GB2072102A - Price-computing weighing scales with printer - Google Patents

Abstract

A price computing weighing scale comprises a weighing unit and an evaluating unit containing a printer 20 for issuing a cash slip 19 containing printed information formed in two sections of which an upper section comprises standard and unvarying information whereas section 29 contains information computed by the evaluating unit according to data input by tabulator 15 and by weighing pan of the weighing unit. Slip 19 is issued through a slot 25 at which there is located a feeler member 26 connected to actuate a switching 45 for driving the printing elements of printer 20 to print the fixed heading 28 when the preceding cash slip 19 is withdrawn from unit 10 by an operator. Printer 20 may comprise two separate printing mechanisms one for each of the sections, or a single printing mechanism controlled to print each of the sections and the data determining the fixed heading 28 may be contained in a PROM 71 contained within removable insert within unit 10 so that to vary the fixed heading the insert need only be changed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Price-computing weighing scales with printer The present invention relates to an apparatus for recording prices of goods which comprises a tabulator for prices which are fed as individual prices or as basic prices, for example prices per kilogram in a price-computing weighing scale.

The apparatus may further comprise a calculator for determining the price of an article by weight and also the summation of a sales transaction comprising several individual items, and a printing mechanism or printer, recording entries on an information carrier, for example in the form of a strip of paper.

The printer possesses a feed mechanism for the defined advance of the information carrier and is provided with a cutting edge for tearing off the ready-printed end-portion of the information carrier which serves as a receipt for this sales transaction.

The information printed on the cash slip can be divided basically into two groups. One group of information comprises an unvarying printed heading comprising prescribed textual and/or pictorial elements. This may be, for example, the firm's stamp containing the name and address of the firm and/or a pictorial emblem. To this may also be added a series of units in the heading of the cash slip containing information regarding the unit ofweight and the particular currency involved. Finally, such an unvarying heading may contain the identification number of the shop scales and the like.

The other group of information referred to on the cash slip comprises variable information relating to the various items in the particular sales transaction.

Dependent upon the number, weight and nature of the goods, the various individual prices, identification number and weights of goods and/or basic prices, are printed on the slip. Finally, at the foot of the cash slip the summation of the sales transaction appears.

It will be realised that such a cash slip contains a great amount of information, the recording of which demands a not inconsiderable time requirement of the printer. Thus, in the operation of the known apparatus, waiting times necessarily occur which representthe working time required bythe printerto record this information. It should be borne in mind that the aim always is to employ the simplest and least expensive printing mechanisms in such devices and to avoid excessive demands in regard to speed of operation. The printer in such apparatus is only a subordinate component which should not be a decisive factor in costing of the apparatus.

The object of the invention is to develop an apparatus of the kind described initially which is characterised by a high operating speed, whilst at the same time employing simple printers.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for recording prices of goods, said apparatus having a tabulator for entering individual prices, and also basic prices, having a calculator for determining the price of an article by weight and also the summation of a sales transaction, and having a printerfor recording:: (a) an unvarying heading comprising prescribed textual and/or pictorial elements, and (b) variable information originating from the tabulator and/orthe calculator on an information carrier, said printer having a feed mechanism for the defined advance of the information carrier, the apparatus being also provided with a cutting edge for tearing off the ready-printed endportion of the information carrier, which serves as a cash slip or receipt for this sales transaction, and having a switch arranged to co-operate with the cutting blade and responsive to the action of tearing off the cash slip from the information carrierto trigger the action of the printer to record the unvarying heading for a subsequent cash slip on the information carrier.

By virtue of the present invention a considerable part of the working of the printer has already been accomplished during periods of time which were not required in any case for any other work operation of the apparatus. The operator, for example the sales assistant operating the price-computing weighing scales, is occupied in tearing off the cash slip and handing it to the customer in exchange for the sum of money indicated to complete the sales transaction. During this space of time, the apparatus is then employed according to the invention in having already printed at least essential parts of the unvarying heading of the slip which is thus available for the following sales transaction. Consequently, the apparatus is immediately ready for use at any given moment and delays do not occur.According to the kind and quantity of the particular goods to be purchased, the corresponding individual items which are fed manually or are calculated arithmetically or in terms ofweight, are printed on the slip. The recording effort required from the printer for each sales item is quantitatively small in relation to that forthe unvarying heading and is therefore no longer of great importance. The extensive recording effort in the area of the unvarying heading has now of course been completed.

