Receipt collection box

Abstract

To provide a receipt collection box in which a receipt can be efficiently disposed of.SOLUTION: A receipt collection box of an embodiment includes a storage shelf, an unnecessary receipt receiver, and a receipt collection storage part. The storage shelf forms a storage space, a first opening communicating with the storage space, and a second opening opposite to the first opening in the storage space and communicating with the storage space. The unnecessary receipt receiver is fitted in the first opening, accepts a receipt from a receipt receiving port that receives the receipt, and guides the receipt into the storage space included in the storage shelf. The receipt collection storage part stores the receipt guided by the unnecessary receipt receiver and is movable in a first opening direction and a second opening direction in the storage space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention relates to a receipt collection box. [Background technology]

[0002] In the past, a point-of-sale (POS) register was placed on a counter, and a store clerk would transact with a customer across the counter. After the transaction, a receipt was output from the receipt output port of a receipt printer built into or connected to the POS register, and discharged to the shopper. If the shopper needed a receipt, they would take it out, but if they didn't, they would leave it there. For this reason, a receipt collection container was provided below the receipt output port to collect receipts and prevent unwanted receipts from scattering on the floor or elsewhere. However, in conventional receipt collection boxes, the receipt outlet is located on the customer side, so the receipt collection box is also attached to the customer side. In particular, when the receipt collection box is installed on the customer side of the counter, the store clerk must go around to the customer side to remove receipts from the receipt collection box, making the process of disposing of receipts inefficient. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-38834 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a receipt collection box that allows receipts to be disposed of efficiently. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the receipt collection box of the embodiment has a storage shelf, an unnecessary receipt receiver, Receipt Collection DepartmentThe storage shelf defines a storage space, a first opening that communicates with the storage space, and a second opening that faces the first opening within the storage space and communicates with the storage space. The unwanted receipt receiver fits into the first opening, receives receipts through a receipt receiving port, and guides the receipts into the storage space of the storage shelf. Receipt Collection Department The unwanted receipt receiver stores the guided receipts and is movable within the storage space toward the first opening and the second opening. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a POS system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the overall configuration of a receipt printer and a storage shelf that stores receipt collection boxes according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a receipt printer and a slider member according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a mounting unit and a base unit according to a first embodiment; [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a configuration of a placement unit according to a first embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a base portion of a slider member according to a first embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a receipt collection box according to a first embodiment, viewed from the upstream side in the receipt discharge direction; [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a receipt collection box according to a first embodiment, viewed from the downstream side in the receipt discharge direction. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the overall configuration of a storage shelf according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the receipt collection unit in the third embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modification of the receipt printer according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 12]FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an example of the operation of moving a receipt printer toward a store clerk according to a modification of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an example of the operation of moving a receipt printer of a modification of the fourth embodiment to the customer side. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the unwanted receipt receiver according to the first embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] This embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0008] (First embodiment) 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a POS system. The POS system comprises a storage shelf 1, a POS (hereinafter referred to as a cash register) 2, a change dispenser 3, a receipt printer 10, and a receipt collection box 20. In this embodiment of the POS system, a store clerk SA and a customer C serve each other face-to-face with the storage shelf 1 in between.

[0009] The storage shelf 1 holds the accounting machine 2 and also houses a change dispenser 3, a receipt printer 10, and a receipt collection box 20 inside. The accounting machine 2 registers and settles items purchased by customers. The change dispenser 3 has a cash slot through which coins and bills are inserted and through which change is dispensed, and the cash slot is located on the customer C side. In this embodiment, a portion of the change dispenser 3 stored in the storage shelf 1, such as the cash slot, is exposed to the outside of the storage shelf 1. The change dispenser 3 may also be placed on the storage shelf 1 together with the accounting machine 2. The receipt printer 10 is connected to the accounting machine 2 by wire or wirelessly and prints receipts for transactions.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the overall configuration of a storage shelf 1 that stores a receipt printer 10 and a receipt collection box 20. The storage shelf 1 uses a top panel 4, a front panel 5, and shelf panels 6 to form a storage space for storing a change dispenser 3 (not shown), receipt printer 10, receipt collection box 20, and receipt collection unit 21. The side of the storage shelf 1 facing the clerk SA and a part of the front panel 5 facing the customer C side form openings that allow the storage space to communicate with the outside. By forming openings on both the customer C side and the clerk SA side, the storage space is formed as a hole that opens toward the customer C side and the clerk SA side. The top panel 4, front panel 5, and shelf panels 6, which form the exterior of the storage shelf 1, may be made of metal as well as plastic. The storage shelf 1 stores receipt collection boxes 20 in a storage space below the receipt printer 10 and the receipt collection unit 21 housed therein.

