Patent ID: 6681896
Filing Date: 2004-01-27
Classification: A47F

Abstract:
A system for detecting a low bag supply in a checkout station comprising:a bag supply monitor for measuring a bag supply in a checkout counter including a horizontally displaceable member; a biased movable arm mounted to the horizontally displaceable member proximately an outboard wall of a bag in the bag supply so that removal of the bag against which the biased moveable arm is mounted causes the biased moveable arm to rotate outwardly to release the bag and return to rest against a next available bag; an electrical switch coupled to the biased moveable arm so that outward movement of the moveable arm and return of the moveable arm open and close the electrical switch to generate a low bag supply signal; and a counter coupled to the electrical switch to count removed bags; and a low supply signal generator coupled to the bag supply monitor for generating a low bag supply signal in response to the bag supply monitor detecting a low bag supply.