Device Includes Push-pull Mechanism Patents (Class 414/280)
  • Patent number: 11945649
    Abstract: Bin retrieval robots configured to pick or put-away bins within a logistics facility and to transport one or more picked bins. Methods and systems for autonomous picking or put-away of bins within a logistics facility that include the bin retrieval robot(s) are also disclosed. The systems include a remote server and at least one bin retrieval robot, wherein the remote server is configured to communicate with the bin retrieval robot(s) to send and receive picking data, and the bin retrieval robot(s) are configured to autonomously navigate and position within the logistics facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: IAM Robotics, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Galluzzo, Vladimir Altman
  • Patent number: 11938517
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a path to/from the destination areas, which are positioned along the path. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: OPEX Corporation
    Inventors: George Hayduchok, Robert R. DeWitt
  • Patent number: 11935353
    Abstract: Various prison services are rendered more efficient by providing inmates access to portable electronic devices in a controlled and regulated manner. A dispenser is employed to control and monitor the checking out and return of portable electronic devices and to communicate with such devices during use by inmates to monitor inmate use and ensure the portable electronic devices are only used by inmates as authorized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Renovo Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Peters, Timothy J. Eickhoff, Ehren R. Jarosek, Tim Skaja
  • Patent number: 11912511
    Abstract: A gripper for a transport system of a picking device having horizontal storage surfaces for storing and dispensing small piece goods of different shapes and/or surface properties is provided. The gripper comprises a drop table extending in first and a second horizontal directions and having a storage and dispensing end face. Two elongated gripping jaws are arranged above the drop table extending in the first horizontal direction, and are fastened to a gripping jaw guide arrangement. At least one of the gripping jaws is movable in the second horizontal direction and at least one of the gripping jaws has a gripper coupler in its end portion facing away from the gripping jaw guide arrangement, and at least one transport attachment with an attachment coupler. The gripper and attachment couplers interact so that a transport attachment is releasably fixed at an end portion of a gripping jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: BECTON DICKINSON ROWA GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Dietmar Gross, Stephan Brokonier, Heinrich Paul Martini
  • Patent number: 11912500
    Abstract: An automated warehouse storage system including a multilevel storage array is provided. Each aisle has a set of storage levels and each level has storage locations distributed along the aisle. The guideway network extending through the multilevel storage array is configured for autonomous vehicles to move along the guideway network within the multilevel storage array. The guideway network including an inter-aisle guideway spanning at least two of the multiple aisles and a set of guideway levels extending in an aisle of the multiple aisles and disposed so that each guideway level is at a different one of the storage levels and the vehicles on the guideway level can access the storage locations distributed along the aisle. Each set of guideway levels is connected to the inter-aisle guideway forming a common guideway path so that a vehicle can move between inter-aisle guideway and each guideway level along the common guideway path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventor: John Lert, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11876008
    Abstract: Vertical batch furnace assembly for processing wafers comprising a cassette handling space, a wafer handling space, and a first wall separating the cassette handling space from the wafer handling space. The first wall has at least one wafer transfer opening in front of which a wafer transfer position for a wafer cassette is provided. The cassette handling space comprises a cassette storage, and a cassette handling mechanism. The cassette storage has a plurality of cassette storage positions and is configured to store a plurality of wafer cassettes. The cassette handling mechanism comprises a first cassette handler which is configured to transfer wafer cassettes between a first set of the cassette storage positions and the wafer transfer position. The cassette handling mechanism is provided with a second cassette handler which is configured to transfer wafer cassettes between a second set of the cassette storage positions and the wafer transfer position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Chris G. M. de Ridder
  • Patent number: 11873165
