Patents by Inventor Stephen N. Hardy

Stephen N. Hardy has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • PRODUCT MANAGEMENT DISPLAY SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20180070743
    Abstract: A product management display system for merchandising product on a shelf includes a divider secured to a support structure, a pusher to move product, a barrier, and a low product indicator device. The low product indicator device may be visible when an amount of product positioned on the top surface of the divider floor or on the shelf is low.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Collapsible Insulating Device
    Publication number: 20180073793
    Abstract: A portable insulating device kit may be configured to fit within a smaller container for easier shipment. In one example, the assembly may include a base, a top wall having an opening, an inner liner configured to extend into the opening of the top wall to form an interior cavity defining a volumetric storage capacity and an exterior wall. The container can have a flat configuration defining a length, height, and width. The base, the top wall, the inner liner, and the exterior wall may be configured to be assembled into a portable insulating device. The volume of the container may be less than the volumetric storage capacity of the assembled portable insulating device, and the base, the inner liner, and the exterior wall are configured to be detached from one another and shipped in the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Stephen N. Hardy, Gideon Schlessinger, Fred Geiger, Julio Lozano
  • Product management display system with trackless pusher mechanism
    Patent number: 9895007
    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 and one or more dividers for separating product into rows. The one or more dividers may be engaged to a front rail in two different conditions, locked and unlocked. In a locked condition, the relationship between the divider and the front rail resists alteration in any direction with respect to each other. In the unlocked condition, the dividers may be freely slid laterally along the front rail, while remaining perpendicular to the front rail. The one or more dividers may lock to the front rail through the use of corresponding teeth, resilient surfaces, a locking tab, a locking bar and/or a cam that may define a cam glide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Product securement and management system
    Patent number: 9844280
    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 merchandise system may be configured to hold a number of products, such as cans (for example, baby formula cans) in the merchandise system that would be accessible to the customer one at a time out of the front of the merchandise system. The front of each merchandise system may include its own individual security window attached to the merchandise system that allows the customer to remove one can at a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Tony Dipaolo, John Wildman, Stephen N. Hardy
  • Product management display system
    Patent number: 9820584
    Abstract: A merchandise display system can include a front rail, at least one divider configured to engage the front rail, the at least one divider including a barrier. The at least one divider may also include a divider wall, and a roller carriage extending along the divider wall. The roller carriage can be provided with a plurality of rollers, and the roller carriage can be configured to advance the product. Additionally a cam can be coupled to the divider. Additionally, the roller carriage can be tilted such that the product is configured to move toward the barrier. The roller carriage can be formed of a first portion and a second portion, and the roller carriage can provided with a plurality of axles that are configured to receive the plurality of rollers such that the plurality of rollers are configured to rotate on the roller carriage. A method for forming a merchandise display system is also contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Product management display system with trackless pusher mechanism
    Patent number: 9820585
    Abstract: A product management display system for merchandising product on a shelf includes at least one tray having a front rounded portion and defining a plurality of apertures and having two sides. A lip may extend upward from the front rounded portion of the at least one tray. A front shelf may extend forward from the lip. The at least one tray may include one divider extending upwardly from each of the two sides and a front wall. The front wall may include a top wall, a bottom wall, and two side legs. The front wall, bottom wall, and two side legs may form a wall aperture and the front wall may include a plurality of projections configured to engage with the plurality of apertures on the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen N. Hardy, Tony Dipaolo, Barry Hearn
  • Product management display system
    Patent number: 9801466
    Abstract: An adjustable tray for a merchandise display system may include a retainer for limiting the movement of products loaded in the adjustable tray, a pusher mechanism configured to bias product toward the retainer, a first divider extending from a first panel and second divider extending from a second panel. The spacing between the first divider and the second divider can be configured to be adjusted. The first panel and the second panel can be configured to move to provide additional surface area for the adjustable tray to accommodate different sized products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Product Management Display System with Trackless Pusher Mechanism
    Publication number: 20170303706
    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 and one or more dividers for separating product into rows. The one or more dividers may be engaged to a front rail in two different conditions, locked and unlocked. In a locked condition, the relationship between the divider and the front rail resists alteration in any direction with respect to each other. In the unlocked condition, the dividers may be freely slid laterally along the front rail, while remaining perpendicular to the front rail. The one or more dividers may lock to the front rail through the use of corresponding teeth, resilient surfaces, a locking tab, a locking bar and/or a cam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Multi-Component Display and Merchandise Systems
    Publication number: 20170303705
    Abstract: A multi-component divider including a first divider component and a connection mechanism for a second divider component. The second divider component connects to the first divider component when the first divider component is connected to a base. The second divider component extends above the first divider component, thereby extending the overall height of the divider. The base and multi-component divider can be used in locations where there is limited space between shelves, such as a shelf in a freezer or refrigerated display, or in any application where a higher divider may be preferred, but cannot be installed. The base can additionally include a pusher moveable along a longitudinal direction of the base, wherein the pusher is also adjustable linearly along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Product Securement and Management System
    Publication number: 20170295954
    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 mounted to the base at an angle. The system may further include a spring-urged pusher movably mounted on the base. The system may further include an opening defined by the first side wall and the front retaining wall through which product may be removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Collapsible insulating device
