US 12,169,402 B2
Parcel and article sorting system and method with destination container removal
Michael C. Futch, Orlando, FL (US); and James M. Serstad, Orlando, FL (US)
Filed by Tompkins Robotics, Inc., Orlando, FL (US)
Filed on Feb. 13, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/167,918.
Application 18/167,918 is a continuation of application No. 17/340,139, filed on Jun. 7, 2021, granted, now 11,586,187.
Application 17/340,139 is a continuation of application No. 16/552,671, filed on Aug. 27, 2019, abandoned.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/727,619, filed on Sep. 6, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2023/0185293 A1, Jun. 15, 2023
Int. Cl. G05B 19/418 (2006.01); B07C 3/00 (2006.01); B07C 3/02 (2006.01); B07C 3/10 (2006.01); B07C 3/18 (2006.01); B65G 1/06 (2006.01); B65G 1/137 (2006.01); B66F 9/06 (2006.01); G06Q 10/08 (2024.01)
CPC G05B 19/41895 (2013.01) [B07C 3/00 (2013.01); B07C 3/008 (2013.01); B07C 3/02 (2013.01); B07C 3/10 (2013.01); B07C 3/18 (2013.01); B65G 1/065 (2013.01); B65G 1/137 (2013.01); B65G 1/1373 (2013.01); B66F 9/063 (2013.01); G06Q 10/08 (2013.01); B07C 2501/0063 (2013.01); B65G 2201/0285 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
a self-propelled computer-controlled transport vehicle for transporting an article along a platform to a position proximal a destination container;
a computer-controlled removal device for relocating destination containers from an article receiving position to a location designated for further processing of the article contained within the destination containers;
a control system comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to:
receive an order for a plurality of disparate articles, wherein the disparate articles are found within an article supply location;
determine a first destination container among a plurality of destination containers to direct the transport vehicle to deposit a selected article from an article supply location based on a determined product type;
direct the transport vehicle to transport the selected article to the first destination container and deposit the selected article in the first destination container;
determine a location that the first destination container is to be delivered to for further processing of the selected article in the first destination container;
determine when to cease delivery of articles to the first destination container;
direct, in response to the determination to cease delivery to the first destination container, a removal device to transport the first destination container to the location of further processing determined by the control system,
wherein the removal device operates to relocate the first destination container from a position alongside an edge of the platform to the location of further processing,
wherein the further processing comprises assembling of the plurality of the articles;
wherein the control system is further configured to indicate when the destination container has been removed.