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Claims  |
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We claim:
1. An electronic price display label for use in a retail store, the label
comprising:
a housing;
a display within the housing;
a power source;
a communications channel to a computer external to the housing;
a control means powered by the power source and operatively coupled with
the display means and with the communications channel for displaying
information to the display from the computer external to the housing; and
a sensor disposed at the housing for sensing the presence and absence of a
shelf talker at the housing and generating a signal indicative thereof;
the control means further characterized in that the control means
communicates the signal via the communications channel external to the
housing.
2. The label of claim 1 wherein the communications channel is a wired
serial data bus.
3. The label of claim 1 wherein the communications channel is a radio
frequency link.
4. The label of claim 1 wherein the communications channel is an infrared
link.
5. The label of claim 1 wherein the sensor is a light sensor positioned to
receive differing amounts of ambient light depending on whether a shelf
talker is absent or present.
6. The label of claim 5 wherein the light sensor is a phototransistor.
7. The label of claim 1 wherein the sensor is a capacitance sensor
positioned to detect differing capacitances depending on whether a shelf
talker is absent or present.
8. The label of claim 1 wherein the sensor is a mechanical sensor movable
between two positions, the movement between the two positions depending on
whether a shelf talker is absent or present.
9. The label of claim 1 wherein the power source is a battery located
within the housing.
10. The label of claim 1 wherein the power source is a solar cell.
11. The label of claim 10 wherein the display is a liquid-crystal display
and the solar cell is located behind the display.
12. The label of claim 2 wherein the power source is a line of the data
bus.
13. The label of claim 1 wherein the label stores the event of a change of
state of the signal, and responds to a subsequent poll from external to
the housing via the communications channel with a response indicative of
the change of state of the signal.
14. A label and shelf talker system for use in a retail store comprising a
label and a shelf talker:
the label comprising a housing, a display within the housing, a power
source, a communications channel to a computer external to the housing, a
control means powered by the power source and operatively coupled with the
display means and with the communications channel for displaying
information to the display from the computer external to the housing, and
a sensor disposed at the housing for sensing the presence and absence of a
shelf talker at the housing and generating a signal indicative thereof,
the control means further characterized in that the control means
communicates the signal via the communications channel external to the
housing; wherein the sensor is a light sensor positioned to receive
differing amounts of ambient light depending on whether a shelf talker is
absent or present;
the shelf talker comprising a planar main body bearing indicia, and an
adhesive region in a strip across the top of the main body; a
predetermined portion of the adhesive region fabricated from a material
opaque to ambient light; the predetermined portion selected to be
juxtaposed with the light sensor when the shelf talker is affixed to the
label;
the shelf talker affixed to the label so that the predetermined portion is
juxtaposed with the light sensor.
15. A label and shelf talker system for use in a retail store comprising a
label and a shelf talker:
the label comprising a housing, a display within the housing, a power
source, a communications channel to a computer external to the housing, a
control means powered by the power source and operatively coupled with the
display means and with the communications channel for displaying
information to the display from the computer external to the housing, and
a sensor disposed at the housing for sensing the presence and absence of a
shelf talker at the housing and generating a signal indicative thereof,
the control means further characterized in that the control means
communicates the signal via the communications channel external to the
housing; wherein the sensor is a light sensor positioned to receive
differing amounts of ambient light depending on whether a shelf talker is
absent or present;
the shelf talker comprising a planar main body bearing indicia, and an
adhesive region in a strip across the top of the main body; a
predetermined portion of the adhesive region bearing pigment selected to
be opaque to ambient light; the predetermined portion selected to be
juxtaposed with the light sensor when the shelf talker is affixed to the
label;
the shelf talker affixed to the label so that the predetermined portion is
juxtaposed with the light sensor.
16. A label and shelf talker system for use in a retail store comprising a
label and a shelf talker:
the label comprising a housing, a display within the housing, a power
source, a communications channel to a computer external to the housing, a
control means powered by the power source and operatively coupled with the
display means and with the communications channel for displaying
information to the display from the computer external to the housing, and
a sensor disposed at the housing for sensing the presence and absence of a
shelf talker at the housing and generating a signal indicative thereof,
the control means further characterized in that the control means
communicates the signal via the communications channel external to the
housing; wherein the sensor is a capacitance sensor positioned to detect
differing capacitances depending on whether a shelf talker is absent or
present;
the shelf talker comprising a planar main body bearing indicia, and an
adhesive region in a strip across the top of the main body; a
predetermined portion of the adhesive region bearing a metallized region;
the shelf talker affixed to the label so that the predetermined portion is
juxtaposed with the capacitance sensor.
