US 11,851,295 B2
Autonomous devices, systems, and methods for packing folded laundry
Madeline R. Hickman, Arlington, MA (US); Samuel Duffley, Somerville, MA (US); Noa M. Rensing, West Newton, MA (US); Kayla M. Swiston, Chestnut Hill, MA (US); Jesse Sielaff, Norfolk, MA (US); and Benjamin D. Bixby, Newton Highlands, MA (US)
Assigned to Monotony.ai, Inc., Watertown, MA (US)
Filed by Monotony.ai, Inc., Allston, MA (US)
Filed on Mar. 6, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/178,831.
Application 18/178,831 is a continuation of application No. 17/514,700, filed on Oct. 29, 2021, granted, now 11,623,828.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/168,540, filed on Mar. 31, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/168,555, filed on Mar. 31, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/106,891, filed on Oct. 29, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0278814 A1, Sep. 7, 2023
Int. Cl. B65B 25/20 (2006.01); B65B 35/44 (2006.01); B65B 35/50 (2006.01); B65B 57/10 (2006.01); B65B 59/00 (2006.01); B65G 65/16 (2006.01); B65G 57/03 (2006.01); B65G 65/00 (2006.01); B65G 65/32 (2006.01); B65G 69/02 (2006.01); D06F 95/00 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 65/16 (2013.01) [B65B 25/20 (2013.01); B65B 35/44 (2013.01); B65B 35/50 (2013.01); B65B 57/10 (2013.01); B65B 59/00 (2013.01); B65G 57/03 (2013.01); B65G 65/005 (2013.01); B65G 65/32 (2013.01); B65G 69/02 (2013.01); D06F 95/00 (2013.01); B65G 2201/0229 (2013.01); B65G 2203/0208 (2013.01); B65G 2203/0283 (2013.01); B65G 2203/041 (2013.01); B65G 2814/0305 (2013.01); B65G 2814/0331 (2013.01)] 26 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An autonomously operated system configured to load at least one unbound deformable article into a container, the system comprising:
a refillable cartridge configured to receive therein the at least one unbound deformable article;
at least one extendable conveyor being configured to
extend into the refillable cartridge, and
deposit the at least one unbound deformable article within the refillable cartridge such that the at least one unbound deformable article is disposed on at least one of a removable receiving surface and another unbound deformable article disposed within the refillable cartridge;
a driven lifter configured to operatively engage the refillable cartridge and selectively lower and raise the refillable cartridge relative to the at least one extendable conveyor;
one or more sensors disposed proximate the refillable cartridge, each of the one or more sensors configured output a signal indicative of a fill height of the refillable cartridge; and
at least one controller in operable communication with the removable receiving surface, the at least one extendable conveyor, the driven lifter, the one or more sensors, and a wired or wireless communication network, the at least one controller being configured to
receive via the wired or wireless communication network the output signal of the one or more sensors,
determine, based on the received output signal, whether the fill height is lower than a threshold height or reaches the threshold height, and
instruct, in response to the determination, the driven lifter to at least one of
raise and lower the refillable cartridge to at least one of one or more loading heights for receiving the at least one unbound deformable article, and
lower the refillable cartridge to an unloading position within the container.