VENDING SYSTEM

Abstract

A vending system for products such as tobacco products. The vending system includes one or more hanging brackets and a plurality of modules that are selectively engageable on the hanging brackets. The hanging brackets are engaged on a store wall, particularly a slat wall, by inserting flanges into recesses between the slats. Each module includes a support bracket that is securable to the hanging brackets; a panel that is engaged with the support bracket; one or more sensors provided in or on the panel; pusher assemblies provided on the support bracket and extending across a portion of the panel and a door that extends across an opening to the module. When the door is closed none of the product inside the module is visible. A computer may be operatively engaged with the sensors and is provided with programming to track products stocked in the vending system and removed therefrom.

Description

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

This invention is generally directed to systems for vending products. More particularly, the invention relates to cigarette vending systems. Specifically, the invention is directed to a vending system comprising a plurality of modules positioned one above the other on hanging brackets secured to a store wall. Each module includes a support bracket having a panel engaged therein; sensors provided in or on the panel and pusher assemblies provided on the support bracket for urging tobacco products on the panel towards a door. When closed, the door completely hides the tobacco products from the consumer.

Background Information

In Canada it is considered unlawful for a retailer to publically display cigarettes or other tobacco products for sale or to place advertising for tobacco products in a place in a store where that advertising might be seen by the public. As a result, tobacco products are typically located behind a sales desk in a store. It is needful that the retailer be able to quickly and easily locate a tobacco product requested by a customer in order to sell that product to the consumer.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a vending system for tobacco products, such as cigarettes. The vending system is designed to be able to be placed behind a sales desk in a store and may be conveniently positioned on a standard retail slat wall system without any fasteners. The vending system allows the retailer to have quick and easy access to the product but at the same time does not allow any member of the public to actually view what is being retained in the vending system.

The vending system includes one or more hanging brackets and a plurality of modules that are selectively engageable on the hanging brackets. The hanging brackets are engaged on a store wall, particularly a slat wall, by inserting flanges into recesses between the slats. Each module includes a support bracket that is securable to the hanging brackets; a panel that is engaged with the support bracket; one or more sensors provided in or on the panel; pusher assemblies provided on the support bracket and extending across a portion of the panel and a door that extends across an opening to the module. When the door is closed none of the product inside the module is visible. A computer may be operatively engaged with the sensors and is provided with programming to track products stocked in the vending system and removed therefrom.

In one aspect, the present disclosure may provide a vending system for products comprising a support bracket adapted to be engaged with a support surface a panel engageable with the support bracket, said panel having an upper surface adapted to receive one or more products thereon; and one or more sensors provided in or on the panel.

In another aspect, the present disclosure may provide, in combination, a pair of hanger brackets adapted to be secured to a slatted wall; a plurality of modules engageable with the hanger brackets and adapted to retain a plurality of products therein, wherein each module comprises a support bracket defining an aperture therein; said support bracket being configured to be engaged on the pair of hanger brackets; a panel insertable into the aperture of the support bracket, said panel having an upper surface adapted to receive some of the plurality of products thereon; one or more pusher assemblies provided on an interior surface of the support bracket; each pusher assembly extending for a distance across the panel; and a door; wherein the plurality of modules are engaged at spaced intervals one above the other on the pair of hanger brackets.

The combination may further provide that the door of each module is engaged with the support bracket of the module above it; wherein the door of each module is pivotable between an open position and a closed position and when the door is in the closed position, none of the product retained in the module is visible from in front of the closed door.

The combination may further comprise one or more sensors provided in or on the panel; a remote computer operatively engaged with the one or more sensors; and programming provided in the computer to monitor an amount and brand of the plurality of products retained on the upper surface of the panel of each of the plurality of modules: and an amount and brand of the plurality of products removed from the upper surface of the panel of each of the plurality of modules. The plurality of products may be packages of tobacco products such as boxes of cigarettes.

In another aspect, the present disclosure may provide a method of vending tobacco products comprising engaging a support bracket on a support surface; placing a panel into the support bracket to form a panel floor; arranging a plurality of tobacco products on an upper surface of the panel floor; contacting a rearmost one of the plurality of tobacco products on the panel with a pusher assembly; urging the tobacco products towards a forwardmost end of the panel floor using the pusher assembly; hiding all of the tobacco products behind a door positioned in front of a front wall of the support bracket so that none of the tobacco products are visible when the door is in a closed position. The method may further comprise opening the door; and removing one of the tobacco products when the door is opened.

