Retail merchandising unit

Abstract

Embodiments of a Retail Merchandising Unit (RMU) comprise at least one door for securing items within the RMU. The door(s) comprises a transparent portion that provides security for the items contained in the RMU, while allowing at least a portion of such items to be viewed. Preferably, the transparent portion restricts access to the RMU's interior, while permitting at least a portion of the items that are secured within the RMU to be viewed through such transparent portion. The door(s) may further contain one or more shelves on which merchandise may be placed, wherein the shelves are arranged such that when the door(s) are closed the shelves are secured within the interior of the RMU. Preferably, the transparent portion of a door permits the items placed on the door's shelve(s) to be viewed by passersby. Embodiments of the RMU may provide a self-contained storefront for marketing and selling merchandise.

1 . A retail merchandising unit comprising: 
 a body;    at least one door coupled to said body;    said at least one door comprising at least one shelf for displaying merchandise; and    said at least one door further comprising at least one transparent portion through which merchandise displayed on said at least one shelf can be viewed when said door is closed.    
   
   
       2 . The retail merchandising unit of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 at least one securing device to secure said at least one door in the open position.    
   
   
       3 . The retail merchandising unit of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a plurality of doors.    
   
   
       4 . The retail merchandising unit of  claim 3  wherein said plurality of doors comprises: forward facing doors and rearward facing doors.  
   
   
       5 . The retail merchandising unit of  claim 2  further comprising; 
 said securing device which couples two doors thereby securing said two doors in the open position.    
   
   
       6 . The retail merchandising unit of  claim 1  wherein said transparent portion is solid.  
   
   
       7 . The retail merchandising unit of  claim 1  wherein said at least one shelf is removably mountable.  
   
   
       8 . The retail merchandising unit of  claim 7  wherein said at least one shelf is adjustable.  
   
   
       9 . The retail merchandising unit of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 at least one additional shelf located within said body.    
   
   
       10 . The retail merchandising unit of  claim 9  wherein said at least one additional shelf is removably mountable.  
   
   
       11 . The retail merchandising unit of  claim 10  wherein said at least one additional shelf is adjustable.  
   
   
       12 . The retail merchandising unit of  claim 1  wherein said at least one door comprises: 
 a non-transparent portion.    
   
   
       13 . The retail merchandising unit of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 at least one light.    
   
   
       14 . The retail merchandising unit of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 at least one electrical outlet.    
   
   
       15 . The retail merchandising unit of  claim 2  further comprising: 
 at least one marketing device mounted to said securing device.    
   
   
       16 . The retail merchandising unit of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 cabinetry for securing objects wherein said cabinetry comprises locking doors.    
   
   
       17 . A retail merchandising unit comprising: 
 moveable means for moving to selectively configure the retail merchandising unit in an open configuration that permits access to an internal portion of said retail merchandising unit and selectively configure the retail merchandising unit in a closed configuration that obstructs access to said internal portion of said retail merchandising unit;    said moveable means comprising means for displaying merchandise; and    said moveable means comprising a transparent portion through which merchandise arranged on the display means can be viewed when said retail merchandising unit is configured in said closed configuration.    
   
   
       18 . The retail merchandising unit of  claim 17  further comprising: 
 means for locking said retail merchandising unit in said closed configuration.    
   
   
       19 . The retail merchandising unit of  claim 17  comprising: 
 means for adjusting said means for displaying merchandise.    
   
   
       20 . The retail merchandising unit of  claim 17  further comprising: 
 means for securing objects in a non-transparent portion within said retail merchandising unit.    
   
   
       21 . The retail merchandising unit of  claim 17  further comprising: 
 means for lighting said retail merchandising unit.    
   
   
       22 . The retail merchandising unit of  claim 17  further comprising: 
 means for providing electricity to said retail merchandising unit.    
   
   
       23 . The retail merchandise unit of  claim 17  further comprising: 
 means for displaying a marketing device.    
   
   
       24 . A method comprising: 
 providing a retail merchandising unit comprising:    a body;    at least one door coupled to said body;    said at least one door comprising at least one shelf for displaying merchandise;    said at least one door comprising at least one transparent portion through which merchandise displayed on said at least one shelf can be viewed when said door is closed;    arranging said retail merchandising unit in a publicly accessible area;    displaying said merchandise within said retail merchandising unit such that said merchandise is viewable when said retail merchandising unit is secured in a closed position; and    completing a point of sales transaction at said retail merchandising unit.    
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising: 
 locking said at least one door of said retail merchandising unit in said closed position.    
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising: 
 securing said at least one door of said retail merchandising unit in said open position.    
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising: 
 mounting said at least one shelf to said at least one door.    
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising: 
 removably mounting additional shelves within said body.    
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28  further comprising: 
 adjusting at least one of said additional shelves.    
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising: 
 securing objects in a non-transparent portion of said body.    
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising: 
 lighting said retail merchandising unit.    
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising: 
 providing electricity to said retail merchandising unit.    
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising: 
 mounting at least one marketing device to a device which secures said at least one door of said retail merchandising unit in said open position.    
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising: 
 utilizing one of a list of the following to complete said point of sales transaction:    sales register and credit card machine.