Other

Hall Labs LLC

Joseph Blanch

David R Hall

Andrew Priddis

Eimi Priddis

Kevin Cheatham

Joe R Fox

Nathan Davis

Justin R Robinson

Christopher I Reynolds

Braquel Burnett

William H Reynolds

Solanda Moran

Johnathan Conley

Westin Dangerfield

The present invention is a snack containment and dispensing apparatus having a plurality of separate snack containment compartments, a preferably transparent lid having an opening therein, and a plunger or like means to index or rotate the lid such that access to a singular snack compartment is obtained one-at-a-time. By selectively accessing only one snack compartment at a time, the snacks in the other non-currently accessed snack compartments are rendered non-spillable. Moreover, by providing indexable access to a snack compartment, a user&#x2014;typically a child&#x2014;not only gains access to a snack contained therein but is also provided snack choice autonomy and entertainment thereby.

Snack containment and dispensing apparatus and use thereof

The invention is a reconfigurable workspace. The workspace is compact in order to keep components of the workspace within an arm's reach while standing in a fixed location. The workspace is made up of two rectangular housings, preferably of the same compact size and shape. The first housing has at least a sink and a counter space, though it could have other appliances. The second housing has a circulating storage system, preferably an automated storage and retrieval system that delivers items to a convenient access point. The two housings are repositionable in relation to each other along a fixed path. An apparatus such as a hinge or a set of tracks repositions the housings in relation to each other along the fixed path.

Reconfigurable workspace

The invention is an apparatus comprising a suspendable box, especially a storage bin or appliance, with electrically conductive members mounted thereon that both suspend and supply electrical power to the box. The electrically conductive members comprise insulative housings with openings that attach to wall hooks. Both the members and the wall hooks comprise electrical conductors. When the wall hooks are fitted inside the members, the electrical conductors engage to provide electrical power to the box, simultaneously suspending the box from the wall to which the wall hooks are mounted. The power supplied to the box may power electrical features like outlets, lights, or, especially, a microcontroller with a data transceiver, which allows the box to communicate with other like boxes, robots, or central controllers. The box is ideally suited to function within an automated storage and retrieval system, and preferably has specific dimensions that allow it to do so.

Communicating bins with electrically conductive members

The invention is an automated storage and retrieval system. Positionable objects are stored in columns within a frame. When a user requests an object, the objects are selectively relocated until the requested object is brought to an access point. The objects are relocated by planar motion mechanisms attached to the walls of the frame. When not moving, the objects are suspended from mountings that extend from the same walls that the planar motion mechanisms are attached to. The mountings are controlled by actuators within the walls. The mountings are retractable to allow the planar motion mechanisms to pass. Each of the objects is supported by more than one mounting so that support is not withdrawn when any one mounting is retracted to allow a planar motion mechanism to pass. The design allows objects to be arranged in more than two columns within an automated storage and retrieval system.

Automated storage and retrieval system with retractable mountings

The invention is a sink system in which a faucet is embedded within a sink cover. This allows a user to completely cover a sink, making the sink space available for other work without the inconvenience of disposing of a separate faucet fixture. The invention comprises a sink basin and a hinged sink cover attached to the basin. The sink cover fits exactly within the sink basin. The sink cover doubles as a faucet. It has a channel, which may extend entirely or partially through the sink cover, which directs a flow of water from a source of water, through the channel, and into the sink basin. The sink system may also have sensors and valves to control temperature and water flow, a digital display panel that displays temperature and flow rate, a user interface, or a visual indictor of water temperature, preferably by means of LED lights.

Sink system with faucet in sink cover

A kitchen workspace and a method of organizing a kitchen workspace is set forth. The kitchen workspace is consolidated into a small footprint area with automated vertical storage shelves for storing and housing kitchen items and kitchen appliances. The automated storage shelves may be provided with electrical power for powering kitchen appliances found on the shelves. Kitchen appliances may be rotated around the automated storage shelves while the appliances are being used. One or more food cooking devices above a sink are able to be moved while being fixed to a kitchen wall.

Kitchen workspace with a moving oven

The invention is a system in which containers communicate their specifications to a robot, preferably a robotic arm, in order to teach the robot how to handle the individual contents of the containers. Each container has a controller that stores information about that container's contents. In order for the robot to interact with the container's contents, the robot communicates with the controller of the container to receive instructions for interacting with the contents. Preferably, the system is part of an automated storage and retrieval system, and the robot interacts with the contents of the containers as part of an assigned task, such as food preparation. The system may include feedback sensors and a user interface.

