Checkout counter for supermarkets, hypermarkets and similar retail facilities

Description

[0001] The present invention refers to the field of furniture for shops, supermarkets, hypermarkets and other retail environments in general, and in particular it concerns a checkout counter.

[0002] A checkout counter is mainly made up of a flat top that is supported by a load-bearing structure. On the flat top three main regions can be identified, consecutively arranged according to an exit direction of the products purchased from the retail environment. In particular the three regions comprise a first region in which the clients deposit the goods, a second region for recording the goods and a third packing region.

[0003] The first region commonly consists in a conveyor belt on which the client rests the goods that are moved forward, by the conveyor belt itself, towards the second region at which there is a staff member and where means for reading the price of the product, such as a barcode optical reader, are arranged. Downstream of the second region there is the region for collecting and packing the products that can possibly be defined by an enlarged portion of the flat top, so as to make it possible to usefully receive the products of even two clients at the same time.

[0004] The flat top is supported by uprights or other supporting elements, that are adapted to contain the electronic components, for controlling the cash register, and drawers that are available to the staff member. The flat top can be peripherally delimited by a closed and load-bearing frame made with aluminium or hard plastic profiles. A checkout counter of this type is disclosed for example in patent publication EP2194820.

[0005] The checkout counters described above, however, have a number of drawbacks in terms of their construction and/or assembly.

[0006] In particular, the retailers frequently require specifically personalized checkout counters, in that each of the aforementioned regions is to be adapted, in shape, colour, dimensions, to the specific needs of each retailer.

[0007] It is precisely due to this strong customization needs that the checkout counter is currently assembled following each time a specific design proposed by the retailer, and therefore setting up a dedicated production line; this clearly leads to high costs and long manufacturing time.

[0008] More in general, in the current construction modalities the counter must be assembled by trained staff, equipped with appropriate tools and specialized skills. Such a circumstance clashes with the, ever more frequent, requirement of setting up or reconverting the configuration of the point of sales in a cost-effective manner and in a very short time.

[0009] There is therefore a strong need for different constructive solutions which make it possible to build the checkout counter in a quick and cost-effective manner, for example by using standard components.

[0010] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a checkout counter that is versatile and easily customizable.

[0011] A further particular object of the present invention is to provide a checkout counter of the aforementioned type that can be assembled by workers having more basic skills and tools with respect to what is currently foreseen for known solutions.

[0012] These and other objects are achieved with the checkout counter according to the invention, the essential characteristics of which are defined by the first of the attached claims. Further important characteristics are defined by the dependent claims.

[0013] The characteristics and the advantages of the checkout counter according to the present invention shall become apparent from the following description of an embodiment thereof given as an example and not for limiting purposes with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

• figure 1 shows a perspective view of a checkout counter according to the invention;
• figure 2 is a side view of the checkout counter of figure 1;
• figure 3 shows a cross section view of the checkout counter according to the plane III-III of figure 2, whereas figure 3a is an enlarged view of one portion of figure 3 showing the connection of a frame for a conveyor belt to a profile of a flat top of the checkout counter;
• figure 4 is a cross section view of the checkout counter according to the plane IV-IV of figure 2 and figure 4a is an enlarged view of a portion of figure 4 showing the connection between the profile and a goods packing receptacle;
• figure 5a shows a top of the checkout counter, in isolation, with parts that have been removed for the sake of a clearer representation of the central region of the same counter, intended to receive optical means for scanning prices, whereas figure 5a is a cross section view of the flat top in figure 5 made at such a central region;
• figure 6 shows a cross section view of a profile, in isolation, used in the construction of the checkout counter of the previous figures.

[0014] With reference to the above figures, a checkout counter according to the invention has a main development according to a longitudinal direction or axis X with a head and a tail, that are identified by the sliding direction of the products from inside the point of sales (typically a supermarket or hypermarket), to the outside.

[0015] The checkout counter comprises a flat top 1 on which there can be identified a first region for resting the goods 1a, that develops starting from the aforementioned head, a second region for reading the product 1b and finally a third packing region 1c that ends with the aforementioned tail of the checkout counter, the three regions being consecutively arranged along the axis X. The flat top 1 is supported by a supporting frame 2 provided with two uprights 20, 21 for resting on the ground that are positioned in proximity of the head and of the tail of the checkout counter. These have a box-shaped open structure, with mutually facing cavities that can be advantageously adapted with shelves or drawers used by the staff operator. The staff operator accommodates him/herself in the space defined between the uprights (directly at the second region 1b for reading the goods) that is wide enough so as to house a stool or a chair.