    Patent number: 9777955
    Abstract: A portable insulating device kit may be configured to fit within a smaller container for easier shipment. In one example, the assembly may include a base, a top wall having an opening, an inner liner configured to extend into the opening of the top wall to form an interior cavity defining a volumetric storage capacity and an exterior wall. The container can have a flat configuration defining a length, height, and width. The base, the top wall, the inner liner, and the exterior wall may be configured to be assembled into a portable insulating device. The volume of the container may be less than the volumetric storage capacity of the assembled portable insulating device, and the base, the inner liner, and the exterior wall are configured to be detached from one another and shipped in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen N. Hardy, Gideon Schlessinger, Fred Geiger, Julio Lozano
  • Product management display system
    Patent number: 9750354
    Abstract: A product management display system for merchandising product on a shelf includes a divider secured to a support structure, a pusher to move product, a barrier, and a low product indicator device. The low product indicator device may be visible when an amount of product positioned on the top surface of the divider floor or on the shelf is low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Product Management Display System
    Publication number: 20170245659
    Abstract: A merchandise display system can include a pusher extender that increases the pushing surface of the pusher. The pusher extender may define an elongated pusher body having a cavity. The pusher extender may be configured to slide over the pusher wall via the cavity like a sleeve. The pusher extender with an enlarged, substantially planar surface thereby creates an enlarged pushing surface for pushing larger products toward the front of the display system. The pusher extender can also be provided with an angled pusher surface to accommodate larger products. The display system can be mounted to a rear hang bar located towards the back of the shelf. A hanger may be positioned within a cavity formed in the divider and extend the length of the divider. The hook end of the hanger may then be positioned on the hang bar and the entire system may cantilever out from the hang bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Product management display system with trackless pusher mechanism
    Patent number: 9730531
    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 and one or more dividers for separating product into rows. The one or more dividers may be engaged to a front rail in two different conditions, locked and unlocked. In a locked condition, the relationship between the divider and the front rail resists alteration in any direction with respect to each other. In the unlocked condition, the dividers may be freely slid laterally along the front rail, while remaining perpendicular to the front rail. The one or more dividers may lock to the front rail through the use of corresponding teeth, resilient surfaces, a locking tab, a locking bar and/or a cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Multi-component display and merchandise systems
    Patent number: 9730528
    Abstract: A multi-component divider including a first divider component and a connection mechanism for a second divider component. The second divider component connects to the first divider component when the first divider component is connected to a base. The second divider component extends above the first divider component, thereby extending the overall height of the divider. The base and multi-component divider can be used in locations where there is limited space between shelves, such as a shelf in a freezer or refrigerated display, or in any application where a higher divider may be preferred, but cannot be installed. The base can additionally include a pusher moveable along a longitudinal direction of the base, wherein the pusher is also adjustable linearly along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Product securement and management system
    Patent number: 9723934
    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 mounted to the base at an angle. The system may further include a spring-urged pusher movably mounted on the base. The system may further include an opening defined by the first side wall and the front retaining wall through which product may be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Product management display system
    Patent number: 9713393
    Abstract: A merchandise display system having a pusher structure slidably-coupled to a track. The pusher structure comprises a lock arm configured to selectively engage with a ratchet rack to allow for selective unidirectional motion of pusher structure upon application of a manual force to a pusher face of the pusher structure. Further, selective disengagement of the ratchet rack from the lock arm is facilitated by a manually-actuated pull strip having a ramp structure that slidably engages with the lock arm to lift a pawl out of the ratchet rack. This selective disengagement allows for bidirectional sliding of said pusher structure along said track, thereby allowing displayed products to be moved towards a front of a display shelf, or for products to be reloaded into the merchandise display system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Product securement and management system
    Patent number: 9706857
    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 mounted to the base at an angle. The system may further include a spring-urged pusher movably mounted on the base. The system may further include an opening defined by the first side wall and the front retaining wall through which product may be removed. The system may also include the use of over-the-air power to power any of the shelf components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen N. Hardy, David S. Breslow, Gideon Schlessinger
  • Anti-Splay Device for Merchandise Display System
    Publication number: 20170196355
    Abstract: A merchandising display system can include one or more of a front rail configured to mount to a shelf, a first divider assembly, a second divider assembly, and a central track or floor, and a pusher assembly. In one example aspect, the example merchandising display system can be configured to prevent splaying of the divider assemblies when a row of product is loaded toward the rear of the shelf or when displaying the product in rows on the shelf. In one example, the central track in conjunction with the weight of the product can be configured to maintain even spacing between the first divider assembly and the second divider assembly, such that the first divider assembly and the second divider assembly are maintained in position on the shelf thereby maintaining the product organized in their respective rows on the shelf.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen N. Hardy, Tony Dipaolo
  • Product securement and management system
    Patent number: 9687085
    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 mounted to the base at an angle. The system may further include a spring-urged pusher movably mounted on the base. The system may further include an opening defined by the first side wall and the front retaining wall through which product may be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy