A system employing an automated system for the storage and retrieval of items is described. The system includes a corresponding cart system that can be accessed by the storage system to create a sequenced batch of items that can be removed or inducted in a single transaction. The system can include a tower with a middle-mounted drive system.
A system for the distribution of temperature-sensitive products is described. The system may include one or more product trays for temperature-sensitive products. The system may include one or more mobile cabinets which includes a cabinet frame, a mobility mechanism, and at least one shelf for product trays. The system may include a conveyance system for transporting mobile cabinets from a distribution center to a point-of-sale location. The mobility mechanism can use an autonomous robot for moving mobile cabinets. The mobile cabinets are filled with product trays at the distribution center.
B65D 8/00 - Containers having a curved cross-section formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of metal, plastics, wood or substitutes therefor
B65D 25/06 - Partitions adapted to be fitted in two or more alternative positions
G06Q 10/087 - Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
39 - Transport, packaging, storage and travel services
Goods & Services
Delivery of goods; Delivery of goods by temperature controlled vehicle; Delivery and storage of goods; Storage and delivery of goods; Transport and delivery of goods
A system of inventory management is described. It includes at least one container adapted to hold inventory items. A conveyor system is adapted to move the containers to and from pick cells. Each pick cell contains an array of processing locations designed to receive containers and an inventory movement tool such as a robotic arm designed to interact with containers received by the pick cell. The pick cells include at least one buffer shelf for processing items.
A system of exchanging information between machines is described. The system includes multiple communication modules with at least an infrared transmitter and receiver. At least one mobile robot having at least one said communication module. A receiving station communication module includes at least an opposing infrared transmitter and receiver. Each mobile robot identifies itself and communicates its intended tasks to a receiving station by sending a single pulse width encoded message. The encoding of information within the message occurs by the encoded message's timing.
G05B 19/418 - Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control [DNC], flexible manufacturing systems [FMS], integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] or computer integrated manufacturing [CIM]
B25J 5/00 - Manipulators mounted on wheels or on carriages
A method for the movement of products is described. The method uses a facility that contains warehouse shelves; each shelf has a front, at least one moveable frame which travels to each shelf front to access the containers stored on each shelf. The moveable frame includes a repositionable storage ledge, a lifting device, and a gripping device, along with a ramp for a mobile robot. Mobile Robots exchange payloads between moveable frames and are moved from location to location by the moveable frames.
A system for moving payloads is described. It uses one or more mobile robots. Each mobile robot comprises a payload bearing platform with a transfer mechanism with multiple degrees of freedom of movement. The system includes one or more stack exchangers having a set of alignment mechanisms, and at least one payload transfer ramp. The mobile robots pass through the stack exchanger and pick up a payload or drop off a payload.
B66F 9/06 - Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes movable, with their loads, on wheels or the like, e.g. fork-lift trucks
B66F 9/12 - PlatformsForksOther load-supporting or load-gripping members
B65G 60/00 - Simultaneously or alternatively stacking and de-stacking of articles
B65G 61/00 - Use of pick-up or transfer devices or of manipulators for stacking or de-stacking articles not otherwise provided for
B65G 69/00 - Auxiliary measures taken, or devices used, in connection with loading or unloading
B60P 1/38 - Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading using endless chains or belts thereon forming the main load supporting or containing element or part thereof
B60P 1/43 - Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading using a loading ramp mounted on the vehicle
B60P 1/52 - Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading using rollers in the load supporting or containing element
G05D 1/00 - Control of position, course, altitude or attitude of land, water, air or space vehicles, e.g. using automatic pilots
G05D 1/02 - Control of position or course in two dimensions
A system for movement of products is described. The system uses a facility which contains warehouse shelves, each shelf includes various devices to move products within the shelf. Some rollers on the shelf are active, others passive. Power is transferred to the active rollers from an end of arm tool.
A system for location of assets on a premises is described. The system uses identifiers attached to a group of one or more assets along with mobile sensor packages. Each mobile sensor package contains components for data processing, data exchange, and storage. The sensor package also contains a sensor for reading identifiers and a location tool. The mobile sensor packages are attached to each mover of assets on the premises.
G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensingMethods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation
H04W 4/35 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for the management of goods or merchandise
G06K 19/077 - Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
10.
Method of use of a robotic frame and power transfer device
A method for movement of products is described. The method uses a facility which contains warehouse shelves, each shelf has a front, at least one moveable frame which travels to each shelf front to access the containers stored on each shelf. The moveable frame includes a repositionable storage ledge, a lifting device, and a gripping device. Mobile Robots exchange payloads between moveable frames.
A system for location of assets on a premises is described. The system uses identifiers attached to a group of one or more assets along with mobile sensor packages. Each mobile sensor package contains components for data processing, data exchange, and storage. The sensor package also contains a sensor for reading identifiers and a location tool. The mobile sensor packages are attached to each mover of assets on the premises.
G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distributionInventory or stock management
G06K 19/07 - Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards with integrated circuit chips
H04W 4/80 - Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
H04W 4/35 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for the management of goods or merchandise
H04W 4/029 - Location-based management or tracking services
G01S 13/87 - Combinations of radar systems, e.g. primary radar and secondary radar
G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensingMethods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation
G01S 5/14 - Determining absolute distances from a plurality of spaced points of known location
A system for moving payloads is described. It uses one or more mobile robots. Each mobile robot comprises a payload bearing platform, and a payload release latch. The system includes one or more stack exchangers having a set of alignment rails, a payload transfer ramp, and a latch engagement bar. The mobile robots pass through the stack exchanger and pick up a payload or drop off a payload without fully stopping motion.
A vehicle insert with refrigerated and non refrigerated sections for facilitating product distribution is described which uses a pair of frames defining a vertical member and one or more horizontal members. Several shelves with rollers are attached to the frames. The shelves define a sloped area wherein the lowest point on the shelves is located at a product retrieval point and wherein said insert is wheeled into a vehicle already loaded with product to be delivered.
B60P 1/64 - Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading the load supporting or containing element being readily removable
B60P 3/20 - Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects for transporting refrigerated goods
A system for automated management of a high density storage facility which contains shelves having multiple containers with products stored within the containers. The system comprises an autonomous mobile robot and a moveable frame. The moveable frame includes supports, horizontal and vertical members, and storage platforms. The moveable frame includes a gantry, an articulated arm with an end of arm tool, and a lifting device. Some storage shelves within the high-density storage facility include an overhead rail and the moveable frame reversibly connects to the rail and guides the moveable frame, as well as provides power to the moveable frame.
A system for moving payloads is described. It uses one or more mobile robots. Each mobile robot comprises a payload bearing platform, and a payload release latch. The system includes one or more stack exchangers having a set of alignment rails, a payload transfer ramp, and a latch engagement bar. The mobile robots pass through the stack exchanger and pick up a payload or drop off a payload without fully stopping motion.
