Automated merchandising system

• US 4,073,368 A
• Filed: 07/12/1976
• Issued: 02/14/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Andrew J. Mustapick
• Original Assignee: Andrew J. Mustapick
• Inventors: Mustapick, Andrew J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Blix, Trygve M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Eisenzopf, Reinhard J.
• Application Number:
  US05/704,449
• Time in Patent Office: 582 Days
• Field of Search: 186/1 R, 186/1 C, 358/86 R, 358/93
• US Class Current: 186/53
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 10/02 for self-service type systems, e.g. supermarkets A47F10/06 takes precedence; hand-carts B62B; baskets B65D
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 3/04 Restaurants or shops having arrangements for self-service
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/00 Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus

Abstract

A plurality of communication stanchions are arranged in a parking lot, spaced one from the other, so that each merchandise customer may park their automobile adjacent a stanchion close enough to be able to use communication equipment carried by the stanchion without leaving the automobile. The communication equipment interconnects with a remote warehouse type market and includes a video receiver which displays for the customer the merchandise available for sale. Keyboard and voice units also interconnected with the warehouse, are provided at the communication stanchion for customer use to transmit to the warehouse a merchandise order. Within the warehouse goods are stored for ready access, either by order clerks, or automatic order picking equipment. The order once picked is tabulated, bagged and forwarded either directly to the stanchion where the customer pays and the order is placed in the customer'"'"'s automobile or to a central leading area which the customer moves to pay a cashier and have the goods loaded into the automobile.

Claims

1. An automated merchandising system comprising:

a goods storage building;

a plurality of communications stanchions arranged outside of and remote from said goods storage building but electrically and electronically interconnected therewith;

said communications stanchions being spaced one from the other a distance sufficient to permit an automobile to be parked adjacent thereto;

a goods ordering unit carried by each of said communications stanchions so as to be electrically and electronically interconnected therewith and through said communications stanchion to said goods storage building wherein said goods ordering units are removable from their respective stanchions and into the automobile parked adjacent thereto while still remaining electrically and electronically interconnected to said goods storage building; and

each said goods ordering unit being accessable to an occupant of an automobile when parked adjacent said communications stanchion and being provided with video display means operable by the customer to display goods available at said goods storage building and data transmission means to transmit to said goods storage building data indicative of goods which the automobile occupant desires to obtain.

2. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein said display means are activated in response to pre-recorded video tape transmission means housed in said goods storage building.

3. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein said data transmission means includes keyboard means and voice communication means.

4. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein data storage means, housed within said goods storage building is electrically and electronically interconnected with said communications stanchions to receive data transmitted from said ordering unit and to compile a goods order in response thereto.

5. The merchandising system of claim 4 wherein goods, stored in said goods storage building, are selected by order picking means in response to said goods order compiled by said data storage means;

to be thereafter assembled by order assembly means and delivered to the customer.

6. The merchandising system of claim 5 including indicator means carried by said goods ordering means for advising the customer to remain parked at the stanchion for goods delivery and payment.

7. The merchandising system of claim 6 wherein said indicating means may selectively advise the customer to proceed to a designated area for goods payment and pick-up.

8. The merchandising system of claim 1 wherein said goods storage building includes goods receiving means and means for restocking the goods for future order picking.