US 11,752,521 B2
Systems and methods for sorting objects to large numbers of orders
Christopher Geyer, Arlington, MA (US); Joseph Romano, Arlington, VA (US); John Richard Amend, Jr., Belmont, MA (US); Christopher Buck, Stow, MA (US); Andrew Ewart, Stratham, NH (US); Kyle Maroney, North Attleboro, MA (US); and Thomas Wagner, Concord, MA (US)
Assigned to Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc., Bedford, MA (US)
Filed by Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc., Bedford, MA (US)
Filed on Aug. 6, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/986,984.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/884,353, filed on Aug. 8, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0039140 A1, Feb. 11, 2021
Int. Cl. B07C 3/08 (2006.01); B07C 3/00 (2006.01); B07C 5/18 (2006.01); B65G 13/02 (2006.01); B65G 15/02 (2006.01); B65G 15/42 (2006.01)
CPC B07C 3/08 (2013.01) [B07C 3/008 (2013.01); B07C 5/18 (2013.01); B65G 13/02 (2013.01); B65G 15/02 (2013.01); B65G 15/42 (2013.01); B65G 2201/0258 (2013.01); B65G 2207/18 (2013.01)] 39 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
11. An order fulfillment system in which objects to be collected into orders are provided in output totes, said system comprising:
an input conveyance system that moves objects toward a loop conveyance system generally along a first input direction;
a primary sortation system that includes the loop conveyance system that moves objects around a closed loop that includes a plurality of primary sortation exits, each of which leads to a secondary sortation system inside the closed loop;
wherein the secondary sortation system includes a plurality of shuttle modules, each shuttle module further including a linear shuttle that travels along a rail to receive an object from one of the plurality of primary sortation exits of the primary sortation system and conveys objects to one of a plurality of totes provided on either side of the rail; and
the system further comprising an output tote conveyance system for moving completed totes within the closed loop in a direction that is generally transverse to the input direction,
wherein the linear shuttle includes a reciprocating belt conveyor for conveying objects to a tote on either side of the linear shuttle, and a tote kicker assembly that comprises a kicker arm and a roller at an end of the kicker arm, wherein the kicker arm is rotated in a direction away from the rail to push a selected tote among the plurality of totes onto the output tote conveyance system.