FR2880605A1 - Articles e.g. mineral water package, transporting, unloading, storing and reloading device for self service shop, has modular trolley that is conformed for being coupled to loaded storing module that stores articles, and carrier bags - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a modular trolley that is conformed for being coupled to a loaded storing module for unloading, storing and reloading articles in semi-automatic mode. The trolley has a case provided with a microprocessor. The trolley has posts (25, 26) in inclined cradle shape, and supports (30) permitting to place removable carrier bags (4). The storing module unloads and reloads the bags.

Description

2880605 -1-

  The present invention relates to a set of devices for transporting and registering items that customers of self-service stores collect rays.

  In principle, a customer deposits the items he has selected during his trip in the store in a carriage consisting of a carrier frame on which is welded a trapezoidal tray widened at the rear, the bottom is inclined.

  Then he goes to the checkout desks where, after a few moments in the queue, he has the obligation to manually empty his cart of all contained items, including those heavy enough or bulky, to put them within reach the operator of the checkout which, in his presence, records them with a barcode reader and, as and when, evacuates, in bulk, to a basin.

  After payment, the customer reloads the same cart of his hastily bagged items.

  The exit crates, made of metal structures arranged in parallel form a line of individual workstations separated by a corridor reserved for the passage of customers and their trolley.

  At each workstation, an operator provides or guarantees four basic functions: -the presentation of all goods picked up by the customer in the warehouse, -the identification of each item by reading the barcode and recording its contact information 30 (code, designation, price) - the establishment of a ticket, an invoice, the collection of invoiced purchases.

  Normally, to perform these functions, each workstation is equipped with: - a conveyor belt, - at least a barcode reader, a cash register, ticket printers, checks, 2880605 -2 - - card readers (credit and others), - a cash drawer, a post registration tank, - possibly, various systems: detection of 5 items not shown, pneumatic tubes for fund movements, etc. The current trolley and the process resulting from its use have several disadvantages: - trolleys are subject to harsh operating conditions that aggravates a random maintenance. Sometimes, you have to put a lot of effort into releasing a built-in truck and often, because of its broken bearings, it's hard to push.

  - The trapezoidal shape of its tray is ideal for parking thanks to its rear panel which by lifting makes it flush but during the filling, its rigid design adapts poorly to the size of bulky products, the maneuver is complicated especially if these are heavy, bulky or fragile items.

  - the bottom, inclined leads some items such as 1 bottles or cans to the back. These items, collide, break or crush fragile products, - sometimes, at the time of unloading, following the piling up of items, the customer notes that during the course, some products, especially fresh, found themselves altered (drilled or crushed) and no longer have the time to exchange them.

  bagging is carried out in disposable bags, which no longer meets the current societal choices in terms of ecology - as far as comfort and safety are concerned, it is currently difficult to meet the main expectations expressed by clients. Although there is dispersion on the claims, one can quote among the most current: the reluctance to handle several times the same articles especially if they are heavy or bulky, the need of scheduling of the purchases, the 2880605 -3- need for respect of the cold chain, the increasing demand for hygiene, child safety, handbags and personal items, etc., - the majority of customers do not admit that to pay, it is necessary moreover " to work ", ie emptying the cart and retains as very tedious the obligation to remove the large packaging of the cart.

  - sometimes, the capacity of the carpet is less than the volume of the articles contained by the trolley, which forces the customer to pile them up in a precarious way or to conclude the unloading during the registration of his own purchases what creates him a legitimate frustration while he wants to control this phase in its entirety, it slows down the speed.

  - statistically, to record an average cart, from 30 to 40 items, it is necessary to plan around two minutes and thirty. In the event of unforeseen circumstances (illegibility, absence of code, defects, etc.), the following customers in the queue undergo long waits without it being possible to guarantee them a maximum delay.

  - the customer is aware that he will normally wait a few minutes at the checkout and the statistics inform us that in 85% of cases it takes between four and eight minutes, wait queue until loading. shopping in the cart.

  This happens in poor conditions of comfort which sometimes generates unwelcome situations where the irritation of the client is manifested against the staff.

  - The recovery of purchases and their bagging are in poor conditions due to the smallness of the basin and the precipitation of the next operation, ie almost immediate treatment of the next customer.

  - the registration of the articles, the printing of the ticket are realized in a few seconds, the rest of the time, the cash register and the instruments which complete it are inactive.

