IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
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국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
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출원번호 |
US-0792252
(2010-06-02)
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등록번호 |
US-8353425
(2013-01-15)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Lockwood, Thomas A.
- Miller, Roger K.
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출원인 / 주소 |
- Rock-Tenn Shared Services, LLC
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
22 인용 특허 :
153 |
초록
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A system for controlled advancement of product. Systems of this invention includes a pushing system having a track, a pusher, and an optional resistance mechanism. The resistance mechanism couples to the track and the pusher, controlling forward movement of the pusher along the track and thereby con
A system for controlled advancement of product. Systems of this invention includes a pushing system having a track, a pusher, and an optional resistance mechanism. The resistance mechanism couples to the track and the pusher, controlling forward movement of the pusher along the track and thereby controlling the speed at which product is advanced for access by the consumer. Certain embodiments of the invention include additional mechanisms to further limit the forward progression of the pusher along the track, such as a stop mechanism or an indexing mechanism.
대표청구항
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1. A pushing system comprising: (a) a track comprising: (i) a product display surface; and(ii) a resistance channel comprising gear teeth that project into the resistance channel; and(iii) sides comprising a plurality of ramped slots;(b) a pusher in sliding engagement with the track, the pusher comp
1. A pushing system comprising: (a) a track comprising: (i) a product display surface; and(ii) a resistance channel comprising gear teeth that project into the resistance channel; and(iii) sides comprising a plurality of ramped slots;(b) a pusher in sliding engagement with the track, the pusher comprising a brake;(c) a spring that urges the pusher toward the front of the track;(d) a stop positioned relative to the pusher and moveable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, the stop comprising: (i) a plurality of protrusions configured to cooperate with the plurality of ramped slots of the side of the track and;(ii) a plurality of engagement surfaces configured to engage the brake of the pusher to prevent the pusher from moving forward when the stop is in the engaged position;(e) a resistance mechanism that comprises an external gear component that cooperates with the gear teeth of the resistance channel to slow the speed at which the spring urges the pusher forward; and(f) a second spring configured to adjust the orientation of the brake relative to the plurality of engagement surfaces of the stop when the stop is in the engaged position so that the pusher is not prevented from moving backward along the track. 2. The pushing system of claim 1, wherein, when the stop is in the engaged position, the plurality of protrusions of the stop are positioned relative to a first end of the plurality of the slots of the track, and wherein, when the stop is in the disengaged position, the plurality of protrusions are positioned relative to a second end of the plurality of the slots. 3. The pushing system of claim 1, wherein the brake further comprises a projection that cooperates with the engagement surfaces of the stop when the stop is in the engaged position. 4. The pushing system of claim 1, wherein the engagement surfaces of the stop form a generally sawtooth shape in cross section. 5. The pushing system of claim 1, wherein the stop is positioned within the resistance channel of the track. 6. The pushing system of claim 1, further comprising a door assembly positioned relative to the stop and having a closed position and an open position, wherein when in the open position, the door assembly engages the stop into the engaged position. 7. The pushing system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured so that when the stop is in the engaged position, the pusher is only permitted to move in predetermined increments. 8. The pushing system of claim 6, wherein the door assembly is a pivotable door having a closed position and an open position. 9. The pushing system of claim 8, wherein when the door assembly is in the open position, the stop is in the engaged position. 10. The pushing system of claim 8, wherein the door assembly further comprises an extension that rotates when the door assembly is in the open position to engage the stop into the engaged position. 11. The pushing system of claim 1, further comprising a cover configured to block access to the product display surface. 12. The pushing system of claim 1, further comprising a shaft that cooperates with a potentiometer. 13. A pushing system comprising: (a) a track comprising: (i) a product display surface; and(ii) a resistance channel comprising gear teeth that project into the resistance channel; and(iii) sides comprising a plurality of ramped slots;(b) a pusher in sliding engagement with the track, the pusher comprising a Brake;(c) a spring that urges the pusher toward the front of the track;(d) a stop positioned relative to the pusher and moveable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, the stop comprising: (i) a plurality of protrusions configured to cooperate with the plurality of ramped slots of the side of the track and;(ii) a plurality of engagement surfaces configured to engage the brake of the pusher to prevent the pusher from moving forward when the stop is in the engaged position;(e) a resistance mechanism that comprises an external gear component that cooperates with the gear teeth of the resistance channel to slow the speed at which the spring urges the pusher forward; and(f) a door assembly positioned relative to the stop and having a closed position and an open position, wherein when in the open position, the door assembly engages the stop into the engaged position,wherein the door assembly comprises a shuttle having a first position and a second position,wherein when the shuttle is in a first position, the shuttle is generally horizontal and the stop is in the disengaged position, andwherein when the shuttle is in a second position, the shuttle is generally vertical and the stop is in the engaged position. 14. A device for controlled advancement of a product comprising: (a) a track comprising: (i) a product display surface; and(ii) an index channel comprising a plurality of inclines; and(b) a pusher in sliding engagement with the track;(c) a spring that urges the pusher toward the front of the track; and(d) an indexing system having an activated state, wherein when the indexing system is in the activated state, the pusher may only move forward a discrete distance, wherein the indexing system comprises: (i) a rod;(ii) an indexing member coupled to the pusher, the indexing member comprising a body, a lateral arm positioned relative to the rod, and a downward extension; and(iii) an index having a plurality of openings, wherein each of the plurality of openings is configured to receive the downward extension of the body of the indexing member, wherein a distance between the plurality of openings generally corresponds to a depth of the product to be advanced. 15. The device of claim 14, further comprising a resistance mechanism that slows the speed at which the spring urges the pusher forward.
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