Abstract:
Systems for deterring theft of retail products. Systems of this invention provide theft deterrent cabinets for dispensing products and may incorporate theft deterrent measures including mechanical deterrents, time delays and sound.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/720,823, filed Sep. 27, 2005. This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/967,811, filed Oct. 18, 2004, which claims priority to U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/512,454, filed on Oct. 17, 2003. This application is also a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/409,885, filed Apr. 24, 2006, now abandoned which claims priority to U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/674,880, filed Apr. 25, 2005. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates generally to theft deterrent systems for dispensing products. More specifically, the invention relates to dispensing devices that incorporate theft deterrent measures, such as time delays and sound. 
     2. General Background 
     Theft of small items in retail stores is an all too common problem. Items that are in high demand by thieves include over-the-counter (OTC) products such as analgesics and cough and cold medications, razor blades, camera film, batteries, videos, DVDs, smoking cessation products and infant formula. Shelf sweeping is a particular problem for small items. Shelf sweeping occurs when individuals or groups remove all the shelf stock and exit the store, similar to a “smash and grab” shoplifting technique. Shelf sweeping relies on excessive quantities of product being available on the shelf. Retailers must keep substantial inventory on shelf or incur the cost of constantly restocking. 
     In addition to preventing theft, retail stores may want to limit the purchase of certain items. For example, to make methamphetamine, large quantities of cold medication are needed. Pseudoephedrine, the sole active ingredient in many cold medicines and decongestants, is also a key ingredient in methamphetamine, a powerful and highly addictive stimulant. 
     Retailers are constantly challenged to balance the needs of legitimate consumers&#39; access to high theft items with measures to minimize the incidence of theft. It has long been known to place items such as cigarettes, sodas and newspapers in vending machines. Such machines require complete self-service by the customer. The customer places money into the vending machine and the machine dispenses the desired item. Typical vending machines, however, do not allow for variation in product size and can only vend the particular item that they were designed for. Additionally, typical vending machines may be inconsistent with the way that people currently purchase items; many people prefer to use credit or debit cards instead of cash. May vending machines also occupy a great deal of space. Finally, typical vending machines do not employ any mechanism to prevent a purchaser from quickly dispensing all the items in the vending machine. 
     Because theft has become so rampant in certain product categories, such as razors and infant formula, many retail stores are taking the products off the shelves and placing them behind the counter or under lock and key. Customers must request the products in order to make a purchase. This requires additional labor costs to provide individual service to customers who would normally not require it. It also makes it difficult for customers to compare products. Furthermore, it may be impossible where the space behind the counter is limited and is needed for prescription medications. In some cases, products are simply unavailable due to high pilferage rates. Therefore, a device or dispensing apparatus that minimizes the incidence of product theft is needed. 
     A common problem at pharmacies and grocery stores is ensuring that consumers have access to cold medication or razors, but at the same time deterring theft or multiple purchases for the production of drugs. A solution to the problem of sweeping is to limit the amount of product each customer is allowed to purchase. However, this requires additional labor and is not feasible where many stores now allow customers the option to check themselves out without the help of a cashier. Furthermore, this solution also keeps lawful products out of the hands of lawful consumers. Finally, legislation may be required in order to limit such purchases. A device or dispensing apparatus that minimizes the likelihood of sweeping or unusually high numbers of multiple purchases is needed. 
     Such a device or dispensing apparatus should also be able to fit within common grocery, drug store or other retail environment shelves. It is also desirable that the device or dispensing apparatus effectively display the products so consumers can easily identify the products. It is also preferable that the dispensing apparatus be easy to use. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of this invention provide a system for dispensing product that deters theft of the product while also providing a dispensing system that is easy to use. Embodiments of this invention may include one or more cabinet assembly units, which includes one or more dispenser modules. Each dispenser module generally includes a door assembly, a lockout assembly and side panels and houses at least one pusher assembly. Cabinet assembly units of this invention are easily adjustable, so that they may easily be restocked and reconfigured. 
