GB1602023A - Apparatus for use in providing sales data on goods especially shop goods - Google Patents

Description

(54) APPARATUS FOR USE IN PROVIDING SALES DATA ON GOODS, ESPECIALLY SHOP GOODS (71) We, BERKEL GMBH, a Corporation organized and existing under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, of Postfach 167, Auf der Hohe 49, 4100 Duisburg, Federal Republic of Germany, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to apparatus for use in providing sales data on goods, especially shop goods.

Existing apparatus of this type, especially shop-scales, comprises weighing mechanism including a pan, a keyboard for inputting data not dependent on weight, such as the priceper-kilogram of the commodity, and possibly for controlling ancillary devices, e.g. a printer for weighing-slips, an incorporated calculating mechanism for determining weight-dependent data, and an indicating device for visual display of the data obtained.

Equipment designed for shops involves great expense in order to create efficient weighing apparatus and cash registers satisfying business requirements and the wishes of customers. The operation of these units calls for trained and experienced staff, resulting in high operating costs. Weighing apparatus and cash registers in the high-quality range can admittedly already perform many functions automatically, but concentration and care is nevertheless called for on the part of the operator in order, for example, to avoid errors in transferring from the weighingapparatus weighing slip to keying-in the amounts into the cash register.

The object of the invention is to develop a reliable, economical apparatus whose high- quality, expensive components can be used more effectively and with greater versatility.

According to the present invention, apparatus for use in providing sales data for goods especially shop goods, comprises a weighing mechanism and a locked cash-storage means each connected to a calculator incorporating a keyboard, a calculating mechanism, a data storage means, a data display and a sales-slip printer, wherein said keyboard is selectively operable.

(a) when the weighing mechanism is laden to cause said calculating mechanism to determine the sales price of goods as a function of the weighing-mechanism-determined weight of the goods, to enter such sales price in said data storage means and to present such sales price on said data display; (b) when the weighing mechanism is unladen to enter the sales price of goods in said data storage means and to present such sales price on said data display; - -- (c) to cause said calculating mechanism to totalise the various sales prices in said data storage means forming a transaction and to pre sent such totalised price on said data display; and (d) to cause said sales-slip printer to issue a sales slip itemising the various sales prices and the totalised price of the transaction and to unlock and open said cash-storage means.

The highquaiity, expensive components provided in the apparatus consequently have a dual function to perform, since they are not only involved in weight determination, and calculation and indication of the associated commodityprice, but also execute all the functions connected with the integrated cash-register. Merely by virtue of the dual use of a plurality of components, an appreciable financial saving is achieved compared with the up-to-now only known independent realization of scales on the one hand and a cash register on the other. Not only is there a saving in the form of reduced capital investment, but also a considerable space-saving with the apparatus in accordance with the invention, since a separate cash-point is nox required.In addition, increased rationalization is achieved with regard to staff, because the sales assistant operating the weighing mechanism also becomes a cashier through the invention. The weighing slip from the apparatus now also becomes a cash receipt, since, through the provision of a suitable keyboard and by its operation, goods which are not recorded by weight determination by the apparatus, but are only keyed-in as a unit price or quantity-related price on the keyboard of the apparatus in accordance with the invention, can also be accepted and represented. Any transfer errors between weight determination and the subsequent cash register disappear because the weighing mechanism is also fulfilling the functions of the cash register. The rapid serving of customers which can be achieved with the apparatus in accordance with the invention is particularly worthy of mention.

Further advantages and features of the invention can be elicited from the following embodiments of the invention now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a perspective representation of the apparatus with the cash drawer in the open position.

Fig. 2 represents a longitudinal-crosssectional view through the base of the apparatus of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a side view of another version of the apparatus.

Fig. 4 shows the arrangement of a further version of the apparatus on a sales counter in a shop.

Referring to the drawings: The apparatus comprises first of all a measuring assembly 10 incorporating the actual weighing mechanism and closed at the top by a pan 11 intended to support the commodity whose weight is to be determined. The weighing mechanism consists of an electro-dynamic system with oscillating strings, subjected to the load being measured and to a reference force, and whose relative oscillation frequencies are used to determine the weight of the commodity electronically. On the housing of the measuring assembly 10 an element 12 for resetting to zero is provided, as is a handle 13 for releasing the weighing-mechanism lock.

