AU2007202353A1 - Self-service device for packaged goods in supermarkets or similar - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (5) with cash machine (1) has a conveyer system with two conveyors, which forms partly parallel and concurrent conveyor slot for the selected goods packing. The conveying slots are vertically arranged. The selected goods packing are looped around in area of the inlet jaw of the conveying slot. The supply unit (6) and an output unit (9) with the conveyer system are arranged below the goods conveyor band (10) in extending installation position.

Description

24/0512007 Thu 15:46 Callinan Lawrie +61398591588 ID: #32792 Page 3 of 3 P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant: Actual Inventors: Address for Service: Invention Title: ALDI EINKAUF PETER ERNST ROBERT OCHSENSCHLAGER KARL-HEINRICH LINEMEIER CALLINAN LAWRIE, 711 High Street, Kew, Victoria 3101, Australia SELF-SERVICE DEVICE FOR PACKAGED GOODS IN SUPERMARKETS OR SIMILAR The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us:- 24/05107 16603 Cover 1 COMS ID No: SBMI-07511791 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:01 Date 2007-05-24 24/05/2007 Thu 15:46 Callinan Lawrie +61398591588 ID: #32792 Page 4 of 34 0-2- SELF-SERVICE DEVICE FOR PACKAGED GOODS IN SUPERMARKETS OR SIMILAR Ci DESCRIPTION The invention relates to a self-service device for the removal and supply of C€ packaged goods in supermarkets or similar sales premises in which a check-out counter Cfl or a check-out system is provided for identifying goods, wherein from a plurality of O packaged goods supplied in compartments at least one can be selected or is selected and the relevant goods pack can then be supplied or is supplied to a goods detection counter comprising a check-out desk and at least one price detection device, Wherein a supply C1 unit is also provided which receives a respective goods pack in a supply position secured against direct access and wherein the device is connected to a selection device which can be operated by the user and a goods pack selected via the selection device can be picked up or is picked up by means of a dispensing unit comprising a conveying device and can be transferred or is transferred to an output position in the area of the check-out system.

Such self-service devices are fundamentally known, for which reference should be made to DE 196 04 561 Al or EP 0 599 164 B1. Within the scope of DE 196 04 561 Al the selected goods pack is guided upwards with the aid of a conveyor belt or a vertical conveyor belt. The conveyor belt is of a paternoster type, equipped with crosspieces, a chute being guided approximately parallel to the upwardly running conveyor drum As a result of this design, ultimately only cigarette boxes in a certain range of sizes can be supplied and dispensed.

In addition, self-service devices, in particular in the form of cigarette dispensing units or similar containers, arranged close in front of a check-out system are known from practice. To serve himself, a customer can grasp into respective compartments of the device above a goods conveyor belt close in front of the check-out system and thus select a corresponding goods pack. These devices having refillable compartments are certainly arranged to be effective for advertising but they require a disadvantageously COMS ID No: SBMI-07511791 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:01 Date 2007-05-24 24/05/2007 Thu 15:46 Callinan Lawrie +61398591588 ID: #32792 Page 5 of34 -3large mounting space in front of the check-out system and restrict the view for checkout staff.

The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a self-service device such that particularly functional dispensing of packaged goods is M provided with optimum usage of space even close to the check-out system.

C This object is achieved with a self-service device having the features of claim 1.

0 C Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

0In practice, according to the invention, the respective storage cell for receiving the packaged goods has a driven tilting base as a removal device at its lower end which ejects the selected packaged goods. For this purpose the tilting base is pivoted, this being accomplished, for example, with the aid of an electric motor.

At least one retaining element is advantageously assigned to the tilting base. In practice, this retaining element is mostly formed on the tilting base or forms a one-piece workpiece with the tilting base. The retaining element in question dips into this storage cell when the tilting base is pivoted and grips undemrneath the packaged goods located therein. That is, as soon as the tilting base is pivoted for dispensing the selected packaged goods, the retaining element dips into the storage cell at the same time.

