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US 11,276,030 B2Granted
Automated delivery device and handling method
AssigneeOcado Innovation Limited
InventorsPaul Clarke, Andrew John Ingram-Tedd
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An autonomous delivery device can make unattended deliveries of customer orders to predetermined locations. The device includes a plurality of compartments containing portions of the order or all of the order or a number of separately deliverable orders. The device includes a compartment opening such that on arrival at the predetermined location the contents of the or each compartment may be automatically dispensed.
Claims14
An autonomous delivery vehicle comprising:
- one or more storage compartments, wherein each storage compartment is sized and shaped for receiving one or more delivery containers;
- attaching means for releasably securing each of the one or more delivery containers in or to at least one storage compartment;
- a first panel moveable between a first closed position and a second open position to close and open the storage compartment respectively, wherein the first panel forms a ramp between the storage compartment and a predetermined delivery location when in the second open position;
- at least one second panel formed as a base of the storage compartment, the at least one second panel moveable between a first closed position and a second open position, wherein the one or more delivery containers is deposited at the predetermined delivery location when the at least one second panel is in the second open position;
- means for ejecting the one or more containers down the ramp for depositing the one or more delivery containers at the predetermined delivery location;
- and
- rolling means for moving the delivery vehicle to or from the predetermined delivery location.
4 more elements
A delivery method comprising:
- a. loading orders into a plurality of containers;
- b. loading the plurality of containers into a storage compartment in an autonomous delivery vehicle;
- c. dispatching the autonomous delivery vehicle to a first delivery site, wherein the autonomous delivery vehicle autonomously travels to the first delivery site via rolling means;
- d. moving a first panel of the storage compartment between a closed position to an open position, wherein the first panel forms a ramp between the storage compartment and the first delivery site when in the open position;
- e. ejecting a first container of the plurality of containers down the ramp and depositing the first container at the first delivery site;
- f. moving the first panel from the open position to the closed position;
- g. sending the autonomous delivery vehicle to a second delivery site, wherein the autonomous delivery vehicle autonomously travels to the second delivery site via the rolling means;
- h. moving a second panel of the storage compartment between a closed position to an open position, wherein the second panel forms a base of the storage compartment;
- i. depositing a second container of the plurality of containers at the second delivery site through an opening established by the second panel being in the open position;
- j. moving the second panel from the open position to the closed position;
- and
- k. returning the autonomous delivery vehicle to a delivery hub via the rolling means.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.