The apparatus includes a calculator 14 basically set back from the measuring assembly and embodying a setting/display unit in which are grouped all the components associated with operation and data-reproduction. In this calculator 14, in addition to calculating mechanism which is not represented in detail, is located a printer whose printed-slip issuer 15 can be seen issuing a tear-off double slip 16. The calculator also embodies a multiple indicating device 17 which displays in a number of windows the various data recorded and determined by the calculator. There is, for example, a first window 18 for indication of the weight determined by the measuring assembly 10, in "Kilogrammes" for example. A second window 18' may be expediently used to indicate the current price per unit weight, e.g. in "DM/ kilogramme".Finally there is a further window 18" for the display of the sum m be paid, determined from the weight indication in window 18 on the basis of the unit price in window 18'. The indication in window 18" is also effective when the apparatus is used purely as a cash register for commodities which do not have to be weighed on the pan 11 and whose purchase price is fixed.

A keyboard 19 is provided in the calculator 14, including all the digit keys and several function keys, for inputting all the data not dependent on weight, such as, for example, the price per unit weight to be reproduced in the above-mentioned window 18'. The effectiveness and mode of operation of the keyboard will be dealt with in more detail below.

The apparatus finally also includes an integrated cash-storage means 20 whose control keyboard, amount indicator and cash-receipt printer are already constituted by the abovementioned parts in the calculator 14 of the apparatus. In addition to these identical functional parts, which are essentially already operative in weight determination, the cash storage means 20 includes a pulse-controlled cashdrawer 21 in a box casing 22 fitting round it.

The box casing 22 is, as the longitudinal-crcsssection view in Fig. 2 illustrates, formed by an inner housing 23 into which the cash drawer 21 is introduced by means of apropriate guiderunners 24, and by a jacket 25 forming not only the top cover-plate 26 of the casing 22 but also uninterruptedly embracing the two long sides of the casing 22. The jacket 25 projects beyond the rear end 27 of the internal housing 23, producing an inconspicuous recess 28 in which parts of a fixing clamp 30, which is in itself known, can engage. As the crosssectional view in Fig. 2 shows, the two jaws of such a clamp 30 grips not only the rear part of the cover-plate 26 of the covering jacket 25, but also a reinforcing plate 29 underneath.

In the first embodiment in Figs. 1 and 2 the fixing clamp 30 is fixed at the bottom end of a column 31 supporting the above-mentioned calculator 14 of the apparatus at its upper end.

In this way the above-mentioned cash-storage means 20 also forms a base for the calculator 14. In addition, however, the surface 32 of the top cover-plate 26 of the box casing serves as a bearing surface 32 to accommodate the measuring assembly 10, the column being set back so far in relation to the front of the box casing and occupying a position as regrads height such that an adequate free space 33 is created between the calculator 14 and the cash-storage means 20 for the arrangement of the measuring assembly 10, as demonstrated in Fig. 1. Sufficient space still remains above the weighing pan 11 for handling the commodities being weighed. Supports of a different nature could also be used to connect the calculator 14 to the cash-storage means 20, provided the above space relationships are taken into consideration.

Whereas in the first embodiment a releasable connection is provided between the cash-storage means and the calculator 14 incorporating the setting and display means, Fig. 3 shows a different embodiment in which the calculator connection is effected through a pedestal 34 irremovably attached to the box casing 22. In this connection the pedestal 34 may be pro duced as an integral part at least of the top place of the box casing 22. The connection between calculator 14 and the box casing 22 may also be direct, omitting an intervening free space, if a place is provided elsewhere for the arrangement of the measuring assembly of the apparatus, e.g. beside the calculator 14.

In the embodiment in Fig. 4, the arrangement of the apparatus on a counter 35 is illustrated. On the side facing the sales assistant 36 is located a counter board 37, which in the case represented has been designed as a compartment 38 to take the box casing 22. In this instance the counter board 37 forms a surface for the measuring assembly 10 of the apparatus, whose weighing pan 11 is conveniently accessible from above. The calculator 14 used for setting and display is in fact set back in relation to the measuring assembly 10 by means of a column 31 in the way described. The col umn 31 can grip the rear edge of the counter board 37 with its fixing means.

The processes of weighing, price calculation and addition take place in the first instance in a known manner by an electro-dynamic system as in electronic price-calculating scales. The values determined are printed, recorded and stored.

After the apparatus has been used for weigh ing, a summation key 39 on the keyboard 19 is operated, whereupon the amount to be paid is displayed in indicator window 18", while the number of items handled for the customer concerned is indicated in an items counter 40 additionally provided in the indicating device 17. The cash drawer 21 is at first still closed.

