Foldable containers for manual and robotic use

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11767047-B2
Application number	US-202117202693-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 16, 2021
Priority date	Mar 16, 2021
Publication date	Sep 26, 2023
Grant date	Sep 26, 2023

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for foldable containers for manual and robotic use. In one embodiment, an example foldable container may include a first container wall, a second container wall configured to rotate outwards in a first direction with respect to the first container wall, and a bottom container platform configured to rotate outwards in a second direction with respect to the first container wall. The bottom container platform may include an automatic locking mechanism configured to engage with the second container wall when the foldable container is in an unfolded position, where the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. Some embodiments may include a number of wheels. The foldable container may be configured to be transported using (i) the plurality of wheels via manual pushing, and (ii) robotic manipulation to lift and move the foldable container.

First claim

That which is claimed is:

1. A foldable container comprising:
a rear mesh wall;
a first mesh sidewall coupled to the rear mesh wall, wherein the first mesh sidewall has a fixed position relative to the rear mesh wall;
a second mesh sidewall coupled to the rear mesh wall and configured to rotate with respect to the rear mesh wall;
a bottom container platform configured to rotate from an upwards position adjacent to the rear mesh wall to a flat position that is perpendicular to the rear mesh wall, the bottom container platform comprising (i) an automatic locking mechanism configured to engage with the first mesh sidewall and the second first mesh sidewall when the foldable container is in an unfolded position, and (ii) a mechanical handle configured to indicate that the bottom container platform is secured when the foldable container is in the unfolded position, and the mechanical handle is configured to prevent the foldable container from being secured in the unfolded position until the bottom container platform is secured; and
a plurality of wheels coupled to one or more of the rear mesh wall, the first mesh sidewall, or the second mesh sidewall;
wherein the foldable container is configured to be transported using (i) the plurality of wheels via manual pushing, and (ii) robotic manipulation to lift and move the foldable container.

2. The foldable container of claim 1 , wherein the foldable container is configured to be lifted from the bottom container platform by an autonomous robot that is positioned entirely underneath a center of the foldable container when the foldable container is in the unfolded position.

3. The foldable container of claim 1 , further comprising:
a fiducial disposed on a lower surface of the bottom container platform, wherein the fiducial is associated with the foldable container and is configured to be read by respective computer systems of a plurality of building facilities.

4. A foldable container comprising:
a first container wall;
a second container wall configured to rotate outwards in a first direction with respect to the first container wall;
a bottom container platform configured to rotate outwards in a second direction with respect to the first container wall, the bottom container platform comprising (i) an automatic locking mechanism configured to engage with the second container wall when the foldable container is in an unfolded position, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction, and (ii) a visual indicator configured to indicate that the bottom container platform is secured when the foldable container is in the unfolded position; and
a plurality of wheels;
wherein the foldable container is configured to be transported using (i) the plurality of wheels via manual pushing, and (ii) robotic manipulation to lift and move the foldable container.

5. The foldable container of claim 4 , wherein the foldable container is configured to be lifted from the bottom container platform by an autonomous robot that is positioned entirely underneath a center of the foldable container when the foldable container is in the unfolded position.

6. The foldable container of claim 4 , further comprising:
a third container wall that is coupled to the second container wall, and is parallel to the first container wall when the foldable container is in the unfolded position;
wherein the visual indicator is a mechanical handle that is configured to prevent the foldable container from being secured in the unfolded position via contact with the third container wall.

7. The foldable container of claim 6 , wherein the mechanical handle is mechanically coupled to the automatic locking mechanism, and is configured to release the automatic locking mechanism.

8. The foldable container of claim 6 , further comprising:
a fourth container wall that is parallel to the second container wall and is fixed relative to the first container wall, such that the foldable container forms an L-shaped configuration when the foldable container is in a folded position.

9. The foldable container of claim 4 , further comprising:
a fiducial disposed on a lower surface of the bottom container platform, wherein the fiducial is associated with the foldable container and is configured to be read by respective computer systems of a plurality of building facilities.

10. The foldable container of claim 9 , wherein data associated with the fiducial comprises a floor location of the foldable container, an orientation of the foldable container with respect to a floor, and contents of the foldable container, and wherein the data is dynamically updated.

11. The foldable container of claim 4 , wherein the foldable container is configured to allow an autonomous robot to drive underneath the bottom container platform.

12. The foldable container of claim 4 , wherein the automatic locking mechanism comprises at least one retractable tab configured to engage a slot disposed on the second container wall.

13. The foldable container of claim 4 , wherein the foldable container is configured to be stacked with other foldable containers in a nested L-shaped configuration.

14. A foldable container comprising:
a back wall;
a first sidewall configured to rotate outwards with respect to the back wall;
a second sidewall that is fixed with respect to the back wall; and
a bottom container platform configured to rotate downwards with respect to the back wall, the bottom container platform comprising (i) an automatic locking mechanism configured to engage with the first sidewall and the second sidewall when the foldable container is in an unfolded position, and (ii) a visual indicator configured to indicate that the bottom container platform is secured when the foldable container is in the unfolded position;
wherein the foldable container is configured to be transported via both manual pushing and robotic manipulation.

15. The foldable container of claim 14 , wherein the foldable container is configured to be lifted from the bottom container platform by an autonomous robot that is positioned entirely underneath a center of the foldable container when the foldable container is in the unfolded position.

16. The foldable container of claim 14 , further comprising:
a fiducial disposed on a lower surface of the bottom container platform, wherein the fiducial is associated with the foldable container and is configured to be read by respective computer systems of a plurality of building facilities.

17. The foldable container of claim 14 , wherein the automatic locking mechanism comprises at least one retractable tab configured to engage a slot disposed on the second container wall.

Assignees

• Amazon Tech Inc

Inventors

• Pajevic Dragan
• Martin Tim
• Mehta Kaushal
• Campbell Stephen T

Classifications

• B62B3/025 Primary

  Foldable roll containers · CPC title

• B62B3/003

  Non-transparent side walls · CPC title

• B62B3/14

  characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys {(collapsible shopping trolleys B62B3/027)} · CPC title

• B62B5/0026

  Propulsion aids · CPC title

• B62B5/0096

  Identification of the cart or merchandise, e.g. by barcodes or radio frequency identification [RFID] · CPC title