As a result, the stack of packaged goods provided in the storage cell is held in its position and cannot slip back and consequently does not hinder the ejection of the selected packaged goods. For this purpose, the retaining element can additionally be assigned an opposing pin relative to the storage cell, a lever or a comparable bearing element which, in conjunction with the pivoted retaining element, prevents any backslippage of the packaged goods stacked thereabove during dispensing of the selected packaged goods. The bearing element advantageously dips simultaneously into the storage cell when the retaining element is pivoted and is withdrawn when the retaining element is not pivoted or the tilting base is horizontally arranged so that the next packaged goods of the upwardly extending stack can slip back.

COMS ID No: SBMI-07511791 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:01 Date 2007-05-24 2410512007 Thu 15:46 2410512007 Thu 15:46 ~Callinan Lawrie .613 98591588ID#79Paeo3 ID: #32792 Page 6 of 34 C~1 It has also proved to be useful if the individual storage cell has a modular structure. For this purpose, the storage eel! has at least one fastening means with the aid whereof the storage cell can be variably affixed to a relevant support. As a rule, a plurality of fastening means are provided, for example, on both sides of longitudinal edge of the storage cell which provide for a variable and modular fixing of the storage cell to the relevant support or plurality of supports. In the simplest ease, the respective fastening l~fl means comprises on or a plurality of hooks which engage in relevant slit openings in the support In the embodiment according to the invention, the self-service device is 0 composed of respective supply, conveying and dispensing assemblies known per se which are connected to a selection device located in the area of the cheek-out system for an automatic system which can be operated as desired by the customer or by check-out staff. Its supply unit can be integrated in the check-out system or arranged at a distance from this for theft-proof storage of packaged goods with reduced space requirement and optimal usage of space. By means of a control panel on the selection device, the goods displayed by pictograms or similar diagrams can be simply selected by the customer and correct removal or transfer can be monitored simply in the check-out area For the -area of a seWf-service dispenser requiring particular clarity when selling cigarette packs, valuable electronics components or similar goods, the concept according to the invention provides a device having a selection device which interacts -with an automatic dispensing unit integrated in the check-out system. This is connected to the supply unit and discharges close to the check-out staff provided to operate the check-out system so that they can carry out a quick check and customer monitoring. It is also feasible that the automaitic dispensing unit is only appropriately activated after a customer has talked 1o the check-out staff and thus efficient visual monitoring can be carried out, for example, of customers subject to the youth protection law, with little expenditure.

COMS ID No: SBMI-07511791 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:01 Date 2007-05-24 24/05/2007 Thu 15:46 Callinan Lawrie +613 98591588 ID: #32792 Page of 34 o The arrangement of the supply unit connected to the device in the immediate vicinity of the check-out desk can be selected so that empty spaces underneath a goods conveyor belt known per se are optimally utilised and a conveying device with few components cooperating with the dispensing unit can be guided to a dispensing location which can be largely variably pre-defined.

Itt The arrangement of the supply unit underneath the goods conveying belt is

C

C' selected in this case such that the compartments of the supply unit can be simply re- C, filled with packaged goods. This re-filling is effected in an ergonomically favourable S lu free area of the check-out system, the supply system being efficiently aligned for a firsto in first-out filling and the inventory can be rapidly checked using level sensors known per se. In another embodiment, it is feasible that only one supply unit is provided for a tandem check-out system having two parallel check-out desks and thus, the device or its supply unit having an overall compact design can be optimally utilised with little space requirement.

The device is also suitable for a check-out system which can be operated by the customer himself and which detects his credit card by means of a scanner system, in which case the dispensing unit or the selection device for the packaged goods located in front thereof is in particular only activated when a suitably programmable reader which detects the customer's card effects a release. The selection device in particular fitted with a touch screen monitor and the selected packaged goods or their respective price can then be immediately transferred to a goods voucher in which case a check under the youth protection law can also be made at the same time as the card detection.

