Shelf system with single product pickup and unrecoverable mechanism

Abstract

A chiller for storing and dispensing a product is disclosed. The chiller includes a housing having an open inlet. A first slider and a second slider are disposed on a shelf inside the housing, having a front end closer to the open inlet and a rear end. The first slider and the second slider each have a divider and a pushing mechanism. The separator can prevent a user from touching the products on both the first slider and the second slider simultaneously with a single hand. The push mechanism is adjustable between a locked state for inhibiting movement of the product from the front end to the rear end and a released state for allowing movement of the product from the front end to the rear end.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Indian Application No. 202241060155, filed on October 20, 2022, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to a shelving system for storing and dispensing products. More specifically, some embodiments described herein relate to a shelving system for a vending machine that restricts a consumer from picking up a single product with one hand and prevents the consumer from returning the product to the shelving system. Background Art

[0004] In a conventional shelving system for a product dispensing machine, such as a beverage dispensing cooler, products are aligned and shifted in columns so that a consumer can select and pick up from the front of the shelf. Plastic sliders may be installed as dividers on the shelf to conveniently organize the products into columns. However, when the sliders are placed closely side by side, a consumer may be able to reach and pick up products from different sliders with one hand simultaneously.

[0005] Conventional shelving systems also use a pushing mechanism to push the column-aligned products to the front of the shelf, allowing the consumer to easily browse and select products without reaching deep into the product dispensing machine and also maintaining a uniform display of the products. However, the conventional pushing mechanism allows the consumer to return the product to the shelf by moving the pushing mechanism in the backward direction. Allowing the product to return to the shelf increases the risk of product tampering and damage. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a cooler for storing and dispensing products. The cooler may include a housing having an open entrance leading to an interior of the housing, a shelf disposed in the interior of the housing, and a first slider and a second slider. The first slider and the second slider may each have a front end and a rear end and be disposed on the shelf, the front end being closer to the open entrance. The first slider and the second slider may each have a base defining a space for receiving and aligning products in a column, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a separator disposed on one of the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and a pushing mechanism disposed on the base. The separator may prevent a user from reaching products on both the first slider and the second slider simultaneously with one hand. The pushing mechanism may push the product from the rear end to the front end. The pushing mechanism may be adjustable between a locked state and a released state, the pushing mechanism inhibiting movement of the product from the front end to the rear end through the locked state, and the pushing mechanism allowing movement of the product from the front end to the rear end through the released state.

[0007] In some embodiments, the separator has a front edge that extends toward the front end and extends beyond the base of the slider, and a top edge that extends beyond the height of the product, such that the product on both the first slider and the second slider cannot be reached simultaneously with one hand.

[0008] In some embodiments, each of the first slider and the second slider includes a front bar that spans the first sidewall and the second sidewall at the front end. The front bar can prevent the product from leaving the slider at the front end. The separator includes a flange that is parallel to the front bar and is located above the front bar. The flange can prevent the product from pivoting around the front bar.

[0009] In some embodiments, each of the first slider and the second slider includes a front bar that spans the first sidewall and the second sidewall at the front end. The front bar can prevent the product from leaving the slider at the front end. The separator includes a front bar cover that is matingly coupled to the front bar.

[0010] In some embodiments, each of the first slider and the second slider further includes a second separator disposed on the other sidewall of the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first separator includes an alignment hole and the second separator includes an alignment pin. The alignment pin of the first slider can engage with the alignment hole of the second slider.

[0012] In some embodiments, each of the first slider and the second slider further includes a beam member disposed across the first separator and the second separator.

[0013] In some embodiments, the cooler further includes a camera disposed inside the housing. The camera can record a side image of the product traveling through the open inlet. The separator can prevent the product from blocking another product in the side image.

[0014] In some embodiments, the separator is integral with the slider.

[0015] In some embodiments, the separator is removably coupled to the slider.

[0016] In some embodiments, the separator snap-fits onto one of the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

[0017] In some embodiments, the cooler further includes a second shelf disposed above the first shelf, wherein the distance between the top edge of the pushing mechanism and the second shelf is less than the width of the product.

