Patent Publication Number: US-2018027993-A1

Title: Secure merchandise display/storage container

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/367,462, filed Jul. 27, 2016, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof. 
    
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to merchandise display and storage containers, and more specifically to secure merchandise display and storage containers with locking security doors. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Merchandise display and storage containers are well known in the art. Traditionally, merchandise display/storage systems and containers are located inside a retail establishment, such as inside a grocery store or a gas station mini-mart. While such merchandise display systems according to the prior art provide a number of advantages, they nevertheless have certain limitations. For example, the storage containers typically do not have locks or security features as off-hours security of the merchandise inside the storage container is typically provided by locking exterior doors of the building to prevent access to anything within the building. The present invention seeks to overcome certain of these limitations and other drawbacks of the prior art, and to provide new features not heretofore available. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the present invention is deferred to the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one embodiment, the disclosed subject technology relates to a secure merchandise display/storage container. 
     The disclosed subject technology further relates to a merchandise display and storage container, comprising: a first side wall; a second side wall opposing the first side wall; a rear wall connected to the first side wall and the second side wall; a first top wall portion secured to the first side wall, the second side wall and the rear wall, wherein a front of the first top wall portion is distal a front of the first side wall and the second side wall; a second top wall portion having a front and a rear, the rear of the second top wall portion being hingedly connected to the front of the first top wall portion, the second top wall portion being pivotable between an open position and a closed position; a first upper door track connected to an exterior of the first side wall, wherein the first upper door track has a sliding surface and a transverse retaining surface, and where the first upper door track has a slot extending about a length of the sliding surface; a first lower door track connected to an exterior of the first side wall, wherein the first lower door track has a sliding surface and a transverse retaining surface, and where the first lower door track has a slot extending about a length of the sliding surface; a second upper door track connected to an exterior of the second side wall, wherein the second upper door track has a sliding surface and a transverse retaining surface, and where the second upper door track has a slot extending about a length of the sliding surface; a second lower door track connected to an exterior of the second side wall, wherein the second lower door track has a sliding surface and a transverse retaining surface, and where the second lower door track has a slot extending about a length of the sliding surface; a first door having a first pin extending from a top thereof and through the slot in the first upper door track, the first door further having a second pin extending from a bottom thereof and through the slot in the first lower door track, wherein the first door is positionable substantially parallel and adjacent to the first side wall in the first or open position, the first door being slidingly moveable about the first upper door track and the first lower door track to be positioned exterior and substantially parallel to the first side wall, the first door further being pivotable about the first upper and lower door tracks to be positioned substantially parallel to the rear wall in a closed position; a second door having a first pin extending from a top thereof and through the slot in the second upper door track, the second door further having a second pin extending from a bottom thereof and through the slot in the second lower door track, wherein the second door is positionable substantially parallel and adjacent to the second side wall in the first or open position, the second door being slidingly moveable about the second upper door track and the second lower door track to be positioned exterior and substantially parallel to the second side wall, the second door further being pivotable about the second upper and lower door tracks to be positioned substantially parallel to the rear wall in a closed position; and, wherein when the first door is in its closed position and the second door is in its closed position, the first door can be secured to the second door, and the second top wall portion can be secured over the first door and the second door. 
     The disclosed subject technology further relates to a merchandise display and storage container, comprising: a first side wall; a second side wall opposing the first side wall; a rear wall connected to the first side wall and the second side wall; a first top wall portion secured to the first side wall, the second side wall and the rear wall, wherein a front of the first top wall portion is distal a front of the first side wall and the second side wall; a second top wall portion having a front and a rear, the rear of the second top wall portion being hingedly connected to the front of the first top wall portion, the second top wall portion being pivotable between an open position and a closed position, the second top wall portion being transverse to the first top wall portion in the open position; a first upper door track connected to an exterior of the first side wall; a first lower door track connected to an exterior of the first side wall; a second upper door track connected to an exterior of the second side wall; a second lower door track connected to an exterior of the second side wall; a first door slidingly and pivotally connected to the first upper door track and the first lower door track, wherein the first door is moveable from a first position parallel to and adjacent the first side wall to a second position transverse to the first side wall; a second door slidingly and pivotally connected to the second upper door track and the second lower door track, wherein the second door is moveable from a first position parallel to and adjacent the second side wall to a second position transverse to the second side wall; and, wherein when the first door is in its second position and the second door is in its second position, the first door can be secured to the second door, and the second top wall portion can be secured over the first door and the second door when the second top wall portion is in the closed position. 
     The disclosed subject technology further relates to a merchandise display and storage container, comprising: a first side wall; a second side wall opposing the first side wall; a rear wall connected to the first side wall and the second side wall; a top wall secured to the first side wall, the second side wall and the rear wall; a first upper door track connected to an exterior of the first side wall adjacent a top of the first side wall, wherein the first upper door track has a sliding surface and a transverse retaining surface, and where the first upper door track has a slot extending about a length of the sliding surface; a first guard above a first end of the slot in the first upper door track; a first lower door track connected to an exterior of the first side wall adjacent a bottom of the first side wall, wherein the first lower door track has a sliding surface and a transverse retaining surface, and where the first lower door track has a slot extending about a length of the sliding surface; a second guard above a first end of the slot in the second upper door track; a second upper door track connected to an exterior of the second side wall adjacent a top of the second side wall, wherein the second upper door track has a sliding surface and a transverse retaining surface, and where the second upper door track has a slot extending about a length of the sliding surface; a second lower door track connected to an exterior of the second side wall adjacent a bottom of the second side wall, wherein the second lower door track has a sliding surface and a transverse retaining surface, and where the second lower door track has a slot extending about a length of the sliding surface; a first door having a first pin extending from a top thereof and through the slot in the first upper door track, the first door further having a second pin extending from a bottom thereof and through the slot in the first lower door track, wherein the first door is positionable substantially parallel and adjacent to the first side wall in the first or open position, the first door being slidingly moveable about the first upper door track and the first lower door track to be positioned exterior and substantially parallel to the first side wall, the first door further being pivotable about the first upper and lower door tracks to be positioned substantially parallel to the rear wall in a closed position; a second door having a first pin extending from a top thereof and through the slot in the second upper door track, the second door further having a second pin extending from a bottom thereof and through the slot in the second lower door track, wherein the second door is positionable substantially parallel and adjacent to the second side wall in the first or open position, the second door being slidingly moveable about the second upper door track and the second lower door track to be positioned exterior and substantially parallel to the second side wall, the second door further being pivotable about the second upper and lower door tracks to be positioned substantially parallel to the rear wall in a closed position; and, wherein when the first door is in its closed position and the second door is in its closed position, the first door can be secured to the second door. 
     The disclosed subject technology further relates to a merchandise display and storage container wherein the first upper door track further comprises a vertical member extending from the sliding surface opposite the transverse retaining wall and a top member extending from the transverse retaining wall, wherein the second upper door track further comprises a vertical member extending from the sliding surface opposite the transverse retaining wall and a top member extending from the transverse retaining wall, wherein the first upper door track is secured to the first side wall at the top member of the first upper door track, and wherein the second upper door track is secured to the second side wall at the top member of the second upper door track. 
     The disclosed subject technology further relates to a merchandise display and storage container having a first guard above a first end of the slot in the first upper door track, and a second guard above a first end of the slot in the second upper door track. 
     The disclosed subject technology further relates to a merchandise display and storage container having a first bracket connected to the first top wall portion adjacent the first wall and a second bracket connected to the first top wall portion adjacent the second wall, the first and second brackets assisting in retaining the second top wall portion in the open position. 
     The disclosed subject technology further relates to a merchandise display and storage container wherein the first upper door track has a slot extending about a length of the first upper door track, wherein the first lower door track has a slot extending about a length of the first lower door track, wherein the second upper door track has a slot extending about a length of the second upper door track, and wherein the second lower door track has a slot extending about a length of the second lower door track. 
     The disclosed subject technology further relates to a merchandise display and storage container wherein the first door has a first pin extending from a top thereof and through the slot in the first upper door track, wherein the first door further has a second pin extending from a bottom thereof and through the slot in the first lower door track, and wherein the first door is slidingly moveable about the first upper and lower door tracks to be positioned exterior of the first side wall, the first door further being pivotable about the first upper and lower door tracks to be positioned substantially parallel to the rear wall in a closed position. 
