Abstract: According to one embodiment a shopping cart includes an imaging unit configured to acquire images of a surface at a location of the shopping cart and a controller. The controller is configured to detect a boundary pattern in images acquired by the imaging unit. The boundary pattern is painted or drawn on the surface at a boundary between a first area and a second area. Based on the detected boundary pattern the controller determines whether the shopping cart has been moved from the first area to the second area or from the second area to the first area. The controller then controls mobility of the shopping cart based on whether the shopping cart has been moved from the first area to the second area or from the second area to the first area.

Abstract: A storage device includes, in a box having an open front, a rotation mechanism section that rotatably holds a storage body that stores an object and is rotatable about a shaft extending along an up-down direction. The rotation mechanism section includes: a stationary rail affixed to a top surface of the box and including a guide groove open downward and forward and extending in a front-back direction and a guide body on a holding section protruding downward from a groove bottom surface of the guide groove; and a movable rail movable in the front-back direction along the guide groove in the stationary rail, coupled to the storage body via the shaft, and including: left and right sidewalls, a bottom wall, and a front end wall that define a receiving groove for receiving the guide body; and a top wall that forms a slit opening for receiving the holding section.

Abstract: A method and system of customizing bulk purchases of consumer personal care products are provided. In accordance with the present disclosure, multiple product forms and variants of the product forms may be contained within an integrated display within a retail outlet. The product forms may comprise any suitable personal care products, such as absorbent articles, feminine care products, toiletries, products for infants and children, adult incontinence products, tissue products, and the like. In accordance with the present disclosure, a consumer can select multiple packages based on personal preference that contain various different product forms and/or variants. The consumer is instructed to select a particular number of packages for purchase that total a single bulk price. In this manner, the consumer can take advantage of bulk pricing while still being able to select multiple related personal care products.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a method to automate the replenishment of one or more items on a shopping list.

Abstract: There is provided a conveyor system for conveying items and including a carrier for such items to be moved between at least two spaced-apart stations and a first guide track extending between the spaced apart stations. A flexible drive tape having a leading edge and a trailing edge is reciprocably mounted within the first guide track for moving the carrier between the spaced-apart stations, wherein the flexible drive tape is attached to the carrier adjacent the leading edge by a plurality of connectors. At least one of the connectors allows controlled relative movement between the tape and the carrier. A toothed cog wheel is preferably provided around a substantial portion of the periphery of which the drive tape is wound within a cog surround which at least partly encloses the cog wheel and the wound drive tape. The surround further includes a pair of tape peeler tips oppositely disposed adjacent the cog wheel to peel the tape away from the cog wheel as the wheel is rotated in use.