17. A label and shelf talker system for use in a retail store comprising a
label and a shelf talker:
the label comprising a housing, a display within the housing, a power
source, a communications channel to a computer external to the housing, a
control means powered by the power source and operatively coupled with the
display means and with the communications channel for displaying
information to the display from the computer external to the housing, and
a sensor disposed at the housing for sensing the presence and absence of a
shelf talker at the housing and generating a signal indicative thereof,
the control means further characterized in that the control means
communicates the signal via the communications channel external to the
housing; wherein the sensor is a mechanical sensor movable between two
positions, the movement between the two positions depending on whether a
shelf talker is absent or present;
the shelf talker comprising a planar main body bearing indicia, and an
adhesive region in a strip across the top of the main body; the line
between the adhesive region and the main body die-cut for easy folding;
the shelf talker folded at the die-cut line and the adhesive portion
positioned to engage the sensor.
18. A label and shelf talker system for use in a retail store comprising a
label and a shelf talker:
the label comprising a housing, a display within the housing, a power
source, a communications channel to a computer external to the housing, a
control means powered by the power source and operatively coupled with the
display means and with the communications channel for displaying
information to the display from the computer external to the housing, and
a sensor disposed at the housing for sensing the presence and absence of a
shelf talker at the housing and generating a signal indicative thereof,
the control means further characterized in that the control means
communicates the signal via the communications channel external to the
housing; wherein the sensor is a mechanical sensor movable between two
positions, the movement between the two positions depending on whether a
shelf talker is absent or present;
the shelf talker comprising a planar main body bearing indicia, and an
adhesive region in a strip across the top of the main body; the line
between the adhesive region and the main body scored for easy folding;
the shelf talker folded at the scored line and the adhesive portion
positioned to engage the sensor.
19. A store price display system comprising a store central computer and a
multiplicity of electronic price display labels, each display label
comprising:
a housing;
a display within the housing;
a power source;
a communications channel to the store central computer;
a control means powered by the power source and operatively coupled with
the display means and with the communications channel for displaying
information to the display from the computer; and
a sensor disposed at the housing for sensing the presence and absence of a
shelf talker at the housing and generating a signal indicative thereof;
the control means further characterized in that the control means
communicates the signal via the communications channel to the computer.
20. The system of claim 19 wherein the computer further comprises a first
storage means indicative of the sequence of physical locations of
particular ones of the labels, and a second storage means indicative of
desired placements and removals of shelf talkers with respect to
particular ones of the labels;
the computer programmed to generate a list, ordered by the sequence of
physical locations of labels, of desired placements and removals of shelf
talkers;
the computer further programmed to receive information from the labels on
the list regarding changes in the signals from the sensors thereof;
the computer further programmed to note labels, if any, that are on the
list and for which no signal was received indicative of the desired
placement or removal of a shelf talker.
21. A method for use in an electronic price display system, the system
comprising a store central computer and a multiplicity of electronic price
display labels, each display label comprising a housing; a display within
the housing; a power source; a communications channel to the store central
computer; a control means powered by the power source and operatively
coupled with the display means and with the communications channel for
displaying information to the display from the computer; and a sensor
disposed at the housing for sensing the presence and absence of a shelf
talker at the housing and generating a signal indicative thereof; the
control means further characterized in that the control means communicates
the signal via the communications channel to the computer; wherein the
computer further comprises a first storage means indicative of the
sequence of physical locations of particular ones of the labels, and a
second storage means indicative of desired placements and removals of
shelf talkers with respect to particular ones of the labels; the method
comprising the steps of:
generating a list, ordered by the sequence of physical locations of labels,
of desired placements and removals of shelf talkers;
receiving information from the labels on the list regarding changes in the
signals from the sensors thereof; and
noting labels, if any, that are on the list and for which no signal was
received indicative of the desired placement or removal of a shelf talker.
22. The method of claim 21 further comprising the step, performed after the
generating step, of:
annunciating, on the displays of labels on the list, indicia indicating
that they are labels with respect to which a placement or removal of a
shelf talker is desired.
23. The method of claim 22 further comprising the step, performed after the
annunciating step, of restoring the display of a label after information
is received indicating that the desired placement or removal of a shelf
talker has occurred.
24. A method for use in an electronic price display system, the system
comprising a store central computer and a multiplicity of electronic price
display labels, each display label comprising a housing; a display within
the housing; a power source; a communications channel to the store central
computer; a control means powered by the power source and operatively
coupled with the display means and with the communications channel for
displaying information to the display from the computer; and a button
disposed at the housing for generating a signal indicative of the button
having been pressed; the control means further characterized in that the
control means communicates the signal via the communications channel to
the computer; wherein the computer further comprises a first storage means
indicative of the sequence of physical locations of particular ones of the
labels, and a second storage means indicative of desired placements and
removals of shelf talkers with respect to particular ones of the labels;
the method comprising the steps of:
generating a list, ordered by the sequence of physical locations of labels,
of desired placements and removals of shelf talkers;
receiving information from the labels on the list regarding pressing of the
buttons thereof; and
noting labels, if any, that are on the list and for which no signal was
received.
25. The method of claim 24 further comprising the step, performed after the
generating step, of:
annunciating, on the displays of labels on the list, indicia indicating
that they are labels with respect to which a placement or removal of a
shelf talker is desired.
26. The method of claim 25 further comprising the step, performed after the
annunciating step, of restoring the display of a label after the button
has been pressed. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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SPECIFICATION
The invention relates generally to the real-time or near-real-time control
of the placement and removal of bibs or shelf talkers in retail stores
having electronic price display systems.
Anyone who visits a grocery store or convenience store will be familiar
with the myriad ever-changing eye-catching contrivances disposed
throughout the store as part of the marketing efforts of store management.
These include window banners, aisle end caps, and so-called "shelf
talkers" or "bibs" placed at shelf locations where items are on sale or
are otherwise urged to be of particular interest to the customer. For the
purposes of this discussion the terms "shelf talker" and "bib" will be
treated as synonymous, representing signs or cards or other printed
material placed at the shelf locations of particular items. Some shelf
talkers are made of stiff plastic with ears to grip a standard "c" channel
at a shelf edge. Other shelf talkers have an adhesive strip that attaches
to a shelf edge. Still other shelf talkers are cards that are taped to
shelf edges.
While shelf talkers have proven themselves to have important marketing
value, they have historically presented several drawbacks. First, a
product may appear in two or more store locations and yet store personnel
may happen only to hang a shelf talker at one of the locations. Second,
store personnel, especially if pressed for time, may be unable to locate a
product for which a shelf talker is to be placed, and may simply fail to
place the shelf talker. Third, the process of placing the shelf talkers is
time-consuming, typically starting with shelf talkers that are not in any
sequence that would save time based on store locations other than,
perhaps, a crude grouping by department (e.g. cereal, baking needs,
produce, etc.). Fourth, while an employee may manage to install all the
new shelf talkers that need to be installed, it is easy to fail to take
down one that must be taken down. If a product appears in two store
locations and if each location had a shelf talker, then when the time
comes to take down the shelf talkers (e.g. when the sale is over) the
employee may remove one and may not appreciate that there is a second
shelf talker to take down.
For the maximum economic benefit to the store, the promotional shelf
talkers must be installed early on the day the sale commences, preferably
before business hours. For 24-hour stores there is no "before business
hours" so that the change is desirable immediately after the price change
batch has been released to the point-of-sale (POS) system. To avoid
unfavorable consumer reaction, inaccurate pricing, unfavorable government
agency audits or unfavorable media publicity, the shelf talkers should be
removed at the end of the last day of the sale, or immediately prior to
the release of the price restoration batch to the POS system.
