US 12,082,714 B2
Merchandiser with sensing capabilities
William M. Huffar, Cazenovia, WI (US); Karl E. Katuin, New Lisbon, WI (US); Michael A. Andrew, Monona, WI (US); Stephen J. Dieter, Oregon, WI (US); Terry D. Matt, Evansville, WI (US); John A. Miller, Sun Prairie, WI (US); and Nicholas A. Truesdale, Madison, WI (US)
Assigned to Leer, Inc., New Lisbon, WI (US)
Filed by Leer, Inc., New Lisbon, WI (US)
Filed on Aug. 22, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/892,785.
Application 17/892,785 is a continuation of application No. 17/101,983, filed on Nov. 23, 2020, granted, now 11,419,435.
Application 17/101,983 is a continuation of application No. 14/921,454, filed on Oct. 23, 2015, granted, now 10,849,442.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/068,336, filed on Oct. 24, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2022/0400875 A1, Dec. 22, 2022
Int. Cl. A47F 10/02 (2006.01); F25D 11/04 (2006.01); F25D 17/04 (2006.01); G06Q 20/18 (2012.01); G06Q 20/20 (2012.01); G07F 9/00 (2006.01); G07F 9/10 (2006.01); G07F 11/62 (2006.01)
CPC A47F 10/02 (2013.01) [F25D 11/04 (2013.01); F25D 17/042 (2013.01); G06Q 20/18 (2013.01); G06Q 20/208 (2013.01); G07F 9/006 (2013.01); G07F 9/105 (2013.01); G07F 11/62 (2013.01); F25D 2317/0417 (2013.01); F25D 2331/801 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A merchandiser for storing at least one product for purchase by a customer, the merchandiser comprising:
a housing defining a cavity configured to receive the at least one product;
an opening defined by the housing, the opening providing access to the cavity;
a door coupled to the housing and movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the door substantially covers the opening in the first position and the door is positioned away from the opening in the second position such that the cavity is accessible;
a control system operable in a plurality of modes comprising at least a run mode and a setup mode, wherein in the run mode, purchase of the at least one product is permitted, and wherein in the setup mode one or more run mode provisions that control operation of the merchandiser in the run mode are received;
an emergency exit device configured to unlock a lock of the door, wherein the emergency exit device is positioned within the cavity such that the emergency exit device is accessible from within the cavity while the door is in the first position; and
a door position sensor coupled to at least one of the door or the housing, wherein the door position sensor is configured to monitor a contact area where the door selectively contacts the housing such that the lock remains in the unlocked position when the door position sensor indicates that an object is present in the contact area.