The method as defined may further comprise sensing, with a sensor provided in or on the panel, that a forwardmost tobacco product has been removed from off the panel floor. The method may further comprise operatively engaging the sensor with a remote computer; sending a signal from the sensor to the remote computer; providing programming in the computer that tracks the tobacco products loaded into the panel and removed from the panel; and tracking with the computer, based on the signals from the sensor, a number of tobacco products that remain on the panel and a number of tobacco products that have been removed from the panel; compiling tracked information into a database in the computer; and analyzing the compiled information in the database with the programming provided in the computer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Sample embodiment of the disclosure are set forth in the following description, is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vending system in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, with the vending system shown mounted on a slatted wall;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vending system of FIG. 1 with a top wall and a side wall of the vending system removed and showing a plurality of products, specifically boxes of cigarettes, retained within the vending system;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the highlighted region of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of part of the vending system of FIG. 2 with the product removed therefrom and showing various components of the vending system engaged with the slatted wall;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of an upper portion of a hanger bracket of the vending system shown on its own;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a door of the vending system shown on its own;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the components shown in FIG. 4 assembled to form a top section of the vending system;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the highlighted region of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a right side view of the vending system of FIG. 2 with all the product removed therefrom;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged right side view of the highlighted region of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the highlighted region of FIG. 2 that shows that some boxes of product have been removed from a first row of the uppermost module of the vending system.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-11 there is shown a retail vending system generally indicated at 10. Vending system 10 is shown mounted to a wall 12 in such a way that a plurality of boxes of product 14 (such as boxes of cigarettes or other tobacco products) retained in vending system 10 is not visible to a consumer who may be standing facing wall 12. In particular, wall 12 has a front surface 12a that will face the consumer and vending system 10 is mounted on front surface 12a in such a way that vending system 10 obscures product 14 from the view anyone facing front surface 12a of wall 12.

Vending system 10 may comprise a modular unit made of a plurality of similar modules that may be positioned one above the other. Each module may be configured to hold one or more rows of product 14. It will be understood that vending system 10 may comprise only a single module or system 10 may comprise multiple modules 10. Each module may be configured to hold a single row of product 14 or multiple rows of product 14. FIG. 1 shows vending system 10 configured to have seven modules located vertically one above each other. FIG. 2 shows that the uppermost module is configured to hold fifteen rows of product; and that each row may hold around nine products 14. It will be understood that the term “product” may represent a single box that itself is configured to hold multiple smaller products. For instance, the term “product” may represent a single box that holds multiple individual cigarettes. The term “product” 14 may also be used in this description to generally describe one or more articles offered for sale that are retained and dispensed from vending system 10.

FIG. 1 shows wall 12 having a front face 12a comprised of slats 12b that are positioned one-above-the-other. The slats 12b may be formed only in the front face 12a of wall 12 and slots 12c may be defined between adjacent slats 12b. In other instances, slats 12b may be individual sections of wall 12 that are positioned one above the other and are separated by slots 12c.

FIG. 1 shows vending system 10 mounted on front face 12a of wall 12. Vending system 10 may include a cabinet box that may be generally rectangular in shape and includes a top wall 10a and a pair of opposing side walls 10b (only one of which is shown in FIG. 1) that extend downwardly from opposite ends of top wall 10a. The cabinet box may further comprise a bottom wall that is opposed to top wall 10a. One or more of top wall 10a, side walls 10b and the bottom wall may be omitted from vending system 10 or the cabinet box may be replaced by thin frame members that will support or connect together the other components of vending system 10.

FIGS. 2-3 show vending machine 10 with top wall 10a and side wall 10 of the cabinet box shown in phantom for the sake of clarity. FIG. 4 shows the cabinet box in phantom with other components of vending system 10 exploded away from each other so that they may be better seen. As shown in FIG. 4, vending system 10 may comprise one or more hanger brackets 16 that are secured to front surface 12a of wall 12, one or more support brackets 20; one or more panels 22, one or more pusher assemblies 24; and one or more doors 26.

Each module in vending system 10 may be comprised of a single support bracket 20, a single support panel 22, a plurality of pusher assemblies 24 and one or more doors 26. FIG. 4 shows an exemplary single module of vending system 10. The module comprises a single support bracket 20, a single plate 22, a plurality of pusher assemblies 24 and two doors 26 (although a single door or more than two doors could be utilized). It will be understood that the number of pusher assemblies 24 utilized in the module may be selected based on the number of products 14 to be retained on plate 22 of vending system 10. Fifteen pusher assemblies 24 are shown in FIG. 4 but it will be understood that fewer than or more than fifteen pusher assemblies 24 may be utilized in each module. Support bracket 20 is illustrated as being engaged between two spaced apart hanger brackets 16 for stability. It will be understood that only a single hanger bracket 16 may be utilized or more than two hanger brackets 16 may be utilized to engage and secure support bracket 20 to wall 12.

