EP0025754B1 - Method and arrangement for encouraging the return of a rolling vehicle, such as a supermarket shopping trolley - Google Patents

Description

The subject of the present invention is a method and an installation for encouraging the return of rolling vehicles, such as supermarket trolleys.

We know that, in a supermarket, each buyer has a cart that he pushes in front of him and in which he places the objects he chooses on the shelves that line the aisles. The buyer then presents himself with his cart in front of a cash register where he pays the price of the chosen objects. The purchaser rids the trolley of the objects which are now his property, and this immediately after passing in front of the checkout or in another place closer to his car left in a parking lot often contiguous to the supermarket.

Empty carts, present in multiple places in and around the supermarket, pose a problem in collecting and making them available to the public, and which has so far been resolved only by use of relatively expensive labor.

We already know, from US Pat. No. 3,754,630, an installation intended to encourage users of carts to bring these carts themselves to a storage station, the installation controlling the delivery to the user having brought back their a certificate of good return, the subsequent presentation of which entails the granting of an advantage in any form.

This installation is relatively complex and does not offer sufficient security against fraud attempts by certain users. It comprises a mechanical device fixed to the ground, associated with detectors intended to recognize the shape of the vehicles introduced into a storage area, but which only admits the carts of the type for which it has been adjusted and which, moreover, prohibits the removal of a cart that has been partially engaged in installation. The possibility of fraud, consisting in obtaining several rewards by moving a trolley in front of the detectors according to successive round trips, combined with the impossibility of removing from the installation a trolley which has been introduced therein by mistake, obliges to provide for the presence standing of a supermarket employee next to the facility.

The invention aims to remedy the drawbacks of existing installations and in particular relates to a method and an installation intended to prevent fraud in the return of rolling vehicles, such as supermarket trolleys.

The invention provides for this purpose a method for encouraging the return of a rolling vehicle, such as a supermarket trolley, in a reception area which includes an access control means, the method consisting in carrying out several checks of the identity of the vehicle when it crosses the access control means, and to issue, after verification, a reward, for example in the form of a ticket, characterized in that the access control means comprising at least one wicket placed at the entrance to the reception area, we carry out a first verification of the identity of the vehicle upstream of the wicket, then a second verification of the identity of the vehicle while it is crossing the wicket while allowing , during this crossing, a possible withdrawal of the vehicle, the gate is left to return to its closed condition after crossing, and the issue of a ticket is ordered only in the event that the second verification confirms e first and the vehicle is not removed when crossing the gate.

The method according to the invention, in addition to its effectiveness against fraud, allows the user who has inadvertently engaged his trolley in the reception area, to remove it without difficulty as long as the gate is not completely closed, this which could not be obtained with known installations.

The withdrawal of the trolley upstream, before complete crossing of the gate, commands a ban on the issue of the reward ticket, while the complete passage of the trolley downstream of the gate causes, after closing of the latter, the issuance of the ticket.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the gate is lockable in the closed condition, and it is unlocked in the event of a satisfactory result of the first verification while it is locked when it has returned to its closed condition after crossing.

This improves security against fraud attempts.

For the same purpose, the first identity verification is carried out within a predetermined period of time beyond which, if the second verification is not conclusive, the distribution of a ticket is prohibited or the gate is locked.

Likewise, still according to the invention, the second verification is carried out in a predetermined period of time beyond which, if the identification is satisfactory, the gate is possibly again locked and the issue of a ticket is ordered.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the first and the second verification are carried out by optical detection of determined geometric characteristics of the vehicle, for example by means of infrared rays. In the particular case of clearing trolleys, such as those found in shops or supermarkets, the first and second verifications are carried out by counting the number of bars of the trolley. The counting of the bars is carried out only on one side of the carriage, which avoids identification errors in the event that the carriage is incorrectly inserted.

The invention also provides an installation for implementing this method, comprising a means of controlling access to a vehicle reception area, opening by pushing a vehicle in the direction of access and provided a means for recalling in the closed position, several devices for verifying the identity of the vehicle, a dispenser for reward tickets, and a set for controlling the correct sequential flow of operations controlling the ticket dispenser, characterized in that , the access control means comprising at least one gate, a first verification device is located upstream of the gate and the second verification device is located between the first verification device and the gate, so that the second verification is carried out while the vehicle is passing through the gate, the installation also comprising a member sensitive to the gate closed position, connected to the control assembly for prohibit the issue of a ticket if the gate is not in its closed position after the vehicle has passed through it.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second verification devices respectively comprise a photoelectric device whose transmitter and receiver are arranged on either side of the access to the reception area, the emitter and receiver of a device being offset in height relative to each other so that the emitted beam is inclined relative to the horizontal reference plane on which the vehicle to be moved moves in the area of reception.

Advantageously, a signal counting group is associated with each verification device.

Thus, in the case where the vehicles are supermarket trolleys whose lateral flanks are constituted by substantially vertical bars, the identity of the trolley is verified by counting the bars constituting one of the lateral flanks of the trolley. The offset in height of the transmitter relative to the receiver of each verification device makes it possible to take into account the bars on one side of the carriage.