[0018] Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a cooler for storing and dispensing products. The cooler may include a housing having an open inlet leading to an interior of the housing, a camera disposed within the interior of the housing, a shelf disposed within the interior of the housing, and a first slider and a second slider. The first slider and the second slider may each have a front end and a rear end and be disposed on the shelf, the front end being closer to the open inlet. The first slider and the second slider may each have a base defining a space for receiving and aligning products in a column, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a separator disposed on one of the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The separator may have a top edge extending toward the front end and beyond a front edge of the base and extending beyond a height of the product such that a single hand cannot simultaneously reach products on both the first slider and the second slider.

[0019] In some embodiments, each of the first slider and the second slider further includes a second separator disposed on the other of the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

[0020] In some embodiments, each of the first slider and the second slider further includes a beam member extending across the first separator and the second separator.

[0021] In some embodiments, the camera may record a side image of a product traveling through the open inlet, and the separator may prevent a product from obscuring another product in the side image.

[0022] In some embodiments, the separator is integral with the slider.

[0023] In some embodiments, the separator is removably attached to the slider.

[0024] In some embodiments, the separator snap-fits onto one of the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

[0025] In some embodiments, the slider further includes a pushing mechanism disposed on the base to always push products from the rear end to the front end. The pushing mechanism is adjustable between a locked state and a released state, the pushing mechanism inhibiting movement of the product from the front end to the rear end through the locked state, and the pushing mechanism allowing movement of the product from the front end to the rear end through the released state. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention.

[0027] Figure 1 Perspective view of a cooler with a single product pick-up shelf system according to some embodiments.

[0028] Figure 2 Top view of a shelf system with a camera for capturing images of products removed from the cooler according to some embodiments.

[0029] Figure 3 Perspective view of a slider with a single product pick-up mechanism according to a first embodiment according to some embodiments.

[0030] Figure 4 Perspective view of a slider assembled into a shelf system according to some embodiments.

[0031] Figure 5 Perspective view of a slider assembled into a shelf system according to some embodiments.

[0032] Figure 6 Perspective view of a slider assembled into a shelf system according to some embodiments.

[0033] Figure 7 Perspective view of a pusher mechanism according to some embodiments.

[0034] Figure 8 Cross-sectional perspective view of a pusher mechanism according to some embodiments.

[0035] Figure 9 Cross-sectional perspective view of a pusher mechanism in a locked state that restricts product return according to some embodiments.

[0036] Figure 10 Cross-sectional perspective view of a pusher mechanism that can automatically switch from a locked state to a released state according to some embodiments.

[0037] Figure 11 Cross-sectional perspective view of a pusher mechanism that can automatically switch from a released state to a locked state according to some embodiments.

[0038] Figures 12 to 13 Cross-sectional perspective view of a pusher mechanism configured to manually switch from a locked state to a released state according to some embodiments.

[0039] Figure 14 Cross-sectional perspective view of a pusher mechanism configured to manually switch from a locked state to a released state according to some embodiments.

[0040] Figure 15 Perspective view of a pusher mechanism with an extended pusher plate according to some embodiments. Detailed Description

[0041] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments of the present invention as shown in the accompanying drawings. The phrases "an embodiment", "embodiment", "some embodiments", etc. indicate that the described embodiments may include specific features, structures, or characteristics, but each embodiment may not necessarily include the specific features, structures, or characteristics. Moreover, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, when describing a specific feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with an embodiment, it is considered that those skilled in the art can implement such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

[0042] Product dispensing machines, such as beverage coolers, provide consumers with access to a variety of product options at the retail level. Some dispensing machines may be located within a store such that consumers select and pick up products from the dispensing machine and check out at the store register. Some dispensing machines may be vending machines such that consumers make payments through the dispensing machine. Such vending machines may use vision technology to identify products removed from the vending machine to facilitate the purchasing process.

[0043] In some dispensing machines, products may be aligned in columns on a shelf, and products of the same type may be organized into the same column, with only the first product in the column visible from the front of the machine. In this way, the dispensing machine can display the maximum number of product options for consumers to browse and select from, and also carry sufficient inventory for each type of product.

[0044] Plastic sliders having a predetermined column space may be mounted to the shelf. The predetermined column space may help to more effectively organize the products on the shelf. Such plastic sliders may be placed at an angle relative to the horizontal plane such that the front portion of the slider is lower than the rear portion of the slider. In this way, the products received within the slider may always be tilted towards the front portion of the slider. Alternatively, such plastic sliders may be placed horizontally and a pushing mechanism may be used to move the products received within the slider towards the front portion of the slider. For example, after a user picks up the product at the very front of the slider, the pushing mechanism may move the entire product column forward such that the products behind the picked-up product are aligned with the very front of the slider. In this way, since the products are always pushed to the front of the dispensing machine, consumers can easily browse and pick up products without having to reach deep into the dispensing machine. Additionally, the uniform display of the products creates an aesthetically pleasing appearance, indicating that the dispensing machine is well-stocked and well-maintained.