FIG. 5 shows a single hanger bracket 16 on its own. Hanger bracket 16 may comprise a pair of base rails 16a that are laterally spaced apart. Each rail 16a may have a flange 16b at a top end and a bottom end thereof. Hanger bracket 16 may further include a plurality of arms 16c that extend outwardly and forwardly from the two laterally spaced-apart rails 16a. It will be understood that rails 16a, flanges 16b and arms 16c may be molded or otherwise formed as a unitary, monolithic component or may be assembled together such as by welding. Arms 16c may be generally L-shaped when viewed from the side (such as in FIG. 10) and may be generally U-shaped when viewed from above (such as in FIG. 8). Arms 16c may be vertically spaced apart from each other. Generally L-shaped recesses 16d may be defined between adjacent arms 16c. Each recess 16d may include a thinner, downwardly extending section 16d′ (FIG. 10) that will be generally vertically oriented when hanger bracket 16 is secured to wall 12 as illustrated in FIG. 10. Hanger bracket 16 is engaged with wall 12 by inserting flanges 16b into slots 12c (FIG. 10)0 defined by wall 12. The rails 16a of hanger bracket 16 rest against the front face 12a of wall 12. When hanger bracket 16 is engaged with wall 12 in this manner, no fasteners are required to secure hanger bracket 16 to wall 12. Because fasteners do not need to be used to secure hanger bracket 16 in place, hanger brackets 16 may be quickly and easily installed on wall 12, moved along wall 12, or removed therefrom. Flanges provided at a bottom end of hanger bracket 16 may be received into slots 12c on wall 12 in a similar fashion. Because hanger brackets 16 each include a plurality of arms 16c that are vertically spaced from each other, it is possible for the retailer to customize the vending system 10 by determining the vertical distance between adjacent support brackets 20.

It will be understood that in other instances hanger bracket 16 may be secured to walls that lack slots for receiving flanges 16b. In these instances, a hole may be drilled through each flange 16b and a fastener may be inserted through each hole and subsequently into the non-slatted wall.

Referring to FIG. 4, each support bracket 20 may be generally rectangular in shape when viewed from above and may comprise a front wall 20a, a rear wall 20b, a left side wall 20c and a right side wall 20d. Front wall 20a may be of a shorter height than rear wall 20b. Front wall, rear wall, left and right side walls 20a-20d may bound and define an aperture 20e in support bracket 20. A lip 20f may be provided on an interior surface of each of the front wall 20a, rear wall 20b, left side wall 20c and right side wall. Lip 20f may jut outwardly for a distance into aperture 20e and may provide a place for panel 22 to be seated upon when panel 22 is engaged with support bracket 20. Lip 20f may be substantially continuous and unbroken around the interior surfaces of the front, rear, left side and right side walls 20a-20d or may comprises a series of smaller, spaced-apart sections that are provided on some or all of the walls 20a-20d.

Left side wall 20c and right side wall 20d of support bracket 20 may be of a generally truncated-triangular shape when viewed from the side as in FIG. 2, for example. Each of the side walls 20c, 20d may be of a greater height (measured between a top edge and a bottom edge thereof) proximate rear wall 20b and be of a lesser height proximate front wall 20a. This generally triangular shape may strengthen the module as the left and right side walls 20c, 20d acts as bracing sections.

In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 8, each of the left and right side walls 20c, 20d may be fabricated from a smaller front section 21a and a larger rear section 21b that are configured to telescope relative to each other. This arrangement permits the distance between front wall 20a and rear wall 20b to be selectively adjusted by the retailer. The rear sections 21b of each of the left and right side walls 20c, 20d may define a horizontal slot 20j therein that originates and terminates a distance away from each of the front end and the rear end of rear section 21b. One or more stops 20k may extend outwardly from front section 21 and project through slot 20j. The one or more stops 20k may be provided to ensure smooth travel between front section 21a and rear section 21b. Stops 20k also may limit the extent of telescoping travel that may be possible between the front and rear sections 21a, 21b. One or more stops may also be provided on rear section 21b to limit travel of front section 21a relative thereto (It should be note that front and rear walls 20a, 20b may also be similarly fabricated to telescope to some extent.) In other embodiments, the front wall 20a, rear wall 20b, lefts side wall 20c and right side wall 20c may be of fixed length.