Various designs of storage cells are feasible for the design of the storage unit, where these comprise goods slacked in a vertical arrangement and cooperating with removal devices, in particular at the bottom. Thus, after a suitable signal has been issued by the selection device, packaged goods are automatically conveyed individually and this are moved with the dispensing unit onto the goods conveyor belt or directly onto the check-out desk.

COMS ID No: SBMI-07511791 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:01 Date 2007-05-24 24/05/2007 Thu 15:46 Callinan Lawrie +61398591588 ID: #32792 Page 8 of 34 o -6- The covered mounting position of the supply units ensures that reliable theft protection can be achieved at low expense and at the same time, a card check in accordance with the youth protection law can be triggered at the reader which detects the choice of goods via an internal connection of the electronic controller of the dispensing unit with the respective customer card so that access in particular to the en cigarette store which is prohibited for young persons can be prevented.

In ^C Further details and effects are obtained from the following description and drawings which illustrate in detail an exemplary embodiment of the subject matter of O 10 the invention. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a check-out system provided in supermarkets or the like; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the check-out system according to Fig. I with respective supply units for packaged goods integrated in components thereof; Fig. 3 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 1 with the supply unit transferred into a loading position next to the check-out system; Fig. 4 is a cutaway view of the check-out system according to Fig. 3 in the area of a check-out person; Fig. 5 is a side view of the check-out system similar to Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a front view of the check-out view in a sectional diagram along a line VI-VI in Fig. Fig. 7 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 1 with a modified concept for supplying goods in the area of the check-out desk; Fig. 8 is a plan view of the check-out system according to Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a second embodiment of a check-out system with two parallel checkout desks and a supply unit, Fig. 10 to Fig. 12 are respective views of a device in the area of an automatic customer check-out for self-service; Fig. 13 is a view of the customer check-out in Fig. 12 along the line of intersection XIII-XIII; Fig. 14 is a detailed view according to the embodiment modified in Fig. 13; COMS ID No: SBMI-07511791 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:01 Date 2007-05-24 24/05/2007 Thu 15:46 Callinan Lawrie +61398591588 ID #32792 Page 9 of 3 o -7- 0 Fig. 15 is another embodiment of the self-service device with separate supply unit; Fig. 16 to Fig. 18 are respective schematic views of a storage cell with removal C" device located in the supply unit in different operating position; Fig. 19 is a third embodiment ofa check-out system; and SFig. 20 is a storage cell according to the invention.

In C] Figure 1 shows a check-out system designated overall as 1 which is set up in C] particular in supermarkets or similar sales premises. In known check-out systems 1 of S 10 this type, the customer selects corresponding products from a plurality of packaged Sgoods W provided in compartments C so that the packaged goods W can then be supplied to a goods detection counter 4 comprising a check-out desk 2 and at least one price detection device 3.

According to the invention, the check-out system is provided with a self-service device 5 at which the supply compartments G (indicated by dotted lines) can be dispensed with, a region of the check-out system 1 generally designated by A can consequently be kept free and thus this sales-intensive region A can be used for highvalue goods.

The device 5 or self-service device is designed so that respective packaged goods W (Fig. 3) are received in a supply position secured against direct access in at least one supply unit 6 which is shown in different mounting positions in Fig. 2. This supply unit 6 is connected to a selection device 7, in particular comprising electronic control parts, which can be operated by the user. Thus, packaged goods W' selected via the selection device 7 (Fig. 6) can be picked out by means of a dispensing unit 9 comprising a conveying device 8 and transferred to a dispensing position in the area of the check-out system 1 (arrow B).

The diagrams according to Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate a first possibility for delivering the packaged goods W' where the selected packaged goods W' are dispensed directly into the area of the check-out desk 2 by means of the conveying device 8 or the COMS ID No: SBMI-07511791 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:01 Date 2007-05-24 24/0512007 Thu 15:46 Callinan Lawrie +61398591588 ID:#32792 Page 10 of34 0 -8dispensing unit 9 (arrow The embodiments according to Figs. I to 4 illustrate that selected packaged goods W' can be moved by means of the conveying device 8 in the area of the customer guide K of the goods detection counter 4 and in this case reach the check-out system I in the direction of arrow B from above. Figure 8 shows a feeder 11 in the area whereof the packaged goods W' can be placed on the check-out desk 2 from Mn below by means of a flap 11' or a lifting unit (not shown).