     The disclosed subject technology further relates to a merchandise display and storage container wherein the second door has a first pin extending from a top thereof and through the slot in the second upper door track, wherein the second door further has a second pin extending from a bottom thereof and through the slot in the second lower door track, and wherein the second door is slidingly moveable about the second upper and lower door tracks to be positioned exterior of the second side wall, the second door further being pivotable about the second upper and lower door tracks to be positioned substantially parallel to the rear wall in a closed position. 
     The disclosed subject technology further relates to a merchandise display and storage container wherein the first upper door track and the first lower door track have a sliding surface and a transverse retaining wall to form a pocket for the first door, and wherein the second upper door track and the second lower door track have a sliding surface and a transverse retaining wall to form a pocket for the second door. 
     The disclosed subject technology further relates to a merchandise display and storage container having separate sliding members connected, respectively, to a bottom of the first door and a bottom of the second door. 
     The disclosed subject technology further relates to a merchandise display and storage container having separate sliding members connected, respectively, to a top of the first door and a top of the second door. 
     The disclosed subject technology further relates to a merchandise display and storage container having front and rear support legs connected to the first side wall, and front and rear support legs connected to the second side wall. 
     The disclosed subject technology further relates to a merchandise display and storage container wherein a length of the support legs extending from the first side wall and second side wall is separately adjustable. 
     The disclosed subject technology further relates to a merchandise display and storage container wherein the first upper door track further comprises a vertical member extending from the sliding surface opposite the transverse retaining wall of the first upper door track and a top member extending from the transverse retaining wall of the first upper door track, wherein the first upper door track is secured to the first side wall at the top member of the first upper door track, and wherein the second upper door track further comprises a vertical member extending from the sliding surface opposite the transverse retaining wall of the second upper door track and a top member extending from the transverse retaining wall of the second upper door track, wherein the second upper door track is secured to the second side wall at the top member of the second upper door track. 
     It is understood that other embodiments and configurations of the subject technology will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein various configurations of the subject technology are shown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, the subject technology is capable of other and different configurations and its several details are capable of modification in various other respects, all without departing from the scope of the subject technology. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example only, not by way of limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one or more embodiments of a merchandise display/storage container with the doors in the open position. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the merchandise display/storage container of  FIG. 1  with the doors transitioning to the closed position. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the merchandise display/storage container of  FIG. 1  with the doors transitioning to the closed position. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the merchandise display/storage container of  FIG. 1  with the doors in the closed/locked position. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the merchandise display/storage container of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the foot area of the merchandise display/storage container of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a partial perspective view of a portion of the pivot/slide mechanism of the merchandise display/storage container of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the pivot/slide mechanism of the merchandise display/storage container of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a merchandise display/storage container with a cart. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a merchandise display/storage container displaying product on a pallet, with the doors in the open position. 
         FIG. 11  is a partial perspective view of the stop for the top panel of the merchandise display/storage container of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the merchandise display/storage container of  FIG. 10  with the doors transitioning to the closed position. 
         FIG. 13  is a top view of the merchandise display/storage container of  FIG. 10  with the doors transitioning to the closed position. 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of the merchandise display/storage container of  FIG. 10 , with the doors in the closed position, but with the top panel in the open position. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the merchandise display/storage container of  FIG. 10  with the doors and top panel in the closed/locked position. 
         FIG. 16  is an exploded perspective view of the merchandise display/storage container of  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While the secure merchandise display and storage container is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the merchandise display and storage container and is not intended to limit the broad aspects of the disclosure to the embodiments illustrated. 