These activities must be scheduled by the store management, along with all
the other shelf stocking activities in the retail environment, and an
audit is required to ensure that the job is completed and that no products
are missed. This can be a difficult task, because not all shelf talkers
come down or go up at the same time. For example it is commonplace in a
store to have some sale items that expire on a particular day each week,
and to have other sale items that continue to be on sale for a longer time
or to coordinate with a media effort to publicize the sale. This leaves
the possibility that even the most conscientious employee may overlook a
shelf talker that should be put up or taken down. Considering that this
activity is often performed by shelf stockers at the end of their shift,
in the early hours of the morning, under pressure to complete the task
before the early shoppers arrive, it is highly likely that some errors or
omissions will occur. Even a thorough manual audit may miss some of the
shelf talkers due to the quantities of changes involved and the similarity
of some products.
Numerous and diverse systems for the electronic display of store prices
have been attempted over many years, most of which have proven unworkable
or uneconomic. But in recent years technologies have been developed that
permit the efficient, economical electronic display of prices via
electronic shelf labels (ESLs) that are mounted to rails on shelf edges.
It is desirable that a system for managing shelf talkers be integrated
efficiently with an associated electronic price display system. Some ESL
systems have a clear plastic cover on the rail, protecting the labels.
Among the desirable features of a shelf talker management system, then, are
the following.
It is desired to have a flexible "bib" which can be attached to or paired
with an ESL to display item-specific promotional or merchandising
information for that product. The bib should be as physically flexible as
existing paper-based bib solutions so it minimizes interference with the
product stocking and removal process. The bib should require minimal labor
to attach to the ESL. The bib should not require additional components
which would increase the cost of implementing the solution. The solution
should work for ESLs with or without a rail cover. The bib should firmly
attach to the ESL, but should be able to be removed quickly and easily.
The process for placing and removing the bibs or shelf talkers would allow
the chain to implement item-specific bibs which have price information
printed on them that is intended to correlate to the price to be shown on
the ESL. The process should only require one "pass" through the aisle to
remove old bibs and to attach new bibs. The process should eliminate (or
at least minimize) the risk that the ESL and the bib price or data will
fail to match. The process should provide positive confirmation that the
bib for each item was hung, since failing to hang a bib can significantly
reduce sales and margins. The process should provide security such that
only authorized employees can implement price changes. Consumers must be
prevented from being able to implement a price change. The process should
help the employee identify those ESL products requiring a bib and those
items which should have their bib removed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention combines a means to detect the presence of an ESL-mounted
shelf talker with method to automatically audit the store for the proper
set of installed shelf talkers. The detection means includes a presence
detection technique, such as an optical port, pressure means (button),
capacitive sensor, or other proximity sensor. The sensor will detect the
presence of the shelf talker as well as the absence of the shelf talker.
If an optical port is used, the shelf talker may be a simple
adhesive-backed opaque printed label that is affixed over the port.
Alternatively, it may be a plastic (or other suitable material) device,
acting as a holder or backer for printed signs, or perhaps embossed with
information such as "SALE", that fastens over or onto the ESL, effectively
covering the optical port when installed. The device may snap into a
recessed optical port, the recessed port serving as a mounting means as
well, thus ensuring a more reliable indication that the shelf talker is
installed. Other means of sensing may be a capacitive sensor, detecting
the presence of a metallized Mylar shelf talker or other metallic material
on a holder, a magnetic sensor, or a pressure sensitive sensor actuated by
the attachment of a holder.
An audit will be performed by the connected host computer, which maintains
a data base of all products with ESLs, and specifically includes data as
to which ESLs (products) are on which promotional event, the starting and
end dates, and the actual (current) status of whether a shelf talker is
installed. When a new promotion is to be released to the POS system, the
system can generate a first report, geographically ordered from the
location information measured and stored by the system, instructing the
employee of the ESLs requiring a shelf talker to be affixed, and providing
the most efficient (economical) order in which to accomplish the task. The
system monitors the installation of the shelf talkers by querying the ESLs
in the expected installation sequence in a special mini-bed-check audit,
or simply collects the data during the next several regular bed-check
loops. A second report will be generated, either automatically or upon
completion of the installation process. This second report will check all
ESLs which required the shelf talker to be installed for presence of the
shelf talker, and the report will list the exceptions, i.e., the ESLs
which are missing shelf talkers. A third report may be generated as a
complete audit of the store, checking all ESLs (not just those associated
in a recent batch) to determine whether any shelf talkers are missing, or
whether any shelf talkers are installed where they do not belong.
Similarly, additional audit reports may be generated to audit the removal
of shelf talkers when a product comes off promotion. Audit reports may be
automatic or manual. Remote audits, such as from corporate headquarters,
may be conducted through the communications means already in place to
provide price change information. Automatic audits may generate reports,
sound alarms, or even cause prepared electronic or voice messages to be
sent to the appropriate manager via automatic telephone dialling and modem
means.
The benefits of this invention include promotion integrity (i.e., not
allowing promotional for product no longer on sale), accurate
merchandising (promotions) for product on sale to maximize revenue from
the promotion, and labor savings from a more efficient shelf
installation/removal process.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The invention will be described with respect to a drawing, of which:
FIG. 1 shows in schematic form a store electronic price display system with
a central computer and many electronic price display labels;
FIG. 2 shows in front view an electronic price display label;
FIG. 3 shows in cross section a rail and a price display label;
FIG. 4 shows in side view one embodiment of a shelf talker affixed to an
electronic price display label;
FIG. 5 shows in side view an embodiment of a shelf talker affixed to a
price display label having a phototransistor;
FIG. 6 shows in side view an embodiment of a shelf talker affixed to a
price display label having a push-button sensor;
FIG. 7 shows in front view an embodiment of a shelf talker affixed to a
price display label having a capacitance sensor;
FIG. 8 shows in flowchart form the process to be followed in managing the
placement and removal of shelf talkers (bibs) according to the invention;
FIG. 9 depicts a database structure containing information on physical
locations of labels and on desired bib placements and removals;
FIG. 10 shows bib (tag) placement and removal lists generated according to
the invention;
FIG. 11 shows in schematic form an electronic price display system having a
bib sensor, and connecting to a wireline bus;
FIG. 12 shows in schematic form an electronic price display system having a
bib sensor, drawing power from a battery or other electrochemical cell,
and connecting to an RF transceiver;
FIG. 13 shows in schematic form an electronic price display system having a
bib sensor, drawing power from a solar cell, and connecting to an RF
transceiver;
FIG. 14 shows in plan view a shelf talker with a region disposed to trigger
a sensor in a price display label;
FIG. 15 shows in edge view a shelf talker with an adhesive-backed main body
and with the nonstick backing removable in a strip at the top of the main
body;
FIG. 16 shows in side view a shelf talker with front adhesive according to
the invention;
FIG. 17 shows in side view a label and a shelf talker with rear adhesive
according to the invention; and
FIG. 18 shows in cross section a label and a gripper for holding a shelf
talker in accordance with the invention.
Where possible for clarity like elements have been shown with like
reference numerals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 shows in schematic form a store electronic price display system with
a central computer 103 and many electronic price display labels 100. The
labels are mounted to rails 101, and the rails are in turn mounted to the
edges of shelves in the store. The shelves and the store are omitted for
clarity in FIG. 1. The computer and the labels are communicatively coupled
by a communications channel 104, which is shown in FIG. 1 as a wireline
bus. Indeed one preferred embodiment employs a serial asynchronous data
bus with three wires supplying power, data, and ground to all labels. In
another embodiment the communications channel is wireless, using a radio
frequency (RF) channel or an infrared channel. In the case of a wireless
display system the labels are each powered by a battery, by a photocell,
or both. If a photocell is used it is preferably integral with the display
which is a liquid-crystal display (LCD), and is located behind the visible
part of the display. The rails are disposed so that a label may be snapped
into place at any of a multiplicity of locations along the rail, and may
be moved from time to time. Any of several mechanisms may be employed to
let the computer know the physical locations of the labels and a database
is maintained at the computer, having one record per label, including
among other things the location of the label and the product for which
information is to be displayed. In this connection the label location
means at least the identity of the particular shelf at which a label is
located, and may optionally include detailed information indicating the
location of the label on the rail.
FIG. 2 shows in front view an electronic price display label 100. The
display 102, preferably the above-mentioned LCD, is controlled by a
microprocessor in the label 100. (Those skilled in the art will appreciate
that generically the microprocessor in the label is simply a means for
controlling the label, and that those skilled in the art could readily
employ other electronics, such as random logic or a state machine or
application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), in place of the
microprocessor, without departing in any way from the invention.) A button
105 on the label may be pressed by the customer, e.g. to cause the
microprocessor to show a unit price or other alternative information, or
may be pressed by store personnel to give a signal to the store central
computer 103 for other reasons.
