Systems and methods for handling and dispensing of items

US11180269B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Fulfil Solutions, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Gilad Almogy · Givatayim, IL
• Jason Kalus · Redwood City, US
• Nathan Beckett · Oakland, US
• David Cameron Hosken · Redwood City, US
• John Hosken · Menlo Park, US
• Matthew Hohenberger · Menlo Park, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 15, 2019
• Grant date: Nov 23, 2021
• Expiry date: Nov 15, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q30/0627
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Embodiments of product handling systems facilitate transfer of individual product items from incoming bulk form into dedicated trays for inspection, sorting, selection, and packaging. Inspection may comprise interrogation of product items within a tray by electromagnetic (e.g., optical, hyperspectral) or other (e.g., physical, acoustic, gas sensing, etc.) techniques. Prior to packaging, product items disposed within the tray may be stored in a moveable carousel responsible for controlling environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, illumination, ambient gases, product-to-product interactions, and/or others. Movement of product items from a carousel's transfer station to an outside staging position may be accomplished using robots and/or conveyor belts. Embodiments may allow rapid, low-cost consumer selection of specific individual product items based upon their accompanying metadata (e.g., source, identifier), in combination with the results of inspection (e.g., visual appearance). Embodiments may receive product items pre-packaged in tray format to expedite inspection, sorting, selection, and packaging.