Preferably, the transmitter and the receiver of each device are mounted in an adjustable manner in height on a substantially vertical support, which allows their adaptation according to the types of carriages to be controlled.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique perspective d'une installation selon l'invention pour contrôler l'entrée d'une aire de stockage de chariots dans un supermarché ;
• la figure 2 est une vue schématique de ladite installation après enlèvement des carters ou plaques d'habillage ;
• la figure 3 est un schéma en élévation d'un équipement d'identification des chariots ;
• la figure 4 est une vue à plus grande échelle, en coupe, d'un dispositif de verrouillage d'un portillon d'accès ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en coupe à grande échelle d'un dispositif de freinage d'.un portillon ;
• la figure 6 est une vue correspondante en plan ;
• la figure 7 est une vue schématique montrant l'installation en coupe longitudinale au moment où un chariot est prêt à être introduit dans la zone ou sas d'accès ;
• la figure 8 est un diagramme représentatif du cycle de fonctionnement ;
• la figure 9 est une vue schématique d'une variante d'une installation pour la restitution de chariots dans un supermarché, prévue à l'entrée d'une aire de stockage ;
• la figure 10 est une vue semblable à la figure 9, mais représentant une variante de l'installation ;
• la figure 11 est une vue semblable à la figure 9, mais représentant une autre variante de l'installation ;
• la figure 12 est une vue schématique de dessus représentant un convoyeur de chariots selon l'invention ;
• la figure 13 est une vue schématique de dessus d'un autre convoyeur de chariots selon l'invention ;
• et la figure 14 est une vue de côté du convoyeur de la figure 13.

In the description which follows, given by way of example, reference is made to the appended drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an installation according to the invention for controlling the entry of a trolley storage area in a supermarket;
• Figure 2 is a schematic view of said installation after removal of housings or cover plates;
• FIG. 3 is a diagram in elevation of an equipment for identifying trolleys;
• Figure 4 is an enlarged view, in section, of a locking device of an access door;
• Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a braking device of a gate;
• Figure 6 is a corresponding plan view;
• Figure 7 is a schematic view showing the installation in longitudinal section when a carriage is ready to be introduced into the access area or airlock;
• Figure 8 is a representative diagram of the operating cycle;
• Figure 9 is a schematic view of a variant of an installation for the return of trolleys in a supermarket, provided at the entrance to a storage area;
• Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9, but showing a variant of the installation;
• Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 9, but showing another variant of the installation;
• Figure 12 is a schematic top view showing a trolley conveyor according to the invention;
• Figure 13 is a schematic top view of another trolley conveyor according to the invention;
• and FIG. 14 is a side view of the conveyor of FIG. 13.

In what follows, an installation intended to receive trolleys commonly used in supermarkets is described, but it will be understood that other applications of the invention can be made without departing from the scope of the Patent.

A trolley receiving area has an access corridor 1 to which are connected on either side of the tubular elements 2 forming part of an enclosure limiting said area.

The access area or airlock 4 to the reception area is limited by two lateral boxes 5 and 6 parallel to each other and connected to their upper rear parts by a transverse box 7, the assembly having, in horizontal projection, the shape of a U. The boxes 5 and 6 as well as the box 7, of generally parallelepiped shape, can be made in any suitable manner, in particular from folded sheet steel, or include a metal framework like that which is represented in the figure. 2, covered with a covering hiding and protecting the internal organs. The assembly is fixed to the ground by lower fixing gussets 9.

On the front face referenced 10 of one of the caissons, for example the caisson 6 of FIG. 1, there is, substantially at the height of the hand of a standing man, a bowl 11 placed at the outlet of a chute and intended to receive a ticket issued by the machine after the user has introduced his cart into the reception area.

The chute is part of a ticket dispenser 12 conventionally comprising a motor drive which advances step by step a roll of pre-glued paper, a guillotine cutting the paper to detach a ticket at each operation, the ticket then being evacuated by the chute to the user. This ticket dispenser 12, which is not shown in detail because it is well known, is fixed inside the box 6, in a place inaccessible to the user, on a plate 13 bolted to the frame and intended also to receive electronic components used for the operation of the installation and which have been referenced SC.

The airlock for access to the reception area is normally closed by two gates 14 pivotally mounted by their outer edge around vertical axes and which can open, from their closed position where their inner edges are joined, only downstream, as shown by the arrows F _{1 '} F ₂ . Each of these gates is associated with a control mechanism contained in one of the boxes 5 or 6. These mechanisms being identical, only one will be described in the following.

In the example shown, each gate is constituted by a bent U-shaped tube fixed on a vertical shaft 15 rotatably supported in bearings 16 ₁ , 16 ₂ mounted on supports 17 ₁ , 17 ₂ fixed to the frame of the box 6 or 5. At the upper end of the shaft 15 is hooked a return spring 18 whose other end 19 is in abutment against a fixed part of the frame. This spring automatically returns the gate, when it has been opened, to the closed position shown in FIG. 2.

To avoid rebounds when returning to the closed position of the gate, there is provided a damping device, generically designated by 20, which is wedged on the shaft 15 and simply constituted (Figures 5 and 6) by a disc 21 of flexible material , such as rubber, sandwiched between a sleeve 22 fixed by a screw shown diagrammatically at 24 on the shaft 15 and an upper disc 23, the discs 23 and the sleeve 22 being secured by screws. The outer edge of the rubber disc 21 is in constant abutment against an edge 25 of a small cubic block 26 of the fixed frame, so that these two elements rub against each other when the gate closes, the shaft 15 then turning in the direction of arrow f (Figure 6).

Furthermore, the gate 14 can be kept in the closed position by means of a locking device which is shown in detail in FIG. 4. On the lower end of the shaft 15 is wedged a part 27, in the form of a sector, pierced with holes 28. This part 27 is located under a support 29a fixed to the frame 30 of the box and carrying an electromagnet 29 whose movable core 31 is slidably engaged inside a hole in the support 29a and is capable of projecting downwards by penetrating into one of the holes 28 of the part 27 integral with the shaft 15. A stop 31 a, located under the part 27, makes it possible to limit the stroke of the core 31.

On the framework of the boxes 5 and 6 are also provided fixed switches 32 which are actuated by the gates when they pivot and which act as detectors for the presence of the gates.