[0016] The upright 20 at the head extremity of the counter is only partially occupied by the flat top 1, which in the goods resting region has a reduced width, so that it is the same upright that defines, at the top, a free shelf 20a for resting a cash register, not shown, and other typical electronic payment devices (terminals for transactions with magnetic or microchip-type cards).

[0017] The flat top 1 according to the invention is delimited on the longitudinal sides, i.e. those parallel to the axis X, by bar-shaped profiles 3 having a cross section (I. e., a section along a plane that is perpendicular to the axis X) that is substantially C-shaped.

[0018] The profiles 3, fixed to the uprights 20, 21, constitute the load bearing structure of the flat top 1. More precisely, at the side facing the staff operator, two profile lengths 3' and 3" are used respectively along the goods resting region 1a and along the enlarged packing region 1c, whereas at the opposite side, i.e. the side facing the customer passage, a unitary profile 3'" extends along the whole longitudinal development of the flat top 1.

[0019] Returning now to the cross section of the profile, shown in detail in figures 3, 4 and 6, this can be defined as substantially C-shaped with an opening facing towards the inmost part of the flat top 1. The profiles on the two sides thus have a symmetrical arrangement with respect to one another and, according to a fundamental aspect of the invention, the same type of profile is used on the two sides, providing in both cases suitable engagement means for the various mounting needs (that depending upon the regions, may or may not be used).

[0020] The bar has a lower base 30 that is substantially flat so as to allow the connection to the aforementioned uprights. On the lower base 30, there opens a seat 30a for threaded connection members 30b schematically shown in figure 3. These members, in addition to being used for the stable connection of the bar to the uprights, can be used, in the regions that are not occupied by the uprights, for anchoring some accessories, such as bag-holding trays (not shown), that are possibly required by the retailer as a function of his specific needs.

[0021] An outer face 31 of the profile, i.e. the surface exposed towards towards the customer or the staff operator, is slightly convex and has, in the central position, a guide 31a. In the depicted example this guide is substantially square-shaped so as to allow the snap fitting of shockproof protections 31b, usually made from plastic material and that can be personalised with various colour shades so as to be adapted to the specific requirements of the retailer.

[0022] Opposite to the position of the lower base 30, the profile has a substantially trapezoidal top bulge 32 with slanting sides on which locking means 32a are formed, to allow the hooking connection to the same top bulge 32 of accessories 32b like for example supports for keypads for inserting PIN codes or, as shown in figure 1, supports for barriers made from transparent plastic material for separating the customer from the staff operator at the counter, etc., especially on the profile 3'" at the customer side in the central region 1b. The locking means comprise two opposite grooves formed on the slanting sides; suitable appendices of the accessory, that is thus arranged over and straddling across the trapezoidal bulge, are forcibly inserted in grooves.

[0023] Again, below the trapezoidal top bulge the profile continues with an inner wall 34 that defines a face for abutment of inner components of the counter which will be introduced hereafter. The height extension of the inner wall 34 (i. e. the size along a direction that is perpendicular to a support plane 22 defined by the flat top) is defined between the top bulge 32 and a step-like recess 33 that is formed between the lower base 30 and the same wall. Such height determines, in practice, the volume available for housing the aforementioned inner components, and in particular: a conveyor belt 10 in the resting region 1a; a barcode reader 11 in the second or goods recording region 1b; and a goods collecting receptacle 12 in the third or packing region 1c.

[0024] In order to secure such components, four seats, consecutively arranged (from top to bottom) open up at the inner wall 34. The seats are indicated respectively with 35 (first seat), 36 (second seat), 37 (third seat), 38 (fourth seat), and each has a substantially squared cross section.

[0025] Considering now in particular figures 3 and 3a, where the first region 1a is shown in section, in this latter region the goods rest on the conveyor belt 10 that is pulled tight in a continuous loop between rollers 10c having a horizontal axis of rotation. In order to keep the conveyor belt stretched, known stretching systems are used (not represented in detail), contained inside the belt and supported by the second seat 36, which has greater dimensions with respect to the other three. A further support structure 10a for supporting the belt, having a known traditional configuration, is arranged in abutment with the inner wall 34 and with the recess 33, exploits the third seat 37 for snap-fitting with a protrusion 10a'. To this purpose the third seat 37 provides for a locking wing 37a that extends parallel to the inner wall 34 and partially shuts the access to the seat so as to hinder the accidental exit of the protrusion 10a'.

[0026] The fourth seat 38 is designed for housing a suitably shaped edge 10b' of a lower closure panel 10b of the conveyor belt and, at the same time, for accommodating screw means that permit to secure a central body of the optical reading scanner.

[0027] With particular reference to figures 5a and 5b, a scanner support frame 13 is visible defining the central region of the flat top and comprises a housing 13a for the electrical and circuit components forming the scanner. Such a housing consists of a box made with metal profiles, that is fixedly attached to two cross members 13b that extend perpendicular with respect to the direction X so as to connect the profile lengths 3' and 3" to the unitary profile 3"', respectively, thus delimiting the central region from the goods resting region and from the packing region, respectively. The cross members 13b have connection wings 13c with threaded seats for the connection to the profiles 3 through bolts that are engaged with the first seat 35 and the fourth seat 38 of the profiles.

[0028] Considering now in particular figures 4 and 4a, these show a section view of the third region 1c of the flat top, that is the goods packing region. Such a region is defined by the receptacle 12 for collecting the products recorded for purchase and subsequently moved along (manually by the staff operator, or with the assistance of a second conveyor belt towards the tail of the checkout counter). The product collection receptacle finds an anchoring point in the first seat 35, in which an upper edge 12a, suitably shaped so as to ensure an optimal fitting, is forcibly inserted. The receptacle is made with the desired shape and dimensions e.g. through bending starting from a sheet of metal material.

[0029] The profile further comprises lightening channels running along the entire length of the profile. In particular, one lightening channel 39 is arranged at the lower part of the profile between the seat 30a of the base 30 and the fourth seat 38 of the wall 34. On a partition wall that separates the fourth seat from the lightening channel 39, a cavity 39a is made for the insertion of self-tapping connection screws that serve for connecting the profile with extremity cross pieces 4, that in practice materialize, respectively, the head and the tail of the checkout counter. An analogous hole 39b is made inside the second seat 36 of the wall 34 in a corner position and adjacent to the first seat 35. Such cross-pieces are preferably made from plastic material.

[0030] The checkout counter according to the invention has numerous advantages.

[0031] In particular, the special shape of the profile 3, with the provision of a remarkable number of attachment portions that are suitably studied and prearranged for the various mounting requirements in the different regions, makes it possible to have a single standard mounting component that, being cut in the desired size, provides a basic module for the construction of the checkout counter.

[0032] Again thanks to such a special shape, the checkout counter can be easily adapted to the customized requirements of the retailer, at the same time allowing a rapid and easy mounting, since the various seats/attachments make it possible to avoid most of the high-qualification professional drilling or welding operations that are currently foreseen in known systems.

[0033] A surprising result is thus obtained in terms of customization (dimensions, colours, accessories) with standard components that thus make it possible to substantially reduce mounting and customization costs. Indeed it is no longer necessary to prepare special production lines for different retailers.

[0034] Amongst other things, the upper locking means 32a allow for a quick and easy connection, without attachment and threaded fixing members, of accessories such as separation dividers or supports for alphanumeric keypads for inserting PIN codes. Also the support structure of the conveyor belt can be installed without using threaded connections, but simple fitting together.

[0035] Such a solution, therefore, makes it possible to considerably reduce the mounting time. In this regard, the checkout counter according to the invention can be easily assembled directly at the retailer's premises, since the parts can be mostly assembled to one another through simple snap-fitting. The cross-pieces 4 are moreover fixedly connected by means of screws that thread inside the profiles, with holes that are already prearranged, and thus can be mounted with minimal effort.

[0036] The shockproof protection elements are in turn snap fitted inside the guides 31a, they can therefore be removed rapidly when needed so as to be replaced in the case in which they become damaged or simply due to different customization needs.

[0037] The bars are made from metal material preferably like aluminium, whereas the uprights are normally made from folded sheet steel.

[0038] The terms horizontal, vertical, top and bottom used in the present description obviously refer to the configuration of the checkout counter, mounted and in use, supported by the floor of the retail environment.

[0039] The present invention has been so far described with reference to preferred embodiments. It should be understood that there can be other embodiments falling within the same inventive concept, as defined by the scope of protection of the following claims.

Claims

1. A checkout counter for shops, supermarkets, hypermarkets or other retail facilities comprising a flat top (1) developing along a main longitudinal axis (X) and a support frame (2) for supporting said top in an elevated position with respect to a floor surface, at least three regions being defined on said top (1) sequentially positioned along said axis (X), wherein said three regions comprise a first, goods entering region (1a) comprising a conveyor belt (10) with a support structure (10a), a second goods recording region (1b) comprising an optical reading device (11) for reading the price of the goods, and a third goods packing region (1c) including a packing receptacle (12), said top (1) being delimited at least along longitudinal sides by bar profiles (3) parallel with said axis (X) and adapted to be connected to said support frame (2), each of said profiles (3) having a C-shaped cross section that comprises a flat base (30) for the connection to said support frame (2), a top bulge (32), an inner side wall (34) and an opposite side outer wall (31); said checkout counter being characterized in that all said profiles (3) have the same cross section further comprising at least one first, second, third and fourth seat (35, 36, 37, 38) which is open on said inner wall (34) consecutively arranged starting from said top bulge (32) towards said base (30), said seats being selected depending on the regions of said top for the reversible connection by snap fitting or via screw elements at least of said support structure (10a) of the conveyor belt (10), of said optical reading device and of said goods packing receptacle (12).

2. The checkout counter according to claim 1, wherein tensioning means of said conveyor belt (10) are engaged in said second seat (36).

3. The checkout counter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a height development of said inside wall (34) is defined between said top bulge (32) and a step-like recess (33), said support structure (10a) of said conveyor belt abutting against said inner wall (34) and against said step-like recess (33), said support structure further providing a protrusion (10a') adapted to be snap fitted inside said third seat (37).

4. The checkout counter according to claim 3, wherein said third seat (37) provides a locking wing (37a) extending parallel to said inner wall (34) to partially shut the access of said seat avoiding the accidental exit of said protrusion (10a').

5. The checkout counter according to any of the previous claims, wherein said fourth seat (38) snap fits with a shaped edge (10b') of a lower closure panel (10b) of said conveyor belt.

6. The checkout counter according to any of the previous claims, wherein said fourth seat (38) houses screw means for the connection of a central body of said optical reading device.

7. The checkout counter according to claim 6, wherein said central body is fixed to said profile (3) via screw means housed in said first seat (35).

8. The checkout counter according any of the previous claims, wherein an upper edge (12a) of said goods packing receptacle (12) is forcibly inserted into said first seat (35).

9. The checkout counter according any of the previous claims, wherein said top bulge (32) has a substantially trapezoidal shape with slanting sides in which locking means (32a) are provided, adapted to permit the stable connection of accessory devices (32b).

10. The checkout counter according to claim 9, wherein said locking means are opposite grooves arranged parallel with said main axis (X), for forcible engagement with appendices of said accessory devices arranged over and straddling across said trapezoidal bulge (32).

11. The checkout counter according to any of the previous claims, wherein said outer wall (31) comprises a central guide (31a) for the snap fitting with a shockproof protection (31b).

12. The checkout counter according to any of the previous claims, wherein said cross section of said profiles further comprises threaded cavities (39a, 39b) arranged along said axis (X) for the insertion of connection means for connecting said profiles (3) with cross pieces (4) which delimit said top on the goods enter side and on the exit side.

13. The checkout counter according to claim 12, further comprising lightening channels running along said axis (X) for the entire length of the profile, at least one lightening channel (39) being arranged between said base (30) and said fourth seat (38), one of said threaded cavities (39a) being formed in a partition wall that divides said fourth seat from said lightening channel (39), a second of said threaded cavities (39b) being formed inside said second seat (36) in an angle position and adjacent with the first seat (35).

14. The checkout counter according to any of the previous claims, wherein said support frame (2) comprises uprights (20, 21) for resting on said floor surface and positioned in proximity to the goods enter and exit sides of said top, said uprights having a box-shaped open structure with mutually facing cavities, shelves or drawers being provided inside said cavities for use by a staff operator seated at the checkout counter.

15. The checkout counter according to claim 14, wherein said profiles (3) are connected to said uprights (20, 21) and comprise respectively two bar profile lengths (3', 3") arranged on said top respectively along said goods entering region (1a) and along said packing region (1c), and a unitary bar profile (3"') arranged along the entire longitudinal development of the top (1) at the customer passage side.

