In one embodiment, a food product scale 10 (
Referring again to
To provide marketing incentives from the scale 10, the controller 26 also accesses an incentive database or database(s) (stored in suitable memory of the controller or accessible via a link to another computer system such as a P.O.S. system 38 or other in-store system 44 or a regional 40 or national 42 computer system of a store chain (or a third party coupon management company or system) that identifies incentives linked to specific products based upon the PLU number or other product identifier. The incentive database could be incorporated into the price database or could be a separate database. The incentive database identifies whether there is an incentive linked to the product that is weighed and for which a product label having price information is printed. If there is an incentive linked to the product, the incentive database also identifies the details of the incentive. By way of example, the incentive link could be the incentive (e.g., graphics and verbiage) itself, could be a number or numbers representing an incentive data memory location, could be a simple state bit used as a flag, or could simply be the inclusion of the specific product (i.e., the product being weighed) in the incentive database. Importantly, the incentive that is linked to any specific product will typically be for a different product. Usually the different product will be a product that is complementary to the weighed product as opposed to a product that is competitive with the weighed product. For example, for a given brand of deli ham that is weighed an incentive might be provided for a product such as a particular brand of mayonnaise, mustard or potato chips. As another example, when celery or carrots are weighed an incentive might be provided for a particular brand of vegetable dip, or when salad is weighed an incentive might be provided for a particular brand of salad dressing.
As used herein the term “weighed product” will be used to refer to the product that is weighed by the scale and that may have an incentive linked therewith and the term “incentive product” will be used to refer to a product to which an incentive relates. Scale systems are also sometimes used for labeling fixed weight products or products sold by count instead of weight, in which cases the scale system may produce a label for the product without ever weighing the product. If an incentive is linked to a weighed product (or fixed weight or by count product), the controller establishes incentive print data (such as incentive product name, nature of incentive, expiration date, scannable coupon bar code, logo and/or other graphics data and label set-up and format) to be delivered to the printing mechanism 30 to print an “incentive label” that contains the incentive. The incentive label may be part of the product pricing label, with provision made for separation of the incentive label from the rest of the product pricing label. However, the incentive label might also be a label that is output separate from the product pricing label.
The incentive provided to the consumer will typically be in the form of a coupon. As used herein the term coupon is broadly used to encompass both cents off and percent off type offers, as well as 2 for the price of 1 type offers. The incentive label will typically be printed with the incentive visually stated thereon and with a coupon bar code that can be scanned at the point of sale to effect application of the incentive for a customer purchasing the incentive product, where the point of sale computer terminals access a coupon database and the coupon database links the details of any given incentive with the coupon bar code provided on the incentive label.
If the incentive label is part of the product pricing label, it will typically be applied by store personnel to a package containing the weighed product. If the incentive label is separate from the product pricing label it may be handed directly to the customer. In either case, the customer receives the incentive prior to completion of the shopping experience and therefore is more likely to actually utilize the incentive (e.g., purchase the incentive product and redeem the coupon for the incentive product).
Referring to
It is contemplated that selective production of coupon incentives, advertisements/promotions or supplemental information, or simply a product pricing label without any coupon or advertisement/promotion or supplemental information may be produced.
In one example, during an item weighing operation, a product to be weighed is identified to the scale (e.g., using input device 28 to enter a PLU or select from a screen). A determination is made as to whether the product to be weighed is linked to an associated coupon offer. Referring to
(i) price and product information 70 (e.g., which may included product name. printed price, and pricing bar code etc.) are printed on a first label segment 60A;
(ii) coupon information 72 (e.g., which may include incentive item name and nature of incentive) is printed on a second label segment 60 B that is immediately adjacent the first label segment 60a;
(iii) a coupon bar code 74 is printed on a third label segment 60 C that is immediately adjacent the second label segment 60B (note that information in addition to the coupon bar code could also be printed on label segment 60B);
(iv) the printed first, second and third label segments are separated, generally at or near the appropriate weakening line, (e.g., manually or by using a cutter or some other mechanical structure) from the rest of the label supply, the first, second and third label segments remaining attached together as a multi-segment label unit per
(v) the third label segment 60C is folded under the second label segment 60B per
(vi) the multi-segment label unit is attached (manually or automatically) to a package 80 containing the weighed product via adhesive at a rear side of the first label segment such that coupon bar code on the third label segment faces downward against the package, per
The package can then be provided to a customer who can choose to use the coupon by retrieving the incentive item, tearing the coupon part (i.e., segments 60B and 60C) off of the pricing part (i.e., segment 60A) and presenting the coupon to the checkout person at checkout. If the customer does not use the coupon and the coupon remains with the product, the coupon bar code faces downward against the package to prevent scanning of the coupon bar code at checkout.
On the other hand, if the product to be weighed is not linked to an associated coupon offer, and referring to
(i) price and product information 70 are printed on one label segment 60A,
(ii) the one label segment 60A is separated from the label supply, the one label segment by itself forming a single-segment label unit,
(iii) the single-segment label unit is then attached to a package 80 (
Variations are possible. For example, it is contemplated that where no coupon is printed, but where it is desired to provide a promotional message or other advertisement, the scale system could selectively produce a label taking the form of that shown in
Where an item is a fixed price item (e.g., loaf of bread in the bakery) or a by count item, a similar process could take place without actually ever weighing the item. In such cases the printer need not be associated with a scale.
While certain embodiments have been described above, it is recognized that variations exist. While label supply having a liner is described, it is contemplated the linerless label supplies could also be used. For example, the linerless stock may include a heat activated adhesive, or the linerless may be a self-releasing linerless. Further, continuous linered or linerless label stock could be used in combination with a scale system printer that includes, for example, a rotary cutter blade (available from Seiko and elsewhere) that could cut the label and coupon at any desired length. The same cutter (there are usually 2 blades) or a second device could include a blade that is profiled to create a partial cut or perforation for the fold. In such cases, a synchronization mark would not be needed. Still further, the weighing, printing, separating, folding and applying operations described above could take place at various locations (e.g., at an in-store department using a deli-scale, in back-room of a store using an automated package wrapping machine, or even at a more centralized food product packaging location).
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 60/845,369, filed Sep. 18, 2006, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60845369 | Sep 2006 | US |