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US 2017/0283185 A1Published application
Multiple speed conveyor storage system
AssigneeAmazon Technologies, Inc.
InventorCHRISTOPHER ALBERT GORSKI
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed are various embodiments for a multiple speed, multiple conveyor storage system for items in a materials handling facility such as a fulfillment center. In one embodiment, the item storage system includes a first conveyor configured to operate at one speed, a second conveyor configured to operate at a different speed, and a transfer device configured to transfer items between the conveyors. The conveyors are each configured to store items in motion in a circuit arrangement.
Claims20
A method, comprising:
- scanning, by at least one computing device, an identifier of an item being deposited in an item storage system;
- determining, by the at least one computing device, a priority associated with the item;
- selecting, by the at least one computing device, one of a plurality of conveyors in the item storage system for storage of the item based at least in part on the priority, wherein each of the plurality of conveyors is configured to store a plurality of items in motion in a circuit arrangement, at least two of the plurality of conveyors are configured to operate at different speeds, and at least two of the plurality of conveyors are arranged concentrically with respect to one another;
- and
- initiating, by the at least one computing device, a transfer of the item to the one of the plurality of conveyors.
2 more elements
An item storage system, comprising:
- a first conveyor;
- a second conveyor, wherein the first conveyor and the second conveyor each store a plurality of items in motion in a circuit arrangement, and the first conveyor and the second conveyor are arranged concentrically with respect to one another;
- a transfer device configured to transfer items to the first conveyor or the second conveyor;
- and
- at least one computing device configured to perform a method comprising:
- scanning, by at least one computing device, an identifier of an item being deposited in the item storage system;
- determining, by the at least one computing device, a priority associated with the item;
- selecting, by the at least one computing device, one of the first conveyor or the second conveyor based at least in part on the priority;
- and
- initiating, by the at least one computing device, a transfer of the item to the selected one of the first conveyor or the second conveyor using the transfer device.
7 more elements
An item storage system, comprising:
- a first conveyor operating at a first speed;
- a second conveyor arranged concentrically with the first conveyor and operating at a second speed that is greater than the first speed, wherein the first conveyor and the second conveyor each store a plurality of items in motion in a circuit arrangement;
- a transfer device configured to transfer items between the first conveyor and the second conveyor;
- and
- at least one computing device configured to perform a method comprising:
- determining, by the at least one computing device, a priority associated with an item stored on the first conveyor;
- initiating, by the at least one computing device, a transfer of the item from the first conveyor to the second conveyor via the transfer device in response to the priority meeting a minimum threshold.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.