Abstract: The invention is a battery clamshell plate comprising a plurality of laminate layers stacked and connected together. The laminate layers may be made of printed circuit board (PCB). The laminate layers may have cut outs to house battery cells, of which the battery cells are connected to the battery clamshell plate by friction or mechanical means. The invention considers strategies to minimize weight and to ensure resistance to shock and vibration failures. This invention also considers air cooling in between cells.

Abstract: A clamshell plate for a battery pack is configured to facilitate connection via adhesive to a plurality of battery cells. The clamshell plate includes: an exterior surface; a recess within the clamshell plate for accommodating a battery cell therein; a channel extending around at least a portion of an inner diameter of the recess in which adhesive can be accommodated to secure the clamshell plate to the battery cell; a manifold opening into the channel; and a vent hole from the channel to the exterior surface of the clamshell plate. A battery pack and a method can employ the clamshell plate.

Abstract: Certain aspects involve a powered shelf system that can inductively provide power to electrical components of consumer product packages. The powered shelf system can include a housing, a primary inductor, a controller, and a pusher system. The primary inductor can be coupled to or included in the housing. The controller can apply an electrical current to the primary inductor in accordance with a maximum power requirement for the powered shelf system. The applied electrical current can be sufficient to create a magnetic field from the primary inductor that has a minimum field strength at a specified distance from the primary inductor. The minimum field strength can be sufficient to induce a minimum current in a secondary inductor for powering an emitting device that is electrically coupled to the secondary inductor. The pusher system can position the secondary inductor at the distance from the primary inductor.

Abstract: A system uses beacons with point-of-purchase displays and other in-store displays to direct customers to certain products of interest to the customer. The system determines which beacons should receive electrical power based on sensors within the displays.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dispenser for controlling access to product, such as but not limited to bottles, housed within the dispenser. In some embodiments, the dispenser includes an opening having a contour that generally mirrors the shape and/or dimensions of the product stored within the dispenser plus a relatively small amount of clearance and also includes a tunnel within the interior of the device. The configuration of the opening and/or the tunnel feature prevents a user from accessing product stored behind the opening within the dispenser. In some embodiments, the dispenser includes a pusher system that provides a time delay between the dispensing of products into a receiving area.

Abstract: A system for controlling advancement of and access to product and for generating data associated with such advancement and access. Systems of this invention include a pusher system having a track, a pusher, and mechanisms for generating data relating to the movement of the pusher. Certain embodiments of the invention include a door assembly, which controls consumer access to product located behind the door assembly, a stop for limiting the forward progression of the pusher along the track, and mechanisms for generating data relating to when and/or for how long the door assembly is open.

Abstract: A system for controlling advancement of and access to product housed within a device. Systems and devices include a pushing assembly having a track, a pusher, and a stop for restricting forward movement of the pusher when the stop is engaged. The device also includes a door assembly that has an open position and a closed position, an engaging mechanism that engages the stop when the door assembly is in the open position, and a blocker mechanism that restricts consumer access to product located behind the door assembly.

Abstract: Certain aspects involve a powered shelf system that can inductively provide power to electrical components of consumer product packages. The powered shelf system can include a housing, a primary inductor, a controller, and a pusher system. The primary inductor can be coupled to or included in the housing. The controller can apply an electrical current to the primary inductor in accordance with a maximum power requirement for the powered shelf system. The applied electrical current can be sufficient to create a magnetic field from the primary inductor that has a minimum field strength at a specified distance from the primary inductor. The minimum field strength can be sufficient to induce a minimum current in a secondary inductor for powering an emitting device that is electrically coupled to the secondary inductor. The pusher system can position the secondary inductor at the distance from the primary inductor.

Abstract: A light-harvesting power supply system is provided that can perform one or more of power management and load identification. The power supply system can include a power harvesting unit and a controller. The power harvesting unit can convert light energy into electrical energy that may be provided to one or more load devices via one or more terminals of the power supply system. In some aspects, the controller can allocate electrical energy among load devices based on their respective power requirements and an available amount of electrical energy from the power harvesting unit. The controller can cause the electrical energy to be provided to the load devices based on the allocation of available energy. In additional or alternative aspects, the power supply system can determine that a device is not authorized to receive power. The controller can prevent the power harvesting unit from providing electrical energy to the unauthorized device.

Abstract: A system for controlling advancement of and access to product housed within a device. Systems and devices include a pushing assembly having a track, a pusher, and a stop for restricting forward movement of the pusher when the stop is engaged. The device also includes a door assembly that has an open position and a closed position, an engaging mechanism that engages the stop when the door assembly is in the open position, and a blocker mechanism that restricts consumer access to product located behind the door assembly.

Abstract: A system for controlling advancement of and access to product and for generating data associated with such advancement and access. Systems of this invention include a pusher system having a track, a pusher, and mechanisms for generating data relating to the movement of the pusher. Certain embodiments of the invention include a door assembly, which controls consumer access to product located behind the door assembly, a stop for limiting the forward progression of the pusher along the track, and mechanisms for generating data relating to when and/or for how long the door assembly is open.

Abstract: A system for controlling advancement of and access to product and for generating data associated with such advancement and access. Systems of this invention include a pusher system having a track, a pusher, and mechanisms for generating data relating to the movement of the pusher. Certain embodiments of the invention include a door assembly, which controls consumer access to product located behind the door assembly, a stop for limiting the forward progression of the pusher along the track, and mechanisms for generating data relating to when and/or for how long the door assembly is open.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dispenser for controlling access to product, such as but not limited to bottles, housed within the dispenser. In some embodiments, the dispenser includes an opening having a contour that generally mirrors the shape and/or dimensions of the product stored within the dispenser plus a relatively small amount of clearance and also includes a tunnel within the interior of the device. The configuration of the opening and/or the tunnel feature prevents a user from accessing product stored behind the opening within the dispenser. In some embodiments, the dispenser includes a pusher system that provides a time delay between the dispensing of products into a receiving area.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dispenser for controlling access to product, such as but not limited to bottles, housed within the dispenser. In some embodiments, the dispenser includes an opening having a contour that generally mirrors the shape and/or dimensions of the product stored within the dispenser plus a relatively small amount of clearance and also includes a tunnel within the interior of the device. The configuration of the opening and/or the tunnel feature prevents a user from accessing product stored behind the opening within the dispenser. In some embodiments, the dispenser includes a pusher system that provides a time delay between the dispensing of products into a receiving area.

Abstract: Dispensing systems and methods are disclosed that provide controlled advancement of product and provide controlled access to product stored within the system. Embodiments include a product pushing device having a track and a pusher that urges product stored on the track forward. Certain embodiments include mechanisms to limit the forward progression of the pusher along the track, such as a brake mechanism, and certain embodiments include mechanisms to block access to product located on the track. Some embodiments include mechanisms for providing a time delay in between the vending of products.

Abstract: Systems for deterring theft of retail products. Systems of this invention provide theft deterrent dispensing modules for dispensing products and may incorporate theft deterrent measures including mechanical deterrents, time delays and sound. The dispensing modules may include one or more pusher assemblies for dispensing product. Certain systems of this invention may also include a lockout feature, so that only one pusher assembly may be activated to dispense a product at one time.

Abstract: A system for controlling advancement of and access to product and for generating data associated with such advancement and access. Systems of this invention include a pusher system having a track, a pusher, and mechanisms for generating data relating to the movement of the pusher. Certain embodiments of the invention include a door assembly, which controls consumer access to product located behind the door assembly, a stop for limiting the forward progression of the pusher along the track, and mechanisms for generating data relating to when and/or for how long the door assembly is open.

Abstract: A system for controlled advancement of product. Systems of this invention includes a pushing system having a track, a pusher, and an optional resistance mechanism. The resistance mechanism couples to the track and the pusher, controlling forward movement of the pusher along the track and thereby controlling the speed at which product is advanced for access by the consumer. Certain embodiments of the invention include additional mechanisms to further limit the forward progression of the pusher along the track, such as a stop mechanism or an indexing mechanism.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dispenser for controlling access to product, such as but not limited to bottles, housed within the dispenser. In some embodiments, the dispenser includes an opening having a contour that generally mirrors the shape and/or dimensions of the product stored within the dispenser plus a relatively small amount of clearance and also includes a tunnel within the interior of the device. The configuration of the opening and/or the tunnel feature prevents a user from accessing product stored behind the opening within the dispenser. In some embodiments, the dispenser includes a pusher system that provides a time delay between the dispensing of products into a receiving area.