The opposite faces 33 and 33 'of the two boxes 5 and 6 have openings, respectively 35, 36, 35', 36 '(Figure 1) each closed by a plexiglass panel (methyl methacrylate), allowing the infrared rays to pass through. , thus concealing the interior of the boxes from users. Behind these panels are housed transmitters and receivers that are part of infrared ray devices.

Two devices are provided, one whose cells are behind the openings 35 and 35 'and the other whose cells are behind the openings 36 and 36'. Each device comprises a transmitter 37 and a receiver 38, respectively 37 ₁ and 38 ₁ (FIG. 2) behind the openings 35 and 35 ', and 37 ₂ and 38 ₂ behind the openings 36 and 36'. Each transmitter and each receiver are slidably mounted on a vertical column, respectively 39, 39 ', disposed between supports 40, 41 fixed to the fixed frame of the installation. This arrangement makes it possible to adjust the height of each transmitter and each receiver.

Furthermore, each transmitter and each receiver are also adjustable by rotation about a horizontal axis A parallel to the mean longitudinal plane of the installation. This double possibility of adjusting the position of the transmitter and receiver allows, on the one hand, an adaptation of the installation to different trolley sizes, as seen with reference to FIG. 3, and, on the other hand part, to make a determination of the nature of the carriage only on one side thereof.

In Figure 3 there is shown in solid lines the carriage of smaller size and in broken lines the carriage of maximum size. The carriage C (FIG. 7) has sides or sides formed by vertical or substantially vertical bars B. For the adjustment of the installation, the transmitter 37 _{1 is placed} at a higher level of the distance H ₁ than the upper edge of the carriage of maximum size and the receiver 38 _{1 is placed} at a lower level of the distance H ₂ than that of the upper edge of the smaller trolley. Under these conditions, whatever the size of the carriage used, the rays emitted by the transmitter 37 ₁ to the receiver 38 ₁ , as indicated in R, meet only one side of a carriage C whose size is included between the maximum gauge carriage and the minimum gauge carriage. It is thus possible to carry out counting of the bars on the right side of the carriage limitatively, the bars on the left side being unable to intervene for the counting, even if the carriage is presented at an angle, that is to say according to a movement not strictly parallel to the average vertical plane of symmetry of the installation.

It is the same for the cooperation of the transmitter 37 ₂ with the receiver 38 ₂ ,

On the front of the console or cabinet transverse 7, there are three LEDs V ₁ , V ₂ , V ₃ (Figure 1). When the indicator V ₁ is green, this indicates that the installation is ready for the introduction of a trolley into the airlock.

The indicator V _i (green) is lit for the entire duration of the cycle and does not go out as a result until the ticket is issued.

When the indicator V ₂ is red, this is a sign of the installation's out-of-service condition. When the indicator V ₃ is red, it is a sign of the need to refill the machine with a roll of receipt paper.

A fourth indicator can also be provided which, when it is red, signals that the reception area can no longer receive a new carriage.

• Lorsqu'un utilisateur souhaite restituer le chariot qu'il a utilisé pour ses achats et qu'il a vidé des marchandises qu'il a achetées, il s'approche du sas 1 pour introduire le chariot dans l'aire de stockage. Après avoir constaté que le voyant V₁ est allumé, ce qui lui signale que son chariot peut être introduit dans l'installation, il fait progresser le chariot en le poussant selon la flèche G de la figure 1. Lorsque l'avant du chariot parvient devant le premier dispositif de vérification, l'avant du chariot occulte le pinceau dirigé par l'émetteur 37₁ vers le récepteur 38₁ du dispositif, ce qui entraîne l'autorisation de départ du cycle. Un premier comptage des barres verticales B du chariot C est effectué par le premier dispositif 37₁, 38₁, afin de procéder à une première identification. Si le nombre de barres comptées par le premier dispositif (par exemple quatre ou cinq) correspond à un chiffre prédéterminé ou enregistré dans l'installation pour permettre la poursuite du cycle de fonctionnement, les portillons 14, jusqu'alors verrouillés en position fermée, sont déverrouillés par l'excitation des électro-aimants 29 des verrous ; les noyaux 31 sont attirés et libèrent ainsi la pièce 27 solidaire de l'arbre 15. Dans une variante, pour diminuer encore plus le risque de fraude, le déverrouillage des portillons est commandé par l'association des deux systèmes de détection, c'est-à-dire 37₁, 38₁ d'une part, et 37₂, 38₂ d'autre part.

The operation is as follows:

• When a user wishes to return the cart that he has used for his purchases and that he has emptied of the goods that he has bought, he approaches the airlock 1 to introduce the cart into the storage area. After having noted that the indicator light V ₁ is on, which signals to it that its carriage can be introduced into the installation, it advances the carriage by pushing it according to the arrow G in FIG. 1. When the front of the carriage reaches in front of the first verification device, the front of the carriage obscures the brush directed by the transmitter 37 ₁ towards the receiver 38 ₁ of the device, which gives the authorization to start the cycle. A first count of the vertical bars B of the carriage C is carried out by the first device 37 ₁ , 38 ₁ , in order to carry out a first identification. If the number of bars counted by the first device (for example four or five) corresponds to a predetermined figure or recorded in the installation to allow the continuation of the operating cycle, the gates 14, hitherto locked in the closed position, are unlocked by the excitation of the electromagnets 29 of the latches; the cores 31 are attracted and thus release the part 27 secured to the shaft 15. In a variant, to further reduce the risk of fraud, the unlocking of the gates is controlled by the association of the two detection systems, this is ie 37 ₁ , 38 ₁ on the one hand, and 37 ₂ , 38 ₂ on the other.