Ansprüche

1. Kasse für Geschäfte, Supermärkte, Großmärkte oder andere Einzelhandelseinrichtungen, enthaltend ein flaches Oberteil (1), das längs einer Haupt-Längsachse (X) ausgestaltet ist, und einen Halterahmen (2) zum Halten des Oberteils in einer angehobenen Position bezüglich einer Bodenoberfläche, wobei an dem Oberteil (1) wenigstens drei Regionen definiert sind, die aufeinanderfolgend längs der Achse (X) positioniert sind, wobei die drei Regionen enthalten eine erste Wareneingangsregion (1a), die ein Förderband (10) mit einer Haltestruktur (10a) enthält, eine zweite Warenerfassungsregion (1b), die eine optische Lesevorrichtung (11) zum Lesen des Preises der Waren enthält, und eine dritte Warenverpackungsregion (1c), die eine Verpackungsaufnahme (12) enthält, wobei das Oberteil (1) wenigstens entlang von Längsseiten durch Stabprofile (3) parallel zu der Achse (X) begrenzt und dazu ausgelegt ist, um mit dem Halterahmen (2) verbunden zu sein, wobei jedes der Profile (3) einen C-förmigen Querschnitt, der eine flache Basis (30) zur Verbindung mit dem Halterahmen (2) hat, einen Oberteilwulst (32), eine innere Seitenwand (34) und eine entgegengesetzte seitliche Außenwand (31) hat, wobei die Kasse dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass alle diese Profile (3) denselben Querschnitt haben, der ferner wenigstens einen ersten, zweiten, dritten und vierten Sitz (35, 36, 37, 38), der an der inneren Wand (34) offen ist, aufeinanderfolgend angeordnet, beginnend von dem Oberteilwulst (32) zu der Basis (30) hin, enthält, wobei die Sitze in Abhängigkeit von den Regionen des Oberteils für die reversible Verbindung durch Schnappverbindung oder durch Schraubenelemente wenigstens der Haltestruktur (10a) des Förderbandes (10), der optischen Lesevorrichtung und der Warenverpackungsaufnahme (12) definiert sind.

2. Kasse nach Anspruch 1, wobei Spanneinrichtungen des Förderbandes (10) mit dem zweiten Sitz (36) in Eingriff sind.

3. Kasse nach Anspruch 2 oder 3, wobei eine Höhenausgestaltung der inneren Wand (34) zwischen dem Oberteilwulst (32) und einer stufenähnlichen Ausnehmung (33) definiert ist, wobei die Haltestruktur (10a) des Förderbandes gegen die innere Wand (34) und gegen die stufenähnliche Ausnehmung (33) anliegt, wobei die Haltestruktur ferner einen Vorsprung (10a') bereitstellt, der ausgelegt ist, um verbindend innerhalb des dritten Sitzes (37) eingeschnappt zu werden.

4. Kasse nach Anspruch 3, wobei der dritte Sitz (37) einen Verriegelungsflügel (37a) bereitstellt, der sich parallel zu der inneren Wand (34) erstreckt, um den Zugang des Sitzes teilweise abzuschließen, wodurch der versehentliche Austritt des Vorsprungs (10a') vermieden wird.

5. Kasse nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der vierte Sitz (38) in Schnappverbindung mit einem geformten Rand (10b') eines unteren Schließpanels (10b) des Förderbandes ist.

6. Kasse nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der vierte Sitz (38) Schraubeneinrichtungen für den Anschluss eines Zentralkörpers der optischen Lesevorrichtung beherbergt.

7. Kasse nach Anspruch 6, wobei der Zentralkörper an dem Profil (3) mittels Schraubeinrichtungen befestigt ist, die in dem ersten Sitz (35) untergebracht sind.

8. Kasse nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei ein oberer Rand (12a) der Warenverpackungsaufnahme (12) gewaltsam in den ersten Sitz (35) eingesetzt ist.

9. Kasse nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Oberteilwulst (32) eine im Wesentlichen trapezartige Form mit geneigten Seiten hat, in denen Verriegelungseinrichtungen (32a) vorgesehen sind, die ausgelegt sind, um den stabilen Anschluss von Zubehörvorrichtungen (32b) zu gestatten.

