Shelving system with single product pickup and non-returnable features

Abstract

A cooler for storing and dispensing products is disclosed. The cooler includes a housing with an open access. A first glider and a second glider are disposed on an interior shelf of the housing and have a front end closer to the open access and a rear end. The first and second gliders each have a divider and a push-out mechanism. The divider can prevent a user from reaching products on both the first and second gliders simultaneously with one hand. The push-out mechanism can be adjustable between a locked state that prevents product movement from the front end to the rear end and a released state that allows product movement from the front end to the rear end.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims priority to Indian Patent Application No. 202241060155 filed on October 20, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present disclosure relates generally to shelving systems for storing and dispensing products. More specifically, some embodiments described herein relate to shelving systems for unattended vending machines that limit a consumer to picking up a single product with one hand and prevent the consumer from returning the product to the shelving system. [Background technology]

[0003] In conventional shelving systems for product dispensing machines, such as beverage dispensing coolers, products are arranged and moved in rows for consumers to select and pick from the front of the shelf. Plastic gliders can be attached to the shelves as dividers to conveniently organize the products into rows. However, when the gliders are placed closely together, a consumer can reach and pick products from different gliders simultaneously with one hand.

[0004] Conventional shelving systems also use a pusher mechanism to push rows of products to the front of the shelf, allowing consumers to easily view and select products without having to reach into the product dispenser and maintaining a uniform display of products. However, conventional pusher mechanisms allow consumers to return products to the shelf by moving the pusher mechanism backward. Allowing products to be returned to the shelf increases the risk of product tampering and vandalism. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a cooler for storing and dispensing products. The cooler may include a housing with open access to the interior of the housing, a shelf disposed within the housing, and first and second gliders. The first and second gliders may each have a front end and a rear end and may be disposed on a shelf with the front end closer to the open access. The first and second gliders may each have a base, a first sidewall, a second sidewall defining a space for receiving and arranging products in a row, a partition disposed on one of the first and second sidewalls, and a pushing mechanism disposed on the base. The partition may prevent a user from reaching products on both the first and second gliders simultaneously with one hand. The pushing mechanism may push products from the rear end to the front end. The pushing mechanism may be adjustable between a locked state, in which the pushing mechanism prevents products from moving from the front end to the rear end, and a released state, in which the pushing mechanism allows products to move from the front end to the rear end.

[0006] In some embodiments, the divider has a front edge that extends beyond the base toward the front end of the glider and an upper edge that extends beyond the height of the product, so that the product on both the first glider and the second glider cannot be reached simultaneously with one hand.

[0007] In some embodiments, the first and second gliders each include a front bar at a front end spanning the first and second side walls. The front bar can prevent the product from leaving the glider at the front end. The divider includes a flange above and parallel to the front bar. The flange can prevent the product from pivoting about the front bar.

[0008] In some embodiments, the first and second gliders each include a front bar spanning the first and second side walls at a front end, the front bar preventing products from leaving the gliders at the front ends, and the divider includes a front bar cover that is fitably coupled onto the front bar.

[0009] In some embodiments, each of the first and second gliders further includes a second divider disposed on the other of the first and second side walls.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first partition includes an alignment hole and the second partition includes an alignment pin, and the alignment pin of the first glider can engage the alignment hole of the second glider.

[0011] In some embodiments, each of the first and second gliders further includes a beam member disposed across the first and second dividers.

[0012] In some embodiments, the cooler further includes a camera disposed within the housing. The camera can record a side image of a product moving through the open access. The divider can prevent a product from obscuring another product in the side image.

[0013] In some embodiments, the divider is integral with the glider.

[0014] In some embodiments, the divider is removably coupled to the glider.

[0015] In some embodiments, the divider is snap-fit ​​onto one of the first and second side walls.

[0016] In some embodiments, the cooler further includes a second shelf positioned above the first shelf, and the distance between the upper edge of the pushing mechanism and the second shelf is less than the width of the product.

