![[Search a list of Patent Appplications for class 186]](../as.gif) CLASS 186, | MERCHANDISING |
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SECTION I - CLASS DEFINITION
This class comprises methods and apparatus relating to (a) the performing of the various and usually normal but required activities pursuant to a selling or other mutually beneficent transaction at a retail or like service level available to the public or (b) activities directly relating to dining.
| (1) Note. The transaction is normally held between persons in or at a building or other structure. |
| (2) Note. The subject matter of the class is intended to include the combination of a device classifiable, per se, in another class, e.g., conveyor, dispenser, etc., and structure adapting it for use in a business establishment available to the public. No attempt has been made to clear other classes of conflicting art and lines and/or placement of art between other classes and this class remains the same. |
| (3) Note. Dining activities include those which transpire between a prospective diner and a person or apparatus whereby a contract is satisfied or operations are completed whereby a certain desired food or foods and related appurtenances are made available to the diner for his or her consumption. |
| (4) Note. Mere method of doing business which consists of nonstatutory matter is not subject matter for this class. |
SECTION II - REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
| 104, | Railways, appropriate subclasses for railway systems, per se. |
| 105, | Railway Rolling Stock, subclasses 327 and 328 for dining and merchandising cars, respectively. |
| 108, | Horizontally Supported Planar Surfaces, subclasses 94+ for rotatable terraced horizontal planar surfaces, for example, self-waiting tables; and subclasses 103+ for plural related horizontal planar surface members which are rotatable about a vertical axis. |
| 141, | Fluent Material Handling, With Receiver or Receiver Coacting Means, for devices for transfer of fluent material from a source and relatively movable coacting receiver. |
| 187, | Elevator, Industrial Lift Truck, or Stationary Lift for Vehicle, for an elevator, per se. |
| 191, | Electricity: Transmission to Vehicles, appropriate subclasses for the transmission of electrical energy between a relatively moving vehicle and another object. |
| 194, | Check-Actuated Control Mechanisms, for a check-controlled device, per se. |
| 198, | Conveyors: Power-Driven, for power-driven conveyors, per se. |
| 221, | Article Dispensing, for a dispenser, per se, for articles. |
| 222, | Dispensing, for a dispenser, per se, for fluent material. |
| 406, | Conveyors: Fluid Current, for apparatus for the propulsion of a carrier through a tube means by fluid pressure. |
| 414, | Material or Article Handling, for devices for handling material or an article, and especially subclass 9 for a human body operated eating aid. |
| 452, | Butchering, subclasses 177+ for an elevator and conveyor means used in a butchering operation. |
| 705, | Data Processing: Financial, Business Practice, Management, or Cost/price Determination, subclass 15 for a data processing system for administration of restaurant ordering; subclasses 16+ for a data processing system having an electronic cash register or point of sale terminal. |
| 708, | Electrical Computers: Arithmetic Processing and Calculating, appropriate subclasses for electrical apparatus for, and corresponding methods of, performing calculation operations in general. |
SUBCLASSES
![[List of Patents for class 186 subclass 2]](../ps.gif) 2 | Gravity systems: | ||||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 52. Miscellaneous inventions not otherwise classifiable. The
tracks are inclined, and the propelling force for the carriers is
gravity.
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| 3 | Selective delivery: | ||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 2. There are a number of terminals to which the cars are switched
from the main line, the particular switch operated by a given carrier depending
on its configuration or size.
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| 4 | Tilting track: | ||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 2. One end of the track is raised or lowered to give the necessary
impelling force in the required direction.
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| 5 | Both ends movable: | ||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 4. Here each end of the track is raised and lowered.
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| 6 | Pivoted arms: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 5. The ends of the track are attached to pivoted arms, so that when one end of the track is raised the other is lowered. | |
| 7 | Self-propelled car systems: | ||||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 52. The propelling means is on the car in the form of a spring,
electric, or other motor. In some cases the cars run on a closed
track loop and distribute and collect selectively and automatically.
