EP0025754B1 - Method and arrangement for encouraging the return of a rolling vehicle, such as a supermarket shopping trolley - Google Patents

Method and arrangement for encouraging the return of a rolling vehicle, such as a supermarket shopping trolley Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0025754B1
EP0025754B1 EP80401278A EP80401278A EP0025754B1 EP 0025754 B1 EP0025754 B1 EP 0025754B1 EP 80401278 A EP80401278 A EP 80401278A EP 80401278 A EP80401278 A EP 80401278A EP 0025754 B1 EP0025754 B1 EP 0025754B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
vehicle
gate
installation according
installation
conveyor
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP80401278A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0025754A1 (en
Inventor
Guy Gillet
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
SUPERMARKET SYSTEMS
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SUPERMARKET SYSTEMS
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Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from FR7922835A external-priority patent/FR2465279A1/en
Priority claimed from FR8013884A external-priority patent/FR2485232B2/en
Application filed by SUPERMARKET SYSTEMS filed Critical SUPERMARKET SYSTEMS
Priority to AT80401278T priority Critical patent/ATE3915T1/en
Publication of EP0025754A1 publication Critical patent/EP0025754A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0025754B1 publication Critical patent/EP0025754B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
    • G07F7/06—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, i.e. reverse vending systems in which a user is rewarded for returning a container that serves as a token of value, e.g. bottles
    • G07F7/0618—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, i.e. reverse vending systems in which a user is rewarded for returning a container that serves as a token of value, e.g. bottles by carts
    • G07F7/0636—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, i.e. reverse vending systems in which a user is rewarded for returning a container that serves as a token of value, e.g. bottles by carts in which the trolleys or carts are kept in a restricted zone such as a coral-like enclosure, or are passing a gate before use is possible
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
    • G07F7/06—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, i.e. reverse vending systems in which a user is rewarded for returning a container that serves as a token of value, e.g. bottles
    • G07F7/0618—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, i.e. reverse vending systems in which a user is rewarded for returning a container that serves as a token of value, e.g. bottles by carts
    • G07F7/0627—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, i.e. reverse vending systems in which a user is rewarded for returning a container that serves as a token of value, e.g. bottles by carts in which the trolleys or carts are kept fixed or linked onto a rail or barrier

Definitions

  • the subject of the present invention is a method and an installation for encouraging the return of rolling vehicles, such as supermarket trolleys.
  • This installation is relatively complex and does not offer sufficient security against fraud attempts by certain users. It comprises a mechanical device fixed to the ground, associated with detectors intended to recognize the shape of the vehicles introduced into a storage area, but which only admits the carts of the type for which it has been adjusted and which, moreover, prohibits the removal of a cart that has been partially engaged in installation.
  • the possibility of fraud consisting in obtaining several rewards by moving a trolley in front of the detectors according to successive round trips, combined with the impossibility of removing from the installation a trolley which has been introduced therein by mistake, obliges to provide for the presence standing of a supermarket employee next to the facility.
  • the invention aims to remedy the drawbacks of existing installations and in particular relates to a method and an installation intended to prevent fraud in the return of rolling vehicles, such as supermarket trolleys.
  • the invention provides for this purpose a method for encouraging the return of a rolling vehicle, such as a supermarket trolley, in a reception area which includes an access control means, the method consisting in carrying out several checks of the identity of the vehicle when it crosses the access control means, and to issue, after verification, a reward, for example in the form of a ticket, characterized in that the access control means comprising at least one wicket placed at the entrance to the reception area, we carry out a first verification of the identity of the vehicle upstream of the wicket, then a second verification of the identity of the vehicle while it is crossing the wicket while allowing , during this crossing, a possible withdrawal of the vehicle, the gate is left to return to its closed condition after crossing, and the issue of a ticket is ordered only in the event that the second verification confirms e first and the vehicle is not removed when crossing the gate.
  • the access control means comprising at least one wicket placed at the entrance to the reception area, we carry out a first verification of the identity of the vehicle upstream of the wicket, then a second verification of the identity of the
  • the method according to the invention in addition to its effectiveness against fraud, allows the user who has inadvertently engaged his trolley in the reception area, to remove it without difficulty as long as the gate is not completely closed, this which could not be obtained with known installations.
  • the gate is lockable in the closed condition, and it is unlocked in the event of a satisfactory result of the first verification while it is locked when it has returned to its closed condition after crossing.
  • the first identity verification is carried out within a predetermined period of time beyond which, if the second verification is not conclusive, the distribution of a ticket is prohibited or the gate is locked.
  • the second verification is carried out in a predetermined period of time beyond which, if the identification is satisfactory, the gate is possibly again locked and the issue of a ticket is ordered.
  • the first and the second verification are carried out by optical detection of determined geometric characteristics of the vehicle, for example by means of infrared rays.
  • the first and second verifications are carried out by counting the number of bars of the trolley. The counting of the bars is carried out only on one side of the carriage, which avoids identification errors in the event that the carriage is incorrectly inserted.
  • the invention also provides an installation for implementing this method, comprising a means of controlling access to a vehicle reception area, opening by pushing a vehicle in the direction of access and provided a means for recalling in the closed position, several devices for verifying the identity of the vehicle, a dispenser for reward tickets, and a set for controlling the correct sequential flow of operations controlling the ticket dispenser, characterized in that , the access control means comprising at least one gate, a first verification device is located upstream of the gate and the second verification device is located between the first verification device and the gate, so that the second verification is carried out while the vehicle is passing through the gate, the installation also comprising a member sensitive to the gate closed position, connected to the control assembly for prohibit the issue of a ticket if the gate is not in its closed position after the vehicle has passed through it.
  • the first and second verification devices respectively comprise a photoelectric device whose transmitter and receiver are arranged on either side of the access to the reception area, the emitter and receiver of a device being offset in height relative to each other so that the emitted beam is inclined relative to the horizontal reference plane on which the vehicle to be moved moves in the area of reception.
  • a signal counting group is associated with each verification device.
  • the identity of the trolley is verified by counting the bars constituting one of the lateral flanks of the trolley.
  • the offset in height of the transmitter relative to the receiver of each verification device makes it possible to take into account the bars on one side of the carriage.
  • the transmitter and the receiver of each device are mounted in an adjustable manner in height on a substantially vertical support, which allows their adaptation according to the types of carriages to be controlled.
  • a trolley receiving area has an access corridor 1 to which are connected on either side of the tubular elements 2 forming part of an enclosure limiting said area.
  • the access area or airlock 4 to the reception area is limited by two lateral boxes 5 and 6 parallel to each other and connected to their upper rear parts by a transverse box 7, the assembly having, in horizontal projection, the shape of a U.
  • the boxes 5 and 6 as well as the box 7, of generally parallelepiped shape can be made in any suitable manner, in particular from folded sheet steel, or include a metal framework like that which is represented in the figure. 2, covered with a covering hiding and protecting the internal organs.
  • the assembly is fixed to the ground by lower fixing gussets 9.
  • a bowl 11 placed at the outlet of a chute and intended to receive a ticket issued by the machine after the user has introduced his cart into the reception area.
  • the chute is part of a ticket dispenser 12 conventionally comprising a motor drive which advances step by step a roll of pre-glued paper, a guillotine cutting the paper to detach a ticket at each operation, the ticket then being evacuated by the chute to the user.
  • This ticket dispenser 12 which is not shown in detail because it is well known, is fixed inside the box 6, in a place inaccessible to the user, on a plate 13 bolted to the frame and intended also to receive electronic components used for the operation of the installation and which have been referenced SC.
  • the airlock for access to the reception area is normally closed by two gates 14 pivotally mounted by their outer edge around vertical axes and which can open, from their closed position where their inner edges are joined, only downstream, as shown by the arrows F 1 ' F 2 .
  • Each of these gates is associated with a control mechanism contained in one of the boxes 5 or 6. These mechanisms being identical, only one will be described in the following.
  • each gate is constituted by a bent U-shaped tube fixed on a vertical shaft 15 rotatably supported in bearings 16 1 , 16 2 mounted on supports 17 1 , 17 2 fixed to the frame of the box 6 or 5.
  • a return spring 18 At the upper end of the shaft 15 is hooked a return spring 18 whose other end 19 is in abutment against a fixed part of the frame. This spring automatically returns the gate, when it has been opened, to the closed position shown in FIG. 2.
  • a damping device which is wedged on the shaft 15 and simply constituted ( Figures 5 and 6) by a disc 21 of flexible material , such as rubber, sandwiched between a sleeve 22 fixed by a screw shown diagrammatically at 24 on the shaft 15 and an upper disc 23, the discs 23 and the sleeve 22 being secured by screws.
  • the outer edge of the rubber disc 21 is in constant abutment against an edge 25 of a small cubic block 26 of the fixed frame, so that these two elements rub against each other when the gate closes, the shaft 15 then turning in the direction of arrow f ( Figure 6).
  • the gate 14 can be kept in the closed position by means of a locking device which is shown in detail in FIG. 4.
  • a part 27 On the lower end of the shaft 15 is wedged a part 27, in the form of a sector, pierced with holes 28.
  • This part 27 is located under a support 29a fixed to the frame 30 of the box and carrying an electromagnet 29 whose movable core 31 is slidably engaged inside a hole in the support 29a and is capable of projecting downwards by penetrating into one of the holes 28 of the part 27 integral with the shaft 15.
  • a stop 31 a, located under the part 27, makes it possible to limit the stroke of the core 31.
  • switches 32 which are actuated by the gates when they pivot and which act as detectors for the presence of the gates.
  • the opposite faces 33 and 33 'of the two boxes 5 and 6 have openings, respectively 35, 36, 35', 36 '( Figure 1) each closed by a plexiglass panel (methyl methacrylate), allowing the infrared rays to pass through. , thus concealing the interior of the boxes from users. Behind these panels are housed transmitters and receivers that are part of infrared ray devices.
  • Each device comprises a transmitter 37 and a receiver 38, respectively 37 1 and 38 1 (FIG. 2) behind the openings 35 and 35 ', and 37 2 and 38 2 behind the openings 36 and 36'.
  • Each transmitter and each receiver are slidably mounted on a vertical column, respectively 39, 39 ', disposed between supports 40, 41 fixed to the fixed frame of the installation. This arrangement makes it possible to adjust the height of each transmitter and each receiver.
  • each transmitter and each receiver are also adjustable by rotation about a horizontal axis A parallel to the mean longitudinal plane of the installation. This double possibility of adjusting the position of the transmitter and receiver allows, on the one hand, an adaptation of the installation to different trolley sizes, as seen with reference to FIG. 3, and, on the other hand part, to make a determination of the nature of the carriage only on one side thereof.
  • FIG. 3 there is shown in solid lines the carriage of smaller size and in broken lines the carriage of maximum size.
  • the carriage C (FIG. 7) has sides or sides formed by vertical or substantially vertical bars B.
  • the transmitter 37 1 is placed at a higher level of the distance H 1 than the upper edge of the carriage of maximum size and the receiver 38 1 is placed at a lower level of the distance H 2 than that of the upper edge of the smaller trolley.
  • the rays emitted by the transmitter 37 1 to the receiver 38 1 meet only one side of a carriage C whose size is included between the maximum gauge carriage and the minimum gauge carriage.
  • the indicator V i (green) is lit for the entire duration of the cycle and does not go out as a result until the ticket is issued.
  • a fourth indicator can also be provided which, when it is red, signals that the reception area can no longer receive a new carriage.
  • the gates being unlocked it suffices that the user continues to advance his carriage to push the gates downstream of the installation and thus open them.
  • the switches 32 for controlling the presence of the gates in the closed position then change state and allow the validation of the second transceiver device 37 2 , 38 2 which begins counting the vertical bars B of the carriage.
  • the number of bars counted by the second device reaches a predetermined value, recorded beforehand in the installation and corresponding to the second identification of the cart, the user just has to keep moving the cart forward so that it escapes completely to the gates and that they can return to the closed position under the effect of the return springs 18.
  • the cart is now inside the receiving area.
  • the gates by closing, control the switches 32 which authorize the locking of the gates by excitations of the electromagnets 29 of the door locks.
  • the entire operating cycle of the installation involves time delays which make it possible to control the times relating to the completion of each phase of progression of the carriage.
  • the back and forth of the same carriage are controlled by the first device which resumes counting and therefore reaches a predetermined number of counted bars for which the blocking of the process of issuing the ticket is triggered.
  • a user who mistakenly engaged a carriage between the doors can remove it as long as the carriage has not been fully engaged and the doors have not closed. However, in this case, the installation does not issue a ticket.
  • the installation includes a totalizing counter with reset, making it possible to count the number of tickets distributed.
  • the numbers 1 to 11 represent the various phases of operation in their succession over time.
  • the numbers on the left side of the table indicate, in succession in ascending order, the different stages of operation.
  • the framed indications linked to a number by a line schematize the operations of the stage designated by this number.
  • the indications located between two consecutive digits relate to the operations carried out between two stages of the process, or inter-stage operations.
  • a new operating cycle can be started.
  • the invention provides a variant in which, depending on the chosen ticket or coupon dispenser, a single pulse is used to issue the coupon, which makes it possible to disregard the launch of the paper cutter operations.
  • FIG 9 there is schematically shown part of an installation for the return of a cart 110, provided at the entrance to a storage area of the carriages 110, to which the public does not have access. It comprises a gantry delimiting an opening for introducing the carriages into the storage area, and which is formed by two vertical pillars 111 spaced apart by a distance greater than the width of a carriage 110 and connected at their upper end. by a horizontal transverse upright 112 comprising a certain number of indicator lights 113 for signaling the progress of the various operations carried out by the installation and its operating state.
  • the installation At its rear end, located on the side of the storage area, the installation comprises one or two gates 114 normally closing access to the storage area and which are intended to be opened by a carriage 110 pushed by a user under the portal 111, 112.
  • Various means of recognizing a carriage 110 are provided upstream of the gate 114 and are generally sequential, so as to execute a certain number of operations for identifying the carriage, in a determined order, when the carriage is pushed against the gate 114. If these operations are carried out in the determined order and advantageously within a determined period of time, they control the operation of a ticket dispenser housed in one of the pillars 111 and delivering a ticket through a slot 115 of the front of this pillar. This ticket entitles the user, who has returned his cart 110 to the storage area, to a reward or advantage of any kind.
  • At least one of the means for recognizing the carriage 110 is a photoelectric cell of the so-called “reflection type" comprising a housing 116 containing, side by side, an emitter of radiation of determined wavelength, for example a infrared radiation, and a receiving element for the detection of said radiation after reflection thereof on a reflector 117.
  • the housing 116 is mounted on the lower horizontal face of the transverse upright 112, and the reflector 117 is on the ground, in the passage of the carriage 110, being vertically aligned with the housing 116.
  • the installation comprises a gantry 111, 112 of the same type as above, and the housing 116 containing the photoelectric reflection cell is placed, no longer on the transverse upright 112, but on the internal face 118 of one of the pillars 111, while the reflector 117 is carried by a side walls of the carriage 110, the housing 116 and the reflector 117 being at the same height above the ground.
  • the housing 116 is used without associating it with a particular reflector, and these are different parts of the carriage 110, when the latter is opposite the housing 116, which play the role of reflector.
  • At least one of the means for recognizing a carriage is a metal detector 119, of a conventional type, which is mounted on a gate 114.
  • each door 114 carries a metal detector 119.
  • the carriage 110 is pushed onto the doors 114 its front part comes substantially into contact with the detectors 119, which take into account the presence of the carriage.
  • the metal detectors 119 remain substantially in contact with certain parts of the side walls of the carriage, and take into account the passage of said carriage under the transverse upright 112 of the gantry.
  • the invention also provides for having, behind the gantry 111, 112, an automatic drive or conveying means for the trolley.
  • the conveyor comprises two horizontal belts 121 with notched outer surface 122 which extend from the gantry 111, 112, shown in phantom, on either side of the passage for introducing the trolley 110 in the storage area.
  • the belts 121 pass over a drive wheel 123 fixed to a vertical drive shaft itself driven from a motor, for example electric, by means of a system of pinions 124 and belts 125.
  • the belts 121 pass around a deflection wheel carried by a vertical shaft, the end bearings 126 of which are guided in curved slots 127 and are subjected to the action of return springs tending to bring the from one another the rear ends of the belts 121, so that these define a guide path for the carriage 110 which is wider at its entry end of the carriage than at its exit end of said carriage.
  • the distance separating the two notched belts 121 at the level of the gantry 111, 112 is greater than the greatest width of a carriage 110, while the minimum distance separating these two belts at their opposite end is substantially equal to the smallest width of a cart.
  • This device operates as follows: when a carriage 110 is brought under the gantry 111, 112, the trolley identification means provided in the gantry control the starting of the conveyor, the belts 121 being driven by the driving wheels 123 in the direction indicated by the arrows 128.
  • the front end of the carriage comes into contact with the facing surfaces of the toothed belts 121, and the carriage is driven automatically, in the direction of arrow 129, until it leaves the conveyor. This then stops automatically.
  • the conveyor comprises a single belt 130 passing at its ends on rollers 131 and 132 with a horizontal axis, carried by a frame slightly raised relative to the ground 133.
  • the roller 132 is a roller leading, driven by means of a belt 134 by a motor 135, while the other roller 131 is a simple deflection roller.
  • the belt 130 for driving a carriage 110 comprises from place to place on its outer face perpendicular fingers 136 intended to cooperate with a front transverse bar 137 of the lower part of the carriage, to drive the latter in the direction of the arrow 138.
  • the belt 130 is preceded by an inclined plane 139 and is followed by another inclined plane 140, facilitating the bringing of the carriage 110 on the conveyor, and its evacuation at the outlet of the conveyor.
  • the gantry provided at the entrance to the storage area is replaced by two vertical pillars 141 comprising means for identifying the carriage 110, and two gates 142.
  • Two other vertical pillars 143 can be provided inside the storage area, on either side of the conveyor, to control the stopping of this conveyor.