  2880605 -4- This list of disadvantages highlights the paradox that exists between the qualitative ambitions of the distributors and the actual balance sheet of the service concerning the transport of items and their processing at checkout counters that can be summarized as: - very uncomfortable for the client, - stressful for the staff, relatively expensive in terms of customer satisfaction.

  The device proposed according to the invention makes it possible to remedy the problems of comfort, organization and profitability resulting from the use of the type of trolley currently in service by substituting it for a trolley which is fundamentally different in three points since: its modular design makes it possible to the customer to adjust the volume, the purchases of the moment. For this, tote bags and a tray base, removable, are made available to users and in addition foldable consoles adapt to the volume of bulky items.

  It is also predisposed for attaching accessories specially designed for the transport of specific goods.

  its singular configuration makes it possible to automate the unloading and the loading of the goods at the time of their registration by the operator.

  each carriage has a holster including a microprocessor identical to that commonly used by smart cards, which allows the store's software to identify it and interface the current user with the computer services of the store. .

  The chassis of the trolley consists of a platform supporting a structure which is distinguished by the presence of two inclined arches.

  The front arch, is lower and narrower than the rear one, which allows inter alia nest the carts during storage in the parking lot.

  2880605 -5- On the internal sides, each of the amounts of the front bow has three sets of racks and on the internal faces five gutter-shaped supports.

  On the internal sides, each of the amount of the rear arch presents, in opposite with the front supports, five pairs of notches.

  According to his needs, the customer suspends the amounts of the hoops up to three tote bags to deposit the most manageable articles while at the front, consoles in steel wire, hanging from the notches of the racks, such as shelves, For example, collect large packets of mineral water, UHT milk, preserves, diapers, laundry, etc. Optionally, the brand can offer accessories to attach to the cart (door hangers, small containers, shockproof or isothermal protection) that will facilitate the handling and storage of fragile or delicate products such as glass, textiles, liquids, perishable . For bulky items (tires, stepladders, brooms, ironing boards, etc.), more specific accessories, adaptable to the cart, will make the journey in store more enjoyable.

  All removable elements, containers, racks and accessories simply adjust in a snap and some are designed to combine with each other.

  Buyers of very large items (small furniture, large household appliances, etc.) or those who only have a hand basket switch to traditional quick checkouts, while others, after completing their purchases, quickly record their cart at one of the processing units composed of three recording modules and a single separate collection station. These units, which replace the current output crate line, automatically support trolleys.

  2880605 -6- During the processing of their purchases, customers retreat to an adjoining waiting area organized by the sign.

  Special mechanisms, arms and levers, convey and position the carriage as the process demands.

  Each module, in semi automated mode and without the collaboration of the customer accomplishes two of the four functions of the treatment: - the presentation to the operator of the goods contained by the trolley, - the identification and the recording of all the contained articles.

  Essentially, a module consists of a workstation for the operator with a control panel, and infrared readers. At the ends, at the entrance and the exit, a mechanical system of loading and unloading replaces the existing plans which are the front conveyor belt and the rear basin of the current checkout.

  As soon as it is presented to the processing module, the truck is identified by its own code on the outside of a box in order to open a computer ticket and update the preventive maintenance program managed by the company. software that counts the cumulative number of passages in the treatment area.

  At the entrance the unloading system mechanically removes the tote bags that are arranged from the rear of the trolley and carries them, one after the other, at the height of the operator so that their contents can be conveniently grasped. . Like today, the employee exposes the barcode of the articles to the rays of the optical reader then pushes them into other bags that he arranges on the loading system as and when needed.

  After scanning the last item the cart, always from the back, is automatically reloaded all his bags. 35

  2880605 -7- Heavy items, bulky or fragile, placed on the base plate, on the consoles or on the sides of the truck are never handled because, when the truck, emptied of its bag, in transit to the exit, H passes within reach of the operator, the latter equipped with a manual reader, records them.

  Barely rebuilt, the cart is retrieved by the titular customer who can perform, without haste, a series of control operations or go directly to the hostess of the checkout to quickly pay the amount to pay.

  A processing unit, equipped with its specific equipment and in lesser quantity current equipment (cash register, scanners, anti-theft devices, etc.), served by a part of the staff who would be today employed on an equivalent line of cases, occupies the same service area as the one currently reserved for them.