Various ways exist of employing the tearing-off operation to trigger off the printer to print the unvarying heading. One simple method isto arrange that the cutting edge itself is resiliently displaceable and to utilise its rearward movement against the pressure of a spring which holds it in its normal position, to actuate the printer. Thus, all that is required is to place the element actuating the switch in question in the path of motion of the cutting edge, or retaining member thereof, which is connected to the cutting edge so that it accompanies its movement. It is sufficient to make the cutting edge displaceable parallel to itself, which can be achieved by attaching a lever to the cutting edge.

For reasons of cost, and especially for reasons of bulk, it is not advisable to have separate printers for the unvarying heading and also for the variable information to be printed on a cash slip. For all recording operations, the same, common printer should be employed which, ideally, is in the form of a dot matrix printer. The dot matrix printer has a large number of dot-producing printing elements which create an alphameric symbol by activation of a plurality of elements and/or by multiple activation of a single element. In this way it is also possible directly to produce pictorial elements in the aforementioned fixed heading of the cash slip.In its simplest form this dot matrix printer comprises a large number of dot-producing printing elements arranged in lines, with which the paper strip to receive the symbol co-operates in that its feed means advances it a predetermined distance corresponding to the action of the matrix printer. Thus, a compact and very inexpensive printer is obtained which offers considerable flexibility in the representation of characters etc. At the same time, however, the time required for printing is an important factor, due to the multiple activation of the printing elements in producing one symbol during recording of the aforementioned fixed heading. In practice, it has been found that on average five items appear on a cash slip, so that a comparable time is required for recording in this portion with that required for printing of the unvarying or fixed heading on the cash slip.Without the procedure according to the invention, which utilises periods of time which would .otherwise be lost for the purpose of recording the unvarying heading on the paper strip, the speed of operation of the printer would be reduced to one half. Without the invention therefore, lengthy wait ing times would ensue.

Departing from such a dot matrix printer, it is also of advantage to provide an interchangeable insert in a recess in the printer when this insert contains the control program of the printer for the unvarying heading, and is scanned whilst inserted in said recess of the printer when the printing operation is set in motion in accordance with the invention. The control program in the insert is preferably in the form of an integrated circuit, the insert being provided especially with a PROM. As the cash slip is torn from the strip of paper, thus actuating the switch to operate the printer, the printer recalls the information stored in the insert, whereupon the entire control program stored therein is set in motion.If a different unvarying heading is required for the cash slip, the previous insert is simply withdrawn and the new insert containing the required new control program is inserted into the recess in the printer. Reequipping of the apparatus to meet particular requirements arising in practice, is therefore a very convenient and speedy operation. The insert is simply replaced.

Several embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a price-computing weighing scale constructed in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic sketch showing the detail of a printer, for use in the above; Fig. 3 shows an example of a cash slip issued by the machine, and Fig. 4 is a sectional view through the printer.

The apparatus of Fig. 1 is a price-computing weighing scale comprising a weighing unit 11 and an evaluating unit 10. To obtain a more compact structure, both units may be accommodated in a common casing.

The weighing unit has a weighing pan 13 on which the article 12 to be weighed is placed, said pan cooperating with a measuring mechanism of known type (not illustrated) which passes measurement signals by way of a connection 14 to the evaluating unit 10 which is connected thereto.

The evaluating unit 10 comprises a tabulator 15 which contains the number keys for feeding basic prices or individual prices, and also command keys.