     Referring now to the figures, and specifically to  FIGS. 1-9 , there is shown a merchandise display and storage container  100  generally comprising a housing  110  or enclosure  110  having a first side wall  112 , a second side wall  114 , a top wall  116 , a rear wall  118 , a first door  120  and a second door  122 . The housing  110  may be configured to support one or more shelves  124  for storing and/or displaying merchandise. For example, the merchandise display container  100  may retain product for sale to customers, where some of the product is stored and displayed on the shelf  124  for easy viewing and removal by the customer. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the housing  110  may also include a moveable cart assembly  126  for supporting additional product. Finally, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the housing  110  preferably includes support legs  128  that may be configured to raise the housing  110  above the surface (e.g., ground, asphalt, cement, etc.) upon which the merchandise display container  100  is standing, as well as to secure the housing  110  to the surface. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 5 , in one embodiment, the rear wall  118  of the housing  110  comprises an outer frame  130  and an inner wall  132  connected to the outer frame  130 . In a preferred embodiment the outer frame  130  may be a weldment made of square steel tubing  134  at the top and bottom, and angle bars  136  at the sides. Further, the inner wall  132  may be a steel grid  138 , made for example with 8 gauge steel wire in a cross grid configuration. The grid configuration allows a consumer to see what is stored in the interior  140  of the housing  110  while still providing protection to the product therein and precluding access to the interior  140  of the housing  110 . However, alternate components/structures may be used for the outer frame and inner wall. 
     Referring also to  FIG. 5 , in one embodiment, the top wall  116  of the housing  110  similarly comprises an outer frame  142  and an inner wall  144  connected to the outer frame  142 . In a preferred embodiment the outer frame  142  may be a weldment made of three angle bars  146  at the sides and rear, and a z-shaped bar  148  at the front with a notch  150  in the lower lip of the z-shaped bar  148 . Further, the inner wall  144  may be a steel grid  152 , made for example with 8 gauge steel wire in a cross grid configuration. However, alternate components/structures may be used for the outer frame and inner wall. 
     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the first side wall  112  and second side wall  114  are mirror images of each other. The side walls  112 ,  114  are preferably made of an outer frame  154  and an inner wall  156  connected to the outer frame  154 . In a preferred embodiment, the outer frame  154  may be a weldment made of square tubing  158  at the sides and angle bar  160  at the top and bottom. Further, an upper door track  162  and a lower door track  164  are also provided for supporting the doors  120 ,  122 . The inner wall  156  may be a steel grid  166 , made for example with 8 gauge steel wire in a cross grid configuration. 
     As shown best in  FIGS. 5-7 , in one embodiment the upper door track  162  is a complex angle member comprising a sliding surface  168  and a transverse retaining wall  170 . In various embodiments the upper door track  162  may also comprise a top member  172  for the side wall  112 ,  114  and a vertical member  173  connecting the top member  172  and the sliding surface  168 . The sliding surface  168  preferably has a slot  174  for allowing the door  120 ,  122  to slide in and out for closing and opening the housing  110 . Additionally, as described herein, the upper door track  162  also comprises a guard  176  to prevent access to the bolt securing the door  120 ,  122  to the upper door track  162  of the side walls  112 ,  114 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the lower door track  164  may similarly be made of a complex angle member comprising a sliding surface  178  and a transverse retaining wall  180 . In various embodiments the lower door track  164  may also comprise a lower member, that operates as a bottom member for the side wall  112 ,  114 , and a vertical member  184  connecting the lower member and the sliding surface  178 . In one embodiment the lower door track  164  has cutouts for the tubular side members  158 . Additionally, the lower door track  164  may similarly have a guard  179  to prevent access to the bolt securing the door  120 ,  122  to the lower door track  164  of the side walls  112 ,  114 . Further, in one embodiment, the lower member  182  of the lower door track  164  may have a slot that resides in the inside of the housing  110  when assembled. Finally, the sliding surface  178  preferably has a slot  188 , mirroring the slot  174  in the upper door track  162 , for allowing the door  120 ,  122  to slide in and out for closing and opening the housing  110 . 
     In one embodiment, the first and second doors  120 ,  122  are identical components, and therefore are interchangeable merely by flipping the doors over for the correct orientation as the left/first or right/second door. Each door  120 ,  122  preferably comprises an outer frame  190  and an inner wall  192  connected to the outer frame  190 . In a preferred embodiment, the outer frame  190  may be a weldment made of angle bars at the top  194  and bottom  196 , another angle bar at the interior side  198 , and a tubular member or u-shaped bar member at the exterior side  200  of the outer frame  190 . The inner wall  192  may be a steel grid  202 , made for example, with 8 gauge steel wire in a cross grid configuration and welded to the outer frame  190 . As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , the doors  120 ,  122  also preferably have door glides  204  on the outer surfaces of the top member  194  and bottom member  196  to assist in sliding the doors  120 ,  122  on the sliding surfaces of the upper and lower door tracks  162 ,  164 . In one embodiment, the door glides  204  are made of a plastic, nylon, or other bearing material, such as Teflon or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. 