[0017] Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a cooler for storing and dispensing products. The cooler may include a housing having open access to the interior of the housing, a camera disposed within the housing, a shelf disposed within the housing, and first and second gliders. The first and second gliders may each have a front end and a rear end and be disposed on the shelf with the front end closer to the open access. The first and second gliders may each have a base, a first sidewall, a second sidewall defining a space for receiving and arranging the products in a row, and a divider disposed on one of the first and second sidewalls. The divider may have a front edge extending beyond the base toward the front end of the glider and an upper edge extending beyond the height of the products, thereby preventing products on both the first glider and the second glider from being reached simultaneously with one hand.

[0018] In some embodiments, each of the first and second gliders further includes a second divider disposed on the other of the first and second side walls.

[0019] In some embodiments, each of the first and second gliders further includes a beam member disposed across the first and second dividers.

[0020] In some embodiments, the camera can record a side image of a product moving through the open access, and the divider can prevent a product from obscuring another product in the side image.

[0021] In some embodiments, the divider is integral with the glider.

[0022] In some embodiments, the divider is removably attached to the glider.

[0023] In some embodiments, the divider is snap-fit ​​onto one of the first and second side walls.

[0024] In some embodiments, the glider further includes a pushing mechanism disposed on the base for continuously pushing the product from the rear end to the front end, the pushing mechanism being adjustable between a locked state in which the pushing mechanism prevents movement of the product from the front end to the rear end and a released state in which the pushing mechanism allows movement of the product from the front end to the rear end. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form 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 to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooler with a single product pickup shelf system according to some embodiments. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a top view of a shelving system having a camera capturing an image of a product removed from a cooler, according to some embodiments. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a glider having a single product pickup mechanism according to a first embodiment, according to some embodiments. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a glider assembled to a shelving system, according to some embodiments. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a glider assembled to a shelving system, according to some embodiments. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a glider assembled to a shelving system according to some embodiments. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an extrusion mechanism, according to some embodiments. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an extrusion mechanism, according to some embodiments. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a push-out mechanism in a locked state that restricts product return, according to some embodiments. [Figure 10] 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a push-out mechanism that can be automatically switched from a locked state to a released state, according to some embodiments. [Figure 11] 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a push-out mechanism that can be automatically switched from a released state to a locked state, according to some embodiments. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a push-out mechanism configured to be manually switched from a locked state to a released state, according to some embodiments. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a push-out mechanism configured to be manually switched from a locked state to a released state, according to some embodiments. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a push-out mechanism configured to be manually switched from a locked state to a released state, according to some embodiments. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a pusher mechanism having an extended pusher board, according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. References such as "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "some embodiments," etc., indicate that the described embodiments may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not all embodiments necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with one embodiment, the impact of such feature, structure, or characteristic on other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described, is submitted to be within the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0027] Product dispensing machines, such as beverage coolers, provide consumers with access to a wide selection of products at the retail level. Some dispensing machines are located within a store, allowing consumers to select and pick up products from the machine and check out at the store's cash register. Some dispensing machines may be unattended vending machines, where the consumer pays through the machine. To facilitate the purchasing process, such unattended vending machines may use vision technology to identify products dispensed from the machine.

[0028] In some dispensing machines, products may be arranged in rows on the shelf, and products of the same type may be organized in the same row, with only the first product in the row being visible from the front of the machine. In this way, the dispensing machine can display the largest number of product selections for the consumer to view and select from, and can also hold sufficient inventory of each type of product.

[0029] Plastic gliders with predefined row spacing can be mounted on shelves. The predefined row spacing can help organize products on the shelves more efficiently. Such plastic gliders can be positioned at an angle relative to the horizontal level so that the front of the glider is lower than the rear of the glider. In this way, products received within the glider can always be pulled by gravity toward the front of the glider. Alternatively, such plastic gliders can be positioned horizontally and use a pushing mechanism to move products received within the glider toward the front of the glider. For example, after a product at the front of the glider is picked up by a consumer, the pushing mechanism can move the entire row of products forward so that the products behind the picked product are aligned with the front of the glider. In this way, products are always pushed toward the front of the dispenser, allowing consumers to easily view and pick up products without having to reach deep into the dispenser. Additionally, the uniform display of products creates an aesthetically pleasing appearance that indicates that the dispenser is well stocked and well maintained.