The gates being unlocked, it suffices that the user continues to advance his carriage to push the gates downstream of the installation and thus open them. The switches 32 for controlling the presence of the gates in the closed position then change state and allow the validation of the second transceiver device 37 ₂ , 38 ₂ which begins counting the vertical bars B of the carriage. When the number of bars counted by the second device reaches a predetermined value, recorded beforehand in the installation and corresponding to the second identification of the cart, the user just has to keep moving the cart forward so that it escapes completely to the gates and that they can return to the closed position under the effect of the return springs 18.

The cart is now inside the receiving area.

The gates, by closing, control the switches 32 which authorize the locking of the gates by excitations of the electromagnets 29 of the door locks.

The whole process having taken place normally and the carriage having been received, the installation then delivers a pre-glued stamp which the user can take possession of in the bowl 11.

The entire operating cycle of the installation involves time delays which make it possible to control the times relating to the completion of each phase of progression of the carriage.

Any attempt at fraud, resulting in particular in an anomaly of the counting, entails the prohibition of issue of the ticket with, possibly, in association, the triggering of an alarm, in the event that the gates remain open for too long.

The back and forth of the same carriage are controlled by the first device which resumes counting and therefore reaches a predetermined number of counted bars for which the blocking of the process of issuing the ticket is triggered.

A user who mistakenly engaged a carriage between the doors can remove it as long as the carriage has not been fully engaged and the doors have not closed. However, in this case, the installation does not issue a ticket.

Advantageously, the installation includes a totalizing counter with reset, making it possible to count the number of tickets distributed.

In the table in FIG. 8, relating to a normal operating cycle of the installation, the numbers 1 to 11 represent the various phases of operation in their succession over time.

The numbers on the left side of the table indicate, in succession in ascending order, the different stages of operation. The framed indications linked to a number by a line schematize the operations of the stage designated by this number.

The indications located between two consecutive digits relate to the operations carried out between two stages of the process, or inter-stage operations.

• A cette étape, le voyant V_i (vert) est allumé, signifiant « introduisez votre chariot ».
• B. Inter-étape 1.2 : l'usager commence à introduire son chariot dans le sas d'accès et l'avant de son chariot provoque la première occultation du premier dispositif à rayons infrarouges 37₁-38₁, entraînant l'autorisation de départ du cycle. S₁ est t'indication de la validation de l'étape précédente, chaque étape devant être validée préalablement à la réalisation de l'étape suivante. Dans le cas présent, la validation consiste à vérifier que le voyant V₁ est bien allumé.
• C. Etape n° 2 : l'usager continue de progresser, ce qui entraîne simultanément :
  • comme schématisé par C₁ (flèche), le premier comptage des barres du chariot par les cellules 37₁, 38, ;
  • comme schématisé par LT₁, le début ou lancement de la temporisation à partir du commencement du premier comptage.
  • Le voyant V₁ demeure allumé.
• D. Inter-étape 2.3 :
  • X₁ représente le nombre prédéterminé de barres pré-enregistré dans l'installation qui doit être compté au minimum par le dispositif comprenant les cellules 37₁, 38₁ dans un temps prédéterminé.
  • FT₁ représente la fin de la temporisation attachée au premier comptage qui doit être terminé avant le passage au stade suivant.
  • S₂ représente la validation de l'opération de l'étape 2.
• E. Etape n° 3 : la correction des opérations de l'inter-étape 2.3 étant vérifiée, les organes (par exemple des transistors) TG₁ et TG₂, de commande de déverrouillage des portillons droit et gauche, sont excités.
  • LT₂ représente le lancement de la temporisation de fin de premier comptage, temporisation pendant la durée de laquelle doit intervenir la première occultation du pinceau de rayons infrarouges émis par l'émetteur 37₂ vers le récepteur 38₂.
  • V₁ indique que le voyant V₁ s'éteint.
• F. Inter-étape 3.4 :
  • FT₂ indique la fin de la temporisation concernant l'intervalle de temps séparant la fin du premier comptage et la première occultation, par l'extrémité avant du chariot, du pinceau de rayons infrarouges émis par l'émetteur 37₂ vers le récepteur 38₂. Les portillons sont déverrouillés mais l'usager ne les a pas ouverts. Les interrupteurs 32, symbolisés par g₁ et g₂, n'ont pas encore changé d'état.