     The first and second doors  120 ,  122 , as shown in  FIGS. 5, 7 and 8 , in one embodiment also have gliding members  210  that slide in the slots  174 ,  188  in the upper door track  162  and lower door track  164 , respectively. The gliding members  210  connect the doors  120 ,  122  to the side walls  112 ,  114  at the upper door track  162  and lower door track  164  thereof, respectively, in both the open configuration of  FIG. 1  and the closed/locked configuration of  FIG. 4 . In one embodiment, the gliding members  210  comprise a fastener  212 , such as a bolt, a shoulder bushing  214  around the fastener  212 , a first spacer  216  such as a nylon washer, a second spacer  218  such as a nylon washer, and a retainer  220  such as a locking nut. As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the fastener  212  is inserted into the shoulder bushing  214 , and the two spacers  216 ,  218  are fitted around/on the shoulder bushing  214 . Typically, the flange of the shoulder bushing  214  and the first spacer  216  will reside on the outside/exterior of the upper door track  162  and lower door track  164 , respectively, and the second spacer  218  will reside between the upper door track  162 /lower door track  164  and the door glides  204  on the doors  120 ,  122 . The retainers  220  for the gliding members  210  fixedly secure the gliding members  210  to the doors  120 ,  122  and slidingly secure the doors  120 ,  122  to the side walls  112 ,  114  at the top and bottom of the doors  120 ,  122 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the doors  120 ,  122  are disposed on the front of the housing  110  and are configured to open to provide access to the inside of the merchandise display container  100 . For example, as explained above, the doors  120 ,  122  are preferably rotatably/pivotally and slidably connected to the side walls  112 ,  114 . Accordingly, in one embodiment the first and second doors  120 ,  122  are security doors. In the open configuration of  FIG. 1 , the doors  120 ,  122  are retained against the side walls  112 ,  114  and within the respective upper and lower door tracks  162 ,  164 . To close the doors  120 ,  122  for securing the contents within the container  100 , the doors  120 ,  122  may be slid forward toward the front of the housing  110  as shown in  FIG. 2 . This configuration is an intermediate orientation between closed and open doors. From the intermediate position shown in  FIG. 2 , the doors  120 ,  122  may be slidingly pushed into the door tracks  162 ,  164  to provide full access to the contents of the container  100  during business hours, or the doors  120 ,  122  may be pivoted, as shown in  FIG. 3 , to a closed position, as shown in  FIG. 4 , where the doors  120 ,  122  close access to the cavity of the container  100 , after which the doors may be secured or locked (e.g., padlock, key lock) in place to prevent access to the products within the merchandise display/storage container  100  during hours the establishment is closed. When the doors are pulled out to the intermediate position the gliding members  210  come in contact with the front of the slot  174 , and the doors  120 ,  122  are then ready to be pivotally closed. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the pivoting connection of the doors  120 ,  122  provides for the doors  120 ,  122  to pivot into a closed or fully secured position and then locked to the opposing door, as shown in  FIG. 4 , thus securing the products within the merchandise display container  100 . The doors  120 ,  122  also have tabs  230  secured, such as by welding or via fasteners, to the interior side  198  or the outer frame  190  of the doors  120 ,  122 . To secure the doors  120 ,  122  and lock the housing  110  to protect the contents in the housing  110 , opposing tabs  230  on the doors  120 ,  122  are secured together with locks as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     The first side wall  112 , second side wall  114 , top wall  116  and rear wall  118  are secured together to form the housing  110 . Additionally, the support legs  128  are connected to the housing  110 . In one embodiment the tubing  158  forming the sidewalls of the outer frame  154  of the side walls  112 ,  114  has a threaded female receiver to mate with a threaded rod  129  extending from the support leg  128 . In an alternate embodiment, not shown, the tubing  158  has apertures through the walls of the tubing  158 , and a vertical extension from the support legs  128  extends into the tubing and is pined in place. Further, the pads of the legs  128  can also be secured to the ground structure on which they sit. 
