Abstract: A check-in system for an dispensing items includes a computing device having an application installed thereon. The computing device is configured to check in a customer to notify the kiosk of a time range during which an order of the customer is picked up. The kiosk is configured to receive a check-in message from the computing device, receive the location of the computing device, receive a message indicative of the arrival of the customer at the automated tower, retrieve information of the order from an order database stored on a remote server, assemble the order based on the check-in message and the information of the order, and move the assembled order close to a pick-up location of the automated tower to facilitate pick-up of the assembled order.

Abstract: An automated kiosk having a plurality of temperature-controlled storage compartment, each adapted to hold a bakery product. A customer interface receives customer input, including an identification of a bakery product, a desired pick-up date and time, and an intended destination following pick-up. A controller coupled to the customer interface receives the customer input, and adjusts a temperature of the individual storage compartment using a heating unit or a cooling unit to bring the bakery product to a first temperature at the desired pick-up date and time that will allow for the bakery product to reach a second temperature at the time the bakery item reaches the intended destination.

Abstract: An automated bakery kiosk 1000 takes orders for customized bakery products 7, prepares the bakery product 7, automatically customizes it, stores and dispenses the bakery product 7 with minimal assistance required from a store associate 5. It employs a customization subsystem 1100 which can write or decorate with an edible liquid 9, such as icing, on the bakery product 7. It also has temperature-controlled storage compartments 1100 which can be used to thaw the bakery product 7 so that it will be ready when it reaches its ultimate destination. There is a cleaning subsystem 1131 which cleans out the liquid 9, and an antimicrobial system 1139 which reduces microbes on the customization device 1100. The automated bakery kiosk 1000 also has a customer interface 1610 that works with the processor 1510 and transport mechanism 1300 to transport the customer's bakery product 7 to a pick-up compartment 1020 when the customer 3 provides a proper code to access the bakery product 7.

Abstract: An autonomous storage and retrieval tower with dynamic resizing of available space is discussed.

Abstract: A thermally insulating sleeve for a compressor discharge pipe is provided. The insulating sleeve includes a non-metallic first half-sleeve having a first curved body portion and a first extended portion. The first curved body portion is configured to fit at least partially around a portion of the compressor discharge pipe. A non-metallic second half-sleeve has a second curved body portion configured to attach to the first curved body portion such that the first and second curved body portions completely encircle the portion of the compressor discharge pipe. The second half-sleeve includes a second extended portion configured to attach to the first extended portion. Each of the first and second extended portions include respective first and second cavities which, together, encase a temperature sensor in contact with, or in spaced relation to, the compressor discharge pipe.

Abstract: The system and method described herein enable generating digital product labels for products that are valued by weight. Product identification data of a product is received via at least one of a user interface and a network interface. Value per weight data of the product is obtained from a product data store via the network interface. A weight value is determined from at least one scale device via the network interface and a product value is calculated based on the obtained value per weight data and the determined weight value. A digital product label is generated, including at least a portion of the product identification data and product value. The disclosure provides systems and methods that use multiple modular devices, such as the scale devices, printers, and product attribute collector devices, that provide flexibility in organizing the system and reduced cost in initial setup and replacement of devices in the system.

Abstract: An autonomous storage and retrieval tower with dynamic resizing of available space is discussed.

Abstract: A storage tower can be configured to store and dispense physical objects. The storage tower includes a first vertical shaft disposed in the central vertical cavity of the storage tower. The storage tower further includes a first transport apparatus operatively coupled to the first vertical shaft. The storage tower further includes a second vertical shaft disposed within the vertical central cavity of the storage tower. A second transport apparatus can be operatively coupled to the second vertical shaft. A first pair of rotatable plates can be disposed in an upper portion of the central cavity. A second pair of rotatable plates can be disposed in a lower portion of the central cavity.

Abstract: An automated bakery kiosk 1000 takes orders for customized bakery products 7, prepares the bakery product 7, automatically customizes it, stores and dispenses the bakery product 7 with minimal assistance required from a store associate 5. It employs a customization subsystem 1100 which can write or decorate with an edible liquid 9, such as icing, on the bakery product 7. It also has temperature-controlled storage compartments 1100 which can be used to thaw the bakery product 7 so that it will be ready when it reaches its ultimate destination. There is a cleaning subsystem 1131 which cleans out the liquid 9, and an antimicrobial system 1139 which reduces microbes on the customization device 1100. The automated bakery kiosk 1000 also has a customer interface 1610 that works with the processor 1510 and transport mechanism 1300 to transport the customer's bakery product 7 to a pick-up compartment 1020 when the customer 3 provides a proper code to access the bakery product 7.

Abstract: A discharge check valve assembly for a compressor having a discharge opening. The discharge check valve assembly includes a valve body adapted to be positioned at the discharge opening of the compressor. A discharge tube is assembled to the valve body, and a check valve member is disposed in the valve body. In certain embodiments, the check valve member is biased in a closed position by a biasing spring. A weld block member is positioned at an interface between the valve body and the discharge tube, and a first weld couples the discharge tube and the valve body at a first weld point.

Abstract: Described in detail herein is an autonomous object storage and retrieval system. A tray can support one or more physical objects. One or more adjustable members coupled to the tray can transition from a first state to a second state based on the one or more physical objects disposed on the tray. The one or more adjustable members stabilize the one or more physical objects when the one or more adjustable members are in the second state. A transport apparatus can transport the tray with the physical object. The one or more adjustable members are in the second state as the transport apparatus transports the tray between the at least one of the plurality of shelves and the receptacle.

Abstract: Described in detail herein is object storage and retrieval system. Each of multiple storage towers can store and dispense physical objects. The storage towers can be an octagonal prism-shaped housing, a shelving unit disposed within the housing, and one or more receptacles defining one or more openings in the housing. A loader disposed in the housing of each storage tower, can transfer one or more of the physical objects between the one or more receptacles and shelves of the shelving unit. An intermediate transport apparatus disposed external to the storage towers and positioned between two or more of the storage towers, can be aligned with one of the one or more receptacles of each of the two or more storage towers. The intermediate transport apparatus can transfer the one or more physical objects between the two or more towers via the one or more receptacle.

Abstract: A thermally insulating sleeve for a compressor discharge pipe is provided. The insulating sleeve includes a non-metallic first half-sleeve having a first curved body portion and a first extended portion. The first curved body portion is configured to fit at least partially around a portion of the compressor discharge pipe. A non-metallic second half-sleeve has a second curved body portion configured to attach to the first curved body portion such that the first and second curved body portions completely encircle the portion of the compressor discharge pipe. The second half-sleeve includes a second extended portion configured to attach to the first extended portion. Each of the first and second extended portions include respective first and second cavities which, together, encase a temperature sensor in contact with, or in spaced relation to, the compressor discharge pipe.

Abstract: Described in detail herein is an autonomous object storage and retrieval tower. An end effector is coupled to a robotic crane that is configured to traverse a shaft disposed within the tower. The end effector is connectable to a first sensing mechanism configured to identify an event in the tower that is associated with one or more physical objects stored in the tower and/or a second cleaning mechanism configured to resolve an event in the tower that is associated with the one or more physical objects.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described in detail herein for storage and retrieval of objects. The systems and methods allow for automated object retrieval and storage by a user without the need for intervention of a facility employee. Systems and methods described herein place the crane external to storage towers to allow a central shaft of the tower to be used to store objects. Advantageously, storage towers in systems of the present disclosure can include sections of different sizes that can store large objects and objects of varying sizes on a single storage tower. System and methods described herein provide a transport platform that can enable expanded storage in a single machine by translating or rotating multiple storage towers to bring the requested tower proximate to the crane and dispensing window.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus is presented. The cooking apparatus includes multiple independently controlled food preparation zones. The cooking apparatus further includes a network interface and a scanning device integrated into the cooking apparatus and configured to read a machine-readable identifier of a meal kit. The cooking apparatus additionally includes a processor in communication with each of the food preparation zones and that independently controls a temperature and time of food preparation in each of the food preparation zones in accordance with a set of cooking instructions retrieved via the network interface using the machine-readable identifier.

Abstract: A meal kit and a method of using the meal kit are presented. The meal kit includes a liner for a network-connected cooking apparatus, the liner having multiple segmented areas, each segmented area containing a food product. The liner also includes a machine-readable code disposed on the liner that is utilized to access information relating to cooking temperature and cooking time for each segment. The liner is configured to be placed into a cooking apparatus and align with different individually controllable cooking zones in the cooking apparatus.

Abstract: An insulating sleeve for a compressor discharge pipe is provided. The insulating sleeve includes a first half-sleeve having a first curved body portion and a first extended portion. The first curved body portion is configured to fit at least partially around a portion of the compressor discharge pipe. A second half-sleeve has a second curved body portion configured to attach to the first curved body portion such that the first and second curved body portions completely encircle the portion of the compressor discharge pipe. The second half-sleeve includes a second extended portion configured to attach to the first extended portion. Each of the first and second extended portions include respective first and second cavities which, together, encase a temperature sensor in contact with, or in spaced relation to, the compressor discharge pipe.

Abstract: The system and method described herein enable generating digital product labels for products that are valued by weight. Product identification data of a product is received via at least one of a user interface and a network interface. Value per weight data of the product is obtained from a product data store via the network interface. A weight value is determined from at least one scale device via the network interface and a product value is calculated based on the obtained value per weight data and the determined weight value. A digital product label is generated, including at least a portion of the product identification data and product value. The disclosure provides systems and methods that use multiple modular devices, such as the scale devices, printers, and product attribute collector devices, that provide flexibility in organizing the system and reduced cost in initial setup and replacement of devices in the system.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for alerting store associates that a customer may need assistance based on biometric data received from the customer via a shopping cart handle. For example, a server may receive, in near-real-time, baseline biometric data generated at a shopping cart handle, the baseline biometric data being associated with a user of the shopping cart. The server may then receive additional biometric data generated at the shopping cart handle and perform an analysis of both the baseline biometric data and the additional biometric data. By this analysis the server can determine that a check on the user should occur, and can transmit a notification to at least one store associate to perform the check on the user.