Back to results
US 9,558,472 B1Granted
Inventory facility
AssigneeAmazon Technologies, Inc.
InventorFernando Tubilla Kuri
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This application describes fabric storage totes, as well as techniques for use of fabric totes in an infrastructure that uses mechanical systems to transport the fabric totes and/or access inventory items in the fabric totes. The fabric totes may include a fabric base and side walls, with a hardened material support structure. Additionally, the fabric totes may include two handles made of a substantially hard material. The fabric totes may be accessed and transported, manually and/or mechanically, via interaction with the handles.
Claims20
A system comprising:
- a tote configured to store an inventory item, the tote comprising a first handle and a second handle;
- an inventory pod comprising a storage space, wherein the storage space comprises a rail system configured to assist insertion of the tote into the storage space;
- a mechanical device comprising:
- a lifting mechanism configured to couple to a bottom of the inventory pod and to lift the inventory pod off a surface of an inventory facility in which the mechanical device is located;
- and
- a drive system to move the mechanical device from a first location in the inventory facility to a second location in the inventory facility;
- a conveyor system comprising a first cable and a second cable, and configured to transport the tote within the inventory facility;
- an extractor configured to couple to the first handle and the second handle and to cause a manipulation of the tote, wherein the manipulation of the tote comprises at least removing the tote from the storage space of the inventory pod and placing the first handle on the first cable and the second handle on the second cable, wherein the extractor is located at the second location and the conveyor system transports the tote from the second location to a third location in the inventory facility;
- and
- a mechanical arm at the third location, the mechanical arm configured to remove the inventory item from the tote and transport the inventory item to a fourth location in the inventory facility, wherein the fourth location comprises a work area for initiating a delivery of the inventory item.
7 more elements
An inventory facility comprising:
- a tote comprising at least one handle and configured to store an inventory item;
- an inventory pod configured to store the tote via the at least one handle;
- an extractor configured to remove the tote from the inventory pod via the at least one handle;
- and
- a conveyor configured to deliver the tote to a workstation in the inventory facility via the at least one handle.
2 more elements
A method comprising:
- receiving, from a customer device, an order for an inventory item;
- identifying a tote comprising at least one handle and storing the inventory item;
- identifying a location associated with an inventory pod storing the tote;
- causing a mechanical device to move to the location associated with the inventory pod;
- causing the tote to be removed, via the at least one handle, from the inventory pod via an extractor coupled to the mechanical device;
- causing the tote to be delivered to a second location associated with a conveyor;
- causing the tote to be placed on the conveyor via the at least one handle;
- causing the tote to be delivered, via the at least one handle, to a workstation via the conveyor;
- causing the inventory item to be removed from the tote at the workstation;
- and
- causing a delivery of the inventory item to a customer associated with the customer device.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.