Abstract: A store check-out station comprises a working table, an input conveyor, and an offset output conveyor. The top surface of the working table is preferably shaped in the form of a truncated sector of a circle, having its input edge orthogonal to its output edge. The input and output conveyors are elongated transfer beds, preferably gravity roller beds. The longitudinal axis of the output transfer bed is laterally offset from that of the input transfer bed. In a preferred embodiment, adapted for use with grocery cart and container systems, the difference in height between the top surface of the working table and that of the transfer beds is approximately equal to the height of a merchandise container.

Abstract: A shopping cart and container apparatus for transporting grocery products in or about a store from a supermarket or the like, includes a plurality of containers and a cart for transporting the containers. The cart comprises an elongated wheeled base, a frame extending upwardly from the base, and at least one rack carried by the frame which includes a shelf for supporting at least one of the containers. A securing device, such as a pair of pins extending generally upwardly from the rack, releaseably secures the containers to the shelf. The cart preferably comprises an upper rack and a lower rack separated by a distance greater than the height of the containers. The containers preferably include a laterally outwardly extending lip which has apertures therein for mating with the pins.