[0001] The present invention is for a shopping basket automatic machine for receiving, storing
and handing out of shopping baskets for commodity retail stores and the like.
[0002] In retail stores of different kinds there is often used a self service system by
which the shop supplies baskets which are used by the shoppers, who themselves pick
up the goods that they want to buy, put them into the basket and bring them to the
cashier at the exit. A common system for handling of these baskets is to collect them
into stacks, stacked upon each other by the cashiers desk. It is also common that
a simple carriage is used as a base for the stack and to bring it to the entrance
of the shop after it has reached a certain height. The supply of baskets and picking
of baskets from the stack is from the top side without any checking whatsoever of
the basket as to its kind, type and general condition. Neither is there any control
of the proper positioning that e.g a folding handle has been correctly folded. This
may bring with it problems with the handling of the baskets in the shop and there
is no checking that damaged basket are taken out of circulation. There is no fee or
deposit for the use of the basket, which causes losses and other misuse by the handling
of the baskets.
[0003] The object of the present invention is an automatic machine for receiving, storing
and handing out of shopping baskets. In the machine there is a control of the baskets
which are received as the kind and condition of the basket. The machine is also intended
to make it possible to take a deposit for the use of a basket, where this deposit
is returned when the basket is returned. The invention will below be described with
reference to the examples of embodiments which are shown in the enclosed figures.
[0004] Figure 1 shows a machine in a side view.
[0005] Figure 2 shows the machine of figure 1 in a side view at right angle to figure 1.
[0006] Figure 3 shows the device of figures 1 and 2 from the top.
[0007] In all of the figures the machine is partly in cross section.
[0008] The machine shown in figure 1 comprises a container 15 being a rectangular box having
its largest dimension in vertical direction. The height of the box is adapted to the
intended use and he is shown in the figures without its top. In figure 1 there is
also shown a basket 1 in the position where it is by receiving or handing out and
a basket 2 which is the lowermost basket of a stack of baskets in the machine.
[0009] When a basket is supplied to the machine it is brought inside the box 15at a position
marked by the basket 1. The baskets are of conventional design having a bottom 3,
side walls 4 and 5 and an upper, surrounding brim 6. The dimensions of the brim 6
are close to those of the inside of the box or container 15. When a basket is supplied
to the machine this is done at the bottom of the container as shown by the basket
1. In this position and using electronic or mechanical means there takes place an
identification or control of the basket. This may comprise a verification of that
the basket is a part of the system which is operated by the machine which can be done
by checking certain characteristic outer shapes or by that the basket has been marked
with a bar code or in another way. It is also possible to control that the basket
does not have serious damages, that a moveable handle is probably folded down and
other particulars. In this position the basket is gripped, preferably at the surrounding
brim 6, by means of grippers which are arranged on bands, chains or the like 9, 10
running over pulleys 7, 8, 11, 12. These may be mounted in pairs onto shaft and powered
by for example electrical motors, which start up automatically after that the basket
has been controlled and accepted. The accepted basket is brought upwards to the position,
which in the figure is marked by the basket 2, where it is gripped by toothed wheels
13, 14. In the embodiment shown in the figures the basket is supported under the brim
6 by the teeth of the wheels 13, 14 and these are stepped forward a step corresponding
to the length of one tooth for each basket that is added to the store. When handing
out a basket from the machine the procedure is reversed and the basket is delivered
at the lower part of the container 15.
[0010] In another embodiment of the invention receiving and handing out of baskets takes
place from the top of the storage space. Also in this case there is identification
and/or control of an added basket before it is transferred to the basket storage.
[0011] Preferably the device comprises a deposit system being a coin slot or other suitable
arrangement, such as readers for magnetic cards of different kinds. The handing out
of a basket is then started by making a deposition and when the basket is returned
it is paid back after that the returned basket has been accepted by the machine. The
basket machine may also be activated e.g. by a push-button. Such an embodiment may
be used when deposit is not used or combined with deposit.
[0012] Various embodiments are possible within the frame of the inventive idea. When a basket
is handed out it is not necessary that it is conveyed down by conveyor means 9, 10
but the basket may be allowed to drop from its upper position to the pick out position,
conditional to a limited drop height. Other embodiments may mean different methods
for conveyance of a returned basket to the above positioned stack of baskets and means
for receiving and delivering baskets to and from the storage other than the toothed
wheels described above.
1. Basket machine for the receiving, storage and handing out of shopping baskets where
received baskets are controlled and/or identified before they are transferred from
the receiving point to the storage characterized therein that individual baskets (1) are supplied and handed out below the baskets (2) which
are kept in the machine and that the storage is positioned vertically above the supply
and handing out position.
