Systems and methods for delivery of online orders
AssigneeMyrmex, Inc.
InventorsIoannis Kanellos, Eugenios Fainekos, Orestis Fainekos
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for delivering online orders to customers via a fully unmanned system includes replenishing the pod by using inventory carriers carrying containers via a replenishment hatch, moving an inventory carrier attached to carrier base with a mobile robotic unit in a room of adequate temperature. Additionally, the method includes transferring an inventory carrier at a mini load station and loading the order containers on a delivery carrier. The method further includes transferring a delivery carrier and attaching it to a delivery hatch so that the customer, following authentication, is able to pull the drawers and pick the ordered items.
Claims17
A method for order delivery at a pod having a plurality of containers, one or more inventory carriers each configured to support one or more containers, one or more delivery carriers each configured to support one or more containers, one or more carrier bases each configured to support an inventory carrier or a delivery carrier, one or more mobile robotic units (MRUs) each configured to propel an inventory carrier or a delivery carrier, and one or more mini load stations for manipulating containers, the method comprising:
- fulfilling an order at a fulfillment center;
- delivering the order from the fulfilment center to a replenishment station of the pod, said delivering including disposing a first portion of the order in a first container and supporting the first container on a first inventory carrier for transport from the fulfilment center to the replenishment station;
- transporting the first inventory carrier supporting the first container containing the first portion from the replenishment station to a storage location in the pod;
- authenticating, by a processor, a customer;
- transporting, by the MRUs, the first inventory carrier supporting the first container containing the first portion from the storage location to a mini load station;
- using the mini load station to transfer the first container containing the first portion from the first inventory carrier to a first delivery carrier;
- and
- transporting, by the MRUs, the first delivery carrier supporting the first container containing the first portion from the mini load station to a delivery hatch for pick-up by the customer.
A pod for delivery of an order from a fulfilment center to a customer, comprising:
- a plurality of containers;
- one or more inventory carriers each configured to support one or more containers;
- one or more delivery carriers each configured to support one or more containers;
- one or more carrier bases each configured to support an inventory carrier or a delivery carrier;
- one or more mobile robotic units (MRUs) each configured to propel an inventory carrier or a delivery carrier;
- one or more mini load stations for manipulating containers;
- a memory;
- a replenishment station;
- a delivery hatch;
- at least one processor configured to execute machine executable code stored in the memory for performance of a procedure comprising:
- receiving at the replenishment station at least a first portion of an order from a fulfilment center, said received at least first portion being disposed in a first container supported on a first inventory carrier transported from the fulfilment center to the replenishment station;
- transporting the first inventory carrier supporting the first container containing the at least first portion from the replenishment station to a storage location in the pod;
- authenticating a customer;
- controlling the MRUs to transport the first inventory carrier supporting the first container containing the at least first portion from the storage location to a mini load station;
- using the mini load station to transfer the first container containing the at least first portion from the first inventory carrier to a first delivery carrier;
- and
- controlling the MRUs to transport the first delivery carrier supporting the first container containing the at least first portion from the mini load station to the delivery hatch for pick-up by the customer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.