  In one hour, under normal conditions, a single recording module processes about 40 standard carts comprised of 35 articles of different radii.

  At full speed, a processing unit served by 4 employees (3 registration modules plus one POS) can handle more than 120 carts.

  At the same time, with traditional cases, it takes 6 employees to accommodate, control, record and cash the items of these same 120 carts.

  The accompanying drawings illustrate the structures, instruments and mechanisms that make up the specific apparatus of this invention.

  Fig. 1 represents a side view of the modular carriage loaded with its shopping bags.

  Fig. 2 shows the front view of a recording module (unloading or loading) in the waiting position for receiving a modular carriage. Fig. 3 represents the detail of the inner face of the front bow and highlights one of the carriers bag.

  2880605 -8- FIG. 4 is a front view of the inner portion of the front bow.

  Fig. 5 represents the view of the inner side of an amount of the front bow.

  Fig. 6 shows a front view of the inner portion of the rear arch.

  Fig. 7 shows the detail of the inner face of the rear arch highlighting two of the five shopping bags.

  Fig. 8 shows in plan, the platform of the carriage (in horizontal section at the base of the amounts).

  Fig. 9 shows in plan one of the three mobile consoles FIG. 10 shows the view of the inner side of an amount of, the front bow equipped with a movable sectional console.

  Fig. 11 shows the side view of the lower front portion of the carriage and its base console FIG. 12 shows in section, the internal mechanism of the housing.

  Fig. 13 shows in section, the internal mechanism of the housing during the introduction of money and the unlocking of the fastener.

  Fig. 14 represents one of the faces of the microprocessor case.

  Fig. 15 shows in section, the internal mechanism of the housing during the removal of the microprocessor case. Fig. 16 shows in section, the tip of the fastener. Fig. 17 is the reservation form for the traditional departments.

  Fig. 18 represents the horizontal section of a handle of a shopping bag.

  Fig. 19 represents the horizontal section of a sleeve. Fig. 20 represents the three-dimensional view of a handle of a shopping bag.

  Fig. 21 represents the three-dimensional view of a shopping bag. Fig. 22 shows the plan view of a tote opposite with the corresponding sleeves.

  2880605 -9- FIG. 23 shows in plan, an operational recording module with its shopping bags installed on the unloading and loading devices.

  Fig. 24 shows in vertical section the sliding door in the amount of the access door to the treatment area during the presentation of a carriage. Fig. 25 shows, on the treatment area side, the front view of the sliding door in the amount of the access door to the treatment area.

  Fig. 26 shows the side view of an operational processing module.

  Fig. 27 shows in vertical section the side view of an operational processing module and its internal mechanisms.

  Fig. 28 shows in vertical section the front view of the unloading system or loading.

  Fig. 29 shows in plan the view of a processing unit composed of three identical modules.

  Fig. 30 represents in plan the view of a line of 20 current boxes.

  Fig. 31 shows in plan the view of the treatment areas on a surface identical to that of FIG. Fig. 32 shows a view of an insulated lid 25 adapted to tote bags.

  Fig. 33 shows a three-dimensional view of a customer bag dismounted and wrapped for private transportation. Fig. 34 shows in section, a support cleat. Fig. 35 shows in plan the view of a plateau base.

  Fig. 36 shows a side view of a parrot and its attachment system to the buckles of the uprights of the carriage.

  Fig. 37 shows a side view of the child seat. Figs. 38 and 39 schematically illustrate the main steps of the movements of a carriage A from its introduction in the registration area until it is made available to the customer.

  2880605 -10- The four functions performed today by the traditional exit counters (presentation and identification of items, establishment of a ticket and collection) are guaranteed by the application of the technology that results from the use of the equipment specific to the invention combined with the implementation of existing techniques and the observation of appropriate procedures, some of which may be specific to the brand.

  In practice, as soon as he arrives at the parking lot, the customer removes a trolley from the parking line, by inserting change into the slot of the changeover (14) of the casing (6) fixed to the left pillar (26) of the! carriage. By maintaining a slight pressure on the coin, the upper blade (15), at the tip of the fastener (16), held in extension by the internal spring (17) is released from the spout (18) which holds it, allowing the currency to go down a few millimeters until it is blocked by the rocking piece (19) itself immobilized by the microprocessor case (20). With the other hand the customer slides horizontally outward all the fastener (16) on the upper part of the housing. As illustrated in FIG. 15, following the extraction of the microprocessor case (20), the tilting piece (19) pivots 80, the coin goes out of reach, and stops its stroke supported by the base of the tilting piece (19) retained by the stopper (21).