[0030] However, existing conventional shelving systems have gliders that only extend to a partial height of the products. Additionally, to accommodate the maximum number of product selections within the dispensing machine, the gliders are typically organized close together. As a result, a consumer can easily touch or pick up two products from two adjacent gliders using one hand, either intentionally or unintentionally. This situation can raise hygiene concerns if the consumer touches a product they did not intend to purchase. Additionally, picking up two products simultaneously with one hand hampers the vision technology used in some unmanned vending machines.

[0031] For example, machine-readable marks are typically placed on the side of a product, and a camera may be configured to capture the side of the product being dispensed from a vending machine. If a consumer picks up two products side by side in one hand, the machine-readable mark on one product may be obscured by another product in the side view captured by the camera, and thus the vision technology may not properly identify both products being dispensed from the vending machine. Inaccurate identification of products being dispensed from a vending machine may cause revenue loss to the owner of the vending machine.

[0032] Furthermore, existing pusher mechanisms not only allow a forward movement to push the product forward, but also a backward movement to reload the glider with new product. The backward movement allows the consumer to return the product to the glider. This creates similar hygiene concerns and also creates concerns about product tampering. Additionally, unmanned vending machines with vision technology pose a risk of vandalism if consumers are allowed to freely return products to the shelves. The vision technology may be configured to distinguish between products being removed from the vending machine and products being returned to the vending machine, and payment may not be processed for those returned products. However, it is possible for a consumer to return a dummy product to defraud the vision technology, thus taking products from the vending machine without paying.

[0033] Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide existing shelving systems with a single-product pickup mechanism that limits consumers to picking up only one product with one hand. A single-product pickup mechanism may be effective in changing current consumer behavior of grabbing multiple products from a shelf with one hand, while at the same time not imposing undue liability on picking up a single product.

[0034] In one embodiment, the single-product pickup mechanism may be a vertical divider between two rows of products. The divider may include an edge that extends forward and upward. The divider may prevent one hand from simultaneously reaching products on both sides of the divider. In another embodiment, the single-product pickup mechanism may include a flange in front of the product such that extra force is required to remove the product from the shelf, making it no longer feasible to pick up multiple products with one hand.

[0035] It is also advantageous to integrate this single product pickup mechanism with existing gliders to reduce the amount of modification to existing shelving systems and ease the manufacturing process. Thus, in some embodiments, the single product pickup mechanism may be an attachment to an existing glider that can be easily fitted and positioned on the glider structure. In other embodiments, the single product pickup mechanism may be an integral part of the glider structure.

[0036] There may also be an advantage in limiting rearward movement, making existing push-out mechanisms non-returnable. In some embodiments, the push-out mechanism may include a vertically movable plunger that engages a recess on the glider base to limit rearward movement, and the plunger may disengage from the recess to allow rearward movement only during the reloading process. In some embodiments, the plunger may automatically disengage when it reaches the front of the glider. In some other embodiments, a vending machine operator may manually disengage the plunger before reloading the glider.

[0037] Vending machine 1, as shown in FIG. 1 , may include a housing 10 having an open access 12 to the interior of the housing 10. In an embodiment, vending machine 1 comprises an unmanned vending machine. The interior of housing 10 may have a temperature lower than ambient temperature. Housing 10 may further include a door 14 for closing open access 12. A shelving system within housing 10 may include one or more shelves 30 and one or more gliders 40. Products 50 may be arranged in rows on each of shelves 30, and gliders 40 may be attached to each of shelves 30 to receive the rows of products 50. Products 50 may be ready-to-drink beverages packaged in PET bottles or aluminum cans. Each of gliders 40 may be adapted to receive a different type of product 50. Vending machine 1 may include a single-product pickup mechanism to encourage consumers to select products 50 one at a time.

[0038] The number of shelves 30 may be adjustable depending on the size of the products 50 and the height of the housing 10. The number of gliders 40 may be adjustable depending on the size of the products 50 and the width of the housing 10. The gliders 40 may be mounted close together to carry as many products 50 as possible.

