WO2025184709A1

WO2025184709A1 - Retail shelf and associated shelf system

Info

Publication number: WO2025184709A1
Application number: PCT/AU2025/050214
Authority: WO
Inventors: Grant Trollope
Original assignee: T S& B Retail Systems Pty Ltd
Current assignee: T S& B Retail Systems Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2024-03-08
Filing date: 2025-03-07
Publication date: 2025-09-12
Anticipated expiration: 2026-09-08
Also published as: WO2025184709A8

Abstract

A retail stock holder, comprising a housing, an array of sensors disposed at least partially therein, and trays or hooks on which stock can be displayed for sale, each tray or hook being coupled to a respective sensor, wherein each sensor generates a signal representative of the quantity of stock on the respective tray or hook.

Description

Retail shelf and associated shelf system

Field of the invention

Disclosed herein is a retail shelf and associated shelf system. In particular, there is disclosed a shelf and associated system for determining a quantity of stock arranged thereon.

Backa round

Retail environments such as supermarkets and grocery stores commonly display stock on shelves or hooks for sale. However, existing systems and processes for monitoring stock levels and detecting potential theft are quite manual, expensive and ineffective. For example, if there is low or no stock of a particular product on a shelf or hook, a staff member may need to visually see this before action is taken to replenish the stock. This can result in lost sales and a store that may look less well-stocked or organised, particularly if the depleted shelf is not sighted and/or replenished for extended periods.

Additionally, the movement of particular products from shelves may be tracked, often manually, to determine the popularity (or lack thereof) of certain products, and this information may be used to forecast stock purchasing decisions and volumes. Such tracking of stock movement is often conducted manually, and in addition to being a laborious and time-consuming exercise, it is also vulnerable to human error.

Theft of products in retail environments also persists as an intractable problem that can cost stores enormous sums, and existing methods for detecting and dealing with theft are often inadequate, costly and ineffective, and may involve using security cameras and guards to deter such behaviour.

There is a need to address the above, and/or at least provide a useful alternative.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a retail stock holder for determining a quantity of stock arranged thereon, the stock holder comprising a housing, an array of sensors disposed at least partially therein, and trays or hooks on which stock can be displayed for sale, the trays or hooks being coupled to a respective sensor, wherein each sensor generates a signal representative of the quantity of stock on the respective overlying tray or hook.

Each sensor may be at least partially enclosed within the housing.

In an embodiment, substantially all of each sensor may be enclosed within the housing.

Each tray or hook may overlie the respective sensor.

It is envisaged that each sensor may comprise a weight sensor for detecting a weight of stock arranged on a respective overlying tray or hook.

In certain embodiments, the stock holder comprises opposed lateral sides and a support means extending therebetween to which the weight sensors are securable.

In at least one embodiment, the array of sensors is sandwiched between the support means and the trays or hooks. In certain examples, each sensor may comprise a weighing pad having a planar upper surface configured to engage a bottom surface of a respective tray or hook.

It is considered that opposed lateral sides of each tray may comprise an upwardly projecting rim to guide placement of stock thereon. The housing may further comprise rearward attachment means via which the shelf can be removably secured to a rack such that the stock holder extends horizontally outwardly from the rack.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a retail stocking system for determining a quantity of stock arranged thereon, comprising: one or more stock holders according to a first aspect of the present invention; and a data processing system for determining the quantity of stock on each tray or hook based on the signals generated by the sensors.

The system may be configured to periodically report the quantity of stock on the or each stock holder. For example, the system may report when the quantity of stock on a tray or hook and/or stock holder is below a predetermined amount.

In at least one embodiment, the system may be configured to report when more than a predetermined quantity of stock has been removed from a tray or hook and/or stock holder within a predetermined period of time.

It is envisaged that said reporting may comprise generating alerts including any one or more of the following: audible alerts; visual alerts; telephone calls; emails; and digital messages and notifications.

Of course, the above alerts are simply examples and other forms of alerts are indeed within the scope of the present specification.

In certain embodiments, the system may be in communication with a store security system whereby when more than a predetermined quantity of stock has been removed from a tray or hook and/or stock holders within a predetermined time period so as to be indicative of a theft event, store security footage is bookmarked at a time interval corresponding to the theft event.

