초록 ▼

A spring to operate a merchandise dispenser used for storing and dispensing a plurality of like items of merchandise. The dispenser utilizes a metal spring having indicia imprinted or engraved thereon to provide both a biasing force to the merchandise and inventory information. A method is provided

A spring to operate a merchandise dispenser used for storing and dispensing a plurality of like items of merchandise. The dispenser utilizes a metal spring having indicia imprinted or engraved thereon to provide both a biasing force to the merchandise and inventory information. A method is provided for producing a metal spring having indicia printed in ink or paint.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] In a merchandise dispenser for storing and dispensing a plurality of like items of merchandise, the dispenser having at least one opening to allow a front one of the merchandise items to be dispensed, the remaining merchandise being aligned behind the front one item within the dispe

[ I claim:] [1.] In a merchandise dispenser for storing and dispensing a plurality of like items of merchandise, the dispenser having at least one opening to allow a front one of the merchandise items to be dispensed, the remaining merchandise being aligned behind the front one item within the dispenser and being biased forward toward the opening, the improvement wherein a metal spring provides a force to bias the merchandise forward, said metal spring having indicia at spaced intervals, said indicia capable of being read to provide inventory information of the merchandise stored in the dispenser.