In other cases the cars are switched selectively and automatically
from the main line.
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| 8 | Single-impulse systems: | ||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 52. The car is impelled by the hand either directly or by means
of interposed mechanism.
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| 9 | Speed increasing: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 8. The car is impelled usually by hand, but with speed increasing means interposed between the power and the car. | |
| 10 | Spring: | ||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 8. The impelling means is a spring which is strained to the
requisite point and then suddenly released to propel the car along
the track.
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| 11 | Longitudinally moving line: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 10. The track itself or a line parallel to and coextensive with the track is an elastic cable or has springs inserted between its ends and the supports. The car is propelled from either end by pulling the line at the end and straining the elastic cable or the spring at the opposite end and quickly releasing, when the car is propelled through means of a projecting part on the line. | |
| 12 | Gravity: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 8. The end of the track upon which the car rests is tilted to give the necessary impulse to propel the car along the remainder of the track, which is not inclined. This subclass also includes cases in which the car rest on the level portion of the track, the car being impelled by a bunter running down the inclined portion of the track, which is tilted, and the bunter released at will. | |
| 13 | Spreaders: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 8. The car is given an impulse by the spreading apart at one end of two members inserted between suitable parts on the car. In some cases both members are flexible, in other cases one is flexible and the other rigid, and one or both movable. In some cases one member forms the track on which the car runs and the other is coextensive with it, in other cases the second member extends for a limited distance only. | |
| 14 | Cable-propulsion systems: | ||||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 52. The car is propelled by a running cable or belt and runs
on a track or is suspended on the cable or belt.
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| 15 | Grip, selective release: | ||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 14. The carrier is propelled along a track by a continuously
running cable, to which when the carrier is placed in the proper
position it is automatically attached by means of a gripper on the
carrier. The carrier runs to a designated station, when the gripper
is automatically operated and the car switched to its terminal.
The point of release and switching is determined by the configuration
of the car.
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| 16 | Load release: | ||||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 14. A belt or cable in the form of a closed loop propels a wheeled
car or a flight usually along a track. A receptacle is carried
by the car or pushed by the flight and is itself deposited at a previously
selected point, or the contents of the receptacle are deposited
at the given point.
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| 17 | Reciprocating: | ||||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 14. The carrier is attached to a cable and is propelled back
and forth in the same path between the terminals. It may be propelled
both ways by the cable or in one direction by the cable and in the
reverse by gravity. In some instances the carrier runs on a track,
in others it is suspended from the propelling cable.
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| 18 | Drop car: | ||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 17. Here the carrier is attached to the cable and is propelled
back and forth in the same path. The car runs on a track or is
suspended from the cable. Provision is made in some cases for lowering
the carrier at the terminals. In other instances it is lowered
at any intermediate point.
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| 19 | Switches: | ||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 52. Devices not otherwise classified for directing a carrier
from one track to another over an intervening movable track section.
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| 20 | Selective: | ||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 19. Mechanisms by which the carrier is directed to a particular
branch along a track, the point of switching depending upon the
configuration or size of the carrier. In some cases the switch
is movable, in others immovable.
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| 21 | Carrier returned: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 20. The carrier is switched to a particular point, depending upon the size or configuration of the carrier, the switch being returned to its original position by action of the carrier after passing. | |
| 22 | Elevators and drops: | ||||||||||||
This subclass is indented under subclass 52. Devices for hoisting or lowering a carrier from one level
to another. In some cases the devices operate between tracks at
different levels, in others between a station and a track at another level.
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| 23 | Speed-controlled drop: | ||||||||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 22. Devices for hoisting or lowering a carrier from one level
to another, connected with which are means for controlling the speed
of the falling carrier.
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| 24 | Buffers: | ||||||||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 52. Devices for receiving the impact of the carrier as it reaches
the end of the line.