There is also provided a display area 16 which has indicator windows of many different kinds both on the assistant's and on the customer's side, which show the basic price, the weight of the goods and the price to be paid which is provided by the calculator. Finally, the evaluating unit 10 also comprises a printer 20 which, in the case of the apparatus of Fig. 1, is incorporated in the casing. The printer 20 may of course be accommodated in a separate unit linked thereto by an electrical connection. The printer issues a cash slip 19 bearing the details of a transaction, on which the various articles are listed with indication of prices and/orweights. In Fig. the construction of a printer according to the invention is shown diagrammatically. An example of a cash slip issued by the printer is shown in Fig. 3.

The printer comprises an information carrier which, in the present case, assumes the form of a long paper strip 17 drawn from a paper roll 18 by a feed mechanism 21. Said feed mechanism 21 is provided with its own drive motor 22 which feeds the paper strip 17 in the direction of the arrow 23 (Fig. 2) to co-operate with a printing mechanism 20. The cash slip for a sales operation appears in each case at the end of the paper strip 17 which is torn off on completion of purchases. The casing 24 in which the printing mechanism 20 is housed has a slot 25 from which the extremity 19 of the paper strip emerges on each occasion (Fig. 2). Awindow, which can be seen in Fig. 1, allows the state of the paper roll 18to be checked for possible replacement.In the vicinity of the casing slot 25 are one or more tear-off blades 26, for example with sharp serrated edges. When the extremity 19 of the strip projecting from the slot is grasped, and pulled against one of the blades 26, the end-portion is detached from the remainder of the paper strip 17, thus providing the completed cash slip 19.

This type of cash slip 19 comprises two essentiallvy different sections 28,29, as illustrated in Fig. 3. In the case of the example shown, the upper portion of the slip carries an unvarying printed heading 28 which may consist of an identification of the firm 30, a series of references 31, and possibly further permanent details, such as for example, the number 32 of the apparatus. The printed heading 28 may contain prescribed alphameric and pictorial components.

In the firm's identification 30 in the example of Fig.

3, in addition to the lettering 34, pictorial elements may also be printed, i.e. a pictorial emblem of the firm 35, for example a trade mark of the place of sale, and also ornamental elements, e.g. a frame 36 enclosing the firm's identification. The series of references 31 relates to the units printed in separate columns in the lower portion 29 of the cash slip.

These are firstly, the weight information "Kilograms" in the first column; then the basic price in the centre column, for example the particular currency value per kilogram, and finally, in the last column, the price to be charged, calculated from the previous values.

In the lower portion 29 of the slip 19, the various items purchased in this sales transaction are entered line-by-line, the particular values of these being printed underthe appropriate heading in the list of references 31. In the example illustrated, the first three items and the fifth item relate to purchases, the cost of which has been calculated from the weight of the article and the appropriate basic price In the case of the fourth item, the article purchased was already packed and priced. To complete the variable information appearing on the lower portion 29, the summation obtained by adding the prices of the various items appearing in the price column is printed at the bottom of the slip 19.

The printer illustrated in Fig. 2 produces the cash slip 19 and comprises two printing devices 37,38.

The information contained in the unvarying heading 28 of the slip 19 is carried on a block 39. When actuated, the block applies this information to the paper strip 17 with the assistance of a platen 40. The device 38 is actuated by a feeler member which responds when the extremity of the paper strip serving as cash slip 19 is torn off.

Forthis purpose, each of the two blades 26 is resiliently mounted under pressure of a spring 41 and, in its normal position, is in contact with the stop 42.

The blades 26 are displaceable in the directions shown by the movement arrows 44. When the extremity 19 of the paper strip is grasped and pulled against one of the blades 26 to tear it off, the blade is firstly pressed back against the action of the spring 41, whereupon it strikes against the pin 43 of a switch 45 placed in its path. At this point, the displaced blade 26 then severs the end-portion of the paper strip which then serves as a receipt slip. The switch 45 has now been operated, however, and, as indicated by the lead 46, releases a control pulse firstly to the printer device 38, which causes the block 39 to print the aforementioned fixed heading 28 on the paper strip 17. At the same time, the feed mechanism 21 is actuated thereby to advance the paper strip a certain distance.Thus, the heading is already printed on the following portion of the paper strip 17 which is to serve as cash slip for the next sales transaction. The printing device 37 is now also in a position to co-operate with the feed mechanism 21 in printing the new variable information 29 lineby-line on the next slip 19.