As best seen in FIG. 8, rear wall 20b may be of the same height as the rearmost ends of left side wall 20c and right side wall 20d. An L-shaped hook 20g may extend rearwardly from a top edge of rear wall 20b. Hook 20g may be integrally formed with rear wall 20b so that rear wall 20b and hook 20g form a single unitary or monolithic member or hook 20g may be secured to rear wall 20b such as by welding. Hook 20g may include a generally horizontal section that is oriented at right angles to the interior surface of rear wall 20b that defines lip 20f. Hook 20g may also include a generally vertical section, numbered 20g′ (FIG. 10), that extends downwardly from the generally horizontal section of hook 20g. The generally vertical section 20g′ may be spaced a distance rearwardly from an exterior surface of rear wall 20g and be substantially parallel thereto. Hook 20g and vertical section 20g′ thereof may be sized to be received into recess 16d of hanger bracket 16 and particularly vertical section 20g′ may be sized to be received and engaged in thinner section 16d′ of recess 16d. When hook 20g is engaged in recess 16d of hanger bracket 16 and particularly when vertical section 20g′ is received in thinner section 16d′ of recess 16d, support bracket 20 is suspended from hanger bracket 16 as shown in FIG. 10. The exterior surface of rear wall 20g of support bracket 20 may rest against the front surface 16c′ (FIG. 8) of one or more arms 16c on hanger bracket 16. In this way, support bracket 20 is firmly engaged with hanger bracket 16. It should be noted that no fasteners are required to secure support bracket 20 to hanger brackets 16. It is therefore relatively quick and easy for a retailer to engage support bracket 20 with hanger bracket 16, to change the vertical position or spacing of support bracket(s) 20 on hanger brackets 20 or to disassemble the vending system 10.

As shown in FIG. 3, one or more slots 20h may be defined in rear wall 20b of support bracket 20. Slots 20h may be located vertically above lip 20f. The purpose of slots 20h will be later described herein.

Panel 22 is configured to be engaged with support bracket 20. Panel 22 may be generally rectangular in shape when viewed from above (FIG. 3) and may have an upper surface 22a, a lower surface 22b, a front edge 22c, a rear edge 22d, a left side edge 22e and a right side edge 22f. Panel 22 may be sized so that it will be able to be received in aperture 20f of support bracket 20 and come to rest upon lip 20f when so received. Panel 22 may comprise plastic layer that may be inserted into aperture 20f. Alternatively panel 22 may be fabricated from metal. Still further, panel 22 may be comprised of a metal frame shelf plus a plastic panel member. The plastic panel member may be connected to the metal frame shelf or may be placed on top of the metal frame shelf.

One or more sensors 28 may be provided in or on panel 22, particularly if the panel 22 is comprised of or includes a plastic layer. Sensors 28 may be utilized to detect product 14 that rests on panel 22 and/or is removed from panel 22. During fabrication of panel 22, sensors 28 may be enveloped by plastic material so that they are protected from potential damage. The metal may block the ability of the sensors 28 to sense product 14 located on the panel beneath the one from which product 14 is removed. The sensors 28 may therefore only sense the removal of product 14 from on top of specific panel 22 and may therefore not provide false readings. If desired, the system can be set up so that each sensor 28 may be able to monitor product 14 that is located above or below the panel 22 in which sensor 28 is located.

In some embodiments, the sensors 28 may be provided in a plastic layer that rests on top of a metal frame shelf. The shelf frame may be open at the bottom to permit radio frequency (RF) waves and waves of any kind to pass through the shelf insert and facilitate detection of items or item tags placed on the shelf, or placed on the items, or for sensing bare sections of the shelf. Shelf inserts may be constructed of any material suitable for any type of sensing, including metal for holding items when no item detection is required. An alternate embodiment includes a one piece shelf frame that is open on the bottom with a fixed depth.