  Previously, when the truck is put into service, the carriage's own barcode reproduced on the external face of the housing (6) will have been associated with the own code of the microprocessor case contained by the same case and will be stored by the software to associate the user of the moment, carrying the case, to the cart containing the goods that have been deposited there.

  During the course in store, the use of the case allows the customer to: guarantee the inviolability of the secure bag, - register his turn on the card (22) at 2880605 -11- stands in traditional service, - justify, when it is necessary that he is assuredly the temporary user of the trolley, - to benefit from services, to obtain determined information, to access reserved areas, to have privileges (discounts, automatic distributor, etc.) To return, after he will have loaded his vehicle, the customer, at the time of the return of the carriage, insert the chip card case (20), close the case by sliding the clip (16) until the introduction of the blade (15) in its housing, at the base of the change (14) to seize the coin once again accessible.

  Upon entering the store the customer can complete the equipment by adding: - a secure bag for the deposit of personal items, purchases made previously, etc. Its tamper-proof closure is achieved only in the presence of the microprocessor case, one or two bags, as shown in FIG. 21, which it has the choice, either vertically at the rear of the carriage, placing the guard (23) of the arms of the bag in the projections (8), or directly and the bag (4) is then suspended on the notches and arch supports as shown in FIG. 1.

  - more possible accessories such as a reclining infant carrier, a removable child seat (9) hygienic.

  Overall, the frame of the 60 cm wide trolley 30 measures 100 cm in height and as much in length.

  As today, the trolley consists of profiles, tubes, rods and steel wires, calibrated according to the physical constraints imposed by the use.

  It consists of two main parts: - a platform (51) made of a thick profile in the shape of a recumbent and flared U at the rear, as shown in fig. 8 extended at the front by a bracket (11) foldable, 2880605 -12- - a one-piece structure in tube, consisting of two tubular longitudinal members (24) welded to the frame which, folded at their ends, become two pairs of uprights ( 25) and (26) which give shape to the two arches shown respectively in FIGS. 4 and 6.

  In relation to the platform, the arches form two parallel dihedral planes, inclined at 70 towards the rear.

  On their internal sides, the two amounts of the front bow (25) have a rack (27). On their outer face each post has a series of three wire guides (28) in which slide the lugs (29) of the corresponding console. Depending on the size of the packaging to be deposited, the console of each series can be adjusted in height by the customer on one of the three notches available On the inside, five gutter-shaped supports (30) allow the customer to have up to three bags that he can adjust to the level that suits him best. In "level 1" a specific support (31), widened spacing can only receive a plateau base, as shown in FIG. 35, which is a metal mesh mounted on a frame of thinner metal sections but more rigid than the arms that support the bags. Particularly stable, it is intended for the transport of items such as those normally placed on consoles but also for those much heavier or bulky or in large quantities.

  Figure 6 illustrates the two amounts of the rear arch and more particularly the six pairs of notches (32) facing with the supports of the front uprights which allow the quick suspension of the tote.

  On their outer face, the uprights have a series of hooks (5) which allow attaching accessories such as the secure bag.

  Metal loops (2) and (3) welded on the outer sides of the four uprights allow the passage of retaining strips and the installation of certain accessories such as the parrot clothes rack shown in FIG. 36. Accessories facilitate the storage of difficult or delicate items to be carried in shopping bags and consoles.

  Accessories are recommended but not essential for the proper functioning of the device. They are mentioned only in terms of their potential functionality due to the particular configuration of the carriage and multiple attachment points.

  No list has been drawn up because their number can not be limited since, over time, the evolution of the market, the referencing and the referencing of the articles by the stores will impose modifications.

  The modularity of the trolley is characterized by its predisposition to integrate removable elements according to the needs of each client; accessories, base tray and tote.

  The bag (4) that the store offers to its customers as an alternative to the trapezoidal basin of the current cart, is illustrated by fig. 1 and 21. It is a container whose upper part is completely open. It is manufactured in a flexible and resistant recyclable synthetic material, which allows it to withstand heavy loads but also to bend or wind up easily as shown in fig. 33.

