EP2556774A1 - Combination of a cashing assembly and an advance payment area - Google Patents

Abstract

The combination has a cashier counter (2) equipped with a conveying belt (7) and a workstation i.e. work cell (8), for an operator (10). An advance payment region (4) and the conveying device are extended parallel to each other, where the advance payment region has structure height to prevent visual contact of the operator in a working position with a current side upstream selling space (13). A view channel is directed toward the selling space and emanated from the workstation. The view channel is formed between visual contact preventing structure elements (5).

Description

The invention relates to a combination of a cashier and a prepayment area, which is filled, for example, with at least one goods presentation container and / or a goods selection unit and / or a goods container or the like, wherein the cashier is equipped with a conveyor and a workplace for an operator, and wherein the prepayment area and the conveyor device extend substantially parallel to each other.

Cash dispensers are nowadays often combined with a prep area, which typically acts as an additional retail space. Because in this Vorkassenbereich find, for example, goods presentation containers, goods selection units and / or goods containers that should set shortly before the actual cashier process and at the end of the flow of goods complementary Kaufanreize. Thus, there are often cigarette or tobacco products, confectionery, batteries, but also data carriers, etc. in the relevant prepayment area and are offered in at least one associated goods presentation container.

Alternatively or additionally, goods selector units are increasingly arranged at this point, as they are for example in the EP 2 015 261 A1 the applicant are described. With the help of such a goods selection unit, the actual product is only selected and paid and only after passing through the cashier physically taken to a vending machine receiving. An alternative or additionally present at this point goods container may be designed as in the EP 1 438 912 B1 the applicant is described in detail.

In generic combinations of a cashier and a prepayment area, as for example in the Fig. 1 of the DE 10 2006 024 887 A1 are shown, there is a problem that the prepayment area is designed to be bulky and thus more or less restrict the field of vision of the operator at the cashier. This is disadvantageous, as this uncontrolled customer actions are favored to theft. Also, for example, a communication or eye contact with people in the upstream upstream sales room is practically impossible, so that the operator is more or less isolated at the workplace, which is perceived in addition to the disadvantages described above as psychologically unfavorable.

Although there are similar generic solutions, as in the EP 1 447 032 B1 are depicted. However, the prepayment area as a whole here is designed so that its construction height substantially corresponds to that of the conveying device, so that the operator can cast an unobstructed view over the prepayment area and the conveying device. However, this structural measure has the disadvantage that, due to the limited construction height of the prepayment area, of course, the sales volume available at this point is extremely limited.

As part of the DE 10 2006 024 887 A1 a self-service device for grocery packs in supermarkets is described. In this case, at least one of a plurality of product packages stored in compartments can be selected. In this context, a goods collection counter is connected to one of these upstream of the customer conveyor belt. In addition, an output unit is provided in the vicinity, which has a discharge channel opening above the goods conveyor belt.

This again restricts the view over the prepayment area.

Since nowadays in the cash department often and additionally spontaneous purchases are made and customers expect many goods even specifically and only at the cash register, the well-known combination according to the EP 1447032 B1 this changed buying behavior is not (anymore) fair. Here, the invention aims to provide a total remedy.

The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a combination of a cash deposit system and a prepayment area so that, taking into account an optimally exhausted sales volume in the area of the cash register, it is also possible to maintain or make eye contact with the sales space situated upstream as it were.

To solve this technical problem, a generic combination of a cashier and a prepayment area in the invention is characterized in that the Vorkassenbereich at least partially has a construction height, which prevents eye contact of the operator located in the working position with a upstream upstream sales room and at the same time from the workplace defined outgoing and directed towards the sales room Blickkanal.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the viewing channel is formed between two structural elements of the prepayment area which respectively prevent eye contact. The two or more construction elements delimiting the viewing channel are typically one or more goods resting on shelves. That is, the building elements put in In this case, the prepayment area in the region of the viewing channel in cross section is usually U-shaped and / or V-shaped in this case, goods, packaged goods, outer packaging. The two U-legs or V-legs are formed by the two-sided structural elements or the goods respectively their packaging, whereas the U-base determines the bottom of the viewing channel. The same applies to the V base.

