Live inventory management environment system and methods are disclosed. A shelf for items has bins each with an associated sensor. A processor receives a detection signal from the sensor which indicates placement or removal an item(s) from an associated bin. An entry device sends an entered request for placement or removal of items to the processor, and an indicator strip has lights which uniquely identify each one of the bins when lit. The processor has information relating to which bin each subset of lights is associated, and causes activation of a subset of lights associated with a bin of the item(s) in the request and records in memory a type of action, a time stamp and a quantity of the item(s) placed or removed from the bin having the subset of lights lit and indicated in the detection signal subsequently received from the sensor of the associated bin.

An anti-theft merchandise hook that includes a top wire connected to a housing at a first end of the top wire, and to a mounting portion, used to mount the anti-theft merchandise hook to a stationary surface, at a second end of the top wire opposite the first end. A bottom wire is attached to the mounting portion and extends from the mounting portion towards the housing. The bottom wire is configured to hold retail merchandise. A hanger is at least partially disposed within the housing. The hanger is configured to move linearly between a closed position in which the hanger abuts the bottom wire, and an open position in which the hanger is spaced some distance from the bottom wire. A motor is configured to drive a rotary shaft in order to move the hanger between the closed position and the open position.

An article moving device of the present invention includes a plurality of roller members, a base member which has a bottom plate section and a peripheral wall section and accommodates the plurality of roller members, and a plate-shaped cover member which is detachably attached to the peripheral wall section so as to cover an opening section surrounded by the peripheral wall section, wherein the base member is formed of a material having a flexural modulus of 2500 MPa to 4000 MPa, a first parameter of 7.00 to 18.00, as calculated by the formula: flexural modulus (MPa)×yield stress in tension (MPa)×thickness (mm)/density (g/cm.sup.3)/100000, and a second parameter of 2.00 to 10.00, as calculated by the formula: first parameter×nominal tensile strain at break (%)/100.

An article moving device of the present invention includes a plurality of roller members, a base member which has a bottom plate section and a peripheral wall section and accommodates the plurality of roller members, and a plate-shaped cover member which is detachably attached to the peripheral wall section so as to cover an opening section surrounded by the peripheral wall section, wherein the base member is formed of a material having a flexural modulus of 2500 MPa to 4000 MPa, a first parameter of 7.00 to 18.00, as calculated by the formula: flexural modulus (MPa)×yield stress in tension (MPa)×thickness (mm)/density (g/cm.sup.3)/100000, and a second parameter of 2.00 to 10.00, as calculated by the formula: first parameter×nominal tensile strain at break (%)/100.

A retail merchandise tray including a front stop having a product support surface is provided. The product support surface is located between mounting features that attach the front stop to the rest of the retail merchandise tray. The front stop itself is an embodiment as well.

A bottom supporting shelf allocation and management system for allocating shelf space among rows of products comprises a plurality of adjacent shelf allocating and managing units. Each unit is associated with at least one row of products. Each unit includes a base extending to a shelf depth and supporting the row(s) of products, an integral perpendicular side divider attached to the side edge of the base, an open side of the base opposite the base side to which the side divider is attached, a puller that travels in a channel on the base and along the length of the base, a backstop attached to the rear of the puller extending laterally across the surface of the base which is configured to make selectively contact a rearmost product resting on the base and push the row of products on the base forward in sympathy to the puller forward movement.

A merchandise dispensing apparatus for deterring theft includes a housing having a plurality of walls defining an interior space within the housing. At least one merchandise support module is mounted in the housing and includes an electro-mechanical ejector located adjacent a front end of the at least one module. The ejector includes an electrical motor with an output shaft, along with an ejector plate movably mounted in relation to the housing. A gear train connects the output shaft of the motor to the ejector plate. A relay selectively provides electrical power to the motor.

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.

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.

The present disclosure provides a cutlery dispenser for dispensing cutlery utensils. The cutlery dispenser may include a housing, a cover, a wedge protrusion, and a pair of sweeper arms. The housing may include an interior space and be configured to receive a number of cutlery utensils loaded therein. The cover may enclose a portion of the interior space and be configured to move between a closed position for dispensing the loaded cutlery utensils from the interior space and an open position for loading the cutlery utensils into the interior space. The wedge protrusion may be configured to engage a leading one of the loaded cutlery utensils when the cover is in the closed position and to disengage the leading one of the loaded cutlery utensils when the cover is in an open position. The sweeper arms may be configured to engage the leading one of the loaded cutlery utensils when the cover is in an open position and to disengage the leading one of the loaded cutlery utensils when the cover is in the closed position.