Building a Better Bagger

Hello canderous ordo

I am not intending to pour "cold water" on your idea, because I have often thought about the "Universal packaging Machine" ever since the local introduction of Supermarkets.

There are several basic reasons why a machine of the type you describe has yet to be used at a Supermarket, or indeed at any public checkout.

The goods do not belong to the seller, after payment is received, thus care of the goods purchased has passed to the buyer.

The variety of goods in the average supermarket is around 30,000 different items.

The items are extremely varied in shape, size, dimension, container material, fragility, coefficient of friction and so much more.

The buyer at a supermarket normally requires certain classes of goods to be separated: Bleach from food, soap from food or meat, frozen foods wrapped extra and together, oils of all sorts (Non-food oils) separate from all, and so on.

Because the use of the "Universal Packager Machine" would bring liability for all damages back on the supermarket, no supermarket is going to install such a machine because of the liability.

Remember no machine is perfect, and a machine of this type, if the control unit failed, may cause personal injury or death to nearby persons.

People packers are able to sort the items, separate the separates, extra wrap frozen foods, and so much more - They are often students or other low-paid folks who need to earn a small amount of money for the packing work. They also greet the customer, helping to reinforce the relationship of the supermarket with the customer. and all that.

Many Supermarkets are presently trying the use of "Self Service Checkouts" where there is no "cash register Operator", and the customer swipes their bank card, and does his/her own packing.

There is a further problem of what the purchased items are to be packed in.

Packaging of almost all items except fresh vegetables and fruit has already been done, blister packed, bar-coded etc.

All that expensive non-eco-friendly packaging has to be disposed of, and many countries are intending to heavily tax "extra packaging", with the ubiquitous "supermarket plastic bags" now being successfully banned in several countries, with other countries to follow with the same ban.

The waste stream in most Metropolitan areas is already overloaded, and further packaging, whether plastic, paper, cardboard or other, is going to increase the waste stream.

Now....who is going to pay for "The Universal Packaging Machine" if it ever becomes possible: The customers, of course, which means supermarket prices are going to rise.

I trust that the short analysis above does not upset you or your idea, but these and other factors do need to be carefully considered, before unrecoverable lifespan and funds are spent on such a project.

Kind Regards....

GA #1

How about a shopping cart with a built in scanner for the product codes and bags.

As you load the buggy is totals the things you buy and when you go out the door you scan your debit card then go to you vechile and bag and load your car.

No one else has to touch it after the stocker but you.