  To improve the cold chain, it is advisable to make available around the perishable area a specific bag, made of a material similar to that used to make frozen bags. By closing the upper part, using a cover shown in fig. 32, double sheet containing a liquid type cold storage brick, it ensures the descent of the cold in the insulated bag and a prolonged storage of perishable products.

  Seen in plan the shopping bag, illustrated by fig. 22, has the shape of a trapezium whose dimensions stem from the width of the hoops of the carriage, narrow at the front, 42.5 cm 2880605 -14- and wide at the back, 64 cm.

  Viewed laterally (4) it has the shape of a flared trapezium in its upper part.

  Its rigidity is ensured by the assembly of three full but light tubes. There are two arms (33) threaded into the upper lateral loops (35) over the entire length of the bag united to each other at their front ends by a transverse tube (34). At the rear, each arm ends with a handle (7), preceded by a rigid disc (23), a kind of guard, which facilitates both the vertical storage and the installation of the empty bag on the carriage.

  The folding of the upper rear edge of the bag contains a reinforcing bar (36), necessary at the time of its emptying.

  On the bottom two flat sticks articulated in their center form an X (37). When their points are adjusted in the corners of the bottom of the bag, they guarantee a relative horizontality of the lower plane.

  Two straps (38) removable with sliding passages at their base for the passage of the side arms can conveniently lift the loaded bag.

  A domestic version intended for customers who do not wish to use personal or disposable sachets has the same characteristics but has three differences: - flexible material and lighter pocket, absence of the reinforcement bar (36), cross tube (34) These three exceptions make it possible to wind it up like an umbrella as shown in FIG. 33 and keep it available in the trunk of the vehicle. In addition it is a very economical solution that consents to change only the plasticized canvas bag, which is the most sensitive part to wear.

  2880605 -15- As and when his needs, firmly holding the handles of the bag, the customer easily stalls the transverse tube (34) of the bag in one of five supports (30) shaped gutter of the inner face of the front uprights (25) and then by gravity, the end of the arms, side handles are embedded in the notches (32) disposed on the inner sides of the rear uprights (26).

  Loaded, the tote unfolds itself and gives shape to a shallow container, 22 cm, which allows a good visualization of items that are deposited and especially avoids excessive heaping and chipping.

  At the front of the carriage, perpendicular to the uprights, the base console (11), once unfolded, has a flat resistant surface, 40 cm wide and 27 cm deep, supported by a self-locking fixed piece (12). Its structure is sufficiently reinforced to be able to install the packaging and the heavier articles.

  To mitigate the impacts, a shockproof sheath (13) set with a reflectorized band covers the outer edge of its length.

  At the front, above the base console (11) three other consoles (10), 27 cm deep and 40 cm wide, create additional levels of storage. They have a steel wire surface as shown in fig. 9. Each of them is foldable and adjustable in height since the rack (27) which corresponds to it offers three levels to the suspension device (39) When the console is unfolded, at the rear base of each of its sides, a pair small metal brackets (29) terminated in the pin - shaped upper portion engage the outer face of the front posts (25) and maintain the opening at 90.

  The use of consoles simplifies the handling of packaging a little heavy or too bulky such as celluloses, barrels of detergents, multipacks of water, whole boxes of preserves or liquids.

  2880605 -16- Bottles per unit can be placed lying down, wedged between the dividers (40), thus avoiding clashing in the shopping bags.

  Some items sold in supermarkets are very bulky but have a thickness of less than 20 cm (curtain rods, drying rack, ironing board, etc.). They can be transported on the sides of the carriage, placed on a cleat shown in fig. 34, available from the departments concerned, adaptable to the base of the frame in a jiffy. The stability of this type of article is provided by nylon straps to attach to the metal loops (2) and (3).

  These same loops allow the installation of other accessories (door hangers as shown in Fig. 36, support bars, various protections, etc.).

  The shelf line includes illustrations and messages that suggest and indicate which accessories to use, where and how they should be on the cart.

  His purchases completed, the customer accompanied only hand basket or a cart containing very few items or large (furniture, appliances, etc.), is, as today, a quick checkout (41 ).

  All the other trolleys, and it is the majority of the cases, contain only articles to the standards of the apparatus which can be treated by the device of the invention which are equipped the units of treatment.

