Patent Publication Number: US-9848716-B2

Title: Vending shelf

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present exemplary embodiment relates generally to theft deterrence. It finds particular application in conjunction with dispensing merchandise in retail stores, and will be described with particular reference thereto. However, it is to be appreciated that the present exemplary embodiment is also amenable to other like applications. 
     Product dispensing machines (i.e., vending machines) are typically designed for storing products of all kinds and for dispensing such products to consumers in exchange for currency without vendor attention. Vending machines are essentially vaults which store inserted currency and products for sale. As such they are expensive to provide and to operate and are not easy to use for all types of products. 
     More recently, retail stores that traditionally display products on open shelves have experienced product theft by “sweeping,” a technique used by thieves wherein products for sale that are displayed on open shelves are swept, using an arm motion moving over the shelf to push a large quantity of product into waiting bags. Often these products do not have significant resale value individually, but will provide income to the thief upon resale of numerous products in a gray or black market. Such products can include razors or ink cartridges that have appreciable resale value. Infant formula is another example of such merchandise. 
     A new generation of merchandise dispensing machines has been developed to specifically deal with the theft of items which are displayed on open shelves. Such a machine dispenses products in a similar manner as a coin operated vending machine, but without the need for the consumer to place currency in the machine to operate it. Its primary purpose is to thwart theft or at least retard repeated access to merchandise held in an enclosure. 
     The present application discloses a new and improved system and method which, among other things, deters theft and retards product or merchandise sweeping. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present exemplary embodiment, a dispenser is provided for deterring the theft of packaged items. The dispenser includes an electro-mechanical ejector, as well as a controller disabling the electro-mechanical ejector when lockout criteria are present. Such lockout criteria can include a packaged item having been dispensed within a predetermined time period. The controller can further generate an audio and/or visual alert in response to a vending or merchandising of a predetermined number of packaged items within a predetermined amount of time. 
     In accordance with a second present exemplary embodiment, a merchandise dispensing apparatus for deterring theft is provided. The apparatus comprises a housing including a plurality of walls defining an interior space within the housing. Mounted in the housing is at least one merchandise support module which includes an electro-mechanical ejector. The ejector further includes an electrical motor with an output shaft, an ejector plate movably mounted in relation to the housing, a gear train connecting the output shaft of the motor to the ejector plate, a relay for selectively providing electrical power to the motor, and a user input member for selectively operating the motor via the relay. 
     In accordance with a third present exemplary embodiment, a merchandise dispensing apparatus for deterring theft is provided. The apparatus comprises a housing including a plurality of walls defining an interior space within the housing. Mounted in the housing are at least two spaced merchandise support modules, each module including an electro-mechanical ejector. The apparatus further comprises at least two user input members accessible from outside the housing, each of the at least two members electrically communicating with the respective ejector of the at least two modules. Apparatus further includes a controller electrically communicating with the at least two user-input members and each of the ejectors. The controller includes a memory and a processor. 
     In accordance with a second aspect of the present exemplary embodiment, a method of dispensing merchandise to deter theft is provided. The method comprises providing a merchandise dispensing apparatus comprising a housing accommodating at least two spaced merchandise support modules, each including an ejector and a user input member. The method further comprises providing a controller connected to each the ejector and the user input member of the at least two modules. The method also includes monitoring via the controller a triggering occurrence from a respective one of the user-input members and determining via the controller whether a lockout is in place. If the controller determines there a lockout, the method provides that the controller return to monitoring a triggering occurrence of the user-input members. The method additionally comprises determining whether to dispense one of a plurality of packaged items using the ejector corresponding to the triggered user-input member. The method finally comprises notifying other merchandise support modules of the dispensing of the one of the plurality of packaged items. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a known dispenser; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of a module of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the module of  FIG. 2  in which an ejector plate is shown in a raised position; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a dispenser system according to the present disclosure, the dispenser system including a plurality of dispensers vertically stacked upon each other; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial, cross-sectional view of the dispenser system according to  FIG. 4  in which only two of the dispensers are shown and in which a packaged item is being vended or merchandised; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged partial, perspective view of a shelf of a dispenser of  FIG. 4  in which only three tracks are shown and in which the packaged item of  FIG. 5  is being vended or merchandised; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an electro-mechanical ejector according to aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded, perspective view of the electro-mechanical ejector of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded, perspective view an electro-mechanical ejector according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the electro-mechanical ejector of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is a sectional top view of the electro-mechanical ejector of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a block diagram of an electrical system of a dispenser of  FIG. 4 ; and 
         FIG. 13  is a flow chart describing operation of a controller of the electrical system of  FIG. 12 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a dispenser according to U.S. Pat. No. 7,828,158, filed Sep. 1, 2007, to Colelli et al. is provided. This patent is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The dispenser is suitably employed in a commercial setting, such as a retail store, to dispense packaged items. However, it is to be understood that it can be employed to dispense other types of packaged items. The dispenser has a box structure (only part of which is visible) having a plurality of walls enclosing and defining an interior space. The walls prevent access to the interior space from at least the front, the sides, the top and the bottom. 