[0011] The receipt collection box 20 is made up of a receipt collection unit 21 and an unwanted receipt receiver 22. The receipt collection unit 21 is located in the storage space below the receipt printer 10, and the receipt collection unit 21 and unwanted receipt receiver 22 are attached by fitting into holes that communicate with the storage space that houses the receipt collection unit 21. In other words, the unwanted receipt receiver 22 that makes up the receipt collection box 20 is positioned so that it protrudes outward from the storage shelf 1.

[0012] 3 to 6 are perspective views illustrating the receipt printer 10 and slider member 12. The receipt printer 10 has a receipt outlet 11. The receipt printer 10 is installed on the slider member 12 and is stored in the storage space of the storage shelf 1. The slider member 12 has a printer handle 13, a mounting portion 14, a protrusion 15, a base portion 16, and a groove portion 17. The receipt printer 10 also stores roll paper.

[0013] The receipt printer 10 prints on a receipt the accounting information of the transaction processed by the payment device 2. This accounting information includes the product name, product price, total price of the product, tax rate, amount paid, change, etc. In addition to the accounting information, the receipt printer 10 may also print advertisements, etc.

[0014] The receipt discharge port 11 discharges receipts in the receipt discharge direction S, for example.

[0015] The printer handle 13 is gripped when moving the receipt printer 10 placed on the placement section 14. The receipt printer 10 may be fixed to the slider member 12, or may be detachably installed.

[0016] The protrusions 13 guide the mounting portion 14 so that the receipt printer 10 moves in a fixed direction. As shown in Figure 5, multiple protrusions 13 are formed on the bottom surface of the mounting portion 14. The protrusions 13 may be formed separately from the mounting portion 14 and then joined, or they may be formed integrally with the printer handle 13.

[0017] The base 16 has a groove 17 that works in conjunction with the protrusion 15 to ensure that the receipt printer 10 moves in a fixed direction. The base 16 also limits the movement of the receipt printer 10, i.e., the movement of the mounting section 14. As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the base 16 has a groove 17 formed on its top surface that contacts the bottom surface of the mounting section 14. This seat groove 17 fits into the protrusion 13, allowing the mounting section 14 to slide between the customer C side and the store clerk SA side. Within the groove 17, the first groove 17a, which extends from the customer C side toward the store clerk SA side, ends midway along its extension toward the store clerk SA side. Within the base groove 17, the second groove 17b, which extends from the store clerk SA side toward the customer C side, ends midway along its extension toward the customer C side. The first groove 17a cooperates with the projection 13 to restrict the movement of the placement unit 14 toward the store clerk SA. The second groove 17b cooperates with the projection 13 to restrict the movement of the placement unit 14 toward the customer C. That is, The groove 17 limits the range of movement of the placement section 14 on which the receipt printer 10 is placed.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an example receipt collection box 20 according to the first embodiment, viewed from the upstream side in the receipt discharge direction. The receipt collection box 20 includes a receipt collection section 21 and an unwanted receipt tray 22. The receipt collection section 21 stores unwanted receipts. The receipt collection section 21 is surrounded by an outer wall 24 on three sides, including the side and the store clerk SA side, and stores unwanted receipts. Receipts are collected into the receipt collection section 21 from the side of the receipt collection section 21 that does not have the outer wall 24. The bottom of the receipt collection section 21 slopes downward from the customer C side toward the store clerk SA side. This allows the receipt collection section 21 to guide collected receipts from the customer C side toward the store clerk SA, preventing receipts from accumulating on the customer C side and preventing receipts from overflowing into the storage shelf 1. In this embodiment, the receipt collection section 21 has an inclined bottom, but the receipt receiving surface of the receipt collection section 21 may also have an outer wall that is lower than the outer wall of the side.

[0019] The unwanted receipt receiver 22 guides ejected receipts that are not accepted by the shopper to the receipt collection unit 21. The unwanted receipt receiver 22 has an outer wall 24, and part of the outer wall 24 is exposed from the storage shelf 1. The unwanted receipt receiver 22, along with outer walls 24a, 24b, and 24c and the front panel 5 of the storage shelf 1, form a receipt receiving opening for receiving receipts and a receipt discharge opening for discharging receipts. The receipt receiving opening and receipt discharge opening are formed by fitting the receipt discharge opening side of the unwanted receipt receiver 22 into an opening on the customer C side of the storage shelf 1. Furthermore, when the receipt discharge opening of the unwanted receipt receiver 22 fits into the storage shelf 1, part of the outer wall 24 of the unwanted receipt receiver 22 is positioned on the trajectory along which the printer handle 13 or base 16 moves toward customer C.

[0020] The receipt collection unit 21 is equipped with a connection member 23a on the customer C side. The connection member 23a connects to a connection member 23b (see FIG. 8) provided at the bottom of the unwanted receipt tray 22 on the store clerk SA side.