In C Starting from check-out systems 1 known per se, the self-service device according to the invention is constructed such that essential functional groups, namely a O 10 dispensing unit 9, is provided in the area of a goods conveyor belt 10 provided for the 0, customer guide K in its direction of conveyance F in front of the goods detection counter 4.

In this case, the supply unit 6 and the dispensing unit 9 with the conveying device 8 are arranged with optimum utilisation of space in a mounting position extending substantially underneath the goods conveyor belt 10 (Fig. 2) so that this hitherto little used space can compactly accommodate a range of goods and allows these to be dispensed over short conveying paths. It is also feasible to arrange the storage unit 6 adjacent to the check-out system 4 (similarly: Fig. t5) or to guide the "underiloor" conveying section in a different area of the space (not shown).

Figure 6 shows a partially cutaway front view of the check-out system 1 as well as its configuration in the area of the supply unit 6 with the individual components. In this case, the conveying device 8 of the dispensing unit 9 comprises an ejection channel 12 which opens out above the goods conveyor belt 10, from which the packaged goods W' can be moved in respective ejection directions B or B' towards the conveyor belt or check-out desk 2 (Fig. 3, Fig. 8).

The enlarged view according to Fig. 6 also shows that respective storage cells 13 are provided in the area of the supply unit 6 whereby compartments for receiving packaged goods W are provided. The conveying device 8 provided in the area of the supply unit 6 comprises a longitudinal conveyor 14 (Fig. 5) extending underneath the COMS ID No: SBMI-07511791 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:01 Date 2007-05-24 24105/2007 Thu 15:46 2410512007 Thu 15:46 Callinan Lawrie +613 98591588 I:372Pglo3 ID: #32792 Page 11 of 34 o 9supply unit 6 which opens at the end into a transverse conveyor 15 (conveying direction Q) in the conveying direction From this the packaged goods W' are picked up by a vertical conveyor 16 revolving in the ejection channel 12 and the packaged goods W' C] are thus moved in the direction of a vertical axis H (conveying direction: This conveyor design only requires little space and can be adapted simply to the confined conditions in the area of the check-out system 1. In this case, it is feasible to integrate the dispensing unit 9 in channels, pipes or similar components.

C] Respective removal devices (Fig. 6) designated generally by 17 are provided in O 1 the area of the storage cells 13 and can be used to remove the packaged goods W 0 selected by means of the selection device 7 from the storage cells 13. These removal devices 17 are each arranged at the bottom in the area of the four storage cells 13 shown, where the directions of ejection E or E' (Fig. 6) can be predefined according to the operating mode of the removal device 17. In Figs. 16 to 18 the removal device 17 is shown in different operating positions.

The programmable control of the selection device 7 is tuned to the operating mode of the removal devices 17 such that the corresponding storage cells 13 can be reached simultaneously or successively and suitable removal of the packaged goods W' can be effected. The selection device 7 can cooperated with the removal device 17 via a wireless connection. The selection device 7, 7" arranged in different mounting positions in the area of the check-out system 1 (Fig. 1' (Fig, 10), 1" (Fig. F" (Fig. 15) defines a vertical axis of support H' so that a pivoting adjustment (movemnent according to the arrow G) of the device can be made (Fig. 3) using corresponding hinged parts and its viewing and operating surface can be view~ed optimally by the customer and/or staff.

