Patents Assigned to RTC
  • Patent number: 7891503
    Abstract: An integrated “T” assembly combines into a single integrated assembly, a track portion along both sides of a divider. The T assembly may have a wide-base portion, which may include a spring-urged-pusher track, on one side of the divider and a narrow-base portion on the opposite side of the divider. An offset pusher may have an upper portion that is offset, via an angled offset portion, from a lower portion of the pusher. Additional supporting bases, any of which may include spring-urged-pusher tracks and/or a spring-urged pusher, may be used under a wide product. Left and right side finisher components may be paired with T assemblies near the sides of a merchandise-display shelf. The T assembly, base, and/or end finishers may be coupled to a front rail via a complimentary tongue and groove arrangement and/or a non-slidable engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Publication number: 20100276383
    Abstract: A product management display system for merchandising both larger and heavier products includes using a pusher mechanism along with one or more roller assemblies that, in combination, improve the merchandising of products on the shelves, especially on horizontal or non-inclined shelves or surfaces. In an exemplary embodiment, the product management display system includes a pusher mechanism configured to urge product forward and toward the front of the shelf. At least one roller assembly is positioned beneath the product to be merchandised to assist the pusher mechanism in urging the product toward the front of the shelf.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: RTC INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Patent number: 7823734
    Abstract: A product management display system for merchandising product on a shelf includes using a trackless pusher mechanism that travels along a surface on which product is placed. The pusher mechanism of the invention also includes a pusher paddle and a floor that extends forward of the pusher paddle. A flat coiled spring or other biasing element may be operatively connected behind the pusher paddle and extend across the floor of the pusher mechanism and to the front of the shelf. In use, the product to be merchandised may be placed on the coiled spring and on the floor of the pusher mechanism. With this configuration, the pusher paddle is prevented from tipping or bending backwards during operation. The invention may be used with the merchandising of product on horizontal or non-inclined shelves or surfaces, as well as with gravity-fed systems, or systems that use gravity as a mechanism to urge product toward the front of the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Patent number: 7792711
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for tracking product on a shelf. In an embodiment, an indicia strip is placed on a self coiling sheet, and a sensor is configured to read the indicia strip. The data on the indicia strip corresponds to the location of a pusher assembly. In an embodiment, a store computer can use the data regarding the location of the pusher assembly to determine the amount of inventory on the shelf. In an embodiment, the store computer can automatically order additional inventory based on the levels of inventory on the shelf. In an embodiment, a deviation from normal customer purchasing habits can be used to prompt security measures so as to reduce the possibility of product theft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John Wesley Swafford, Jr., Michael Alvin Lembke
  • Patent number: 7757890
    Abstract: A system for dispensing cylindrical containers is disclosed. In an embodiment, a housing with an upper opening and a lower opening includes a track that connects the upper and lower openings. A drawer is mounted in the lower opening so that containers placed in the upper opening may travel along the track until they reach the drawer. In an embodiment opening the drawer allows a single container to be removed. A plurality of tracks connecting a plurality of upper and lower openings may be provided so that different types of containers may be dispensed. In an embodiment the drawer may be lockable and a cover that may include a lock may be mounted to the housing so as to cover the upper opening. In an embodiment, a sensor may be included to detect the opening of the drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Alton E. Alford, Randall G. Singer, Lance Mastalka, Guillermo Bangit, Jeff Fridrich, John Ward
  • Publication number: 20100147783
    Abstract: A product management display system for merchandising product on a shelf includes using a trackless pusher mechanism that travels along a surface on which product is placed. The pusher mechanism of an exemplary embodiment includes a pusher surface and a pusher floor that extends forward of the pusher surface. A flat coiled spring or other biasing element may be operatively connected behind the pusher mechanism and extend across a divider and to the front of the shelf. In use, the product to be merchandised may be placed on the pusher floor. With this configuration, the pusher surface is prevented from tipping or bending backwards during operation. In an alternative aspect, the end of the coiled spring may be mounted to a retainer, to a divider or, alternatively, directly to the shelf.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Publication number: 20100078398
    Abstract: A product management display system for merchandising both larger and heavier products includes using a pusher mechanism along with one or more roller assemblies that, in combination, improve the merchandising of products on the shelves, especially on horizontal or non-inclined shelves or surfaces. In an exemplary embodiment, the product management display system includes a pusher mechanism configured to urge product forward and toward the front of the shelf. At least one roller assembly is positioned beneath the product to be merchandised to assist the pusher mechanism in urging the product toward the front of the shelf.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Patent number: 7669722
    Abstract: A system for managing and securing product and deterring theft in a retail setting includes a system that resides either on a standard retailer shelf or may be a stand-alone system. In an embodiment, the system includes a plurality of shelves and product dividers positioned between the shelves and extending from the front edges of the shelves toward the rear of the shelves. Front retaining walls are positioned at the front edges of the shelves and are configured to have a height that inhibits access to products on the shelves. Individual retaining tabs of varying height may be added in front of rows of taller product to inhibit access to these products. In an embodiment, rigid or moveable barriers may be positioned above retaining walls that further restrict access to the products. With the invention, the “sweeping” of numerous products by a thief is deterred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Hardy, Adam Gold, John Ward, Max Syvuk, John Swafford