10. Kasse nach Anspruch 9, wobei die Verriegelungseinrichtungen entgegengesetzte Nute, die parallel zu der Hauptachse (X) angeordnet sind, zum gewaltsamen Eingriff mit Fortsätzen der Zubehörvorrichtungen sind, die angeordnet sind und liegen quer über der trapezartigen Wulst (32).

11. Kasse nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Außenwand (31) eine zentrale Führung (31a) für die Schnappverbindung mit einem stoßfesten Schutz (31b) enthält.

12. Kasse nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Querschnitt der Profile ferner mit einem Gewinde versehene Hohlräume (39a, 39b), die längs der Achse (X) angeordnet sind, zum Einsetzen von Verbindungseinrichtungen zum Verbinden der Profile (3) mit Kreuzstücken (4) enthält, die das Oberteil auf der Wareneingangsseite und auf der Ausgangsseite begrenzen.

13. Kasse nach Anspruch 12, wobei ferner Beleuchtungskanäle enthalten sind, die längs der Achse (X) über die gesamte Länge des Profils laufen, wobei wenigstens ein Beleuchtungskanal (39) zwischen der Basis (30) und dem vierten Sitz (38) angeordnet ist, wobei einer der mit einem Gewinde versehene Hohlräume (39a) in einer Trennwand ausgebildet ist, die den vierten Sitz von dem Beleuchtungskanal (39) trennt, wobei ein zweiter der mit einem Gewinde versehene Hohlräume (39b) innerhalb des zweiten Sitzes (36) in einer Winkelposition und benachbart zum ersten Sitz (35) ausgebildet ist.

14. Kasse nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Halterahmen (2) Pfosten (20, 21) zum Abstützen auf der Bodenoberfläche und positioniert in der Nähe der Wareneingangs- und -ausgangsseiten des Oberteils enthält, wobei die Pfosten eine kastenförmige offene Struktur mit wechselseitig einander zugewandten Hohlräumen haben, wobei Regale oder Schubläden innerhalb der Hohlräume zur Verwendung durch einen Arbeiter der Belegschaft vorgesehen sind, der an die Kasse gesetzt ist.

15. Kasse nach Anspruch 14, wobei die Profile (3) mit den Pfosten (20, 21) verbunden sind und entsprechend zwei Stabprofillängen (3', 3"), die jeweils an dem Oberteil längs der Wareneingangsregion (1a) und längs der Verpackungsregion (1c) angeordnet sind, und ein einheitliches Stabprofil (3"') enthalten, das längs der gesamten Längsausdehnung des Oberteils (1) auf der Kundendurchgangsseite angeordnet ist.

Revendications

1. Une caisse de sortie pour magasins, supermarchés, hypermarchés ou autres installations de vente au détail comprenant une plateforme supérieure (1) se développant le long d'un axe principal longitudinal (X) et un châssis de support (2) pour supporter ladite plateforme dans une position surélevée par rapport à une surface de plancher, au moins trois régions étant définies de manière séquentielle sur ladite plateforme (1) et positionnées le long du dit axe (X), dans laquelle lesdites trois régions comprennent : une première région d'entrée des marchandises (1a) comprenant une bande transporteuse (10) avec une structure de support (10a), une deuxième région d'enregistrement des marchandises (1b) comprenant un dispositif de lecture optique (11) pour lire le prix des marchandises, et une troisième région d'emballage des marchandises (1c) comprenant un réceptacle d'emballage (12), ladite plateforme (1) étant délimitée au moins le long des côtés longitudinaux par des profilés en barre (3) parallèles au dit axe (X) et adaptés pour être fixés au dit châssis de support (2), chacun des dits profilés (3) ayant une section transversale en forme de C qui comprend une base plate (30) pour le raccordement au dit châssis de support (2), une protubérance supérieure (32), une paroi latérale intérieure (34) et une paroi latérale extérieure opposée (31); ladite caisse de sortie étant caractérisée en ce que tous lesdits profilés (3) présentent la même section transversale comprenant en outre au moins des premier, deuxième, troisième et quatrième sièges (35, 36, 37, 38) qui débouchent consécutivement sur ladite paroi intérieure (34) et qui sont agencés depuis ladite protubérance supérieure (32) vers ladite base (30), lesdits sièges étant choisis en fonction des régions de ladite plateforme pour la liaison réversible, par des éléments d'encliquetage ou via des vis, sur au moins ladite structure de support (10a) de la bande transporteuse (10), ledit dispositif de lecture optique et ledit réceptacle d'emballage des marchandises (12).

