DE202020101812U1 - Security device for a checkout area - Google Patents

Abstract

Security device for a checkout area, with at least two immediately adjacent security sections, namely
- a goods entry section (3),
- A checkout section (4), the goods inlet section (3) being tunnel-like and having an opening cross section which is sufficiently wide for the conveyance of goods, and
the cash register section (4) being closed at least on three sides, namely on the front side and in both lateral directions.

Description

The invention relates to a security device for a checkout area in a self-service store.

Various checkout workstations for self-service markets are, for example, from the documents DE 83 30 792 U1 and EP 0 361 175 A1 known. In both cases, goods are transported on a conveyor belt.

One out of the DE 10 2005 018 134 A1 Known cash desk for self-service shops is equipped with a passage barrier in the form of a movable door leaf.

A customer barrier to separate customers in the area of a supermarket checkout is in the DE 10 2016 103 575 B4 described.

Safety-related facilities for cash register staff from banks are, for example, in the documents DE 1 584 259 A and DE 94 01 932 U1 described. In the latter case, safety plates can be moved pneumatically.

The invention is based on the object of further developing a checkout workstation for self-service shops in relation to the prior art mentioned, in particular from a security point of view, and an uncomplicated retrofitting of existing checkout workstations should also be possible.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a security device for a checkout area according to claim 1. The security device comprises at least two immediately adjacent security sections, namely a goods entry section and a checkout section, the goods entry section being tunnel-like and having an opening cross section which is sufficiently wide for the conveyance of Goods are, however, no passage of people. The checkout section placed next to the incoming goods section is closed at least on three sides, namely on the front side and in both lateral directions.

Depending on the materials used and the detailed geometric design, the security device for self-service shops represents progress compared to conventional cash desk workplaces in supermarkets with a case-specific possible focus under the aspect of protection against the effects of violence and at the same time under hygienic aspects.

On the one hand, the checkout staff is protected from mechanical violence directly at their seat or standing area on at least three sides. On the other hand, the protection is also extended to the goods infeed, optionally also to the goods outfeed, at the checkout. This represents in particular protection against stabbing weapons or objects which could be used as a striking weapon. In general, the modular construction of the security device from individual sections enables the security device to be easily installed on a conventional till work station.

The assembly of the complete safety device can be done with a minimum of fastening elements, for example screws, on an existing substructure, whereby there is nevertheless a permanent, stable fastening. In an extreme case, metallic fastening elements can be completely dispensed with, for example by producing material connections between the individual sections of the safety device and the substructure. Such connections can be made especially with adhesives or by clamping and are characterized by a remarkable mechanical resilience, good hygienic properties, special cleaning options, as well as the possibility of residue-free removal of the entire structure, here the modular safety device.

In general, embodiments are particularly advantageous which enable the complete security device to be attached to an existing cash desk workstation without damaging any components, for example by drilling holes or inserting openings. In such a case, non-destructive removal of the security device for the checkout area is also possible at any time.

As far as the dimensioning of the security device is concerned, the dimensions of the goods which are to pass through the cash register are decisive. In the case of particularly bulky goods, the individual sections of the security device must be dimensioned and arranged accordingly. The document is an example in this context DE 296 14 206 U1 pointed out, which has a cash desk for DIY and garden centers.

A possible embodiment of the security device provides that the goods inlet section is designed as a lock, which has a closure element on the input side and on the output side. Roller shutters, for example, can be considered as closure elements. In general, as far as roll-up closure elements are concerned, the document DE 41 25 269 C2 pointed out. Alternatively, for example, flaps are as Locking elements can be used. In a simplified embodiment, design-related devices that cannot be shut off, for example lamella curtains, which are formed from individual strips of flexible material that hang freely next to one another and may overlap in the lateral direction, can be used instead of closure elements in the narrower sense.

Even without locking mechanisms, the flaps, multi-leaf doors, roller shutters or other locking elements of the inlet lock have a barrier effect. In an advantageous development, the closure elements of the goods inlet section are coupled to one another in such a way that in each operating state at most one of the two closure elements can be opened. In the simplest case, this is accomplished by a purely mechanical coupling of the two closure elements connected in series in the conveying direction of the goods. Alternatively, for example, electromechanical actuators can be provided for locking and releasing the closure elements of the inlet lock.

According to a further development of the security device, in addition to the goods inlet section, it also includes a goods outlet section which also adjoins the checkout section. In principle, the same design as the incoming goods section, the outgoing goods section is also tunnel-like.

