公开(公告)号：US20190023491A1

公开(公告)日：2019-01-24

申请号：US15656738

申请日：2017-07-21

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Dinesh Mahadevan ,  Martin Peter Aalund ,  Jon Stuart Battles ,  Jon David DeFant ,  Benjamin Douglas Garcia ,  Vahideh Kamranzadeh ,  George T. Davies ,  Steven Eric Nuetzman

IPC: B65G1/133 ,  B65G1/04

Abstract: In one embodiment, an inventory storage system has a vertical stack of storage modules that extend from a first stack end to a second stack end, and are stacked on top of one another. Each storage module defines a path that forms a loop in a vertical plane, and each storage module has a plurality of inventory carriers that translate around the loop. The vertical stack has a first end section that extends from the first stack end towards the second stack end, and that includes a first end of each loop of the stack. The vertical stack also has a second end section that extends from the second stack end towards the first stack end, and that includes a second end of each loop of the stack. The sections can be transported separately by a truck or container and then coupled together at the destination.

公开(公告)号：US20190023490A1

公开(公告)日：2019-01-24

申请号：US15656642

申请日：2017-07-21

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Dinesh Mahadevan ,  Martin Peter Aalund ,  Jon Stuart Battles ,  Jon David DeFant ,  Benjamin Douglas Garcia ,  Vahideh Kamranzadeh ,  George T. Davies ,  Steven Eric Nuetzman

IPC: B65G1/133 ,  B65G1/04

Abstract: In one embodiment, an inventory storage module has first and second guiderails that are spaced from one another along a lateral direction. Each guiderail has an upper track and a lower track, and first and second connecting tracks that connect the upper track to the lower track at first and second ends of the storage module, respectively. The module has a plurality of inventory carriers that are supported between the first and second guiderails, are arranged end-to-end along the upper and lower tracks along a longitudinal direction, and are elongate along the lateral direction. The module can also have a plurality of storage containers carried by each inventory carrier in a side-by-side relation along the lateral direction, where the plurality of storage containers carry a plurality of inventory items.

公开(公告)号：US10183424B1

公开(公告)日：2019-01-22

申请号：US14575787

申请日：2014-12-18

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Gregory Karl Lisso ,  Jon Stuart Battles ,  John Tan ,  Samuel Christopher Uhlman

IPC: B29C44/12 ,  B29K105/04 ,  B65B43/00 ,  B65B59/02 ,  B65B61/18

Abstract: A product to be shipped is placed on a platform. A conveyor belt moves the product and platform toward a packaging station where mold forms at least define a space which encloses the product. Expanding foam is then injected via injector lines into the space. Once the expanding foam has at least partially hardened, the mold forms may be retracted and the package is moved to a next station for at least one of finishing, loading, or storing. The foam thus becomes the shipping package for the product. This eliminates the need to store shipping containers of multiple standardized sizes and shapes, and to fill the standardized shipping containers with dunnage. The mold forms also provide for customized exterior shapes for the shipping package.

公开(公告)号：US10053299B1

公开(公告)日：2018-08-21

申请号：US15587757

申请日：2017-05-05

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Unnikrishnan Vadakkanmaruveedu ,  Jon Stuart Battles ,  Emily Dunne ,  Samuel Gardner Garrett ,  Timothy Alan Talda ,  Akshay Rajendra Tilekar ,  Jacqueline Underberg

IPC: B65G47/30 ,  B65G13/02 ,  B65G13/04

CPC classification number: B65G47/30 ,  B65G13/02 ,  B65G13/04 ,  B65G47/31 ,  B65G47/52 ,  B65G59/12

Abstract: In one embodiment, a conveyor system reorients objects from a side-by-side orientation to a sequential orientation. The system has an upper conveyor level and a subsequent conveyor level disposed below the upper level. The upper level has an upper conveyor segment that has an upstream end, a downstream end opposite the upstream end along a flow direction, a pair of lateral sides, a top side, and a bottom side. The upper conveyor segment defines an conveying surface that is between the pair of lateral sides and that carries objects aligned therewith along the flow direction. The upper conveyor segment also defines a discharge opening that is between the conveying surface and one of the lateral sides. The discharge opening extends through the upper conveyor segment along a vertical direction so as to discharge objects onto the subsequent conveyor level that are aligned with the discharge opening.