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| 25 | Slide: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 24. The retarding action is produced by the carrier sliding on the buffer, which is in the form of an inclined plane. In some cases the buffer is a wedge embraced by parts on a car. | |
| 26 | Carriers: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 52. Miscellaneous cash and parcel carriers not otherwise classified. | |
| 27 | Wheeled: | ||||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 26. Carriers running on wheels adapted to the service indicated
in the general definition of this class and not specifically included
in the remaining carrier subclasses.
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| 28 | Self-propelled: | ||||||||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 27. Wheeled carriers propelled by a self-contained motor of
any form.
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| 29 | Drop receptacle: | ||||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 27. Wheeled carriers in which the cash or parcel receptacle
is lowered from its normal position while still remaining attached
to the car. In some instances the car remains attached to some
part of the structure.
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| 30 | Derailment guards: | ||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 27. Devices for preventing derailment of wheeled carriers.
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| 31 | Rolling: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 26. Carriers of spherical, cylindrical, and other permissible shapes which roll along the track. | |
| 32 | Sliding: | ||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 26. The carriers slide along the track. The method of propulsion
is unrestricted.
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| 33 | Details: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 52. Elementary parts of cash carrier systems and their accessories not otherwise classifiable. | |
| 34 | Track: | ||||||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 33. Track accessories and elementary parts not otherwise classifiable.
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| 35 | CUSTOMER SERVICE: |
| This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus comprising means by which a purchaser or user may personally and directly consummate a purchase or other transaction with a seller or other agent. | |
| 36 | Combined services: | ||
This subclass is indented under subclass 35. Apparatus provided with means by which two or more diverse
retailing operations may be performed either simultaneously or sequentially
from a specific locus.
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| 37 | Banking: | ||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 35. Apparatus directly related to a transaction at a bank or
like place of business.
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| 38 | Dining room service: | ||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 35. Apparatus directly related to dining.
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| 39 | With machine readable means: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 38. Apparatus wherein a dining establishment includes a device into which sensible encoded menu information is fed, the device upon sensing the menu information initiating one or more activities relating to a dining operation. | |
| 40 | In a transport vehicle: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 38. Apparatus wherein a public conveyance is provided with a food carrier means, the carrier means conveying food to the vicinity of passengers from a food storage or preparation area. | |
| 41 | Drive-in: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 38. Apparatus wherein there is provided means directly available to a motorist while in or at a vehicle either for selecting items from a menu or for receiving selected items when delivered. | |
| 42 | Dining table structure movable in fixed path: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 38. Apparatus comprising a dining structure surface for supporting food or drink being consumed by a diner in the act of eating, the structure being secured to a movable support movable in a fixed path of travel into and out of a dining area. | |
| 43 | With conveyor cleaner: | ||
This subclass is indented under subclass 38. Apparatus in which there is provided a moving conveyor or
carrier and there is further provided a means to cleanse the conveyor
or carrier at a zone or station as it moves therepast.
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| 44 | Menu make-up table: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 38. Apparatus comprising a support structure for supporting a variety of foods from which a selection may be made, consumption of the food selected being at a place spaced from the support structure. | |
| 45 | Wheeled carrier: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 38. Apparatus comprising a wheeled device for carrying food from a preparation area to a dining or other use area (e.g., hospital room). | |
| 46 | Track guided: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 45. Apparatus wherein the wheeled device is mounted to travel on rails or other like fixed path means. | |
| 47 | With food carrier elevating means: | ||||
This subclass is indented under subclass 46. Apparatus wherein there is provided structure to raise or
lower either the wheeled device or a load bearing part thereof whereby
to transport food for dining from one level to another.
