US 12,686,034 B2 · Article loading system and method for multilevel sorter

Abstract

A multi-level induction station is disclosed. The multi-level induction station includes multiple sorting levels arranged in a vertical stacked configuration; a vertically traveling automated lift that carries articles vertically between the sorting levels along a frame positioned proximate to the multiple sorting levels; an information acquisition device positioned to read information from an article on the lift; multiple transport devices positioned on the sorting levels to receive the articles; and a control system that directs the multi-level induction station to determine a destination for an article and direct the lift to a platform where a transport device is at an article-receiving position at the sorting level to receive the article.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A multi-level induction station, comprising:

a plurality of platforms arranged in a vertical stacked configuration fitted within a single floor of a building;
a transport device provided on each platform;
an automated lift travelling between the platforms, the lift having an article-carrying surface;
and
a control system comprising a processor, the processor configured for:
determining a destination area for the article positioned on the article-carrying surface of the lift;
directing the lift to deposit the article onto a transport device operating on a first platform of the plurality of platforms that corresponds with the destination area by manipulating the article-carrying surface of the lift;
and
directing the transport device to the destination area.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

18/825,053Filed 5 Sep 2024 · continuation

Priority

12 Jul 2022

Published

US 2024/0017296 A126 Dec 2024

Granted

21 Jul 2026

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

B07C 5/36
Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material being sorted, e.g. by control effected by devices which detect or…:…
B07C 5/361
Sorting apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution: processing or control devices therefor, e.g. escort memory
B07C 3/008
Sorting according to destination: means for collecting objects, e.g. containers for sorted mail items
B65G 1/0485
Mechanical: check-in, check-out devices

Family

Application17/812,055Parent of this continuation · filed 12 Jul 2022

Application18/455,902Parent of this continuation · filed 25 Aug 2023

US 11,759,826 B1Parent of this continuation · filed 19 Sep 2023

US 2024/0424533 A1Pre-grant publication · published 26 Dec 2024

US 12,090,522 B2Parent of this continuation

US 2024/0017296 A1Published application

US 12,686,034 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Article loading system and method for multilevel sorter

Life of this patent

Article loading system and method for multilevel sorter

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20