     Certain embodiments of systems of this invention may incorporate a time delay feature, which requires someone who wants to remove more than one product from a dispenser to wait for several seconds between removal of each product. Certain systems of this invention may also include a lockout feature, so that one only pusher assembly may be activated to dispense a product at one time. In addition, some embodiments of this invention may include a drop down door, keyed locks and other mechanisms that prevent access to the product storage portion of the system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a cabinet assembly of a theft deterrent system according to certain embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the assembly of  FIG. 1 , in a starting position before products, which are shown by broken lines, are dispensed. 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is an end view of the assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of one anti-theft module assembly according to certain embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded view of the module assembly of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of the module assembly of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of the lockout assembly of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of the front door assembly of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIGS. 12 and 13  are perspective views of the slide assemblies of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the right side door assembly of the module assembly of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a divider of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a pusher assembly of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 17  is a top view of the pusher assembly of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 18  is an exploded perspective view of the pusher assembly of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 19  is an end view of the pusher assembly of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the button of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 21  is a bottom view of the pusher assembly of  FIG. 16 , shown without the motor. 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the motor of the pushing device of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of the spring of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view of a pushing device according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 25  is a side view of the pushing device of  FIG. 24 . 
         FIG. 26  is a rear view of the pushing device of  FIG. 24 . 
         FIG. 27  is an enlarged detail view taken at A in  FIG. 24 . 
         FIG. 28  is a perspective view in partial cross-section of the pushing device of  FIG. 24 . 
         FIG. 29  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a pusher assembly of this invention. 
         FIG. 30  is an exploded perspective view of the pusher assembly of  FIG. 29 . 
         FIG. 31  is a side view of a portion of a cabinet assembly for use with the alternative embodiment of the pusher assembly shown in  FIG. 29 . 
         FIG. 32  is an enlarged detail view taken at B in  FIG. 31 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the invention will now be described more fully with reference to the drawings. 
     Theft deterrent systems of this invention include one or more cabinet assembly units for dispensing products and for deterring theft of products. Theft deterrent systems of this invention may be configured so that only one product per dispenser may be removed at a time and only when the product is at the front of the assembly. This requires someone who wants to remove more than one product from a dispenser to wait for several seconds between removal of each product, which has been found to be a substantial deterrence to product theft. 
     A theft deterrent system of this invention may include a cabinet assembly, which includes one or more dispenser modules. In certain embodiments as shown in the drawings, the cabinet assembly  50  includes four dispenser modules  52 . In other embodiments, cabinet assembly units may include various numbers of dispenser modules. As shown in  FIG. 2 , two dispenser modules  52  are separated from two additional dispenser modules  52  by a shelf  54 . Additional shelves  54  form the top and bottom of the cabinet assembly  50 . Shelves  54  may be fastened to the dispenser modules  52  using any suitable securing mechanism, such as a lock nut and truss head screw. 
     A cabinet assembly of this invention may be pre-manufactured and pre-assembled, obviating the need to use existing store shelves. As shown in  FIG. 2 , hangers  60  attached to the rear wall of cabinet assembly  50  may be used to install the cabinet assembly  50 . Hangers  60  are sized to fit into existing standard shelving backs. According to certain alternative embodiments, a cabinet assembly may include a single dispenser unit and may be formed to fit into existing shelving, or may be formed as a “free standing” unit. 
     A single dispenser module  52  is shown in detail in  FIGS. 7-9 . Dispenser module  52  includes a lockout assembly  62 , a door assembly  64 , side panel members  66 , and a plurality of pusher assembly units  68  which are separated by dividers  70  (also shown in  FIG. 15 ). The lockout assembly  62 , door assembly  64  and side panel members  66  may be joined using any suitable mechanical fastener, such as blind rivets  72 , as shown in the drawings. 
     As shown in exploded view in  FIG. 10 , lockout assembly  62  includes slide lock cover  74 , which is connected to front bottom member  76  using fasteners  77 . In this manner, slide lock cover  74  and front bottom member  76  enclose slide lock member  78 . Flange  80  on slide lock cover  74  projects into centering notch  82  on the slide lock member  78  so that slide lock member  78  is self-centering. Projections in centering notch  82  create a close tolerance fit and hold the slide lock member  78  in position. 
     Hinge components  86  on the front lockout door  88  connect with alternating hinge components  90  and  92  on each of the slide lock cover  74  and the front bottom member  76 . In this manner, front lockout door  88  is joined to both of the slide lock cover  74  and the front bottom member  76 . In some embodiments, all of the hinges are integrally formed on those components. Lockout door  88  may be closed over the row of actuators (further described below), so that no product is accessible without the assistance of store personnel. Directions of use may be printed on the inside surface  96  of the lockout door  88  to aid a user when the lockout door  88  is open. Alternatively, other pertinent information may be printed on the inside surface  96  of the lockout door  88 . 