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| 48 | Overhead: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 46. Apparatus wherein the rail or fixed path means is fixed to or otherwise mounted to support structure at or adjacent the ceiling of a dining establishment so that the load carrying parts supported on the wheel device are suspended therefrom. | |
| 49 | With conveyor (e.g., belt type): |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 38. Apparatus comprising a laterally moving surface for carrying food or other items pertaining to a dining operation. | |
| 50 | With food carrier elevating means: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 49. Apparatus wherein there is provided structure to raise or lower a food tray or the like to or from a conveying level. | |
| 51 | With elevator: | ||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 38. Apparatus comprising a device for vertically hoisting or
lowering food or appurtenances pertaining to a dining operation.
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| 52 | Store service: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 35. Apparatus wherein the purchase or transaction is effected in a retail or like establishment for the purchase of goods. | |
| 53 | Drive-in: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 52. Apparatus wherein there is provided means directly available to a motorist, while in or at a vehicle, either for selecting merchandise or for receiving the delivery of selected merchandise. | |
| 54 | With cooling room having transparent access door: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 52. Apparatus wherein the retail or like establishment is provided with a partitioned cooling area for perishable items, the partition having a see-through door means for permitting item removal. | |
| 55 | With remote item dispensing: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 52. Apparatus having an order make-up means comprising a control means spaced from a gate means or the like on the supply or stock structure is actuated for dispensing desired items of merchandise therefrom, the selected dispensed items being conveyed either to a control station or to a point of assembly for further processing of the order. | |
| 56 | Machine readable: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 55. Apparatus wherein the control means comprises a device into which sensible encoded order information is fed whereby the control means actuates respective gate or the like means mounted on the supply or stock structure for selecting desired items of merchandise. | |
| 57 | Relatively movable selection station and merchandise shelving: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 52. Apparatus wherein there is provided a merchandise supply or stock structure and a customer or clerk support or station, at least one of which being movable relative to the other to facilitate item selection by the customer or clerk. | |
| 58 | With order carrier movable on track means | ||
This subclass is indented under subclass 52. With order carrier movable or track means: Apparatus provided
with fixed path means upon which a container for receiving selected items
of merchandise is supported for travel therealong.
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| 59 | Checkout counter: | ||||
This subclass is indented under subclass 52. Apparatus comprising store structure to which a purchaser
may bring his selected items of merchandise either for payment or
for otherwise completing the transaction.
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| 60 | With conveyor to vehicle loading station: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 59. Apparatus wherein the store structure comprises a conveyance means for delivering the purchased items of merchandise to a vehicle loading station. | |
| 61 | With means enabling price reading: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 59. Apparatus wherein the store structure comprises means for at least allowing utilization of a scanning or other device for reading price information placed on merchandise. | |
| 62 | With cart accommodation or handling: | ||
This subclass is indented under subclass 59. Apparatus wherein the store structure comprises means on
or at the store structure or the cart for facilitating the emptying
or other handling of a shopping cart.
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| 63 | Cart emptying facilitation: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 62. Apparatus wherein there is provided means on either the store structure or the shopping cart to facilitate unloading of the shopping cart by a checkout clerk. | |
| 64 | Self-unloading: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 63. Apparatus provided with means on or at the store structure coacting with means on the shopping cart for discharging items of merchandise from the shopping cart, one of said means being connected to a source of power. | |
| 65 | With elevating means: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 63. Apparatus comprising a hoist or other means for raising the shopping cart or a part thereof whereby items of merchandise may be more readily accessible for removal therefrom by the checkout clerk. | |
| 66 | With bag storage or bagging support: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 59. Apparatus provided with (a) means on or at the store structure for holding a supply of bags into which items of merchandise may be placed after checkout or (b) means on or at the store structure and convenient to a clerk for supporting a bag into which the checked-out items of merchandise are placed. | |
| 67 | With turntable: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 59. Apparatus wherein the store structure comprises a rotatable platform. | |
| 68 | With power driven belt conveyor: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 59. Apparatus wherein the store structure comprises a powered endless surface means for moving items of merchandise thereon. | |
| 69 | With power driven conveyor: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 52. Apparatus wherein the store structure comprises a powered endless surface means for transporting selected items of merchandise. | |