Container and robot communication in inventory system

The invention is an in-process calibration system. It is not an open loop system or a closed loop system, but a hybrid system that retains both the low propensity for error of the closed loop system and the simplicity of the open loop system. The invention comprises a housing, one or more robots that move in up to three axes mounted to the housing, at least one sensor for each axis of the robots' movement, and a microcontroller. The sensors are fixed to the housing at known locations, and the microcontroller instructs end effectors of the robots through a sequence of moves that intermittently trigger the sensors. When the sensors are triggered, the microcontroller corrects the idealized location of the end effectors in the microcontroller's calculations to the actual location of the end effectors, which is, at the moment that the sensors are triggered, the known location of the sensors.

In-process calibration system for robot moving in one or more axes

The invention is an apparatus comprising an electrically powered appliance with electrically conductive members mounted to the appliance that both support and supply electrical power to the appliance. The electrically conductive members comprise insulative housings with openings that fit over connectors attached to a wall. Both the housings and the connectors comprise electrical conductors. When the connectors are fitted inside the housings, the electrical conductors mate to provide electrical power to the appliance. Furthermore, the appliance is suspended from a wall to which the connectors are mounted. The appliance can be modular or have particular dimensions that allow it to function within an automated storage and retrieval system. Finally, the appliance may be fitted with an outlet to accommodate a detachable power cord.

Modular domestic appliance with electrically conductive members

A table is disclosed. The table comprises a table base and tabletop. The table base comprises a top surface with a replaceable adhesive layer attached. The tabletop comprises a first usable side and a second usable side, the first usable side and the second usable side being alternately attached to the replaceable adhesive layer once the adhesive is cut, removed, and replaced. The top surface further comprises a rounded edge that acts to guide the entry of an adhesive cutting wire. The replaceable adhesive layer comprises embedded wire guides that define a cutting zone substantially the width of the cutting wire through the adhesive. The embedded wire guides restrict the cutting wire to the cutting zone while the adhesive is being cut, thereby allowing the first usable side and the second usable side to be alternately attached to the adhesive layer.

Removable tabletop with replaceable adhesives

A kitchen workspace and a method of organizing a kitchen workspace is set forth. The kitchen workspace is consolidated into a small footprint area with automated vertical storage shelves for storing and housing kitchen items and kitchen appliances. The automated storage shelves may be provided with electrical power for powering kitchen appliances found on the shelves. Kitchen appliances may be rotated around the automated storage shelves while the appliances are being used. A user of the kitchen workspace is able to stand in a fixed position and access all kitchen items and appliances without moving from the fixed standing position.

Consolidated kitchen workspace

The invention is an electrically conductive wall hook. The invention is a means to provide power to an object that is being stored in a hanging position. The invention is made up of two parts. The first part is a housing attached to an object to be stored that contains an opening. The second part is a hook attached to a wall. Both the housing and the hook contain electrical conductors. When the hook is fitted securely inside the opening of the housing, the object is suspended from the hook, and the electrical conductors within the housing and the hook mate with each other. The electrical conductor inside the hook is attached to electrical power so that electrical power is provided to the object that is suspended from the hook.

Electrically conductive wall hooks

The invention is a method for repositioning objects in an automated storage and retrieval system. The method allows objects to move one at a time in an optimally efficient non-revolving sequence, so that often-used storage items can be retrieved more quickly. The method includes arranging positionable objects, such as storage bins or appliances, within a frame with one or more walls. The objects are attached removably to the walls by connectors, such as hooks. One or more planar motion mechanisms, such as H-bots, are mounted on the walls next to the objects. The planar motion mechanisms lift the objects from the connectors to reposition the objects. When a target object is designated, a microcontroller teaches the planar motion mechanisms a sequence for moving the objects into vacant spaces such that the target object can travel to a target access position by the most direct path.

Automated storage and retrieval direct movement method

The invention is an automated storage and retrieval system in which objects within the system may be repositioned one at a time in a circular or non-circular sequence. The system comprises a frame with one or more walls, one or more movable objects arranged in columns within the frame, one or more connectors mounted to the walls to which the movable objects are attached, and one or more planar motion mechanisms mounted to the frame. The system further comprises suspending the objects from the planar motion mechanisms to reposition the objects within the frame. Preferably, the planar motion mechanism is an H-bot. The objects can be storage bins or appliances. Advantages of the system are that it objects can be retrieved more quickly, the system can operate at less than full capacity, and the objects do not stack and therefore do not have strict structural requirements.

Growing community of inventors

Provo, UT, United States of America

Joseph Blanch