The one or more sensors 28 may be operatively engaged by appropriate circuitry with a cable 30 that extends outwardly from panel 22 and is operatively engaged with a remote computer 32. FIG. 4 shows cable 30 extending outwardly from right side edge 22f of panel 22. It will be understood that cable 30 may extend, alternatively, outwardly from any of the other edges or the top or lower surface of panel 22. Cable 30 may be threaded through one of the slots 20h in support bracket 20 and be positioned adjacent one of the hanging brackets 16 of vending system 10 (as shown in FIG. 7). Alternatively, cable 30 may be inserted through a hole defined between front face 12a and a rear face 12d (FIG. 7) of wall 12. In either event, cable 30 is preferably not visible to the consumer. Since door 26 may be periodically opened to allow a sales clerk to access product 14, the interior of vending system 10 is preferably kept looking neat, orderly and clean. Running cable 30 from plate 22 through slot 20h and alongside one of hanging brackets 20 keeps the cable 30 out of site and makes the system 10 look more aesthetically pleasing. In other embodiments, cable 30 may be completely omitted and sensors 28 may, instead, communicate wirelessly with computer 32.

Computer 32 may be provided with programming to monitor the number of boxes of product 14 resting on upper surface 22a of panel 22. Sensors 28 may be positioned to align with one of the one or more of the pusher assemblies 24 and may therefore be used to monitor boxes of product 14 that are contacted by a particular pusher assembly 24. One sensor 28 or more than one sensors 28 may be provided in a region of panel 28 that is aligned with each pusher assembly. Sensors 28 may be provided for substantially the entire depth of panel 22 from proximate front wall 20a of support bracket 20 to proximate rear wall 20b of support bracket 20 or may be located anywhere else in panel 22 that enables adequate monitoring of product 14. When a single box of product 14 is removed from its position resting on upper surface 22a of panel 22, a signal may be sent from the appropriate activated one of the one or more sensors 28, via cable 30 to the remote computer 32. The programming in computer 32 will utilize the received signal to compute and tally the amount of product 14 left in vending system 10 and/or the amount of product 14 that should be recorded as sold because it has been removed from vending system 10. The computer 32 may therefore track and control sales of product 14 in real time and may also be programmed to automatically re-order product 14 from a vendor based on the monitored sales. If different brands of product 14 are stocked in different areas of vending system 10, the relative sales of the different brands may also be recorded and tracked by the programming provided in computer 32. A database may be compiled and stored in computer 32 and the programming may also permit various types of analysis of the data in the database to be undertaken and appropriate reports to be generated. The database stored in computer 32 may be accessed by selectively connecting other computing devices (such as a tablet or smartphone) to computer 32.

FIG. 8 shows the pusher assemblies 24 that may comprise part of each module of vending system 10. Each pusher assembly 24 may comprise a first plate 24a, a second plate 24b and a coil spring 24c. First and second plates 24a, 24b may be of generally the same size and be positioned generally parallel to each other. A first end of coil spring 24c may be fixedly secured to a rear surface of first plate 24a and a second end of coil spring 24c may be fixedly secured to a front surface of second plate 24b. A rear surface of second plate 24b may be fixedly secured to an interior surface of rear wall 20b of support bracket 20 by any suitable means, such as by an adhesive or by welding. Second plate 24b may be secured to rear wall 20b in a location that will result in second plate 24b being located above an upper surface 22a of panel 22 when panel 22 is engaged in support bracket 20. When products 14 are placed on upper surface 22a of panel 22, a front surface of first plate 24a will contact a rear wall of the rearmost product, indicated as 14a in FIGS. 2 and 11. Spring 24c will maintain forward-directed pressure on the rearmost product 14a and thereby on the entire row of product 14 that extends forwardly from a particular pusher assembly 24. In other words, each pusher assembly 24 may push a single row of product 14 forwardly towards an inner surface of door 26 in the direction indicated by arrow “A” (FIG. 8). Front wall 20a of support bracket 20 may act as a stop that substantially prevents the pusher assembly 24 from pushing product 14 completely out of vending system 10. It will be understood that other types of pusher assembly than pusher assembly 24 may be utilized in vending system 10.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 6 and 9, one or more doors 26 may be provided on each module of vending system 10. Doors 26 may be fabricated from a non-transparent or opaque material so that a consumer cannot see through them when door 26 is in a closed position. Each of the one or more doors 26 may be selectively moved between an open position and a closed position.

