Apparatus and method for providing point of purchase products

Abstract

The present invention provides various apparatuses and methods that allow point of purchase products to be automatically dispensed. In an embodiment, the present invention operates with a self-scanning checkout and enables products to be dispensed with other retail items that a consumer collects and brings to the point of purchase. The product is immediately dispensed and provided to the consumer at the point of purchase. The cost of the dispensed product is added to the cost of the collected and transported retail items. The consumer makes one payment for both the dispensed product and the collected and transported retail items. In another embodiment, the present invention is modular and operates in a quick service restaurant environment. The present invention requires little counter/floor space, adds little to the cost of labor, can be mounted in a variety of locations, dispenses in any direction and integrates with virtually any existing system.

1 - 101 . (canceled)  
     
     
         102 . A retail outlet including a plurality of devices allowing a consumer to purchase product without the need for a cashier comprising: 
 at least two self-scanning checkouts that comprise a scanning device allowing a consumer to scan purchasable items that the consumer brings to the device and accumulate a cost for the items;    a point of purchase device located between the self-scanning checkouts and comprising a dispenser that dispenses a product from the device upon a request for product by the consumer, wherein a cost for the product is added to the cost for the items; and    the scanning device prompting the consumer to purchase the product.    
     
     
         103 . The retail outlet of  claim 102  wherein the retail outlet is selected from the group consisting of supermarkets and grocery stores.  
     
     
         104 . The retail outlet of  claim 102  wherein the self-scanning checkouts are oriented in a side by side arrangement.  
     
     
         105 . The retail outlet of  claim 102  wherein the point of purchase device is mounted on a side of one of the self-scanning checkouts.  
     
     
         106 . The retail outlet of  claim 102  wherein the point of purchase device is as a stand alone unit separate from the self-scanning checkouts.  
     
     
         107 . The retail outlet of  claim 102  wherein the self-scanning checkouts are oriented in parallel rows.  
     
     
         108 . The retail outlet of  claim 102  wherein the self-scanning checkouts face each other.  
     
     
         109 . The retail outlet of  claim 102  wherein the self-scanning device includes a prompt for displaying the cost for the items and the display prompts the consumer to purchase the product.  
     
     
         110 . The retail outlet of  claim 102  wherein the prompt is a smart prompt based on a characteristic selected from the group consisting of one purchasable item, a customer card, and a profile of the customer.  
     
     
         111 . The retail outlet of  claim 109  wherein the display provides at least one advertisement regarding the product.  
     
     
         112 . A retail outlet including devices allowing a consumer to purchase product without the need for a cashier comprising: 
 at least two self-scanning checkouts that comprise a scanning device allowing a consumer to scan purchasable items that the consumer brings to the device and accumulate a cost for the items, the cost being displayed on a display;    a point of purchase device located between the self-scanning checkouts and comprising a body including a dispenser that dispenses the product from the body upon a request for the product by the consumer, wherein a cost for the product is added to the cost for the items; and    the display prompts the consumer to purchase the product.    
     
     
         113 . The retail outlet of  claim 112  wherein the retail outlet is selected from the group consisting of supermarkets and grocery stores.  
     
     
         114 . The retail outlet of  claim 112  wherein the self-scanning checkouts are oriented in a side by side arrangement.  
     
     
         115 . The retail outlet of  claim 112  wherein the point of purchase device is mounted on a side of one of the self-scanning checkouts.  
     
     
         116 . The retail outlet of  claim 112  wherein the point of purchase device is as a stand alone unit separate from the self-scanning checkouts.  
     
     
         117 . The retail outlet of  claim 112  wherein the self-scanning checkouts are oriented in parallel rows.  
     
     
         118 . The retail outlet of  claim 112  wherein the self-scanning checkouts face each other.  
     
     
         119 . A device allowing a consumer to purchase product without the need for a cashier comprising: 
 a self-scanning device allowing a consumer to scan purchasable items that the consumer brings to the device and accumulate a cost for the items, the cost being displayed on a display;    a point of purchase device that is mounted to the self-scanning device and includes a body including a dispenser that dispenses the product from the body upon a request for product by the consumer, wherein a cost for the product is added to the cost for the items; and    the display prompts the consumer to purchase the product.    
     
     
         120 . A point of purchase device that operates with an automated purchasing device that allows a consumer to purchase items without the need for a cashier, accumulating a cost for the items and allowing the consumer to pay for a product, the point of purchase device comprising: 
 a body housing the product, the body mounted on the automated purchasing device;    a controller coupled to the body;    a dispenser that dispenses the product from the body upon a signal from the controller, the signal initiated by the consumer, wherein a cost for the product is added to the cost for the items; and    a display that communicates with the controller and prompts the consumer to purchase the product.    
     
     
         121 . A system for providing point of purchase products comprising: 
 a device for identifying costs of items and creating a purchase price for the items;    means for prompting a consumer to purchase a point of purchase product;    a device for storing and dispensing the point of purchase product upon request from the consumer and for adding a cost of the point of purchase product to the purchase price, the storing and dispensing device being mounted on the device for identifying costs; and    wherein the means for prompting is part of the device for identifying costs.    
     
     
         122 . A point of purchase device that is mounted on a device that inputs purchasable items and accumulates a cost for the purchasable items comprising: 
 a dispenser that stores and dispenses a product, wherein a cost for the product is automatically added to the cost of the purchasable items, the dispenser mounted on the item input device;    a communication device that allows information relating to the product to be communicated to a remote location; and    a controller for allowing the point of purchase device to receive advertisement information from a remote location.