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Description

La présente invention a pour objet un procédé et une installation pour encourager la restitution de véhicules roulants, tels que des chariots de supermarchés.The subject of the present invention is a method and an installation for encouraging the return of rolling vehicles, such as supermarket trolleys.

On sait que, dans un supermarché, chaque acheteur dispose d'un chariot qu'il pousse devant lui et dans lequel il dispose les objets qu'il choisit sur les rayons qui bordent les allées de circulation. L'acheteur se présente ensuite avec son chariot devant une caisse où il acquitte le prix des objets choisis. L'acheteur débarrasse le chariot des objets qui sont maintenant sa propriété, et cela immédiatement après le passage devant la caisse ou bien en un autre lieu plus proche de sa voiture laissée dans un parc de stationnement souvent contigu au supermarché.We know that, in a supermarket, each buyer has a cart that he pushes in front of him and in which he places the objects he chooses on the shelves that line the aisles. The buyer then presents himself with his cart in front of a cash register where he pays the price of the chosen objects. The purchaser rids the trolley of the objects which are now his property, and this immediately after passing in front of the checkout or in another place closer to his car left in a parking lot often contiguous to the supermarket.

Les chariots vides, présents en de multiples endroits du supermarché et à l'extérieur de celui-ci, posent un problème pour leur rassemblement et leur remise à disposition du public et qui, jusqu'ici, n'a pu être résolu que par l'emploi d'une main-d'œuvre relativement coûteuse.Empty carts, present in multiple places in and around the supermarket, pose a problem in collecting and making them available to the public, and which has so far been resolved only by use of relatively expensive labor.

On connaît déjà, par le Brevet US 3 754 630, une installation destinée à encourager les utilisateurs de chariots à ramener eux-mêmes ces chariots à un poste de stockage, l'installation commandant la remise à l'utilisateur ayant ramené son chariot d'une attestation de bon retour, dont la présentation ultérieure entraîne pour lui l'octroi d'un avantage sous une forme quelconque.We already know, from US Pat. No. 3,754,630, an installation intended to encourage users of carts to bring these carts themselves to a storage station, the installation controlling the delivery to the user having brought back their a certificate of good return, the subsequent presentation of which entails the granting of an advantage in any form.

Cette installation est relativement complexe et n'offre pas une sécurité suffisante contre les tentatives de fraude de certains utilisateurs. Elle comporte un dispositif mécanique fixé au sol, associé à des détecteurs destinés à reconnaître la forme des véhicules introduits dans une aire de stockage, mais qui n'admet que les chariots du type pour lequel il a été réglé et qui, en outre, interdit le retrait d'un chariot qui a été engagé partiellement par erreur dans l'installation. La possibilité de fraude, consistant à obtenir plusieurs récompenses en déplaçant un chariot devant les détecteurs selon des allers retours successifs, alliée à l'impossibilité de retirer de l'installation un chariot qui y a été introduit partiellement par erreur, oblige à prévoir la présence permanente d'un employé du supermarché à côté de l'installation.This installation is relatively complex and does not offer sufficient security against fraud attempts by certain users. It comprises a mechanical device fixed to the ground, associated with detectors intended to recognize the shape of the vehicles introduced into a storage area, but which only admits the carts of the type for which it has been adjusted and which, moreover, prohibits the removal of a cart that has been partially engaged in installation. The possibility of fraud, consisting in obtaining several rewards by moving a trolley in front of the detectors according to successive round trips, combined with the impossibility of removing from the installation a trolley which has been introduced therein by mistake, obliges to provide for the presence standing of a supermarket employee next to the facility.

L'invention a pour but de remédier aux inconvénients des installations existantes et a notamment pour objet un procédé et une installation destinés à éviter les fraudes dans la restitution de véhicules roulants, tels que des chariots de supermarché.The invention aims to remedy the drawbacks of existing installations and in particular relates to a method and an installation intended to prevent fraud in the return of rolling vehicles, such as supermarket trolleys.

L'invention propose à cet effet un procédé pour encourager la restitution d'un véhicule roulant, tel qu'un chariot de supermarché, dans une aire de réception qui comporte un moyen de contrôle d'accès, le procédé consistant à effectuer plusieurs vérifications de l'identité du véhicule quand celui-ci franchit le moyen de contrôle d'accès, et à délivrer après vérification une récompense, par exemple sous forme d'un ticket, caractérisé en ce que le moyen de contrôle d'accès comprenant au moins un portillon placé à l'entrée de l'aire de réception, on effectue une première vérification de l'identité du véhicule en amont du portillon, puis une seconde vérification de l'identité du véhicule pendant que celui-ci franchit le portillon tout en permettant, pendant ce franchissement, un retrait éventuel du véhicule, on laisse le portillon revenir dans sa condition de fermeture après le franchissement, et on commande la délivrance d'un ticket uniquement dans le cas où la seconde vérification confirme la première et le véhicule n'est pas retiré lors du franchissement du portillon.The invention provides for this purpose a method for encouraging the return of a rolling vehicle, such as a supermarket trolley, in a reception area which includes an access control means, the method consisting in carrying out several checks of the identity of the vehicle when it crosses the access control means, and to issue, after verification, a reward, for example in the form of a ticket, characterized in that the access control means comprising at least one wicket placed at the entrance to the reception area, we carry out a first verification of the identity of the vehicle upstream of the wicket, then a second verification of the identity of the vehicle while it is crossing the wicket while allowing , during this crossing, a possible withdrawal of the vehicle, the gate is left to return to its closed condition after crossing, and the issue of a ticket is ordered only in the event that the second verification confirms e first and the vehicle is not removed when crossing the gate.

Le procédé selon l'invention, outre son efficacité contre les fraudes, permet à l'utilisateur qui aurait engagé par mégarde son chariot dans l'aire de réception, de le retirer sans difficulté tant que le portillon n'est pas complètement refermé, ce qui ne pouvait être obtenu avec les installations connues.The method according to the invention, in addition to its effectiveness against fraud, allows the user who has inadvertently engaged his trolley in the reception area, to remove it without difficulty as long as the gate is not completely closed, this which could not be obtained with known installations.

Le retrait du chariot vers l'amont, avant franchissement complet du portillon, commande une interdiction de délivrance du ticket de récompense, alors que le passage complet du chariot en aval du portillon provoque, après fermeture de celui-ci, la délivrance du ticket.The withdrawal of the trolley upstream, before complete crossing of the gate, commands a ban on the issue of the reward ticket, while the complete passage of the trolley downstream of the gate causes, after closing of the latter, the issuance of the ticket.

Selon une autre caractéristique de l'invention, le portillon est verrouillable en condition de fermeture, et on le déverrouille en cas de résultat satisfaisant de la première vérification tandis qu'on le verrouille quand il est revenu dans sa condition de fermeture après le franchissement.According to another characteristic of the invention, the gate is lockable in the closed condition, and it is unlocked in the event of a satisfactory result of the first verification while it is locked when it has returned to its closed condition after crossing.

On améliore ainsi la sécurité contre les tentatives de fraude.This improves security against fraud attempts.

Dans le même but, on effectue la première vérification d'identité dans une période de temps prédéterminée au-delà de laquelle, si la seconde vérification n'est pas concluante, la distribution d'un ticket est interdite ou le portillon est verrouillé.For the same purpose, the first identity verification is carried out within a predetermined period of time beyond which, if the second verification is not conclusive, the distribution of a ticket is prohibited or the gate is locked.

De même, toujours selon l'invention, on effectue la seconde vérification dans une période de temps prédéterminée au-delà de laquelle, si l'identification est satisfaisante, on verrouille éventuellement à nouveau le portillon et on commande la délivrance d'un ticket.Likewise, still according to the invention, the second verification is carried out in a predetermined period of time beyond which, if the identification is satisfactory, the gate is possibly again locked and the issue of a ticket is ordered.

Selon une autre caractéristique de l'invention, on réalise la première et la seconde vérification par détection optique de caractéristiques géométriques déterminées du véhicule, par exemple au moyen de rayons infrarouges. Dans le cas particulier de chariots à clairevoie, comme ceux que l'on trouve dans les magasins ou supermarchés, on réalise les première et seconde vérifications par comptage du nombre de barres du chariot. Le comptage des barres n'est effectué que sur un seul côté du chariot, ce qui évite des erreurs d'identification dans le cas où le chariot serait mal introduit.According to another characteristic of the invention, the first and the second verification are carried out by optical detection of determined geometric characteristics of the vehicle, for example by means of infrared rays. In the particular case of clearing trolleys, such as those found in shops or supermarkets, the first and second verifications are carried out by counting the number of bars of the trolley. The counting of the bars is carried out only on one side of the carriage, which avoids identification errors in the event that the carriage is incorrectly inserted.

L'invention propose également une installation pour la mise en oeuvre de ce procédé, comprenant un moyen de contrôle d'accès à une aire de réception des véhicules, s'ouvrant par poussée d'un véhicule dans le sens de l'accès et pourvu d'un moyen de rappel en position de fermeture, plusieurs dispositifs de vérification de l'identité du véhicule, un distributeur de tickets de récompense, et un ensemble de contrôle du déroulement séquentiel correct des opérations commandant le distributeur de tickets, caractérisée en ce que, le moyen de contrôle d'accès comprenant au moins un portillon, un premier dispositif de vérification est situé en amont du portillon et le second dispositif de vérification est situé entre le premier dispositif de vérification et le portillon, de sorte que la seconde vérification est effectuée pendant que le véhicule franchit le portillon l'installation comprenant également un organe sensible à la position de fermeture du portillon, relié à l'ensemble de contrôle pour interdire la délivrance d'un ticket si le portillon n'est pas dans sa position de fermeture après franchissement par le véhicule.The invention also provides an installation for implementing this method, comprising a means of controlling access to a vehicle reception area, opening by pushing a vehicle in the direction of access and provided a means for recalling in the closed position, several devices for verifying the identity of the vehicle, a dispenser for reward tickets, and a set for controlling the correct sequential flow of operations controlling the ticket dispenser, characterized in that , the access control means comprising at least one gate, a first verification device is located upstream of the gate and the second verification device is located between the first verification device and the gate, so that the second verification is carried out while the vehicle is passing through the gate, the installation also comprising a member sensitive to the gate closed position, connected to the control assembly for prohibit the issue of a ticket if the gate is not in its closed position after the vehicle has passed through it.

Selon une forme de réalisation de l'invention, les premier et second dispositifs de vérification comportent respectivement un dispositif photo-électrique dont l'émetteur et le récepteur sont disposés de part et d'autre de l'accès à l'aire de réception, l'émetteur et le récepteur d'un dispositif étant décalés en hauteur l'un par rapport à l'autre afin que le faisceau émis soit incliné par rapport au plan de référence horizontal sur lequel se déplace le véhicule à introduire dans l'aire de réception.According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second verification devices respectively comprise a photoelectric device whose transmitter and receiver are arranged on either side of the access to the reception area, the emitter and receiver of a device being offset in height relative to each other so that the emitted beam is inclined relative to the horizontal reference plane on which the vehicle to be moved moves in the area of reception.

Avantageusement, un groupe de comptage de signaux est associé à chaque dispositif de vérification.Advantageously, a signal counting group is associated with each verification device.

Ainsi, dans le cas où les véhicules sont des chariots de supermarché dont les flancs latéraux sont constitués par des barres sensiblement verticales, on effectue la vérification de l'identité du chariot par un comptage des barres constituant l'un des flancs latéraux du chariot. Le décalage en hauteur de l'émetteur par rapport au récepteur de chaque dispositif de vérification permet de prendre en compte les barres d'un seul côté du chariot.Thus, in the case where the vehicles are supermarket trolleys whose lateral flanks are constituted by substantially vertical bars, the identity of the trolley is verified by counting the bars constituting one of the lateral flanks of the trolley. The offset in height of the transmitter relative to the receiver of each verification device makes it possible to take into account the bars on one side of the carriage.

De préférence, l'émetteur et le récepteur de chaque dispositif sont montés de façon réglable en hauteur sur un support sensiblement vertical, ce qui permet leur adaptation en fonction des types de chariots à contrôler.Preferably, the transmitter and the receiver of each device are mounted in an adjustable manner in height on a substantially vertical support, which allows their adaptation according to the types of carriages to be controlled.

Dans la description qui suit, faite à titre d'exemple, on se réfère aux dessins annexés, dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue schématique perspective d'une installation selon l'invention pour contrôler l'entrée d'une aire de stockage de chariots dans un supermarché ;
  • la figure 2 est une vue schématique de ladite installation après enlèvement des carters ou plaques d'habillage ;
  • la figure 3 est un schéma en élévation d'un équipement d'identification des chariots ;
  • la figure 4 est une vue à plus grande échelle, en coupe, d'un dispositif de verrouillage d'un portillon d'accès ;
  • la figure 5 est une vue en coupe à grande échelle d'un dispositif de freinage d'.un portillon ;
  • la figure 6 est une vue correspondante en plan ;
  • la figure 7 est une vue schématique montrant l'installation en coupe longitudinale au moment où un chariot est prêt à être introduit dans la zone ou sas d'accès ;
  • la figure 8 est un diagramme représentatif du cycle de fonctionnement ;
  • la figure 9 est une vue schématique d'une variante d'une installation pour la restitution de chariots dans un supermarché, prévue à l'entrée d'une aire de stockage ;
  • la figure 10 est une vue semblable à la figure 9, mais représentant une variante de l'installation ;
  • la figure 11 est une vue semblable à la figure 9, mais représentant une autre variante de l'installation ;
  • la figure 12 est une vue schématique de dessus représentant un convoyeur de chariots selon l'invention ;
  • la figure 13 est une vue schématique de dessus d'un autre convoyeur de chariots selon l'invention ;
  • et la figure 14 est une vue de côté du convoyeur de la figure 13.
In the description which follows, given by way of example, reference is made to the appended drawings, in which:
  • Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an installation according to the invention for controlling the entry of a trolley storage area in a supermarket;
  • Figure 2 is a schematic view of said installation after removal of housings or cover plates;
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram in elevation of an equipment for identifying trolleys;
  • Figure 4 is an enlarged view, in section, of a locking device of an access door;
  • Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a braking device of a gate;
  • Figure 6 is a corresponding plan view;
  • Figure 7 is a schematic view showing the installation in longitudinal section when a carriage is ready to be introduced into the access area or airlock;
  • Figure 8 is a representative diagram of the operating cycle;
  • Figure 9 is a schematic view of a variant of an installation for the return of trolleys in a supermarket, provided at the entrance to a storage area;
  • Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9, but showing a variant of the installation;
  • Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 9, but showing another variant of the installation;
  • Figure 12 is a schematic top view showing a trolley conveyor according to the invention;
  • Figure 13 is a schematic top view of another trolley conveyor according to the invention;
  • and FIG. 14 is a side view of the conveyor of FIG. 13.

Dans ce qui suit, on décrit une installation prévue pour recevoir des chariots utilisés communément dans les supermarchés mais on comprendra que d'autres applications de l'invention peuvent être faites sans sortir du cadre du Brevet.In what follows, an installation intended to receive trolleys commonly used in supermarkets is described, but it will be understood that other applications of the invention can be made without departing from the scope of the Patent.

Une aire de réception de chariots présente un couloir d'accès 1 auquel se raccordent de part et d'autre des éléments tubulaires 2 faisant partie d'une enceinte limitant ladite aire.A trolley receiving area has an access corridor 1 to which are connected on either side of the tubular elements 2 forming part of an enclosure limiting said area.

La zone ou sas d'accès 4 à l'aire de réception est limitée par deux caissons latéraux 5 et 6 parallèles entre eux et reliés à leurs parties arrière supérieures par un coffret transversal 7, l'ensemble ayant, en projection horizontale, la forme d'un U. Les caissons 5 et 6 ainsi que le coffret 7, de forme générale parallélépipédique, peuvent être réalisés de toute manière appropriée, notamment en tôle d'acier pliée, ou comporter une ossaturé métallique comme celle qui est représentée à la figure 2, recouverte d'un habillage dissimulant et protégeant les organes intérieurs. L'ensemble est fixé au sol par des goussets de fixation inférieurs 9.The access area or airlock 4 to the reception area is limited by two lateral boxes 5 and 6 parallel to each other and connected to their upper rear parts by a transverse box 7, the assembly having, in horizontal projection, the shape of a U. The boxes 5 and 6 as well as the box 7, of generally parallelepiped shape, can be made in any suitable manner, in particular from folded sheet steel, or include a metal framework like that which is represented in the figure. 2, covered with a covering hiding and protecting the internal organs. The assembly is fixed to the ground by lower fixing gussets 9.