     The dispenser includes a storage shelf  10  mounted in a wrap-around enclosure  20 . The enclosure  20  can be a sheet metal box open on its front and rear, but closed on its sides and top. The shelf  10  can close the bottom of the enclosure  20 . The enclosure  20  may be mounted on wall standards as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,419,062, filed Jan. 18, 2006, to Mason, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This advantageously prevents access to the interior space from the rear. Alternately, the dispenser may be placed on a shelf or otherwise secured within a retail establishment in a manner that restricts access to the rear and which prevents unauthorized persons from moving the dispenser. For example, the dispenser may be bolted in place. 
     In use, the shelf  10  is locked within the enclosure  20  so that packaged items mounted within the dispenser are only accessible via a controlled dispensing process. A packaged item can be dispensed by turning a knob  40 , which dispenses a corresponding packaged item to a forward position on the shelf  10  lying against a front glass plate  50 . A flat handle  60  is then raised, thereby lifting a top glass plate  70  from a closed orientation or position into an open position. The top glass plate  70  is mounted via a first hinge  71 . When the flat handle  60  and the top glass plate  70  are open, a person&#39;s hand is able to reach into the dispenser from above to retrieve the dispensed merchandise. 
     Simultaneous with lifting the top glass plate  70 , a barrier strip (not shown) can be lowered, which may have a message printed on it, such as “Stop Theft At Retail.” The barrier strip, engaged with the plate  70  by a second hinge, assumes a vertical position blocking access to all but the frontal portion of the interior space accommodating the dispensed packaged item. Therefore, the barrier strip only allows access to the dispensed packaged item and provides a means of theft deterrence. 
     The top glass plate  70  pivots on hinges secured by fasteners  71  on opposing sides of the enclosure  20 . Also, on each side of the enclosure  20  are vertical slots  140  within which ride screws  72  that control the attitude of the barrier strip. The barrier strip is hinged via a piano hinge to the top glass plate  70 , so that when the top glass plate  70  is raised, the barrier strip is rotated into the vertical position and the screws  72  are at the bottom of the slots  140 . Similarly, when the top glass plate  70  is lowered it forces the barrier strip into a horizontal position where the screws  72  are at the top of the slots  140 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a module  100  of the dispenser in its upright attitude is illustrated. A forward module slot  102  at the knob end of the module  100  engages a forward shelf slot thereby holding the module  100  in position on the shelf  10 . The module  100  further includes a rear module slot which engages a rear shelf slot. Therefore the module  100  is secured and immovable on the shelf  10  from left to right and also front to back. 
     A top surface  106  of the module  100  has a longitudinal slot  180  which runs over a majority of the length of the module  100 . Mounted in the slot  180  is a compression trolley  170 , which is engaged with slot  180  via a wider portion at the rear end of the module  100 . The trolley  170  carries a clock spring  190 , which is secured in a spring slot  180 . When the trolley  170  is pressed toward the rear of the module  100 , the clock spring  190  unreels and is wound tighter as a portion of the spring  190  reels out. This provides a force for biasing or urging packaged items toward the knob end or the front end of the module  100 . 
     One or more packaged items may be rested on the top surface  106  and compressed between the trolley  170  and a fixed stop plate  160 , which is secured at a forward position on the module  100  and which protrudes above surface  106 . A side wall  200  at one side of the module  100  can carry a flange  202  extending from both sides of the side wall  200 . The flange  202  is essentially at the level of the top surface  106  so that, with packaged items sitting on the surface  106  and abutting the side wall  200  of the flange  202 , the packaged items also rest on the flange  202 . In some embodiments, packaged items can rest on the flange  202 , as well as the flange of an adjacent module  100 , to be raised slightly above the surface  106  so as not to interfere with the spring  190 . 
     The side wall  200  includes three slots which are formed on a bottom plate of the side wall  200 , the bottom plate integrally formed with the sidewall  200 . Three studs grip the bottom plate while allowing it to move over a linear excursion limited by the length of the slots so that the side wall  200  is able to be positioned laterally to accommodate packaged items of various widths. 
