Abstract: A checkout stand having a circular turret rotatable about a central axis and a damping cylinder including a piston rod. The first end of the rod is pivotally attached to a location outside the perimeter of the turret, and the second end of the rod is pivotally attached to a location on the circular turret offset from the central axis.

Abstract: A high-velocity scanned item distribution apparatus and method are presented. The high-velocity scanned item distribution apparatus permits bagging operations for multiple purchase transactions to occur in parallel. Overlapping the bagging operation of multiple purchase transactions allows the scanning and payment operations of the purchase transactions to continue at higher speeds. In addition, point of sale terminals with high-velocity item scanners are allowed to function at higher speeds.

Abstract: A checkstand includes a cabinet, an electrically actuated conveyor, and an electrically actuated rotatable turntable. The electrically actuated conveyor is mounted on a portion of the cabinet. The conveyor is structured to convey items from a first end to an opposite second end when actuated. The electrically actuated rotatable turntable is mounted on the cabinet proximate the second end of the conveyor. The turntable is structured to receive items from the conveyor.

Abstract: This invention provides a high-volume check stand with a front transport that has two belted input conveyors so that a customer can load one belt while the cashier is checking out products purchased by a second customer on the second belt. This two belt module has a flush rear end to which is attached a scanner that can be slid from one belt to the other. Preferably this check stand has an output module which has two belts and two rollers so that the check stand can use a bagger on each side for bagging the items, to speed checkout time. Embodiments of this check stand may have an output module that is a carousel or a turntable. It could also have any combination of one or two conveyor belts and one or two rollers on an incline for use in packing the products. A scanner is placed between the flush rear end of the front transport and the flush front end of the output module.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for sorting purchase items. A selection module selects a plurality of categories. In one embodiment, the selection module receives a category selection. In addition, the selection module may receive a criterion selection for the category selection and receive a modification for the criterion selection. The selection module may further modify the criterion of the selected category with the modification. An identification module identifies a purchase item. An association module associates a selected category of the plurality of categories with the purchase item. A sorter sorts the purchase item to a specified bin. The specified bin is associated with the selected category. In one embodiment, a bagger may bag one or more purchase items from a bin.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for more efficient checkout are described. A triangular carousel having a relatively small footprint is employed proximate a bar code scanner and point of sale (POS) terminal so that a checker can efficiently load scanned items into bags, and a customer on the other side of the checkout counter and proximate the bar code scanner can also efficiently load filled bags into his or her shopping cart.

Abstract: A checkout system includes a front module, a rear module, and a bagging module. The bagging module includes a rotatable support surface and an extendible support, which is adapted for supporting at least one bag. The extendible support is mounted to the rotatable support surface and is movable between an operable position wherein a bag supported by the extendible support is positioned for loading items into the supported bag from the front module and a stowed position wherein an uppermost portion of the extendible support is lowered below the upper surfaces of the front module and the rear module.

Abstract: An apparatus for pricing and bagging purchase items which are marked with bar codes includes a hub rotatably mounted on a hub mounting structure, a transparent and substantially horizontal upper table positioned over the lower table and rotatably mounted on the hub, the upper table having a circular array of purchase item delivery ports opening through the upper table, a transparent tray removably covering the purchase item delivery ports for receiving and retaining one the purchase item, a motor for rotating the upper table on the hub, a bar code scanner positioned beneath the upper table and directed upward, a plurality of bags individually designated for specific types of purchase items and positioned below one of the delivery ports for selectively receiving the purchase item, a tray tilting mechanism for tilting the tray to drop the purchase item from the tray through the port beneath the tray into one of the bags, a microprocessor for controlling the operation of the motor to rotate the upper table to pa

Abstract: A checkout station for checking out articles selected for purchase and bearing UPC codes includes an island for checkout including a first checkout module, having a first UPC scanner and a first conveyor leading from the first scanner to a first bagging area. A first customer passageway extends lengthwise along one side of the first conveyor. A cashier station is adjacent a second side of the first conveyor. A second checkout module, having a second UPC scanner and a second conveyor leading from the second scanner to a second bagging area and having one side adjacent the cashier station. A second customer passageway extends lengthwise along the other side of the second conveyor. Checkout is practiced by a customer scanning article UPC and an operator (cashier) processing payment, increasing throughput.