[0021] In connection member 23, independent components are joined together as a single component by connecting connection member 23a with connection member 23b corresponding to connection member 23a. Connection member 23 is, for example, an adhesive member such as a magnet or Velcro (registered trademark), or a member having a protrusion on one side and a hole on the other.

[0022] Next, a description will be given of the operation of the receipt printer 10 and receipt collection box 20 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the receipt printer 10 and receipt collection box 20 are operated by a store clerk SA.

[0023] First, we will explain how the receipt printer 10 moves. The receipt printer 10 can move toward customer C or toward store clerk SA. To move the receipt printer 10 toward customer C, store clerk SA grasps the handle 12 and pushes the mounting portion 14 of the slider member 12 toward customer C. The mounting portion 14 is restricted in movement by a groove 17 in the base 16, so it will not fall off the storage shelf 1. When the slider member 12 is pushed toward customer C, if part of the outer wall 24 of the unwanted receipt tray 22 is positioned on the path along which the receipt printer 10 moves, it will come into contact with the printer handle 13, causing the unwanted receipt tray 22 to come off the storage shelf 1.

[0024] To move the receipt printer 10 toward the store clerk SA, the store clerk SA grasps the handle 12 and pulls the slider member 12 toward the store clerk SA. The movement of the mounting section 14 is restricted by a groove 17 in the base section 16, so it will not fall off the storage shelf 1. By pulling the slider section 12, the store clerk SA can pull the receipt printer 10 out of the storage shelf 1, making it easy to replace the roll of paper inside the receipt printer 10.

[0025] Next, we will explain how to operate the receipt collection box 20. First, the store clerk SA fits the unwanted receipt receiver 22 into the opening on the customer C side of the storage space that houses the receipt collection unit 21. Once the unwanted receipt receiver 22 has been attached to the storage shelf 1, the store clerk SA places the receipt collection unit 21 in the storage space below the storage space that houses the receipt printer 10, and connects the receipt collection unit 21 and the unwanted receipt receiver 22 with the connecting member 23.

[0026] When the receipt collection unit 21 is full of receipts, the store clerk SA grasps the handle 24 on the receipt collection unit 21 and pulls it toward the store clerk SA to remove the receipt collection unit 21 from the storage shelf 1 and discard the receipts. After discarding the receipts, the store clerk SA places the receipt collection unit 21 in the storage space and reconnects it to the unwanted receipt tray 22 using the connecting member 23.

[0027] This configuration allows the receipt printer 10 to be easily moved within the storage space using the slider member 12, making it possible to efficiently replace the roll paper. Furthermore, the configuration of the receipt collection box 20 allows the store clerk to operate the receipt collection box 20 without having to go around to the customer C side, even when the store clerk is standing on the SA side, allowing for efficient disposal of receipts.

[0028] (Second embodiment) In this second embodiment, the same parts as in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. Parts with similar operations (functions) to those in the first embodiment are also designated by the same reference numerals. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the receipt collection unit 21 is not connected to the unwanted receipt tray 22. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the overall configuration of the storage shelf 1 in the second embodiment. In this embodiment, the receipt collection section 30 that collects receipts in the receipt collection box 20 is located away from the unwanted receipt receiver 22. Specifically, the receipt collection section 30 is downstream of the unwanted receipt receiver 22 in the receipt discharge direction S, and is located below the unwanted receipt receiver 22. This configuration of the unwanted receipt receiver 22 also makes it possible to efficiently remove receipts stored in the receipt collection box. Furthermore, because the receipt collection section 30 is located away from the unwanted receipt receiver 22, the receipt collection section 30 that collects receipts can be changed to any shape.

[0029] The operation of the receipt collection unit 30 in the second embodiment will be described. Note that the operation of the unwanted receipt receiver 22 is the same as in the first embodiment, so it will be omitted. After the unwanted receipt receiver 22 is installed, the receipt collection unit 30 is placed downstream in the receipt discharge direction S within the storage shelf 1, below the unwanted receipt receiver 22. When the receipt collection unit 30 is full of receipts, the store clerk SA takes the receipt collection unit 30 and pulls it toward the store clerk SA to remove it from the storage shelf 1 and discard the receipts.

[0030] (Third embodiment) The third embodiment will now be described. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. The same operating (action) parts as those in the first embodiment will also be designated by the same reference numerals and described. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a pad 25 is provided between the receipt collection unit 21 and the storage shelf 1 to guide the movement of the receipt collection unit 21.

[0031] Figure 10 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the receipt collection unit 21 of the receipt collection box 20. The receipt collection unit 21 of the receipt collection box 20 has a groove 24 on its bottom surface. The receipt collection unit 21 has an underlay 25 below it. The underlay 25, located below the receipt collection unit 21, has a protrusion 26 that corresponds to the groove 24. The receipt collection unit 21 has a groove 24 on its bottom surface. The protrusion 26 fits into the groove 24 on the receipt collection unit 21, allowing the receipt collection unit 21 to move along the protrusion 26. In other words, the protrusion 26 of the underlay 25 limits the movement of the receipt collection unit 21.

