Automated bulk self-checkout station apparatus

Abstract

An automatic bulk self-checkout apparatus includes several purchase items, each item being marked with a bar code containing item price information, a purchase item holder for retaining purchase items as they are gathered and transported to a checkout area of a store, a bar code scanner assembly for reading the bar codes while the items are inside the item holder and for sending information contained in the bar codes as signals, a bar code processing assembly for receiving and converting the signals into numerical price data and for totalling prices of the items within the item holder. The apparatus preferably includes a tunnel structure having an entry port, an exit port, a top wall and two opposing side walls and a floor, and sized to receive through the ports the item holder, where the scanner assembly is located within the tunnel structure and oriented to scan the bar codes on the items within the item holder. The apparatus also preferably includes a conveyor belt for automatically transporting the item holder through the tunnel structure from the entry port to the exit port. The apparatus may additionally include a first sensor assembly for sensing an item holder placed at the entry port and activating the conveyor belt for a prescribed time duration. A method of checking out purchase items includes the steps of placing the items into the purchase item holder, reading the bar codes with the scanner assembly while the items remain in the holder, and totaling prices indicated in the bar codes.