[0045] However, existing traditional shelving systems have sliders that only extend to a partial height of the product. Additionally, to accommodate the maximum number of product selections in a dispensing machine, the sliders are typically organized in close proximity to each other. As a result, a consumer can easily contact or pick up two products from two adjacent sliders, either intentionally or unintentionally, with one hand. If a consumer contacts a product they do not intend to purchase, this situation can create a hygiene issue. Additionally, picking up two products simultaneously with one hand can interfere with the vision technology used in some vending machines.

[0046] For example, machine-readable markings are typically placed on the sides of the products, and a camera can be configured to capture a side view of the products being removed from the vending machine. If a consumer picks up two products side by side with one hand, in the side view captured by the camera, the machine-readable marking on one product may be obscured by the other product, and thus the vision technology may not be able to correctly identify the two products being removed from the vending machine. The inaccurate identification of the products being removed from the vending machine can result in revenue loss for the owner of the vending machine.

[0047] Furthermore, existing pushing mechanisms not only allow forward movement to push the products forward but also allow backward movement to reload new products onto the sliders. Due to the backward movement, a consumer is able to return the product to the slider. This creates similar hygiene issues as well as product tampering issues. Additionally, for vending machines with vision technology, if consumers are allowed to freely return products to the shelf, there is a risk of sabotage. The vision technology can be configured to identify products being removed from the vending machine and products being returned to the vending machine, and no payment may be made for those returned products. However, a consumer may return fake products to deceive the vision technology and thus remove products from the vending machine without paying.

[0048] Therefore, it is beneficial to provide a single-product picking mechanism to an existing shelving system that restricts a consumer from picking up only one product with one hand. The single-product picking mechanism can effectively modify the current consumer behavior of grabbing multiple products from the shelf with one hand, but at the same time it may not unreasonably burden the picking of a single product.

[0049] In one embodiment, the single-product picking mechanism can be a vertical separator between two columns of products. The separator can include edges that extend to the front and the top. The separator can prevent a single hand from simultaneously reaching the products on both sides of the separator. In another embodiment, the single-product picking mechanism can include a flange located in front of the product such that it requires additional force to remove the product from the shelf, and due to this additional force, it is no longer feasible to pick up multiple products with one hand.

[0050] It is also beneficial to integrate such a single product pick-up mechanism with an existing slider to reduce the amount of change to the existing shelf system and to ease the manufacturing process. Thus, in some embodiments, the single product pick-up mechanism can be an attachment to an existing slider that can be easily assembled and positioned onto the slider structure. In other embodiments, the single product pick-up mechanism can be an integral part of the slider structure.

[0051] It can also be beneficial to make the existing pushing mechanism non-retractable by restricting backward movement. In some embodiments, the pushing mechanism can include a vertically movable plunger that engages a recess on the slider base to restrict backward movement, and the plunger can disengage from the recess to allow backward movement only during the reloading process. In some embodiments, the plunger can automatically disengage when it reaches the front of the slider. In some other embodiments, the vending machine operator can manually disengage the plunger before reloading the slider.

[0052] As Figure 1 shown, the vending machine 1 can include a housing 10 and have an open entrance 12 leading to the interior of the housing 10. In an embodiment, the vending machine 1 includes a self-service vending machine. The interior of the housing 10 can have a temperature lower than the ambient temperature. The housing 10 can also include a door 14 to close the open entrance 12. The shelf system within the housing 10 can include one or more shelves 30 and one or more sliders 40. Products 50 can be placed in columns on each of the shelves 30, and the sliders 40 can be mounted on each of the shelves 30 to receive the columns of products 50. The products 50 can be ready-to-drink beverages packaged in PET bottles or aluminum cans. Each of the sliders 40 can be adapted to receive a different type of product 50. The vending machine 1 can include a single product pick-up mechanism to encourage consumers to select products 50 one at a time.

[0053] The number of shelves 30 can be adjusted according to the size of the products 50 and the height of the housing 10. The number of sliders 40 can also be adjusted according to the size of the products 50 and the width of the housing 10. To carry as many products 50 as possible, the sliders 40 can be mounted closely to each other.