In the aforementioned embodiment of Fig. 2, the printer 37 is provided with type wheels which cooperate in the printing rhythym with a platen 48 (in this case movable), whereby the type wheels are broughtto the correct position of rotation before impression in the known manner by way of a pulse lead 50 and appropriate drive means 49. Also by way of the pulse lead 50, the drive motor 22 of the feed mechanism 21 is advanced by a corresponding distance. This continues as long as goods are intended to appear as separate items in the particular lower portion 29 of the slip to be printed. When the summing key of the tabulator unit 15, mentioned in connection with Fig. 1, is pressed, the added total amount finally appears printed at the foot of the cash slip.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 4, which employs a single common printer 51 for printing the fixed heading 28 and also for recording the variable information 29 on the slip 19. In relation to the first embodiment, like reference numerals refer to like parts, so that in this respect the previous description applies also in this case. The following differences should however be noted: The information carrierin this case consists of a recording carrier 52 which is to be thermally imprinted, and the roll of which lies in a plastic dish 53. The strip 52 of the information carrier passes over an angled edge 54 of the dish 53 through a printing mechanism 51 in the form of a dot matrix printer acting thermally on the strip.Thereafter, the strip 52 moves past a tear-off edge 26, through a slot 25 in a cover plate 55 which encloses the entire casing 24 including the plastic dish 53 when inserted in position, and is hinged (see position shown chaindotted at 55') to be opened to provide access to the interior of the casing when, for example, the roll 18 of strip material 52 has to be changed.

The tear-off edge 26, consisting for example of a serrated blade, is constructed so as to be displaceable in a guide 56 parallel to itself and is connected to a retaining member in the form of a lever 57. The lever 57 is provided with a projecting arm 58 which is pivotable about a pivot point 59, a switch 45 being positioned adjacent thereto so that the pin 43 thereof lies in the pivotal path of said arm 58. The lever 57, and consequently also the tear-off blade 26, assume their normal position under pressure of a spring 41, which position is determined by a stop 60. The tearoff blade 26 is displaceable in direction of the arrow 61 against the action of the spring 41. This displacement occurs when an end-portion 19 of the strip 52 projecting from the slot 25 of the closed cover plate 55 is brought by hand against the tear-off blade 26 to be detached.The blade 26 is thus displaced following the arrow 61 and presses the pin 43 to actuate the switch 45. As in the case of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the unvarying heading 28 (Fig. 3) of the next cash slip is already printed when the previous end-portion 19 is torn off in contact with the blade 26 to serve as a cash slip for the preceding sales transaction just completed.

The dot matrix printer 51 comprises a large number of dot-producing elements 62 which are pressed by a pivotable member 63 against the thermo-serisitive strip 52 which, at this point, passes around a roller 64. The roller 64 is provided with a drive means (not illustrated) and is responsible for a defined advance of the strip 52 relative to the thermal recording activity of the elements of the dot matrix printer 51. In the present case, the elements 62 are arranged in juxtaposition to form a single line.

The length of the line should be equal to the desired breadth of the strip 52 required for recording. For its thermal application each of the elements 62 is provided with input and output leads 65 which are connected electrically by plug connectors 66 to control leads (not illustrated) on a conductor plate 67. The input and output leads 65 may be accommodated in a flexible plastic sheet on which they are insulated from each other and are responsible, in conjunction with the applicator 63, for a defined position of the thermal elements 62 in relation to the roller 64. The applicator 63 is subject to pressure of a spring 68 which determines the effective position ofthether- mal elements 62. For threading the strip 52 at the position of the roller 64, the applicator 63 may be pivoted back into a neutral position against the pressure of the spring 68.