     In setting up the modules  100  in the shelf  10 , an appropriately sized module  100  is selected for each type of packaged item to be included on the shelf  10 . Further, each side wall  200  is adjusted laterally so as to contact one side of its respective packaged items when the packaged items are laterally centered on the surface  106  of its respective module  100 . Working from left to right on the shelf  10 , the adjusted modules  100  are placed on the shelf  10  and engaged with the shelf slots, with the side wall  200  of each next module  100  positioned against the packaged items of the module  100  to its right. In this manner, each line of packaged items will have a side wall  200  on both of its opposite vertical sides, forming a guide way so that when a packaged item is dispensed the remaining packaged items are guided as they are pressed forward by trolley  170 . 
     Each module  100  further includes an ejector so that packaged items on each of the modules  100  may be dispensed independently of the other modules  100 . To dispense the first packaged item of a module  100  (i.e., the packaged item that is in the most forward position on the module  100  and so rests against the stop plate  160  prior to being dispensed), the knob  40  is rotated. 
     As the knob  40  is rotated, a shaft which is joined to, and extends rearward from, the knob  40 , causes a crank to move a movable ejector plate  270  in a slot  290 . The ejector plate  270  is caused to slide linearly upwardly toward the surface  106 . The ejector plate  270  then moves through the slot  290  in the surface  106  of the module  100  and protrudes at its highest above the fixed stop  160  so that the first packaged item, which is resting against the fixed stop  160 , is pushed above the fixed stop  160 . When this happens, the spring tension that is delivered to the first packaged item by the trolley  170  through any intervening packaged items, delivers an ejecting force to the lifted first packaged item causing it to move forward in the dispenser coming to rest against front glass plate  50 , where it is ready to be manually removed through the open top glass plate  70 . 
     The rotation of the knob  40  continues so that the ejector plate  270  moves at once down through the slot  290  into a position below the surface  106 , thereby completing one ejection cycle. With the first packaged item and also the ejector plate  270  no longer present, the next packaged item in line is forced to move up against the fixed stop  160  and is therefore in position to be ejected whenever the knob  40  is next rotated. 
     The foregoing pertains to a dispenser according to U.S. Pat. No. 7,828,158, filed Sep. 1, 2007, to Colelli et al., and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The present application discloses a dispenser improving on the design of Colelli. In contrast with the mechanical ejector of Colelli, the dispenser of the present application employs an electro-mechanical ejector. Further, in contrast with Colelli, the dispenser of the present disclosure can disable movement of a vending mechanism of the dispenser if certain lockout criteria are met. The dispenser can further generate an audio and/or visual indication in response to the dispensing of a packaged item. 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , a dispenser system  300  includes one or more dispensers  302  stacked vertically upon a base  304 . The dispensers  302  dispense packaged items, such as packaged merchandise, and each can hold a plurality of packaged items. As illustrated, the dispenser system  300  includes three dispensers  302  stacked vertically upon the base  304 . The dispensers  302  are secured to one another and the base  304  in a manner that prohibits a would-be thief from simply removing the dispensers  302  from the stack. For example, the dispensers  302  can be screwed or bolted together. 
     While not necessary, the base  304  can include electronics for providing power to the dispensers  302 . For example, the base  304  can include electronics converting alternating current (AC) from an external power source, such as a power grid, to direct current (DC). As another example, the base can house batteries to power the dispensers  302 . The base  304  can further include a central controller coordinating the vending or merchandising of the packaged items from the dispenser system  300 . 
     The dispensers  302  each include an enclosure  306 , such as sheet metal box, and a storage shelf  308  mounted within the enclosure  306 . The enclosure  306  surrounds the storage shelf  308  on all sides and further includes a front opening covered by a transparent window  310  of the dispenser  302 . The transparent window  310  allows packaged items loaded on the storage shelf  308  to be externally viewed. In use, the shelf  308  is locked within the enclosure  306  so that packaged items loaded in the dispenser  302  are only accessible via a controlled dispensing process. The specific approach to loading the storage shelf  308  with packaged items is not important. However, in some embodiments, loading is accomplished by removing the transparent window  310  to obtain access to the shelf  308 . The shelf  308  is then loaded through the front opening. Once loaded with packaged items, the transparent window  310  is secured over the front opening. 
     The shelf  308  includes a plurality of tracks  312  for dispensing packaged items. Each track  312  accommodates a plurality of packaged items arranged single file or in a column between a fixed stop plate  314  and a compression trolley or pusher  316 . The compression trolley  316  presses the packaged items to the fixed stop plate  314 . The specific approach by which the compression trolley  316  applies pressure to the packaged items can vary, but in some embodiments, the compression trolley  316  carries a coil spring secured proximate to the fixed stop plate  314 . When the trolley  316  is pressed toward the rear of the track  312 , the coil spring unreels and is wound tighter as a portion of the spring reels out. This provides force for pressing or urging packaged items toward the front of the track  312 . 
