Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
414807000 | Of charging or discharging plural static structures for supporting discrete loads and utilizing charging or discharging means therefor | 28 |
20080273960 | Substrate distribution system and a method using the same - A glass substrate distribution system includes a cassette, a first transmission mechanism, and a second transmission mechanism. The first transmission mechanism transmits the glass substrate to several standby positions outside the cassette. The second transmission mechanism transmits the glass substrate between the standby positions and the glass substrate. | 11-06-2008 |
20090136333 | Method for Operating an Order-Picking System - The invention relates to a method for operating an order-picking systems ( | 05-28-2009 |
20100054906 | RACKING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF STORING PALLETIZED ITEMS - The present disclosure relates to a racking system and method of storing palletized items in the racking system. The present disclosure also relates to a racking system for storing multiple pallets stacked with the palletized items, the multiple pallets being deliverable for storage in the racking system by a fork lift vehicle. | 03-04-2010 |
20110044792 | Facility And Method For Interment And Automated Retrieval Of Interred Subjects - An interment method and facility for interment and automated retrieval and visitation of interred subjects. The facility includes an interment area for holding the interred subjects, at least one visitation area for visitor access to a selected one of the interred subjects, a system retrieval mechanism for transporting the selected interred subject between the interment area and the visitation area, and a facility management system providing automated control of interment, visitation, and transport therebetween. Identification information for, and a location of, the interred subjects held in the interment area are recorded. A sensory system reads identification information associated with each interred subject, monitoring location and orientation. A request is received by a visitor, as programmed into a facility management system, for visitation of a selected interred subject. The selected interred subject is retrieved, by a system retrieval mechanism, from the interment area, and is transported to a visitation area. | 02-24-2011 |
20110200420 | WAREHOUSE DYNAMIC PICKING SLOTS - Inventory management methods are provided. In one embodiment, an inventory management method includes receiving an indication of a received product. Available spaces in a warehouse picking area that can store the received product are determined. The received product is stored to one of the spaces, and the space is later reused to store a different product. In another embodiment, a plurality of available spaces for storing a product in a warehouse picking area is determined. The plurality of available spaces includes spaces that have different shapes. An indication of the available spaces and their locations in the warehouse picking area is provided. | 08-18-2011 |
20120034062 | STOCKER APPARATUS AND SUBSTRATE TREATING APPARATUS - A stocker apparatus and method have openers for receiving FOUPs acting as containers each for storing a plurality of substrates, to feed and collect the substrates to/from a substrate treating apparatus main body, a transport mechanism for holding and transporting the FOUPs, and racks arranged above the openers for receiving the FOUPs. The racks include an incoming rack for receiving the FOUPs from an external transport device, an outgoing rack for delivering the FOUPs to the external transport device, and a mid-treatment storage rack for keeping an empty FOUP after the substrates are fed therefrom. The openers include a feed-only opener for feeding the substrates, and a collect-only opener for collecting the substrates. | 02-09-2012 |
20120207580 | CELL ENGAGEMENT AND RETENTION CARRIAGE - A carriage with a cell carrier engages and retains a vertically driven cell so that the cell and its contents, such as a data storage cartridge, may be moved laterally from one linear library to another. A portal engagement device of the cell carrier includes a movable rack so that a pinion of the cell may move up or down the rack, and has pins that, when the device is down, engage a library vertical portal having a fixed rack. A cam state machine of the cell carrier guides a spring loaded cam follower hook of the cell in a pattern to lock the hook in position and, when hooked, attempted downward movement of the vertically driven cell moves the portal engagement device upward to disengage the pins of the portal engagement device from the vertical portal. The carriage may then transport the cell to another vertical portal. | 08-16-2012 |
20130004289 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SECURING, LOADING AND UNLOADING PARTS USING LOCKING DUNNAGE - A system for and method of unloading parts includes a rack and at least a first part held in a first position within the rack. At least one rack robot picks up the rack and moves the rack to a first orientation so as to position and orient the first part in a removal locus for removal from the rack. At least one line side robot removes the first part from the rack at the removal locus. The rack robot may move the rack to a second orientation so as to position and orient a second part in the removal locus for removal by the line side robot. The rack may include a plurality of clips moveable between a locked position in which the clip can securely hold a part, and an open position in which a part can be inserted or removed from the clip. | 01-03-2013 |
