Storage station for storing containers transported by unmanned vehicles
OwnerBrandon Eck, Brett Wagnerinventors
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Abstract
A storage station includes a housing defining an inner space, and having a top and side passage for passage of a container. One or more funnels are provided at the top passage for guiding the passage of containers therethrough, and an actuator system is provided for, selectively, engaging a container with a suspension system and disengaging a container from a suspension system. Also provided is a transfer system that is inclusive of the storage station, a UAV, a reusable container; and methods of transferring reusable containers between UAVs, the storage station, and other transport stations.
Claims22
A storage station for storing containers, the storage station comprising:
- a housing comprising a top passage and an inner space, the top passage connecting the inner space with an outer environment and being dimensioned for passage of a container, and the inner space comprising a plurality of storage compartments each dimensioned for receiving a container;
- an elevator platform within the housing and movable between a loading position aligned with the top passage and storage positions aligned with each of the storage compartments;
- an actuator system configured to interact with a capture system of a container for selectively engaging a suspension system to the capture system and disengaging a suspension system from the capture system;
- and
- a downward funnel supported above the housing, the downward funnel comprising a chute having an upper enlarged inlet and a lower contracted outlet, the lower contracted outlet being dimensioned to communicate with the top passage of the housing for passage of a container, wherein
- the downward funnel comprises a funnel suspension system, and the actuator system is configured to interact with a capture system of a container for selectively engaging the funnel suspension system to the capture system and disengaging the funnel suspension system from the capture system.
A multi-unit station, comprising
- a storage station for storing containers, the storage station comprising:
- a housing comprising a top passage and an inner space, the top passage connecting the inner space with an outer environment and being dimensioned for passage of a container, and the inner space comprising a plurality of storage compartments each dimensioned for receiving a container;
- an elevator platform within the housing and movable between a loading position aligned with the top passage and storage positions aligned with each of the storage compartments;
- and
- an actuator system configured to interact with a capture system of a container for selectively engaging a suspension system to the capture system and disengaging a suspension system from the capture system;
- and
- at least one additional station,
- wherein the multi-unit station further comprises:
- a downward funnel supported above the housing, the downward funnel comprising a chute having an upper enlarged inlet and a lower contracted outlet, the lower contracted outlet being dimensioned to communicate with the top passage of the housing for passage of a container, wherein
- the downward funnel of the storage station is supported movably along a track that extends along a top of the storage station housing,
- a mating track extends along a housing of the at least one additional station,
- the mating track being aligned and engaged with the storage station track, and the downward funnel is moveable along the storage station track and the mating track for selectively positioning above the storage station housing and the additional station housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.