     To ensure that the packaged items on a track  312  maintain a single filed ordering or columnar form between the fixed stop plate  314  and the compression trolley  316 , each track  312  includes one or more side walls  318  abutting the packaged items. Typically, a track  312  includes sidewalls  318  on both sides of the packaged items. However, in some embodiments, a track  312  includes a sidewall  318  on only one side of the packaged items. The sidewall  318  of an adjacent track  312  is then used to define the other side of the track  312 . 
     The shelf  308  further includes a user input device or member  320 , such as the illustrated push button, mounted to the front wall or face of the dispenser  302  for each of the plurality of tracks  312 . When a user input device  320  is triggered, a packaged item is dispensed from the corresponding track  312  so long as a lockout of a predetermined period of time, such as 7-10 seconds, is not underway. A lockout for a track  312  can occur, for example, in response to vending or merchandising of a packaged item by one of: 1) the track  312 ; 2) any track  312  of the corresponding dispenser  302 ; and 3) any track  312  of the dispenser system  302 . As another example, a lockout for a track  312  can occur in response to vending or merchandising a predetermined number of packaged items, such as three, within a predetermined period of time, such as 30 seconds. This vending or merchandising can be limited to the track  312 , the tracks  312  of the corresponding dispenser  302 , any track  312  of the dispensers system  300 , or any track  312  of any dispenser system  300 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , a partial, cross-sectional view of the dispenser system  300  of  FIG. 4 . In contrast with  FIG. 4 , only two of three or more dispensers  302  are illustrated. To carry out vending or merchandising, each track  312  includes an ejector  322 . During vending or merchandising, the ejector  322  coordinates with the compression trolley  316  of the track  312  to move the first packaged item  324  of the track  312  (i.e., the front most packaged item abutting the fixed stop plate  314 ) to a forward channel  326  extending vertically through all the dispensers  302  to an externally accessible cavity  328  of the base  304 . It should be appreciated that the forward channel  326  is located in front of each dispenser  302  and the channels  326  are aligned so that merchandise or packaged items  324  can fall by gravity to the base  304 . When the first packaged item  324  reaches the forward channel  326 , the packaged item  324  falls through the forward channel  326  to the cavity  328 , as illustrated. The forward channel  326  is defined by openings in the top and bottoms of each dispenser  302  which are sized to accommodate the packaged items. The cavity  328  is typically externally accessible via an opening  330  in the base  304 . While not necessary, a hinged door  332  of the base  304  can cover the opening  330 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The hinged door  332  can be pivotally mounted and would be lifted to allow access to the cavity  328 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 6 , the vending or merchandising of the first packaged item  324  is illustrated in greater detail. During vending or merchandising of the packaged item  324 , the ejector  322  moves an ejector plate linearly upwardly toward the surface  334  of the track  312  upon which the packaged item  324  rests. The ejector plate then moves through a slot in the surface  334  of the track  312  to its highest position such that a portion of the plate is located above the fixed stop plate  314 . The slot is located adjacent to the fixed stop plate  314  and immediately beneath the packaged item  324  so that the first packaged item  324  is pushed above the fixed stop plate  314 . When this happens, the force that is delivered to the first packaged item  324  by the trolley  316  through any intervening packaged items, delivers an ejecting force to the lifted first packaged item  324  causing it to move forward in the dispenser  302 , as illustrated. The item  324  then falls through the forward channel  326 . After reaching its highest position above the fixed stop plate  314 , the ejector plate moves at once downwardly through the slot and to a position below the surface  334 , thereby completing one ejection cycle. With the first packaged item  324  and also the ejector plate are no longer present, the next packaged item in line is forced to move up against the fixed stop plate  314  and is therefore in position to be ejected next. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , an electro-mechanical ejector  400  that can be used herein is provided.  FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective, exploded view of the ejector  400 , and  FIG. 8  illustrates an exploded view of the ejector  400 . This ejector  400  can also be used in other dispenser systems, such as U.S. Pat. No. 7,828,158, filed Sep. 1, 2007, to Colelli et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     The ejector  400  includes a front housing  402  mating with a back housing  404  to define an enclosed, interior region  406 . The front housing  402  includes an aperture  408  sized to allow a pin  410  rotating at a predetermined distance around a central axis A to extend from the interior region  406  through the aperture  408 . The front housing  402  can further include a generally cylindrical compartment or housing  412  for accommodating a motor, such as a DC motor  414 . The motor  414  drives a set of gears  416  within the interior region  406  that drive the pin  410  around the central axis A. The set of gears  416  suitably reduce the rotary speed of the motor  414  to increase torque. 
