Patent · US Active

System and method for transporting inventory items

US7912574B2 · kind B2 · utility

140Cited by

32References

18Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Kiva Systems, Inc. · US

Inventors

Peter R. Wurman · Acton, US
Raffaello D'Andrea · Ithaca, US
Michael T. Barbehenn · North Reading, US
Andrew E. Hoffman · Arlington, US
Michael C. Mountz · Lexington, US

Key dates

Filing date	Jun 19, 2006
Grant date	Mar 22, 2011
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Nov 9, 2028

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY02P90/02
WIPO fieldControl
WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method for transporting inventory items includes moving a mobile drive unit to a first point within a workspace. The first point is a location of an inventory holder. The method further includes docking the mobile drive unit with the inventory holder and moving the mobile drive unit and the inventory holder to a second point within the workspace. The second point is associated with conveyance equipment. The method further includes moving the inventory holder to a third point within the workspace using the conveyance equipment.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.