The viewing channel thus fills the space between the two U-legs (V-legs) and the base or the floor. The dimension and design of the Blickkanals is designed so that this emanates from the workplace and extends longitudinally in the direction of the sales room and is designed to be barrier-free, thus allowing a clear view of the sales room. In this case, the hitherto observed isolation of occupants located at the workplace is repealed and can even make a so-called cashier. This means that the operator can under certain circumstances direct customer flows, react to customer flows etc.

In this way, a visual field for the operator is defined with the aid of the gaze channel, which has a horizontal extent in the range of approximately 90 ° and in particular of 60 ° in the maximum. That is, the operator can perceive peripheral points of the outer space, respectively of the upstream sales room, through this viewing channel, with a calm, straight head posture and an aligned motionless view, taking into account this restriction. In other words, the eyes experience a restriction in the horizontal frontal direction through the viewing channel in such a way that both eyes together perceive a maximum of about 90 ° and in particular about 60 °. In the vertical direction, on the other hand, the typical perception of about 60 ° upward is not restricted and experiences only the perception downwards with an angle of approx. 20 ° and in particular about 10 ° at the maximum a restriction through the bottom of the preferably U-shaped viewing channel.

This available field of view ensures that the operator with other persons, such as a market leader, sales personnel, etc. can easily come in eye contact, which are located in the inventive combination upstream sales room. In addition, the operator is able to survey almost all customer movements in the sales area or in the immediate run-up to the combination and also any customer transactions in the pre-cash area. This allows significantly improved customer control. In fact, the prepayment area typically serves not only as an additional sales area or additional sales volume for the immediately adjacent cashier facility, but is also used by an adjacent combination of prep area and cashier facility for sales operations. The invention is based on the recognition that such combinations are usually not placed singularly in a sales room at the end of the flow of goods, but for example, three, four or even more such combinations at a predetermined distance from one another and are arranged side by side in predominantly coinciding longitudinal extent. As a rule, only passages which can be passed by the customers with their shopping carts remain between these individual combinations. As a result, the prepayment area of a combination also acts as a sales area for the adjacent combination, etc.

In any case, the visual channel realized according to the invention eliminates the previously perceived as disturbing isolation of the operator at their cashier and at the same time increases their control options. All this is under consideration of an optimal utilization of the possible sales area, respectively of the possible sales volume in the prepayment area achieved. For beyond the viewing channel or both sides of its two U-legs, the prepayment area can be easily equipped with a height that corresponds to the maximum of what is possible for normal sales transactions and is accepted by the customer. It should be taken into account here that the customer stands or walks when passing the combination in question from the cashier system and the prepayment area, so that the construction height depicts the typical and maximum grip area of a standing adult in order to be able to pick up goods presented there. In contrast, the gaze channel connects to the seated operator, which is thus equipped with a lower eye level in its working position compared to the eye level of the standing customer.

That is, the construction height does not necessarily reflect the height of the goods presentation container or a shelf provided on the top, but rather defines the height of a resting on this particular shelf and to be taken goods. In this case, the product resting on the shelf in the example case acts as a delimitation or U-leg for the according to an advantageous embodiment U-shaped gaze channel. At the same time, the goods in question determine the construction amount of the prepayment area.

In the two structural elements as U-legs of the U-shaped viewing channel, it may not just be the resting on one or more shelves goods. But the two structural elements can alternatively or additionally also be defined by goods selection units. These goods selection units may be flat window boxes, as they are in the context of EP 2 015 261 A1 the applicant are described and illustrated. Basically, the goods selection unit but also be designed as a screen and in particular flat screen. In this case, each of the rear wall of the goods selection unit in question acts as U-legs of the U-shaped viewing channel. In contrast, a carrier of the goods presentation container usually represents the bottom of the viewing channel.