     To mount the set of gears within the interior region  406 , the ejector  400  includes a cover plate  418  and a base plate  420  mounting to the front and back housings  402 ,  404 . The cover plate  418  and the base plate  420  further mate to define an interior region  422  for the set of gears  416 . As illustrated, a first gear  424  of the set  416  is connected to a rotating shaft (not visible) of the motor  414 , which extends through the cover plate  418 . The first gear  424  transfers its rotary motion to a second gear  426  of the set  416  by way of a first tooted region  428  of the second gear  426  having a greater diameter than the first gear  424 . The second gear  426  transfers its rotary motion to a third gear  430  of the set  416  by way of a second toothed region  432  of the second gear  426  having a smaller diameter than the first gear  424 . Such gears are sometimes termed compound gears. The pin  410  described above mounts to the third gear  430  and rotates the predetermined distance about the central axis A of the third gear  430 . 
     Also located within the interior region  422  of the cover plate  418  and the base plate  420  is an electrically controlled relay  434  for providing power to the motor  414  with a power source external to the ejector  400 , such as batteries or a power grid. Further, the relay  434  is controlled, as described below, by a controller. For each ejection cycle, the controller engages the relay  434 , and hence the motor  414 , for a predetermined period of time known to correspond to one full ejection cycle. 
     Mounted to the exterior of the front housing  402 , the ejector  400  includes an ejector plate  436  moving up and down along two slots  438  positioned vertically on opposite sides of the aperture  408 . The ejector plate  436  includes an attachment feature  440  which mounts within the slots  438 . As illustrated, the ejector plate  436  can include L-shaped fingers  440  which fit within the slots  438  for mounting. To move the ejector plate  436  up and down, the ejector plate  436  rests upon the pin  410  extending through the aperture  408 . As the pin  410  rotates upward, the ejector plate  436  moves upward along the slots  438 . Similarly, as the pin  410  rotates downward, the ejector plate  436  moves downward along the slots  438 . 
     Referring back to the dispensing system  300  of  FIG. 5 , ejector  400  as illustrated in  FIGS. 7-8  can be used in place of ejector  322 . To carry out vending or merchandising, each track  312  then includes an ejector  400 . During vending or merchandising, the ejector  400  coordinates with the compression trolley or pusher  316  of the track  312  to move the first packaged item  324  located on the track  312  (i.e., the front most packaged item abutting the fixed stop plate  314 ) over the stop plate  314  and into a forward channel  326  extending vertically through all the dispensers  302  to an externally accessible cavity  328  located in the base  304 . It should be appreciated that the forward channel  326  is located in front of each dispenser  302  and the channels  326  are aligned so that merchandise or packaged items  324  can fall by gravity to the base  304 . When the first packaged item  324  reaches the forward channel  326 , the item falls through the forward channel to the cavity  328 , as illustrated. The forward channel  326  is defined by openings in the top and bottoms of each dispenser  302  which are sized to accommodate the items being dispensed. The cavity  328  is typically externally accessible via an opening  330  in the base  304 . While not necessary, a hinged door  332  of the base  304  can cover the opening  330 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The hinged door  332  can be pivotally mounted and would be lifted to allow access to the cavity  328 . 
     Referring back to the dispensing system  300  of  FIG. 6 , the vending or merchandising of the first item or product  324  is illustrated in greater detail. Ejector  400  as illustrated in  FIGS. 7-8  can be used in place of ejector  322 . During vending or merchandising of the item  324 , the ejector  400  moves an ejector plate  436  linearly upwardly above the surface  334  of the track  312  upon which the packaged item  324  rests. The ejector plate moves upward along two slots  438  positioned vertically on opposite sides of the aperture  408 . The ejector plate  436  includes an attachment feature or L-shaped fingers  440  which mount within the slots  438  and permit the ejector plate  436  to move linearly upward and downward with respect to the front housing  420 . Pin  410  is mounted to the third gear  430  in the compound gear train  416  and engages the ejector plate  436 . 
