Spectra-physics Gmbh

Toledo Scale Corporation

James F Million

Howard H Nojiri

Nigel G Mills

David L Latimer

Louis J Guzzo, Jr

Eric L Brandenburg

Steven R Grimm

David S Platt

A data gathering system adapted to be installed within a checkout counter for determining information about products presented for purchase at the counter including the weight of such products comprises two support flanges within the checkout counter. The support flanges define a portion of an upper surface of the data gathering system and a scale supported by the flanges defines the remaining upper surface which comprises a weighing platter for the scale. A scale calibrating and zeroing system is incorporated into the support flanges to be accessible through the upper surface of the data gathering system such that the scale can be periodically zeroed and calibrated as necessary to maintain the accuracy of the scale without removal of the data gathering system from the counter.

Scale calibration/zeroing in data gathering system

A spill control mounting arrangement for a data gathering system which is installed within a checkout counter comprises configuring the data gathering system in two parts, a first part of the system being mounted below an upper surface of the counter and a second part of the system being supported thereon. The footprint of the first part is smaller than the footprint of the second part such that the first part is substantially shielded from spilled liquids by the second part which is constructed to be impervious to such liquids. In particular, the first part may comprise a mounting channel extending across the counter and being substantially narrower in width than the second part, approximately one third the width. Components of the data gathering system are mounted within the channel for mechanical protection as well as protection from spilled liquids. A crowned channel cover can also be provided to prevent a substantial portion of any spilled liquids from entering the channel. Any spilled liquids which do enter the channel, for example at the ends of the channel cover, are drained from the channel by making the floor of the channel peaked near its center and sloped downwardly toward drainage slots formed at both ends of the channel.

Spill control mounting for data gathering system

Housing/mounting apparatus for a data gathering system inserted into a checkout counter and including a weighing scale and an optical scanner supported thereon for scanning bar code labels and defining an upper weighing surface of the scale comprises a base supported within the checkout counter for supporting the data gathering system with the scale being secured to the base. A perimeter enclosure is secured to the base and houses the optical scanner. The scale includes a spider load receiving plate supported within the perimeter enclosure through an aperture in its floor. Locator pins and corresponding holes stably position the optical scanner on the scale load receiving plate and the optical scanner thus positioned is sized such that clearance gaps required for proper operation of the weighing scale are defined between the optical scanner and the perimeter enclosure. Leveling and fastener or clamping devices are incorporated into the base to facilitate installation and maintenance of the system. By incorporating these devices into the mounting base, the system can be positioned, leveled and secured in place after the base is installed in a checkout counter to eliminate iterative operations. Scanner height adjustments are performed and limits on scale travel are defined by devices incorporated onto the weighing platter adding further to the versatility and ease of installation/maintenance of a data gathering system incorporating the housing/mounting apparatus.

Data gathering system housing/mounting

A two part data gathering system for use in a checkout counter to determine information relating to products to be purchased comprises a scale freely suspended within the checkout counter for determining weights of products, the scale including a scale load receiving plate located below the upper surface of the counter. An optical scanner is supported upon the scale load receiving plate for reading coded labels on the products. The optical scanner has an upper surface including an optical scanning window through which scanning light beams pass and is vertically positioned such that its upper surface is substantially aligned with the upper surface of the checkout counter when the optical scanner is supported upon the scale load receiving plate. The weight of the optical scanner is eliminated from the weight readings provided by the scale and the upper surface of the optical scanner becomes the scale weighing platter for receiving products to be weighed by the scale. The data gathering system is freely suspended by a hanging cradle support to ease and facilitate installation and removal of the system.

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Powell, OH, United States of America

James F Million