[0039] Camera 20 may be positioned on the frame of open access 12 and may be configured to capture images of any product 50 moving through open access 12. Camera 20 may incorporate vision technology to identify information associated with any product 50 moving through open access 12. For example, product 50 may include machine-readable markings that can be identified by vision technology to indicate the price of product 50.

[0040] However, camera 20 may have a limited field of view. As shown in FIG. 1 , if camera 20 is positioned midway between two shelves 30, camera 20 may only capture a side view of product 50 moving through open access 12. As shown in FIG. 2 , if a consumer uses one hand 2 to simultaneously grab two products 50A and 50B from housing 10, the side views captured by cameras 20A and 20B may not properly show both products 50A and 50B. For example, the side view captured by camera 20A may show only product 50A, with product 50B hidden behind product 50A, and the side view captured by camera 20B may show only product 50B, with product 50A hidden behind product 50B. Because the images captured by cameras 20A and 20B may not properly show both products 50A and 50B, the vision technology may not properly identify the identities of products 50A and 50B and therefore may not be able to accurately calculate the payment due for the transaction.

[0041] A single-item pickup mechanism can effectively reduce the phenomenon shown in FIG. 2. A glider 40 with a single-item pickup mechanism according to one embodiment is shown in FIG. 3. The glider 40 may have a front end 410 and a rear end 412. When attached to the shelf 30, the front end 410 is positioned closer to the open access 12. The glider 40 may further include a base 41 and two side walls 42 that define a product space 45 for receiving the product 50. The glider 40 may further include a front bar 44 to prevent the product 50 from exiting the glider 40 at the front end 410. The front bar 44 may conform to the shape of the product 50.

[0042] The single-product pickup mechanism may include a divider 46 on the sidewall 42. According to this embodiment, the divider 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 shown in FIG. 3, one glider 40 may include two dividers 46 attached to each of the sidewalls 42. In some other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, one glider 40 may include only one divider 46 attached to one of the sidewalls 42. In some embodiments, the divider 46 may be an integral part of the sidewall 42. Alternatively, in some other embodiments, the divider 46 may be removably attachable to the sidewall 42. For example, the divider 46 may have a snap-fit ​​element 463 that engages with a snap-fit ​​recess 420 on the sidewall 42.

[0043] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4 , gliders 40 may include two dividers 46 assembled into a shelving system loaded with products 50. The gliders 40 are positioned adjacent to each other on the shelf 30 such that divider 46A on glider 40A is attached to divider 46B on glider 40B via connecting element 465. Leading edge 462 prevents the palm of a hand from simultaneously reaching products 50 placed on gliders 40A and 40B from leading end 410, and distance d1 from leading edge 462 to products 50 prevents the fingers of a hand from simultaneously reaching products 50 placed on gliders 40A and 40B. Distance d1 may be varied based on various sizes of products 50 to prevent fingers from reaching products 50. Distance d1 may also be varied based on the average hand size or palm size of the local demographic. In some embodiments, distance d1 can 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. Upper edge 460 prevents a hand from being inserted between shelves 30 to simultaneously reach products 50 placed on gliders 40A and 40B.

[0044] The partition 46 also requires sufficient structural stability to withstand forces applied by the consumer's hands when assembled with the glider 40. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5 , the partition 46 may include a front bar cover 466 configured to engage with the front bar 44 of the glider 40 to secure the partition 46 laterally. The partition 46 may further include support protrusions 467 configured to engage with the side wall edges 422 to secure the partition 46 vertically. Both the front bar cover 466 and the support protrusions 467 can provide additional structural stability in addition to the snap-fit ​​elements 463. In embodiments in which the glider 40 includes two partitions 46, a beam member 47 may be provided across the partitions 46, as shown in FIG. 3 . In this manner, the beam member 47 not only provides additional structural stability to the partition 46 but also serves as a handle for conveniently carrying or transporting the glider 40. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the divider 46 may be manufactured as an integral part of the sidewall 42 so that it does not need to include any additional elements to provide structural stability.