A view of Figs. 3 and 5 jointly illustrates that the supply unit 6 integrated in a closable partial region T of the check-out system 1 consists of a plurality of storage cells 13 comprising the respective compartments for the packaged goods W and these can be shifted from a secured covered position (Fig. 1, Fig. 2) into a monitoring and loading position (Fig. For optimum operability, the storage cells 13 are held in the partial COMS ID No: SBMI-07511791 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:01 Date 2007-05-24 24/05/2007 Thu 15:46 Callinan Lawrie +61398591588 ID: #32792 Page 12 of34 region T underneath the goods conveyor belt 10 so that corresponding pivoting movements to reach the loading position (Fig. 3) according to arrow S or S' and/or sliding displacements according to arrow D allow easy handling.

The storage cells 13 are shifted so that they enter into the passageway next to the Mc check-out system 1 provided for the customer guide K and thus efficient re-filling of l packaged goods W is possible in an ergonomically favourable position. In the C] embodiment shown, storage cells designated by 13' are each fixed on pivotable 0 C] retaining plates 18, 18' and the two central storage cells 13 can be shifted transversely o 10 to the longitudinal central plane M in direction D by corresponding parts of a pushing o device 19 not shown in detail cooperating (Fig. 3, Fig. 11).

Figures 10 to 13 show a second embodiment of the check-out system 1' which is designed as a customer check-out which can be operated without Figures 10 to 13 show a second embodiment of the check-out staff. where the previously described construction principle of the supply and conveying system is adopted. As in the embodiment according to Figs. 1 to 6, in the check-out system 1' the assemblies are provided in the area of the supply unit 6, the dispensing unit 9 and the conveying device 8, these components being arranged subsequently in the covered partial area T' of the goods detection counter 4 comprising the price detection device It is understood that the corresponding transfer of the packaged goods W' into the ejection channel 12 is ensured by customer operation of the selection device 7" and thus the customer can take the goods from the region N. By suitably programming the selection device the detected price is immediately supplied to the current accounting process of the price detection system 3'.

The diagram according to Fig. 9 shows the effective use of the previously described device 5' in the area of a check-out system 1" comprising two check-out desks 2, 2' where in an appropriate design 1ith only one supply container the two goods conveyor belts 10, 10' can be operated in parallel by means of corresponding ejection channels 12, 12'. In this case. each of the two goods conveyor belts 10, 10' is assigned one of the selection devices 7, 7' whereby the supply container 6' or its COMS ID No: SBMI-07511791 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:01 Date 2007-05-24 24/05/2007 Thu 15:46 Callinan Lawrie +61398591588 ID:#32792 Page 13 of 34 r-11dispensing unit 9' can be reached. This is provided with a sorting gate not shown in detail which can drive the two goods conveyor belts 10, CI" Figure 15 show a fourth embodiment of the check-out system 1" where this system comprises a partial region T" located next to the actual check-out system, which Mn contains the supply unit 6 and the corresponding dispensing unit 9 with the ejection lr channel 12 discharges close to the check-out desk 2. In this case., the components of the Ce Cl controller of the selection device 7 are accordingly arranged in an optimal manner for C-I the customer.

o l O An electronic selection device 7, 7" is provided in particular for all the previously described check-out systems 1. i, 1I", comprising a screen 20 with corresponding goods pictograms 21 which can be operated by the customer and/or the check-out staff (Fig. 5, Fig. 11, Fig. 15). This design of the device 5 also provides that the removal devices 17 located under the storage cells 13 are provided with at least one level sensor or a similar monitoring unit for monitoring loading so that the information about the inventory usually acquired by check-out staff or the check-out computer can be retrieved automatically.

A signal which can be released independently by the selection device 7, 7" can be switched to activate the dispensing device 9 controlled electronically by means of the selection device 7, 7" so that the check-out staff can efficiently monitor the corresponding removal of packaged goods W, in particular packets of cigarettes.

The entire system can be programmed in accordance with the requirements for the youth protection law so that a card reader activated by the customer and/or check-out staff is provided for release of the dispensing unit 9 and its internal data can block the removal ofpackets of cigarettes by young persons.

