Smarte Carte, Inc.

Conwed Corporation

Other

Eugene R Pastien

James M Muellner

Michael G Kelly

A multi-purpose luggage cart (10) is disclosed. The cart includes first and second primary support wheels (24a) and (24b) coaxially mounted to a lower frame (11) adjacent the trailing end (11a) and at oppositely disposed sides. A caster (25) is rotatable about a vertical axis (28) and is mounted to the lower frame (11) along its longitudinal axis (12) and adjacent the forward end (11b), wherein the primary support wheels (24a) and (24b) and the caster (25) movably support the lower frame and cart on a floor surface. An upper frame portion (40) includes a cross bar (43), a longitudinal bar portion (44) and a handle portion (45). A step support member (33) is cooperatively connected to the lower frame (11) proximate the forward end (11b) in order to stabilize the cart (10) and prevent movement of the cart (10) when it is positioned upon an escalator.

Cart apparatus with improved handle

Shopping cart

A cart conveyor and dispensing device (10) is a preferred embodiment of the invention and is described herein. The conveyor (10) includes means for propelling a cart (26) through the conveyor (10). The propelling means includes a continuous member that carries a member for releasably engaging the rotating portion of a cart wheel. In a preferred embodiment, a chain assembly (29) carries crosspieces (46) that engage the center wheel (52) of the cart (26). If the cart is precluded from progressing through the conveyor (10), the chain assembly (29) continues to move with the crosspieces (46) rolling past the center wheel (52) without damaging the cart (26). A plurality of conveyor sections can be interconnected to create, for example, a three-conveyor system (91) that may accommodate more carts (26) and presents a return end (12) at a locus more conducive to return of carts (26) for the appropriate rewards.

Cart conveyor and dispenser apparatus

A lock mechanism (12) discriminates between 'valid' and 'invalid' keys that are mounted to grocery carts (114). A valid key (98) includes a key portion (106) that passes through an ingress template opening (21) and into the lock mechanism (12). The lock mechanism (12) includes a first door (42) and a second door (62) through which the key (98) must pass. Opening the first door (42) causes a door latch (50) to engage the second door (62) so that the second door (62) cannot be opened while the first door (42) is open. Once the first door (42) closes the second door is 'enabled' to open, the door latch (50) returning to its original position. A depth gauge (66) is acted upon by the lowermost portion (112) of the key (98) so that the depth gauge (66) disengages from the second door (62) to allow the second door ( 62) to open once it is engaged by the valid key (98). Opening the second door (62) cocks a vend bar (40) which is connected to a vend mechanism within a dispenser column (14). Once the valid key (98) passes beyond the second door (62), the second door (62) returns to its original position and the vend bar (40) uncocks, thus causing the dispenser mechanism to issue a reward to the returner of the cart. A channel (16) prevents the cart key from being upwardly removed once the cart key engages the channel (16) subsequent to passing through the lock mechanism (12).

Vehicle lock apparatus and method

An improved wrapping material for palletized loads which are tension wrapped is disclosed. A plastic net material comprising the plurality of sets of strands, the strands of at least one said set being substantially parallel, is oriented along said one said set to have a stretch factor of less than 15% in the oriented direction. This net is used for wrapping about pelletized loads and gives substantially improved results over known plastic net materials used in tension wrapping of palletized loads.

Plastic netting for load unitization

An improved wrapping material for palletized loads is disclosed. A plastic net material which has been biaxially oriented to have a stretch factor of less than 15% under specified conditions is used for wrapping about the palletized load.

Growing community of inventors

Moundsview, MN, United States of America

Eugene R Pastien