[0045] Another embodiment of a single-product pickup mechanism is shown in FIG. 6. According to this embodiment, each glider 40 can include two dividers 46 positioned on each sidewall 42. Each divider 46 can include a flange 468 positioned above and parallel to the front bar 44. The flange 468 can extend from the divider 46 and not connect to another flange 468 on the opposite side. In this manner, the flange 468 is deflectable, but tilting the product 50 against the front bar 44 requires additional force to grasp the product 50. Therefore, even if a consumer can reach the products 50 on both sides of the divider 46 with one hand, it is difficult for them to pull both products 50 out of the glider 40 with one hand. The number of flanges 468 on each divider 46 can be adjusted depending on the desired restraining force. Beam members 47 can also be positioned across the dividers 46 to provide additional structural support.

[0046] According to the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the divider 46 is an integral part of the side wall 42. However, in this embodiment, it is envisioned that the divider 46 may also be removably attached to the side wall 42 in the same manner as described with respect to the embodiment shown in Figures 3-5, and may include a snap-fit ​​element 463, a front bar cover 466, or a support protrusion 467.

[0047] A non-returnable pusher mechanism 48 according to one embodiment is shown in Figures 7-8. The pusher mechanism 48 may be positioned behind the last of the products 50 received in the glider 40 and may include a pusher base 481 and a pusher board 480. The pusher base 481 is inserted between the product 50 and the glider base 41. The pusher board 480 is in contact with the product 50 and moves the product 50 toward the front end 410. The pusher board 480 may have a curvature that conforms to the shape of the product 50.

[0048] Behind the pusher board 480, the ejection 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 a slanted side 485 closer to the pusher board 480 and a vertical side 486 further away from the pusher board 480. A snap-lock lever 492 may be disposed on the ejection mechanism 48 via a pin 494 and a torsion spring 496 such that the snap-lock lever 492 rotates relative to the pin 494 and is biased to a vertical position parallel to the plunger 482. When the plunger 482 moves upward to its upper position, a surface 497 of the plunger 482 engages a surface 498 of the snap-lock lever 492, rotating the snap-lock lever 492 to snap-lock the upper recess 488 of the plunger 482 and preventing the plunger 482 from moving downward.

[0049] FIG. 9 shows the push-out mechanism 48 operating in conjunction with the glider 40. The glider 40 may be positioned at an angle relative to the horizontal plane so that gravity pulls the product 50 and push-out mechanism 48 toward the front end 410 whenever the product 50 is removed from the glider 40. Alternatively, the glider 40 may be positioned horizontally, and the push-out mechanism 48 may be biased toward the front end 410 by a spring (not shown). The glider base 41 may have multiple engagement slots 414 for receiving the tips 484 of the plungers 482. When the push-out mechanism 48 is in the locked or non-returnable state, the tips 484 engage with the engagement slots 414, and the vertical sides 486 prevent the tips 484 from moving rearward from the engagement slots 414 while the angled sides 485 allow the tips 484 to move forward from the engagement slots 414.

[0050] When moving forward from one engagement slot 414 to another, the plunger 482 moves upward to an intermediate position where surfaces 497 and 498 do not engage with each other to activate the snap-lock lever 492. Thus, when the plunger 482 reaches another engagement slot 414, the tip 484 is again biased by the compression spring 490 to engage the engagement slot 414 and prevent rearward movement. The distance between each engagement slot 414 may correspond to the depth of the products 50, so that when one product 50 is removed from the glider 40 at the front end 410, the plunger 482 moves forward to the next engagement slot 414, pushing the remainder of the products 50 toward the front end 410.

