Inventory Processing Cart with Integrated Weighing and Stowing System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current practices for removing unsatisfactory store products from the salesfloor require separate accounting, which is inefficient and prevents store representatives from assisting customers during the process.
Innovation Solution
An inventory processing cart with a body portion, weighing device, and stowing system that allows for simultaneous accounting and classification of products by weight, featuring multiple zones for different types of culled produce, enabling on-site disposal and accounting without leaving the salesfloor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If store product is removed from the salesfloor for disposal, then inventory standards are maintained, but separate accounting is required which reduces productivity and prevents customer assistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the accounting function (weighing device) and the disposal function (stowing system) into a single integrated cart. The weighing device is positioned within the cart body, and the stowing system is located in the interior region, allowing both accounting and disposal to occur simultaneously at the salesfloor location, eliminating the need for separate accounting procedures and enabling store representatives to assist customers throughout the entire process
2Measurement precision
If store product is accounted for at a location unseen from the salesfloor, then inventory accuracy is improved, but the store representative cannot assist customers during accounting
Solution Approach 1:
The cart serves as an intermediary platform that brings the weighing and accounting functions directly to the salesfloor. The weighing device and stowing system are positioned within the cart body at the salesfloor location, acting as a mediator that enables accurate inventory accounting while simultaneously maintaining store representative availability for customer assistance. The cart interior region with its stowing system provides the necessary containment for accurate measurement while remaining accessible at the point of sale
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of culled produce are separated into different zones, then inventory classification is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cart's interior region is segmented into multiple zones, with each zone associated with a container stowed by the stowing system that is designated to receive a different class of culled produce. This segmentation allows for the classification and separate storage of different types of culled produce (e.g., different produce types, different quality levels, different destinations) within the unified cart structure, providing versatility without requiring entirely separate systems for each classification category
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and accurate accounting of removed products while allowing store representatives to remain available for customer assistance, improving inventory management and reducing waste disposal time.
Implementation Method 1
a weighing device positioned on a shelf operably coupled to the body portion, the weighing device configured to obtain a weight of produce culled from a salesfloor
Data Source
AI summary
A inventory processing cart including a body portion, the body portion having a top surface and a plurality of walls that define an interior region between the plurality of walls and beneath the top surface, an opening in the top surface, the opening providing access to the interior region of the body portion, a weighing device, the weighing device positioned proximate the opening in the top surface of the body portion, a stowing system disposed within the interior region of the body portion, the stowing system configured to receive one or more containers within the interior region of the body portion, wherein the opening is configured to receive store product that has been accounted for by the weighing device, is provided. Furthermore, an associated method is also provided.