Two hand scanning check-out counter

Claim 1

A supermarket-type check-out counter comprising: a relatively narrow, elongated, forward unloading module having an endless conveyor belt forming an upper, merchandise conveying surface for automatically moving goods from the forward end towards the rear end of the forward module; a flat plate-like surface located rearwardly of the conveyor belt at the rear end of the forward module for forming a continuation of the module conveying surface; an indicia scanning means located at the flat plate-like surface for sensing indicia imprinted upon goods which are slid over the flat surface, said scanning means arranged below said flat plate-like surface for scanning through a window-like area in said flat surface; a relatively wide, rear bagging module, spaced a considerable distance rearwardly of the forward module, with the central longitudinal axes of the modules being in alignment, so that both opposite sides of the rear module extend transversely a greater distance than the corresponding sides of the forward module; the upper surface of the rear module forming a merchandise receiving surface for use in placing goods located thereon into bags; a pair of transversely spaced apart, elongated, side conveyor surfaces bridging the space between the forward and rear modules and with the opposite ends of said conveyor surfaces opening into their adjacent module ends, said side conveyors each being formed of an endless conveyor belt mounted upon a support frame means for providing continuously moving upper belt surfaces for automatically conveying goods to the bagging module merchandise receiving surface; at least one of said side conveyor surfaces being hingedly connected to one module and releasably secured to the opposite module so that it may be manually movable out of normal position for providing ingress and egress for a check-out operator who is normally positioned in the space between the modules and side conveyor surfaces; and the longitudinal axis of each of said side belts being transversely offset relative to the longitudinal axis of the unloading module belt, so that only a portion of the forward areas of each side belt transversely overlaps the adjacent side portion of the flat plate-like surface; whereby goods unloaded by the customer upon the forward module conveyor belt are moved rearwardly to the operator who, using both hands, slides the goods across the flat surface for scanning the indicia, and then rearwardly and sidewardly upon either of the two side conveyor surfaces, along which surfaces the goods are moved to the rear module merchandise receiving surface for subsequent placement into bags.