     The container  100  may also have various signage connected to the doors, side walls, and top of the container  100 . Further, side panels, which may be for security or signage purposes, may be connected to the appropriate walls of the housing  110 . 
     An alternate embodiment of the storage container  300  is shown in  FIGS. 10-16 . This embodiment is preferably used for larger items, including items that are on pallets, as this storage container is especially well suited for inserting pallets into the container  300 . Like components in this embodiment have a common numbering structure to similar components in the prior embodiments. For example, the first sidewall in this embodiment is identified with reference number  312 , whereas the first sidewall in the prior embodiment is identified with reference number  112 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10-16 , the merchandise display and storage container  300  generally comprises a housing  310  or enclosure  310  having a first side wall  312 , a second side wall  314 , a first top wall  316  portion that is secured in place, a hinged second top wall portion  317 , a rear wall  318 , a first door  320  and a second door  322 . While the housing  310  may be configured to support one or more shelves for storing and/or displaying merchandise, because this container  300  typically holds pallets of items, shelving is generally not used with this container  300 . The housing  310  also preferably includes support legs  328  that may be configured to raise the housing  310  above the surface (e.g., ground, asphalt, cement, etc.) upon which the merchandise display container  300  is standing, as shown in the figures, as well as to secure the housing  310  to the surface. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 11 and 14-16 , in one embodiment, the rear wall  318  of the housing  310  comprises an outer frame  330  and an inner wall  332  connected to the outer frame  330 . In a preferred embodiment the outer frame  330  may be a weldment made of square steel tubing  334  at the top and bottom, and angle bars  336  at the sides. Further, the inner wall  332  may be a steel grid  338 , made for example with 8 gauge steel wire in a cross grid configuration. The grid configuration allows a consumer to see what is stored in the interior  340  of the housing  310  while still providing protection to the product therein and precluding access to the interior  340  of the housing  310 . In an alternate embodiment, where the rear wall  318  is larger, as shown in  FIGS. 16 and 21-22 , the outer frame  330  may also include a central support  335 , such as a u-tube or a pair of angle brackets welded to the top and bottom members  334 , and the inner wall  332  may be provided between the top and bottom members  334 , the side members  336  and the central support  335 . As shown in  FIG. 16 , the rear wall  318  may also include retaining tabs  337  extending from the both ends of bottom member  334  to engage an interior of the side members  358  of the opposing side walls  312 ,  314  to provide support for the rear wall  318  when product is loaded into the housing  310 . 
     Referring also to  FIGS. 10-12 and 15-16 , in one embodiment, a first portion of the top wall of the housing is secured in place and a second portion is pivotable upward. The portion of the top wall that is secured in place is top wall  316  of the housing  310 . Top wall  316  comprises an outer frame  342  and an inner wall  344  connected to the outer frame  342 . In a preferred embodiment the outer frame  342  may be a weldment made of four angle bars  346  at the sides, front and rear. A portion of the angle bars  346  at the sides and rear typically have a wall that sits outside of the rear wall  318  and side walls  312 ,  314  and to secure the top wall  316  to the rear wall  318  and side walls  312 ,  314 . The front of the secured top wall portion  316  is preferably located a distance distal the front end of the side walls  312 ,  314 . Accordingly, the angle bar  346  at the front of the top wall  316  is similarly located a distance from the front end of the side walls  312 ,  314 . In such an embodiment, the downward portion of the angle bar  346  at the front of the top wall  316  resides interior of the side walls  312 ,  314 . 
     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 16 , the first side wall  312  and second side wall  314  are nearly mirror images of each other. The side walls  312 ,  314  are preferably made of an outer frame  354  and an inner wall  356  connected to the outer frame  354 . In one embodiment, the outer frame  354  may be a weldment made of square tubing at the side members  358  and angle bar at the top and bottom members  360 . In an alternate embodiment, where the side walls are larger in size, as shown in  FIGS. 14-16 , the outer frame  354  may also include a central support  355  welded to the top and bottom members  360 , and the inner wall  356  may be provided between the exterior portions of the outer frame  354  and the central support  355 . Further, an upper door track  362  and a lower door track  364  are also provided for supporting the doors  320 ,  322 . The inner wall  356  may be a steel grid  366 , made for example with 8 gauge steel wire in a cross grid configuration. 
