Abstract: A shopping support system includes a management server, a reservation device such as a shooter, an automatic sorter, and a register. The management server specifies a reserved product to be purchased in response to an operation input to the reservation device, controls the automatic sorter to pick up the reserved product to be purchased, transmits a price thereof to the register, and cause a moving object loaded with the settled product to move to a product receiving place by autonomous driving.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a checkout counter which includes loading areas, registration area and packing comprising; a loading area, a registration area comprising means for parallel checkout and registration of purchased goods where the means at least comprises; a first registration zone, a second registration zone, and at least one registration means adapted to register goods from the first and the second registration zone, and a packing area configured to receive goods from two registration zones in parallel. It is also disclosed a method for operation of a checkout counter according to one embodiment of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for optically scanning a machine-readable device applied to an object, comprising a transport apparatus for transporting the object in a transport direction, the object being supported on the transport apparatus on an underside, the transport apparatus containing a first transport belt with a first upper strand and a second transport belt with a second upper strand, wherein a gap is formed between the first transport belt and the second transport belt which is arranged ahead of the first transport belt in the transport direction, and comprising a scanning apparatus for scanning the machine-readable marking, wherein the scanning apparatus has at least one scanning element associated with the gap, wherein the first upper strand and the second upper strand are arranged so as to have a height offset relative to each other in such a way that the underside of the object can be scanned by tipping the object when the object is transferred from the first transport belt to the second t

Abstract: A device and a method for the optical scanning of a machine-readable label applied to an object are proposed. The device has at least one belt conveyor (1) and one receiving tray, which are located sequentially spaced apart. A scanning device (3) is located between the belt conveyor (1) and the receiving tray. An additional conveyor device (4) is provided close to the belt conveyor (1) and the scanning device (3) which has several carriers (7) running perpendicular to the direction of travel of the belt conveyor (1). Between two carriers (7) there is a space (12) to accommodate an object. The conveying device (4) covers the scanning device (3) completely and the belt conveyor (1) at least partially. An object is placed on the belt conveyor (1) between two carriers (7) with the side carrying the label and taken across the scanning device (3) by the carriers (7). Then the object is taken to the receiving tray by the carriers (7).

Abstract: A method and a central-belt machine are provided for filling an order container. The central-belt machine includes two central belt provided with articles along a virtual window of an order, and the articles being discharged to the order container at a filling point at the front longitudinal end (V) of the central belt. The two central belts (1, 2) of the central-belt machine, are arranged vertically one above the other, to fill the order container (3), for an order, by at least one interposed vertical conveyor (4) at a single filling point (P) of the lower central belt (2).

Abstract: Selectively deploying barriers for intra-order separation at a retail checkout terminal includes scanning products purchased by a consumer, determining a position of at least one product in a bagging portion of the retail checkout station relative to a plurality of selectively deployable barrier members, and activating a selector element on a user interface of the retail checkout station to deploy a select one of the plurality of selectively deployable barrier members based upon the position of the at least one product in the bagging portion serve to provide an intra-order separator that shields the at least one product resting in the bagging portion from other products moving toward the bagging portion on a product transport assembly.

Abstract: A method and a central-belt machine are provided for filling an order container. The central-belt machine includes two central belt provided with articles along a virtual window of an order, and the articles being discharged to the order container at a filling point at the front longitudinal end (V) of the central belt. The two central belts (1, 2) of the central-belt machine, are arranged vertically one above the other, to fill the order container (3), for an order, by at least one interposed vertical conveyor (4) at a single filling point (P) of the lower central belt (2).

Abstract: A system and method for transporting items along a conveyor for a checkout system may include starting a conveyor in a transporting direction upon an item being placed in proximity to a start sensor, transporting the item beyond the start sensor and stopping the conveyor prior to the item reaching an end of the conveyor if a checkout sensor positioned in a checkout area indicates that a user is absent at the checkout area. The system and method may further include transporting the item toward the end of the conveyor if the checkout sensor indicates a user is present at the checkout area, transporting the item toward the second end of the conveyor upon a second item being placed in proximity to the start sensor and stopping the conveyor upon the item being sensed by a stopping sensor.