Each door 26 may be generally rectangular in shape when viewed from the front and may include a front surface 26a, a rear surface 26b (FIG. 9), a top flange 26c, a bottom flange 26d, a left side edge 26e and a right side edge 26f. Top flange 26e may be oriented at right angles to front surface 26a and may defined one or more apertures 26g defined therein. Apertures 26g may be provided to receive fasteners therethrough, such as fasteners 10c shown in FIG. 1. Bottom flange 26d may be generally U-shaped when viewed from one side, such as in FIG. 6. One leg of the U-shaped flange 26d may be utilized by a retailer to grasp onto door 26 when it is needful to move door 26 to the open position. A bracket 26h may extend outwardly from door 26 proximate each of the left and right side edges 26e, 26f. Each bracket 26h may define a hole 26i therein. A shaft of a pivot pin 34 may be inserted through the hole 26i of each bracket 26h to secure door 26 to the support bracket 20 of a module located above each door 26. Pivot pin 34 may comprise a pin that extends outwardly from the front wall 20a or left or right side walls 20c, 20d of support bracket 20. Alternatively, the pivot pin 34 may be inserted through an aperture in one of side walls 10b of the vending system's cabinet box or may extend downwardly from the top wall 10a of the vending system's cabinet box.

Where two doors 26 are provided side-by-side on one module of vending system 10 (such as is illustrated in FIG. 6), a fastener (not shown) may be passed through the aligned holes 26i of the brackets 26h on the side edges 26f, 26e of the doors that are disposed adjacent each other. This ensures that the doors are connected together but are still able to pivot individually between open and closed positions.

It will be understood that other mechanisms for ensuring doors 26 may pivot relative to support bracket 20 may be employed. For example, flange 26c may be fixedly secured to front wall 20a of the support bracket 20 of the module above door 26 and door 26 may be pivotally engaged with flange 26c.

Pivot pins 34 may permit door 26 to pivot about a horizontally-oriented axis between the open position and the closed position. (The horizontally-oriented axis may extend along the shafts of the pivot pins 34.)

It should be noted that when vending system 10 is used to hold a plurality of tobacco products 14, the front surface 26a of door 26 is intended to be free of any indicia or advertising that might indicate that type of product 14 that is retained within vending system 10. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that if it is permitted in any jurisdiction to advertise the products 14 retained within vending system 10 then advertising markings or other indicia may be provided on front surface 26a or any other part of vending system 10 that will be visible to the consumer.

It should be noted that the uppermost door 26 may be pivotally engaged with a portion of top wall 10a or with side walls 10b of the cabinet box of vending system 10). This may be because there is no support bracket 20 proximate the top end of the uppermost door 26. Top wall 10a of cabinet box may, alternatively be connected to flange 26c of door 26 by fasteners 10c (FIG. 1) and pivot rods 34 may be pivotally connected to flange 26c or top wall 10a or side walls 10b.

Each door 26 may be selectively rotated to the open position by a retailer grasping the bottom flange 26d or one of the side edges 26e, 26f of plate 26 and rotating door 26 in the direction of arrow “B” (FIG. 7). When door 26 is moved to the open position, the retailer may be permitted access to an interior of an associated module of the vending system 10. The retailer may then be able to remove a forwardmost package of product, such as the forwardmost box of product shown in FIG. 3 by the reference number 14b. As indicated earlier, when the forwardmost box 14b is lifted off upper surface 22a of panel 22, a signal is transmitted from one of the sensors that detects that part of panel 22 to the remote computer 32. Moving door 26 back to a closed position may simply involve the retailer letting go of door 26 as the door 26 will then return to its original position under force of gravity.

It will be understood that instead of pivoting door 26 about a horizontal axis provided by pivot pins 34 that are engaged with the top flange 26c of door 26; door 26 may, instead, be configured to slide laterally between open and closed positions or door 26 may be provided with pivot pins along one side edge 26e, 26f and may then pivot about a generally vertically-oriented axis. Similarly, pivot pins may be provided on bottom flange 26d of door 26 and door may then pivot about a horizontally-oriented axis. In this latter instance or when pivot pins are provided on side edges 26e, 26f, or if door 26 is configured to slide, a spring assembly may be provided on door 26 to ensure door will automatically return to the closed position.

A method of vending products 14 such as boxes or packages of tobacco products from a vending system 10 may comprise engaging a support bracket 20 on a support surface; placing a panel 22 into support bracket 20 to form a panel floor; arranging a plurality of tobacco products 14 on an upper surface 22a of the panel floor; contacting a rearmost one of the plurality of tobacco products 14a on the panel floor with a pusher assembly 24; urging the tobacco products 14 towards a forwardmost end of the panel floor 22a using pusher assembly 24; hiding all of the tobacco products 14 behind a door 26 positioned in front of a front wall 20a of the support bracket 20 so that none of the tobacco products 14 are visible when door 26 is in a closed position.