As already explained, the viewing channel runs essentially parallel in comparison to the longitudinally extended conveying device. That is to say, the viewing channel and conveying device run parallel to one another throughout. As a result, the field of view of the operator in the viewing channel is aimed precisely at the customers who are approaching the combination according to the invention, starting from the upstream sales room and acting in this area.

Goods flow end side generally connects to the conveyor a goods collection / distribution counter. This goods collection / distribution counter acts according to the explanations in the EP 1 090 570 A1 the applicant, on the one hand, to register the goods purchased and to transfer the price to a cash register. On the other hand, the distribution of the flow of goods takes place on this goods collection / distribution counter. Warenstromendseitig the prepayment area is generally provided the workplace. Consequently, the Warenenerfass- / distribution counter and the workplace are next to each other, and each end of the goods flow.

The prepayment area generally has an axial length which substantially corresponds to that of the delivery device. In addition, the prepayment area is usually formed asymmetrically in comparison to the longitudinally extending and in turn symmetrically formed view channel, in cross section. This asymmetrical design of the prepayment area compared to its longitudinal axis can essentially be attributed to that the operator occupies a somewhat off-center position and positioning in the area of their workplace. In any case, the operator is typically located on the longitudinal axis of the Vorkassenbereiches, which runs along the opposite usually mostly symmetrical Blickkanales. This longitudinal axis and consequently also the viewing channel divide the prepayment area asymmetrically in cross section. This is of course only an example and not necessarily to understand.

For reasons of simple production, it has proven useful if the prepayment area, the conveying device, the workstation and the goods collection / distribution counter or a cashier counter and a checkout counter in conjunction with the cashier system define a compact unit. In fact, this compact unit usually has a common frame. Thereby, the combination according to the invention can be easily and simply placed as a compact unit at the site.

The workstation is generally a work cell equipped with a door. The door allows the operator access to the workstation or working cell. The work cell is designed to be predominantly closed all around, so that the operator is protected at the workplace and does not suffer, for example, injuries caused by shopping carts. In addition, the workplace advantageously still has a cash desk almost completely surrounding him. As an alternative or in addition to the checkout counter, a checkout counter may also be present at this point. As a result, the workstation has, as it were, an additional storage area all round, which makes operation easier.

In this context, it has further proven, if the checkout counter and / or the counter one to the height of the conveyor have adapted working height. As a result, the flow of goods is designed particularly simple. Because with the help of the conveyor device, such as a conveyor belt, supplied goods are virtually even on the counter, respectively the cashier, forwarded.

In detail, the prepayment area may consist of a goods presentation container and additionally at least one item selection unit and / or one item container. It has proven useful if the goods selection unit and / or the goods containers are integrated into the goods presentation container. As a result, a particularly compact and clear design is provided. In addition, the merchandise display container may act as a basis for any fixtures for the one or more merchandise selection units. In fact, column holders for the individual goods selection units are advantageously realized at this point, which are typically connected to the frame of the goods selection unit. In most cases, the frame of the goods selection unit is also part of the entire frame for the combination of the cashier and the prepayment area. Of course, this is not mandatory, because at this point in principle modular solutions are conceivable and included.

Fig. 1 - 3

die erfindungsgemäße Kombination aus einer Kassieranlage und einem Vorkassenbereich in verschiedenen Varianten, jeweils perspektivisch,

Fig. 4

eine Ansicht auf den Gegenstand nach Fig. 1 aus Richtung X,

Fig. 5

eine Ansicht auf den Gegenstand nach Fig. 2 aus Richtung Y und

Fig. 6A und 6B

das Gesichtsfeld im Blickkanal schematisch.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing showing only one embodiment; show it:

Fig. 1-3

the inventive combination of a cashier and a prepayment area in different variants, each in perspective,

Fig. 4

a view of the object Fig. 1 from the direction of X,

Fig. 5

a view of the object Fig. 2 from direction Y and

FIGS. 6A and 6B

the visual field in the viewing channel schematic.