The goods outlet section can have a closure element which acts as a barrier and - like the closure elements in the goods inlet section - can be selected from a multiplicity of known basic constructions and, in an advantageous embodiment, can only be opened from the inside. In this case too, for example, a flap, a roller shutter, a lamella curtain or a comparable device, for example a rollable, stable textile web, can be provided. In contrast to the goods infeed section, the goods outfeed section typically has only a single closure element.

Regardless of the detailed security-related design of the goods infeed section and the optional goods outfeed section, the checkout staff who have taken their place of work in the checkout section are separated from the customers in such a way that the risk of infections - in whatever direction - is minimized. This also applies in cases where there is no barrier on the back of the till, for example in the form of a lockable door.

In a typical embodiment, the goods entry section of the safety device is placed on a conveyor belt. A disinfection system can be integrated in the goods infeed section as additional equipment. Such a system works with UV radiation, for example. With regard to the basic possibility of disinfection in a checkout area with UV-C radiation, reference is made to the document as an example DE 10 2009 037 741 A1 pointed out.

The goods outlet section is located, for example, in the area of a goods chute. When viewed in the direction of conveyance of the goods, the goods inlet section is typically longer than the goods outlet section. In principle, the goods can also be transported on a conveyor belt in the goods outlet section.

All sections of the safety device can be made entirely or largely from transparent materials. This can be, for example, polycarbonate, which is available under the Makrolon brand, among others. Acrylic glass, known under the Plexiglas brand, is also suitable as a material for manufacturing the individual sections of the safety device. In principle, it is also possible to use opaque materials, even for the checkout section. If there is no line of sight between the checkout staff and customers, the use of a camera system is advisable. As for surveillance systems with cameras, the document is exemplary DE 10 2014 214 089 A1 pointed out.

In addition, the cash register can be equipped along the lines of existing cash register workstations. This applies, for example, to scanners, scales and payment systems. Among other things, the security device can include a system for theft detection. A device for theft detection, which is designed for use in a checkout zone, is for example in US Pat EP 0 907 155 B1 described in detail. In addition to the document DE 10 2018 115 747 A1 pointed out that describes a device for detecting shopping carts that are located in a surveillance area.

• 1 einen Kassenarbeitsplatz einschließlich Sicherheitsvorrichtung in perspektivischer Ansicht.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing. Herein shows:

• 1 a checkout workplace including security device in perspective view.

An overview overview after 1 Outlined cash desk workplace 1 includes a safety device 2nd , which in three parts, namely from a goods entry section 3rd , a checkout section 4th and a goods outlet section 5 , is constructed. With regard to its basic function corresponds to the cash desk workplace 1 conventional cash registers, as are common in supermarkets.

The working direction in which the goods are at the cash desk work station 1 is promoted with AR designated. The goods to be registered at the checkout are conventionally placed on a conveyor belt 9 which has a support area 11 represents. The conveyor belt 9 is on a rack 10th Installed. The incoming goods section 3rd is designed as a lock, which is part of the conveyor belt 9 covers. Here, a cross-sectionally U-shaped cover of the goods inlet section is designated by 6. In the direction of work AR considered, is at the beginning of the U-shaped cover 6 an optional closing element on the input side 7 of the incoming goods section 3rd . With the closure element 7 it is for example a roller shutter.

The U-shaped cover 6 is made of a transparent material in the embodiment. At the end of the incoming goods section 6 there is an outlet-side closure element 8th . The closure elements 7 , 8th , which can also be designed as flaps in a manner not shown, are not necessarily made of translucent material. An opening of the closure element 8th is only possible in an advantageous embodiment if the closure element 7 closed is. In an analogous manner, the closure element on the input side 7 only when the closure element on the output side is closed 8th be opened. This does not apply to simplified configurations in which only lamella curtains with vertically arranged lamellae serve the function of the closure elements, which then cannot be blocked in any way 7 , 8th take over. Also designs without any curtains, flaps, roller shutters or other barriers within the incoming goods section 6 are feasible. Simply by the length of the incoming goods section 6 there is already a protective effect in such a case.

The U-shaped cover 6 connects directly to a protective element 12 of the till section 4th at. The protective element 12 is - in principle comparable to the U-shaped cover 6 - Also made as a U-shaped profile from a transparent material, especially polycarbonate or acrylic glass. A front plate of the protective element 12 is designated 13. The reference numbers 14 and 15 denote side plates of the protective element 12 . The one from the plates 13 , 14 , 15 Working space for the cashier staff enclosed on three sides is designated by 16. With 17th is called a scanner, which is in the work area 16 behind the front panel 13 is arranged. In addition, other devices such as a cash payment lock can be provided.

