Abstract: An online shopping system that permits a customer to submit online orders for items and/or services from a store that serves both walk-in customers and online customers. The online shopping system presents an online display of an order cutoff time and an associated delivery window for items selected by the customer. The system accepts the customer's submission of a purchase order for the item in response to a time of submission being before the order cutoff time. The online shopping system does not settle with a credit supplier of the customer until the item selected by the customer is picked from inventory but before it is delivered. Therefore, the customer can go online and make changes to the order. In addition, available service windows are presented to the customer as a function of customer selected order and service types; and further, the order picking is assigned in accordance with a picker's preference.

Abstract: The invention relates to one or more methods for locating a shopper's, associate's, manager's or vendor's presumed position in a store using a communication multi-network for communication in the store. Specifically, at least one location device is positioned in proximity to, for example, a shopper such that the shopper's presumed position about the store may be known continuously or upon demand to the store.

Abstract: A system and method for managing financial data for a store that enables management to track and monitor the actual cost of items sold in each store of an enterprise. The system tracks the number, type and cost of each case received at a store within an enterprise and calculates a cost for each item capable of being produced using the components of the cases. The system receives information regarding items sold by the store and retrieves a cost for the items sold. The system may use the cost and retail sales information to generate financial data. The system may also be used to determine the costs associated with the store inventory.

Abstract: The invention relates to one or more systems for locating a shopper's, associate's, manager's or vendor's presumed position in a store using a communication multi-network for communication in the store. Specifically, at least one location device is positioned in proximity to, for example, a shopper such that the shopper's presumed position about the store may be known continuously or upon demand to the store.

Abstract: A container for transporting articles and displaying articles includes a set of joined walls capable of forming an enclosed configuration where an interior volume is enclosed by the joined walls with each of the joined walls in their respective closed positions. The container is convertible to a display configuration where access to the interior volume is provided. The set of joined walls includes a bottom, a top moveable relative to the bottom and sides moveable relative to the bottom. In converting from the enclosed configuration to the display configuration, the top moves relative to the bottom to provide a first access opening to the interior volume and at least one side moves relative to the bottom to provide a second access opening to the interior volume. The second access opening extends from the bottom to the first access opening, and at least one other side remains in its closed position to form a first edge of the second access opening.

Abstract: A system and method for scanning items for purchase in a retail environment is provided that has the ability to scan multiple items within its scan field of view simultaneously or nearly simultaneously in a multi-scanning type of configuration. In addition to the simultaneous scanning, the identity of each scanned item is discovered and then added to a running tally of items to be later purchased in a point of sale terminal.

Abstract: A computer-assisted management method for an enterprise including multiple work locations is provided. The method includes creating electronic contracts by associating work rules within the electronic contracts, the work rules governing an employer-employee relationship. The electronic contracts including the work rules are stored in a contract database. The electronic contracts stored in the contract database are provided to one or more system. The employer-employee relationship is managed using the electronic contracts including the work rules.

Abstract: A system for shopping in a store is provided that includes a multi-network for communications in a store, a shopping cart that weighs items placed therein and then transmits that weight information through the multi-network, and a wireless end device that may be handheld and/or releasably attached to the shopping cart whereby a shopper uses the wireless end device to send and receive information to the store though the multi-network.

Abstract: A combined in-store and fuel center point-of-sale system having a first point-of-sale system, having a checkout manager and one or more checkout terminals, and a second point-of-sale system, having a fuel center and one or more fuel pumps, in communication with each other and with one or more primary databases containing marketing data, consumer data, customer data, master sales data, discount data, and merchandise product data, for generating a fuel discount at the second point-of-sale system based on first purchasing activity at the first point-of-sale system and/or second purchasing activity at said second point-of-sale system. The fuel discount is maintained for each customer in one of said primary databases and is based on a total purchase of products, a total purchase of product units, a total purchase amount of a product type, time period for total purchase of products, or a tiered spending amount.

Abstract: A vehicle adapted to hold and transport groceries for home delivery comprises a chassis and a storage unit. The storage unit includes multiple compartments maintained at different temperatures to keep items placed therein refrigerated, frozen or at ambient temperature. Each of the compartments is easily accessible from the ground and has at least one rack mounted therein. The racks support totes filled with grocery orders.

Abstract: A wheeled cart for use in a grocery store to fill multiple orders simultaneously includes a body supported by wheels. The body has at least one opening for storing totes to be filled with bags of groceries. The totes are taken to a delivery truck after being filled at the grocery store. The wheeled cart has an inverted U-shaped top rail to which are secured a printer and a scanner. A computer base secured to the cart supports a computer. The printer, scanner and computer are powered by a battery housed in the cart.

Abstract: A vehicle adapted to hold and transport groceries for home delivery comprises a chassis and a storage unit. The storage unit includes multiple compartments maintained at different temperatures to keep items placed therein refrigerated, frozen or at ambient temperature. Each of the compartments is easily accessible from the ground and has at least one rack mounted therein. The racks support totes filled with grocery orders.

Abstract: A supermarket-type checkout counter facilitates two-handed scanning of merchandise coded indicia by an operator to speed up and simplify supermarket checkout procedures. A scanner is mounted in a module which, with a side live conveyor, a rear live conveyor, and a side conveyance table, define a workplace for the operator. A flat plate portion of the scanner is angled toward the operator. On the opposite side of the scanner from the workplace a vertical wall defines an area for receipt of an elevated-basket shopping cart. A side of the shopping cart is pivoted out of the way and an operator standing in the workplace can easily reach over the scanner to access merchandise within the cart, and move it over the scanner. Four columns elevate the basket of the cart from a wheeled base, and cooperating cams on the front of the cart and the rear of another cart effect pivotal movement of the basket about a horizontal axis into a nesting configuration.

Abstract: Acid whey, the by-product from the manufacture of fresh cheeses such as cottage cheese, is clarified, filtered and subjected to lactose hydrolysis, splitting the lactose disaccharide into the monosaccharides glucose and galactose. The liquid is sterilized and cultured with Baker's yeast and used as a growth medium for that yeast. After yeast growth is substantially completed the yeast solids are separated and the liquid remaining is discharged into waste-water receiving systems, the liquid significantly reduced in organic waste loading as compared to untreated acid wheys.