Retail product storage and dispensing apparatus and method

Abstract

To improve space utilization at check-out counters, some preferred embodiments of the present invention employ a retail product storage and dispensing device located beneath the check-out counter. In this manner, areas beneath check-out counters that were previously either empty, occupied by support structure, or otherwise under-utilized are converted into valuable retail space. The under-counter storage and dispensing device of the present invention preferably transfers retail items from beneath the check-out counter to a position above or beside the check-out counter at which the retail items can be taken by a user. The check-out counter can have a dispenser opening through which the retail items can be dispensed or others presented to a user. In some embodiments, the check-out counter also includes a user-manipulatable control panel for selection of products to be dispensed by the under-counter storage and dispensing device.

1 . A product storage and dispensing apparatus for dispensing retail product at check-out counters, the apparatus comprising: 
 a storage device located below a portion of a check-out counter for storing retail product below the check-out counter; and    a dispensing device for transferring the retail product from below the check-out counter to a position above or beside the check-out counter.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the product storage and dispensing apparatus further comprises: 
 a customer interface with user manipulatable controls for selection of the retail products to be dispensed.    
     
     
         3 . A product storage and dispensing apparatus for dispensing retail product at check-out counters, the apparatus comprising: 
 a storage device located below a check-out counter for storing retail product below the check-out counter, the storage device including a plurality of vertical storage columns;    a dispensing device for transferring the retail product to a position above or beside the check-out counter;    one or more access doors;    a customer interface with user manipulatable controls for selection of the retail products to be dispensed;    an electronic controller capable of receiving and processing commands from a user; and    one or more disabling controls to secure against unauthorized dispensing of retail products.