Time delay product pushing system

Abstract

A system for controlled advancement of product. Systems of this invention includes a pushing system having a track, a pusher, and an optional resistance mechanism. The resistance mechanism couples to the track and the pusher, controlling forward movement of the pusher along the track and thereby controlling the speed at which product is advanced for access by the consumer. Certain embodiments of the invention include additional mechanisms to further limit the forward progression of the pusher along the track, such as a stop mechanism or an indexing mechanism.

1 . An system for controlled advancement of a product comprising:
 (a) a track comprising:
 (i) a product display surface; 
 (ii) a resistance channel comprising gear teeth that project into the resistance channel; and 
 (iii) a stop channel comprising a plurality of engagement surfaces; 
   (b) a pusher in sliding engagement with the track;   (c) at least one spring that urges the pusher toward the front of the track;   (d) a stop positioned relative to the pusher and movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, the stop comprising an external engagement component that cooperates with the engagement surfaces of the stop channel to prevent the pusher from moving forward when the stop is in the engaged position;   (e) a resistance mechanism that comprises an external gear component that cooperates with the gear teeth of the resistance channel to slow the speed at which the spring urges the pusher forward; and   (f) a door assembly positioned relative to the stop and having a closed position and an open position, wherein when in the open position, the door assembly engages the stop into the engaged position.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the stop channel further comprises an inclined surface that engages engage the stop as the stop moves from the disengaged position into the engaged position. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a shaft that cooperates with a potentiometer. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the door assembly further comprises an extension that rotates when the door assembly is in the opening position to engage the stop into the engaged position. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a cover configured to block access to the product display surface. 
     
     
         6 . A device for controlled advancement of a product comprising:
 (a) a track;   (b) a pusher in sliding engagement with the track;   (c) a spring that urges the pusher toward the front of the track; and   (d) a stop positioned relative to the pusher and movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, and wherein when the stop is in the engaged position, the pusher is unable to move in a forward direction.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , further comprising a resistance mechanism that slows the speed at which the spring urges the pusher forward. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the track further comprises a stop channel comprising a plurality of engagement surfaces. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the stop further comprises a plurality of external engagement components that cooperate with the engagement surfaces of the stop channel. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the stop channel further comprises an inclined surface configured to engage the stop as the stop moves from the disengaged position to the engaged position. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the stop is spring-loaded. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 6 , further comprising a door assembly positioned relative to the stop and having a closed position and an open position, wherein when in the open position, the door assembly engages the stop into the engaged position. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 6 , further comprising a shaft that cooperates with a potentiometer. 
     
     
         14 . A device for controlled advancement of a product comprising:
 (a) a track comprising:
 (i) a product display surface; 
 (ii) a resistance channel comprising gear teeth that project into the resistance channel; and 
 (iii) a stop channel comprising a plurality of engagement surfaces; 
   (b) a pusher in sliding engagement with the track;   (c) a spring that urges the pusher toward the front of the track;   (d) a stop positioned relative to the pusher and movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, the stop comprising an external engagement component that cooperates with the engagement surfaces of the stop channel to prevent the pusher from moving forward when the stop is in the engaged position; and   (e) a resistance mechanism that comprises an external gear component that cooperates with the gear teeth of the resistance channel to slow the speed at which the spring urges the pusher forward.   
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , further comprising a door assembly positioned relative to the stop and having a closed position and an open position, wherein when in the open position, the door assembly engages the stop into the engaged position. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the stop channel further comprises an inclined surface that engages engage the stop as the stop moves from the disengaged position into the engaged position. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 14 , further comprising a shaft that cooperates with a potentiometer. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the door assembly further comprises an extension that rotates when the door assembly is in the opening position to engage the stop into the engaged position. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 14 , further comprising a cover configured to block access to the product display surface.