During this phase the sales assistant can be putting the goods in a bag, while the customer tenders the amount indicated; a key 41 on the keyboard 19 is then operated, causing the abo,ve-mentioned slip-issuer 15 to produce a tear-off double slip 16, on which all the data, such as cash amount, weight, date, slip serial number, number of weighing apparatus, and the like, have been printed, together with the company's imprint and possibly that of the sales department.

Operation of the key 41 delivers a further electrical pulse which triggers the opening of the cash drawer 21. The sales assistant now becomes a cashier and can, in accordance with the details on the cash receipt 16, accept the amount from the customer and give change, for which purpose a change distributor which is in itself known could of course be appended. It is then possible, using the keyboard 19, to indicate the prices of goods, which prices have not been determined by weighing on the measuring assembly, and record these prices on the cash receipt 16. That is, the calculator is operable to provide weight-independent price data when the measuring assembly is unladen.

For security reasons, opening of the cash drawer 21 is only possible by prior operation of the pulse key 41, whereby each opening operation is recorded. Should the cash drawer 21 be opened purely to remove or insert cash, then, in addition to keys 39 and 41, an auxiliary key 42 must also be operated. A nil slip appears, and the cash drawer 21 opens automatically. In the event of the protracted absence of the sales assistant, the cash drawer 21 can be locked by means of a key 43 which fits in a lock 44 provided in the box casing 22.

A releasable pass-key 45 in the calculator 14 can be used to control further functions of the calculator in connection with an intermediate check of the amounts received. If the key 45 is inserted in the lock and turned to the right as far as a stop, the total of the amounts received appears in the display window, together with a non-resettable check-number. If the key 45 is turned back again, the indication is extinguished, but all the input values are retained in the store of the calculator. The weighing operations and cashier operations can proceed unaffected thereby.

It is also, posslble, however, to perform "cashing-up" with the key 45. To do so, the key 45 is turned to the right as far ts the above-mentioned stop and key 41 operated.

The sum of all the individual amounts is then printed-out automatically in the form of a total on a cash receipt 16 for which a check number appears which cannot be altered. The amount store is then reset to zero, together with the consecutively-numbered receipt-number.