20130129469 | STORAGE SYSTEM AND METHODS - A storage system includes a rack with a plurality of layers, each layer including an aisle and a plurality of rows extending from the aisle defining storage locations for items. A shuttle usable with the rack includes a first cart movable along the aisle and a second cart configured to be carriable by the first cart and to be movable along a row. The second cart is configured to carry an item between the first cart and the storage locations. A conveyor is located on one of the first or second carts to move the item onto or off the first cart. Related methods of storing and/or retrieving items from a rack are also disclosed. A rack system is disclosed and is readily assembled without welding, transferring loading so that the weight of the rack and any item stored therein is supported by the upright elements via support brackets. | 05-23-2013 |
20130243561 | PHARMACEUTICAL STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM AND METHODS OF STORING AND RETRIEVING PHARMACEUTICALS - A pharmaceutical storage and retrieval device and a method of accessing and loading the device. The device includes a housing, at least one port with controlled access to inventory stored within the device, a robotic transfer mechanism for moving inventory items to and from the controlled port, software for tracking the inventory and users of the device, and an interface with the pharmacy software system to track and monitor which inventory is authorized for access by each user and which inventory is needed to fill a prescription. | 09-19-2013 |
20130259636 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR HANDLING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS - The invention generally provides methods and devices for handling materials including the sorting or storing of waste. The invention further provides a modular materials handling and storage workstation unit for sensitive materials such as hazardous materials or waste common in a retail environment. | 10-03-2013 |
20130294882 | Apparatus and Method for Inventory Management and Automated Discharge of Treated Sewage Sludge to Trucks - A method and apparatus is provided for the automated discharge of treated sewage sludge to trucks, via inventory management by tracking the flow of sludge from bins in which it is located to trucks, on a first-in/first-out basis, including automated truck positioning, automated precision truck loading and monitoring and controlling the various interrelated components via a PLC computer program. | 11-07-2013 |
20130302132 | System and Method for Maneuvering a Mobile Drive Unit - A mobile drive unit is provided for transporting an inventory holder. The mobile drive unit is operable to dock with the inventory holder, move the inventory holder in a first translational direction, and while docked with the inventory holder, selectively rotate the inventory holder while continuing to move in the first translational direction. | 11-14-2013 |
20140079527 | SAMPLE SORTING APPARATUS, SAMPLE PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND SAMPLE SORTING METHOD - A sample sorting apparatus used in a sample processing system comprises a sample supplying apparatus, a sample processing apparatus, and a transporting apparatus connected to the sample processing apparatus. The sample sorting apparatus comprises a first entrance for receiving a sample rack from the sample supplying apparatus, a container conveyor configured to take out a sample container from the sample rack received through the first entrance and configured to set the taken out sample container on a sample rack, a first exit for sending the sample rack on which the sample container is set to the transporting apparatus, a second entrance for receiving the sample rack from the transporting apparatus, a second exit for sending the sample rack received through the second entrance to the sample supplying apparatus, and a transporter configured to transport the sample rack from the second entrance to the second exit. | 03-20-2014 |
20140119876 | METHODS OF USE OF A MEDIA MOBILITY UNIT (MMU) - Aspects of the present invention relate to use of a MMU. In one embodiment, a method for transporting a media cartridge includes receiving one or more media cartridges from a source media library, storing the one or more media cartridges in a holding portion of a media mobility unit, sensing at least an approximate location of the media mobility unit, and transporting the one or more media cartridges to a destination media library. Additional embodiments are also presented. | 05-01-2014 |
20140126990 | RATCHETING GRIPPER FOR A STORAGE LIBRARY - Embodiments of the invention include systems and methods for selective gripping and/or releasing of media cartridges using a robotic ratcheting gripper mechanism. Embodiments operate in context of a data storage library having a number of media cartridges physically located within slots of one or more magazines. A robot with a hand assembly uses a gripper mechanism to retrieve and ferry the cartridges between the magazines and one or more media drives. A novel gripper mechanism is provided that toggles between open and closed states according to movement of the gripper. In some embodiments, movement of a carriage from a retracted to an extended position extends the gripper mechanism and toggles its state, while movement of the carriage from the extended to the retracted position retracts the gripper mechanism while maintaining its state. Certain embodiments implement this functionality with simple mechanical components. | 05-08-2014 |
20140154044 | Method For Picking A Package - A storage apparatus has an rack of storage bins, a pick head drive unit to drive a pick head to an access location for a selected bin, and a platform drive unit to drive a platform forming part of the pick head into and out of the rack to pick or load packages at a selected bin of the rack. The platform has a cam formation which, in the course of entry of the platform into the rack acting to lift a desired package until the platform reaches a clearance position at which the cam formation clears the package. Subsequent withdrawal of the platform from the rack acts to drag the desired package from the selected bin. | 06-05-2014 |