In the figures, a combination of a cashier 1, 2, 2 ', 3 and a prepayment area 4; 4, 5; 4, 6 shown. The cashier system 1, 2, 2 ', 3 is composed in the example and not restrictive from a price / quantity detection device or a scanning device 1, a computer or screen 2 and finally a payment station 3 together. In addition, yet another screen 2 'is shown, which is basically dispensable.

The prepayment area 4; 4, 5; 4, 6 can be designed differently. In the context of the embodiment according to Fig. 1 the prepayment area 4 is completely filled by a goods presentation container 4. In the variant after Fig. 2 form a goods presentation container 4 and one or more goods selection units 5 taken together the prepayment area 4, 5. The variant according to Fig. 3 Finally, it is characterized in that a goods presentation container 4 in conjunction with a goods container 6 for defining the local prepayment area 4, 6 is used.

The cashier 1, 2, 2 ', 3 is also equipped with a conveyor 7 and a workplace 8 for an operator P. In the present case, the conveying device 7 is designed as a conveyor belt 7 and extends in the axial direction or longitudinal extent of the combination in question. In which Work station 8 is not limited to a work cell 8, which is equipped with a door 9.

In this way, the operator P can reach the work cell 8 and take place inside on a chair 10 indicated there. Characterized in that the work cell 8 is formed almost completely closed around the operator P is protected from any along the conveyor 7 and / or the goods selection unit 5 and / or the goods presentation container 4 and / or the goods container 6 moving shopping cart. In addition, the workplace or the work cell 8 has a checkout counter 11 and a cashier counter 12, which together almost completely surround the work station 8. In this case, the checkout counter 11 and the checkout counter 12 are adjusted in terms of their height to the height of the conveyor device 7. Goods W supplied via the conveying device 7 thus reach the cash counter 12 practically at the same level and then onto the checkout counter 11, respectively into a shopping cart positioned in this area and not expressly shown.

In the context of the invention and of particular importance is the fact that the prepayment area 4; 4, 5; 4, 6 is at least partially equipped with a structural height H, which prevents eye contact of the operating person P in the working position with a sales-side upstream sales room 13. At the same time an outgoing from the workplace 8 and directed towards the said sales room 13 viewing channel 14 is defined. This is to be understood as follows (cf. Fig. 4 . 5 and 6A, 6B ).

The operating person P in the working position is seated on the chair 10 in the exemplary embodiment. That is to say, the working position corresponds in the exemplary embodiment to a seated activity of the operator P. Basically, the operator P could also perform a standing job. This is not shown. As a result of the sitting working position, the eye level of the operator P is well below the eye level of customers who are in this area.

If one starts from this seated position of the operator P and the working position associated therewith, the eyes of the operator P are thus located approximately at a height T starting from a floor or floor 15 (cf. Fig. 6B ). For this corresponds to a field of view G whose horizontal extent in the Fig. 5 is indicated and corresponds to a region between two eye contact with the sales room 13 preventing structural elements W. The structural elements W are in the exemplary embodiment and not restrictive to goods W, which are placed on a head-side shelf 16 of the goods presentation container 4. Due to the slight oblique inclination of the relevant head-end shelves 16 of the goods presentation container 4, it is ensured that the goods W rest as structural elements W at the lowest edge of the shelf and the viewing channel 14 already described is defined. This is also the case when the relevant shelf 16 is completely filled with goods W - but then with reduced horizontal extent of the visual field G. In contrast, customers can usually look over the goods W away because their eyes at a height above the height H are settled.

