Automated item singulation

US10221015B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC. · US

Inventors

• Jon Stuart Battles · North Bend, US
• Martin Peter Aalund · Seattle, US
• Toby Ge Xu · Seattle, US
• Samuel Gardner Garrett · Seattle, US
• Yan Yan · Shanghai, CN

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 27, 2016
• Grant date: Mar 5, 2019
• Expiry date: Nov 12, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65G2203/041
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Described are systems, methods, and apparatus for automated item singulation. The system includes a singulation station in which a plurality of different type items may be transitioned onto a singulation table. The singulation table activates and the movement of the singulation table causes the items to de-shingle, separate in distance with respect to one another and migrate along the singulation table toward a pick conveyor. As the de-shingled and singulated items arrive on the pick conveyor they are detected and individually picked by a robotic unit and transitioned from the singulation station.