Sur la face frontale avant référencée 10 d'un des caissons, par exemple le caisson 6 de la figure 1, se trouve, sensiblement à hauteur de la main d'un homme debout, une sébile 11 placée à la sortie d'une goulotte et destinée à recevoir un ticket délivré par la machine après que l'utilisateur aura introduit son chariot dans l'aire de réception.On the front face referenced 10 of one of the caissons, for example the caisson 6 of FIG. 1, there is, substantially at the height of the hand of a standing man, a bowl 11 placed at the outlet of a chute and intended to receive a ticket issued by the machine after the user has introduced his cart into the reception area.

La goulotte fait partie d'un distributeur 12 de tickets comportant de façon classique un moteur d'entraînement qui fait avancer pas à pas un rouleau de papier préencollé, une guillotine coupant le papier pour détacher un ticket à chaque opération, le ticket étant alors évacué par la goulotte vers l'utilisateur. Ce distributeur 12 de tickets, qui n'est pas représenté en détail parce qu'il est bien connu, est fixé à l'intérieur du caisson 6, en un endroit inaccessible pour l'utilisateur, sur une plaque 13 boulonnée sur l'ossature et destinée à recevoir également des organes électroniques servant au fonctionnement de l'installation et que l'on a référencé SC.The chute is part of a ticket dispenser 12 conventionally comprising a motor drive which advances step by step a roll of pre-glued paper, a guillotine cutting the paper to detach a ticket at each operation, the ticket then being evacuated by the chute to the user. This ticket dispenser 12, which is not shown in detail because it is well known, is fixed inside the box 6, in a place inaccessible to the user, on a plate 13 bolted to the frame and intended also to receive electronic components used for the operation of the installation and which have been referenced SC.

Le sas d'accès à l'aire de réception est normalement fermé par deux portillons 14 montés à pivotement par leur bord externe autour d'axes verticaux et pouvant s'ouvrir, à partir de leur position de fermeture où leurs bords internes sont accolés, uniquement vers l'aval, comme montré par les flèches F1' F2. A chacun de ces portillons est associé un mécanisme de commande contenu dans un des caissons 5 ou 6. Ces mécanismes étant identiques, un seul sera décrit dans ce qui suit.The airlock for access to the reception area is normally closed by two gates 14 pivotally mounted by their outer edge around vertical axes and which can open, from their closed position where their inner edges are joined, only downstream, as shown by the arrows F 1 ' F 2 . Each of these gates is associated with a control mechanism contained in one of the boxes 5 or 6. These mechanisms being identical, only one will be described in the following.

Dans l'exemple représenté, chaque portillon est constitué par un tube coudé en forme d'U fixé sur un arbre 15 vertical supporté à rotation dans des paliers 161, 162 montés sur des supports 171, 172 fixés à l'ossature du caisson 6 ou 5. A l'extrémité supérieure de l'arbre 15 est accroché un ressort de rappel 18 dont l'autre extrémité 19 est en appui contre une partie fixe de l'ossature. Ce ressort ramène automatiquement le portillon, lorsqu'il a été ouvert, dans la position fermée représentée sur la figure 2.In the example shown, each gate is constituted by a bent U-shaped tube fixed on a vertical shaft 15 rotatably supported in bearings 16 1 , 16 2 mounted on supports 17 1 , 17 2 fixed to the frame of the box 6 or 5. At the upper end of the shaft 15 is hooked a return spring 18 whose other end 19 is in abutment against a fixed part of the frame. This spring automatically returns the gate, when it has been opened, to the closed position shown in FIG. 2.

Pour éviter les rebonds lors du retour en position de fermeture du portillon, on a prévu un dispositif amortisseur, désigné génériquement par 20, qui est calé sur l'arbre 15 et constitué simplement (figures 5 et 6) par un disque 21 de matière souple, telle que du caoutchouc, pris en sandwich entre un manchon 22 fixé par une vis schématisée en 24 sur l'arbre 15 et un disque supérieur 23, les disques 23 et le manchon 22 étant solidarisés par des vis. La tranche extérieure du disque de caoutchouc 21 est en appui constant contre une arête 25 d'un petit bloc cubique 26 du bâti fixe, de sorte que ces deux éléments frottent l'un contre l'autre lorsque le portillon se referme, l'arbre 15 tournant alors dans le sens de la flèche f (figure 6).To avoid rebounds when returning to the closed position of the gate, there is provided a damping device, generically designated by 20, which is wedged on the shaft 15 and simply constituted (Figures 5 and 6) by a disc 21 of flexible material , such as rubber, sandwiched between a sleeve 22 fixed by a screw shown diagrammatically at 24 on the shaft 15 and an upper disc 23, the discs 23 and the sleeve 22 being secured by screws. The outer edge of the rubber disc 21 is in constant abutment against an edge 25 of a small cubic block 26 of the fixed frame, so that these two elements rub against each other when the gate closes, the shaft 15 then turning in the direction of arrow f (Figure 6).

Par ailleurs, le portillon 14 peut être maintenu en position de fermeture grâce à un dispositif de verrou qui est représenté en détail sur la figure 4. Sur l'extrémité inférieure de l'arbre 15 est calée une pièce 27, en forme de secteur, percée de trous 28. Cette pièce 27 est située sous un support 29a fixé à l'armature 30 du caisson et portant un électro-aimant 29 dont le noyau mobile 31 est engagé de façon coulissante à l'intérieur d'un trou du support 29a et est susceptible de faire saillie vers le bas en pénétrant dans un des trous 28 de la pièce 27 solidaire de l'arbre 15. Une butée 31 a, située sous la pièce 27, permet de limiter la course du noyau 31.Furthermore, the gate 14 can be kept in the closed position by means of a locking device which is shown in detail in FIG. 4. On the lower end of the shaft 15 is wedged a part 27, in the form of a sector, pierced with holes 28. This part 27 is located under a support 29a fixed to the frame 30 of the box and carrying an electromagnet 29 whose movable core 31 is slidably engaged inside a hole in the support 29a and is capable of projecting downwards by penetrating into one of the holes 28 of the part 27 integral with the shaft 15. A stop 31 a, located under the part 27, makes it possible to limit the stroke of the core 31.

Sur l'ossature des caissons 5 et 6 sont prévus également des interrupteurs fixes 32 qui sont actionnés par les portillons lorsqu'ils pivotent et qui jouent le rôle de détecteurs de présence des portillons.On the framework of the boxes 5 and 6 are also provided fixed switches 32 which are actuated by the gates when they pivot and which act as detectors for the presence of the gates.

Les faces en regard 33 et 33' des deux caissons 5 et 6 présentent des ouvertures, respectivement 35, 36, 35', 36' (figure 1) obturées chacune par un panneau de plexiglas (méthacrylate de méthyle), laissant passer les rayons infrarouges, dissimulant ainsi aux usagers l'intérieur des caissons. Derrière ces panneaux sont logés des émetteurs et récepteurs faisant partie de dispositifs à rayons infrarouges.The opposite faces 33 and 33 'of the two boxes 5 and 6 have openings, respectively 35, 36, 35', 36 '(Figure 1) each closed by a plexiglass panel (methyl methacrylate), allowing the infrared rays to pass through. , thus concealing the interior of the boxes from users. Behind these panels are housed transmitters and receivers that are part of infrared ray devices.

Deux dispositifs sont prévus, l'un dont les cellules sont derrière les ouvertures 35 et 35' et l'autre dont les cellules sont derrière les ouvertures 36 et 36'. Chaque dispositif comprend un émetteur 37 et un récepteur 38, respectivement 371 et 381 (figure 2) derrière les ouvertures 35 et 35', et 372 et 382 derrière les ouvertures 36 et 36'. Chaque émetteur et chaque récepteur sont montés à coulissement sur une colonnette verticale, respectivement 39, 39', disposée entre des supports 40, 41 fixés au bâti fixe de l'installation. Cette disposition permet d'effectuer un réglage en hauteur de chaque émetteur et de chaque récepteur.Two devices are provided, one whose cells are behind the openings 35 and 35 'and the other whose cells are behind the openings 36 and 36'. Each device comprises a transmitter 37 and a receiver 38, respectively 37 1 and 38 1 (FIG. 2) behind the openings 35 and 35 ', and 37 2 and 38 2 behind the openings 36 and 36'. Each transmitter and each receiver are slidably mounted on a vertical column, respectively 39, 39 ', disposed between supports 40, 41 fixed to the fixed frame of the installation. This arrangement makes it possible to adjust the height of each transmitter and each receiver.

Par ailleurs, chaque émetteur et chaque récepteur sont également réglables par rotation autour d'un axe horizontal A parallèle au plan longitudinal moyen de l'installation. Cette double possibilité de réglage de la position de l'émetteur et du récepteur permet, d'une part, une adaptation de l'installation à différents gabarits de chariot, comme on le voit en référence à la figure 3, et, d'autre part, d'effectuer une détermination de la nature du chariot uniquement sur un seul côté de celui-ci.Furthermore, each transmitter and each receiver are also adjustable by rotation about a horizontal axis A parallel to the mean longitudinal plane of the installation. This double possibility of adjusting the position of the transmitter and receiver allows, on the one hand, an adaptation of the installation to different trolley sizes, as seen with reference to FIG. 3, and, on the other hand part, to make a determination of the nature of the carriage only on one side thereof.

Sur la figure 3 on a représenté en trait continu le chariot de plus petit gabarit et en trait interrompu le chariot de gabarit maximal. Le chariot C (figure 7) a des côtés ou flancs constitués par des barres B verticales ou sensiblement verticales. Pour le réglage de l'installation, on dispose l'émetteur 371 à un niveau plus élevé de la distance H1 que le bord supérieur du chariot de gabarit maximal et on dispose le récepteur 381 à un niveau plus bas de la distance H2 que celui du bord supérieur du chariot de plus petit gabarit. Dans ces conditions, quel que soit le gabarit du chariot utilisé, les rayons émis par l'émetteur 371 vers le récepteur 381, comme indiqué en R, ne rencontrent qu'un seul côté d'un chariot C dont le gabarit est compris entre le chariot de gabarit maximal et le chariot de gabarit minimal. On peut ainsi effectuer le comptage limitativement des barreaux du côté droit du chariot, les barreaux du côté gauche ne pouvant intervenir pour le comptage, même si le chariot est présenté de biais, c'est-à-dire suivant un mouvement non strictement parallèle au plan vertical moyen de symétrie de l'installation.In Figure 3 there is shown in solid lines the carriage of smaller size and in broken lines the carriage of maximum size. The carriage C (FIG. 7) has sides or sides formed by vertical or substantially vertical bars B. For the adjustment of the installation, the transmitter 37 1 is placed at a higher level of the distance H 1 than the upper edge of the carriage of maximum size and the receiver 38 1 is placed at a lower level of the distance H 2 than that of the upper edge of the smaller trolley. Under these conditions, whatever the size of the carriage used, the rays emitted by the transmitter 37 1 to the receiver 38 1 , as indicated in R, meet only one side of a carriage C whose size is included between the maximum gauge carriage and the minimum gauge carriage. It is thus possible to carry out counting of the bars on the right side of the carriage limitatively, the bars on the left side being unable to intervene for the counting, even if the carriage is presented at an angle, that is to say according to a movement not strictly parallel to the average vertical plane of symmetry of the installation.

Il en est de même pour la coopération de l'émetteur 372 avec le récepteur 382,It is the same for the cooperation of the transmitter 37 2 with the receiver 38 2 ,

Sur la façade avant de la console ou coffret transversal 7, sont présents trois voyants V1, V2, V3 (figure 1). Lorsque le voyant V1 est vert, c'est le signe que l'installation est prête pour l'introduction d'un chariot dans le sas.On the front of the console or cabinet transverse 7, there are three LEDs V 1 , V 2 , V 3 (Figure 1). When the indicator V 1 is green, this indicates that the installation is ready for the introduction of a trolley into the airlock.

Le voyant Vi (vert) est allumé pendant toute la durée du cycle et ne s'éteint en conséquence que pendant la délivrance du ticket.The indicator V i (green) is lit for the entire duration of the cycle and does not go out as a result until the ticket is issued.

Lorsque le voyant V2 est rouge, c'est le signe de la condition hors-service de l'installation. Lorsque le voyant V3 est rouge, c'est le signe de la nécessité de réalimenter la machine par un rouleau de papier à tickets.When the indicator V 2 is red, this is a sign of the installation's out-of-service condition. When the indicator V 3 is red, it is a sign of the need to refill the machine with a roll of receipt paper.

Un quatrième voyant peut être prévu également qui, lorsqu'il est rouge, signale que l'aire de réception ne peut plus recevoir de nouveau chariot.A fourth indicator can also be provided which, when it is red, signals that the reception area can no longer receive a new carriage.

Le fonctionnement est le suivant :

  • Lorsqu'un utilisateur souhaite restituer le chariot qu'il a utilisé pour ses achats et qu'il a vidé des marchandises qu'il a achetées, il s'approche du sas 1 pour introduire le chariot dans l'aire de stockage. Après avoir constaté que le voyant V1 est allumé, ce qui lui signale que son chariot peut être introduit dans l'installation, il fait progresser le chariot en le poussant selon la flèche G de la figure 1. Lorsque l'avant du chariot parvient devant le premier dispositif de vérification, l'avant du chariot occulte le pinceau dirigé par l'émetteur 371 vers le récepteur 381 du dispositif, ce qui entraîne l'autorisation de départ du cycle. Un premier comptage des barres verticales B du chariot C est effectué par le premier dispositif 371, 381, afin de procéder à une première identification. Si le nombre de barres comptées par le premier dispositif (par exemple quatre ou cinq) correspond à un chiffre prédéterminé ou enregistré dans l'installation pour permettre la poursuite du cycle de fonctionnement, les portillons 14, jusqu'alors verrouillés en position fermée, sont déverrouillés par l'excitation des électro-aimants 29 des verrous ; les noyaux 31 sont attirés et libèrent ainsi la pièce 27 solidaire de l'arbre 15. Dans une variante, pour diminuer encore plus le risque de fraude, le déverrouillage des portillons est commandé par l'association des deux systèmes de détection, c'est-à-dire 371, 381 d'une part, et 372, 382 d'autre part.
The operation is as follows:
  • When a user wishes to return the cart that he has used for his purchases and that he has emptied of the goods that he has bought, he approaches the airlock 1 to introduce the cart into the storage area. After having noted that the indicator light V 1 is on, which signals to it that its carriage can be introduced into the installation, it advances the carriage by pushing it according to the arrow G in FIG. 1. When the front of the carriage reaches in front of the first verification device, the front of the carriage obscures the brush directed by the transmitter 37 1 towards the receiver 38 1 of the device, which gives the authorization to start the cycle. A first count of the vertical bars B of the carriage C is carried out by the first device 37 1 , 38 1 , in order to carry out a first identification. If the number of bars counted by the first device (for example four or five) corresponds to a predetermined figure or recorded in the installation to allow the continuation of the operating cycle, the gates 14, hitherto locked in the closed position, are unlocked by the excitation of the electromagnets 29 of the latches; the cores 31 are attracted and thus release the part 27 secured to the shaft 15. In a variant, to further reduce the risk of fraud, the unlocking of the gates is controlled by the association of the two detection systems, this is ie 37 1 , 38 1 on the one hand, and 37 2 , 38 2 on the other.

Les portillons étant déverrouillés, il suffit que l'usager continue à faire progresser son chariot pour repousser les portillons vers l'aval de l'installation et ainsi les ouvrir. Les interrupteurs 32 de contrôle de présence des portillons en position fermée changent alors d'état et permettent la validation du deuxième dispositif à émetteur-récepteur 372, 382 qui commence le comptage des barres verticales B du chariot. Lorsque le nombre de barres comptées par le deuxième dispositif atteint une valeur prédéterminée, enregistrée au préalable dans l'installation et correspondant à la deuxième identification du chariot, il suffit à l'usager de continuer à faire avancer le chariot pour que celui-ci échappe complètement aux portillons et que ces derniers puissent revenir en position fermée sous l'effet des ressorts de rappel 18.The gates being unlocked, it suffices that the user continues to advance his carriage to push the gates downstream of the installation and thus open them. The switches 32 for controlling the presence of the gates in the closed position then change state and allow the validation of the second transceiver device 37 2 , 38 2 which begins counting the vertical bars B of the carriage. When the number of bars counted by the second device reaches a predetermined value, recorded beforehand in the installation and corresponding to the second identification of the cart, the user just has to keep moving the cart forward so that it escapes completely to the gates and that they can return to the closed position under the effect of the return springs 18.

Le chariot est maintenant à l'intérieur de l'aire de réception.The cart is now inside the receiving area.

Les portillons, en se refermant, commandent les interrupteurs 32 qui autorisent le verrouillage des portillons par des excitations des électro-aimants 29 des verrous de portes.The gates, by closing, control the switches 32 which authorize the locking of the gates by excitations of the electromagnets 29 of the door locks.

L'ensemble du processus s'étant déroulé normalement et le chariot ayant été réceptionné, l'installation délivre alors un timbre préencollé dont l'utilisateur peut prendre possession dans la sébile 11.The whole process having taken place normally and the carriage having been received, the installation then delivers a pre-glued stamp which the user can take possession of in the bowl 11.

Tout le cycle de fonctionnement de l'installation fait intervenir des temporisations qui permettent de contrôler les temps relatifs à l'accomplissement de chaque phase de progression du chariot.The entire operating cycle of the installation involves time delays which make it possible to control the times relating to the completion of each phase of progression of the carriage.

Toute tentative de fraude, se traduisant notamment par une anomalie du comptage, entraîne l'interdiction de délivrance du ticket avec, éventuellement, en association, le déclenchement d'une alarme, dans le cas où les portillons restent trop longtemps ouverts.Any attempt at fraud, resulting in particular in an anomaly of the counting, entails the prohibition of issue of the ticket with, possibly, in association, the triggering of an alarm, in the event that the gates remain open for too long.

Les allers et retours d'un même chariot sont contrôlés par le premier dispositif qui reprend un comptage et atteint donc un nombre prédéterminé de barres comptées pour lequel le blocage du processus de délivrance du ticket est déclenché.The back and forth of the same carriage are controlled by the first device which resumes counting and therefore reaches a predetermined number of counted bars for which the blocking of the process of issuing the ticket is triggered.

Un utilisateur ayant engagé par erreur un chariot entre les portillons peut le retirer aussi longtemps que le chariot n'a pas été engagé totalement et que les portillons ne se sont pas refermés. Mais, dans ce cas, l'installation ne délivre pas de ticket.A user who mistakenly engaged a carriage between the doors can remove it as long as the carriage has not been fully engaged and the doors have not closed. However, in this case, the installation does not issue a ticket.

Avantageusement, l'installation comprend un compteur totalisateur avec remise à zéro, permettant de comptabiliser le nombre de tickets distribués.Advantageously, the installation includes a totalizing counter with reset, making it possible to count the number of tickets distributed.

Dans le tableau de la figure 8, relatif à un cycle normal de fonctionnement de l'installation, les chiffres 1 à 11 représentent les diverses phases du fonctionnement dans leur succession dans le temps.In the table in FIG. 8, relating to a normal operating cycle of the installation, the numbers 1 to 11 represent the various phases of operation in their succession over time.

Les chiffres, sur la partie gauche du tableau, désignent, en succession dans l'ordre croissant, les différentes étapes du fonctionnement. Les indications encadrées reliées à un chiffre par un trait schématisent les opérations de l'étape désignée par ce chiffre.The numbers on the left side of the table indicate, in succession in ascending order, the different stages of operation. The framed indications linked to a number by a line schematize the operations of the stage designated by this number.

Les indications situées entre deux chiffres consécutifs concernent les opérations effectuées entre deux étapes du processus, ou opérations inter-étapes.The indications located between two consecutive digits relate to the operations carried out between two stages of the process, or inter-stage operations.

A. Etape n° 1 : elle correspond au début du cycle, lorsque l'installation se trouve dans la position de la figure 1, propre à recevoir un chariot.