Brief description of the drawings

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1A is a top perspective view of a retail stock holder according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. IB is the shelf or stock holder of Fig. 1A with trays thereof omitted;

Fig. 2A is a side perspective view of the shelf of Fig. IB with sensors thereof omitted;

Fig. 2B is a rear perspective view of the shelf of Fig. 2A;

Fig. 3A is a top perspective view of a retail shelf according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3B is the shelf of Fig. 3A with trays thereof omitted;

Fig. 4A is the shelf of Fig. 3B with sensors thereof omitted;

Fig. 4B is a bottom perspective view of the shelf of Fig. 4A;

Fig. 5 is a front perspective view of a shelf system according to embodiments of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a shelf system according to embodiments of the present invention stock with products;

Fig. 7A is a top perspective view of a retail stock holder according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 7B is the stock holder of Fig. 7A with the top housing plate removed;

Fig. 8A is the stock holder of Fig. 7A with a top plate, sensors, hooks and top housing cover removed;

Fig. 8B is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. 8A. Detailed description

The present stock holder and associated retail stocking system are configured to facilitate the accurate determination of stock quantities in a retail setting. In particular, embodiments of the present stock holder can detect the quantity of stock arranged thereon, and to report on and/or issue alerts periodically and/or in real-time based on stock movement that might require staff attention. For example, the stock holder and associated retail stocking system may detect that a certain shelf or tray or hook thereof has insufficient stock and may thus need to be restocked. In another example, the stock holder and associated system may detect that a higher-than-expected amount of stock has been removed from the stock holder or tray or hook thereof, and this may be indicative of suspicious activity such as theft. The stock holder and associated retail stocking system may thus issue an alert to appropriate staff members and/or security systems to take requisite action to investigate, deter or otherwise address the suspicious activity. In essence, the presently disclosed stock holder and associated retail stocking system seek to provide a smarter, more autonomous, accurate and cost-effective means for monitoring and tracking stock to improve a store's ability to manage stock and theft.

Figs. 1A to 2B show a first embodiment of a retail stock holder . In this embodiment, the stock holder is a shelf 100. The shelf 100 comprises a generally rectangular housing 4, an upper end of which is defined by a plurality of generally identical and discrete trays 6 arranged adjacent one another. The trays 6 are shaped and sized to receive stock thereon for display and sale. In the depicted embodiment, each tray 6 is generally rectangular and extends from a front to a rear of the housing 4, wherein lateral sides of each tray 6 comprise an upwardly extending rim or lip 7 to guide placement of stock thereon, though of course of other types of trays are indeed within the scope of the present specification. A front of the housing may be fitted with an elongate visual indicator 8 via which stock details such as price may be displayed.

Fig. IB shows the shelf 100 with the trays 6 removed. The housing 4 comprises laterally opposed side frame members 10 interconnected by transversely extending front and rear frame members 12, 14 the frame members 10, 12, 14 defining therebetween a generally hollow rectangular space in which sensors 16 of the shelf 100 are housed. A rear of each side member 10 is depicted with attachment features such as rearwardly projecting flanges or teeth 18 that enable the shelf 100 to be secured (e.g. hung) from corresponding openings in a rack such that the shelf 100 projects horizontally therefrom to display items for sale. The depicted shelf 100 comprises a sensor 16 for each tray 6, wherein each sensor 16 underlies a respective tray 6 and is configured to detect or sense the presence or absence of stock on that particular tray 6. Of course, alternative shelf embodiments may utilise fewer or more sensors per tray.

Still referring to Fig. IB, each sensor is a weight sensor 16 configured to detect a weight applied thereon. In the depicted embodiment, each weight sensor is in the form of a weighing pad 16 which has a generally flat upper surface engageable against the flat underside of a respective tray 6. In this way, the weight of stock on a tray 6 can be detected by an underlying weighing pad 16. In use, each weighing pad 16 would generate a signal, such as an electrical signal, representative of the weight of stock on the overlying tray 6, and this signal would be indicative of the quantity of stock on that tray 6. For example, if it is known that a particular stock has a certain weight, then it can be readily determined from the total weight measured by a corresponding weight sensor 16 the quantity of that stock on the associated tray 6. It is via such weight sensing that stock quantity on a particular tray 6 and/or shelf 100 can be monitored and tracked over time, though of course other types of sensors may be used to indicate stock quantity.

Referring also to Figs. 2A and 2B, the shelf 100 also comprises a support means via which the weight sensors 16 can be secured within the housing 4. In the depicted embodiment, the support means is in the form of a pair of elongate racks or framing members 20 extending between and interconnecting the lateral frame members 10, each rack 20 having an L-shaped cross-section configured to seat the array of sensors 16. Fixing means, such as screws 22, can be inserted through the overlying trays 6, through corresponding openings formed in corners of the weighing pads 16, and through underlying through holes 24 formed in the elongate support racks 20. In this way, the weighing pads 16 are securely sandwiched between the underlying support racks 20 and the overlying trays 6.

When installed, the shelf 100 would visually resemble a regular shelf and it would not be readily apparent to consumers that the shelf 100 is fitted with electronics and the like for tracking stock quantity. To this end, a rear of the housing 4 is fitted with an internal platform 26 and a downwardly sloping frame member 28 extending between the lateral frame members 10 upon which electronics, cabling and the like may be neatly stored and concealed beneath the trays 6. The rear frame member 14 may also comprise an opening 30 through which cables and the like may be fed.

The embodiment shown in Figs. 1A to 2B may be hung from vertical rack members 32, as shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 5 also shows several base-level shelves 100' which provide similar functionality to the hung shelves 100, though may be differently configured structurally. An embodiment of such a base shelf 100' is shown in Figs. 3A to 4B, wherein like reference numerals denote like or analogous features.

Referring to Fig. 3B, with the trays 6 removed, the base shelf 100' comprises a generally flat and rectangular frame member 34 having a rectangular-shaped opening or recess 36 extending across a width thereof in which the array of sensors 16 is housed. It is envisaged that the flat frame member 34 is almost if not substantially level with the flat upper surfaces of each sensor 16 such that when the trays 6 are positioned thereon, it is relatively difficult to visually see that the trays 6 are being monitored by the underlying the weighing pads 16. This may encourage shoppers to shop normally without feeling watched.

Figs. 4A and 4B show the sensors 16 removed and it can be seen that a lower end of the rectangular recess 30 is provided with elongate and opposed ledges 20' to which the sensors 16 are securable. The ledges 20' play a similar role to the support racks 20 of the shelf 100 of the first embodiment, wherein the array of sensors 16 may be sandwiched between and screwed to the underlying ledges 20' and the overlying trays 6. A rearward corner of the depicted shelf is also provided with storage means 38 via which electronics, cabling and the like may be organised and stored.

Figs. 5 and 6 show examples of the presently disclosed stock holder/ shelf embodiments in situ. Referring to Fig. 5, the display rack comprises four spaced apart vertical members 32 via which the present shelves 100, 100' are arranged, wherein each shelf 100, 100' comprises six trays 6 and spans the space between two adjacent vertical members 32. The shelves 100, 100' are arranged to define four rows, wherein each of the top three rows comprise three shelves 100 arranged side by side and hung from the vertical rack members 32 so as to project outwardly therefrom. The bottom row comprises three base shelves 100' arranged side by side.

Fig. 6 shows an arrangement of shelves in a system whereby the trays of each shelf is configured to receive and display a fixed number of products in the form of canisters of milk powder 40, a relatively high-value and in-demand item in grocery stores which may be prone to theft. With the shelf system arrangement shown in Fig. 6, each tray 6 of a shelf 100, 100' is configured to store and display a maximum of six canisters 40 of milk powder, wherein the weight of each canister 40 is known.

