Systems, methods, and apparatuses for controlling objects being unloaded from a storage vehicle or structure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11292676-B2
Application number	US-202117179628-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 19, 2021
Priority date	Nov 8, 2018
Publication date	Apr 5, 2022
Grant date	Apr 5, 2022

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for controlling objects being loaded or unloaded from a storage structure or vehicle, such as a trailer. In example embodiments, a plurality of parcels may be stored in or on a trailer that is attached to a cab of a delivery vehicle. Upon arrival at a deposit location, the trailer loaded with the one or more parcels may be removably secured to a an adjustable platform designed to be raised to a predetermined angle for unloading of the one or more parcels. Once the adjustable platform is raised to the predetermined angle, a plurality of adjustable dividing mechanisms may be configured to pivot, allowing for the movement of a controlled volume of the one or more parcels onto the receiving platform.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for controlling a volume of objects being unloaded from a storage structure or vehicle, the method comprising:
providing a storage structure comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a front end, a rear end, a plurality of storage compartments storing one or more objects, and a plurality of adjustable dividing mechanisms removably secured to the bottom surface of the storage structure and configured to separate each of the plurality of storage compartments from one another;
providing a receiving platform configured to receive one or more objects;
providing an adjustable platform positioned at a predetermined angle;
removably securing the storage structure to the adjustable platform;
pivoting a first adjustable dividing mechanism of the plurality of adjustable dividing mechanisms upward toward the top surface of the storage structure, wherein the pivoting of the first adjustable dividing mechanism is controlled by a controller connected to a computer system; and
sequentially unloading a first group of the one or more objects from a first storage compartment of the plurality of storage compartments onto the receiving platform.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of adjustable dividing mechanisms are located at equally spaced positions within the storage structure.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of adjustable dividing mechanisms are spaced at different distances from each another within the storage structure.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising pivoting a second adjustable dividing mechanism of the plurality of adjustable dividing mechanisms upward toward the top surface of the storage structure, wherein the pivoting of the second adjustable dividing mechanism is controlled by a controller connected to a computer system.

5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising sequentially unloading a second group of the one or more objects from a second storage compartment of the plurality of storage compartments onto the receiving platform.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein a predetermined number of objects to be contained within each storage compartment is calculated based on a shape, a size, and a weight of each object to be placed within each storage compartment.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first group of the one or more objects are unloaded to the receiving platform from a door of the storage structure.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the volume of objects within the first group of the one or more objects unloaded is controlled to reduce pressure applied to at least some of the one or more objects during unloading relative to an unsequenced unloading of the one or more objects.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein gravitational forces urge the first group of the one or more objects from the storage structure onto the receiving platform as a result of the adjustable platform being raised to the predetermined angle and at least one of the plurality of adjustable dividing mechanisms pivoting upwards.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the rear end of the storage structure protruding through a receiving area opening and at least partially into a receiving area.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the adjustable platform is positioned at an angle that is less than 90 degrees.

12. A system for controlling a volume of objects being unloaded from a storage structure or vehicle, the system comprising:
a receiving platform configured to receive one or more objects;
an adjustable platform positioned at a first predetermined angle;
a storage structure comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a front end, a rear end, a plurality of storage compartments storing one or more objects, and a plurality of adjustable dividing mechanisms removably secured to the bottom surface of the storage structure and configured to separate each of the plurality of storage compartments from one another, wherein the storage structure is removably secured to the adjustable platform; and
one or more processors configured to:
pivot a first adjustable dividing mechanism of the plurality of adjustable dividing mechanisms upward toward the top surface of the storage structure, wherein the pivoting of the first adjustable dividing mechanism is controlled by a controller connected to a computer system; and
sequentially unload a first group of the one or more objects from a first storage compartment of the plurality of storage compartments onto the receiving platform.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the storage structure is a cargo trailer.

14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the sequential unloading of the first group of the one or more objects onto the receiving platform occurs at a logistic carrier's facility.

15. The system of claim 12 , wherein the computer system is configured to determine when each adjustable dividing mechanism should be pivoted to allow the first group of the one or more objects to be released for deposit onto the receiving platform.

16. The system of claim 12 , wherein the adjustable platform is positioned to the first predetermined angle by an actuator.

17. The system of claim 12 , wherein the first group of the one or more objects are unloaded to the receiving platform from a rear door of the storage structure.

18. The system of claim 12 , wherein a second adjustable dividing mechanism is pivoted upward toward the top surface of the storage structure, and wherein the pivoting of the second adjustable dividing mechanism is controlled by a controller connected to a computer system.

19. The system of claim 18 , wherein a second group of the one or more objects from a second storage compartment of the plurality of storage compartments is unloaded onto the receiving platform.

20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the adjustable platform is further adjusted to a second predetermined angle, the second predetermined angle being greater than the first predetermined angle.

Assignees

• United parcel service america inc

Inventors

• Stenson Joel

Classifications

• B65G69/16

  Preventing pulverisation, deformation, breakage, or other mechanical damage to the goods or materials · CPC title

• B65G67/46

  Apparatus for lifting and tilting · CPC title

• B65G65/23 Primary

  Devices for tilting and emptying of containers · CPC title

• B65G69/006 Primary

  Centring or aligning a vehicle at a loading station using means not being part of the vehicle · CPC title

• B65G69/003

  Restraining movement of a vehicle at a loading station using means not being part of the vehicle · CPC title