  • A cette étape, le voyant Vi (vert) est allumé, signifiant « introduisez votre chariot ».
  • B. Inter-étape 1.2 : l'usager commence à introduire son chariot dans le sas d'accès et l'avant de son chariot provoque la première occultation du premier dispositif à rayons infrarouges 371-381, entraînant l'autorisation de départ du cycle. S1 est t'indication de la validation de l'étape précédente, chaque étape devant être validée préalablement à la réalisation de l'étape suivante. Dans le cas présent, la validation consiste à vérifier que le voyant V1 est bien allumé.
  • C. Etape n° 2 : l'usager continue de progresser, ce qui entraîne simultanément :
    • comme schématisé par C1 (flèche), le premier comptage des barres du chariot par les cellules 371, 38, ;
    • comme schématisé par LT1, le début ou lancement de la temporisation à partir du commencement du premier comptage.
    • Le voyant V1 demeure allumé.
  • D. Inter-étape 2.3 :
    • X1 représente le nombre prédéterminé de barres pré-enregistré dans l'installation qui doit être compté au minimum par le dispositif comprenant les cellules 371, 381 dans un temps prédéterminé.
    • FT1 représente la fin de la temporisation attachée au premier comptage qui doit être terminé avant le passage au stade suivant.
    • S2 représente la validation de l'opération de l'étape 2.
  • E. Etape n° 3 : la correction des opérations de l'inter-étape 2.3 étant vérifiée, les organes (par exemple des transistors) TG1 et TG2, de commande de déverrouillage des portillons droit et gauche, sont excités.
    • LT2 représente le lancement de la temporisation de fin de premier comptage, temporisation pendant la durée de laquelle doit intervenir la première occultation du pinceau de rayons infrarouges émis par l'émetteur 372 vers le récepteur 382.
    • V1 indique que le voyant V1 s'éteint.
  • F. Inter-étape 3.4 :
    • FT2 indique la fin de la temporisation concernant l'intervalle de temps séparant la fin du premier comptage et la première occultation, par l'extrémité avant du chariot, du pinceau de rayons infrarouges émis par l'émetteur 372 vers le récepteur 382. Les portillons sont déverrouillés mais l'usager ne les a pas ouverts. Les interrupteurs 32, symbolisés par g1 et g2, n'ont pas encore changé d'état.
    • S3 représente la validation de l'étape précédente.
    • d2 représente la première occultation du pinceau de rayons infrarouges émis par l'émetteur 372 vers le récepteur 382.
  • G. Etape n° 4 : le dispositif de comptage étant excité par le dispositif 372, 382, le deuxième comptage C2 (fléché vers le haut) est engagé.
    • Les transistors TG1, TG2 de commande de portillons restent actionnés.
    • La temporisation (LT3) du début du deuxième comptage est lancée.
    • Le premier comptage C1 (fléché vers le bas) est remis à zéro.
  • H. Inter-étape 4.5 :
    • X2 représente le nombre prédéterminé de barres qui doit être compté au minimum par le deuxième dispositif 372, 382 pendant un temps prédéterminé.
    • FT3 représente la fin de la temporisation du deuxième comptage, lequel doit être effectué avant passage au stade suivant.
    • Les interrupteurs 32 ont changé d'état, ce qui est matérialisé par (g1 + g2).
    • S4 indique la validation de l'étape précédente.
  • 1. Etape 5 :
    • LT4 indique le lancement de la temporisation à la fin du deuxième comptage, temporisation pendant la durée de laquelle les portillons doivent se refermer.
    • TG1, TG2 indiquent que les transistors de commande des portillons restent actionnés, les portillons étant ouverts.
  • J. Inter-étape 5.6 : le chariot étant passé totalement, les portillons se referment en actionnant les interrupteurs 32 qui changent d'état et se ferment, ce qui est matérialisé par g1 · g2.
    • X1 indique qu'on bloque la délivrance du coupon dans le cas d'un nouveau score réalisé par le premier dispositif comprenant l'émetteur 371 et le récepteur 372.
    • FT4 représente la fin de la temporisation concernant l'intervalle de temps devant s'écouler entre la fin du deuxième comptage et le moment où les interrupteurs 32 se ferment.
    • S5 signale la validation de l'étape précédente.
  • K. Etape n° 6 : les transistors de commande des portes ne sont plus excités, ce qui est matérialisé par TG 1, TG 2.
    • LT5 indique le lancement de la temporisation entre la fermeture des portillons et le début de l'avance du papier délivré par le distributeur 12.
  • L. Inter-étape 6.7 :
    • FT5 signale la fin de la temporisation entre la fermeture des portillons et le début de l'avance du papier délivré par le distributeur 12.
    • Se indique la validation de l'étape précédente.
  • M. Etape n° 7 : à ce moment, l'avance du papier est commandée (notamment par l'excitation d'un transistor), ce qui est matérialisé par TA.
    • LT6 indique le lancement simultané de la temporisation d'avance du papier.
  • N. Inter-étape 7.8 :
    • FT6 signale la fin de la temporisation d'avance du papier.
    • S7 indique la validation de l'étape précédente.
  • O. Etape n° 8 : l'avance du papier est interrompue, ce qui est symbolisé par TA. La temporisation LT7 entre la fin de l'avance du papier et le début de l'opération du tranchage de celui-ci est lancée.
    • C2 suivi de la flèche vers le bas indique que le deuxième comptage est pris en compte par l'appareil.
  • P. Inter-étape 8.9 :
    • FT7 signale la fin de la temporisation entre la fin d'avance du papier et le début de son tranchage.
    • S8 indique la validation de l'opération de l'étape 8.
  • Q. Etape 9 : le dispositif de coupe du papier et le compteur totalisateur de tickets distribués sont mis en marche, notamment par excitation d'un transistor, ce qui est matérialisé par TC.
    • LT8 indique le lancement de la temporisation pour la manoeuvre du coupe-papier.
  • R. Inter-étape 9.10 :
    • FT8 représente la fin de la temporisation pour l'acheminement du dispositif de coupe du papier.
    • Sg signale la validation des opérations de l'étape 9.
  • S. Etape 10 :
    • TC indique que le dispositif de coupe du papier et le compteur totalisateur de tickets sont déconnectés.
    • C1, et
    • C2, l'un et l'autre accompagnés de la flèche vers le bas, indiquent que les premier et deuxième comptages sont pris en compte.
    • LT9 signale le lancement de la temporisation pour le contrôle du papier.
  • T. Inter-étape 10.11 :
    • S10 indique la validation des opérations de l'étape précédente.
    • FT9 indique la fin de la temporisation du contrôle du papier. Ensuite, on contrôle la présence du papier dans la machine. Deux cas peuvent se présenter :
      • a) s'il y a encore du papier, CP (moyen de contrôle de présence du papier) reste excité ;
      • b) s'il n'y a plus de papier, le moyen de contrôle de présence de papier le signale, ce qui est matérialisé par CP.
  • U. Etape 11 : cette étape n'intervient que dans le cas où il n'y a plus de papier dans la machine. Le voyant V3 s'allume alors, ce qui signale la nécessité de remettre du papier dans la machine. Après mise en place d'un nouveau rouleau de papier, les moyens ae contrôle reprennent leur état normal matérialisé par CP.
A. Step n ° 1: it corresponds to the beginning of the cycle, when the installation is in the position of figure 1, suitable for receiving a carriage.
  • At this stage, the indicator V i (green) is on, signifying "insert your cart".
  • B. Inter-step 1.2: the user begins to introduce his cart into the access airlock and the front of his cart causes the first occultation of the first infrared ray device 37 1 -38 1 , leading to the authorization to start the cycle. S 1 is the indication of the validation of the previous step, each step having to be validated before carrying out the next step. In the present case, the validation consists in verifying that the LED V 1 is indeed lit.
  • C. Step 2: the user continues to progress, which simultaneously leads to:
    • as shown diagrammatically by C 1 (arrow), the first counting of the bars of the carriage by the cells 37 1 , 38,;
    • as shown by LT 1 , the start or start of the timer from the start of the first count.
    • The indicator V 1 remains on.
  • D. Inter-step 2.3:
    • X 1 represents the predetermined number of bars pre-recorded in the installation which must be counted at least by the device comprising the cells 37 1 , 38 1 in a predetermined time.
    • FT 1 represents the end of the time delay attached to the first count which must be completed before going to the next stage.
    • S 2 represents the validation of the operation of step 2.
  • E. Step n ° 3: the correction of the operations of the inter-step 2.3 being verified, the members (for example of the transistors) TG 1 and TG 2 , for controlling the unlocking of the right and left gates, are excited.
    • LT 2 represents the start of the timing for the end of the first counting, timing during which the first occultation of the brush of infrared rays emitted by the transmitter 37 2 towards the receiver 38 2 must occur.
    • V 1 indicates that the V 1 indicator goes out.
  • F. Inter-step 3.4:
    • FT 2 indicates the end of the time delay concerning the time interval separating the end of the first count and the first occultation, by the front end of the carriage, of the brush of infrared rays emitted by the transmitter 37 2 towards the receiver 38 2 . The gates are unlocked but the user has not opened them. The switches 32, symbolized by g 1 and g 2 , have not yet changed state.
    • S 3 represents the validation of the previous step.
    • d 2 represents the first occultation of the brush of infrared rays emitted by the transmitter 37 2 towards the receiver 38 2 .
  • G. Step 4: the counting device being excited by the device 37 2 , 38 2 , the second count C 2 (arrowed upwards) is engaged.
    • The gates control transistors TG 1 , TG 2 remain actuated.
    • The time delay (LT 3 ) for the start of the second count is started.
    • The first count C 1 (arrow down) is reset to zero.
  • H. Inter-step 4.5:
    • X 2 represents the predetermined number of bars which must be counted at least by the second device 37 2 , 38 2 for a predetermined time.
    • FT 3 represents the end of the timing of the second count, which must be carried out before going to the next stage.
    • The switches 32 have changed state, which is materialized by (g 1 + g 2 ).
    • S 4 indicates the validation of the previous step.
  • 1. Step 5:
    • LT 4 indicates the start of the time delay at the end of the second count, time delay during which the gates must close.
    • TG 1 , TG 2 indicate that the gate control transistors remain actuated, the gates being open.
  • J. Inter-step 5.6: the carriage having passed completely, the gates are closed by actuating the switches 32 which change state and close, which is materialized by g 1 · g 2 .
    • X 1 indicates that the coupon is blocked in the case of a new score produced by the first device comprising the transmitter 37 1 and the receiver 37 2 .
    • FT 4 represents the end of the time delay relating to the time interval which must elapse between the end of the second count and the moment when the switches 32 close.
    • S 5 signals the validation of the previous step.
  • K. Step n ° 6: the door control transistors are no longer energized, which is materialized by TG 1 , TG 2 .
    • LT 5 indicates the start of the time delay between the closing of the gates and the start of the advance of the paper delivered by the dispenser 12.
  • L. Inter-step 6.7:
    • FT 5 signals the end of the time delay between the closing of the gates and the start of the advance of the paper delivered by the dispenser 12.
    • The validation of the previous step is indicated.
  • M. Step n ° 7: at this time, the advance of the paper is controlled (in particular by the excitation of a transistor), which is materialized by TA.
    • LT 6 indicates the simultaneous start of the paper advance delay.
  • N. Inter-step 7.8:
    • FT 6 signals the end of the paper advance delay.
    • S 7 indicates the validation of the previous step.
  • O. Step n ° 8: the paper advance is interrupted, which is symbolized by TA. The time delay tion LT 7 between the end of the paper advance and the start of the slicing operation thereof is started.
    • C 2 followed by the down arrow indicates that the second count is taken into account by the device.
  • P. Inter-step 8.9:
    • FT 7 signals the end of the time delay between the end of paper feed and the start of slicing.
    • S 8 indicates the validation of the operation of step 8.
  • Q. Step 9: the paper cutting device and the counter for totaling distributed tickets are started, in particular by excitation of a transistor, which is materialized by TC.
    • LT 8 indicates the start of the time delay for the operation of the cutter.
  • R. Inter-step 9.10:
    • FT 8 represents the end of the time delay for the routing of the paper cutting device.
    • Sg signals the validation of the operations in step 9.
  • S. Step 10:
    • TC indicates that the paper cutter and the ticket counter are disconnected.
    • C 1 , and
    • C 2 , both accompanied by the down arrow, indicate that the first and second counts are taken into account.
    • LT 9 signals the start of the timer for paper control.
  • T. Inter-step 10.11:
    • S 10 indicates the validation of the operations of the previous step.
    • FT 9 indicates the end of the paper control timeout. Next, the presence of paper in the machine is checked. Two cases can arise:
      • a) if there is still paper, CP (means of checking the presence of paper) remains excited;
      • b) if there is no more paper, the means of checking for the presence of paper signals this, which is materialized by CP.
  • U. Step 11: this step only occurs if there is no more paper in the machine. The indicator V 3 then lights up, which signals the need to put paper back in the machine. After placing a new roll of paper, the control means resume their normal state materialized by CP.

Un nouveau cycle de fonctionnement peut être entamé.A new operating cycle can be started.

L'invention prévoit une variante dans laquelle, en fonction du distributeur de tickets ou coupons choisi, une seule impulsion sert à la délivrance du coupon, ce qui permet de ne pas prendre en considération le lancement des opérations coupe-papier.The invention provides a variant in which, depending on the chosen ticket or coupon dispenser, a single pulse is used to issue the coupon, which makes it possible to disregard the launch of the paper cutter operations.

En référence aux figures 9 à 11, on va décrire des variantes de réalisation de l'installation selon l'invention.Referring to Figures 9 to 11, we will describe alternative embodiments of the installation according to the invention.

En figure 9, on a représenté schématiquement une partie d'une installation pour la restitution d'un chariot 110, prévue à l'entrée d'une aire de stockage des chariots 110, à laquelle le public n'a pas accès. Elle comprend un portique délimitant une ouverture d'introduction des chariots dans l'aire de stockage, et qui est formé de deux piliers verticaux 111 écartés entre eux d'une distance supérieure à la largeur d'un chariot 110 et reliés à leur extrémité supérieure par un montant transversal horizontal 112 comprenant un certain nombre de voyants 113 pour la signalisation du déroulement des différentes opérations exécutées par l'installation et de son état de fonctionnement. A son extrémité arrière, située du côté de l'aire de stockage, l'installation comprend un ou deux portillons 114 fermant normalement l'accès à l'aire de stockage et qui sont destinés à être ouverts par un chariot 110 poussé par un utilisateur sous le portique 111, 112.In Figure 9, there is schematically shown part of an installation for the return of a cart 110, provided at the entrance to a storage area of the carriages 110, to which the public does not have access. It comprises a gantry delimiting an opening for introducing the carriages into the storage area, and which is formed by two vertical pillars 111 spaced apart by a distance greater than the width of a carriage 110 and connected at their upper end. by a horizontal transverse upright 112 comprising a certain number of indicator lights 113 for signaling the progress of the various operations carried out by the installation and its operating state. At its rear end, located on the side of the storage area, the installation comprises one or two gates 114 normally closing access to the storage area and which are intended to be opened by a carriage 110 pushed by a user under the portal 111, 112.

