Automated container stacking stations
AssigneeAmazon Technologies, Inc.
InventorsDragan Pajevic, Tim Martin, Kevin John Trenholme, Stephen E. McDonnell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods are disclosed for automated container stacking stations. In one embodiment, an example system may include a housing having a first side and a second side, a lifting component configured to lift a first container from a first position to a second position, and to lower the first container from the second position to a third position, such that the first container is stacked on a second container, and a container centering component having a first container engagement member and a second container engagement member, the container centering component configured to align the first container in a predetermined position.
Claims19
A system comprising:
- a housing having a first side and a second side;
- a lifting component configured to lift a first container from a first position to a second position, and to lower the first container from the second position to a third position, such that the first container is stacked on a second container;
- a container centering component;
- a wheel alignment component configured to extend from an interior portion of the housing, the wheel alignment component configured to engage a caster wheel of the first container;
- and
- a controller configured to:
- determine that a first container is loaded into the system;
- and
- cause the first container to be lifted via the lifting component.
A method comprising:
- determining, by a container stacking unit controller, that a first container is loaded into a container stacking unit via a first sensor;
- determining, using a second sensor, that the first container is filled;
- causing the first container to be lifted via a lifting component;
- determining that a second container is loaded into the container stacking unit, wherein the second container is positioned below the first container;
- causing the first container to be lowered onto the second container via the lifting component;
- and
- determining, using a third sensor, that container stacking is complete.
A system comprising:
- a housing having a first side and a second side;
- a lifting component;
- a container centering component;
- a first sensor configured to detect presence of the first container in the housing;
- a second sensor configured to detect overfilling of the first container;
- a third sensor configured to detect container stacking completion of the first container on the second container;
- and
- a controller configured to:
- determine that a first container is loaded into the system;
- cause the first container to be lifted via the lifting component;
- and
- cause the first container to be lowered onto a second container via the lifting component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.