  A processing unit comprises five distinct areas: the acceptance area of the carriages (42), the customer relaxation area (47), the recording area of the articles contained by the carriage (43), area dedicated to verifications and personalized bagging (48), the collection area (44). i

  2880605 -17- In practice, arrived in the acceptance area (42) the customer presents his truck in front of the half doors (45) closed of the reported wicket available. The width of the passage corresponds to the maximum mask tolerated during all the successive phases of the treatment.

  The reflective band crimped into the front portion of the shock shield (13) of the base console or, when the console is folded, the same reflective band reproduced on the outer edge of the platform confirms the detectors (46) installed at the bottom of two half sliding doors (45) that the presence raised is that of a carriage which causes their automatic opening.

  Pushed by the customer, the carriage completely releases the acceptance area (42), guided by the rail (66) until its front wheels are locked by the stopper (50). The handlebar (1) is then in line with the line of the sliding doors.

  The two rows of photoelectric cells (52) placed on each of the half-doors (45), on the processing module side, scan, during their automatic closing, all the space between the rear uprights of the carriage, in order to identify a possible obstacle (safety bag, umbrella, etc.) that could compromise the accessibility of shopping bags.

  If for some reason the visibility of the portion between the rear uprights is hidden, even partially, the reopening of the half doors (45) is immediate and automatic, forcing the customer to correct the anomaly.

  In the opposite case the half doors (45) of the entry gate close themselves, the buffer (50) rotates 90 to the right and the software instantly adjourns the productivity calculations relating to the last minutes in order to transmit to the Central PC a projection for the next minutes, anticipating the excesses or deficiencies of operational registration modules so as to optimize the use of staff.

  2880605 -18- During the treatment of his trolley the customer withdraws to the relaxation area (47), equipped with commercial stands (53) customized by the sign (relations, services, sales, show room, etc.). trolley is automatically supported by the drive mechanism block (54), programmed according to the magazine criteria for pulling it and positioning it at the recording module (49).

  The possible means of traction are numerous and varied: tracks on the ground, aerial mechanisms, clamps and lateral hooks, etc. Whatever the choice of the industrialist in charge of manufacturing, the goal is to pull the carriage back and forth and impose the path to the module and the correct position in accordance with the requirements of the system.

  The module, in plan and in section, respectively represented by FIGS. 23 and 26 consists of a metal structure supporting, at 83 cm from the ground, a work plane (55) equipped with an infra-red bar code reader (56) within range of the operator who operates from the space arranged for the fulfillment of its function.

  In input and output, the sides of the module, inclined to 70 to the work plane, incorporate two identical devices, one for unloading (57) and the other for the loading (58) of the carriages.

  Essentially each of the devices consists of a pair of raceways, commonly called caterpillar (59). The caterpillars, finely articulated, form a collar mounted on three sprockets (60). They are drive cylinders with asperities that rotate in a continuous cycle in the direction of clockwise drive the tracks. The unloading and loading devices are programmed to be synchronized with each other. On the outer face of the tracks three sets of five sleeves as shown in FIG. 27 are mounted so as to present themselves horizontally during their ascent phase to the work plane.

  2880605 -19- As illustrated in FIG. 19, each sleeve (61) has a very flared calyx opening which allows to introduce the handle of a bag by centering it gradually and this under the pressure exerted by the drive mechanisms on the loaded carriage. Longitudinally and in the central axis, the inside of the sleeve has a thick blunt tip (62) long enough to enter the hole (63) of the corresponding handle of the bag. This tip also serves as a sensor for storing the position of the tote on the carriage.

  In their center, each sleeve of the same pair is distant from the other 42.5 cm, which corresponds to the spacing of the end of the arms of a bag.

  For each series, the levels of the five pairs of sleeves (61) systematically coincide with the five unique possibilities of anchoring the bags on the carriage and, at the time of the presentation of the latter, the base pair corresponds to the second lower level of the brackets (30) and notches (32) of the respective uprights.

  Tracted by the drive mechanisms to the recording module as shown in fig. 38 a, the carriage, is on the handlebar side in front of the unloading device as shown in FIG. 38 b.

  As illustrated in FIG. 26, the rear side (64) of tote, inclined to 110 is parallel to the unloading device. As shown in fig. 22, under the continuous thrust of the carriage, the pair of handles of the shopping bags slide naturally in the pair of sleeves (61) corresponding.