Figures 16 to 18 are schematic diagrams showing respective structural single parts in the area of the storage units 13. Provided underneath the respective storage cell 13 is a driver 23 cooperating with a motor 22 or similar drive member which grips behind the respective packaged goods W (Fig. 16), effects a horizontal push (arrow R') COMS ID No: SBMI-07511791 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:01 Date 2007-05-24 24/0512007 Thu 15:46 2410512007 Thu 15:45 Callinan Lawrie +513 985915988I:#29 ae1 f3 ID: #32792 Page 14 of 34 0 -12during its further movement mn the direction of rotation (Fig. 17) and then during its further rotary movement R conveys the packaged goods W' out in accordance with the direction of the arrow E' and supplies these to the conveyor belt 14 of the conveying device 8 (Fig. 18). It is understood that instead of this removal device, other ejetion devices know,,n per se can also be provided (not shown) which allow individual output of packaged goods W' by means of mechanical and/or electrically actuated control V) members.

CA The conveying device 8 shown in Fig. 14 is of particular importance. The grips o 1 back onto the two conveyors. 15, 16. In this case, the conveyor 15 is configured as a 0 combined transverse and vertical conveyor. The conveyor 16, howvever, comprises a pure vertical conveyor 16. Naturally, instead of the combined transverse and vertical conveyor 15, tw-.o or more conveyors can also be used.

The conveyors 15, 16 are oriented partly approximately parallel and concurrently to one another, as shown clearly in Fig. 14. In this area, the two conveyors 16 define a conveyor slit 24 which is arranged substantially vertically within the scope of the exemplary embodiment. The conveyor slit 24 extends fromn the plane of the transverse conveyor 15 or that of the longitudinal conveyor 14 according to Figs. 5 and 13 in the supply unit 6 as far as the region of the dispensing unit 9. In practice, the conveyor slit 24 opens into the ejection channel 12.

A run-rn mouth 25 is provided on the run-in side of the conveyor slit 24. The respectively selected packaged goods W' are deflected in the area of tbis run-in mouth 25 of the conveyor slit 34. i practice. the relevant packaged goods W' are transferred from their initially horizontal transport path along the conveyor 15 into a vertical conveyance in the conveyor slit 24. So that diferent-sized selected packaged goods W, can be transported in this case, at least one of the two conveyors 15. 16 has apassing zone 26, 28 in the area of the mun-in mouth 25. Within the scope of the exemplary embodiment, the conveyor 15 or the combined transverse/vertical conveyor 15 is equipped with the relevant passing zone 26, 28.

COMS ID No: SBMI-07511791 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:01 Date 2007-05-24 2410512007 Thu 15:46 2410512007 Thu 15:46 Callinan Lawrie +613 98591588 I:#29 ae1 f3 ID: #32792 Page 15 of 34 o -13- C~1 The passing Lone 26, 28 is configured such that the conveyor 15 or a relevant (elastic) conveyor belt in the first passing zone 26 undergoes a double deflection via respective deflecting rollers so that large packaged goods W' can also pass the run-in mouth 25 easily. An additional contribution is made in this case by a baffle plate 27 for the conveyor 16 being provided with a recess 28 as a second recess area. T1he recess 28 makes it possible for the conveyor 16 or the relevant conveyor belt to pass in the area of the recess 28 in the run-in mouth 25. By this means different-sized selected packaged goods W' can be processed directly.

O It Figure 20 now show a storage cell 13 according to the invention in detail. The 0 storage cell 13 in question has a driven tilting base 29 at its lower end which ejects the selected packaged goods W. In practice, the tilting base 29 has a U-shaped cross-section and is adapted to the external shape of the respective packaged goods W or WV_ The lilting base 29 has at least one retaining element 20 allocated thereto. In the exemplary embodiment the retaining element 30 is formed on the back on the tilting base 29, forming a one-piece part therewith in the present case.