     As the third gear  430  rotates, the pin  410  causes the ejector plate  436  to move upward through a slot in the surface  334  of the track  312  to its highest position such that a portion of the ejector plate  436  is located above the fixed stop plate, sometimes termed front rail,  314 . The slot is located adjacent to the fixed stop plate  314  and immediately beneath the item  324  so that the forward-most item  324  is pushed above the stop plate from the ejecting force created by the ejector plate  436  acting on the bottom surface of the item. When this happens, the force that is delivered to the forward-most item  324  by the trolley or pusher  316  through any intervening packaged items, urges the forward-most item in a forward direction in the dispenser  302 , as illustrated. The item  324  then falls through the channel  326 . After reaching its highest position above the fixed stop plate  314 , the ejector plate  436  moves at once downwardly through the slot as the third gear  430  continues to rotate until pin  410  lowers ejector plate  436  in a position below the surface  334 , thereby completing one ejection cycle. Quite simply, the rotational motion of the motor output shaft is translated into linear motion of the ejector plate  436 . The compound gears  424 ,  426  and  428  serve to decrease the speed of motion. With the forward-most packaged item  324  and the ejector plate  436  no longer present, the next packaged item in line is urged to move up against the fixed stop plate  314  and is therefore in position to be ejected next. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 9, 10, and 11 , an alternative embodiment of an electromechanical ejector  500  that can be used herein is provided. In this embodiment, a cover plate  518  and a base plate  520  mate to define a first interior region  522 . Cover plate or first housing  518  and base plate or second housing  520  also define a second interior region  506 . The base plate  520  is mounted to a bracket  504  via suitable fasteners. The base plate  520  can further include a bore  508  to allow a rotary lock  510  to rotate at a predetermined distance around a central axis B that extends through the first interior region  522  along the center of bore  508 . The base plate  520  can further include a generally cylindrical compartment  512  for accommodating a motor, such as a DC motor  514 . The motor  514  drives a set of gears or gear train  516  within the interior region  522  which drives the rotary lock  510  so that it rotates around the central axis B. The set of gears  516 , which can be compound gears, suitably reduce the rotary speed of the motor  514  to increase torque. 
     The set of gears includes a first gear  524  which is connected to a motor shaft on which is mounted a pinion gear  542 . The first gear  524  drives a second gear  526  by way of a first toothed region  528  of the second gear  526 . The second gear  526  drives a third gear  530 . As can be appreciated, the third gear can include a smaller diameter toothed region (not visible), which engages a larger diameter toothed periphery of the second gear  526 . The rotary lock  510  described above mounts to the third gear  530  and rotates at a predetermined distance from and about the central axis B. 
     Also located within the interior region  522  of the cover plate  518  and the base plate  520  is an electrically controlled relay  534  for providing power to the motor  514  via a power source external to the ejector  500 , such as batteries or a power grid. Further, the relay  534  is controlled, as described below, by a controller. For each ejection cycle, the controller engages the relay  534 , and hence the motor  514 , for a predetermined period of time known to correspond to one full ejection cycle. 
     Mounted to the exterior of the mated cover plate  518  and base plate  520 , and housed within the second interior region  506 , the ejector  500  includes a spring loaded ejector plate  536 . The second interior region  506  and slots  538  define a slotted channel wherein ejector plate can move up and down in the slots  538  of cover plate  518  and base plate  520 . The ejector plate  536  can include an attachment feature  540 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the attachment feature  540  in this embodiment is illustrated as a T-beam  540 . T-beam  540  can include a latch element  552 , which protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the top surface  554  of T-beam  540 . T-beam  540  fits within the slotted channel for mounting ejector plate  536  such that T-beam  540  is held in the second interior region  506 . Also held in the second interior region  506  is a biasing member such as a compression spring  550 . An upper end of the spring  550  contacts a bottom surface of T-beam  540  and a lower end of the spring rests on a knob  562 , located at the bottom of interior region  506 . Spring  550  normally remains in a compressed state such that ejector plate  536  is positioned under the surface of the track (not shown). Tooth  556  of rotary lock  510  engages latch  552  of T-beam  540  and prevents the ejector plate  536  from moving upward along slots  538  due to the upward force F s  exerted by spring  550 . To move ejector plate  536  up and down, the rotary lock  510  rotates downward in a counterclockwise direction, causing tooth  556  to disengage from latch  552  once tooth  556  passes opening  564  created by cover plate  518  and base plate  520 . Rotary lock  510  prevents ejector plate  536  from moving up until the notch  560  reaches opening  564 , at which point nothing is engaging latch  552 . The upward force F s  of spring  550  then causes ejector plate  536  to move explosively upward along slots  538 . As the rotary lock  510  continues rotating, tooth  556  once again engages latch  552  when tooth  556  reaches opening  564 , compresses spring  550 , and returns ejector plate  536  to its position under the surface of the track, thus completing one full ejection cycle. 
