초록 ▼

An apparatus stores stock for retrieval at a later date. The apparatus maintains an inventory of the stock contained within and produces an invoice as stock is removed. A telecommunication apparatus is provided for allowing the apparatus to re-order stock items from remote sources as stock is remove

An apparatus stores stock for retrieval at a later date. The apparatus maintains an inventory of the stock contained within and produces an invoice as stock is removed. A telecommunication apparatus is provided for allowing the apparatus to re-order stock items from remote sources as stock is removed. The stock monitoring is performed in real time and may allow restricted access to some of the stock.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus for monitoring and controlling stock, comprising storage means, stock level monitoring means, retrieval means, invoice producing means, telecommunication means, delivery means, recording means, and processing means; said storage means, in use holding the stoc

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus for monitoring and controlling stock, comprising storage means, stock level monitoring means, retrieval means, invoice producing means, telecommunication means, delivery means, recording means, and processing means; said storage means, in use holding the stock, said retrieval means being adapted, in use, to deliver said stock from said storage means to said delivery means where said stock can be removed from said apparatus, said processing means being adapted, in use, to monitor said storage means and the level of said stock in said storage means and responsive to signals from said stock level monitoring means being adapted to order said stock via said telecommunication means, and said invoice producing means being adapted to produce an invoice for each item of stock retrieved in response to signals from said processing means, the arrangement being such that when the item of stock is retrieved an invoice is produced; said recording means capable of recording an expiry date on stock having a limited shelf life and said processing means being capable of causing said delivery means to preferentially deliver stock having an earlier expiry date.