[0054] A camera 20 can be provided on the frame of the open entrance 12 and can be configured to capture images of any product 50 traveling through the open entrance 12. The camera 20 can incorporate vision technology to identify information associated with any product 50 traveling through the open entrance 12. For example, the product 50 can include a machine-readable mark that can be identified by vision technology to indicate the price of the product 50.

[0055] However, the camera 20 may have a limited view. When the camera 20 is placed in an intermediate position between two shelves 30, as Figure 1As shown, they can only capture a side view of the product 50 passing through the open entrance 12. In the case where the consumer uses one hand 2 to remove two products 50A and 50B from the housing 10 at the same time, as Figure 2 shown, the side views captured by the cameras 20A and 20B may not correctly show the two products 50A and 50B. For example, the side view captured by the camera 20A may only show the product 50A, where the product 50B is hidden behind the product 50A, and the side view captured by the camera 20B may only show the product 50B, where the product 50A is hidden behind the product 50B. Since the images captured by the cameras 20A and 20B may not correctly show both products 50A and 50B, the vision technology may not correctly identify the identities of the products 50A and 50B, and thus fail to accurately calculate the payment amount due for the transaction.

[0056] A single product picking mechanism can effectively reduce Figure 2 the events shown. In Figure 3 A slider 40 with a single product picking mechanism according to one embodiment is shown. The slider 40 may have a front end 410 and a rear end 412. When mounted on the shelf 30, the front end 410 is placed closer to the open entrance 12. The slider 40 may also include a base 41 and two side walls 42, thereby defining a product space 45 for receiving the product 50. The slider 40 may also include a front rod 44 for restraining the product 50 from leaving the slider 40 at the front end 410. The front rod 44 may conform to the shape of the product 50.

[0057] The single product picking mechanism may include a separator 46 located on the side wall 42. According to this embodiment, the separator 46 may have a top edge 460 and a front edge 462, where the top edge 460 extends beyond the height of the product 50, and the front edge 462 extends beyond the front end 410. In some embodiments, as Figure 3 shown, one slider 40 may include two separators 46 mounted on each of the side walls 42 incorporated in the side wall. In some other embodiments, as Figure 5 shown, one slider 40 may only include one separator 46 mounted on one of the side walls 42 incorporated in the side wall. In some embodiments, the separator 46 may be an integral part of the side wall 42. Alternatively, in some other embodiments, the separator 46 is removably attached to the side wall 42. For example, the separator 46 may have a snap-fit element 463 that engages with a snap-fit recess 420 on the side wall 42.

[0058] In some embodiments, as shown, for example in Figure 4In [the figure], the slider 40 may include two partitions 46 assembled to a shelf system loaded with products 50. The sliders 40 are arranged closely adjacent to each other on the shelf 30 such that the partition 46A on the slider 40A is attached to the partition 46B on the slider 40B by a connecting element 465. The front edge 462 prevents the palm from reaching the products 50 placed on the slider 40A and the slider 40B simultaneously from the front end 410, and the distance d1 from the front edge 462 to the product 50 prevents the fingers from reaching the products 50 placed on the slider 40A and the slider 40B simultaneously. The distance d1 may vary based on various dimensions of the product 50 to prevent the fingers from reaching the product 50. The distance d1 may also vary based on the average hand size or palm size of the local population. In some embodiments, the distance d1 may be in the range of 5 mm to 10 mm, such as 6 mm to 9 mm and such as 7 mm to 8 mm. The top edge 460 prevents the hand from being inserted between the shelves 30 to reach the products 50 placed on the slider 40A and the slider 40B simultaneously.

[0059] When assembled with the slider 40, the partition 46 also needs to be structurally stable enough to withstand the force exerted by the customer's hand. Thus, as Figure 5 shown, the partition 46 may include a front rod cover 466 configured to engage with the front rod 44 of the slider 40 to fix the partition 46 in the lateral direction. The partition 46 may also include a support protrusion 467 configured to engage with the sidewall edge 422 to fix the partition 46 in the vertical direction. In addition to the snap-fit element 463, both the front rod cover 466 and the support protrusion 467 may provide additional structural stability. In an embodiment where the slider 40 includes two partitions 46, as Figure 3 shown, a beam member 47 may be disposed across the partitions 46. In this way, the beam member 47 not only provides additional structural stability to the partitions 46 but also serves as a handle to facilitate the handling or transportation of the slider 40. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the partition 46 may be manufactured as an integral part of the sidewall 42 such that no additional elements for providing structural stability need to be included.

[0060] In Figure 6Another embodiment of a single product picking mechanism is shown. According to this embodiment, each slider 40 may include two separators 46 disposed on each of the side walls in the side wall 42, and each separator 46 may include a flange 468 located above the front rod 44 and shaped to be parallel to the front rod. The flange 468 may extend from the separator 46 and is not connected to another flange 468 on the opposite side. In this way, the flange 468 is deflectable, but additional force is required to grasp the product 50 by tilting the product 50 relative to the front rod 44. Therefore, even if a consumer can reach the products 50 on both sides of the separator 46 with one hand, it is difficult to pull out the two products 50 from the slider 40 with one hand. The number of flanges 468 on each separator 46 is adjustable, depending on the desired restraining force. A beam member 47 may also be disposed across the separator 46 to provide additional structural support.

[0061] According to Figure 6 the embodiment shown, the separator 46 is an integral part of the side wall 42. However, it is contemplated that in this embodiment, the separator 46 may also be removably attached to the side wall 42 in the same manner as described with respect to Figures 3 to 5 the embodiment shown and may include snap-fit elements 463, a front rod cover 466, or support protrusions 467.

[0062] A non-return push mechanism 48 according to one embodiment is shown in Figures 7 to 8 . The push mechanism 48 may be placed behind the last product 50 received in the slider 40 and may include a pusher base 481 and a pusher plate 480. The pusher base 481 is inserted between the product 50 and the slider base 41. The pusher plate 480 will contact the product 50 and is used to move the product 50 towards the front end 410. The pusher plate 480 may have a curvature that conforms to the shape of the product 50.

[0063] Behind the pusher plate 480, the push mechanism 48 may further include a plunger 482 configured to move vertically and a compression spring 490 that biases the plunger 482 to move downward. The plunger 482 may include a tip 484 having an inclined side 485 closer to the pusher plate 480 and a vertical side 486 farther from the pusher plate 480. A snap-lock lever 492 may be provided on the push mechanism 48 by a pin 494 and a torsion spring 496 such that the snap-lock lever 492 can rotate relative to the pin 494 and is biased in a vertical position parallel to the plunger 482. When the plunger 482 moves upward to the top position, a surface 497 of the plunger 482 engages a surface 498 of the snap-lock lever 492 to rotate the snap-lock lever 492, thereby snap-locking a top recess 488 of the plunger 482 and inhibiting the plunger 482 from moving downward.

[0064] Figure 9 Shows a pushing mechanism 48 that operates with the slider 40. The slider 40 can be placed at an angle relative to the horizontal plane such that whenever a product 50 is removed from the slider 40, the product 50 and the pushing mechanism 48 are attracted to move towards the front end 410. Alternatively, the slider 40 can be placed at a horizontal height, and the pushing mechanism 48 can be biased by a spring (not shown) to move towards the front end 410. The slider base 41 can have a plurality of engagement grooves 414 for receiving the tip 484 of the plunger 482. When the pushing mechanism 48 is in a locked or non-recoverable state, the tip 484 engages with the engagement groove 414, and the vertical side 486 prevents the tip 484 from leaving the engagement groove 414 in the backward direction, while the inclined side 485 allows the tip 484 to leave the engagement groove 414 in the forward direction.

[0065] When moving from one engagement groove 414 to another in the forward direction, the plunger 482 moves upward to an intermediate position where the surface 497 and the surface 498 do not engage with each other to actuate the latch locking lever 492. In this way, when the plunger 482 reaches another engagement groove 414, the tip 484 is again biased by the compression spring 490 to engage with the engagement groove 414, thereby preventing backward movement. The distance between each engagement groove 414 can correspond to the depth of the product 50 such that when one product 50 is removed from the slider 40 at the front end 410, the plunger 482 moves forward to the next engagement groove 414 and pushes the remaining products 50 to the front end 410.