The method may further comprise opening door 26; and removing one of tobacco products 14 when door 26 is opened. The method may further comprise providing a slat wall 12 in a store as the support surface; engaging a hanger bracket 16 on slat wall 12; and engaging support bracket 20 on hanger bracket 16. The method may further comprise sensing, with a sensor 28 provided in panel 22, that a forwardmost tobacco product 14b has been removed from off the panel floor 22a.

The method may further comprise operatively engaging sensor 28 with a remote computer 32; sending a signal from sensor 28 to remote computer 32; providing programming in computer 32 that tracks the tobacco products 14 loaded into the vending system 10 and removed from the vending system 10; and tracking with computer 32, based on the signals from sensor 28, a number of tobacco products 14 that remain on panel 22 and a number of tobacco products 14 that have been removed from panel 22; compiling tracked information into a database in computer 32; and analyzing the compiled information in the database with the programming provided in computer 32.

A step of engaging hanging bracket 16 on wall 12 may be accomplished without using fasteners. Instead, the step of engaging hanging bracket 16 on wall 12 may comprise inserting a flange 16b extending outwardly from hanging bracket 16 into a space 12c defined between two slats 12b on wall 12.

A step of engaging support bracket 20 on hanging bracket 16 may comprise inserting a hook 20g extending outwardly from a rear wall 20b of support bracket 20 into a recess 16dd′ defined in hanging bracket 16.

The method may further comprise positioning a second support bracket 20 a distance above support bracket 20; engaging the second support bracket 20 on hanging bracket 16 a distance above support bracket 20; placing a second panel 22 into second support bracket 20 to form a second panel floor 22a; arranging a second plurality products 14 in rows on top of the second panel floor 22a; engaging a rearmost one 14b of the second plurality of products 14 in each row on second panel 22 with a second front plate 24a of a second pusher assembly 24; urging each row products 14 on second panel 22 toward a second door 26 adjacent front 20a of second support bracket 20 with an associated one of the second pusher assemblies 24; covering all of the products 14 on the second panel 22 with second door s26 o that the products 14 are not visible to a consumer standing in front of vending system 10

The step of covering all of product 14 on panel 20 with door 26 may comprise engaging door 26 with second support bracket 20 that is located a distance above support bracket 20; positioning a top flange 26c of door 26 a distance adjacent a bottom end of front wall 20a of second support bracket 20; positioning a bottom flange 26d of door 26 adjacent a bottom end of the front wall 20a of support bracket 20; positioning a left side edge 26e of door 26 adjacent a left side wall 20c of support bracket 20; and positioning a right side edge 26f of door 26 adjacent a right side wall 20d of support bracket 20.

While vending system 10 has been disclosed as being suitable for retaining products 14 that are tobacco products such as cigarettes, it will be understood that any retail product may be retained and dispensed from vending system 10.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the preferred embodiment of the disclosure are an example and the disclosure is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

Claims

1. A vending system for products comprising: a support bracket adapted to be engaged with a support surface;a panel engageable with the support bracket, said panel having an upper surface adapted to receive one or more products thereon; andone or more sensors provided in or on the panel.

2. The vending system as defined in claim 1, wherein the panel includes a metal frame shelf and a plastic panel member; and wherein the one or more sensors are provided in or on the plastic panel member.

3. The vending system as defined in claim 1, wherein the support bracket includes a front wall and a portion of the front wall extends above the upper surface of the panel.

4. The vending system as defined in claim 1, further comprising one or more pusher assemblies provided on a rear wall of the support bracket; said one or more pusher assemblies being adapted to urge the one or more products on the panel toward a front wall of the support bracket.

5. The vending system as defined in claim 4, wherein each of the one or more sensors is aligned with one of the one or more pusher assemblies.

6. The vending system as defined in claim 5, wherein one or more sensors comprises a plurality of sensors and the one or more pusher assemblies comprises a plurality of pusher assemblies; wherein the plurality of pusher assemblies are spaced laterally apart from each other along a rear wall of the support bracket; and wherein one or more of the plurality of sensors is aligned with each one of the plurality of pusher assemblies.

7. The vending system as defined in claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors extends from proximate a front edge of the panel to proximate a rear edge of the panel.

8. The vending system as defined in claim 1, further comprising a computer operatively engaged with the one or more sensors and configured to receive signals from the one or more sensors when the one or more sensors are activated; and wherein the computer is provided with programming designed to track a number of the one or more products retained on the panel or the number of the one or more products removed on the panel or track one or more brands of the one or more products that are retained on the panel or removed from the panel.