In any case, as a whole, a viewing channel 14, which is largely U-shaped in cross-section, is defined between the two structural elements W and a floor 17, which is the carrier 17 of the goods display container 4. This U-shaped view channel 14 corresponds to a specific field of view G, which thereby characterized for the operator P in the direction of the upstream sales room 13 is provided. In fact, the visual field G has a double arrow in Fig. 5 already indicated horizontal extent which sweeps at most an angle of 90 ° and in particular a maximum of 60 °, starting from the operator P. In addition, a vertical angle of about 60 ° is observed upwards. That is, the view upward is not limited within the viewing channel 14, but is limited only by natural constraints. The gaze channel 14 also limits the view down, taking into account a maximum angle of 20 ° and in particular an angle of 10 °.

This is schematic and supplementary in the excerpt drawing Fig. 6A shown. Actually one recognizes in the Fig. 6A a horizontal section through the Fig. 5 in the region of the double arrow with the angle α for the face angle in the horizontal direction, which is according to the embodiment, a maximum of 60 °, is located in the representation in the range of about 30 ° to 40 °. The Fig. 6B represents the corresponding situation in the vertical section. It can be seen that the angle γ of the visual field is vertically upwards at about 60 °, that is not limited. In contrast, the angle β down undergoes a restriction to a maximum of 20 ° and in particular 10 ° by the support 17 functioning as a boundary.

In any case, an operator P through the realized Blickkanal 14 is able to comprehensively and easily maintain eye contact with the combination described above sales room 13. As a result, it is easy to identify and evaluate customer flows by the operator P and to be able to react to them. In fact, the operator P can, for example, depending on the number of customers or depending on the length of a customer queue a Kassenhinweisleuchte 18 in operation and thereby direct the customer flow to other cashiers 1, 2, 2 ', 3 or combinations not previously in operation. Details of such a Kassenhinweisleuchte 18 are in the DE 10 2008 003 697 A1 the applicant described. In addition, the operator P is able to closely observe the customer behavior in the area of the goods presentation container 4, the goods selection unit 5 and / or the goods container 6.

In the exemplary embodiment, the two structural elements W are the goods W resting on the top side of the top shelf 16. Alternatively or additionally, however, the goods selection units 5 can also function as structural elements 5, for example in the case of goods W on the top side resting on the top shelf 16. That is in the Fig. 5 indicated. On the basis of a comparative analysis of the Fig. 1-3 and 4 . 5 It is clear that the viewing channel 14 is substantially parallel in comparison to the longitudinally extending conveyor device 7. In addition, the bottom of the viewing channel 14 is defined by the carrier 17 of the goods presentation container 4.

At the conveying device 7, the already mentioned Warenenerfass- / distribution counter 1 joins the goods flow end side as part of the cashier 1, 2, 2 ', 3 at. In contrast, the workplace is 8 stromstromendseitig the Vorkassenbereiches 4; 4, 5; 4, 6 realized.

A comparative analysis of the Fig. 4 and 5 makes it clear that the prepayment area 4; 4, 5; 4, 6 taken by itself and is asymmetrical in cross section. In fact, the viewing channel 14 extends along a plane of symmetry S, on which the operator P is also located in the working position, and in contrast is mostly symmetrical in design. Compared to this plane of symmetry S, the goods presentation container 4 or the entire prepayment area 4; 4, 5; 4, 6 designed asymmetrically. This can be seen especially by the two schematic side views of the Fig. 4 and 5 ,

In fact, it is clear from these representations that the prepayment area 4; 4, 5; 4, 6 has a width B ₁ adjacent to the conveying device 7, which falls below a further width B ₂ on its side facing away from the conveying device 7 (see. Fig. 4 ). That is, it applies: $${\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="1"\; label="B"\; filenames="imgf0003.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">B</figure-callout>}}_{\mathrm{1}}\mathrm{\le }{\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="B"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">B</figure-callout>}}_{\mathrm{2}}\mathrm{,}$$

This asymmetry of the prepayment area 4; 4, 5; 4, 6 in comparison with the plane of symmetry S is explained by the fact that the operator P is off-center in the working position compared to the workstation 8 or the goods presentation container 4.

