Movable loading support platform within a container

US11027871B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC. · US

Inventors

• Samuel Gardner Garrett · Seattle, US
• Martin Peter Aalund · Seattle, US
• Vinay Balan · Seattle, US
• Michael Barrett Hill · Seattle, US
• David Bruce McCalib, Jr. · Seattle, US
• Timothy Alan Talda · Seattle, US
• Toby Ge Xu · Seattle, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 1, 2019
• Grant date: Jun 8, 2021
• Expiry date: May 1, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65B69/0058
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The apparatus includes a moveable support platform within the container to reduce a distance that items fall into the container when stowed. The support platform is lowered by a movement mechanism as items are placed into the container. The movement mechanism may be a bladder filled with air, a biasing device, a pneumatic device, or a mechanical device. The moveable support may form a bottom portion of the container during transport of the container. In some instances, the movement mechanism may lift items out of the container to empty the container at a destination.