The side plate 14 has a recess to which a U-shaped cover 18th of the outgoing goods section 5 connects. In the goods outlet section 5 there is a closure element 19th which according to the closure elements 7 , 8th is constructed and cannot be opened from the outside, unless a particularly simple solution with a curtain, in particular a slat curtain made of individual transparent, flexible strips, is used as the closure element 19th is selected. This also has the goods outlet section 5 the function of a lock. In contrast to the incoming goods section 3rd is located in the outfeed section 5 a goods slide 20th . A removal area from which the goods can be removed is designated by 21. In an alternative embodiment, not shown, is also in the goods outlet section 5 a conveyor belt.

Overall, the security device offers 2nd simple and effective protection against attacks with knives or the like. Touching the till staff by people who are in front of the till workplace 1 are reliably excluded. At the same time, the risk of transmission of viruses, bacteria or other infectious substances is minimized. The cash register section is optional 4th also closed at the top and at the back. In this case, the checkout section 4th to be equipped with technical ventilation.

Reference symbol list

1

Cash desk workplace

2nd

Safety device

3rd

Incoming goods section, lock

4th

Cashier section

5

Goods exit section

6

U-shaped cover of the incoming goods section

7

input-side closure element of the goods entry section

8th

exit-side closure element of the goods entry section

9

Conveyor belt

10th

frame

11

Support area

12

Protection element of the cash register section

13

Front plate of the protective element

14

Side plate of the protective element

15

Side plate of the protective element

16

working space

17th

scanner

18th

U-shaped cover of the goods outlet section

19th

Closure element in the goods outlet section

20th

Goods slide

21st

Withdrawal area

AR

Working direction

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• DE 8330792 U1 [0002]
• EP 0361175 A1 [0002]
• DE 102005018134 A1 [0003]
• DE 102016103575 B4 [0004]
• DE 1584259 A [0005]
• DE 9401932 U1 [0005]
• DE 29614206 U1 [0012]
• DE 4125269 C2 [0013]
• DE 102009037741 A1 [0018]
• DE 102014214089 A1 [0020]
• EP 0907155 B1 [0021]
• DE 102018115747 A1 [0021]

Claims (13)

Security device for a checkout area, with at least two immediately adjacent security sections, namely - a goods entry section (3), - A checkout section (4), the goods inlet section (3) being tunnel-like and having an opening cross section which is sufficiently wide for the conveyance of goods, and the cash register section (4) being closed at least on three sides, namely on the front side and in both lateral directions. Safety device after Claim 1 , characterized in that the goods inlet section (3) is designed as a lock which has a closure element (7, 8) on the input side and the output side. Safety device after Claim 2 , characterized in that the closure elements (7, 8) of the goods inlet section (3) are coupled to one another such that at most one of the two closure elements (7, 8) is always open. Safety device according to one of the Claims 1 to 3rd , characterized in that the security sections additionally comprise a goods outlet section (5) which, like the goods inlet section (3), is designed like a tunnel. Safety device after Claim 4 , characterized in that the goods outlet section (5) has a closure element (19) which can only be opened from the inside. Safety device after Claim 4 or 5 , characterized in that the goods inlet section (3) in the conveying direction (AR) of the goods is longer than the goods outlet section (5). Safety device according to one of the Claims 4 to 6 , characterized in that the goods outlet section (5) is located on a goods chute (20). Safety device according to one of the Claims 4 to 7 , characterized in that at least one of the sections infeed section (3) and outfeed section (5) is transparent. Safety device according to one of the Claims 1 to 8th , characterized in that the goods inlet section (3) is placed on a conveyor belt (9). Safety device after Claim 9 , characterized in that the goods inlet section (3) comprises a disinfection system. Safety device according to one of the Claims 1 to 10th , characterized in that the walls (13, 14, 15) on all three closed sides of the till section (4) are transparent. Safety device after Claim 11 , characterized in that the three walls (13, 14, 15) of the cash register section (4) are formed by a single transparent protective element (12). Safety device according to one of the Claims 1 to 12 , characterized in that all safety sections (3, 4, 5) are designed for tool-free, non-destructive attachment to a substructure and disassembly from a substructure.

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