With reference to all the figures, it can be seen that the prepayment area 4; 4, 5; 4, 6 has an overall axial length, that is, a length in the axial direction L, which corresponds substantially to the axial length of the conveying device 7. In addition, the prepayment area 4; 4, 5; 4, 6, the conveyor 7, the workplace 8 and the counter 12 in conjunction with the two cash desks 11 and the cashier 1, 2, 2 ', 3 a total of compact and quasi ready to install unit 1, 2, 2', 3; 4; 4, 5; 4, 6; 12, 13. This compact unit 1, 2, 2 ', 3; 4; 4, 5; 4, 6; 12, 13 may have a single and continuous frame. In this context, the embodiment further provides that the goods selection unit 5 and / or the goods container 6 are respectively integrated into the goods presentation container 4, as it is the embodiments of the Fig. 2 and 3 immediately make it clear.

Claims (16)

Combination of a cashier system (1, 2, 2 ', 3) and a prepayment area (4, 4, 5, 4, 6), which is provided, for example, with at least one goods presentation container (4) and / or a goods selection unit (5) and / or a Goods container (6) or the like is filled, wherein the cashier system (1, 2, 2 ', 3) with a conveyor device (7) and a workstation (8) for an operator (P) is equipped, and wherein the Vorkassenbereich (4 4, 5, 4, 6) and the conveying device (7) extend substantially parallel to each other,
characterized in that - The prepayment area (4, 4, 5, 4, 6) at least partially has a height (H), which prevents eye contact of the operating person (P) located in the working position upstream with a sales area (13) and - Defined at the same time from the workplace (8) and directed towards the sales room (13) viewing channel (14). Combination according to Claim 1, characterized in that the viewing channel (14) is formed between two structural elements (5; W) of the prepayment area (1, 2, 2 ', 3') which respectively prevent eye contact. Combination according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the viewing channel (14) is formed in cross-section substantially U-shaped with the two structural elements (5; W) as U-legs. Combination according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the two structural elements (5; W) are goods selection units (5) and / or on a shelf (16) resting on goods (W), etc. acts. Combination according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the gaze channel (14) is substantially parallel in comparison to the longitudinally extending conveyor device (7). Combination according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a bottom of the viewing channel (14) by a support (17) of a goods presentation container (4) is defined. Combination according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the goods flow end side of the conveyor device (7) is followed by a goods collection / distribution counter (1). Combination according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the workstation (8) is provided on the goods flow end side of the prepayment area (4; 4, 5; 4, 6). Combination according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the prepayment area (4; 4, 5; 4, 6) is asymmetrical in cross-section in comparison to the longitudinally extended viewing port (14). Combination according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the Vorkassenbereich (4; 4, 5; 4, 6) has an axial length (L) which substantially corresponds to that of the conveying device (7). Combination according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the prepayment area (4; 4, 5; 4, 6), the conveying device (7), the Workplace (8) and a checkout counter (12) and a cash desk (11) in conjunction with the cashier system (1, 2, 2 ', 3) a compact unit (1, 2, 2', 3, 4, 4, 5; 4, 6, 12, 13). Combination according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the workstation (8) is designed as a work cell (8) equipped with a door (9). Combination according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the workstation (8) is equipped with the cash desk (11) which almost completely surrounds it and / or the cashier counter (12). Combination according to claim 13, characterized in that the cash desk (11) and / or the cash counter (12) have a height adapted to the height of the conveyor device (7) working height. Combination according to one of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the prepayment area (4; 4, 5; 4, 6) consists of a goods presentation container (4) and additionally optionally at least one goods selection unit (5) and / or a goods container (6). composed. Combination according to claim 15, characterized in that the goods selection unit (5) and / or the goods container (6) are integrated in the goods presentation container (4).

Images