US 12,378,077 B2
Automated decant system
John G. Lert, Jr., Wakefield, MA (US); William J. Fosnight, Windham, NH (US); Mark Solomon, Lexington, MA (US); Julian Warhurst, Portsmough, RI (US); Mark Supernor, Auburn, NH (US); and Nathan Stallings, Chester, NH (US)
Assigned to Symbotic LLC, Wilmington, MA (US)
Filed by Symbotic LLC, Wilmington, MA (US)
Filed on Mar. 3, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/686,102.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/156,296, filed on Mar. 3, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0281685 A1, Sep. 8, 2022
Int. Cl. B65G 1/137 (2006.01); B65B 69/00 (2006.01); B65G 61/00 (2006.01); B65G 65/23 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 1/1373 (2013.01) [B65B 69/0033 (2013.01); B65G 61/00 (2013.01); B65G 65/23 (2013.01); B65G 2201/0258 (2013.01)] 25 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for decanting cases of eaches in a supply chain, the system comprising:
a work surface configured to receive a case of eaches;
a separation module configured to receive eaches after removal of the case, the separation module further configured to separate and organize eaches for delivery to one or more totes.
 
14. A system for decanting cases of eaches in a supply chain, the system comprising:
a work surface configured to receive a case of eaches;
one or more edge cutting modules configured to cut one or more edges of the case to provide access to the eaches within the case;
an inversion module configured to rotate eaches and allow removal of a portion of the case on which the eaches were supported prior to rotation;
a separation module configured to separate and organize eaches after separation from the case; and
a drop catch module configured to support a tote and receive eaches from the separation module.
 
25. A method of decanting cases of eaches in a supply chain, the method comprising:
a) receiving a case of goods on a support table;
b) cutting edges of the case;
c) removing a first portion of the case;
d) inverting the eaches and remaining portion of the case;
e) removing the remaining portion of the case;
f) separating the eaches based on one or more totes into which the eaches are to be transferred; and
g) transferring the eaches into the one or more totes.