  • S₃ représente la validation de l'étape précédente.
  • d₂ représente la première occultation du pinceau de rayons infrarouges émis par l'émetteur 37₂ vers le récepteur 38₂.
• G. Etape n° 4 : le dispositif de comptage étant excité par le dispositif 37₂, 38₂, le deuxième comptage C₂ (fléché vers le haut) est engagé.
  • Les transistors TG₁, TG₂ de commande de portillons restent actionnés.
  • La temporisation (LT₃) du début du deuxième comptage est lancée.
  • Le premier comptage C₁ (fléché vers le bas) est remis à zéro.
• H. Inter-étape 4.5 :
  • X₂ représente le nombre prédéterminé de barres qui doit être compté au minimum par le deuxième dispositif 37₂, 38₂ pendant un temps prédéterminé.
  • FT₃ représente la fin de la temporisation du deuxième comptage, lequel doit être effectué avant passage au stade suivant.
  • Les interrupteurs 32 ont changé d'état, ce qui est matérialisé par (g₁ + g₂).
  • S₄ indique la validation de l'étape précédente.
• 1. Etape 5 :
  • LT₄ indique le lancement de la temporisation à la fin du deuxième comptage, temporisation pendant la durée de laquelle les portillons doivent se refermer.
  • TG₁, TG₂ indiquent que les transistors de commande des portillons restent actionnés, les portillons étant ouverts.
• J. Inter-étape 5.6 : le chariot étant passé totalement, les portillons se referment en actionnant les interrupteurs 32 qui changent d'état et se ferment, ce qui est matérialisé par g₁ · g₂.
  • X₁ indique qu'on bloque la délivrance du coupon dans le cas d'un nouveau score réalisé par le premier dispositif comprenant l'émetteur 37₁ et le récepteur 37₂.
  • FT₄ représente la fin de la temporisation concernant l'intervalle de temps devant s'écouler entre la fin du deuxième comptage et le moment où les interrupteurs 32 se ferment.
  • S₅ signale la validation de l'étape précédente.
• K. Etape n° 6 : les transistors de commande des portes ne sont plus excités, ce qui est matérialisé par TG ₁, TG ₂.
  • LT₅ indique le lancement de la temporisation entre la fermeture des portillons et le début de l'avance du papier délivré par le distributeur 12.
• L. Inter-étape 6.7 :
  • FT₅ signale la fin de la temporisation entre la fermeture des portillons et le début de l'avance du papier délivré par le distributeur 12.
  • Se indique la validation de l'étape précédente.
• M. Etape n° 7 : à ce moment, l'avance du papier est commandée (notamment par l'excitation d'un transistor), ce qui est matérialisé par TA.
  • LT₆ indique le lancement simultané de la temporisation d'avance du papier.
• N. Inter-étape 7.8 :
  • FT₆ signale la fin de la temporisation d'avance du papier.
  • S₇ indique la validation de l'étape précédente.
• O. Etape n° 8 : l'avance du papier est interrompue, ce qui est symbolisé par TA. La temporisation LT₇ entre la fin de l'avance du papier et le début de l'opération du tranchage de celui-ci est lancée.
  • C₂ suivi de la flèche vers le bas indique que le deuxième comptage est pris en compte par l'appareil.
• P. Inter-étape 8.9 :
  • FT₇ signale la fin de la temporisation entre la fin d'avance du papier et le début de son tranchage.
  • S₈ indique la validation de l'opération de l'étape 8.
• Q. Etape 9 : le dispositif de coupe du papier et le compteur totalisateur de tickets distribués sont mis en marche, notamment par excitation d'un transistor, ce qui est matérialisé par TC.
  • LT₈ indique le lancement de la temporisation pour la manoeuvre du coupe-papier.
• R. Inter-étape 9.10 :
  • FT₈ représente la fin de la temporisation pour l'acheminement du dispositif de coupe du papier.
  • Sg signale la validation des opérations de l'étape 9.
• S. Etape 10 :
  • TC indique que le dispositif de coupe du papier et le compteur totalisateur de tickets sont déconnectés.
  • C₁, et
  • C₂, l'un et l'autre accompagnés de la flèche vers le bas, indiquent que les premier et deuxième comptages sont pris en compte.
  • LT₉ signale le lancement de la temporisation pour le contrôle du papier.
• T. Inter-étape 10.11 :
  • S₁₀ indique la validation des opérations de l'étape précédente.
  • FT₉ indique la fin de la temporisation du contrôle du papier. Ensuite, on contrôle la présence du papier dans la machine. Deux cas peuvent se présenter :
    • a) s'il y a encore du papier, CP (moyen de contrôle de présence du papier) reste excité ;
    • b) s'il n'y a plus de papier, le moyen de contrôle de présence de papier le signale, ce qui est matérialisé par CP.
• U. Etape 11 : cette étape n'intervient que dans le cas où il n'y a plus de papier dans la machine. Le voyant V₃ s'allume alors, ce qui signale la nécessité de remettre du papier dans la machine. Après mise en place d'un nouveau rouleau de papier, les moyens ae contrôle reprennent leur état normal matérialisé par CP.

A. Step n ° 1: it corresponds to the beginning of the cycle, when the installation is in the position of figure 1, suitable for receiving a carriage.

• At this stage, the indicator V _i (green) is on, signifying "insert your cart".
• B. Inter-step 1.2: the user begins to introduce his cart into the access airlock and the front of his cart causes the first occultation of the first infrared ray device 37 ₁ -38 ₁ , leading to the authorization to start the cycle. S ₁ is the indication of the validation of the previous step, each step having to be validated before carrying out the next step. In the present case, the validation consists in verifying that the LED V ₁ is indeed lit.
• C. Step 2: the user continues to progress, which simultaneously leads to:
  • as shown diagrammatically by C ₁ (arrow), the first counting of the bars of the carriage by the cells 37 ₁ , 38,;
  • as shown by LT ₁ , the start or start of the timer from the start of the first count.
  • The indicator V ₁ remains on.
• D. Inter-step 2.3:
  • X ₁ represents the predetermined number of bars pre-recorded in the installation which must be counted at least by the device comprising the cells 37 ₁ , 38 ₁ in a predetermined time.
  • FT ₁ represents the end of the time delay attached to the first count which must be completed before going to the next stage.
  • S ₂ represents the validation of the operation of step 2.
• E. Step n ° 3: the correction of the operations of the inter-step 2.3 being verified, the members (for example of the transistors) TG ₁ and TG ₂ , for controlling the unlocking of the right and left gates, are excited.
  • LT ₂ represents the start of the timing for the end of the first counting, timing during which the first occultation of the brush of infrared rays emitted by the transmitter 37 ₂ towards the receiver 38 ₂ must occur.
  • V ₁ indicates that the V ₁ indicator goes out.
• F. Inter-step 3.4:
  • FT ₂ indicates the end of the time delay concerning the time interval separating the end of the first count and the first occultation, by the front end of the carriage, of the brush of infrared rays emitted by the transmitter 37 ₂ towards the receiver 38 ₂ . The gates are unlocked but the user has not opened them. The switches 32, symbolized by g ₁ and g ₂ , have not yet changed state.
  • S ₃ represents the validation of the previous step.
  • d ₂ represents the first occultation of the brush of infrared rays emitted by the transmitter 37 ₂ towards the receiver 38 ₂ .
• G. Step 4: the counting device being excited by the device 37 ₂ , 38 ₂ , the second count C ₂ (arrowed upwards) is engaged.
  • The gates control transistors TG ₁ , TG ₂ remain actuated.
  • The time delay (LT ₃ ) for the start of the second count is started.
  • The first count C ₁ (arrow down) is reset to zero.
• H. Inter-step 4.5:
  • X ₂ represents the predetermined number of bars which must be counted at least by the second device 37 ₂ , 38 ₂ for a predetermined time.
  • FT ₃ represents the end of the timing of the second count, which must be carried out before going to the next stage.
  • The switches 32 have changed state, which is materialized by (g ₁ + g ₂ ).
  • S ₄ indicates the validation of the previous step.
• 1. Step 5:
  • LT ₄ indicates the start of the time delay at the end of the second count, time delay during which the gates must close.
  • TG ₁ , TG ₂ indicate that the gate control transistors remain actuated, the gates being open.
• J. Inter-step 5.6: the carriage having passed completely, the gates are closed by actuating the switches 32 which change state and close, which is materialized by g ₁ · g ₂ .
  • X ₁ indicates that the coupon is blocked in the case of a new score produced by the first device comprising the transmitter 37 ₁ and the receiver 37 ₂ .
  • FT ₄ represents the end of the time delay relating to the time interval which must elapse between the end of the second count and the moment when the switches 32 close.
  • S ₅ signals the validation of the previous step.
• K. Step n ° 6: the door control transistors are no longer energized, which is materialized by TG ₁ , TG ₂ .
  • LT ₅ indicates the start of the time delay between the closing of the gates and the start of the advance of the paper delivered by the dispenser 12.
• L. Inter-step 6.7:
  • FT ₅ signals the end of the time delay between the closing of the gates and the start of the advance of the paper delivered by the dispenser 12.
  • The validation of the previous step is indicated.
• M. Step n ° 7: at this time, the advance of the paper is controlled (in particular by the excitation of a transistor), which is materialized by TA.
  • LT ₆ indicates the simultaneous start of the paper advance delay.
• N. Inter-step 7.8:
  • FT ₆ signals the end of the paper advance delay.
  • S ₇ indicates the validation of the previous step.
• O. Step n ° 8: the paper advance is interrupted, which is symbolized by TA. The time delay tion LT ₇ between the end of the paper advance and the start of the slicing operation thereof is started.
  • C ₂ followed by the down arrow indicates that the second count is taken into account by the device.
• P. Inter-step 8.9:
  • FT ₇ signals the end of the time delay between the end of paper feed and the start of slicing.
  • S ₈ indicates the validation of the operation of step 8.
• Q. Step 9: the paper cutting device and the counter for totaling distributed tickets are started, in particular by excitation of a transistor, which is materialized by TC.
  • LT ₈ indicates the start of the time delay for the operation of the cutter.
• R. Inter-step 9.10:
  • FT ₈ represents the end of the time delay for the routing of the paper cutting device.
  • Sg signals the validation of the operations in step 9.
• S. Step 10:
  • TC indicates that the paper cutter and the ticket counter are disconnected.
  • C ₁ , and
  • C ₂ , both accompanied by the down arrow, indicate that the first and second counts are taken into account.
  • LT ₉ signals the start of the timer for paper control.
• T. Inter-step 10.11:
  • S ₁₀ indicates the validation of the operations of the previous step.
  • FT ₉ indicates the end of the paper control timeout. Next, the presence of paper in the machine is checked. Two cases can arise:
    • a) if there is still paper, CP (means of checking the presence of paper) remains excited;
    • b) if there is no more paper, the means of checking for the presence of paper signals this, which is materialized by CP.
• U. Step 11: this step only occurs if there is no more paper in the machine. The indicator V ₃ then lights up, which signals the need to put paper back in the machine. After placing a new roll of paper, the control means resume their normal state materialized by CP.

A new operating cycle can be started.

The invention provides a variant in which, depending on the chosen ticket or coupon dispenser, a single pulse is used to issue the coupon, which makes it possible to disregard the launch of the paper cutter operations.

Referring to Figures 9 to 11, we will describe alternative embodiments of the installation according to the invention.

In Figure 9, there is schematically shown part of an installation for the return of a cart 110, provided at the entrance to a storage area of the carriages 110, to which the public does not have access. It comprises a gantry delimiting an opening for introducing the carriages into the storage area, and which is formed by two vertical pillars 111 spaced apart by a distance greater than the width of a carriage 110 and connected at their upper end. by a horizontal transverse upright 112 comprising a certain number of indicator lights 113 for signaling the progress of the various operations carried out by the installation and its operating state. At its rear end, located on the side of the storage area, the installation comprises one or two gates 114 normally closing access to the storage area and which are intended to be opened by a carriage 110 pushed by a user under the portal 111, 112.

Various means of recognizing a carriage 110 are provided upstream of the gate 114 and are generally sequential, so as to execute a certain number of operations for identifying the carriage, in a determined order, when the carriage is pushed against the gate 114. If these operations are carried out in the determined order and advantageously within a determined period of time, they control the operation of a ticket dispenser housed in one of the pillars 111 and delivering a ticket through a slot 115 of the front of this pillar. This ticket entitles the user, who has returned his cart 110 to the storage area, to a reward or advantage of any kind.

At least one of the means for recognizing the carriage 110 is a photoelectric cell of the so-called "reflection type" comprising a housing 116 containing, side by side, an emitter of radiation of determined wavelength, for example a infrared radiation, and a receiving element for the detection of said radiation after reflection thereof on a reflector 117.

In the example of FIG. 9, the housing 116 is mounted on the lower horizontal face of the transverse upright 112, and the reflector 117 is on the ground, in the passage of the carriage 110, being vertically aligned with the housing 116.