[0032] Alternatively, a groove 24 may be provided on the side of the receipt collection unit 21, the underlay 25 may be formed to cover the side of the receipt collection unit 21, and the protrusion 26 may fit into the groove 24 provided on the side of the receipt collection unit 21. Also, although it has been described that a groove 24 is provided on the bottom surface of the receipt collection unit 21 and a protrusion 26 corresponding to this groove 24 is provided on the underlay 25 placed under the receipt collection unit 21, it is also possible that the receipt collection unit 21 has a protrusion 26 provided thereon and the underlay 25 has a groove 24 provided thereon.

[0033] According to this embodiment, the receipt collection unit 21 can efficiently discard receipts, and the receipt collection unit 21 and the unwanted receipt tray 22 can be connected more easily via the connecting member 22.

[0034] (Fourth embodiment) In the first embodiment, the slider member 12 is configured such that the mounting portion 14 is placed on the base portion 16, and the bottom surface of the mounting portion 14 is connected to the top surface of the base portion 16 by fitting grooves and protrusions therebetween. However, this is not limiting. For example, the base portion 32 may be U-shaped or concave, and protrusions (or grooves) on the inner wall (inner side) of the base portion 32 may fit into grooves (or protrusions) on the side of the mounting portion 14. FIGS. 11 to 13 are perspective views illustrating modified examples of the slider member 12. The base portion 32 is U-shaped (or concave), with an open surface that contacts the mounting portion 14, and the mounting portion 14 is positioned inside this U-shape. In addition, protrusions 31 are formed on the inner wall of the base portion 32. Two pairs of protrusions 31 are formed at different heights on the customer C side and the store clerk SA side. Specifically, a protrusion 31a is formed on the customer C side, and a protrusion 31b is formed on the store clerk SA side. In addition, grooves 33 corresponding to the protrusions 31 are formed on the printer handle 12 and the mounting portion 14.

[0035] The printer handle 12 and the mounting portion 14 are equipped with grooves 33 that work in conjunction with the protrusions 31 to limit the movement of the receipt printer 10 to a fixed direction. The base 16 also limits the movement of the receipt printer 10, i.e., the mounting portion 14. The grooves 33 fit into the protrusions 31, allowing the mounting portion 14 to slide between the customer C side and the store clerk SA side. The third groove 33a of the grooves 33 extends from the customer C side toward the store clerk SA side and ends midway along its extension toward the store clerk SA side. The fourth groove 33b of the base groove 16 extends from the store clerk SA side toward the customer C side and ends midway along its extension toward the customer C side. The third groove 33a works in conjunction with the fitting protrusions 31a to limit the movement of the mounting portion 14 toward the customer C side. The fourth groove 33b cooperates with the fitted protrusion 31b to limit movement of the placement unit 14 toward the store clerk SA. In other words, the groove 33 limits the range of movement of the placement unit 14 on which the receipt printer 10 is placed.

[0036] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and various modifications are possible. In the above example, the unwanted receipt receiver 22 has outer walls 23a, 23b, and 23c, and the storage shelf 1, forming the receipt receiving opening and receipt discharge opening. However, as shown in Figure 14, the unwanted receipt receiver 22 may have outer wall 23d so that it contacts the front panel 5, which is the exterior of the storage shelf 1. A magnet may also be provided on outer wall d.

[0037] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments may be embodied in various forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications are intended to be included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the inventions and their equivalents as set forth in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1...Storage shelf 10...Printer 11...Receipt outlet 20...Receipt collection box 21...Receipt collection section 22...Unwanted receipt holder 23...Connecting member 24...Exterior wall 25...Cardboard 30...Receipt collection section

Claims

1. a storage space; a first opening communicating with the storage space; and a connection between the first opening and the storage space. a storage shelf that faces the storage space and defines a second opening that communicates with the storage space; a receipt receiving opening that fits into the first opening and receives a receipt; an unwanted receipt tray that guides receipts into the storage space of the storage shelf; The unwanted receipt receiver receives the guided receipts and guides them toward the first opening in the receiving space. a receipt collection unit that is movable toward the receiving side and the second opening side; A receipt collection box with

2. A first connecting member is provided in the receipt collection section, and a second connecting member is provided in the unwanted receipt receiver. the first connecting member and the second connecting member are connected to the receipt collecting unit and the non-received 2. The receipt collection box according to claim 1, wherein a receipt holder is provided on each of the contacting surfaces.

3. The receipt collecting section is provided with a groove, and the receipt collecting section has a base with a protrusion that fits into the groove.

3. The receipt collection box according to claim 1 or 2.

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