Abstract: An extension/retraction mechanism for a take-away conveyor in a checkstand. The extension/retraction mechanism selectively stops and holds the telescoping take-away conveyor at the scan-and-bag position as the telescoping take-away conveyor is moving between walk-through and scan-and-pass positions. The extension/retraction mechanism includes a cam follower that is pivotally attached to the telescoping take-away conveyor for movement therewith. The cam follower rides within a cam track as the telescoping conveyor moves between the scan-and-bag, walk-through, and scan-and-pass positions. The cam track includes a series of turn surfaces so that the cam follower changes course as the telescoping take-away conveyor moves backward and forward. The cam track also includes at least one pocket for retaining the cam follower when the telescoping take-away conveyor is in the scan-and-bag position.

Abstract: A pharmacy workstation includes a staging area where a prescription is initially processed by entering prescription data and customer data into a computer operable with a keyboard and recessed monitor. A prescription filling process area downstream the staging area yet proximate the keyboard includes a telephone and printer for communicating information with a doctor and insurance provider, as desired. A slot within the counter permits printed material, including prescription and customer information, and printed labels to be conveniently delivered to the process area. Gravity fed bins store empty vials and caps. A drug-filled vial, the written prescription, and the printed material are placed in a basket and conveyed downstream to a checking process area of the workstation. Once checked, the capped vial is placed in a bag, the bag sealed, and conveyed to a finished prescription holding area.

Abstract: A checkout stand or counter for accumulating a number of discrete items having a primary conveyor to deliver items to a primary accumulation zone at the far end and exterior side of the upper surface, a secondary conveyor to deliver items to a secondary accumulation zone adjacent the cashier recess, and a diverter to shunt items placed on the interior portion of the primary conveyor onto the secondary conveyor, while allowing items placed on the exterior portion of the primary conveyor to be directed to the primary accumulation zone. The diverter can be fixed, pivotable or extendable.

Abstract: An article selecting and collecting apparatus having a plurality of vertically spaced elongated ramps with a continuous conveyor and articulated selector slidingly attached to a rail adjacent each conveyor. The articulated selector slides along the rail to a selected portion of the rack for selecting an article from the rack and placing it on the adjacent conveyor. The conveyor carries the article to a spiral chute at a distal end for collecting with other selected articles.

Abstract: A system and method for automated processing of articles include a plurality of storage units separated by aisles through which customers can pass to select articles for processing. The selected articles are identified by tags applied thereto from identification record members provided to the customers, and are placed on conveyors located adjacent to the storage units for transportation to a checkout station where they are collected, their prices are totalled, and payment is made. The articles are then further transported to a plurality of bagger stations where they are bagged and released to the customer after verification that payment has been made.

Abstract: An ergonomically designed check-out counter system for supermarket and merchandising industries is characterized by provisions for differences in human heights, hand and position of operators and for ease in handling of merchandise to reduce fatigue and injury to the operators while providing maximum productivity under both light and heavy through put requirements.

Abstract: Conveying system with one or more driving members, conveying chains in operative connection therewith and mechanism arranged on said chains and receiving the conveying loads, the conveying chains being guided in chain channels, one or more tracks connecting satellites with one or more central stations. A track comprises a driving station with an associated track and a conveying chain (drag chain) without a return strand running parallel to the track and on whose one end is arranged a conveyed product-receiving mechanism whilst the other end is freely movable. The track connects the driving station (satellite) with a central station or another driving station (satellite).

Abstract: A store display apparatus is provided for a retail store having a transparent window or wall adjacent a public walk. The display apparatus includes a conveyor extending near the window or wall for providing a moving display of articles on sale to passers-by on the public walk. The conveyor preferably extends into the store and comprises a flexible element.

Abstract: A coordinated start/stop control system for controlling the operation of multiple conveyor checkout systems, wherein the operation of a pair of rear transport belts is selectively controlled in response to the operation of a first transport belt, dependent on the actuation of a magnetically operated electrical switch by a control magnet mounted on a diverter bar or arm.

Abstract: A start/stop control arrangement for material handling systems, particularly automated checkout systems in retail stores. From a beam sensing device at the delivery end of the incoming conveyor a control is derived not only for stopping the conveyor in response to the detection of the arrival at that end of a product but also a time control for automatically stopping the conveyor in response to no such product being detected by that device for a predetermined time. The arrangement may be incorporated in the amplifier unit which serves to amplify the output of the beam of the beam sensing device. Alternatively, and as shown herein, the arrangement may be implemented by a plug-in accessory module designed to be interposed between two cooperating plug-in modules--one of them mounting the above sensor amplifier--which provide for the first of these two controls only. Provisions are also made for double-using the arrangement for the start/stop control of the conveyor outgoing from the checkout stand.