     As shown best in  FIGS. 11 and 16 , in one embodiment the upper door track  362  is preferably a u-shaped member comprising a sliding surface  368 , an exterior transverse retaining wall  370  and an interior transverse wall  372 . The interior transverse wall  372  is preferably welded or fixed to the top member  360  of the outer frame  354  of the side wall. The sliding surface  368  preferably has a slot  374  for allowing the door  320 ,  322  to slide in and out for closing and opening the housing  310 . 
     Referring also to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the lower door track  364  may similarly be made of a u-shaped member comprising a sliding surface  378 , an exterior transverse retaining wall  380 , and an interior transverse wall  382 . The interior transverse wall  382  is preferably welded or fixed to the bottom member  360  of the outer frame  354  of the side wall. The sliding surface  378  preferably has a slot  388 , mirroring the slot  374  in the upper door track  362 , for allowing the door  320 ,  322  to slide in and out for closing and opening the housing  310 . 
     In one embodiment, like the earlier embodiment, the first and second doors  320 ,  322  are identical components, and therefore are interchangeable merely by flipping the doors over for the correct orientation as the left/first or right/second door. Each door  320 ,  322  preferably comprises an outer frame  390  and an inner wall  392  connected to the outer frame  390 . In a preferred embodiment, the outer frame  390  may be a weldment made of angle bars at the top  394  and bottom  396 , another angle bar at the interior side  398 , and a tubular member or u-shaped bar member at the exterior side  400  of the outer frame  390 . The inner wall  392  may be a steel grid  402 , made for example, with 8 gauge steel wire in a cross grid configuration and welded to the outer frame  390 . As shown in  FIG. 16 , the doors  320 ,  322  also preferably have door glides  404  on the outer surfaces of the top member  394  and bottom member  396  to assist in sliding the doors  320 ,  322  on the sliding surfaces  368 ,  378  of the upper and lower door tracks  362 ,  364 . In one embodiment, the door glides  404  are made of a plastic, nylon, or other bearing material, such as Teflon or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. 
     The first and second doors  320 ,  322 , as shown in  FIG. 16 , in one embodiment also have gliding members  410  that slide in the slots  374 ,  388  in the upper door track  362  and lower door track  364 , respectively. The gliding members  410  connect to the doors  320 ,  322  to the side walls  312 ,  314  at the upper door track  362  and lower door track  364  thereof, respectively, in both the open configuration of  FIG. 13  and the closed/locked configuration of  FIG. 15 . In one embodiment, the gliding members  410  comprise a fastener  412 , such as a bolt, a shoulder bushing  414  around the fastener  412 , a first spacer  416  such as a nylon washer, a second spacer  418  such as a nylon washer, and a retainer  420  such as a locking nut. As shown in  FIG. 16 , the fastener  412  is inserted into the shoulder bushing  414 , and the two spacers  416 ,  418  are fitted around/on the shoulder bushing  414 . Typically, the flange of the shoulder bushing  414  and the first spacer  416  will reside on the outside/exterior of the upper door track  362  and lower door track  364 , respectively, and the second spacer  418  will reside between the upper door track  362 /lower door track  364  and the door glides  404  on the doors  320 ,  322 . The retainers  420  for the gliding members  410  fixedly secure the gliding members  410  to the doors  320 ,  322  and slidingly secure the doors  320 ,  322  to the side walls  312 ,  314  at the top and bottom of the doors  320 ,  322 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10-15 , the doors  320 ,  322  are disposed on the front of the housing  310  and are configured to open to provide access to the inside of the merchandise display container  300 . For example, as explained above, the doors  320 ,  322  are preferably rotatably/pivotally and slidably connected to the side walls  312 ,  314 . Accordingly, in one embodiment the first and second doors  320 ,  322  are security doors. In the open configuration of  FIG. 10 , the doors  320 ,  322  are retained against the side walls  312 ,  314  and within the respective upper and lower door tracks  362 ,  364 . To close the doors  320 ,  322  for securing the contents within the container  300 , the doors  320 ,  322  may be slid forward toward the front of the housing  310  as shown in  FIG. 12 . This configuration is an intermediate orientation between closed and open doors. From the intermediate position shown in  FIG. 12 , the doors  320 ,  322  may be slidingly pushed into the door tracks  362 ,  364  to provide full access to the contents of the container  300  during business hours, or the doors  320 ,  322  may be pivoted to a closed position where the doors  320 ,  322  close access to the cavity of the container  300  from the front, after which the doors may be secured or locked (e.g., padlock, key lock) in place to prevent access to the products within the merchandise display/storage container  300  during hours the establishment is closed. When the doors are pulled out to the intermediate position the gliding members  410  come in contact with the front of the slot  474 , and the doors  320 ,  322  are then ready to be pivotally closed. The pivoting connection of the doors  320 ,  322  provides for the doors  320 ,  322  to pivot into a closed or fully secured position and then locked to the opposing door, as shown in  FIG. 15 , thus securing the products within the merchandise display container  300 . The doors  320 ,  322  also have tabs  430  secured, such as by welding or via fasteners, to the interior side  398  of the outer frame  390  of the doors  320 ,  322 . To secure the doors  320 ,  322  and lock the front of the housing  310  to protect the contents in the housing  310 , opposing tabs  430  on the doors  320 ,  322  are secured together with locks as shown in  FIG. 15 . One of the doors also has a locking tab  454  extending toward the top of the housing to secure the hinged portion  317  of the top of the housing  310  in the locked position. 