The store may thus utilise a data processing system that cooperates with the retail stocking system to monitor stock quantity on the shelves 100, 100'. The data processing system may comprise any number of computing-related devices, including at least one processor (CPU), network adapters, electronic displays such as screens, storage devices, speakers, and user input devices such as a keyboard and mouse. In use, when the weight of a particular stock item is known, a signal generated by each sensor 16 indicative of weight can be readily converted into a stock count value representative of the quantity of stock on a particular tray 6 and/or shelf 100, 100'. These values can be recorded and displayed for user analysis, and users may readily gauge, e.g., via a graphical user interface displayed on an electronic screen, the stock quantity on a particular tray 6, shelf 100, 100' and/or associated retail stocking system. The retail stocking system may thus be configured to issue stock reports and associated alerts based on the needs and functions of the particular store.

For example, the retail stocking system may be configured to periodically and/or in real-time report on stock quantity levels, wherein low stock levels may trigger an alert so that staff members can replenish stock on shelves in a timely manner. The rate at which stock is depleted from shelves may also be tracked over time to reveal consumer purchasing trends, and this can assist a store with stock ordering and management.

Of course, many modifications of the presently disclosed stock holder and associated systems will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the system may be configured to issue alerts to relevant personnel when a sufficiently high number of stock is removed from a tray or shelf within a short period of time, which occurrence may be indicative of suspicious activity such as theft. The alert may be localised to an area proximate to where the suspicious activity has occurred so that the thief and/or bystanders are alerted (e.g., via an audible message, beeping, lights etc). Alternatively, or additionally, subtle alerts may be issued (e.g., to security guards, staff members etc.) regarding the particular products' shelf or hook location etc. where the potential theft has occurred so that it can be investigated.

The presently disclosed stock holding system may also be integrated with a store's security system to better detect and prevent theft. For example, the system may be configured such that if sudden removal of stock from shelving is detected, the store's security camera footage is bookmarked to ensure the relevant footage can be easily determined and analysed. For example, if a theft event is detected, the footage may be bookmarked at a predetermined period before and after the event.

Figs. 7A to 8B show a third embodiment of a stock holder. The stock holder 200 comprises a generally rectangular housing 104 attached to a plurality of hooks 160 which are arranged adjacent each other and adapted to hold stock. The hooks 160 are shaped and sized to receive stock thereon for display and sale. In the depicted embodiment, each hook 160 has a first arm 161 and a second arm 162. The first arm 161 and second arm 162 are separated by a bent portion 165. The second arm 162 extends from a first 162a end to a second end 162b. The second arm 162 can be fixed to a support within the housing 104 in a cantilevered arrangement having a counterweight to support any load of stock on the hook 160. The second arm 162 can also be fixed to the housing 104 which can be secured to rack members (not shown) mounted to a wall of a stock display (not shown). The wall of the stock display (not shown) is configured to support the load of a plurality of stock holders 200.

The second arm 162 is adapted be loaded with stock, in use. The second end of the second arm 162b is coupled to a weight sensor 116 located within the housing 104. It is envisaged that in other embodiments, other parts of the load bearing arm can be coupled with a sensor 116. The first end of the second arm 162a comprises a turned- down portion for ease of insertion of a stock mounting portion connected to a piece of stock, onto the load bearing second arm 162.

The first end of the first arm 161a includes a visual indicator for displaying a label. For example, the label can include a name and a price of the product. In the illustrated embodiment, the visual indicator comprises a transversely oriented cylindrical piece 167 on which a label can be mounted. In other embodiments, there may be other suitable mounts for displaying labels.

The housing 104 comprises laterally opposed side frame members 110 interconnected by transversely extending front and rear frame members 112, 114, the frame members 110, 112, 114 defining therebetween a generally hollow rectangular space in which sensors 116 of the stock holder 200 are housed. The housing comprises a removable top cover 115. Fig. 7B shows the shelf with the top cover 115 of the housing 104 removed. A rear of each side member 110 is depicted with attachment features such as rearwardly projecting flanges or teeth 118 that enable the stock holder 200 to be secured (e.g. hung) from corresponding openings in a rack such that the array of hooks 106 projects horizontally therefrom to display items for sale. The depicted stock holder 200 comprises a sensor 116 for each hook 160, wherein each sensor 116 underlies a respective hook or and is configured to detect or sense the presence or absence of stock on that particular hook 160. Of course, alternative shelf embodiments may utilise fewer or more sensors per hook 160.

