Random-access robotic inventory dispensary: replenishment and purge
US9563194B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 4, 2015 |
| Grant date | Feb 7, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 9, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P90/02
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention is a robotic system for maintaining product inventory and dispensing products upon request from a customer or other user. Product items are stored in an inventory storage unit (ISU), one item per bin. Controller logic allows items to be stored in, and retrieved from, arbitrarily-assigned storage locations. The bins hang on rails within drawers. In a replenishment operation, the system transfers empty bins to an operator station for replenishment. An operator fills the empty bins with product items. The system inserts these bins into drawers in the ISU. In a purge operation, the operator enters an identifier of a class of product to be removed. The system moves the bins containing the affected items to the operator station. After the product items are removed, the empty bins are moved to the ISU.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.