The aforementioned plastic dish 53 is provided with a recess or pocket 69 to receive an insert 70 which is accessible when the cover plate 55' is raised. Within the insert 70 is contained a PROM 71 in which the control program for the fixed heading 28 of a cash slip 19 is stored. Plug connectors 72 connected to the PROM project from the insert 70 and, when said insert has been placed in the pocket 69, are connected to coupling elements 73 located here which are connected electrically by leads 74 to conductor tracks (not illustrated) in the conductor plate 67.

The conductor plate 67 carries a large number of electrical components which are responsible for the control and operation of the dot matrix printer 51.

Amongst these is a control member 75 in the form of a microcomputer, to which are connected the PROM 71, the switch 45 and a further store 76 in the form of an integrated circuit in which the size and shape of all available numerical or alphameric symbols are contained which are applied in the form of variable information on the portion indicated at29 in Fig. 3.

To this microcomputer 75 are also connected the outputs of the calculator of a main store, of the evaluating element, and of the tabulator 15, whereby the information appearing in the display area 16 of Fig. 1 is received by the microcomputer 75 and, by interrogation of the store 76, is converted for controlling the dot-like elements 62 of the dot matrix printer 51. By exchanging the store 76 for another, the form of the symbols required for the variable information 29 of the cash slip 19 can be altered.

It will be apparent from the above description that the elements 62 of the dot matrix printer 51 are intended to print not only the unvarying heading 28, for example in the top portion of the cash slip 19 of Fig. 3, but also of all the different variable information in the remaining portion 29 of the slip 19.

Originating from the trigger pulse released by the tear-off blade 26 in the switch 45, the entire control program for printing the unvarying heading 28 is issued firstly automatically, by the microcomputer 75. This information is stored in the PROM 71. The elements 62 of the dot matrix printer 51 co-operate with a defined feed movement of the roller 64 to produce all pictorial and textual information in the heading 28, until the work operation for printing the unvarying heading 28 is concluded. The printer now ceases operation temporarily and the control system is now ready to recommence operation in response to the signals from the tabulator 15 and weight measurement information in the weighing unit 11 of Fig. 1. The microcomputer 75 then co-operates with the aforementioned components of the pricecomputing shop weighing scales connected thereto.

The end-portion of the strip 52, which was already cut off on the sharp edge of the blade 26 as shown in Fig. 4, has already emerged from the slot 25 in the cover plate 55 as the fixed heading 28 was printed and is gripped by the fingers of the operator. The variable information 29 on the cash slip 19 might be recorded together, in one operation at the end of the whole sales transaction if the information relating to the various items had been stored in the meantime.

The normal procedure is however that each item of purchase is printed separately on the cash slip 19.

The invention is applicable in both cases.

Claims (8)

1. An apparatus for recording prices of goods, said apparatus having a tabulator for entering individual prices, and also basic prices, having a calculator for determining the price of an article by weight and also the summation of a sales transaction, and having a printer for recording: (a) an unvarying heading comprising prescribed textual and/or pictorial elements, and (b) variable information originating from the tabulator and/or the calculator on an information carrier, said printer having a feed mechanism for the defined advance of the information carrier, the apparatus being also provided with a cutting edge for tearing off the ready-printed endportion of the information carrier, which serves as a cash slip or receiptforthis sales transaction, and having a switch arranged to co-operate with the cutting blade and responsive to the action of tearing off the cash slip from the information carrier to trigger the action of the printer to record the unvarying heading for a subsequent cash slip on the information carrier.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cutting blade, together with any members connected thereto, is mounted so as to be displaceable rearwardly against the pressure of a spring which determines its normal position, and a switchoperating element for the switch is placed in the path of motion of the retaining members or of the cutting blade.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cutting blade is displaceable rearwardly in a direction parallel to itself and possesses a pivotable retaining member which is aligned with the switchoperating element of the switch.

4. An apparatus according to any one of claims to 3, wherein the printer employs one and the same printer in the form of a dot matrix printer for printing both the unvarying heading and the variable data.

5. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the printer has an interchangeable insert accommodated in a pocket, said insert containing a control program for the printer and said unvarying heading.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the insert contains an integrated circuit.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said integrated circuit comprises a PROM.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.