US 12,138,804 B2
Automated handling and manipulation of packages and packages specially adapted therefor
Julian Leland Bell, Decatur, GA (US); Stephens B. Woodrough, Jr., Peachtree Corners, GA (US); and Justin Ashtiani, Atlanta, GA (US)
Assigned to UNITED PARCEL SERVICES OF AMERICA, INC., Atlanta, GA (US)
Filed by United Parcel Service of America, Inc., Atlanta, GA (US)
Filed on Feb. 4, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/167,787.
Prior Publication US 2022/0241971 A1, Aug. 4, 2022
Int. Cl. B65D 33/25 (2006.01); B25J 9/00 (2006.01); B25J 9/16 (2006.01); B25J 13/08 (2006.01); B65B 43/28 (2006.01); G05B 15/02 (2006.01)
CPC B25J 9/1669 (2013.01) [B25J 9/0093 (2013.01); B25J 9/1664 (2013.01); B25J 9/1682 (2013.01); B25J 13/08 (2013.01); B65B 43/28 (2013.01); B65D 33/2508 (2013.01); G05B 15/02 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A package comprising:
a storage compartment formed at least partially of a pliable material;
a first geometric structure coupled to the storage compartment at a first location;
a second geometric structure coupled to the storage compartment at a second location, wherein each of the first geometric structure and the second geometric structure (i) has a higher degree of rigidity than the pliable material, (ii) is configured for manipulation by an automated package-handling system, and (iii) comprises a slot formed therein that is sized and shaped to fit over, and be secured to, corners of the storage compartment; and
an opening/closing mechanism configured for manipulation by the automated package-handling system, wherein the opening/closing mechanism comprises a third geometric structure that operates along a first interlocking member that forms a first side with a first securing element of a zipper mechanism and a second interlocking member that forms a second side with a second securing element of the zipper mechanism, each of the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member is located at or proximate to an opening edge of the package, and the third geometric structure comprises (i) a first channel and a second channel formed therein that allow edges of the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member to slide through as the third geometric structure is moved between the first location and the second location and (ii) a third channel configured to accommodate and allow a zipper slider of the zipper mechanism to slide along the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member as the third geometric structure is moved between the first location and the second location to at least one of join or separate the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member.