It is understood that, when a carriage 110 is brought in front of the gate 114 between the two pillars 111, some of its parts pass successively between the reflector 117 and the housing 116, and prevent the reflection of the radiation towards the receiving cell of the housing 116. presence of the carriage 110 in front of the gate 114 and its passage above the reflector 117 are thus detected and taken into account.

In the variant shown in FIG. 10, the installation comprises a gantry 111, 112 of the same type as above, and the housing 116 containing the photoelectric reflection cell is placed, no longer on the transverse upright 112, but on the internal face 118 of one of the pillars 111, while the reflector 117 is carried by a side walls of the carriage 110, the housing 116 and the reflector 117 being at the same height above the ground.

In another variant, not shown, the housing 116 is used without associating it with a particular reflector, and these are different parts of the carriage 110, when the latter is opposite the housing 116, which play the role of reflector.

In another variant, shown diagrammatically in FIG. 11, at least one of the means for recognizing a carriage is a metal detector 119, of a conventional type, which is mounted on a gate 114. In the example shown , each door 114 carries a metal detector 119. When the carriage 110 is pushed onto the doors 114 its front part comes substantially into contact with the detectors 119, which take into account the presence of the carriage. When the carriage is pushed to open the gates, the metal detectors 119 remain substantially in contact with certain parts of the side walls of the carriage, and take into account the passage of said carriage under the transverse upright 112 of the gantry.

To facilitate the introduction of a trolley into the storage area, the invention also provides for having, behind the gantry 111, 112, an automatic drive or conveying means for the trolley.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 12, the conveyor comprises two horizontal belts 121 with notched outer surface 122 which extend from the gantry 111, 112, shown in phantom, on either side of the passage for introducing the trolley 110 in the storage area. At their front end, the belts 121 pass over a drive wheel 123 fixed to a vertical drive shaft itself driven from a motor, for example electric, by means of a system of pinions 124 and belts 125.

At their opposite end, the belts 121 pass around a deflection wheel carried by a vertical shaft, the end bearings 126 of which are guided in curved slots 127 and are subjected to the action of return springs tending to bring the from one another the rear ends of the belts 121, so that these define a guide path for the carriage 110 which is wider at its entry end of the carriage than at its exit end of said carriage. The distance separating the two notched belts 121 at the level of the gantry 111, 112 is greater than the greatest width of a carriage 110, while the minimum distance separating these two belts at their opposite end is substantially equal to the smallest width of a cart.

This device operates as follows: when a carriage 110 is brought under the gantry 111, 112, the trolley identification means provided in the gantry control the starting of the conveyor, the belts 121 being driven by the driving wheels 123 in the direction indicated by the arrows 128. When the user continues to push the carriage 110 under the gantry 111, 112, the front end of the carriage comes into contact with the facing surfaces of the toothed belts 121, and the carriage is driven automatically, in the direction of arrow 129, until it leaves the conveyor. This then stops automatically.

In the variant shown in Figures 13 and 14, the conveyor comprises a single belt 130 passing at its ends on rollers 131 and 132 with a horizontal axis, carried by a frame slightly raised relative to the ground 133. The roller 132 is a roller leading, driven by means of a belt 134 by a motor 135, while the other roller 131 is a simple deflection roller.

The belt 130 for driving a carriage 110 comprises from place to place on its outer face perpendicular fingers 136 intended to cooperate with a front transverse bar 137 of the lower part of the carriage, to drive the latter in the direction of the arrow 138. The belt 130 is preceded by an inclined plane 139 and is followed by another inclined plane 140, facilitating the bringing of the carriage 110 on the conveyor, and its evacuation at the outlet of the conveyor.

In this embodiment, the gantry provided at the entrance to the storage area is replaced by two vertical pillars 141 comprising means for identifying the carriage 110, and two gates 142.

Two other vertical pillars 143 can be provided inside the storage area, on either side of the conveyor, to control the stopping of this conveyor.

• L'utilisateur ramenant le chariot 110 pousse celui-ci sur les portillons 142 et engage l'avant du chariot sur le plan incliné 139. Le passage du chariot devant les piliers verticaux 141 commande la mise en route du convoyeur et l'entraînement de la courroie 130 dont un doigt 136 vient en butée sur la barre transversale inférieure 137 de l'avant du chariot, et entraîne le chariot dans le sens de la flèche 138. Quand le chariot 110 passe entre les deux autres piliers verticaux 143, il coupe par exemple le faisceau d'alimentation d'une cellule photo-électrique qui commande alors l'arrêt du convoyeur, avec une temporisation plus ou moins importante en fonction de la disposition des piliers 143 par rapport à l'extrémité du convoyeur. Le chariot est évacué par le plan incliné 140 à la sortie du convoyeur.

This device works as follows:

• The user bringing the carriage 110 pushes it on the gates 142 and engages the front of the carriage on the inclined plane 139. The passage of the carriage in front of the vertical pillars 141 controls the starting of the conveyor and the drive of the belt 130 of which a finger 136 abuts on the lower transverse bar 137 of the front of the carriage, and drives the carriage in the direction of arrow 138. When the carriage 110 passes between the two other vertical pillars 143, it cuts by example the supply beam of a photoelectric cell which then controls the stopping of the conveyor, with a more or less significant time delay depending on the arrangement of the pillars 143 relative to the end of the conveyor. The carriage is evacuated by the inclined plane 140 at the outlet of the conveyor.