[0066] To transition the pushing mechanism 48 from the locked state to the released or recoverable state such that the slider 40 can be reloaded with new products 50, the plunger 482 must be moved to the top position to actuate the latch locking lever 492. In some embodiments, to send the plunger 482 to the top position, the raised portion 416 can be connected to the slider base 41 through the transition portion 415, as Figure 10 shown. The raised portion 416 is higher than the slider base 41. When the plunger 482 reaches the raised portion 416, it automatically moves to the top position to engage the top recess 488 with the latch locking lever 492. Therefore, the position of the raised portion 416 determines when the pushing mechanism 48 automatically transitions from the locked state to the released state. The raised portion 416 can be set at a distance from the front end 410 greater than the depth of the product 50 such that the pushing mechanism 48 transitions to the released state while the last product 50 still remains on the slider 40. Alternatively, the raised portion 416 can be set at a distance from the front end 410 less than the depth of the product such that the pushing mechanism 48 transitions to the released state only after all products 50 have been removed from the slider 40.

[0067] Once the actuating mechanism 48 is switched to the release state, since the top recess 488 engages with the snap locking lever to inhibit the downward movement of the plunger 482, the actuating mechanism 48 can remain in the release state even when the plunger leaves the raised portion 416, thereby allowing the slider 40 to fully reload the product 50.

[0068] To enable the actuating mechanism 40 to automatically switch back to the locked state, a protrusion 430 can be provided on the rear wall 43, as Figure 11 shown. When the slider 40 is fully reloaded such that the actuating mechanism 48 reaches the rear end 412, the protrusion 430 is configured to rotate and disengage the snap-fit lever 492 from the top recess 488, thereby allowing the plunger 482 to move downward.

[0069] In some embodiments, it may be desirable to manually switch the actuating mechanism 48 from the locked state to the release state because the owner or operator of the vending machine 1 may wish to restrict the return of the product 50 even when the slider 40 is empty. An embodiment of the manual switch to the release state is shown in Figures 12 to 13 . A movable step 418 can be provided on the slider base 41 for moving the plunger 482 to the top position, and a rotary handle 419 can be configured to move the movable step 418. The rotary handle 419 can be connected to the movable step 418 by a rack and pinion mechanism 417. The movable step 418 can be provided at the engagement groove 414 closest to the front end 410.

[0070] A second embodiment of the manual switch to the release state is shown in Figure 14 , in which the actuating mechanism 48 can include a lifting handle 499 accessible through an opening 482 in the actuating plate 480. The lifting handle 499 is connected to the plunger 482 for moving the plunger 482 to the top position.

[0071] In some cases, it may be further desirable to restrict the return of the product 50 to the rear of the actuating mechanism 48. Thus, as Figure 15 shown, the actuating plate 480 can have an extended height such that the space d2 above the top of the actuating plate 480 is less than the width w of the product 50. In this way, the product 50 may not return to the rear of the actuating plate 480.

[0072] In Figure 15 it is also shown that when the actuating mechanism 48 is at the last engagement groove 414 closest to the front end 410, the distance d3 between the front rod 44 and the actuating plate 480 can be less than the width w of the product 50, such that the product 50 is not returned even when the slider 40 is empty.

[0073] It should be understood that it is the detailed description part, rather than the summary of the invention part and the abstract of the specification part, that is intended to interpret the claims. The summary of the invention part and the abstract of the specification part may give one or more but not all exemplary embodiments of the invention envisioned by the inventor, and thus are not intended to limit the invention and the appended claims in any way.

[0074] The present invention has been described above by means of functional building blocks that explain the implementation of specific functions and their relationships. For the convenience of description, the boundaries of these functional building blocks are arbitrarily defined herein. Alternative boundaries may also be defined as long as the specific functions and their relationships can be properly implemented.

[0075] The above description of the specific embodiments will fully disclose the general nature of the present invention, so that others can easily modify and / or adapt such specific embodiments for various applications without undue experimentation by applying the knowledge in the technical field of the present invention without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Therefore, based on the teachings and guidance given herein, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and scope of the equivalent forms of the disclosed embodiments. It should be understood that the wording or terms herein are for the purpose of description rather than limitation, so that the terms or wording of this specification should be interpreted by those skilled in the art in accordance with the said teachings and guidance.

[0076] The width and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only by the following claims and their equivalents.

[0077] The claims in this application are different from the claims in the parent application or related applications. Therefore, the applicant withdraws any disclaimer of the scope of the claims made in the parent application or any prior application related to this application. Therefore, it is recommended that the examiner may need to reexamine any such previous disclaimer and the cited references. In addition, the examiner is reminded that any disclaimer made in this application should not be construed as against the parent application.

