Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Larry Joe Robb

Justin Stone

Jose Luis De La Rosa

Roland J Menassa

Maxim P Hoffman

Joshua Martin Middleton

Vatsal Mehta

Emily R Parrish

Robert Thomas Brown

Max Alfonso Bruccoleri

Eli Douglas Girod

Duncan Pratt

Anupam Dighe

Mohammad Mosa

Jon Stuart Battles

Garett Andrew Ochs

Akshay Rajendra Tilekar

Jon David DeFant

Kevin W Keck

Thomas Felis

Stephanie Tomasetta

Jacqueline T Underberg

Chad Clifford Horton

Steven Todd Johnson

Seth A Savage

Hang Tran Nguyen-Grove

Jacqueline Rose Lerro

Benjamin Frederick Luster

Dmytro V Pogrebnoy

Stephen Malcolm Elliott

Stanislava Yoshkova Petkova

Molly Nawalinski

Fernando Zumbado

Brian Quaglieri

Sindhu Reddy Alluri

Packaging material is folded around an item. First punches are actuated to pierce through the packaging material at a first location, and first dies are actuated to receive a portion of individual first punches of the first punches. Second punches are actuated to pierce through the packaging material at a second location, and second dies are actuated to receive a portion of individual second punches of the second punches. A first press compresses the packaging material at the first location, and a second press compresses the packaging material at the second location.

Sealing mechanism with punches and dies for securing packages

Systems and methods are disclosed for automated containers for packing of multi-item packages. In one embodiment, an example system may include an automated container having a first wireless charging coil, a first moveable sidewall, a second moveable sidewall, and a first actuator configured to move at least one of the first moveable sidewall or the second moveable sidewall. The system may include a controller configured to determine a first size of a first item, determine a second size of a second item, determine a first position for the first moveable sidewall based at least in part on the first size and the second size, determine a second position for the second moveable sidewall at least in part on the first size and the second size, cause the first moveable sidewall to move to the first position, and cause the second moveable sidewall to move to the second position.

Automated containers for packing of multi-item packages

Described are automated systems and methods for the handling and processing of items at material handling facility. The exemplary systems and methods can receive the items from various upstream processes and systems and can process and handle the items so that they can be provided to various downstream processes and systems. The exemplary systems and methods can provide modular systems and methods that can perform automated singulation, sortation, retrieval, and packing of items without any manual handling.

Automated item handling systems and methods

A device for manipulating items for facility operations is described. The device includes a first arm assembly that includes a first arm, a second arm parallel to the first arm, a first shaft disposed between the first arm and the second arm at a first location along the first arm and the second arm, and a first head attachment disposed between the first arm and the second arm at a second location along the first arm and the second arm. The device also includes a first driver coupled to the first shaft and configured to control movement of the first arm assembly about a first axis extending along a length of the first shaft. The device further includes a second driver coupled to first head attachment and configured to control movement of the first head attachment about a second axis extending along a length of the first head attachment.

Flattening and item orientation correction device

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for detection of overfilled containers in sortation systems. In one embodiment, an example container capacity detection system for use with an item sortation machine may include a first sensor positioned to detect a remaining capacity of a first container in the item sortation system, and a controller. The controller may be configured to determine, using the first sensor, that the remaining capacity of the first container is less than or equal to a first threshold, and to send a signal.

Detection of overfilled containers in sortation systems

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for camera-based tracking systems for item sortation systems. In one embodiment, an example method may include determining, by a controller using first image data from a camera configured to image an aisle of an item sortation machine, a first item disposed on a first shuttle at a first location, where the first shuttle is in motion to a first designated drop off location, determining a first shuttle identifier of the first shuttle, and determining the first designated drop off location using the first shuttle identifier. Example methods may include determining that the first item has fallen onto a floor of the aisle, and determining that the first item was not delivered to the first designated drop off location.

Camera-based tracking systems for item sortation systems

A system for sorting and transporting inventory items from a warehouse environment to a packing station. A sorting device receives the inventory item and transports the item to a sort location. The item is transferred to an inventory transport and transported to a packing station for further processing.

Inventory sorting and transport

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for container location flaps with increased degrees of freedom for sortation systems. In one embodiment, an example rotatable flap for use with an item sortation machine may include a first portion having a first frame and a first mesh grid coupled to the first frame, a second portion having a second frame and a second mesh grid coupled to the second frame, and a first coupler configured to couple the second portion to the first portion. The second portion may be configured to rotate from a first position coplanar to the first portion to a second position transverse to the first portion, and the first portion may be coupled to a frame of the item sortation machine and configured to rotate with respect to the frame.

Container location flaps with increased degrees of freedom for sortation systems

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for automated sweepers for item sortation systems. In one embodiment, an example item sortation system may include an aisle, a number of chutes accessible from the aisle, a shuttle configured to transport first items from an induction portion of the item sortation system to a first chute of the plurality of chutes, and a robotic sweeping system disposed in the aisle. The robotic sweeping system may be configured to sweep second items on a floor of the aisle to a first end of the item sortation system. The robotic sweeping system may include a motor and a sweeping device.

Automated sweepers for item sortation systems

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for mesh flaps for container capacity detection in sortation systems. In one embodiment, an example system for use with an item sortation machine may include a rotatable flap comprising a mesh grid coupled to a frame, where the rotatable flap is disposed adjacent to a container of items in the item sortation machine, and a sensor disposed adjacent to the rotatable flap, where the sensor is configured to sense an item protruding out of the container. The mesh grid may have a set of metallic wires that intersect to form the mesh grid, where the set of metallic wires form a geometric pattern.

Mesh flaps for container capacity detection in sortation systems

Automated tray handling systems and methods may include robotic systems having various end effectors to move trays relative to item sortation systems. For example, the robotic systems may include robotic arms and gantry systems. In addition, the various end effectors may include dual end effectors and passthrough end effectors. The dual end effectors may lift, move, and place trays by engaging and clamping onto flanges of the trays. The passthrough end effectors may lift, move, and place trays through an interior of the end effectors by engaging and pulling or pushing flanges, edges, or other surfaces of the trays. The various automated tray handling systems and methods may increase the speed and efficiency of such processes while also reducing or minimizing the space required for such systems.

Automated tray handling systems and methods

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for active safety systems for item sortation equipment. In one embodiment, an example system for an item sortation machine may include a first camera configured to image a first exterior portion of the item sortation machine, memory configured to store computer-executable instructions, and at least one processor configured to access the memory and execute the computer-executable instructions to detect a human present at a first location in the first exterior portion, and determine, using the first location, a first portion of an aisle of the item sortation machine to designate a restricted travel zone. Shuttles of the item sortation machine in the restricted travel zone may be prevented from movement. The system may determine that a first shuttle of the item sortation machine is in the restricted travel zone, and may cause the first shuttle to be paused.

Active safety systems for item sortation equipment

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for automated gates to secure mobile carrier unit payloads. In one embodiment, an example system for a mobile carrier unit of a sortation system may include an automated gate configured to block an open end of the mobile carrier unit in a first position, and to unblock the open end of the mobile carrier unit in a second position, and a controller configured to control operation of the gate. The controller may be configured to determine that the conveyor belt is activated, cause the automated gate to move to the second position, determine that the item is off the conveyor belt, and cause the automated gate to move to the first position.

Growing community of inventors

Miramar Beach, FL, United States of America

Larry Joe Robb