Divers moyens de reconnaissance d'un chariot 110 sont prévus en amont du portillon 114 et sont en général à fonctionnement séquentiel, de façon à exécuter un certain nombre d'opérations d'identification du chariot, dans un ordre déterminé, quand le chariot est poussé contre le portillon 114. Si ces opérations sont exécutées dans l'ordre déterminé et avantageusement dans une période de temps déterminée, elles commandent le fonctionnement d'un distributeur de tickets logé dans l'un des piliers 111 et délivrant un ticket par une fente 115 de la face avant de ce pilier. Ce ticket donne droit à l'utilisateur, qui a ramené son chariot 110 à l'aire de stockage, à une récompense ou à un avantage d'une nature quelconque.Various means of recognizing a carriage 110 are provided upstream of the gate 114 and are generally sequential, so as to execute a certain number of operations for identifying the carriage, in a determined order, when the carriage is pushed against the gate 114. If these operations are carried out in the determined order and advantageously within a determined period of time, they control the operation of a ticket dispenser housed in one of the pillars 111 and delivering a ticket through a slot 115 of the front of this pillar. This ticket entitles the user, who has returned his cart 110 to the storage area, to a reward or advantage of any kind.

L'un au moins des moyens de reconnaissance du chariot 110 est une cellule photo-électrique du type dit « à réflexion comprenant un boîtier 116 contenant, côte à côte, un émetteur d'un rayonnement de longueur d'onde déterminée, par exemple un rayonnement infrarouge, et un élément récepteur pour la détection dudit rayonnement après réflexion de celui-ci sur un réflecteur 117.At least one of the means for recognizing the carriage 110 is a photoelectric cell of the so-called "reflection type" comprising a housing 116 containing, side by side, an emitter of radiation of determined wavelength, for example a infrared radiation, and a receiving element for the detection of said radiation after reflection thereof on a reflector 117.

Dans l'exemple de la figure 9, le boîtier 116 est monté sur la face horizontale inférieure du montant transversal 112, et le réflecteur 117 est au sol, dans le passage du chariot 110, en étant verticalement aligné avec le boîtier 116.In the example of FIG. 9, the housing 116 is mounted on the lower horizontal face of the transverse upright 112, and the reflector 117 is on the ground, in the passage of the carriage 110, being vertically aligned with the housing 116.

On comprend que, quand un chariot 110 est amené devant le portillon 114 entre les deux piliers 111, certaines de ses parties passent successivement entre le réflecteur 117 et le boîtier 116, et empêchent la réflexion du rayonnement vers la cellule réceptrice du boîtier 116. La présence du chariot 110 devant le portillon 114 et son passage au-dessus du réflecteur 117 sont ainsi détectés et pris en compte.It is understood that, when a carriage 110 is brought in front of the gate 114 between the two pillars 111, some of its parts pass successively between the reflector 117 and the housing 116, and prevent the reflection of the radiation towards the receiving cell of the housing 116. presence of the carriage 110 in front of the gate 114 and its passage above the reflector 117 are thus detected and taken into account.

Dans la variante représentée en figure 10, l'installation comprend un portique 111, 112 du même type que précédemment, et le boîtier 116 contenant la cellule photo-électrique à réflexion est placé, non plus sur le montant transversal 112, mais sur la face interne 118 d'un des piliers 111, tandis que le réflecteur 117 est porté par une des parois latérales du chariot 110, le boîtier 116 et le réflecteur 117 se trouvant à la même hauteur au-dessus du sol.In the variant shown in FIG. 10, the installation comprises a gantry 111, 112 of the same type as above, and the housing 116 containing the photoelectric reflection cell is placed, no longer on the transverse upright 112, but on the internal face 118 of one of the pillars 111, while the reflector 117 is carried by a side walls of the carriage 110, the housing 116 and the reflector 117 being at the same height above the ground.

Dans une autre variante, non représentée, on utilise le boîtier 116 sans l'associer à un réflecteur particulier, et ce sont différentes parties du chariot 110, quand celui-ci se trouve en regard du boîtier 116, qui jouent le rôle de réflecteur.In another variant, not shown, the housing 116 is used without associating it with a particular reflector, and these are different parts of the carriage 110, when the latter is opposite the housing 116, which play the role of reflector.

Dans une autre variante, représentée schématiquement en figure 11, au moins l'un des moyens de reconnaissance d'un chariot est un détecteur de métaux 119, d'un type classique, qui est monté sur un portillon 114. Dans l'exemple représenté, chaque portillon 114 porte un détecteur de métaux 119. Quand le chariot 110 est poussé sur les portillons 114 sa partie avant vient sensiblement au contact des détecteurs 119, qui prennent en compte la présence du chariot. Quand le chariot est poussé pour ouvrir les portillons les détecteurs de métaux 119 restent sensiblement au contact de certaines parties des parois latérales du chariot, et prennent en compte le passage dudit chariot sous le montant transversal 112 du portique.In another variant, shown diagrammatically in FIG. 11, at least one of the means for recognizing a carriage is a metal detector 119, of a conventional type, which is mounted on a gate 114. In the example shown , each door 114 carries a metal detector 119. When the carriage 110 is pushed onto the doors 114 its front part comes substantially into contact with the detectors 119, which take into account the presence of the carriage. When the carriage is pushed to open the gates, the metal detectors 119 remain substantially in contact with certain parts of the side walls of the carriage, and take into account the passage of said carriage under the transverse upright 112 of the gantry.

Pour faciliter l'introduction d'un chariot dans l'aire de stockage, l'invention prévoit également de disposer, derrière le portique 111, 112, un moyen d'entraînement ou de convoyage automatique du chariot.To facilitate the introduction of a trolley into the storage area, the invention also provides for having, behind the gantry 111, 112, an automatic drive or conveying means for the trolley.

Dans la forme de réalisation représentée en figure 12, le convoyeur comprend deux courroies horizontales 121 à surface extérieure crantée 122 qui s'étendent depuis le portique 111, 112, représenté en trait fantôme, de part et d'autre du passage d'introduction du chariot 110 dans l'aire de stockage. A leur extrémité avant, les courroies 121 passent sur une roue d'entraînement 123 fixée sur un arbre menant vertical entraîné lui- même à partir d'un moteur, par exemple électrique, au moyen d'un système à pignons 124 et courroies 125.In the embodiment shown in Figure 12, the conveyor comprises two horizontal belts 121 with notched outer surface 122 which extend from the gantry 111, 112, shown in phantom, on either side of the passage for introducing the trolley 110 in the storage area. At their front end, the belts 121 pass over a drive wheel 123 fixed to a vertical drive shaft itself driven from a motor, for example electric, by means of a system of pinions 124 and belts 125.

A leur extrémité opposée, les courroies 121 passent autour d'une roue de renvoi portée par un arbre vertical dont les paliers d'extrémité 126 sont guidés dans des lumières incurvées 127 et sont soumis à l'action de ressorts de rappel tendant à rapprocher l'une de l'autre les extrémités arrière des courroies 121, de telle sorte que celles-ci définissent un chemin de guidage du chariot 110 qui est plus large à son extrémité d'entrée du chariot qu'à son extrémité de sortie dudit chariot. La distance séparant les deux courroies crantées 121 au niveau du portique 111, 112, est supérieure à la plus grande largeur d'un chariot 110, tandis que la distance minimale séparant ces deux courroies à leur extrémité opposée est sensiblement égale à la plus petite largeur d'un chariot.At their opposite end, the belts 121 pass around a deflection wheel carried by a vertical shaft, the end bearings 126 of which are guided in curved slots 127 and are subjected to the action of return springs tending to bring the from one another the rear ends of the belts 121, so that these define a guide path for the carriage 110 which is wider at its entry end of the carriage than at its exit end of said carriage. The distance separating the two notched belts 121 at the level of the gantry 111, 112 is greater than the greatest width of a carriage 110, while the minimum distance separating these two belts at their opposite end is substantially equal to the smallest width of a cart.

Ce dispositif fonctionne de la façon suivante : quand un chariot 110 est amené sous le portique 111, 112, les moyens d'identification de chariot prévus dans le portique commandent la mise en route du convoyeur, les bandes 121 étant entraînées par les roues menantes 123 dans le sens indiqué par les flèches 128. Quand l'utilisateur continue de pousser le chariot 110 sous le portique 111, 112, l'extrémité avant du chariot vient en contact avec les surfaces en regard des courroies crantées 121, et le chariot est entraîné automatiquement, dans le sens de la flèche 129, jusqu'à ce qu'il sorte du convoyeur. Celui-ci s'arrête alors automatiquement.This device operates as follows: when a carriage 110 is brought under the gantry 111, 112, the trolley identification means provided in the gantry control the starting of the conveyor, the belts 121 being driven by the driving wheels 123 in the direction indicated by the arrows 128. When the user continues to push the carriage 110 under the gantry 111, 112, the front end of the carriage comes into contact with the facing surfaces of the toothed belts 121, and the carriage is driven automatically, in the direction of arrow 129, until it leaves the conveyor. This then stops automatically.

Dans la variante représentée sur les figures 13 et 14, le convoyeur comprend une seule courroie 130 passant à ses extrémités sur des rouleaux 131 et 132 à axe horizontal, portés par un châssis légèrement surélevé par rapport au sol 133. Le rouleau 132 est un rouleau menant, entraîné au moyen d'une courroie 134 par un moteur 135, tandis que l'autre rouleau 131 est un simple rouleau de renvoi.In the variant shown in Figures 13 and 14, the conveyor comprises a single belt 130 passing at its ends on rollers 131 and 132 with a horizontal axis, carried by a frame slightly raised relative to the ground 133. The roller 132 is a roller leading, driven by means of a belt 134 by a motor 135, while the other roller 131 is a simple deflection roller.

La courroie 130 d'entraînement d'un chariot 110 comprend de place en place sur sa face extérieure des doigts perpendiculaires 136 destinés à coopérer avec une barre transversale avant 137 de la partie inférieure du chariot, pour entraîner celui-ci dans le sens de la flèche 138. La courroie 130 est précédée d'un plan incliné 139 et est suivie d'un autre plan incliné 140, facilitant l'amenée du chariot 110 sur le convoyeur, et son évacuation à la sortie du convoyeur.The belt 130 for driving a carriage 110 comprises from place to place on its outer face perpendicular fingers 136 intended to cooperate with a front transverse bar 137 of the lower part of the carriage, to drive the latter in the direction of the arrow 138. The belt 130 is preceded by an inclined plane 139 and is followed by another inclined plane 140, facilitating the bringing of the carriage 110 on the conveyor, and its evacuation at the outlet of the conveyor.

Dans cette forme de réalisation, le portique prévu à l'entrée de l'aire de stockage est remplacé par deux piliers verticaux 141 comprenant des moyens d'identification du chariot 110, et deux portillons 142.In this embodiment, the gantry provided at the entrance to the storage area is replaced by two vertical pillars 141 comprising means for identifying the carriage 110, and two gates 142.

Deux autres piliers verticaux 143 peuvent être prévus à l'intérieur de l'aire de stockage, de part et d'autre du convoyeur, pour commander l'arrêt de ce convoyeur.Two other vertical pillars 143 can be provided inside the storage area, on either side of the conveyor, to control the stopping of this conveyor.