    Abstract: A movement apparatus is provided that moves an article in a transfer direction. The movement apparatus is provided with a first protruding/retracting unit, a second protruding/retracting unit installed in a state spaced apart from the first protruding/retracting unit in the width direction, a first drive unit that moves the first protruding/retracting unit in the width direction, and a second drive unit that moves the second protruding/retracting unit in the width direction. The first drive unit is configured to move the first protruding/retracting unit in the width direction within a first setting range by swinging a first connection unit, and the second drive unit is configured to move the second protruding/retracting unit in the width direction within a second setting range wider than the first setting range by moving a second connection unit back and forth in a prescribed path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kunihiro Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 11866257
    Abstract: An automated warehouse storage system including a multilevel storage array is provided. Each aisle has a set of storage levels and each level has storage locations distributed along the aisle. The guideway network extending through the multilevel storage array is configured for autonomous vehicles to move along the guideway network within the multilevel storage array. The guideway network including an inter-aisle guideway spanning at least two of the multiple aisles and a set of guideway levels extending in an aisle of the multiple aisles and disposed so that each guideway level is at a different one of the storage levels and the vehicles on the guideway level can access the storage locations distributed along the aisle. Each set of guideway levels is connected to the inter-aisle guideway forming a common guideway path so that a vehicle can move between inter-aisle guideway and each guideway level along the common guideway path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventor: John Lert, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11845610
    Abstract: An automated decant system is disclosed for processing pallets of cased goods received at a facility, extracting packaging for the cases and transferring eaches within the cases to totes, possibly organized by SKU in sub-totes within the tote.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: WALMART APOLLO, LLC
    Inventors: John G. Lert, Jr., William J. Fosnight, Charles W. Su, Christopher Hofmeister
  • Patent number: 11840412
    Abstract: A handling system includes a gravity feed rack, a pick-up rack, a front retaining element, and a rear retaining element. The gravity feed rack includes a retaining mechanism having an axially rotatably mounted shaft. The front retaining element is connected to the shaft. The front retaining element is moveable to a first retaining position to inhibit movement of a first load carrier. The rear retaining element is connected to the shaft and moveable to a second retaining position to inhibit movement of a second load carrier. When the gravity feed rack and the pick-up rack are brought together, at least one contact surface of a deflection element is configured to cooperate with the engagement element in order to rotate the shaft counter to a restoring force causing the front retaining element to move from the first retaining position and the rear retaining element to move to the second retaining position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Ford-Werke GmbH
    Inventors: Andre Dederichs, Andreas Hartwig
  • Patent number: 11829835
    Abstract: This disclosure includes a parcel terminal that may include a shelving unit comprising a plurality of shelves that are separated by respective predetermined distances along a dimension of the unit. In an embodiment, the plurality of shelves may be evenly spaced. The parcel terminal may further include a receptable for receiving a parcel from a user, a loader configured to transfer the parcel from the receptacle to a shelf on the shelving unit, and an electronic controller in electronic communication with the loader. The electronic controller may be configured to determine a number of open shelves required to accommodate the parcel based on a size of the parcel and on the respective predetermined distances, to select a set of shelves having at least the required number of open shelves, and to initiate a movement of the loader so as to place the parcel within the selected set of shelves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Cleveron AS
    Inventors: Remi Lõssov, Lauri Hirvesaar, Mikk Noorkõiv, Mart Roht
  • Patent number: 11830956
    Abstract: Solar cell devices as well as method and apparatus for producing solar cell devices are disclosed. Aspects of the disclosure provide a solar cell device that includes a string of solar cells. The string of solar cells are conductively connected in series and arranged in a shingled manner with sides of adjacent solar cells being overlapped. A first metal ribbon segment is conductively bonded to a front surface of an end cell, the front surface being configured to face a light incoming direction to receive energy from a light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: MAXEON SOLAR PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Nathaniel Caswell, David C. Hosken, Jason Kalus
  • Patent number: 11827451
