Method and apparatus for printing merchandising information

• US 5,578,797 A
• Filed: 04/21/1994
• Issued: 11/26/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ishida Scales Mfg. Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Ishida Company Limited
• Inventors: Sielski, Joseph, Rawlings, Michael J., Hewitt, Richard C. W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gellner, Michael L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gibson, Randy W.
• Application Number:
  US08/230,711
• Time in Patent Office: 950 Days
• Field of Search: 177/2-5, 346/9, 428/40, 428/41, 428/42, 428/40.1, 428/41.7, 428/41.8, 428/42.1, 428/42.2, 428/42.3, 156/360
• US Class Current: 177/5
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/166 Editing, e.g. inserting or deleting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/387 Payment using discounts or coupons relating to marketing G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 1/02 employing selectable printing plates
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 5/00 Receipt-giving machines cash registers giving receipts G07G1/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/14 Layer or component removable to expose adhesive

Abstract

A weighing scale which includes a label printer for printing labels having a detachable portion. A label cassette is easily inserted or removed from the weighing scale. The label cassette is changed depending on the type of label to be printed. Standard labels can be printed, or labels having detachable portions along one side can be printed. The detachable portion can have merchandising information printed thereon including coupon information, advertising information, discounts, specials, and product information. The information on the label and detachable portions is easily edited by an operator at a control panel of the weighing scale. A conversational display is provided which allows easy editing and also allows specials, recipes, etc., to be displayed. A molded cover is provided to prevent moisture from entering the weighing scale without interfering with the operation of the weighing scale.

Claims

1. A weighing scale, comprising:

a label cassette easily inserted or removed from a cavity in the weighing scale;

labels, inserted into said label cassette, each one of said labels having an attachable portion and a detachable portion, the back side of said detachable portion being sticky or non-sticky, when the back side of said detachable portion is sticky, a backing being placed on the sticky layer,

the back side of said attachable portion being sticky to attach said attachable portion to a product,

when the back side of said detachable portion has said backing, said backing not being removed from said detachable portion when said attachable portion is attached to the product; and

printing means for printing said attachable portion of said labels, to be attached to a weighed product, with product information, and printing said detachable portion of said labels with merchandising information including coupon information.

2. A weighing scale according to claim 1, wherein said detachable portion of each one of said labels is detachable in a vertical direction along a left or right portion of said labels.

3. A weighing scale according to claim 1, wherein said detachable portion of said labels is detachable in a horizontal direction along a top or bottom portion of said labels.

4. A weighing scale including a cavity, said weighing scale comprising:

a label cassette insertable into and removable from the cavity;

labels, inserted into said label cassette, each one of said labels comprising;

an attachable portion comprising a first sticky back side, and

a detachable portion comprising one of a second sticky back side and a non-sticky back side, said second sticky back side being coupled to a backing, said backing not being removed from said detachable portion when said attachable portion is attached to a product; and

printing means for printing said attachable portion of said labels with product information, and for printing said detachable portion of said labels with merchandising information including coupon information.