright wall located in use in front of the product supported by the shelf, the shelf and upright wall defining a cavity for receiving a bottom of the product so that the product must be lifted out of the cavity over the wall when the product is being removed from the product support.

3 i The retainer preferably comprises a retainer member which is operable to engage the product directly so as to retain the product against removal from the product support. In one possible embodiment the retainer member comprises a retainer gate arranged and operable to be located in front of the product in its retaining position so as to thereby inhibit removal of the product past the retainer gate. In a second possible embodiment the retainer member comprises a retainer jaw mechanism comprising two jaws which are relatively movable 0 towards and away from each other so as to confine the product against removal when the jaws are moved towards each other with the product being located between the jaws.

In a third possible and preferred embodiment the retainer member comprises a retainer cap arranged to cooperate with an upper portion of the product and retain the upper portion against substantial movement. The retainer cap may comprise a downwardly concave cap member mounted on an arm, the arm being pivotable about a generally horizontal pivot axis at one end of 04 o the arm, the other end of the arm being provided with the 20 concave cap member for cooperating with the upper portion of the 09* product, the arm being selectively pivotally movable so as to 0 move the cap member from a retaining position in which the cap member cooperates with an upper portion of the product to a raised release position allowing movement of the upper portion of the product in removal of the product from the display apparatus.

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The retainer lock may comprise a striker movable between an advanced position in which it prevents movement of the movable retainer from its retaining position to its release position and a retracted position in which the striker allows movement of the retainer from its retaining to its release position. The striker preferably comprises a solenoid actuated plunger, the plunger being biased by biasing means towards its advanced position and the solenoid when energised withdrawing the plunger from its advanced position to its retracted position ',i0 against the action of the biasing means. In the preferred embodiment in which the retainer comprises a cap on a mounting arm the plunger in its advanced position is preferably located in the path of movement of the mounting arm so that the plunger ee4* prevents movement of the mounting arm from its position in which the product is retained against removal of the product from the .8 product display apparatus.

4 The product display apparatus preferably further includes signalling apparatus operable by the user so that the user can signal to the operator for the purpose of requesting the 20 operator to operate the lock actuator and thereby enable access r to or removal of the product from the product support.

The signalling apparatus preferably further includes user signalling means for enabling the operator to signal to the user that the lock actuator has been operated by the operator and therefore the product can be removed from the product display apparatus.

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PosEible and preferred features of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. However it is to be understood that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a side view of a product display apparatus embodying the present invention and showing in broken line the movable retainer in its release position as well as in full line o0 in its retaining position, and o Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 with o the associated electrical components illustrated schematically.

The product display apparatus in the drawings includes a product support 11 for supporting a product 10 so as to be visible to a user. A retainer 15 is associated in use with the product 10 and is movable from a retaining position shown in full line in Fig. 1 in which the retainer 15 is operative to retain the product 10 against removal from the product support I. C C 11 to a release position 15a shown in broken line in which the retainer 15 does not substantially inhibit removal of the 4 I product 10 from the product support 11. A selectively operable retainer lock 20 is associated with and operable for locking the retainer 15 against movement from its retaining position to its release position 15a so as to thereby prevent removal of the product 10 from the product support 11. A remote lock actuator is located in use remote from the retainer lock 20, the retainer lock 20 being responsive to operation of the lock I actuator 30 by an operator so as to disable the retainer lock and enable movement of the retainer 15 from its retaining position 15a to its release position and thereby allow removal of the product 10 from the product support 11.

In the illustrated embodiment, the product support 11 includes a passive retainer 12 operable to restrain or inhibit in a passive manner removal of the product 10 from the product support 11. The product support 11 cooperates with the retainer to retain the product 10 against unauthorised or undesired removal of the product. The passive retainer 12 comprises a retaining formation 13 provided at the bottom of the product and operable to resist direct withdrawal of the bottom of the product 10 from the product support 11. In an alternative possible embodiment, a retaining formation may be provided at the top of the product although this embodiment is not illustrated. The retainina formation 13 comprises a shelf 13a cooperating with an upright wall 13b so as to define a cavity 14 for receiving the bottom portion of the product 10 in such a way that the product 10 must be lifted out of the cavity 14 to enable the product to be removed from the product support 11.