9. The vending system as defined in claim 1, further comprising: a hanger bracket adapted to be engaged to the support surface; wherein the support bracket is selectively engageable with the hanger bracket.

10. The vending system as defined in claim 9, wherein the hanger bracket includes a base rail with a plurality of arms extending outwardly and forwardly therefrom at intervals from each other; and wherein adjacent arms of the plurality of arms define a recess therebetween.

11. The vending system as defined in claim 10, wherein the hanger bracket has a top end with a flange extending outwardly therefrom; and wherein the flange is adapted to be engaged with the support surface without a use of additional fasteners.

12. The vending system as defined in claim 10, wherein the support bracket has a rear wall with a hook extending outwardly therefrom; and wherein the hook is selectively receivable in the recess defined in the hanger bracket.

13. The vending system as defined in claim 12, wherein the support bracket engages the hanger bracket without a use of additional fasteners.

14. The vending system as defined in claim 1, further comprising: a door movable between an open position and a closed position; wherein the door is positioned in front of a front wall of the support bracket when in the closed position; and wherein the door is configured such that when in the closed position and viewed from in front of the vending system, the one or more products on the panel is not visible above a top edge of the door, below a bottom edge of the door, to the right of a right side edge of the door and to the left of a left side edge of the door.

15. The vending system as defined in claim 14, wherein the door pivots between the open position and the closed position.

16. The vending system as defined in claim 14, wherein the door is non-transparent or opaque and when the door is in the closed position, the one or more products is not visible through the door.

17. In combination: a pair of hanger brackets adapted to be secured to a slatted wall;a plurality of modules engageable with the hanger brackets and adapted to retain a plurality of products therein, wherein each module comprises: a support bracket defining an aperture therein; said support bracket being configured to be engaged on the pair of hanger brackets;a panel insertable into the aperture of the support bracket, said panel having an upper surface adapted to receive some of the plurality of products thereon;one or more pusher assemblies provided on an interior surface of the support bracket; each pusher assembly extending for a distance across the panel; anda door;

18. The combination as defined in claim 17, wherein the panel comprises a metal frame shelf, a plastic panel member; and one or more sensors; and wherein the one or more sensors are provided in or on the plastic panel member.

19. The combination as defined in claim 17, wherein the door of each module is engaged with the support bracket of the module above it; wherein the door of each module is pivotable between an open position and a closed position and when the door is in the closed position, none of the plurality of products retained in the module is visible from in front of the closed door.

20. The combination as defined in claim 17, further comprising: one or more sensors provided in or on the panel;a remote computer operatively engaged with the one or more sensors; andprogramming provided in the computer to monitor: an amount and brand of the plurality of products retained on the upper surface of the panel of each of the plurality of modules: andan amount and brand of the plurality of products removed from the upper surface of the panel of each of the plurality of modules.

21. The combination as defined in claim 19; further comprising a plurality of products; wherein the plurality of products are packages of tobacco products.

22. A method of vending tobacco products comprising: engaging a support bracket on a support surface;placing a panel into the support bracket to form a panel floor;arranging a plurality of tobacco products on an upper surface of the panel floor;contacting a rearmost one of the plurality of tobacco products on the panel with a pusher assembly;urging the tobacco products towards a forwardmost end of the panel floor using the pusher assemblyhiding all of the tobacco products behind a door positioned in front of a front wall of the support bracket so that none of the tobacco products are visible when the door is in a closed position.

23. The method as defined in claim 21, further comprising: opening the door; andremoving one of the tobacco products when the door is opened.

24. The method as defined in claim 21, further comprising: providing a slat wall in a store as the support surface;engaging a hanger bracket on the slat wall; andengaging the support bracket on the hanger bracket.

25. The method as defined in claim 24, further comprising: sensing, with a sensor provided in or on the panel, that a forwardmost tobacco product has been removed from off the panel floor.

26. The method as defined in claim 25, further comprising: operatively engaging the sensor with a remote computer;sending a signal from the sensor to the remote computer;providing programming in the computer that tracks the tobacco products loaded onto the panel and the tobacco products removed from the panel; andtracking with the computer, based on the signals from the sensor a number of tobacco products that remain on the panel and a number of tobacco products that have been removed from the panel;compiling tracked information into a database in the computer; andanalyzing the compiled information in the database with the programming provided in the computer.