2. La caisse de sortie selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle des moyens de mise en tension de ladite bande transporteuse (10) sont engagés dans ledit second siège (36).

3. La caisse de sortie selon l'une des revendications 1 et 2, dans laquelle un développement en hauteur de ladite paroi intérieure (34) est défini entre ladite protubérance supérieure (32) et un évidement en forme d'épaulement (33), ladite structure de support (10a) de ladite bande transporteuse venant en butée contre ladite paroi intérieure (34) et contre ledit évidement en forme d'épaulement (33), ladite structure de support étant en outre munie d'un téton (10a') adapté pour être encliqueté à l'intérieur du dit troisième siège (37).

4. La caisse de sortie selon la revendication 3, dans laquelle ledit troisième siège (37) est muni d'une ailette de blocage (37a) se prolongeant parallèlement à ladite paroi intérieure (34) pour fermer partiellement l'accès du dit siège de façon à éviter la sortie accidentelle du dit téton (10a').

5. La caisse de sortie selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle ledit quatrième siège (38) s'encliquette sur un bord ajusté (10b') d'un panneau de fermeture inférieur (10b) de ladite bande transporteuse.

6. La caisse de sortie selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle ledit quatrième siège (38) loge des moyens de vis pour la liaison avec un corps central du dit dispositif de lecture optique.

7. La caisse de sortie selon la revendication 6, dans laquelle ledit corps central est fixé au dit profilé (3) via des moyens de vis logés dans ledit premier siège (35).

8. La caisse de sortie selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle un bord supérieur (12a) du dit réceptacle d'emballage des marchandises (12) est inséré en force dans ledit premier siège (35).

9. La caisse de sortie selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle ladite protubérance supérieure (32) a une forme sensiblement trapézoïdale avec des côtés inclinés dans lesquels sont prévus des moyens de blocage (32a), adaptés pour permettre la liaison stable de dispositifs accessoires (32b).

10. La caisse de sortie selon la revendication 9, dans laquelle lesdits moyens de blocage sont des gorges opposées disposées parallèlement au dit axe principal (X), pour coopérer en force avec des parties en saillie des dits dispositifs accessoires agencés au-dessus de et à cheval sur ladite protubérance trapézoïdale (32).

11. La caisse de sortie selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle ladite paroi extérieure (31) comprend un guide central (31 a) pour recevoir par encliquetage une protection contre les chocs (31 b).

12. La caisse de sortie selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle ladite section transversale des dits profilés comprend en outre des cavités filetées (39a, 39b) disposées le long du dit axe (X) pour l'insertion de moyens de connexion pour connecter lesdits profilés (3) avec des traverses (4) qui délimitent ladite plateforme sur le côté d'entrée des marchandises et sur le côté de sortie.

13. La caisse de sortie selon la revendication 12, comprenant en outre des canaux d'allègement courant le long du dit axe (X) sur toute la longueur du profilé, au moins un canal d'allègement (39) étant disposé entre ladite base (30) et ledit quatrième siège (38), l'une des dites cavités filetées (39a) étant formée dans une paroi de séparation qui sépare ledit quatrième siège et le canal d'allègement (39), une deuxième des dites cavités filetées (39b) étant formées à l'intérieur du dit deuxième siège (36) dans l'angle adjacent au premier siège (35).

14. La caisse de sortie selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle ledit châssis de support (2) comprend des montants (20, 21) pour reposer sur ladite surface de plancher et positionnés à proximité de l'entrée des marchandises et des côtés de sortie de ladite plateforme, lesdits montants ayant une structure ouverte en forme de boîte avec des cavités se faisant face mutuellement, des étagères ou des tiroirs étant prévus à l'intérieur des dites cavités pour une utilisation par le personnel assis à la caisse.

15. La caisse de sortie selon la revendication 14, dans laquelle les profilés (3) sont reliés aux dits montants (20, 21) et comprennent respectivement deux longueurs de profilé en barre (3', 3") disposées sur ladite plateforme respectivement le long de ladite région d'entrée des marchandises (1a) et le long de ladite région d'emballage (1c), et un profilé en barre d'une seule pièce (3"') disposé sur toute la longueur de la plateforme (1) sur le côté de passage de la clientèle.

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