Referring to Fig. 7B, each sensor is a weight sensor 116 configured to detect a weight applied thereon. In the depicted embodiment, each weight sensor 116 is in the form of a weighing pad 117 which has a generally flat upper surface engageable against the second end of the second arm 162b of the hook. In this way, the weight of stock on a hook 106 can be detected by the weighing pad 117.

In use, each weighing pad 117 generates a signal, such as an electrical signal, representative of the weight of stock on the coupled hook 106, and this signal would be indicative of the quantity of stock on that hook 106. For example, if it is known that a particular stock has a certain weight, then it can be readily determined from the total weight measured by a corresponding weight sensor 116 the quantity of that stock on the associated hook 106. It is via such weight sensing that stock quantity on a particular hook 106 and/or stock holder 200 can be monitored and tracked over time, though of course other types of sensors may be used to indicate stock quantity.

Fig. 8A shows the stock holder 200 of Fig. 7A with the top cover, sensors and hooks removed. Referring to Fig. 8A, the stock holder 200 further comprises an elongate support 118 on which the sensors 116 are mounted. The cross-section of the elongate support 118 is rectangular providing a flat upper surface for the sensors 116 to rest on.

Fig. 8B shows an alternative view of the stock holder 200. The stock holder 200 further comprises a top flange 119 extending between side members 110 and located under the housing cover. In the illustrated embodiment, the top flange 119 has three holes 121 which can be used to fix the top cover to the housing with fasteners e.g. screws (not shown).

The retail stocking system described above in relation to a shelf as a stock-holder can be configured to suit an arrangement where the stock-holder is one or more hooks or any other type of stock holding display. For example, a retail stocking system for determining a quantity of stock arranged thereon can comprise one or more hooks and and a data processing system for determining the quantity of stock on each hook or plurality of hooks based on the signals generated by the sensors.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Claims

CLAI MS:

1 . A retail stock holder, comprising a housing, an array of sensors disposed at least partially therein, and trays or hooks on which stock can be displayed for sale, each tray or hook being coupled to a respective sensor, wherein each sensor generates a signal representative of the quantity of stock on the respective tray or hook.

2. The stock holder of claim 1 , wherein each sensor is at least partially enclosed within the housing.

3. The stock holder of claim 1 , wherein substantially all of each sensor is enclosed within the housing.

4. The stock holder of claim 1 , wherein each tray or hook overlies the respective sensor.

5. The stock holder of claim 1 , wherein each sensor comprises a weight sensor for detecting a weight of stock arranged on a respective overlying tray or hook.

6. The stock holder of any one of the preceding claims, comprising opposed lateral sides and a support means extending therebetween to which the weight sensors are securable.

7. The stock holder of claim 3, wherein the array of sensors is sandwiched between the support means and the overlying trays or hooks.

8. The stock holder of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each sensor comprises a weighing pad having a planar upper surface configured to engage a bottom surface of a respective tray or hook.

9. The stock holder of any one of the preceding claims, wherein opposed lateral sides of each tray or hook comprise an upwardly projecting rim to guide placement of stock thereon.

10. The stock holder of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing comprises rearward attachment means via which the shelf can be removably secured to a rack such that the shelf extends horizontally outwardly from the rack.

1 1. A retail stocking system for determining a quantity of stock arranged thereon, comprising: one or more stock holders according to any one of the preceding claims; and a data processing system for determining the quantity of stock on each tray or hook based on the signals generated by the sensors.

12. The system of claim 1 1 , being configured to periodically report the quantity of stock on the or each shelf or hook or plurality of hooks.

13. The system of claim 1 1 or 12 being configured to report when the quantity of stock on a tray or hook, and/or stock holder is below a predetermined amount.

14. The system of any one of claims 1 1 to 13, being configured to report when more than a predetermined quantity of stock has been removed from a tray or hook, and/or stock holder within a predetermined period of time.

15. The system of any one of claims 1 1 to 14, wherein said reporting comprises generating alerts including any one or more of the following: audible alerts; visual alerts; telephone calls; emails; and digital messages and notifications.