     Each aperture  98  of front bottom member  76  is sized to receive a pin  100  that projects from a bottom surface of a pusher assembly unit  68  (further described below). Pin  100  passes through aperture  98  of front bottom member  76  and into channel  104  of the slide lock member  78 . When the actuator  98  is depressed, the pin  100  moves toward the back of the cabinet in the channel  104 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , channels  104  are shaped so that as a pin  100  is forced through a channel  104 , the slide lock member  78  shifts to one side, blocking access to any other channels  104 . Channels  104  vary in position and direction. Thus, only one pin  100  may be forced through any channel at a time. In this manner, only one pusher assembly unit  68  may be activated at a time. 
     A plurality of rear slots  106  of front bottom member  76  trap extended tabs (not shown) on the divider  70  and extended tabs  108  on the pusher assembly  68  ( FIG. 21 ), securing the dividers  70  and pusher assembly units  68  in position. The dispenser module may easily be reconfigured to accommodate a variety of sizes and quantities of pusher assembly units. This ensures that the optimum amount of shelf space is utilized, providing maximum density and profitability to the retailer. 
     Door assembly  64 , shown in exploded view in  FIG. 11 , includes a front panel  110 , a main door member  112  having two side plates  114 , an upper door  116 , a front lower  118 , a top cover  120 , and two slide assembly components  122  (shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 ). Preferably, at least main door member  112 , upper door  116 , front lower  118  and front panel  110  are clear, so that the encased products can be viewed easily by purchasers. According to certain embodiments, components are constructed of a clear plastic or other material to allow viewing of the product and to take advantage of its lightweight, yet shatterproof properties. Preferably, the components are made of polycarbonate. 
     Certain embodiments of the theft deterrent system of this invention may be easily reconfigured and/or restocked by unlocking the front panel  110  of the door assembly  64 . Keyed locks  124  are mounted in front panel  110 . Arm  125  of lock  124  engages slot  126  of side plate  114  when in a locked position. Hinge components  128 ,  130  on each of the front panel  110  and the main door  112  are integrally formed on those components and join the two components together. In this manner, the front panel  110  easily swings downward to a fully open position to provide access to the modules when unlocked. 
     Slide assembly components  122 , shown in  FIGS. 12-13 , provide the unit with a “drawer-like” capability. Slide assembly components  122  may be attached to side panel members  66  using any suitable mechanism. In certain embodiments, and as shown in the drawings, tabs  132  of side panels  66  secure slotted rails  134  of each slide assembly  122  to each of side panel members  66 . In addition, slide assembly components  122  are attached to top cover  120  using any suitable fastener and are attached to the lockout assembly  62  at the front bottom region using one or more fastening rivets. Outer wall  136  of each slide assembly component  122  fits against an extension  138  on each side panel member  66  so that each outer wall  136  and side panel member  66  form a side of the cabinet assembly  50  ( FIG. 7 ). Top cover  120  is attached to outer wall  136  using fasteners  139 . 
     Slotted rails  134  of slide assembly components  122  slide in travel way  140  of side panel members  66  (shown in  FIGS. 8 and 14 ). Vertical locking tabs  142  attached to side panel members  66  are each perforated by a slot  146  which receives a post  147  of side panel member  66  and which allows vertical locking tabs  142  to slide vertically along the length of slot  146 . In order to slide out the door assembly  64  to reconfigure the dispenser module, vertical locking tabs  142  slide up and out of notch  144  in slotted rail  134  and out of travel way  140  so that the door assembly  64  may slide out of the cabinet. 
     Horizontal locking tabs  148  attached to side panel members  66  provide an additional lockout feature. Horizontal tabs  148  are perforated by a slot  150  which receives post  152  of side panel member  66  and allows horizontal tabs to slide forward and backward along the length of the slot  150 . Sliding horizontal tabs  148  forward moves notch  154  of horizontal tab  148  over post  156  ( FIG. 11 ) attached to side plate  114 . Post  156  also secures one end of spring  158 , further described below. Notch  154  traps post  156 , preventing movement of side plate  114  so that door assembly  64  is locked in a closed position. In this manner, access to actuators  160  (further described below) is restricted. 
     Main door member  112  includes a bottom  162  and two side plates  114 . Each side plate  114  is perforated by a slot  126 , which receives arm  125  of lock member  124 , described above. Each side plate  114  is also perforated by a Y-shaped opening  164  and a curved opening  166 , each of which receives one of two pins of upper door  116 . First pins  168  of upper door  116  fit into the upper section of the Y-shaped opening  164 , while second pins  169  of upper door  170  are received in curved opening  166 . 