    Abstract: A transfer apparatus (7) includes a first protruding/retracting unit (21), a second protruding/retracting unit (22), and a control unit. The first protruding/retracting unit (21) includes a first arm (27A) that protrudes and retracts in a transfer direction, and a first hook (31) that swings around a first axis (P1). The second protruding/retracting unit (22) includes a second arm (27B) that protrudes and retracts in the transfer direction, and a second hook (32) that swings around a second axis (P2). A spacing changing unit is configured to change a spacing between the first arm (27A) and the second arm (27B) to a first spacing (D1) that is narrower than the sum of a first intermediate-state protrusion amount and a second intermediate-state protrusion amount and is wider than the sum of a first transferring-state protrusion amount and a second transferring-state protrusion amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashige Iwata, Hirotaka Osako
  • Patent number: 11820597
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a track that guides the delivery vehicles to/from the destination areas, which are positioned along the track. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: OPEX Corporation
    Inventors: Robert R. DeWitt, Peter M. Chezik, Joseph Valinsky, S. N. Kartik, Ola Stahl
  • Patent number: 11820543
    Abstract: A pharmaceutical order processing system for processing a plurality of pharmaceutical containers includes a container repository, a container selector, an order consolidator transporter and an order consolidator. The container repository supports the pharmaceutical containers. The container selector has a picker to pick the pharmaceutical containers from the pharmaceutical container repository. The container selector includes a carriage supporting the picker and movable relative to the container repository to move the picker around the container repository. The order consolidator receives the pharmaceutical containers and places the pharmaceutical containers in a shipping package. The order consolidator transporter receives the pharmaceutical containers after they have been picked by the picker and transports the pharmaceutical containers toward the order consolidator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Express Scripts Strategic Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Hoffman, Robert E. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 11820601
    Abstract: A workstation for a material handling system is provided. The system may include a plurality of vehicles for retrieving items from a plurality of storage locations located in one or more racks. The workstation is configured to accommodate the vehicles so that the vehicles drive into the workstation and drive upwardly along a track in the workstation. In one configuration, the track is configured to tilt the vehicle at a predetermined angle relative to the horizon as the vehicle is driven upwardly. After the vehicle is tilted to the predetermined angle the vehicle continues to drive upwardly while maintaining the predetermined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: OPEX Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Valinsky, Alexander Stevens, Nathan Bloch, George Muttathil, David Baines
  • Patent number: 11807451
    Abstract: The application relates to a carrying robot including a fork. The fork includes a telescopic arm and a temporary storage tray. The telescopic arm includes a fixed arm and a movable arm connected to the fixed arm. The movable arm is telescopically movable relative to the fixed arm. The temporary storage tray is mounted to the fixed arm and is configured to temporarily store goods. The temporary storage tray is able to extend relative to the fixed arm. An extending direction of the temporary storage tray is consistent with an extending direction of the movable arm. When the fork pulls in or pushes out the goods, containers can be stably transferred between a stationary rack and the temporary storage tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: HAI ROBOTICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Qingxin Zhan
  • Patent number: 11778956
    Abstract: A vertical farming system includes a storage structure having racks of storage shelves for housing plant-carrying containers. Mobile robots travel around the racks to transfer containers of plants to and from the storage shelves. Under direction of a central control system, one or more mobile robots may transport a container from a storage location to a workstation. Once there, care may be provided for the plant, including water and/or other nutrients, and data may be gathered on the plant. This may be done by an owner of the plant, or by an automated service robot positioned at the workstation. Data gathered on the plant, including for example photographs, may be sent by email or other communications schemes to an owner of the plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: John G. Lert, Jr., William J. Fosnight, Jeffrey C. Laba
  • Patent number: 11767204
    Abstract: A transport vehicle (2) that travels along a container shelf (1) provided with a plurality of levels of shelf portions (11) arranged in a vertical direction (Z) and configured to support containers (W), thereby transporting the containers (W). The transport vehicle (2) is provided with a support region where a container (W) is supported, a first transfer apparatus (23) that inserts/takes the container (W) into/out of the container shelf (1), and a second transfer apparatus (24) that loads/unloads the container (W) on/from the support region. The second transfer apparatus (24) is configured such that a container (W) can be moved to the support region so as to allow a plurality of the containers (W) to be supported in a stacked state in the support region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Ueda, Masashige Iwata, Akira Emoto