  • Patent number: 7661545
    Abstract: A system for managing and securing product and deterring theft in a retail setting includes a system that resides either on a standard retailer shelf or may be a stand-alone system. In an embodiment, the system includes a plurality of shelves and product dividers positioned between the shelves and extending from the front edges of the shelves toward the rear of the shelves. Front retaining walls are positioned at the front edges of the shelves and are configured to have a height that inhibits access to products on the shelves. Individual retaining tabs of varying height may be added in front of rows of taller product to inhibit access to these products. In an embodiment, rigid or moveable barriers may be positioned above retaining walls that further restrict access to the products. With the invention, the “sweeping” of numerous products by a thief is deterred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Hardy, Adam Gold, John Ward, Max E. Syvuk, John W. Swafford
  • Publication number: 20090321373
    Abstract: A merchandising system that improves the merchandising of product by limiting the number and the frequency with which product can be removed from, for example, a merchandising shelf. The merchandising system may include a base configured to support product and a housing configured to engage the base. The housing may comprise a top wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a front retaining wall. The system may further include a spring-urged pusher movably mounted on the base and a dampener assembly mounted to the spring-urged pusher configured to control the rate of speed at which the spring-urged pusher is urged forward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Patent number: 7635068
    Abstract: A self-facing merchandise pusher system for use in stores. Numerous products in a store are merchandised on shelves and a biased pusher is used to urge products toward the front edge of the shelf. The pusher includes ends that may be independently biased. The pusher system also includes removable dividers that separate product channels and also limit the amount of product that may be removed at a time from the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Neal Hardy
  • Patent number: 7628282
    Abstract: A product management display system for merchandising both larger and heavier products includes using a pusher mechanism along with one or more roller assemblies that, in combination, improve the merchandising of products on the shelves, especially on horizontal or non-inclined shelves or surfaces. In an exemplary embodiment, the product management display system includes a pusher mechanism mounted to a track that extends generally from the front of the shelf to the back of the shelf. The pusher mechanism is configured to urge product forward and toward the front of the shelf. At least one roller assembly is positioned beneath the product to be merchandised to assist the pusher mechanism in urging the product toward the front of the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Patent number: 7621409
    Abstract: A low profile shelf system that improves the merchandising of product by creating more spacing between shelves to accommodate larger product includes low profile shelf supports. Each low-profile shelf support may define a back portion and a front portion. The back portion may include a fastening plate attached thereto, each fastening plate having a hook formation that can be inserted into a slotted upright. The back portion of the shelf support may be at least 75% vertically longer than the front portion, resulting in the front portion having a significantly lower profile than the back portion of the shelf support, thereby creating more spacing between shelves to accommodate larger product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Hardy, Adam Gold, John Ward, Max Syvuk, John Swafford, David Henke
  • Publication number: 20090184069
    Abstract: A product management display system for merchandising product on a shelf includes using a trackless pusher mechanism that travels along a surface on which product is placed. The pusher mechanism of an exemplary embodiment includes a pusher surface and a pusher floor that extends forward of the pusher surface. A flat coiled spring or other biasing element may be operatively connected behind the pusher mechanism and extend across a divider and to the front of the shelf In use, the product to be merchandised may be placed on the pusher floor. With this configuration, the pusher surface is prevented from tipping or bending backwards during operation. In an alternative aspect, the end of the coiled spring may be mounted to a retainer, or alternatively, may be mounted to a divider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: RTC INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Publication number: 20090166304
    Abstract: A system for managing and securing product and deterring theft in a retail setting includes a system that resides either on a standard retailer shelf or may be a stand-alone system. In an embodiment, the system includes a plurality of shelves and product dividers positioned between the shelves and extending from the front edges of the shelves toward the rear of the shelves. Front retaining walls are positioned at the front edges of the shelves and are configured to have a height that inhibits access to products on the shelves. Individual retaining tabs of varying height may be added in front of rows of taller product to inhibit access to these products. In an embodiment, rigid or moveable barriers may be positioned above retaining walls that further restrict access to the products. With the invention, the “sweeping” of numerous products by a thief is deterred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Hardy, Adam Gold, John Ward, Max Syvuk, John Swafford
  • Patent number: 7497342
    Abstract: A product management display system for merchandising both larger and heavier products includes using a pusher mechanism along with one or more roller assemblies that, in combination, improve the merchandising of products on the shelves, especially on horizontal or non-inclined shelves or surfaces. In an exemplary embodiment, the product management display system includes a pusher mechanism mounted to a track that extends generally from the front of the shelf to the back of the shelf. The pusher mechanism is configured to urge product forward and toward the front of the shelf. At least one roller assembly is positioned beneath the product to be merchandised to assist the pusher mechanism in urging the product toward the front of the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Patent number: D613101
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Patent number: D613102
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Patent number: D627905
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John Wesley Swafford, Jr., David Breslow
  • Patent number: D630458
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy