Secure Merchandising Display With Blocker Mechanisms

Abstract

A system for controlling advancement of and access to product housed within a device. Systems and devices include a pushing assembly having a track, a pusher, and a stop for restricting forward movement of the pusher when the stop is engaged. The device also includes a door assembly that has an open position and a closed position, an engaging mechanism that engages the stop when the door assembly is in the open position, and a blocker mechanism that restricts consumer access to product located behind the door assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A controlled access device, comprising:
 a base for supporting a plurality of products;   a hood surrounding the base for restricting access to the plurality of products, the hood including a door opening;   a door assembly positioned at the door opening, the door assembly having a dispensing region for accepting one of the plurality of products, wherein the door assembly is pivotable about an axis between an open position and a closed position, wherein the dispensing region is externally accessible when the door assembly is in the open position, and wherein access to the dispensing region is blocked when the door assembly is in the closed position; and   a cover of the door assembly positioned adjacent the dispensing region, wherein the cover restricts access to a remainder of the plurality of products when the door assembly is in the open position.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cover is positioned to restrict access to the plurality of products when the door assembly is in the closed position. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the cover is positioned to restrict access to the plurality of products when the door assembly is in a position between the open position and the closed position. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a feature for biasing the remainder of the plurality of products towards the dispensing region. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the door assembly includes a bottom plate for accepting the one of the plurality of products, wherein the cover extends approximately halfway around a circumference of the bottom plate and extends generally from the bottom plate to a top of the door assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cover is positioned to block access to the dispensing region when the door assembly is in the closed position. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the door assembly is biased towards the closed position. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the door assembly includes a handle for pivoting the door assembly. 
     
     
         9 . A controlled access device, comprising:
 a base for supporting a plurality of products;   a hood coupled to the base for restricting access to the plurality of products, wherein the hood includes a door opening;   a door assembly positioned at the door opening, the door assembly comprising a bottom plate for accepting a first of the plurality of products and a cover restricting access to an interior region defined between the base, the hood, and the cover, wherein the door assembly is pivotable about an axis between an open position and a closed position, wherein the first of the plurality of products is accessible when the door assembly is in the open position, and wherein the cover blocks access to the first of the plurality of products when the door assembly is in the closed position.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the cover blocks access to the interior region when the door assembly is in the open position, in the closed position, and in a position between the open and closed positions. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the base includes a feature for biasing the remainder of the plurality of products towards the dispensing region. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the cover extends approximately halfway around a circumference of the bottom plate and extends generally from the bottom plate to a top of the door assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the door assembly is biased towards the closed position. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the door assembly includes a handle for pivoting the door assembly. 
     
     
         15 . A controlled access product dispenser, comprising
 an interior region for storing a plurality of products, the interior region defined between a cover of a door assembly and a hood, wherein the door assembly is pivotable about an axis between an open position and a closed position, and wherein the interior region is blocked from access; and   a dispensing region of the door assembly adjacent the cover, wherein the dispensing region is located within the interior region when the door assembly is in the closed position, and wherein the dispensing region located outside of the interior region when the door assembly is in the open position.   
     
     
         16 . The dispenser of  claim 15 , wherein the interior region is further defined by a base for supporting the plurality of products. 
     
     
         17 . The dispenser of  claim 16 , wherein the base includes a feature for biasing the plurality of products towards the dispensing region. 
     
     
         18 . The dispenser of  claim 15 , wherein the dispensing region is defined in part by a bottom plate, wherein the cover extends approximately halfway around a circumference of the bottom plate and extends generally from the bottom plate to a top of the door assembly. 
     
     
         19 . The dispenser of  claim 15 , wherein the dispensing region is located opposite the cover from the interior region when the door assembly is in the open position. 
     
     
         20 . The dispenser of  claim 15 , wherein the cover is positioned to block access to the interior region when the door assembly is in a position between the open position and the closed position.