FIG. 3 shows in cross section a rail 101 and a price display label 100. In
this embodiment there are electrical contacts 106 on the label 100 which
engage conductors 107 along the rail 101, and the conductors form part of
a wired communications channel 104 (see FIG. 1). Mechanical features
omitted for clarity in FIG. 3 permit labels 100 to be readily snapped into
place on the rail 101, and make it relatively difficult for persons other
than store personnel to remove a label 100 from a rail 101.
FIG. 4 shows in side view one embodiment of a shelf talker or bib 150
affixed to an electronic price display label 100. The bib attaches with an
adhesive to the bottom of the label 100. This offers numerous advantages
over prior art bib mounting methods, for example, if any adhesive remains
after the bib is removed it accumulates in a location (the bottom of the
label) that is not in plain view. The button 105 may be seen. In one
method according to the invention the central computer, not shown in FIG.
4 for clarity, may be programmed so that if a bib is to be attached to the
particular label 100, it will watch for pressing of the button 105. When
the store employee affixes the bib 150, the employee can press the button
105 which is noted at the central computer. Indicia on the front of the
bib 150 are visible to the store employee (and are later visible to
customers) and the central computer can cause the display on the label 100
of the new price. The employee can visually cross-check the displayed
price and the price indicated on the bib, and can press the button to
indicate that the cross-check is successful.
FIG. 5 shows in side view an embodiment of a shelf talker 150 affixed to a
price display label 100 having a phototransistor 153. The phototransistor
is against an opening on the bottom face of the label. When there is no
bib in place some level of ambient light is sensed at the phototransistor.
When the bib is in place, much less light is received at the
phototransistor. This is because the bib is opaque, either because it is
made of a material chosen for its opacity (e.g. thick paper, cardboard, or
plastic) or because the material has been pigmented (e.g. by ink or paint
or dye). The opacity of the bib is important at the part of the bib that
will be juxtaposed to the opening and the phototransistor, although for
simplicity of fabrication the entire adhesive area (and indeed the entire
bib) may be opaque.
It is thought that a fixed threshold light level will permit the label to
distinguish between the bib-present and bib-absent conditions. However, in
some stores it might prove necessary to take a time derivative of the
received light level to detect placement and removal of bibs. Another
approach is to use a zero-level shifter which averages the ambient light
level over some time, the output of which is a threshold against which the
present ambient light level is compared. Those skilled in the art will
appreciate that such changes in the particular light-detection circuitry
depart in no way from the spirit of the invention.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that while it is preferred to have
the opening and phototransistor at the bottom of the label 100, it would
in no way depart from the invention if the hole and phototransistor were
elsewhere on the label, for example on the front.
FIG. 6 shows in side view an embodiment of a shelf talker affixed to a
price display label having a push-button mechanical sensor 154. In this
embodiment the placement of the shelf talker presses the mechanical sensor
154 on the bottom of the label 100, and removal of the shelf talker
releases the mechanical sensor. The fold in the shelf talker, formed at
the scored or die-cut line 146 (see FIG. 14), helps to keep the label
rigid so that the button of the sensor 154 continues to be pressed.
FIG. 7 shows in front view an embodiment of a shelf talker 150 affixed to a
price display label 100 having a capacitance sensor 151 with sensing
plates 152. A metallized region 155 of shelf talker 150, if present,
changes the capacitance detected between the plates 152.
As was mentioned above with respect to the optical sensor, while the sensor
locations of FIGS. 6 and 7 are thought to be optimal, they could be placed
elsewhere such as on the front of the label without departing in any way
from the invention.
Turning ahead to FIG. 18, there is shown a gripper 160 set into a groove on
the bottom of the label 100. The gripper 160, preferably a cylinder that
is captive in the V-shaped groove, provides an easy place to mount shelf
talkers 150. The shelf talker is removed by quickly lifting it which moves
the cylinder up. While the cylinder is still up the shelf talker is
quickly withdrawn. If this gripper is provided then the sensor of FIGS. 5,
6, or 7 is preferably located within the groove.
FIG. 8 shows in | | |