  • Patent number: 11760569
    Abstract: A warehousing system for storing and retrieving goods disposed in containers is provided. The system includes a multilevel storage array including an array of storage shelves for holding containers thereon, at least one substantially continuous lift for transporting containers to and from at least one level of the storage array, at least one transport vehicle located on the at least one level and configured to traverse a transport area transporting containers between the at least one continuous lift and container storage locations so that the at least one continuous lift communicates non-deterministically, via the transport vehicle, with storage locations of each of the storage shelves on the at least one level, an infeed transport system linked to the at least one continuous lift, and an order fulfillment station for generating order containers corresponding to customer orders where the order containers are entered onto the storage shelves of the storage array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Symbotic LLC
    Inventor: John Lert
  • Patent number: 11752521
    Abstract: An order fulfillment system is disclosed in which objects to be collected into orders are provided in output totes. The system includes a primary sortation system that includes a loop conveyance system that moves objects around a closed loop that includes a plurality of primary sortation exits, each of which leads to a location inside the closed loop, and a secondary sortation system that includes a plurality of secondary conveyances, each of which receives an object at one of the plurality of primary sortation exits, and conveys the object to one of a plurality of totes, the plurality of totes being within the closed loop of the primary sortation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Geyer, Joseph Romano, John Richard Amend, Jr., Christopher Buck, Andrew Ewart, Kyle Maroney, Thomas Wagner
  • Patent number: 11745241
    Abstract: A bending machine for metal sheets includes a punch arrangement that supports a set of upper bending tools, a die arrangement that supports at least one set of lower bending tools, a tool magazine of bending tools, a replacing apparatus arranged to take bending tools from the tool magazine and mount them on the punch arrangement and/or the die arrangement and vice versa, and a gripping device configured to simultaneously clasp and move a whole set of bending tools. The tool magazine comprises a plurality of supporting guides that house respective sets of bending tools and a transfer carriage arranged to house a set of bending tools and movable between an exchange position to receive from, or provide to, the gripping device a set of bending tools and a plurality of loading positions to transfer to, or receive from, a supporting guide a set of bending tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: SALVAGNINI ITALIA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Meneghello, Giulio Farina
  • Patent number: 11724877
    Abstract: A universal gripper is disclosed for transferring totes and sub-totes, for example in an order fulfillment center. The universal gripper includes adjustable tines and pins capable of being positioned to engage within slots in the different configurations of totes and sub-totes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: William J. Fosnight, Martin R. Elliott, John G. Lert, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11681982
    Abstract: A method determines a processing cluster including one or more stock keeping units (SKUs); divides the processing cluster into a first cluster and a second cluster based on SKU affinities between the one or more SKUs in the processing cluster; determines a first SKU of the first cluster to be replicated to the second cluster based on a demand correlation between the first SKU of the first cluster and a second SKU of the second cluster; replicates the first SKU of the first cluster to the second cluster; responsive to replicating the first SKU of the first cluster to the second cluster, determines whether the first cluster and the second cluster satisfy a defined constraint; and responsive to determining that the first cluster and the second cluster satisfy the defined constraint, assigns the first cluster to a first physical location and assigning the second cluster to a second physical location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Staples, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandeep Sikka, Nitin Verma, Michael Bhaskaran
  • Patent number: 11660715
    Abstract: Disclosed are an automatic attachment changer and a boring machine having the same. The automatic attachment changer includes a stacker in which a plurality of attachments is stacked in a height direction by a unit of housing cell having a length larger than the attachments such that the attachment is individually arranged in each housing cell horizontally with respect to a bottom of the stacker, a stacker carrier having a carrier body secured to the stacker, a body transfer transferring the carrier body and a carrier power driving the body transfer, and an attachment changer controlling the stacker and the stacker carrier such that a select attachment is selected among the attachments and the select attachment is combined to a spindle assembly. The attachment is changed in the boring machine with high reliability and correctness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: DN SOLUTIONS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jongyoung Park, Bounghak Cho
  • Patent number: 11643272
    Abstract: In an article transport vehicle that is able to transport a plurality of types of articles, the efficiency of operations is improved in accordance with the type of article, while suppressing an increase in the size of the article transport vehicle. If a control device determines that an article held by a holding portion is a first-type article, the control device controls the transfer mechanism so as to cause the turning mechanism to perform a turning mechanism and cause a sliding mechanism to perform a sliding operation such that operation periods of these operations do not overlap. If the control device determines that the article held by the holding portion is a second-type article, the control device controls the transfer mechanism so as to perform the turning operation and the sliding operation such that the operation periods of these operations overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Abe, Ryoji Kishi
  • Patent number: 11634278
    Abstract: An article transport vehicle includes: a transfer device (24) that transfers an article (W) to a housing rack (1) by moving, along a protruding/retracting direction (A), a contact portion (46) that comes into contact with an article (W); a pair of first guide portions (28) that are located on opposite sides in a width direction (B) relative to an article (W) being transferred by the transfer device (24) and guide the article (W) in the protruding/retracting direction (A); a guide driving device (29) that changes a distance (D) between the two first guide portions (28) in the width direction (B); and a control unit (H) that controls the guide driving device (29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazunari Kimura
  • Patent number: 11597595
    Abstract: An article storage facility includes: storage compartments, each including a first storage spot configured to store a first article; and a second storage spot configured to store the first article; a first transportation mechanism including a first support configured to support and transport the first article, the first transportation mechanism being configured to transport the first article between: each one of the first and the second storage spots; and a first support spot where the first article is supported by the first support; a second transportation mechanism including a second support configured to support and transport the first article, the second transportation mechanism being configured to transport the first article between: each one of the first and the second storage spots; and a second support spot where the first article is supported by the second support; and a controller configured to control transportation of the first article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: DAIFUKU CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Haruhito Furuya
  • Patent number: 11580613
    Abstract: A parcel delivery system is provided for use in complex having a plurality of tenant units each having a tenant address, wherein the complex further comprising an intake facility, a delivery facility, and parcel storage boxes, and wherein the intake facility comprises a scanning station and a first automated ground delivery vehicle in communication with the scanning station and wherein the delivery facility comprises a second automated ground delivery vehicle configured to travel between the delivery station and tenant units. In accordance with embodiments, a computer system interfaces with the parcel delivery system to notify tenants when they have a parcel and to further notify tenants when delivery of the parcel has been completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Inventors: Brett Wagner, Sarveshwaran Jayaraman, Victor Dubinsky
  • Patent number: 11572230
    Abstract: The parcel distributor is a modular set with additional storage module in the form of a ceiling box set on a corner box to which it is rigidly connected and coupled by a cantilever lift mounted in a vertical shaft formed in the support rack frames in both boxes. In each module, between their cantilever racks, there is an electrically driven Cartesian manipulator. On the Cartesian manipulator trolley, there is a grabbing mechanism for taking trays from the front or rear cantilever rack. The window for sending and collecting parcels in the distributor is a locker, preferably in the operating panel, which has an electrically lifted lock cooperating with a ratchet lock and limit switches blocking its lower position when the locker door is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Retail Robotics Manufacturing & Services Sp. z o.o.
    Inventors: Lukasz Nowinski, Aleksander Gruca, Piotr Dawidczyk, Julian Kozankiewicz
  • Patent number: 11548770
    Abstract: The application relates to a carrying robot including a fork. The fork includes a telescopic arm and a temporary storage tray. The telescopic arm includes a fixed arm and a movable arm connected to the fixed arm. The movable arm is telescopically movable relative to the fixed arm. The temporary storage tray is mounted to the fixed arm and is configured to temporarily store goods. The temporary storage tray is able to extend relative to the fixed arm. An extending direction of the temporary storage tray is consistent with an extending direction of the movable arm. When the fork pulls in or pushes out the goods, containers can be stably transferred between a stationary rack and the temporary storage tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: HAI ROBOTICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Qingxin Zhan
  • Patent number: 11547032
    Abstract: A tray-type component supply device includes an exchanging table configured to lift and lowered between an upper position and a lower position, a conveyance section configured to receive a tray from the exchanging table and convey the tray, and a control section configured to receive a detection signal from the detection sensor and cause the driving section to operate the exchanging table, the control section including an abnormality detecting section configured to detect an abnormal state in which a height position of the exchanging table becomes unidentified, a retraction operating section configured to cause the exchanging table to move to the retraction position at a low speed when the abnormal state is detected, and a calibration and restoration section configured to calibrate the height position of the exchanging table to restore a normal state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: FUJI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shotaro Hibino
  • Patent number: 11524845
    Abstract: A sorting system and a method for sorting piece goods provide for conveying the piece goods to be sorted on a delivery level to a delivery point and delivering them there into or onto a receiving device moving on a collection level receiving the piece goods. The collection level is disposed below the delivery level. The receiving device travels over an individually determined route on the collection level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Körber Supply Chain Logistics GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Enenkel, Max Umbach
  • Patent number: 11512486
    Abstract: The invention discloses a house structure with expandable function, comprising a house body (20), wherein an elevator shaft (21) is provided in the house body (20), and a carrying elevator (22) is provided in the elevator shaft (21); a multifunctional balcony (23) is further provided on both sides of the elevator shaft (21), and the multifunctional balcony (23) and the elevator shaft (21) are connected via a landing door (24); the car of the carrying elevator (22) is provided with a car front door, a car left door and a car right door, respectively; a multifunctional cabin (1) can be detachably connected to an automatic carrying system (35) capable of autonomous driving. The house structure provided by the invention can take into account the owner's demand for various aspects of the house, and improves the functionality of the house.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Guizhou HanKaiSi Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chuan Yu, Ming Zhang, Dechong Zeng, Jiangshan Li
  • Patent number: 11498767
    Abstract: A picking system, a manual picking method, as well as a window-conveyor system for a manually picking goods through a picker in accordance with a picking order, wherein the window-conveyor system comprises: a conveying device for transporting the goods along a conveying path, wherein the conveying device is movable, preferably continuously and discontinuously, and wherein the conveying device includes a conveying area, on which the goods can be deposited; a lighting device configured to indicate in an order-specific manner a portion of the conveying area in terms of an order-specific window by means of light visually distinguishable from a rest of the conveying area configured to divide the conveying area into the order-specific window and the rest, and further configured to generate controlling signals for the lighting device and output the same, which cause the lighting device to indicate the order-specific window visually distinguishable on the conveying device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: SSI Schäfer Automation GmbH (AT)
    Inventors: Christoph Groessl, Andreas Hintz
  • Patent number: 11488435
    Abstract: Disclosed are a vending machine and a method of detecting height of a storage column. The vending machine may determine whether a sensor squarely faces the front end surface of the level plate of a storage column by detecting the type of an output signal of the sensor. When the sensor squarely faces the front end surface of the level plate of the storage column, the height of the level plate of the storage column may be obtained based on a height difference between the sensor and the bearing surface of a bucket and the height of the bucket. Thus, according to the height of the level plate of the storage column, the bearing surface of the bucket and the upper edge of the front end surface of the level plate of the storage column lie in the same level when dispensing an item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Shandong New Beiyang Information Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chunguang Zhang, Yang Liu, Botao Wang, Peng Tao, Deyi Li
  • Patent number: 11483944
    Abstract: A rack within a datacenter or other environment can include a plurality of appliances arranged in the rack such that ports of the appliances are aligned vertically or in another direction. A cartridge can include an elongate rigid body along which connectors are arranged. The connectors may be engageable with the aligned ports of the appliances in response to translation of the cartridge toward the rack. The cartridge can include cabling within the elongate rigid body, and the cabling can provide paths among subsets of the connectors, for example, such that subsets of the appliances are accordingly connected for transmission of data or other signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alaa Adel Mahdi Hayder, Paul Yu
  • Patent number: 11478825
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a track that guides the delivery vehicles to/from the destination areas, which are positioned along the track. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: OPEX Corporation
    Inventors: George Hayduchok, Robert R. DeWitt
  • Patent number: 11458621
    Abstract: A system including a controller, and at least two agents that communicatively access the controller. At least one of the agents is a robot. The system includes at least one processor communicatively coupled to the agents, and at least one storage device, communicatively coupled to the processor(s), that stores processor-executable instructions which, when executed, cause the processor(s) to: receive first job set of instructions provided by the controller, for a first agent included in at least two agents; and send, on behalf of the first agent, a sham status message before actual completion of the first job. The processor-executable instructions may, when executed, further cause the at least one processor to: update a data store to reflect the first job set of instructions; and receive for a second one of the at least two agents a second job set of instructions before completion of the first job.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Kindred Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Petr Lipay, Jonathan Yep
  • Patent number: 11462072
    Abstract: A novel food station comprises a plurality of cubbies sized to enclose food portion containers, and an externally accessible collection hatch. An internal transport system uses an end effector to temporarily couple to a portion container carrier of a selected cubby, and to controllably move the food portion container carrier within the food station from the selected cubby to the collection hatch. The food station includes heating and cooling systems that selectively provide or remove heat to or from each of the plurality of cubbies independently of the other cubbies, with a heating or cooling rate, or for a heating or cooling duration, that is independently scheduled and controllable for each of the plurality of cubbies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Inventors: Dov Z. Glucksman, Andrew Joseph Rojee, Michael David Miller, Kent Yu
  • Patent number: 11390463
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for flexible container chutes for sortation systems. In one embodiment, an example system may include a first extendable arm, a second extendable arm, a first flexible container removably coupled to the first extendable arm and the second extendable arm, and a second flexible container removably coupled to the first extendable arm and the second extendable arm. The system may include a chute assembly having a first ramp, a first separator coupled to a first end of the first ramp, a second ramp, and a second separator coupled to a second end of the second ramp. The first ramp and the second ramp may be vertically aligned, and the first flexible container may receive items via the first ramp, and the second flexible container may receive items via the second ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Justin Stone, Akshay Rajendra Tilekar, Jon David DeFant
  • Patent number: 11383131
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for testing the ability of an individual to lift objects under various conditions. During standard lifting tests, the average acceleration and velocity of each lift, as well as the distribution of force between the hands and feet of the patient, are electronically measured and recorded. These objective factors can then be used to determine whether the patient is exerting maximal effort, and to assess a patient's condition and progress during a rehabilitation program. In example embodiments, one or more components of the system are adjustable so as to accommodate users of various posture, mechanics, size and movement capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventors: Tony Bridges, Steven F. Windham
  • Patent number: 11370107
    Abstract: A robot for transporting cargo box, relating to the field of automatic logistics storage, includes a drive unit, a cargo box storing unit and a cargo box delivery unit, wherein the drive unit drives the cargo box storing unit and the cargo box delivery unit to move together; the cargo box storing unit includes one or more cargo box storing spaces; the cargo box delivery unit is configured to deliver the cargo box between the storing space and the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Zhejiang Guozi Robot Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Weifeng Wu, Yikun Tao, Hongbo Zheng, Lingfen Zhu
  • Patent number: 11370610
    Abstract: A shuttle for handling and transporting goods, including: a receiving base suitable for receiving a removable support for goods; a gripper suitable for cooperating with the removable support, the gripper being movable relative to the receiving base; and an extension system connected to the gripper, for moving the removable support on the receiving base. The extension system moves the gripper along a transverse axis while remaining parallel to itself, between retracted position, a first protruding position, and a second protruding position opposite the first protruding position with respect to the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: COLIB
    Inventors: Malek El Ghali, Nicolas Barattolo
  • Patent number: 11352208
    Abstract: A commissioning device having a first shelf row with horizontal shelf surfaces and at least one second shelf row with multiple shelf surfaces disposed one above the other and forming storage shafts. A lane formed between the first and the second shelf rows includes an operating unit movably disposed in the lane. The commissioning device also includes an input device, an output device and an auxiliary output device. The operating unit includes a gripping device for inputting and/or outputting piece goods onto or from the horizontal shelf surfaces and for filling the goods into the storage shafts. A control unit coupled to the operating unit is configured to output identical piece goods in a row from the horizontal shelf surfaces, to input the piece goods into the storage shafts and to output and transfer one or more piece goods located on the horizontal shelf surfaces to the auxiliary output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: CAREFUSION GERMANY 326 GMBH
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Patent number: 11261024
    Abstract: An article storage device is provided for holding a plurality of standardized containers. The standardized containers extend between a bottom surface extending generally horizontally and a top surface spaced from and generally parallel to the bottom surface. The standardized containers further include an opening side perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces and a door flange extending along the opening side and beyond the top surface. The standardized containers further include a lifting flange attached to the top surface for receiving a lifting tool. The standardized containers are disposed in the storage rack with their respective opening sides facing away from an access space for allowing a retrieval transport apparatus to move in a substantially horizontal plane between the access space to engage the lifting flange without being obstructed by the door flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignees: DAIFUKU AMERICA CORPORATION, DAIFUKU CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Okamoto, Kazuya Omori
  • Patent number: 11214438
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a track that guides the delivery vehicles to/from the destination areas, which are positioned along the track. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: OPEX Corporation
    Inventors: Robert R. DeWitt, Peter M. Chezik, Joseph Valinsky, S. N. Kartik, Ola Stahl
  • Patent number: 11208263
    Abstract: A storage and retrieval device storing and retrieving stored goods in and from rack compartments with shelf surfaces storing the stored goods and load-transferring rack guides extending in storing and retrieving direction. A receiving head has a lifting device for the stored goods and a load-bearing apparatus displaceable along the rack compartments. A conveyer moves the receiving head along the rack guides and has at least one shear-resistant traction apparatus that engages the receiving head and can be pushed out into one of the rack guides. The lifting device of the receiving head can be moved under the stored goods and has at least one lifting bar extending in the direction of the rack guides and is adjustable in height by deflecting gears distributed over the length of lifting bar that are acted upon in the direction of the rack guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Inventor: Karl Angleitner
  • Patent number: 11124362
    Abstract: Provided is an article transport apparatus which can transfer an article to a transfer target portion at a low height. A movable member having a support portion includes a transfer mechanism for moving an article between the support portion and a transfer target portion. The transfer mechanism includes an interlocking portion capable of being interlocked with an article along the front-and-back direction, a first guide portion for guiding the interlocking portion along the front-and-back direction, and a second actuator for moving the interlocking portion along the front-and-back direction. The transfer mechanism moves an article between the support portion and the transfer target portion by moving the interlocking portion along the front-and-back direction. The first guide portion and the second actuator are located higher than an article supported by the support portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Ueda, Masashige Iwata, Akira Emoto
  • Patent number: 11104516
    Abstract: Disclosed is a robot including a travelling apparatus, a body, a containing apparatus and an item grabbing apparatus. The travelling apparatus is disposed at a bottom of the robot and configured to automatically travel to a preset position based on a travelling path received by the robot. The body is disposed above the travelling apparatus. The containing apparatus is connected to the body and includes multiple containing positions that are interlayers stacked in a vertical direction. One of the interlayers may contain at least one target item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Beijing Geekplus Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hongbo Li, Bin Hu, Langlang Sun