20140205423 | METHOD FOR PROVIDING TRANSPORT UNITS FROM A STORAGE FACILITY - Method for providing transport units from a storage facility on at least one removal line, wherein the transport units are stored in a plurality of storage racks and storage rack levels, wherein interior storage racks are arranged in pairs adjoining one another and have a storage aisle on each side of the pair. At least one storage line and at least one removal line is provided. The transport units are placed into storage in, and removed from storage from, the storage rack via a storage and removal apparatus for each access aisle. For each access aisle, a storage and removal apparatus is provided. At least one removal lift is used to transfer the transport units to the removal line connected downstream thereof. A direct exchange of transport units takes place between two adjoining storage racks from one access aisle to an adjacent access aisle via transverse conveyance locations in the storage racks. The storage and removal apparatus moves the transport units in the transverse conveyance locations. | 07-24-2014 |
20140212257 | AUTOMATED THREE DIMENSIONAL WAREHOUSE - An automated warehouse includes first and second stacked racks parallel to each other; first and second shipping-and-receiving stations placed at the same end of the stacked racks; transfer shuttles located between the stacked racks and between the shipping-and-receiving stations; elevator mechanisms equipped with first and second elevator platforms for receiving or transferring the packages to stand-by conveyors; and means for transferring the packages to and from the first and the second elevator platforms. The direction of motion of the stand-by conveyor of the first shipping-and-receiving station and the direction of the motion of the stand-by conveyor of the second shipping-and-receiving station, on the same level of stack, may be opposite; and the direction of motion of some of the stand-by conveyors pertaining to the first shipping-and-receiving station may be opposite to that of the rest of the stand-by conveyors of the first shipping-and-receiving station. | 07-31-2014 |
20140377050 | METHOD FOR RETRIEVING MEDICATION PACKAGES - The present invention relates to a method for retrieving medication packages from a pharmacy order-picking device. In the method according to the invention, an operating device is displaced in a displacement position to a predetermined shelf position, at least one medication package on a shelf belonging to the shelf position is moved with a gripping device in the direction of a support and it is then checked whether the at least one medication package has moved fully onto the support. If the check has a negative outcome, an edge of the shelf on which the at least one medication package is stored is detected with a sensor of the operating device and said operating device is displaced to a corresponding shelf position, the gripping device having been brought into the displacement position before displacement. | 12-25-2014 |
20160049171 | LOAD BALANCING AND SPACE EFFICIENT BIG DATA TAPE MANAGEMENT - A tool for space efficient tape management. The tool retrieves one or more tapes from one or more tape library frames in a first tape library. The tool inserts the one or more tapes into the one or more tape library frames in the first tape library. The tool transfers the one or more tapes from the one or more tape library frames in the first tape library to one or more tape library frames in a second tape library. | 02-18-2016 |
20160107318 | METHOD OF OPERATING A STEPPER MOTOR ESPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE WITH A DATA STORAGE LIBRARY PICKER ASSEMBLY - A method of operation of a stepper motor, especially as used in connection with a picker assembly employed in a data storage library and a picker assembly that may utilize the stepper motor. | 04-21-2016 |
20160130085 | METHOD OF ORDER FULFILLING AND REPLENISHMENT OF STORAGE UNITS - A method of order fulfilling and replenishment of storage units in a storage facility can be provided. The storage units can be stored in a plurality of storage racking units and levels of a storage racking, with at least one storage-entry feeding line and at least one outbound line being provided for each storage module. Additionally, at least one automatic storage and retrieval device can be provided for retrieval of storage units from the multilevel racking or storage into the multilevel racking, and at least one picking station to which storage units are fed can also be provided for picking for fulfilling orders. Thus, fully or partially deplenished or depleted storage units can be replenished or consolidated on the fly directly at the picking station by the picker. | 05-12-2016 |
20160130086 | METHOD OF ORDER FULFILLING BY PREPARING STORAGE UNITS AT A PICKING STATION - A method of order fulfilling by making order and/or product units available from a storage facility in a desired sequence at a picking station is provided herein. The storage facility may include a plurality of multilevel storage racks in which order and/or product units are stored, an automatic storage and retrieval device, such as a shuttle, which retrieves and stores orders and/or product units, and lifts used to transfer the order and/or product units to at least one storage-exit conveyor, wherein each lift is directly connected to a picking station in a picking level by the storage-entry conveyor and the storage-exit conveyor. | 05-12-2016 |
20160153703 | Freezer Rack | 06-02-2016 |
20160155462 | MANAGEMENT OF ROBOTICS ASSEMBLY AND CARTRIDGE ACCESS PORT OF MEDIA ELEMENT STORAGE LIBRARY | 06-02-2016 |
20160176634 | METHOD FOR RETRIEIVING MEDICATION PACKAGES | 06-23-2016 |
20170236555 | TAPE LIBRARY CONTAINER | 08-17-2017 |