Interactive training system for merchandise bag packing and apparatus for same

a training system and interactive technology, applied in the field of training systems, can solve problems such as inconvenience for trainers and trainees, and achieve the effect of improving customer satisfaction and improving scores

US20070163841A1Inactive Publication Date: 2007-07-19HATCHER WILLIAM +1
27 Cites 12 Cited by

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2007-07-19
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

A bagging apparatus includes a bag support for thermoplastic merchandise bags in a bag pack, a bag opener holding open a bag mouth of the bags, a scale weighing items placed in the bag and a first indicator displaying information related to weight of items placed in the bag. The apparatus includes an item counter determining the number of items in the bag and a mechanism determining the volume of items in the bag. A second indicator signals when the counter reaches a predetermined item count. A third indicator signals when the mechanism indicates a predetermined volume is reached. A bag counter determines the number of bags removed from the apparatus. Circuitry transmits the weight-related, volume and item count information to a computer program for tracking the information for each bag filled. The circuitry also interfaces with a bag inventory system and generates bagger performance tracking information for each user.
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Description

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10 / 815,469 filed Mar. 31, 2004 and incorporates by reference the disclosure thereof.FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to the field of training systems, and more specifically to a computerized training system for packing of plastic grocery bags and the apparatus that the trained packer will use. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Grocery stores operate on very thin margins and compete heavily for customers. Judicious use of grocery bags affects competitiveness of grocery stores in at least two ways. First, bags in which customers carry their purchased groceries are given to the customers free of charge. Second, the manner in which the bags are packed by a grocery clerk are an essence part of the overall customer service experience and the last impression left upon the customer as they travel home.

[0004] In the former context, bags are an expense borne by the grocer as a courtesy to t...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0038] In accordance with the present invention, a computer game paradigm is used to train clerks in the art of packing bags of purchased merchandise. In this illustrative embodiment, the computer game paradigm simulates a bag packing environment in which a number of grocery items 202A-F (FIG. 2) move along a conveyor 204 toward a platform 210. The trainee using the computer simulation shown in FIGS. 1-16 uses graphical user interface (GUI) controls such as rotate buttons 206-208 (FIG. 2) and new bag buttons 212A-B and drag-and-drop interfaces to control simulated packing of bags. Upon completion of a round of bag packing, the trainee is evaluated on a number of packing criteria and provided with helpful suggestions in improving bag packing proficiency, and therefore future scores in future simulated bag packing sessions in the game shown in FIGS. 1-16.

[0039] In this illustrative embodiment, the game of FIGS. 1-16 operates in a computer system of generally conventional architecture...