System and method for providing delivery of goods

• US 20090083162A1
• Filed: 09/21/2007
• Published: 03/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: WW Grainger Incorporated
• Original Assignee: WW Grainger Incorporated
• Inventors: Rimnac, George C. JR.
• Application Number:
  US11/903,366
• Publication Number:
  US 20090083162A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]

Abstract

In connection with the delivery of goods ordered by a customer, a system and method functions to use information associated with the customer and/or goods ordered by the customer to determine additional goods that are likely to be of interest to the customer. The additional goods may then be included on a delivery vehicle whereupon the additional goods may be offered for sale to the customer. The offer for sale may be made directly from the delivery vehicle or by stocking and offering the additional goods at a wholesaler location, such as a vending machine, wholesaler branch location, etc.

Claims

1. A method for providing delivery of goods, comprising:

receiving from a customer a request which specifies a good for delivery;

determining one or more additional goods likely to be purchased with the good specified for delivery;

including the good specified for delivery and the one or more additional goods on a delivery vehicle;

delivering from the delivery vehicle to the customer the goods specified for delivery; and

in connection with delivery of the goods specified for delivery causing the one or more additional goods included on the delivery vehicle to be made available for purchase by the customer.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein determining one or more additional goods likely to be purchased with the good specified for delivery comprises considering a purchasing history of the customer.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein determining one or more additional goods likely to be purchased with the good specified for delivery comprises considering other goods purchased with the good specified for delivery.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein determining one or more additional goods likely to be purchased with the good specified for delivery comprises considering maintenance history of a piece of equipment operated by the customer.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein determining one or more additional goods likely to be purchased with the good specified for delivery comprises considering purchasing history of other customers having one or more demographic characteristics in common with the customer.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising offering to the customer the one or more additional items for sale directly from the delivery vehicle.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising stocking the one or more additional items within a vending machine for sale to the customer.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising using an automated system to pick and pack the good specified for delivery and the one or more additional goods for placement on the delivery vehicle.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising packing the one or more additional goods within a bin housable on a rolling rack.

10. A computer-readable media having embedded computer executable instruction for use in connection with providing delivery of goods, the instructions performing steps comprising:

receiving from a customer a request which specifies a good for delivery;

determining one or more additional goods likely to be purchased with the good specified for delivery; and

causing the good specified for delivery and the one or more additional goods to be picked and packed for loading on a delivery vehicle whereupon, in connection with the delivering of the goods specified for delivery to the customer, the one or more additional goods included on the delivery vehicle are made available for purchase by the customer.

11. The computer-readable media as recited in claim 10, wherein the instructions process a payment made in connection with a purchase of one or more additional goods included on the delivery vehicle.

12. The computer-readable media as recited in claim 10, wherein the instructions determine one or more additional goods likely to be purchased with the good specified for delivery by considering other goods purchased with the good specified for delivery.

13. The computer-readable media as recited in claim 10, wherein the instructions determine one or more additional goods likely to be purchased with the good specified for delivery by considering maintenance history of a piece of equipment operated by the customer.

14. The computer-readable media as recited in claim 10, wherein the instructions determine one or more additional goods likely to be purchased with the good specified for delivery by considering purchasing history of other customers having one or more demographic characteristics in common with the customer.