[0051] To convert the push-out mechanism 48 from the locked state to the released or returnable state so that the glider 40 can be reloaded with new products 50, the plunger 482 must move to the upper position to activate the snap-lock lever 492. In some embodiments, to drive the plunger 482 to the upper position, a rising portion 416 may be connected to the glider base 41 via a transition portion 415, as shown in FIG. 10 . The rising portion 416 is higher than the glider base 41. When the plunger 482 reaches the rising portion 416, the upper recess 488 automatically moves to the upper position, allowing the upper recess 488 to engage with the snap-lock lever 492. Therefore, the position of the rising portion 416 determines when the push-out mechanism 48 automatically converts from the locked state to the released state. The rising portion 416 may be positioned at a distance from the front end 410 greater than the depth of the products 50, so that the push-out mechanism 48 can be converted to the released state while the last product 50 is still on the glider 40. Alternatively, the raised portion 416 may be positioned at a distance from the front end 410 that is less than the depth of the products, such that the push-out mechanism 48 is converted to the release state only after all of the products 50 have been removed from the glider 40.

[0052] When the ejection mechanism 48 is converted to the release state, the upper recess 488 engages the snap lock lever to prevent downward movement of the plunger 482, allowing the plunger 482 to remain in the release state even when separated from the raised portion 416, thereby allowing the glider 40 to be fully reloaded with product 50.

[0053] To automatically convert the pushing mechanism 40 to the locked state, a protrusion 430 may be provided on the rear wall 43, as shown in Figure 11. When the glider 40 is fully reloaded such that the pushing mechanism 48 reaches the rear end 412, the protrusion 430 is configured to rotate and disengage the snap-fit ​​lever 492 from the upper recess 488, allowing the plunger 482 to move downward.

[0054] In some embodiments, it may be desirable to manually convert the pusher mechanism 48 from the locked state to the released state, as the owner or operator of the vending machine 1 may want to restrict the return of the product 50 even when the glider 40 is empty. An embodiment with a manual conversion to the released state is shown in FIGS. 12-13. A movable step 418 may be provided on the glider base 41 for moving the plunger 482 to the upper position, and a rotatable handle 419 may be configured to move the movable step 418. The rotatable handle 419 may be connected to the movable step 418 via a rack and pinion mechanism 417. The movable step 418 may be provided in the engagement slot 414 closest to the front end 410.

[0055] A second embodiment with manual conversion to the released state is shown in Figure 14, where the push-out mechanism 48 may include a lift handle 499 that is accessible through an opening 482 on a pusher board 480. The lift handle 499 is connected to the plunger 482 for moving the plunger 482 to the upper position.

[0056] In some situations, it may be further desirable to restrict the product 50 from returning to the rear of the pusher mechanism 48. Thus, as shown in FIG. 15 , the pusher board 480 may have an extended height such that the space d2 above the top of the pusher board 480 is less than the width w of the product 50. In this way, the product 50 may not be returned to the rear of the pusher board 480.

[0057] Also, as shown in FIG. 15, when the push-out mechanism 48 is in the last engagement slot 414 closest to the front end 410, the distance d3 between the front bar 44 and the pusher board 480 may be less than the width w of the product 50 so that the product 50 is not returned even when the glider 40 is empty.

[0058] It should be understood that the "Detailed Description" section, and not the "Summary" and "Abstract" sections, are intended to be used to interpret the claims. The "Summary" and "Abstract" sections may set forth one or more, but not all, exemplary embodiments of the invention as contemplated by the inventors, but are not intended to limit the scope of the invention and the appended claims in any way.

[0059] The present invention has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks that illustrate implementations of certain functions and their relationships. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternative boundaries may be defined so long as the certain functions and their relationships are appropriately performed.

[0060] The foregoing description of specific embodiments will make fully apparent the general nature of the present invention, such that others may readily modify and / or adapt such specific embodiments to various uses by those skilled in the art through the application of their knowledge without undue experimentation and without departing from the general concept of the invention. Such adaptations and modifications are therefore intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation; consequently, the terminology or terminology used herein should be interpreted by those skilled in the art in the light of teaching and guidance.

[0061] The breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

[0062] The claims in this application are different from the claims in the parent application or other related applications. Accordingly, applicant hereby revokes any disclaimer of claims made in the parent application or any prior application related to this application. Examiners are therefore advised that they may need to reconsider any such prior disclaimers and any citations made to avoid them. Furthermore, examiners are advised that any disclaimers made in this application should not be read into or against the parent application.

Claims

1. 1. A cooler for storing and dispensing products, comprising: a housing with open access to an interior of the housing; a shelf disposed within the housing; a first glider and a second glider, each having a forward end and an aft end, positioned on the shelf with the forward end closer to the open access; The first glider and the second glider each include: a base, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall defining a space for receiving and aligning the products in a row; a divider disposed on one of the first side wall and the second side wall configured to prevent a user from reaching the products on both the first glider and the second glider simultaneously with one hand; a pushing mechanism disposed on the base and configured to push the product from the rear end to the front end; The cooler, wherein the push-out mechanism is adjustable between a locked state in which the push-out mechanism prevents movement of the product from the front end to the rear end, and a released state in which the push-out mechanism allows movement of the product from the front end to the rear end.

2. 2. The cooler of claim 1, wherein the divider has a leading edge that extends beyond the base toward the forward end of the glider and a top edge that extends beyond the height of the product, such that the product on both the first glider and the second glider cannot be reached simultaneously with one hand.

3. 2. The cooler of claim 1, wherein the first glider and the second glider each include a front bar that crosses the first side wall and the second side wall at the front end, the front bar configured to prevent the product from leaving the glider at the front end, and the divider includes a flange parallel to and above the front bar, the flange configured to prevent the product from pivoting about the front bar.

4. 2. The cooler of claim 1, wherein the first glider and the second glider each include a front bar that crosses the first side wall and the second side wall at the front end, the front bar configured to prevent the product from leaving the glider at the front end, and the divider includes a front bar cover configured to be matingly coupled onto the front bar.

5. The cooler of claim 1 , wherein each of the first glider and the second glider further comprises a second partition disposed on the other of the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

6. 6. The cooler of claim 5, wherein the first partition comprises an alignment hole and the second partition comprises an alignment pin, the alignment pin of the first glider configured to engage the alignment hole of the second glider.

7. The cooler of claim 5 , wherein each of the first glider and the second glider further comprises a beam member disposed across the first partition and the second partition.

8. 10. The cooler of claim 1, further comprising a camera disposed within the housing, the camera configured to record a side image of the product moving through the open access, and the divider configured to prevent a product from obscuring another product in the side image.

9. The cooler of claim 1 , wherein the divider is integral with the glider.

10. The cooler of claim 1 , wherein the divider is removably coupled to the glider.

11. The cooler of claim 10 , wherein the divider is snap-fit ​​onto one of the first side wall and the second side wall.

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

13. 1. A cooler for storing and dispensing products, comprising: a housing with open access to an interior of the housing; a camera disposed within the housing; a shelf disposed within the housing; a first glider and a second glider, each having a forward end and an aft end, positioned on the shelf with the forward end closer to the open access; The first glider and the second glider each include: a base, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall defining a space for receiving and aligning the products in a row; a divider disposed on one of the first and second side walls, the divider having a front edge extending beyond the base toward the front end and an upper edge extending beyond the height of the product, such that the product on both the first glider and the second glider cannot be reached simultaneously with one hand.

14. 14. The cooler of claim 13, wherein each of the first glider and the second glider further comprises a second partition disposed on the other of the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

15. 15. The cooler of claim 14, wherein each of the first glider and the second glider further comprises a beam member disposed across the first partition and the second partition.

16. 14. The cooler of claim 13, wherein the camera is configured to record a side image of the product moving through the open access, and the divider is configured to prevent a product from obscuring another product in the side image.

17. 14. The cooler of claim 13, wherein the divider is integral with the glider.

18. 14. The cooler of claim 13, wherein the divider is removably attached to the glider.

19. The cooler of claim 18 , wherein the divider is snap-fit ​​onto one of the first side wall and the second side wall.

20. 20. The cooler of claim 18, wherein the glider further comprises a pushing mechanism disposed on the base configured to constantly push the product from the rear end to the front end, the pushing mechanism being adjustable between a locked state that prevents movement of the product from the front end to the rear end and a released state that allows movement of the product from the front end to the rear end.

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