The jacket 25 is of steel and has a profile in the form of an inverted V.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. Apparatus for use in providing sales data for goods, especially shop goods, comprising a weighing mechanism and a locked cash-storage means each connected to a calculator incorporating a keyboard, a calculating mechanism, a data storage means, a data display and a sales-slip printer, wherein said keyboard is selectively operable:: (a) when the weighing mechanism is laden to cause said calculating mechanism to determine the sales price of goods as a function of the weighing-mechanism-determined weight of the goods, to enter such sales price in said data storage means and to, present such sales price on said data display; (b) when the weighing mechanism is unladen to enter the sales price of goods in said data storage means and to present such sales pike on said data display; (c) to cause said calculating mechanism to totalise the various sales prices in said data storage means forming a transaction and to present such totalised price on said data display; and (d) to cause said sales-slip printer to issue a sales slip itemising the various sales prices and the totalised price of the transaction and to unlock and open said cash-storage means.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (11)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. duced as an integral part at least of the top place of the box casing 22. The connection between calculator 14 and the box casing 22 may also be direct, omitting an intervening free space, if a place is provided elsewhere for the arrangement of the measuring assembly of the apparatus, e.g. beside the calculator 14. In the embodiment in Fig. 4, the arrangement of the apparatus on a counter 35 is illustrated. On the side facing the sales assistant 36 is located a counter board 37, which in the case represented has been designed as a compartment 38 to take the box casing 22. In this instance the counter board 37 forms a surface for the measuring assembly 10 of the apparatus, whose weighing pan 11 is conveniently accessible from above. The calculator 14 used for setting and display is in fact set back in relation to the measuring assembly 10 by means of a column 31 in the way described. The col umn 31 can grip the rear edge of the counter board 37 with its fixing means. The processes of weighing, price calculation and addition take place in the first instance in a known manner by an electro-dynamic system as in electronic price-calculating scales. The values determined are printed, recorded and stored. After the apparatus has been used for weigh ing, a summation key 39 on the keyboard 19 is operated, whereupon the amount to be paid is displayed in indicator window 18", while the number of items handled for the customer concerned is indicated in an items counter 40 additionally provided in the indicating device 17. The cash drawer 21 is at first still closed. During this phase the sales assistant can be putting the goods in a bag, while the customer tenders the amount indicated; a key 41 on the keyboard 19 is then operated, causing the abo,ve-mentioned slip-issuer 15 to produce a tear-off double slip 16, on which all the data, such as cash amount, weight, date, slip serial number, number of weighing apparatus, and the like, have been printed, together with the company's imprint and possibly that of the sales department. Operation of the key 41 delivers a further electrical pulse which triggers the opening of the cash drawer 21. The sales assistant now becomes a cashier and can, in accordance with the details on the cash receipt 16, accept the amount from the customer and give change, for which purpose a change distributor which is in itself known could of course be appended. It is then possible, using the keyboard 19, to indicate the prices of goods, which prices have not been determined by weighing on the measuring assembly, and record these prices on the cash receipt 16. That is, the calculator is operable to provide weight-independent price data when the measuring assembly is unladen. For security reasons, opening of the cash drawer 21 is only possible by prior operation of the pulse key 41, whereby each opening operation is recorded. Should the cash drawer 21 be opened purely to remove or insert cash, then, in addition to keys 39 and 41, an auxiliary key 42 must also be operated. A nil slip appears, and the cash drawer 21 opens automatically. In the event of the protracted absence of the sales assistant, the cash drawer 21 can be locked by means of a key 43 which fits in a lock 44 provided in the box casing 22. A releasable pass-key 45 in the calculator 14 can be used to control further functions of the calculator in connection with an intermediate check of the amounts received. If the key 45 is inserted in the lock and turned to the right as far as a stop, the total of the amounts received appears in the display window, together with a non-resettable check-number. If the key 45 is turned back again, the indication is extinguished, but all the input values are retained in the store of the calculator. The weighing operations and cashier operations can proceed unaffected thereby. It is also, posslble, however, to perform "cashing-up" with the key 45. To do so, the key 45 is turned to the right as far ts the above-mentioned stop and key 41 operated. The sum of all the individual amounts is then printed-out automatically in the form of a total on a cash receipt 16 for which a check number appears which cannot be altered. The amount store is then reset to zero, together with the consecutively-numbered receipt-number. The jacket 25 is of steel and has a profile in the form of an inverted V. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. Apparatus for use in providing sales data for goods, especially shop goods, comprising a weighing mechanism and a locked cash-storage means each connected to a calculator incorporating a keyboard, a calculating mechanism, a data storage means, a data display and a sales-slip printer, wherein said keyboard is selectively operable:: (a) when the weighing mechanism is laden to cause said calculating mechanism to determine the sales price of goods as a function of the weighing-mechanism-determined weight of the goods, to enter such sales price in said data storage means and to, present such sales price on said data display; (b) when the weighing mechanism is unladen to enter the sales price of goods in said data storage means and to present such sales pike on said data display; (c) to cause said calculating mechanism to totalise the various sales prices in said data storage means forming a transaction and to present such totalised price on said data display; and (d) to cause said sales-slip printer to issue a sales slip itemising the various sales prices and the totalised price of the transaction and to unlock and open said cash-storage means.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the calculating includes a means operable by a removable pass key for interim indication of the total value of prior transactions, such interim indication being determined by said calculating mechanism from the sales prices in said data storage means and being displayed on said data display without said sales prices being cleared from said data storage means.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said keyboard is provided with a control key ta cause said sales-slip printer to issue a sales slip itemising the various sales prices and the totalised price of a transaction and to unlock and open said cash-storage means and said control key and said interim indication means are arranged so that on simultaneous operation thereof said interim indication is printed out on a sales slip by said sales-slip printer and said sales prices are cleared from said data storage means.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cash-storage means form a base for the calculator.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the calculator is releasably attached to, the cash-storage means.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the calculator is releasably clamped to the cash-storage means.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the calculator is connected to the cash-storage means by support means setback so, far and of such a height as to leave a free space between the calculator and cashstorage means, the weighing mechanism being accommodated in said space.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the cash-storage means includes a cash drawer and a box casing housing the drawer.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the top plate of the box casing forms a bearing surface for the weighing mechanism.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the top plate forms a rearwardly pror jecting flange which is gripped by a fixing clamp located at the lower end of the support means.

11. Apparatus for use in providing sales data on goods, especially shop goods, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, any one of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings.