Systems and methods for empty container removal
AssigneeAmazon Technologies, Inc.
InventorsRaashid Mohammed, Majid Abdul, Srinivas Nallapati, Daniel Ruffatto, Hunter D. HeLal
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed for empty container removal. In one embodiment, an example method for removing empty containers may include opening a first gate, pushing a cart past the first gate, the cart comprising a handle and a trapdoor, where the cart comprises the empty containers, sliding the handle of the cart in a lateral direction from a default position to an extended position, opening a second gate, pushing the cart past the second gate using the handle, and actuating the trapdoor from a closed position to an open position, where actuating the trapdoor causes the empty containers to fall down a chute.
Claims16
An empty container removal system comprising:
- a rollable cart comprising tapered sidewalls, a trapdoor, and a handle configured to slide along a frame of the rollable cart in a lateral direction, wherein the rollable cart is configured to transport empty containers;
- a gate system comprising a first gate, a second gate, a trapdoor actuation mechanism, and fencing that forms a closed area between the first gate and the second gate, wherein the first gate is a swinging gate, and the second gate is a sliding gate;
- an unlock button that unlocks the first gate and the second gate;
- and
- a chute disposed adjacent to the second gate, the chute leading to a conveyor belt;
- wherein the trapdoor actuation mechanism is configured to release the trapdoor and cause the empty containers to fall down the chute.
A method for removing empty containers comprising:
- opening a first gate;
- pushing a cart past the first gate, the cart comprising a handle and a trapdoor, wherein the cart comprises the empty containers;
- sliding the handle of the cart in a lateral direction from a default position to an extended position;
- closing the first gate;
- pushing an unlock button after closing the first gate and before opening a second gate;
- opening the second gate;
- pushing the cart past the second gate using the handle;
- and
- actuating the trapdoor from a closed position to an open position, wherein actuating the trapdoor causes the empty containers to fall down a chute.
A method for removing empty containers from a cart comprising:
- loading the cart with the empty containers, the cart comprising a handle and a trapdoor;
- moving the cart to a first gate;
- opening the first gate;
- pushing the cart past the first gate;
- closing the first gate;
- opening a second gate;
- pushing the cart past the second gate;
- actuating the trapdoor from a closed position to an open position, wherein actuating the trapdoor causes the empty containers to fall down a chute;
- pulling the cart past the second gate;
- closing the second gate;
- opening the first gate;
- and
- pulling the cart past the first gate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.