Tote handling for chilled or frozen goods
AssigneeWalmart Apollo, LLC
InventorsWilliam J. Fosnight, Christopher Hofmeister, John G. Lert, Jr., Stephanie Waite, Julian Warhurst, Mark Solomon
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An automated order fulfillment system is disclosed having different temperature zones and robots and containers capable of and/or configured to work in these different temperature zones. Containers include insulated wall panels and a thermal insert which may be chilled to maintain a temperature within the container below ambient temperature. Structure within a storage location for the containers may be used to open and close the containers to facilitate cooling of the thermal insert.
Claims16
A system for transporting and storing a container in an automatic storage and retrieval facility, the container comprising material within an interior of the container to chill the interior of the container below ambient temperature, the system comprising:
- a storage location for storing the container, the storage location comprising:
- a cold air source configured to cool and regenerate the material to a temperature below a predetermined phase transition temperature of the material, and
- a structure affixed to the storage location configured to open a lid of the container to allow access to the material within the interior of the container facilitating regeneration of the material by the cold air source.
A system for transporting and storing a container in an automatic storage and retrieval facility, the container comprising material within an interior of the container to chill the interior of the container below ambient temperature, the system comprising:
- a storage location for storing the container, the storage location comprising:
- a cold air source configured to cool and regenerate the material to a temperature below a predetermined phase transition temperature of the material, and
- a ramp at the storage location configured to engage a lid of the container as the container moves to open the lid and to allow access to the material within the interior of the container facilitating regeneration of the material by the cold air source.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.