Method and system for labeling and managing the sale of manufactured concrete blocks

Abstract

In a method for identifying manufactured concrete or masonry blocks and managing the sale thereof to a customer in a retail establishment, the retail establishment having a computer system configured to monitor inventory, a database operatively coupled to the computer system, and a plurality of point of sale (POS) terminals operatively coupled to the computer system. The method includes a) applying a releasably secured label to the concrete block or a layer of concrete blocks contained on a pallet, where the label has UPC information affixed thereon and is releasable from the concrete block or layer of concrete blocks on the pallet, b) selecting for purchase by the customer, a number of concrete blocks from a selected pallet, c) removing the label from the concrete block or the layer of concrete blocks on the pallet, d) presenting the label at the POS terminal, e) scanning the label via the POS terminal to process the UPC information, and entering the number of concrete blocks intended for purchase, f) transmitting data encoded in the UPC information to the computer system along with an indication of the number of concrete blocks purchased to effect maintenance of the inventory of concrete blocks, and g) issuing a receipt to the purchaser evidencing purchase of the concrete blocks.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for identifying manufactured concrete or masonry blocks and managing the sale thereof to a customer in a retail establishment, the retail establishment having a computer system configured to monitor inventory, a database operatively coupled to the computer system, and a plurality of point of sale (POS) terminals operatively coupled to the computer system, the method comprising: 
 applying a releasably secured label to a concrete block or a layer of concrete block contained on a pallet, the label having UPC information affixed thereon and being releasable from the concrete block or layer of concrete blocks on the pallet;    selecting for purchase by the customer, a number of concrete blocks from a selected pallet;    removing the label from the concrete block or layer of concrete blocks on the pallet;    presenting the label at the POS terminal;    scanning the label via the POS terminal to process the UPC information, and entering the number of concrete blocks intended for purchase;    transmitting data encoded in the UPC information to the computer system along with an indication of the number of concrete blocks purchased to effect maintenance of the inventory of concrete blocks; and    issuing a receipt to the purchaser evidencing purchase of the concrete blocks.    
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  further including providing the issued receipt to an employee of the retail establishment to authorize distribution of the purchased concrete blocks to the customer.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein presenting the label to the POS terminal permits completion of the sale of the blocks without transport of the blocks to the POS terminal.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein presenting the label at the POS terminal permits completion of the sale without physical manipulation of the concrete blocks at the POS terminal.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the pallet of concrete blocks is located peripheral to a main structure defining the retail establishment.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the pallet of concrete blocks is located in an environment external to a main structure defining the retail establishment.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the label is formed of flexible material configured to fit within a portion of the concrete block.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the label is formed of plastisized material.  
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the label includes barcode indicia printed or included thereon.  
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the label includes a universal product code identifier printed or included thereon.  
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the label includes printed indicia selected from the group consisting of a barcode, universal product code identifier, pricing information, product identification, customer information, product usage information, product suggestion information, manufacturer information, manufacturer logo, manufacturer branding, designs, trade name, and trademark.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the label is subjoined to a second label portion of similar shape, the second label portion including additional pictorial and/or graphical information.  
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the block includes a recessed area integrally formed in a portion of the block, the label having a shape to fit within the recessed area.  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13  wherein the label further includes a body portion and two tab portions extending from sides of the body portion, the tabs bent at an angle conforming to the body portion so that when placed in the recessed area, the tabs grip a portion of the block to releasably secure the label on the block.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14  wherein the label is formed of flexible material so that the tabs retain the bent configuration, and wherein the tabs create a releasable fit with a portion of the concrete block.  
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 13  wherein the label is in the form of a continuous closed shape configured to fit within the corresponding recess in the block.  
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16  wherein the label is tubular in shape.  
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 13  wherein the label is in the form of a continuous closed shape configured to circumscribe a perimeter of a portion of the block so as to be releasably retained on the block.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the blocks are wrapped with plastic material, and wherein the releasable labels are located between the blocks and the plastic material or the plastic material is releasable from the block.  
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein labels are releasable adhesively or mechanically secured to one or more concrete blocks.  
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the label is in the form of a sheet of labels having perforations between adjacent labels, the sheet of labels disposed between layers of block when stacked on a pallet.  
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the weight of the blocks secures the sheet of labels between the layers of block.  
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the sheet of labels includes a cut-out portion configured to circumscribe a perimeter of the blocks when stacked on a pallet.  
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein a label is separated along the perforations to remove the label when a corresponding block is removed from the pallet.  
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the label further includes one or more folds configured to protect printed indicia on the label from abrasion by the block.  
     
     
         26 . A method of establishing marketable brand identity for concrete or masonry blocks and managing the identification and sale thereof to a customer in a retail establishment, the retail establishment having a computer system configured to track inventory, a database operatively coupled to the computer system, and a plurality of point of sale (POS) terminals operatively coupled to the computer system, the method comprising: 
 applying a releasably secured label to a concrete block or a layer of concrete blocks contained on a pallet, the label having UPC information and consumer information thereon, the label being removable from the concrete block or layer of concrete blocks on the pallet, the label causing a potential customer to associate the concrete block with the identified provider of the concrete block;    selecting for purchase by the customer, a number of concrete blocks from a pallet;    removing the label from the concrete block or layer of concrete blocks on the pallet;    presenting the label at the point of sale terminal;    scanning the label via the POS terminal to read the UPC information, and entering the number of concrete blocks intended for purchase;    transmitting data encoded in the UPC information to the computer system along with an indication of the number of concrete blocks purchased to effect maintenance of the inventory of concrete blocks; and    issuing a receipt to the purchaser evidencing purchase of the concrete blocks.    
     
     
         27 . A method of labeling products produced by concrete block manufacturers and distributed by retail building material establishments, the method comprising: 
 manufacturing a plurality of differently shaped concrete block products at a manufacturing site;    forming each shape of concrete block in a mold;    applying a label to one or more of the concrete block products, each label being releasable from the block product;    transporting the blocks to the retail building material establishment;    placing the block products at the retail establishment for sale;    selection of one or more block products for purchase by a retail consumer;    releasing the label from one or more of the block products and presenting the released label at a point-of-sale terminal; in lieu of the product and    electronically scanning the label with an optical scanner to facilitate the sale of the concrete block product.    
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 28  wherein the pier blocks are contained in multiple layers on a pallet at the manufacturing site and the label is applied between one or more layers of the pallet.  
     
     
         29 . A method for identifying manufactured concrete pier blocks used for deck constructions, and managing the sale thereof in a retail establishment, the retail establishment having a computer system configured to monitor inventory, a database operatively coupled to the computer system, and a plurality of point-of-sale (POS) terminals operatively coupled to the computer system, the method comprising; 
 manufacturing concrete pier blocks in a generally truncated pyramidal shape at a manufacturing site;    forming the shape of the pier block body in a mold;    directly applying a label to the formed pier block, each label being releasable from the pier block;    transporting the pier blocks to the retail establishment;    placing the pier blocks at the retail establishment for sale;    selecting a plurality of pier blocks for purchase by a retail consumer;    releasing the label from one or more of the pier blocks and presenting the released label at the point-of-sale terminal of the retail establishment;    electronically scanning the released label with an optical scanner to facilitate the sale of the pier block; and    using the purchased pier blocks in a deck construction.