  As soon as the handles are wedged in the sleeves the carriage stops and the tracks rise 25 mm, which has the effect of simultaneously disengage all shopping bags supports (30) and notches (32) of the carriage while placing the edge of the first tray at the worktop as shown in fig. 26.

  2880605 -20- While at the exit, the operator installs an empty bag in the sleeves of the loading device, automatically the carriage, guided by the drive mechanism (54), carries out the reverse course by pivoting to 180 for find, as shown in fig. 38 c, within reach of the operator who, with the aid of a manual reader, saves his barcode printed on the outer face of the housing (6) thus opening the computer ticket.

  This triggers: - the activation, by the software, of a new registration process, - the postponement of the accumulation of the passages since the last interview, which allows the update of the schedule of the 15 carriages to be revised, - the repositioning of the drive mechanisms (50) waiting for the next carriage, - the signaling of the availability of the entrance gate so that another carriage can enter it.

  The operator, while removing the antitheft pins, records, again using the manual reader, the bar codes of the goods placed on the brackets (10) and (11), on the sidewalls or possibly on the plate illustrated by the fig. 35. With the aid of its control panel (70), it engages the drive mechanisms (67) and (68) which, as illustrated in FIG. 38 d, lead the trolley to the loading device, to place the handlebar facing the module and remain well, remotely, without embedding in the sleeves, throughout the duration of the registration of the items contained in the shopping bags of the carriage and still present on the sleeves of the unloading device (57). One after the other, as they are emptied, the tote bags automatically appear at the level of the worktop. For this, the ascent of the rolling path of the unloading device (57) is synchronized with the descent of the raceway of the loading device (58).

  2880605 -21- The standard inclination, horizontal in the input and vertical output, can be corrected by the operator depending on the degree of filling of the bags.

  In this case, the rotational movement of the track is modified by a series of pulses which carry the sleeves, in input as in output, in the desired ideal position.

  At the end of the operation the sleeves of the unloading and loading devices are automatically repositioned to ensure that the trolley follows the standard synchronized movements. When the first shopping bag is at the worktop the operator can start manually picking the items for expose their barcode to the infrared rays of the fixed reader (56). Then it pushes them into the empty bag rotation previously arranged on the loading device (58) At the initiative of the operator, progressive impulses change the inclination of the bags relative to the work plan. Thus, the articles can be grasped in sliding then conveniently pushed to be deposited without suffering violent clashes, as shown in FIG. 27.

  The pressure exerted by the articles that accumulate on the wall of the bag is contained, at each pair of sleeves, by a series of three plates (65) as illustrated. in fig. 28. They are hinged at the height of their attachment axis to conveniently wrap around the cylinders during the ascent and descent phases.

  If the customer does not have their own shopping bags, for sale in the stores, the operator places the items in a cardboard box in the same format as those of the store, which is itself in the storage bin of the store, which will be recorded. then refunded after return to the storage points in the car park according to the same conditions as the carts.

  2880605 -22- During registration, there may be discrepancies that prevent the reading of a bar code, or an item deemed doubtful, unsuitable for sale, must be checked or replaced. As today, the surface personnel take care of the exchange or control while the operator continues to proceed. Thus, the continuous flow is never interrupted, because the payment is not immediate, all the computer tickets are stored and held in standby by the computer system up to 10Payment guaranteed, which allows to reinstate the article to trolley according to the procedure specific to each store which also determines the procedures for intervention and postponement of the ticket.

  Fig. 39 e illustrates the situation after the registration of the last item, when the operator controls the reassembly of the bags on the carriage by the loading device output (58).

  By inverting it, the previously performed process for disassembly by the input device (57) is reproduced by the same output device.

  After the carriage has been engaged to the loading device and then immobilized, the pair of tracks and their sleeves automatically descend 25 mm so that the bags are anchored on the recomposed carriage.

  Then, as shown in fig. 39 f, the drive mechanisms (68) and successively (69) automatically pull the carriage to the exit gate (71) to return it to the customer previously notified by an audio and video communication on the waiting area ( 47). By inserting its smart card case in the reader of the exit gate (71), the customer is recognized as the holder of the trolley, the half sliding doors of the gate (71) open and the carriage is cleared out of the area recording by the drive mechanism (69).

  As illustrated in FIG. 29, the customer and his truck can go to the bagging stations (72).