     As described above, main door member  112  and front panel  110  are joined by integral hinges  128 ,  130 . As also described above, when the front panel  110  is locked, front panel  110  is secured to main door member  112  and cannot rotate to open on hinge components  128 ,  130 . Thus, when locked, front panel  110  and main door member  112  function and move as a single component. Pulling on handle  172  of front panel  110  causes front panel  110  and main door  112  to pivot open about hinge post  173 . First, pins  168  of upper door  116  drop down in the Y-shaped opening  164  and second pins  169  move through the curved opening  166  until the one or both of the pins reach the end point of the either opening. In this manner, the end points of the openings function as a stop preventing the front panel  110  from being fully extended in a forward direction and also limiting the travel of the front panel  110  and the main door  112 . Post  175  on side plate  114  provides a point about which downwardly extending sides  177  of upper door  116  rotate when the front panel and main door are opened. Blind rivet  179  is received in a tab (not shown) of top cover  120  and prevents upper door  116  from dislodging during use. 
     Gear teeth  174  on top curved surface  176  of the side plates  114  engage damper  178 . One damper  178  is housed in each damper housing  180  on each slide assembly component  122 . Door spring  158  urges the door assembly to a closed position. One end of each door spring  158  is attached to a post (not shown) on each slide assembly component  122  and the remaining end is attached to a post  156  on each side plate  114 . In this manner, the dampers  178  prevent the front panel  110  and the main door  112  from slamming shut and also prevent any dispensed product from jamming the unit before it is removed from the product dispensing area. 
     In certain embodiments and as shown in the figures, each end of the front lower  118  is attached to slide assembly components  122  using blind rivets  119 , but may be attached by any suitable means. Front lower  118  is positioned just above the buttons of the pusher assembly units, further described below, and maintains the position of the modules when the slide assembly is closed. 
     Within each dispenser module is at least one pusher assembly unit  68  for advancing product, shown in  FIGS. 16-19 . The pusher assembly  68  includes a track  184  on which products are placed. The products are held in place and pushed forward by a pushing ram  188 , which is held in tension by constant force spring  190  ( FIG. 23 ). The pushing ram  188  keeps the next product to be dispensed against front lip  192 . Thus, as a first product is removed from the shelf unit, the products located behind the one that was removed must move forward. 
     Pushing ram  188  includes a front surface  194  for engaging product and a rear surface  196 . According to embodiments, the pushing ram  188  is rectangular plate, although other suitable shapes and geometries may also be used. Pushing ram  188  includes gusset  198  (shown in  FIG. 19 ), reinforcing pushing ram  188  and providing a housing for spring  190  (further described below). As shown in  FIG. 19 , extension  202  extends beyond the bottom portion  204  of pushing ram  188 . In this manner, extension  202  engages lip  192  of track  184 , so that pushing ram  188  is in sliding engagement with track  184 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 17 , spring  190  extends under the pushing ram  188 , along track  184 , and passes through front opening  206  in the track  184 . End  208  of spring  190  includes aperture  210  that engages post  212  that projects downward from the bottom surface of the track  184 . Spring  190  may also be attached to pusher assembly unit  68  in any other suitable manner. Movement of the pushing ram  188  toward the rear of the track  184  unwinds spring  190  so that spring  190  urges pushing ram  188  in the forward direction. The spring may preferably be a constant force spring, such as those sold under the trademark Conforce®, but many other types of springs, such as a variable force spring, may also be used. In certain embodiments, the spring is a stainless steel VULCAN PN# GP5D13AD spring that is 0.0050 inches thick by 0.250 inches wide by 13 inches long. The minimum force is 0.32 pounds and the maximum force is 0.80 pounds. Any other suitable spring may also be used. 
     Products can be loaded in pushing assembly unit  68  by forcing pushing ram  188  backwards along track  184  and placing multiple units of the product against the pushing ram  188 . As described above, spring  190  causes the pushing ram  188  to exert force on the products towards the front of the track  184 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 18 and 21 , lifter slide  214  includes a central channel  216  having side walls  218 . A gear rack  220  having exposed gear teeth  222  is attached to one of side walls  218  along central channel  216  so that gear teeth  222  project into channel  216  and engage external gear  224  of the motor  226 , as further described below. It should be understood that the gear teeth may be positioned in various other manners along the track  184  or lifter slide  214  and maintain the functionality of the pushing assembly. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 17-18  and  21 , motor  226  is housed in cavity  228  on the bottom side  230  of lifter slide  214 . Motor  226  includes a housing  232  and an external gear  224  ( FIG. 22 ) and is positioned in cavity  228  so that external gear  224  extend up into channel  216  of lifter slide  214  and engage gear teeth  222 . According to certain embodiments, one such motor is a resistance motor, such as the resistance motor Model #w217 sold by Vigor, although other types of motors may also be used. 
     Each pusher assembly unit  68  includes a product dispensing actuator, such as a button, lever or knob. According to certain embodiments and as shown in the Figures, the actuator is a mechanical button  234 . A user pushes the button  234  to release a product. Button  234  includes slot  236  through which a post and snap member  238  of lifter slide  214 , or any other suitable attachment mechanism, passes. In this manner, button  234  is connected to lifter slide  214  and button  234  slides freely along the length of the slot  236 . 
     When button  234  is depressed and thereby moved in a rearward direction, stop  242  of button  234  contacts the forward edge  244  of ramp  246  of lifter slide  214 , pushing lifter slide  214  in a rearward direction. As shown in  FIG. 21 , lifter slide  214  is perforated by a slot  245  through which assembly screw  247  passes, allowing lifter slide  214  to move along the length of slot  245 . Assembly screw  247  is threaded to a post (not shown) in track  184 , thereby connecting lifter slide  214  and track  184 . 
     Continued depression of button  234  extends lifter springs  248 , which are secured to the bottom of the lifter slide  214  and to the track  184 . One end  252  of each spring  248  is attached to a hook  250  on track  184 , while the second end  254  of each spring  248  is attached to a hook  256  on lifter slide  214 , as shown in  FIG. 21 . In this manner, springs  248  urge lifter slide  214  in a forward direction. It should be noted that pulling on button  234  does not substantially speed up travel of lifter slide  214  to its forward most position, preventing a user from speeding up the time delay feature manually. 
     Depressing the button  234  forces the lifter slide  214  in a rearward direction so that the lifter  258  is forced to slide up ramp  246  and through track opening  260 . Lifter  258  lifts the next product held against lip  192  by pushing ram  188 . Because of the tension in the spring  190 , pushing ram  188  pushes the lifted product forward over the lip  192  and into the product dispensing area. The user then opens the front panel  110  to remove the product. As described above, opening front panel  110  causes the upper door  116  to drop down and meet main door  112 , blocking access to the next product. In this manner, no other products are accessible to the user. 
     As one product is removed, the force of the spring  190  causes the pushing ram  188  to move forward along the track  184  until the first of the remaining products contact the lifter  258 . As the lifter slide  214  returns to its forward most position, the lifter  258  retracts causing the pushing ram  188  to advance the first product until the product contacts the lip  192  and is positioned above the lifter. 
     The resistance motor  226  substantially reduces the speed at which the lifter slide  214  returns to its forward position. The internal gears of the resistance motor are preferably configured to provide resistance to the forward movement by limiting the rotation of the external gear  224 . Because the external gear  224  engages gear teeth  222  of gear rack  220  and the external gear rotation is limited, the movement of the lifter slide  214  toward button  234  is substantially slowed. 
     In certain alternative embodiments of a pusher assembly of this invention, shown in  FIGS. 24-28 , the pusher assembly  270  comprises a pushing ram  272 , a track  274 , and a motor  278 . Pushing ram  272  engages product (not shown) and pushes product forward. As shown in  FIGS. 25 and 28 , pushing ram  272  includes a front surface  280  for engaging product and a rear surface  282 . Pushing ram  272  includes gusset  284  (shown in  FIG. 25 ), reinforcing pushing ram  272  and providing a housing for spring  286  (further described below). 
