US3882982A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for encouraging return of shopping carts
Assignee: CARA CHARLES
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Filing: 1969-03-07
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Granted: 1975-05-13
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Expires: 1989-03-07
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for encouraging return of shopping carts to the store including a detector and dispenser triggered by the return of a shopping cart belonging to the store, the device having a first photocell and light source detector which is sensitive to reflective indicia mounted on shopping carts belonging to the store. The first photocell is coupled to an ejector mechanism which ejects a reward medium, such as a game contest piece, to a pickup station. The piece at the pickup station interrupts the beam of light trained on a second photocell to thereby disable the dispenser until the piece is manually removed from the pickup station. The reflective indicia may be colored and a filter interposed before the second photocell.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert M Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 10:20
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/06; G07F7/0618; G07F7/0636; G07F7/0627
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
A device for detecting movement of shopping carts through a location on a passageway and dispensing an article in response to said movement, comprising an indicia carried on each of the shopping carts to be detected, a detector for detecting movement of shopping carts carrying said indicia through said location, said detector comprising a light source positioned to provide reflective light from said indicia in a form discriminating from ambient light emanating from said location, a photosensitive cell located in position to receive said reflective light and be selectively responsive to the light reflected from said indicia, and an electric circuit including said photosensitive cell and switch means operated by said cell, and a dispenser operatively associated with said circuit and its switch means for dIspensing an award medium in response to the operation of the detector caused by movement of a shopping cart carrying said indicia through said location, said dispenser being located a sufficient distance from the detector that a person pushing the shopping cart through the detector location cannot reach the article dispensed without continuing along the passageway beyond the operative location.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
185 words
A device for detecting movement of shopping carts through a location on a passageway and dispensing an article in response to said movement, comprising an indicia carried on each of the shopping carts to be detected, a detector for detecting movement of shopping carts carrying said indicia through said location, said detector comprising a light source positioned to provide reflective light from said indicia in a form discriminating from ambient light emanating from said location, a photosensitive cell located in position to receive said reflective light and be selectively responsive to the light reflected from said indicia, and an electric circuit including said photosensitive cell and switch means operated by said cell, and a dispenser operatively associated with said circuit and its switch means for dIspensing an award medium in response to the operation of the detector caused by movement of a shopping cart carrying said indicia through said location, said dispenser being located a sufficient distance from the detector that a person pushing the shopping cart through the detector location cannot reach the article dispensed without continuing along the passageway beyond the operative location.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device for shopping carts as described in claim 1, in which means are provided in the passageway to prevent reversal of movement of the shopping cart.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device for shopping carts as discribed in claim 2, in which sound means are also provided, said sound means being responsive to the dispensing of a reward medium for signaling such operation to the store personel.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
217 words
A device for detecting movement of shopping carts through a location on a passageway and dispensing an article in response to said movement, comprising an indicia carried on each of the shopping carts to be detected, a detector for detecting movement of shopping carts carrying said indicia through said location, said detector comprising a light source positioned to provide reflective light from said indicia in a form discriminating from ambient light emanating from said location, a photosensitive cell located in position to receive said reflected light and be selectively responsive to the light reflected from said indicia, and an electric circuit including said photosensitive cell and switch means operated by said cell, and a dispenser operatively associated with said circuit and its switch means for dispensing a reward medium in response to the operation of the detector caused by movement of a shopping cart carrying said indicia through said location, said dispenser being contained within an enclosure and comprising an ejector mechanism for moving a portion of reward medium from the interior of said enclosure to a pickup station adjacent to the exterior of said enclosure for removal by the person returning the shopping cart, and a disabling device operative to disable said dispenser during the time said portion of reward medium remains at said pickup station.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
217 words
A device for detecting movement of shopping carts through a location on a passageway and dispensing an article in response to said movement, comprising an indicia carried on each of the shopping carts to be detected, a detector for detecting movement of shopping carts carrying said indicia through said location, said detector comprising a light source positioned to provide reflective light from said indicia in a form discriminating from ambient light emanating from said location, a photosensitive cell located in position to receive said reflected light and be selectively responsive to the light reflected from said indicia, and an electric circuit including said photosensitive cell and switch means operated by said cell, and a dispenser operatively associated with said circuit and its switch means for dispensing a reward medium in response to the operation of the detector caused by movement of a shopping cart carrying said indicia through said location, said dispenser being contained within an enclosure and comprising an ejector mechanism for moving a portion of reward medium from the interior of said enclosure to a pickup station adjacent to the exterior of said enclosure for removal by the person returning the shopping cart, and a disabling device operative to disable said dispenser during the time said portion of reward medium remains at said pickup station.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
A device for shopping carts as described in claim 4 and wherein said disabling device comprises a light source projected across the path of said reward medium adjacent said pickup station so as to be intercepted by said portion of said reward medium at said pickup station, and a photosensitive cell disposed in the beam of light from said light source which is interrupted by said portion of said reward medium.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for encouraging return of shopping carts, comprising identifying indicia mounted on the shopping carts, a stationary detector positioned to scan shopping carts moved therepast to detect said indicia, a dispenser connected to said detector and operative upon activation of said detector by said indicia to dispense a reward medium, said dispenser being contained within an enclosure and comprising an ejector mechanism for moving a portion of reward medium from the interior of said enclosure to a pickup station adjacent to the exterior of said enclosure for removal by the person returning the shopping cart, and a disabling device operative to disable said dispenser during the time said portion of said reward medium remains at said pickup station.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for encouraging return of shopping carts, comprising identifying indicia mounted on the shopping carts, a stationary detector positioned to scan shopping carts moved therepast to detect said indicia, a dispenser connected to said detector and operative upon activation of said detector by said indicia to dispense a reward medium, said dispenser being contained within an enclosure and comprising an ejector mechanism for moving a portion of reward medium from the interior of said enclosure to a pickup station adjacent to the exterior of said enclosure for removal by the person returning the shopping cart, and a disabling device operative to disable said dispenser during the time said portion of said reward medium remains at said pickup station.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
71 words
An apparatus for encouraging return of shopping carts as described in claim 6, and wherein said disabling device comprises a light source for projecting a light beam in position to be intercepted by said portion of said reward medium at said pickup station, and a photosensitive cell disposed in said light beam and effective during interception of the light beam by said reward medium to cause said disabling of said dispenser.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
An apparatus for encouraging return of shopping carts as described in claim 7, and wherein said indicia is a reflective surface mounted on the shopping cart and said detector comprises a second light source for projecting a light beam in position to impinge upon said indicia, and a second photosensitive cell aimed to receive that portion of the light beam reflected from said indicia.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-12 | 1978-11-11 | 1979-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-12 | 1982-11-11 | 1983-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-12 | 1986-11-11 | 1987-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |