US 11,999,566 B2
Overhead rail based order delivery system and method
Romain Moulin, Lille (FR); Renaud Heitz, Villeneuve-d'Ascq (FR); and Gilles Baulard, Fontenilles (FR)
Assigned to EXOTEC, Croix (FR)
Appl. No. 17/626,668
Filed by EXOTEC, Croix (FR)
PCT Filed Sep. 2, 2020, PCT No. PCT/EP2020/074489
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jan. 12, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/043837, PCT Pub. Date Mar. 11, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 1909641 (FR), filed on Sep. 2, 2019; and application No. 1912642 (FR), filed on Nov. 12, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0281688 A1, Sep. 8, 2022
Int. Cl. G06Q 10/0836 (2023.01); B65G 1/04 (2006.01); B65G 1/137 (2006.01); G06Q 10/087 (2023.01); G06Q 10/08 (2023.01)
CPC B65G 1/0457 (2013.01) [B65G 1/1378 (2013.01); G06Q 10/0836 (2013.01); G06Q 10/087 (2013.01); B65G 2201/0238 (2013.01); B65G 2209/04 (2013.01); B65G 2209/08 (2013.01); G06Q 10/08 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for automatically delivering an order comprising a plurality of articles stored in a building in at least one bag to a pick-up location for picking up said order located outside said building, wherein the system comprises:
a transport module mounted at least partially at height and comprising:
at least one travel track, at least a substantial portion of which extends into said building and comprising a loop which allows the at least one bag to be conveyed between a storage area located inside the building and said pick up location located outside the building, the loop extending outside the building to a vicinity of the pick-up location;
a plurality of bag suspension elements connected to said track;
an automatic displacement device, which is configured to automatically move said suspension elements on said track;
identifying information associated with at least one of the plurality of bag suspension elements from which said at least one bag containing at least one article of said order is suspended;
a signalling and/or detecting device, which signals or detects presence of a user to whom the order is to be delivered, or of a vehicle to take charge of said order, in the vicinity of said pick-up location;
said transport module further comprising an actuator, which actuates said automatic displacement device to displace said suspension elements on the at least one travel track from which said at least one bag is suspended, from the storage area to said pick-up location in response to said signalling and/or detection device emitting a signal confirming the presence of said user or said vehicle in the vicinity of said pick-up location.