In practice, the retaining element 310 has a Z-shaped cross-section. As soon as the lilting base 29 is pivoted, the retaining element 30 dips into the storage cell 13 and ensures that the packaged goods W located there and stacked one above the other are grasped from below by the retaining element 30. For this purpose, the retaining element is adapted in terms of its height to the thickness of the respective packaged goods W' so that the stack of individual stacked packaged goods W stacked one above the other in the storage cell 13 does not move during pivoting of the tilting base 29 and dipping of the retaining element 30 into the storage cell 13.

An additional bearing element 30' which is arranged opposite to the retaining element 30 also contributes here. When the tilting base 29 is pivoted, the bearing element 30' dips into the storage cell 13 and in conjunction with the retaining element 30 which also dips in the storage cell 13, ensures that the stack of individual packaged goods W does not slip back. As soon as the tilting base 29 occupies its (horizontal) normal position and does not deliver any selected packaged goods the bearing COMS ID No: SBMI-07511791 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:01 Date 2007-05-24 24/05/2007 Thu 15:46 Callinan Lawrie +61398591588 ID: #32792 Page16 ofM3 0-14element 30' is withdrawn from the storage cell 13 and hereby ensures that the stacked packaged goods W move back.

CFinally, it can be seen in Fig. 20 that the individual storage cells 13 have a modular structure and consequently can be adapted to very differently sized packaged Mn goods W and also make it possible to equip the supply unit as desired. For this purpose within the scope of the exemplary embodiment, the respective storage cell has fastening means on both longitudinal sides which interact with relevant counter-fastening means 32 on a support 33. The fastening means 31 comprise hooks which are anchored in oo relevant slitted openings 32 as counter-fastening means in the support 33. This can be accomplished in a modular and flexible manner so that the respective cell 13 can be attached at different positions compared to the support 33.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comlprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not. and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form or suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

COMS ID No: SBMI-07511791 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:01 Date 2007-05-24

Claims (11)

1. A sclf-service device for packaged goods in supermarkets or similar sales premises including check-out system, wherein from a plurality of packaged goods supplied in compartments at least one can be selected and the relevant packaged goods can then be supplied to a goods detection counter including a check-out desk and at least one price detection device, wherein a supply unit is also provided which receives respective packaged goods in a supply position secured against direct access and wherein the device is connected to a selection device which can be operated by the user and packaged goods selected via the selection device can be picked out by means of a dispensing unit including a conveying device and can be transferred to an output position in the area of the check-out system. wherein the conveying device includes at least two conveyors which form at least partially approximately parallel and concurrently a conveyor slit for the selected packaged goods.

2. The self-service device according to claim 1. wherein the conveyor slit is arranged substantially vertically.

3. The self-service device according to claim I or 2, wherein the selected packaged goods are deflected in the area of a run-in mouth of the conveyor slit.

4. The self-service device according to claim 3, wherein at least one conveyor defines a passing area in the area of the run-in mouth so that selected packaged goods of different size can be deflected without any problems.

The self-service device according to any one of claims I to 4. wherein the selected packaged goods can be moved by means of the conveying device into the area of the customer guide of the goods detection counter.

6. The self-service device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. wherein the supply unit and a dispensing unit with the conveying device are arranged in a mounting position extending substantially below the goods conveyor belt.

7. The self-service device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. wherein the conveying device of the dispensing unit has an ejection channel which discharges above the goods conveyor belt. -16-

8. The self-service device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. wherein the supply unit is arranged underneath a placement table positioned after the check-out desk.

9. The self-service device according to any one of claims 1 to 8. wherein storage cells for delivery of the packaged goods can be swivelled from their cover position C located underneath the goods conveyor belt into a loading position accessible from the ¢C passageway on the customer side next to the check-out system.

The self-service device according to claim 8 or 9. wherein the conveying device Sincludes a horizontal conveyor which grips below a goods conveyor belt. which opens C into a supply chute including a vertical conveyor in the area of a transverse conveyor and this is connected to the ejection chute which opens at the top.

11. A self-service device for packaged goods in supermarkets or similar sales premises substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 017/('ll)7,\ 4 clilarli. 1*