     In a preferred embodiment the top wall also includes a hinged or pivotable portion  317 . The hinged portion  317  of the top of the housing  310  is connected with a hinge member  440  to the front member  346  of the secured portion of the top wall  316 . The pivotable portion  317  of the top member of the housing  310  is formed by an outer frame  442 , which is preferably a weldment made up of angle bars at the sides  444 , front  446  and rear  448 . An inner wall  450  made up of a grid of wires or round stock, or the like, is secured interior to the outer frame  442 . The front  446  angle member of the outer frame  442  has an aperture  452  for receiving a locking tab  454  from one of the doors  320 ,  322 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 14-16 , the housing  310  also includes first and second brackets  460  on the top of opposing side walls of the outer frame  342  of the secured top wall  316 . The brackets  460  are angled to receive the hinged portion  317  backwards at an angle as shown in  FIG. 14 . The brackets  460  have tabs  462  to allow the hinged portion  317  to be locked to the brackets  460 . 
     The first side wall  312 , second side wall  314 , top wall  316 , hinged top portion  317  and rear wall  318  are secured together to form the housing  310 . Additionally, the support legs  328  are connected to the housing  310 . In one embodiment the tubing  358  forming the sides of the outer frame  354  of the side walls  312 ,  314  has apertures through the walls of the tubing  358 . In one embodiment, the support legs  328  have a vertical extension member  422  that is positioned within the tubing  358 , or around the tubing  358 , forming the sides of the side walls  312 ,  314 . For connection and leveling purposes, in one embodiment the vertical extensions  422  preferably threadingly mate with the tubing  358  for vertical adjustment. 
     The container  300  may also have guards  470  to protect the fronts of the side walls  312 ,  314  as shown in  FIGS. 110, 12 and 14-16 . The guards  470  also help to direct the pallets into the cavity of the container  300 . The guards  470  may be fixed to the ground structure with fasteners. 
     The container  300  may also have various signage connected to the doors, side walls, and top of the container  300 , as well as in the hinged top portion  317  via brackets  470  in the hinged top portion  317 . Further, side panels, which may be for security or signage purposes, may be connected to the appropriate walls of the housing  310 . 
     Preferably, the structure of the housing  110 ,  310  are made of zinc plated metals that are powder coated to provide for longevity in outdoor weather situations. 
     Several alternative examples have been described and illustrated herein. A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate the features of the individual embodiments, and the possible combinations and variations of the components. A person of ordinary skill in the art would further appreciate that any of the examples could be provided in any combination with the other examples disclosed herein. Additionally, the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and “fourth” as used herein are intended for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the embodiments in any way. Further, the term “plurality” as used herein indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number. Additionally, the word “including” as used herein is utilized in an open-ended manner. 
     While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the best mode and/or other examples, it is understood that various modifications may be made therein and that the subject matter disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms and examples, and that the teachings may be applied in numerous applications, only some of which have been described herein. It is intended by the following claims to claim any and all applications, modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the present teachings.