Claims (25)

1. A method of encouraging the return of a rolling vehicle, such as a supermarket trolley, to a reception area which comprises an access control means, the method consisting in carrying out several checks on the identity of the vehicle when it passes through the access control means, and after checking issuing a reward, for example in the form of a ticket, characterised in that the access control means comprising at least one gate (14, 114) located at the entrance of the reception area, a first check of the identity of the vehicle (C, 110) is carried out upstream of the gate, then a second check of the identity of the vehicle as it passes through the gate (14, 114) while allowing the vehicle (C, 110) to be withdrawn during this passage, the gate (14, 114) is allowed to return to its closing condition after the passage, and the issue of a ticket is only ordered if the second check confirms the first check and the vehicle (C, 110) has not been withdrawn during the passage through the gate (14, 114).

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that, the gate (14) being lockable in the closing condition, it is unlocked if there is a satisfactory result for the first check, and it is locked when it has returned to its closing condition after the passage.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a first identity check is carried out during a predetermined period of time beyond which, if the second check is not conclusive, the issue of a ticket is prevented or the gate (14) is locked.

4. A method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second check is carried out during a predetermined period of time beyond which, if the identification is satisfactory, the gate (14) may be locked again and the issue of a ticket is ordered.

5. A method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and the second checks are carried out by optical detection of predetermined geometrical features of the vehicle (C, 114), for example by means of infrared rays.

6. A method according to one of the preceding claims, applied in the event that the vehicle is an openwork supermarket trolley, characterized in that the first and second checks are carried out by counting the number of bars (B) of the trolley (C).

7. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that the bars (B) are counted on one side only of the trolley (C).

8. An installation for putting into operation the method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising means for controlling access to a reception area for vehicles, which means opens when a vehicle is pushed in the direction of access and is provided with a means for return to the closing position, several devices for checking the identity of the vehicle, a dispenser of reward tickets, and a control unit for the correct sequential progress of the operations controlling the ticket dispenser, characterized in that, the access control means comprising at least one gate (14, 114), a first checking device (35, 37₁, 38₁) is located upstream of the said gate (14, 114) and the second checking device (36, 37₂, 38₂) is located between the first checking device and the gate (14, 114) such that the second check is carried out while the vehicle is passing through the gate, the installation also comprising an element (32) which is sensitive to the closing position of the gate and is connected to the said control unit (S, C) to prevent the issue of a ticket if the gate (14, 114) is not in its closing position after the vehicle (C, 110) has passed through.

9. An installation according to claim 8, characterized in that it also comprises a lock (27, 31) to immobilize the access control gate (14) in the closing position, the lock being retractable under the control of the first checking device (35, 37₁, 38i).

10. An installation according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, the first and second checking devices comprising respectively a photoelectric device whose emitter (37) and receptor (38) are arranged on either side of the access to the reception area, the emitter (37) and the receptor (38) of one device are offset in height with respect to one another so that the ray emitted is inclined with respect to the horizontal reference plane on which the vehicle (C) to be introduced into the reception area moves.

11. An installation according to claim 10, characterized in that the emitter (37) and the receptor (38) of each device are mounted so that their height is adjustable on a substantially vertical support (39).

12. An installation according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that, each checking device being of photoelectric type comprising an emitter and a receiver, a group for counting signals is associated with each of these devices.

13. An installation according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the access control means comprises two gates (14, 114) whose edges are opposite one another in the closed position.

14. An installation according to claim 13, characterized in that the outer vertical edge (15) of the gate or of each gate (14) is a shaft mounted so as to rotate and integral with a sector (27) comprising at least one perforation (28) into which the core of an electromagnet (29) may be engaged to lock the said gate.

15. An installation according to one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that it comprises visual and/or sound signalling means (V_i, V₂, V₃) indicating in particular the possibility of inserting the vehicles into the access, the out-of-order condition of the installation, and a fault in operation, these means being borne by the transverse bar of an upturned U porch defining the entrance of the reception area.

16. An installation according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one of the checking devices comprises a component chosen from metal detectors, photoelectric cells of reflexion type functioning with or without a reflector, and receptive photoelectric cells associated with a distant element which emits a ray with a predetermined wavelength.

17. An installation according to claim 16, characterized in that the metal detector (119) is located on the gate or on each gate (114) so as to be brought substantially into contact with a part of the vehicle (110) when it is pushed against the gate(s).

18. An installation according to claim 16, characterized in that the reflecting photoelectric cell (116) is associated with a reflector (117) borne by the vehicle (110) or mounted at a fixed point which is separated from the cell, by a space which at least a part of the vehicle must cross.

19. An installation according to claim 16, characterized in that the vehicle (110) forms the reflector associated with the photoelectric cell . (116) of reflexion type.

20. An installation according to one of claims 8 to 19, characterized in that it comprises, downstream of the gate, a vehicle conveyor (121, 130) controlled by the checking devices after the insertion of the vehicle (110) into the reception area.

21. An installation according to claim 20, characterized in that the conveyor comprises two lateral belts (121) with a serrated outer surface (122), extending on either side of a passage for inserting the vehicle (110) into the reception area and capable of cooperating by their outer serrated surface with the lateral walls of the vehicle (110) to entrain it.

22. An installation according to claim 21, characterized in that the two lateral belts (121) are at a variable distance one from the other and form for example a driven path narrowing towards its end which is opposite the entrance end for the vehicle (110).

23. An installation according to claim 21, characterized in that the conveyor (130) is of chain or belt type and has perpendicular fingers (136) on its outer surface for the entrainment of the vehicle (11) by hooking a part (137) of it by one of the said fingers (136).

24. An installation according to claim 23, characterized in that the conveyor (130) is arranged slightly above the ground, the fingers (136) being orientated vertically in order to hook a lower (137) transverse bar of the vehicle (110) when the latter is brought above the upstream end of the conveyor (130).

25. An installation according to claim 24, characterized in that the conveyor (130) is preceded and followed by inclined planes (139, 140) making it easier to bring the vehicle (110) to the entrance of the conveyor and to discharge it at the exit of the conveyor.

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