     Ejector plate  536  can further include a pad  566  which is attached to a top surface  554  of the T-beam  540 . Pad  556  can serve to dampen force Fs exerted by spring  550  when ejector plate  536  is released by rotary lock  510 . Pad  556  can be made from any number of suitable materials, such as rubber and the like. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , ejector  500  is shown as assembled for use within a dispenser system  300  as provided herein. The cover plate or first housing  518  is shown as mated to the base plate or rear housing  520  and to flange  504 . It will be appreciated that any suitable method for attaching these components together may be used herein, such as screws, glue, or welding. A cylindrical compartment  512  of rear housing  520  can be seen as completely enclosing the motor  514  which can be attached to cover plate  518  by fasteners  568 . For example, screws  570  can fixedly attach motor  514  to the ejector  500  via holes  568  in the cover plate  518 .  FIG. 10  also shows ejector plate  536  in its disengaged position within the second interior region  506 . Compression spring  550  is shown in its fully extended position in the interior region  506 , with force Fs being exerted on T-beam  540 . The top surface of T-beam  540  can be seen just below pad  566 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , ejector  500  is shown as assembled, with cross section taken along line A-A of  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 11  illustrates assembled gear set or gear train  516  located within the first interior region  522  created by cover plate  518  and rear housing  520 . Flange  504  can be seen as mounted to the rear housing  520 . The first gear  524  of the set  516  is connected to the pinion gear  542  of the motor  514 . The second gear  526  is connected to the third gear  530 , and rotary lock  510  is shown as being mounted to the third gear  530 . Latch  552  can be seen protruding from the back of T-beam  540 , such that tooth  558  (not visible) can engage latch  552 .  FIG. 11  also shows T-beam  540  held in the second interior region  506  such that T-beam  540  can reciprocate in slots  538  of the slotted channel. Knob  562  is shown in its position at the bottom of interior surface  506  supporting spring  550 . 
     Referring back to the dispensing system  300  of  FIG. 5 , ejector  500  as illustrated in  FIGS. 9-11  can be used in place of ejector  322 . To carry out vending or merchandising, each track  312  includes an ejector  500 . During vending or merchandising, the ejector  500  coordinates with the compression trolley  316  of the track  312  to move the first packaged item  324  of the track  312  (i.e., the front most packaged item abutting the fixed stop plate  314 ) to a forward channel  326  extending vertically through all the dispensers  302  to an externally accessible cavity  328  of the base  304 . It should be appreciated that the forward channel  326  is located in front of each dispenser  302  and the channels  326  are aligned so that merchandise or packaged items  324  can fall by gravity to the base  304 . When the first packaged item  324  reaches the forward channel  326 , the packaged item  324  falls through the forward channel  326  to the cavity  328 , as illustrated. The forward channel  326  is defined by openings in the top and bottoms of each dispenser  302  which are sized to accommodate the packaged items. The cavity  328  is typically externally accessible via an opening  330  in the base  304 . While not necessary, a hinged door  332  of the base  304  can cover the opening  330 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The hinged door  332  can be pivotally mounted and would be lifted to allow access to the cavity  328 . 
     Referring back to the dispensing system  300  of  FIG. 6 , the vending or merchandising of the first packaged item  324  is illustrated in greater detail. Ejector  500  as illustrated in  FIGS. 9-11  can be used in place of ejector  322 . During vending or merchandising of the packaged item  324 , the ejector  500  moves an ejector plate  536  linearly upwardly toward the surface  334  of the track  312  upon which the packaged item  324  rests. The ejector plate  536  moves linearly upward along a slotted channel defined by interior region  506  and slots  538 . The attachment feature or T-beam  540  of the ejector plate  536  mounts within the slotted channel and permits the ejector plate  536  to move linearly upward and downward with respect to the cover plate  518  and base plate  520 . Ejector plate  536  moves upward and downward via a biasing member or compression spring  550 . Spring  550  is supported by knob  562  on the bottom of interior region  506  and exerts force Fs on a bottom surface of T-beam  540 . Rotary lock  510  is mounted to the third gear  530  in the compound gear train  516 . Rotary lock  510  includes a tooth  556  which engages the latch  552  of T-beam  540  and prevents ejector plate  536  from moving upward along the slotted channel in spite of the upward force Fs exerted by spring  550 . 
     As the third gear  530  rotates the rotary lock  510 , the tooth  556  of rotary lock  510  disengages from latch  552  once tooth  556  passes opening  564 . The outside surface of the rotary lock  510  prevents ejector plate  536  from moving upward during rotation until a notch  560  in the rotary lock  510  meets the opening  564 . With nothing engaging the ejector plate  536  at this time, the upward force Fs of spring  550  causes the ejector plate  536  to move rapidly upward through a slot in the surface  334  of the track  312  in a ballistic manner. Ejector plate  536  reaches its highest position when the spring  550  extends its full length as restricted by the height of interior region  506  such that a portion of the ejector plate  536  is located above the fixed stop plate  314 . The slot is located adjacent to the fixed stop plate  314  and immediately beneath the packaged item  324  so that the first packaged item  324  is propelled above the fixed stop plate  314  from the ballistic ejecting force created by the ejector plate  536  acting on the bottom surface of the packaged item  324 . When this happens, the force that is delivered to the first packaged item  324  by the trolley  316  through any intervening packaged items, delivers an ejecting force on a rear surface of the lifted first packaged item  324  causing it to move forward in the dispenser  302 , as illustrated. The item  324  then falls through the forward channel  326 . 
