US 5,291,396 AGranted

Method of ordering, shipping and merchandising goods and shipping/display assembly therefor

AssigneeDuracell Inc.

InventorsVictor Calcerano, Joseph T. Ricci

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Abstract

Goods which come in different sizes, shapes, numbers, etc. are packed in assemblies which comprise a tray and a plurality of open-top box-like modules which sit snugly side-by-side in the tray. Each module is prepacked and contains only one size, shape, etc. goods. At its destination the loaded assembly, usually along with other loaded assemblies, becomes the display package for the different size, shape, etc. goods. The method of the invention utilizes a lap-top computer working with a mainframe by which the order is placed and immediately gives pricing information. In the case of a custom or tailored order of different numbers of various sizes of goods, the computer is able to indicate whether the order will make up a complete shipment of packing assemblies, with the correct number of prefilled modules to fill the trays with none left over.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A method of ordering, shipping and merchandising blister card dry cell battery packages of different sizes and numbers of batteries utilizing a plurality of identical open-top box modules each having compartments loaded with given numbers of said packages of different sizes or numbers of batteries, the modules being loaded respectively with packages of all of the different sizes or numbers, and a plurality of identical packing trays, each comprising a bottom wall and an upstanding peripheral side wall, and adapted to snugly receive within its side wall a plurality of selected packing modules in close side-by-side relation, the method including the steps of:

1) providing in a computer a data base having information relative to the price and weight of the respective loaded modules and various combinations of loaded modules that would make up a complete order,
2) entering in the computer a customer's order list of a selected combination of battery packages,
3) retrieving from the data base pricing and weight information pertinent to said order list and an indication of whether the order contains the proper number of packages so that the trays are full of the prescribed number of packages with no packages left over,
4) rejecting or reversing improper orders, and upon acceptance of a complete and proper order transmitting the instructions for the complete order to a shipping location, and
5) filling the order with the modules and trays as indicated in the computer display and transporting it to the customer, where the open-top box modules in their trays are used as a merchandising exhibit to display different dry cell battery packages.

2 more elements

A method of ordering, shipping and merchandising goods coming in different sizes, shapes, etc. utilizing a plurality of identical open-top box modules, each module having at least one compartment loaded with a given number of packages of identical goods, different modules being loaded respectively with goods of different sizes, shapes, etc., and a plurality of packing trays, each comprising a bottom wall and an upstanding peripheral side wall, and being adapted to snugly receive within its side wall a plurality of selected modules in close side-by-side relation, the method including the steps of:

1) providing in a computer a data base having information relative to the price and weight of the respective loaded modules and with respect to various combinations of loaded modules that would make up a complete order,
2) entering into the computer a customer's order list of a selected assortment of sizes, shapes, etc. of the goods,
3) retrieving from the data base information concerning pricing and weight information pertinent to said order list and an indication of whether the selected assortment of goods in the customer's order list constitutes a combination of fully loaded modules and therefore a complete order,
4) rejecting or revising improper orders and transmitting the instructions for complete orders to a shipping location, and
5) filling the order at the shipping location with the modules and trays indicated in the computer display and transporting it to the customer.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/819,034Filed 10 Jan 1992
Granted: 1 Mar 1994
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

G06Q 10/08
Administration; Management: logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
B65D 5/5206
External stands or display elements for contents: external stands for supporting the container in display position, e.g. easels, covers forming a…
B65G 1/1373
With arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed: for fulfilling orders in warehouses
G06Q 10/083
Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management: shipping