公开(公告)号：US10046913B1

公开(公告)日：2018-08-14

申请号：US15587712

申请日：2017-05-05

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Unnikrishnan Vadakkanmaruveedu ,  Jon Stuart Battles ,  Emily Dunne ,  Samuel Gardner Garrett ,  Timothy Alan Talda ,  Akshay Rajendra Tilekar ,  Jacqueline Underberg

IPC: B65G15/60 ,  B65G39/02

Abstract: In one embodiment, a conveyor system has a conveyor segment and a knock-down device. The conveyor segment has an upstream end, and a downstream end opposite the upstream end. The conveyor segment defines a conveying surface that carries objects along a flow direction that extends from the upstream end to the downstream end. The knock-down device has a knock-down body that is spaced entirely from the conveying surface along a vertical direction by at least a clearance height. The knock-down body has an upstream body end, a downstream body end offset from the upstream body end with respect to the flow direction, and a ramped surface that extends between the upstream body end and the downstream body end. The ramped surface is ramped away from the conveying surface as the ramped surface extends along the flow direction, and knocks down objects that are stacked on top of one another.

公开(公告)号：US20180201445A1

公开(公告)日：2018-07-19

申请号：US15408207

申请日：2017-01-17

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Jon Stuart Battles ,  Timothy Alan Talda ,  Martin Peter Aalund

IPC: B65G1/137 ,  B65G1/04 ,  B65G61/00 ,  B65G63/00 ,  G05D1/02

CPC classification number: B65G1/133 ,  B65G1/0492 ,  B65G1/12 ,  B65G1/127 ,  B65G1/1373 ,  B65G61/00 ,  B65G63/002 ,  G05D1/0287 ,  G05D2201/0216 ,  G06Q30/0635 ,  G06Q50/28

Abstract: An example process may include receiving a request identifying an action with respect to an item and a modular storage system. The modular storage system may include a plurality of shipping containers accessible from an item transfer facility. The process may also include identifying a particular shipping container of the plurality of shipping containers to fulfill the request. The process may also include identifying, within the particular shipping container, a particular storage module to fulfill the request. The particular storage module may include a particular plurality of storage containers. The process may also include identifying, from among the particular plurality of storage containers, a particular storage container to fulfill the request. The process may also include causing movement of the particular plurality of storage containers to move the particular storage container to an access position.

公开(公告)号：US20180201442A1

公开(公告)日：2018-07-19

申请号：US15408128

申请日：2017-01-17

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Jon Stuart Battles ,  Timothy Alan Talda ,  Martin Peter Aalund

IPC: B65G1/02

CPC classification number: B65G1/026 ,  B65G1/02

Abstract: An example storage module may include an upper support structure, a lower support structure, and a frame. The upper support structure may engage with a corresponding lower support structure of a first different storage module. The lower support structure may engage with a corresponding upper support structure of a second different storage module. The frame may include a first component and a second component. Each component may include an upper portion, a lower portion, and a set of connecting portions. The upper portion may define an upper level of the storage module. The lower portion may define a lower level of the storage module. The set of connecting portions may connect the upper and lower portions. The storage module may also include a set of carrier devices to move in accordance with a movement path and support a set of storage containers.

公开(公告)号：US09600798B2

公开(公告)日：2017-03-21

申请号：US14857668

申请日：2015-09-17

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Jon Stuart Battles ,  Jayson Michael Jochim ,  Martin Peter Aalund ,  Ned Lecky ,  Samuel Gardner Garrett ,  Paul Roy Raines, Jr. ,  Kaushik Mani ,  Yan Yan ,  David Henry Clark ,  John Tan

IPC: G06Q10/08 ,  B65G1/137 ,  B25J9/16 ,  G05B15/02 ,  B65G1/04 ,  G06Q50/28

CPC classification number: G06Q10/087 ,  B25J9/16 ,  B65G1/04 ,  B65G1/1373 ,  G05B15/02 ,  G06Q10/083 ,  G06Q50/28

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for an automated materials handling facility. The automated materials handling facility uses a series of automated devices, such as automated guidance vehicles, mobile drive units, robotic arms, automated sorters, etc., to facilitate item receive, stow, pick, shipping and other aspects of materials handling. The automated devices are controlled by a materials handling control system that sends instructions to the various devices to coordinate operation of those devices and to coordinate flow of items through the materials handling system.