  2880605 -23- They consist of two trestles equipped with notches to which he can hang his bags in the same way as on the trolley.

  The customer has plenty of time to realize, in reusable personal bags, a particular bagging of items contained in the bags, which once emptied, being the property of the sign are stored in the return containers (73).

  If he wishes, the customer, identified by the smart card case (20), can use the keyboard and the video screen made available on each control station to consult in detail his computer ticket, to control the prices or to claim economic advantages related to the possession of a specific card, to be established an invoice, to split its purchases on several tickets, to cumulate several trolleys on the same ticket, etc. Whether or not he used the services of the bagging and control station, the customer goes with his cart to the hostess who identifies it after the introduction of its card case chip in the reader (74).

  While she collects the sum that appears on her video, the ticket is printed in its final version 25 and then given to the customer.

  The fund is predisposed for two separate payment points which makes it possible to treat another customer simultaneously during idle time (search for money, payment card, etc.). For a standard cart of 35 items and under normal conditions, it will not be possible not more than four minutes elapsed between the moment when the customer has hired his cart in the entrance gate and the moment of payment to the hostess.

  The manufacture of the trolley, its bags, consoles and accessories, the recording module, its electromechanical elements are technically within the reach of manufacturers who currently provide this type of equipment to self-service stores.

  The assembly and assembly of the processing units can be done by the same manufacturers who install the lines of boxes. The programming of specific software is not particular and does not require extraordinary skills for companies already specialized in the distribution sector.

Claims (10)

- 25 --REVENDMENTS   1) Device for transporting, unloading, recording and reloading the items selected by customers of self-service stores characterized in that it comprises a modular trolley suitable for conversion depending on the size, weight, fragility of the main items to be transported, with or without the addition of specific accessories and'conformed to: l be coupled to a recording module specifically responsible for processing in 'serai automatic mode of articles contained by the trolley (reading of the bar code and establishment of the ticket) 2) Device according to claim lcharacteriser in that the modular carriage has, at the front and rear, uprights (25), (26) shaped inclined arches provided on their face and internal side of six levels supports (30) and notches (32) allowing the customer to have a base plate and 1 to 3 removable bags (4) 3) Device according to claim 2 characterized in that the uprights are provided on their outer side loops (2) allowing the customer to have removable accessories (supports, containers, protections, etc.) to facilitate, stabilizing, the transport of articles having peculiarities of volume, weight or fragility.   4) Device according to 35, claim 1 characterized by the presence on the modular carriage of a housing (6) 2880605 - 26 - fixed to the left rear pillar and predisposed to receive the fastener (16) which, during its inactivity, will bind the trolley at the park. This box is provided on its outer face with a code for the identification of the truck and thus its traceability with respect to its use and its history of maintenance.   5) Device according to claim 2 characterized in that in front of the carriage, the outer faces of the uprights support a series of collapsible consoles (10) that the customer, autonomous, can use in whole or in part, with the possibility of adjust their level manually by adjusting their anchoring device (39) on the notches of the racks (27) 6) Device according to claim 4 characterized by the presence on the left rear pillar of the carriage of a housing (6) containing a removable case (20) equipped with a microprocessor accessible during the introduction of money. Its use makes it possible to recognize and interface the current user with the different computerized systems of the store.   7) Device according to claim 2 characterized in that the space between the two uprights of the rear bow (26) is fully open from the ground to the handlebar and free access to allow on the one hand the embedding of the carts Unused stored in the parking lot and secondly the unloading and X35 mechanical reloading of removable bags (4) by the recording module by passing them between the amounts.   8) Device according to claim 2 and claim 7, characterized in that the two ends of the recording module are equipped with identical devices and synchronized with each other, each being composed of a pair of tracks (59) provided with three groups of five pairs of sleeves (61) One of the devices serves to unload the bags containing the items to be registered and the other to reload on the same cart the 10 'tote bags containing the same items after they have been registered by the operator.   9) Device according to claim 2 and claim 7 characterized in that the bag consists of a flexible bag supported on its longitudinal sides by a pair of open arms (33), joined on the short side by a transverse tube (34) and terminated at the other end by hollow handles (7) which ensure the capture and movement of the bags during. automatic unloading and loading operations.   10) Device according to claim 9 characterized in that the pair of arms (33). and the transverse tube. (3.4) are removable allowing the tote pocket to wrap around.