Interactive training system for merchandise bag packing and apparatus for same

Abstract

A bagging apparatus includes a bag support for thermoplastic merchandise bags in a bag pack, a bag opener holding open a bag mouth of the bags, a scale weighing items placed in the bag and a first indicator displaying information related to weight of items placed in the bag. The apparatus includes an item counter determining the number of items in the bag and a mechanism determining the volume of items in the bag. A second indicator signals when the counter reaches a predetermined item count. A third indicator signals when the mechanism indicates a predetermined volume is reached. A bag counter determines the number of bags removed from the apparatus. Circuitry transmits the weight-related, volume and item count information to a computer program for tracking the information for each bag filled. The circuitry also interfaces with a bag inventory system and generates bagger performance tracking information for each user.

1 . A bagging apparatus, comprising: 
 a bag support, said bag support positioning a merchandise bag in an upright position with its mouth held open;    a weight means for indicating the total weight of items placed in said merchandise bag; and    a first indicator for providing a signal when said weight means determines that a predetermined total weight has been reached.    
   
   
       2 . The bagging apparatus, as described in  claim 1  in which said weight means comprises: 
 a weight for each item; and    a first calculating means for adding the weights of items placed in said merchandise bag.    
   
   
       3 . The bagging apparatus, as described in  claim 1 , further comprising an item counter for determining the number of items placed in said merchandise bag.  
   
   
       4 . The bagging apparatus, as described in  claim 1 , further comprising a volume determining means for determining the total volume of items placed in said merchandise bag.  
   
   
       5 . The bagging apparatus, as described in  claim 4  in which said volume determining means comprises: 
 a volume for each item; and    a second calculating means for adding the volumes of items placed in said merchandise bag.    
   
   
       6 . The bagging apparatus, as described in  claim 3 , further comprising a second indicator for providing a signal when said counter determines that a predetermined item count has been reached.  
   
   
       7 . The bagging apparatus, as described in  claim 4 , further comprising a third indicator for providing a signal when said volume measuring means determines that a predetermined total volume has been reached.  
   
   
       8 . The bagging apparatus, as described in  claim 1 , further comprising a bag counter for determining the total number of merchandise bags used.  
   
   
       9 . The bagging apparatus, as described in  claim 1 , further comprising a first computer program for tracking total weight for each bag filled.  
   
   
       10 . The bagging apparatus, as described in  claim 3 , further comprising a second computer program for tracking item count for each merchandise bag filled.  
   
   
       11 . The bagging apparatus, as described in  claim 4 , further a third computer program for tracking total volume for each bag filled.  
   
   
       12 . The bagging apparatus, as described in  claim 8 , further a fourth computer program for tracking merchandise bag usage.  
   
   
       13 . The bagging apparatus, as described in  claim 9 , wherein said first computer program further comprises a first performance tracker, said first performance tracker identifying a bagging apparatus and a user of said apparatus, and preparing a report including the total weight of each merchandise bag filled at said bagging apparatus by said user.  
   
   
       14 . The bagging apparatus, as described in  claim 10 , wherein said second computer program further comprises a second performance tracker, said second performance tracker identifying a bagging apparatus and a user of said apparatus, and preparing a report including the item count of each bag filled at said bagging apparatus by said user.  
   
   
       15 . The bagging apparatus, as described in  claim 11 , wherein said third computer program further comprises a third performance tracker, said third performance tracker identifying a bagging apparatus and a user of said apparatus, and preparing a report including the total volume of each bag filled at said bagging apparatus by said user.  
   
   
       16 . The bagging apparatus, as described in  claim 12 , wherein said fourth computer program further comprises a fourth performance tracker, said fourth performance tracker identifying a bagging apparatus and a user of said apparatus, and preparing a report including the total number of merchandise bags used at said bagging apparatus by said user.  
   
   
       17 . The bagging apparatus, as described in  claim 13 , wherein said first performance tracker prepares reports based on said weight-related information for each employee using said bagging apparatus, all employees using said apparatus in aggregate, all use of any bagging apparatus at a designated location, all use of any bagging apparatus within a described geographic area and all use of any bagging apparatus within a described company unit.  
   
   
       18 . The bagging apparatus, as described in  claim 14 , wherein said second performance tracker prepares reports based on said item count information for each bag filled at said bagging apparatus for each employee using said bagging apparatus, all employees using said apparatus in aggregate, all use of any bagging apparatus at a designated location, all use of any bagging apparatus within a described geographic area and all use of any bagging apparatus within a described company unit.  
   
   
       19 . The bagging apparatus, as described in  claim 15 , wherein said third performance tracker prepares reports based on said volume information for each bag filled at said bagging apparatus for each employee using said bagging apparatus, all employees using said apparatus in aggregate, all use of any bagging apparatus at a designated location, all use of any bagging apparatus within a described geographic area and all use of any bagging apparatus within a described company unit.  
   
   
       20 . The bagging apparatus, as described in  claim 16 , wherein said fourth performance tracker prepares reports based on based on a number of bags used at said bagging apparatus for each employee using said bagging apparatus, all employees using said apparatus in aggregate, all use of any bagging apparatus at a designated location, all use of any bagging apparatus within a described geographic area and all use of any bagging apparatus within a described company unit.