Claims

1. A cooler for storing and dispensing products, the cooler comprising: a housing including an open inlet leading to an interior of the housing; a shelf disposed within the interior of the housing; and a first slider and a second slider, each having a front end and a rear end, disposed on the shelf, the front end being closer to the open inlet, wherein each of the first slider and the second slider includes: a base, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall, the base, the first sidewall, and the second sidewall defining a space for receiving and aligning products in a column, a separator disposed on one of the first sidewall and the second sidewall and configured to prevent a user from simultaneously touching the products on the first slider and the second slider with one hand, and a pushing mechanism disposed on the base and configured to push the products from the rear end to the front end, wherein the pushing mechanism is adjustable between a locked state and a released state, the pushing mechanism inhibiting movement of the products from the front end to the rear end in the locked state and allowing movement of the products from the front end to the rear end in the released state.

2. The cooler according to claim 1, wherein the separator includes a front edge extending toward the front end and exceeding a front edge of the base of the slider and a top edge extending beyond a height of the products, such that the products on both the first slider and the second slider cannot be simultaneously touched with one hand.

3. The cooler according to claim 1, wherein each of the first slider and the second slider includes a front bar spanning the first sidewall and the second sidewall at the front end, the front bar being configured to inhibit the products from leaving the slider at the front end, and wherein the separator includes a flange parallel to and above the front bar, the flange being configured to inhibit the products from pivoting around the front bar.

4. The cooler according to claim 1, wherein each of the first slider and the second slider includes a front bar spanning the first sidewall and the second sidewall at the front end, the front bar being configured to inhibit the products from leaving the slider at the front end, and wherein the separator includes a front bar cover configured to be cooperatively coupled to the front bar.

5. The cooler according to claim 1, wherein each of the first slider and the second slider further includes a second separator disposed on the other of the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

6. The cooler according to claim 5, wherein the first separator includes an alignment hole, and the second separator includes an alignment pin, and wherein the alignment pin of the first slider is configured to engage with the alignment hole of the second slider.

7. The cooler according to claim 5, wherein each of the first slider and the second slider further includes a beam member spanning the first separator and the second separator.

8. The cooler according to claim 1, further comprising a camera disposed within the interior of the housing, the camera configured to record a side image of the product traveling through the open inlet, wherein the separator is configured to prevent a product from obscuring another product in the side image.

9. The cooler according to claim 1, wherein the separator is integral with the slider.

10. The cooler according to claim 1, wherein the separator is removably coupled to the slider.

11. The cooler according to claim 10, wherein the separator snap-fits onto one of the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

12. The cooler according to claim 1, further comprising a second shelf disposed above the first shelf, wherein the distance between the top edge of the pushing mechanism and the second shelf is less than the width of the product.

13. A cooler for storing and dispensing a product, the cooler comprising: a housing including an open inlet leading to the interior of the housing; a camera disposed within the interior of the housing; a shelf disposed within the interior of the housing; and a first slider and a second slider, each having a front end and a rear end, disposed on the shelf, the front end being closer to the open inlet, wherein each of the first slider and the second slider includes: a base, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall, the base, the first sidewall, and the second sidewall defining a space for receiving and aligning products in a column, and a separator disposed on one of the first sidewall and the second sidewall and including a top edge extending toward the front end and beyond the front edge of the base and extending beyond the height of the product such that a product on both the first slider and the second slider cannot be simultaneously reached with one hand.

14. The cooler according to claim 13, wherein each of the first slider and the second slider further includes a second separator disposed on the other of the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

15. The cooler according to claim 14, wherein each of the first slider and the second slider further includes a beam member spanning across the first separator and the second separator.

16. The cooler according to claim 13, wherein the camera is configured to record a side image of the product traveling through the open inlet, and wherein the separator is configured to prevent a product from obscuring another product in the side image.

17. The cooler according to claim 13, wherein the separator is integral with the slider.

18. The cooler according to claim 13, wherein the separator is removably attached to the slider.

19. The cooler according to claim 18, wherein the separator snap-fits onto one of the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

20. The cooler according to claim 18, wherein the slider further includes a pushing mechanism disposed on the base, the pushing mechanism being configured to always push the product from the rear end towards the front end, and wherein the pushing mechanism is adjustable between a locked state and a released state, the pushing mechanism inhibiting the product from moving from the front end to the rear end through the locked state, and the pushing mechanism allowing the product to move from the front end to the rear end through the released state.

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