Ce dispositif fonctionne de la façon suivante :

  • L'utilisateur ramenant le chariot 110 pousse celui-ci sur les portillons 142 et engage l'avant du chariot sur le plan incliné 139. Le passage du chariot devant les piliers verticaux 141 commande la mise en route du convoyeur et l'entraînement de la courroie 130 dont un doigt 136 vient en butée sur la barre transversale inférieure 137 de l'avant du chariot, et entraîne le chariot dans le sens de la flèche 138. Quand le chariot 110 passe entre les deux autres piliers verticaux 143, il coupe par exemple le faisceau d'alimentation d'une cellule photo-électrique qui commande alors l'arrêt du convoyeur, avec une temporisation plus ou moins importante en fonction de la disposition des piliers 143 par rapport à l'extrémité du convoyeur. Le chariot est évacué par le plan incliné 140 à la sortie du convoyeur.
This device works as follows:
  • The user bringing the carriage 110 pushes it on the gates 142 and engages the front of the carriage on the inclined plane 139. The passage of the carriage in front of the vertical pillars 141 controls the starting of the conveyor and the drive of the belt 130 of which a finger 136 abuts on the lower transverse bar 137 of the front of the carriage, and drives the carriage in the direction of arrow 138. When the carriage 110 passes between the two other vertical pillars 143, it cuts by example the supply beam of a photoelectric cell which then controls the stopping of the conveyor, with a more or less significant time delay depending on the arrangement of the pillars 143 relative to the end of the conveyor. The carriage is evacuated by the inclined plane 140 at the outlet of the conveyor.

Claims (25)

1. A method of encouraging the return of a rolling vehicle, such as a supermarket trolley, to a reception area which comprises an access control means, the method consisting in carrying out several checks on the identity of the vehicle when it passes through the access control means, and after checking issuing a reward, for example in the form of a ticket, characterised in that the access control means comprising at least one gate (14, 114) located at the entrance of the reception area, a first check of the identity of the vehicle (C, 110) is carried out upstream of the gate, then a second check of the identity of the vehicle as it passes through the gate (14, 114) while allowing the vehicle (C, 110) to be withdrawn during this passage, the gate (14, 114) is allowed to return to its closing condition after the passage, and the issue of a ticket is only ordered if the second check confirms the first check and the vehicle (C, 110) has not been withdrawn during the passage through the gate (14, 114).
2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that, the gate (14) being lockable in the closing condition, it is unlocked if there is a satisfactory result for the first check, and it is locked when it has returned to its closing condition after the passage.
3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a first identity check is carried out during a predetermined period of time beyond which, if the second check is not conclusive, the issue of a ticket is prevented or the gate (14) is locked.
4. A method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second check is carried out during a predetermined period of time beyond which, if the identification is satisfactory, the gate (14) may be locked again and the issue of a ticket is ordered.
5. A method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and the second checks are carried out by optical detection of predetermined geometrical features of the vehicle (C, 114), for example by means of infrared rays.
6. A method according to one of the preceding claims, applied in the event that the vehicle is an openwork supermarket trolley, characterized in that the first and second checks are carried out by counting the number of bars (B) of the trolley (C).
7. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that the bars (B) are counted on one side only of the trolley (C).
8. An installation for putting into operation the method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising means for controlling access to a reception area for vehicles, which means opens when a vehicle is pushed in the direction of access and is provided with a means for return to the closing position, several devices for checking the identity of the vehicle, a dispenser of reward tickets, and a control unit for the correct sequential progress of the operations controlling the ticket dispenser, characterized in that, the access control means comprising at least one gate (14, 114), a first checking device (35, 371, 381) is located upstream of the said gate (14, 114) and the second checking device (36, 372, 382) is located between the first checking device and the gate (14, 114) such that the second check is carried out while the vehicle is passing through the gate, the installation also comprising an element (32) which is sensitive to the closing position of the gate and is connected to the said control unit (S, C) to prevent the issue of a ticket if the gate (14, 114) is not in its closing position after the vehicle (C, 110) has passed through.
9. An installation according to claim 8, characterized in that it also comprises a lock (27, 31) to immobilize the access control gate (14) in the closing position, the lock being retractable under the control of the first checking device (35, 371, 38i).
10. An installation according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, the first and second checking devices comprising respectively a photoelectric device whose emitter (37) and receptor (38) are arranged on either side of the access to the reception area, the emitter (37) and the receptor (38) of one device are offset in height with respect to one another so that the ray emitted is inclined with respect to the horizontal reference plane on which the vehicle (C) to be introduced into the reception area moves.
11. An installation according to claim 10, characterized in that the emitter (37) and the receptor (38) of each device are mounted so that their height is adjustable on a substantially vertical support (39).
12. An installation according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that, each checking device being of photoelectric type comprising an emitter and a receiver, a group for counting signals is associated with each of these devices.
13. An installation according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the access control means comprises two gates (14, 114) whose edges are opposite one another in the closed position.
14. An installation according to claim 13, characterized in that the outer vertical edge (15) of the gate or of each gate (14) is a shaft mounted so as to rotate and integral with a sector (27) comprising at least one perforation (28) into which the core of an electromagnet (29) may be engaged to lock the said gate.
15. An installation according to one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that it comprises visual and/or sound signalling means (Vi, V2, V3) indicating in particular the possibility of inserting the vehicles into the access, the out-of-order condition of the installation, and a fault in operation, these means being borne by the transverse bar of an upturned U porch defining the entrance of the reception area.
16. An installation according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one of the checking devices comprises a component chosen from metal detectors, photoelectric cells of reflexion type functioning with or without a reflector, and receptive photoelectric cells associated with a distant element which emits a ray with a predetermined wavelength.
17. An installation according to claim 16, characterized in that the metal detector (119) is located on the gate or on each gate (114) so as to be brought substantially into contact with a part of the vehicle (110) when it is pushed against the gate(s).
18. An installation according to claim 16, characterized in that the reflecting photoelectric cell (116) is associated with a reflector (117) borne by the vehicle (110) or mounted at a fixed point which is separated from the cell, by a space which at least a part of the vehicle must cross.
19. An installation according to claim 16, characterized in that the vehicle (110) forms the reflector associated with the photoelectric cell . (116) of reflexion type.
20. An installation according to one of claims 8 to 19, characterized in that it comprises, downstream of the gate, a vehicle conveyor (121, 130) controlled by the checking devices after the insertion of the vehicle (110) into the reception area.
21. An installation according to claim 20, characterized in that the conveyor comprises two lateral belts (121) with a serrated outer surface (122), extending on either side of a passage for inserting the vehicle (110) into the reception area and capable of cooperating by their outer serrated surface with the lateral walls of the vehicle (110) to entrain it.
22. An installation according to claim 21, characterized in that the two lateral belts (121) are at a variable distance one from the other and form for example a driven path narrowing towards its end which is opposite the entrance end for the vehicle (110).
23. An installation according to claim 21, characterized in that the conveyor (130) is of chain or belt type and has perpendicular fingers (136) on its outer surface for the entrainment of the vehicle (11) by hooking a part (137) of it by one of the said fingers (136).
24. An installation according to claim 23, characterized in that the conveyor (130) is arranged slightly above the ground, the fingers (136) being orientated vertically in order to hook a lower (137) transverse bar of the vehicle (110) when the latter is brought above the upstream end of the conveyor (130).
25. An installation according to claim 24, characterized in that the conveyor (130) is preceded and followed by inclined planes (139, 140) making it easier to bring the vehicle (110) to the entrance of the conveyor and to discharge it at the exit of the conveyor.
EP80401278A 1979-09-12 1980-09-05 Method and arrangement for encouraging the return of a rolling vehicle, such as a supermarket shopping trolley Expired EP0025754B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT80401278T ATE3915T1 (en) 1979-09-12 1980-09-05 METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONVEYING THE RETURN OF A ROLLING VEHICLE SUCH AS A SHOPPING CART IN A SUPERMARKET.

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR7922835A FR2465279A1 (en) 1979-09-12 1979-09-12 Supermarket trolley return incentive system - verifies identity of trolley and issuing privilege ticket to user
FR7922835 1979-09-12
FR8013884A FR2485232B2 (en) 1980-06-23 1980-06-23 INSTALLATION TO ENCOURAGE THE RETURN OF TROLLEYS IN A SUPERMARKET
FR8013884 1980-06-23

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0025754A1 EP0025754A1 (en) 1981-03-25
EP0025754B1 true EP0025754B1 (en) 1983-06-22

Family

ID=26221345

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP80401278A Expired EP0025754B1 (en) 1979-09-12 1980-09-05 Method and arrangement for encouraging the return of a rolling vehicle, such as a supermarket shopping trolley

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0025754B1 (en)
DE (1) DE3063903D1 (en)
ES (1) ES494969A0 (en)
NO (1) NO155640C (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3545307A1 (en) * 1985-12-20 1987-06-25 Wanzl Kg Rudolf Device for receiving and providing transporting trolleys, in particular shopping trolleys
DE3546577A1 (en) * 1985-12-20 1987-11-12 Wanzl Kg Rudolf Device for receiving and providing transporting trolleys, especially shopping trolleys
US6975205B1 (en) 1998-09-16 2005-12-13 Carttronics, Llc Cart return credit system
US7194423B2 (en) 1998-03-27 2007-03-20 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for determining a progressive discount for a customer based on the frequency of the customer's transactions

Families Citing this family (8)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2108745B (en) * 1981-10-21 1985-04-11 Bydale Eng Ltd Trolley control system
FR2529001B1 (en) * 1982-06-21 1987-06-26 Supermarket System DEVICE FOR ENCOURAGING THE RETURN OF VEHICLES SUCH AS WHEELED TROLLEYS
EP0185017A4 (en) * 1983-09-01 1987-09-02 Chemical & Power Ass Pty Ltd Receiving and acknowledging the return of a trolley at a check-in point
DE3621548A1 (en) * 1986-06-27 1988-01-07 Wanzl Kg Rudolf Shopping trolley park entry arrangement - has blocking part pivoting about horizontal axis which locks in lowest position to prevent withdrawal of trolley
US6415262B1 (en) 1997-07-08 2002-07-02 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for determining a subscription to a product in a retail environment
US7251617B1 (en) 1998-12-28 2007-07-31 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for managing subscriptions
US7240021B1 (en) 1998-03-27 2007-07-03 Walker Digital, Llc System and method for tracking and establishing a progressive discount based upon a customer's visits to a retail establishment
CN109441331B (en) * 2018-11-01 2020-01-14 深圳市卡卓无线信息技术有限公司 Gate passing device for intelligent building

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US3882982A (en) * 1969-03-07 1975-05-13 Cara Charles Method and apparatus for encouraging return of shopping carts
US3754630A (en) * 1972-03-13 1973-08-28 D Gilker Shopping cart receiving means
US3837455A (en) * 1972-10-10 1974-09-24 A Hurt System and method for customer return of merchandise carts
US3978959A (en) * 1973-07-19 1976-09-07 Smarte Carte, Inc. Dispensing system for wheeled vehicles
US3938638A (en) * 1973-12-17 1976-02-17 Franklin Electric Subsidiaries, Inc. Apparatus for receiving and acknowledging the return of a vehicle at a check-in station

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3545307A1 (en) * 1985-12-20 1987-06-25 Wanzl Kg Rudolf Device for receiving and providing transporting trolleys, in particular shopping trolleys
DE3546577A1 (en) * 1985-12-20 1987-11-12 Wanzl Kg Rudolf Device for receiving and providing transporting trolleys, especially shopping trolleys
US7194423B2 (en) 1998-03-27 2007-03-20 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for determining a progressive discount for a customer based on the frequency of the customer's transactions
US6975205B1 (en) 1998-09-16 2005-12-13 Carttronics, Llc Cart return credit system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO155640B (en) 1987-01-19
ES8204195A1 (en) 1982-04-16
NO155640C (en) 1987-05-06
EP0025754A1 (en) 1981-03-25
ES494969A0 (en) 1982-04-16
NO802704L (en) 1981-03-13
DE3063903D1 (en) 1983-07-28

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