The retainer 15 comprises a retainer member 16 which is operable to engage the product 10 directly so as to retain the product against removal from the product support 11. The retainer member 16 in an embodiment not shown may comprise a retainer gate arranged for example to hinge or slide towards and away from the product 10 such that the product can be inhibited against removal past the retainer gate. Alternatively, the retainer member 16 may comprise a retainer jaw mechanism such as I I f, t~ I -two jaws which are relatively movable towards and away from each other so as to confine the product against removal when the jaws are moved towards each other with the product package located between the jaws.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the retainer member 16 comprises a retainer oap 17 operative to cooperate with an upper portion of the product 10. The retainer cap 17 comprises a concave cap member mounted on an arm 18, the cap member being selectively movable from a retaining position in ,10 which the cap member cooperates with an upper portion and I t L2rparticularly with a cap 10a of the product 10. The arm 18 is pivotable about a generally horizontal pivot axis 19 at one end of the arm, the other end of the arm 18 having the retainer cap 17 for cooperating with the top or cap 10a of the product The retainer cap 17 and arm 18 are pivotally movable under gravity with the cap in it operatvpoioncpeangwh the product when lowered. and enabling removal of the product when :aised as shown in broken line.

The retainer lock 20 in the illustrated embodiment includes a striker 21 movable between an advanced position (as shown at the left of Fig. 2 in which it prevents movement of the movable retainer 15 from its retaining position to its release position) and a retracted position (as shown at the right of Fig. 2 in which the striker 21 allows movement of the movable retainer 15 from its retaining to its release position). The striker 21 for example may comprise a solenoid actuated plunger 22. The plunger 22 in this embodiment is biased to its advanced position by biasing means 23 and the solenoid 24 when energised withdraws the plunger 22 from its advanced position to its retracted position against the action of the biasing means 23.

The striker 21 in the illustrated embodiment is generally horizontally movable out of the path of movement of the mounting arm 18 for the retainer cap 17. In this particular arrangement the plunger 22 is in its advanced position in the path of movement of the mounting arm 18 such that the plunger 12 prevents movement of the mounting arm 18 from its position in which the product 10 is retained against removal from the display apparatus.

*:The lock actuator 30 may comprise for example a switching apparatus 31 operable by -the operator so as to selectively cause application of power or disconnection of power from the retainer lock 20. In the particular preferred embodiment, the switching apparatus 31 may be arranged to supply power -to the solenoid 24 4 1 under the control of the operator at a remiote position. The display apparatus preferably includes signalling apparatus 32 operative so that the user can signal to the operator and thus "request" the operator to operate the lock actuator 30 and thereby enable access to or removal of the product 10 from the product support 11. The signalling apparatus 32 may include a user operable switch 33 located at the product support 11 and preferably closely adjacent to the product 10 in use, closure of the switch 33 by the user causing the operation of a visual and/or audible signal means 34 at the operator's position. Thus the user can close the switch 33 and signal, to the operator that the user desires access to the particular product 10 whereupon 9 the operator can operate the lock actuator 30 and enable user removal of the product 10 from the product support 11.

The signalling apparatus 32 in the preferred embodiment is also operative so that the operator can signal to the user that the lock actuator 30 has been operated. The signalling apparatus 32 for this purpose may include a response switch 36 arranged to be operated by the operator to cause operation of a visual and/or audible ignal means 35 receivable by the user thereby indicating to the user that the lock actuator 30 has 10 been coerated. In Fig. 2 the response switch 36 is comprised by t f I or is operable simultaneously with the lock actuator ITn the preferred embodiment of the product display apparatus shown in Fig. 2 usable in displaying for example multiple product packages such as motor vehicle engine oil containers, there is provided a plurality of product supports 11 and respective associated movable retainers 15, retainer locks 1 and retainer lock actuators 30 each to be associated in use with S, a respective product package 10, 10a carried by the product support. Tn this embodiment the signalling apparatus 32 is preferably arranged such that the user can operate a switch 33, 33a associated with a particular product package 10, 10a desired to be selected and removed from the product support. The response signalling apparatus may include a signalling means such as a green lamp associated with each product support whereby the operator can signal to the user which particular product support has had its respective lock actuator 20 operated and therefore signal which particular product package 10, can be removed from the product support.

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i To enable the operator to remotely determine which products 10a have already been removed and therefore which products are available for selection, the signalling apparatus 32 may include a status switch (not shown) associated with each product support, the status switch being for signalling which product supports do not have associated products supported thereby. The status switch for example may comprise a micro switch associated with each product support, the micro switch being in one state when a product 10 is supported by the respective product support and in another state when the product is removed.

It will be seen that the preferred embodiments of the t display apparatus as described herein and illustrated enable a 4 I product to be displayed such that a user, particularly a potential customer, can clearly see the product substantially in full. The user can decide if the particular product is desired *"Ti or not and can signal to the remote operator that the product is desired to be withdrawn from the product support. The remote operator can then operate the lock actuator which in turn enables the retainer luck to be moved to its release position, at the same time the user being signalled that the product can now be removed from the product support.

It will be seen that the display apparatus can be relatively s.mple in construction and operation it can be effective in inhibiting removal of the product from the apparatus without the operator's knowledge and particularly without positive action on the part of the remote operator.

Claims

2. A product display apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the product support includes a passive retainer operable to restrain or inhibit in a passive manner removal of the product from the product support, the passive retainer comprising a retaining formation which is operable together with the retainer 112 from' th rdc spot rmt okacutrlcae tsi i, 1 I i when in its retaining position to resist direct withdrawal of the product from the product support.
3. A product display apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the retaining formation comprises a shelf for supporting the product and an associated upright wall located in use in front of the product supported by the shelf, the shelf and upright wall defining a cavity for receiving a bottom of the product so that the product must be lifted out of the cavity over the wall when the product is being removed from the product support.
4. A product display apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the retainer comprises a retainer S< member which is operable to engage the product directly so as to t retain the product against removal from the product support. St 5. A product display apparatus as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the retainer member comprises a retainer gate arranged and operable to be located in front of the product in its retaining position so as to thereby inhibit removal of the product past the retainer
6. A product display apparatus as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the retainer member comprises a retainer jaw mechanism comprising two jaws which are relatively movable towards and away from each other so as to confine the product against removal when the jaws are moved towards each other with the product being located between the jaws. i 13 t -i T k 1 2 G% i
7. A product display apparatus as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the retainer member comprises a retainer cap arranged to cooperate with an upper portion of the product and retain the upper portion against substantial movement.
8. A product display apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the retainer cap comprises a downwardly concave cap member mounted on an arm, the arm being pivotable about a generally horizontal pivot axis at one end of the arm, the other end of the arm being provided with the concave cap member for cooperating with the upper portion of the product, the arm being S' selectively pivotally movable so as to move the cap member from a retaining position in which the cap member cooperates with an upper portion of the product to a raised release position Ia allowing movement of the upper portion of the product in removal of the product from the display apparatus. 9, A product display apparatus as claimed in any one of the S preceding claims wherein the retainer lock comprises a striker movable between an advanced position in which it prevents movement of the movable retainer from its retaining position to its release position and a retracted position in which the S striker allows movement of the retainer from its retaining to its release position. A product display apparatus as claimed in Claim 9 wherein the striker comprises a solenoid actuated plunger, the plunger being biased by biasing means towards its advanced position and r 1 I i advanced position to its retracted position against the action of the biasing means.
11. A product display apparatus as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the retainer lock comprises a striker movable between an advanced position in which it prevents movement of the movable retainer from its retaining position to its release position and a retracted position in which the striker allows movement of the retainer from its retaining to its release position, the striker comprising a solenoid actuated plunger, the plunger being biased i, i by biasing means towards its advanced position and the solenoid e s when energised withdrawing the plunger from its advanced ada position to its retracted position against the action of the o te biasing means, the plunger in its advanced position being located in the path of movement of the mounting arm so tabt the plunger prevents movement of the mounting arm from its position S n which the product is retained against removal of the product from the product display apparatus. preceding claims and further including signaluei apparatus operable by the user so that the use n signal to the operator for the peurpose of re s wing the operator to operate the lock actuator thereby enable access to or removal of the product .from the product display apparatus b Z. i b 3
12. A product display apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said signalling apparatus comprises a user operable switch, said signal means comprising a visual and/or audible signal means, closure of said switch by said user causing operation of the signal means.
13. A product display apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the signalling apparatus further includes user signalling means for enabling the operator to signal to the user that the lock actuator has been operated by the operator and therefore the product can be removed from the product display apparatus. .14. A product display apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherin said user signalling means comprises a response switch at the site of the operator's station and visual and/or audible signal means responsive to the response switch and located in proximity to the product support. 1" A product display apparatus substantially as herein before described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 31st day of January, 1992 PATENT ATTORNEY SERVICES Attorneys for CHAIN REACTION MANUFACTURING PTY LTD i:.1 I i