公开(公告)号：US09580002B2

公开(公告)日：2017-02-28

申请号：US14752178

申请日：2015-06-26

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Jayson Michael Jochim ,  Martin Peter Aalund ,  David Bruce McCalib, Jr. ,  Jon Stuart Battles

IPC: B60P1/48 ,  B62D57/04 ,  B60B19/00 ,  B60B19/02 ,  B66B9/16

CPC classification number: B60P1/48 ,  B60B19/003 ,  B60B19/02 ,  B60B2900/351 ,  B60B2900/551 ,  B62D57/04 ,  B65G2207/34 ,  B66B9/16

Abstract: Concepts of omnidirectional vehicle transport are described. In one embodiment, an omnidirectional vehicle includes a transportation platform, a drive system, and wheels. At a surface level, the vehicle can maneuver in any direction, including longitudinal and lateral directions. The vehicle can also be positioned to engage the wheels with a track having a rack gear to engage with the wheels. A control system of the vehicle can then drive the wheels in engagement with the track to raise the vehicle to a second level. At the second level, the vehicle can maneuver to transfer items onto the vehicle for transportation of the items back to the surface level. After the items are transferred onto the vehicle, it can be positioned for engagement with the track, and the control system can drive the wheels to lower the vehicle to the surface level and offload the items.

Abstract translation: 描述全方位车辆运输的概念。 在一个实施例中，全方位车辆包括运输平台，驱动系统和车轮。 在表面水平，车辆可以在任何方向上进行操纵，包括纵向和横向。 车辆也可以被定位成将车轮与具有齿条的轨道接合，以与车轮接合。 然后，车辆的控制系统可以驱动车轮与轨道接合，以使车辆升高到第二水平。 在第二级，车辆可以操纵将物品转移到车辆上以将物品运送回到地面水平。 在物品被转移到车辆上之后，它可以被定位成与轨道接合，并且控制系统可以驱动车轮以将车辆降低到表面水平并卸下物品。

公开(公告)号：US09540190B2

公开(公告)日：2017-01-10

申请号：US14682993

申请日：2015-04-09

Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Jayson Michael Jochim ,  Martin Peter Aalund ,  Jon Stuart Battles ,  Paul Roy Raines, Jr. ,  Yan Yan

IPC: B60L13/03 ,  G06F7/06 ,  B65G54/02 ,  B65D6/00 ,  B65D25/20

CPC classification number: G05B19/042 ,  B65D11/20 ,  B65D25/205 ,  B65G54/02 ,  G05B2219/2621

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the movement of portable receptacles within a materials handling facility are described. The materials handling facility utilizes at least one linear induction motor (LIM) to move the portable receptacles having conductive elements from a first location to a second location within the facility. The LIMs may be configured such that most, if not all, of the movement of the receptacles is controlled by the application of energy from the LIMs to the conductive elements of the receptacles. This energy may cause the receptacles to move from one LIM to another LIM, where each LIM in sequence can apply force to the receptacle to pass it to the next LIM in the sequence. In some implementations, the portable receptacles are configured such that at least a base portion of the receptacle includes a conductive element to interact with the LIMs, while maintaining an overall light-weight configuration.

Abstract translation: 描述了用于控制材料处理设备内的便携式插座的移动的方法和装置。 材料处理设施利用至少一个线性感应电动机（LIM）将具有导电元件的便携式插座从第一位置移动到设施内的第二位置。 可以配置LIM，使得大多数（如果不是全部）容器的移动通过从LIM向容器的导电元件施加能量来控制。 这种能量可能导致插座从一个LIM移动到另一个LIM，其中每个LIM依次可以施加力到插座以将其传递到下一个LIM。 在一些实施方式中，便携式插座被配置为使得插座的至少一个基座部分包括与LIM相互作用的导电元件，同时保持整体的轻质构造。