     As shown in  FIG. 26  and similar to the embodiments described above, extension  288  of pushing ram  272  extends beyond the bottom portion of pushing ram  272 . In this manner, extension  288  engages lip  292  of track  274 , so that pushing ram  272  is in sliding engagement with track  274 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 27 , track  274  includes a central channel  290  having side walls. Exposed gear teeth  294  on a side wall of the central channel  290  project into channel  290  and engage external gear of the motor  278 . It should be understood that the gear teeth may be positioned in various other manners along the track and maintain the functionality of the pushing assembly. Motor  278  is attached to pushing ram  272  and includes a housing and an external gear  298 . Motor  278  is positioned on pushing ram  272  so that external gear  298  extend into channel  290  of track  274  and engage gear teeth  294 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 28 , spring  286  extends through a small slot  300  and an aperture in the end of the spring  286  engages a post  304  on the track  274 . Spring  286  may also be attached to pusher assembly in any other suitable manner. Movement of pushing ram  272  toward the back end of the track  274  unwinds spring  286  so that spring  286  urges pushing ram  272  in the forward direction. The spring may preferably be a constant force spring, such as those sold under the trademark Conforce®, but many other types of springs, such as a variable force spring, may also be used. 
     Product can be loaded into the pusher assembly  270  by forcing pushing ram  272  backwards along track  274  and placing multiple units of the product against the pushing ram  272 . A lip or wall may be located at the front of the display device so that the multiple units of product are located between the pushing ram and the lip. As described above, spring  286  causes the pushing ram  272  to exert force on the products towards the front of the track  274 . Resistance motor preferably allows pushing ram to be forced backwards freely for loading of the product. 
     As one product is selected from the front of the pusher assembly  270 , the compression of the spring  286  causes pushing ram  272  to move forward and the external gear  298  to rotate along gear teeth  294 . This in turn causes the remaining product to move forward along track  274  until the remaining products engage the front lip  292 . Resistance motor  278 , however, substantially reduces the speed of this forward progression. The internal gears of the resistance motor are preferably configured to provide resistance to the forward movement by limiting the rotation of the external gear. Because the external gear engage the gear teeth of the track and the external gear rotation is limited, the movement of the pushing ram and therefore the remaining product to the front of the track is substantially slowed. 
     In other alternative embodiments, for example as shown in  FIGS. 29-32 , the time delay feature is associated with the button and the door assembly, and no motor is used. As shown in the Figures, pusher assembly  310  has button  312  including tab  314 . When the button is depressed, the tab  314  is depressed under locking rib  316  on main door  318  (shown in  FIGS. 31 and 32 ). Tab  314  is forced downward and passes under locking rib  316 , but springs back up on the rear side of locking rib  316 , so that button  312  is locked in a depressed position. When front panel  320  and main door  318  are opened to remove a product, locking rib  316  is raised up, releasing tab  314  and allowing button  312  to return to a ready-to-dispense position. Pusher assembly  310  also includes a pushing ram  322 , pin  325  and spring  324  attached to a track  326 , a lifter slide  328  and lifter  329 , all of which function as described above for the embodiment shown in  FIG. 18 . Spring  331  functions similar to springs  248  described above to return the lifter slide to the ready to dispense position. 
     Certain embodiments of the anti-theft system may include a sound to alert store employees that a product is being dispensed. The system preferably includes means for producing a clearly audible sound. For example, the system may include a clicker for providing an audible clicking sound. The clicker may be incorporated into a spring so that the sound is heard when the spring is recoiled after engaging the actuator. As shown in  FIG. 12 , arm  340  of clicker  342  engages gear teeth  174  of a side plate  114  when the front panel  110  and main door  112  are opened, causing a clicking sound as the arm  340  passes over each of the gear teeth  174 . Stop post  344  blocks downward movement of rear arm  346  so that arm  340  is trapped against the gear teeth  174  while the door is being opened. 
     In other embodiments, the sound producing mechanism may be incorporated into the resistance motor and may produce a ratchet sound. In other embodiments, the system can include an audible beeping sound. For example, engaging the actuator may activate an electronically produced beeping sound or an audible message when a product is dispensed. The audible sound alerts persons in the vicinity that a product is in the position to be removed. This may attract the attention of a store clerk or others and deter thieves or the removal of multiple product units. 
     In certain embodiments and as shown in  FIG. 10 , switch  330  and cover  332 , interact with the notch of the slide lock, allowing the switch to open and close, sending a signal via a transmitter (not shown) to a PA system. An audible tone then alerts store personnel that the cabinet is being accessed. In another embodiment, an additional switch is provided which is triggered if the front door is opened too long. In one embodiment, a transmitter unit is triggered by opening the dispenser module. The transmitter then transmits a signal to a receiver that may or may not be remotely located. 
     The foregoing description is provided for describing various embodiments and structures relating to the invention. Various modifications, additions and deletions may be made to these embodiments and/or structures without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.