     After reaching its highest position above the fixed stop plate  314 , the ejector plate  536  moves at once downwardly through the slot as the third gear  530  continues to rotate until the tooth  556  of rotary lock  510  re-engages with the latch  552  of T-beam  540 . The continued rotation of rotary lock  510  and the engagement of tooth  556  with latch  552  re-compresses the spring  550  until the ejector plate  536  is fixed in a position below the surface  334 , thereby completing one ejection cycle. With the first packaged item  324  and the ejector plate  536  no longer present, the next packaged item in line is forced to move up against the fixed stop plate  314  and is therefore in position to be ejected next. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 4 , when a vending or merchandising occurs, an audio and/or visual alert can be generated if certain criteria are met. For example, an audio and/or visual alert can be generated every time a packaged item is vended or merchandised. As another example, an audio and/or visual alert can be generated in response to the vending or merchandising of a predetermined number of packaged items, such as three, within a predetermined period of time, such as 30 seconds. This count can be specific to individual tracks  312 , specific to individual dispensers  302 , or common to the dispensing system  302 . Further, the alerts can, for example, be presented by an audio and/or visual device  336 . The audio and/or visual device  336  can be specific to the dispenser  312 , such as a speaker or the illustrated light source, or common to the dispenser system  300 , such as a public address (PA) system. 
     With reference to  FIG. 12 , each of the dispensers  302  typically includes a controller  338  arranged within the enclosure  306 . The controller  338  receives power from a power source  340  and implements a process  600  described in  FIG. 13 . The power source  340  can be located within the dispenser  302  or external to the dispenser  302 , such as within the base  304 . Examples of a suitable power source  340  include batteries and a power grid. During operation of the dispenser  302 , the controller  338  monitors  602  the user input devices  320  of the dispenser for a triggering occurrence. 
     Upon detecting the triggering of a user input device  320 , the controller  338  determines  604  whether a lockout is in place. A discussed above, a lockout can last a predetermined period of time, such as 7-10 seconds, and can occur if certain criteria are met. For example, a lockout can occur in response to the vending or merchandising of a packaged item by only the corresponding track  312 , by only tracks  312  of the corresponding dispenser  302 , or by the vending or merchandising by any track  312  of any of the dispensers  302  in the system  300 . As another example, a lockout can occur in response to the vending or merchandising of a predetermined number of packaged items, such as three, within a predetermined period of time, such as 30 seconds. This vending or merchandising can be limited to only the corresponding track  312 , only tracks  312  of the corresponding dispenser  302 , or any track  312  of any of the dispensers  302  in the system  300 . 
     If a lockout is underway, the controller  338  goes back to monitoring the user input devices  320  of the dispenser  302  for a triggering. Otherwise, the controller  338  controls the ejector  322  to vend or merchandise (i.e., dispense)  606  the packaged item corresponding to the triggered user input device  320 . Further, in some embodiments, other dispensers  302  are notified  608  of the vending or merchandising by a transceiver  342 . These other dispensers  302  can then act upon these notices, for example, by using them to determine whether lockout criteria are met. Communications can, for example, be performed over a wired or wireless communication network. Further, communications can be sent direct to each other dispenser  302 , broadcast to all the dispensers  302 , or provided to a central controller for distribution to the other dispensers  302 . Such information can also be sent via wireless or wired communications to a store central security location. 
     A determination is next made  610  as to whether to generate an audio and/or visual alert of the vending or merchandising. Typically, this determination includes determining whether a predetermined number of packaged items, such as three, have been dispensed within a predetermined period of time, such as 30 seconds. This count can be specific to individual tracks  312 , specific to individual dispensers  302 , or common to the dispensing system  302 . Alternatively, an audio and/or visual alert can be generated for every vending or merchandising. If an audio and/or visual alert should be generated, an alert is generated  612  using the audio and/or visual device  336 . The alert can, for example, be an audio beep, a blink of a light source, or message over a public address (PA) system. The controller  338  next goes back to monitoring the user input devices  320  of the dispenser  302  for a triggering. 
     The controller  338  is suitably a microcontroller comprised of a processor  344  and a memory  346 . The memory  346  includes processor executable instructions embodying the process  600  described in  FIG. 13 , which are executed by the processor  344  to perform the functions described in  FIG. 13 . Notwithstanding that the controller  338  suitably employs the processor  344  to carry out the functions described in  FIG. 13  the controller  338  can perform these functions without the use of the processor  344  by using analog and/or digital circuitry. 
     The instant disclosure has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the instant disclosure be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.