Custom branded tape in a multi-seller environment

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9555906-B1
Application number	US-201314021533-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Sep 9, 2013
Priority date	Sep 9, 2013
Publication date	Jan 31, 2017
Grant date	Jan 31, 2017

Abstract

The disclosure describes a system for applying custom branded tape to packages that are shipped from a multi-seller materials handling facility. In some implementations, a materials handling facility may store, process and ship items for multiple sellers. As items are packed for shipping, a tape dispensing device may dispense custom branded tape associated with the seller of the item(s) being packed such that the sellers brand, logo or other information is presented on the exterior of the container.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A computer implemented method for dispensing tape, comprising:
under control of one or more computing systems configured with executable instructions,
receiving an order for an item to be shipped from a materials handling facility, wherein the materials handling facility ships items for a plurality of sellers;
identifying a seller of the plurality of sellers associated with the item;
determining that containers shipped from the materials handling facility for the seller are to receive a custom branded tape associated with the seller; and
generating fulfillment instructions for fulfilling the order from the materials handling facility, wherein the fulfillment instructions include:
routing instructions for routing the item to a pack station within the materials handling facility having a tape dispensing device configured to dispense the custom branded tape; and
tape dispensing instructions identifying a length of the custom branded tape to dispense from the tape dispensing device;

wherein the tape dispensing device is capable of dispensing a plurality of different custom branded tapes, each custom branded tape associated with a different seller.

2. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the custom branded tape includes at least one of a name of the seller, a logo of the seller, information about the order, a delivery address for the order, or a warning.

3. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the tape dispensing device includes a plurality of tape dispensers, wherein at least one of the tape dispensers is configured to dispense custom branded tape with custom branding associated with a seller.

4. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein:
the tape dispensing device includes a first tape dispenser that contains a first roll of tape that is pre-printed with a first custom brand for a first seller; and
the tape dispensing device includes a second tape dispenser that contains a second roll of tape that is pre-printed with a second custom brand for a second seller.

5. The computer implemented method of claim 4 , wherein the tape dispensing device includes a third tape dispenser that contains a third roll of tape that is not pre-printed.

6. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining a recommended container into which the item is to be packaged for shipment; and
subsequent to a selection of a selected container, capturing at least one image of the selected container.

7. The computer implemented method of claim 6 , further comprising:
analyzing the at least one image of the selected container; and
determining based at least in part on the analysis of the at least one image that the selected container corresponds with the recommended container.

8. The computer implemented method of claim 6 , further comprising:
analyzing the at least one image of the selected container;
determining based at least in part on the analysis of the at least one image that the selected container does not correspond with the recommended container;
determine a size of the selected container based at least in part on the analysis of the at least one image of the selected container; and
determining tape dispensing instructions based at least in part on the size of the selected container.

9. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions for fulfilling orders from a materials handling facility, the instructions when executed by a processor causing the processor to at least:
receive an order for an item to be shipped from the materials handling facility, wherein the materials handling facility ships items for a plurality of sellers;
determine that tape having a custom brand is to be applied to a container in which the item will be shipped; and
generate fulfillment instructions for fulfilling the order from the materials handling facility, wherein the fulfillment instructions include:
routing instruction for routing the item to a pack station within the materials handling facility having a tape dispensing device configured to dispense the tape having the custom brand; and
tape dispensing instructions identifying the custom brand to be dispensed from the tape dispensing device;

wherein the tape dispensing device is capable of dispensing tape having different custom brands.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9 , wherein the tape dispensing device includes a printer configured to print the custom brand on a tape.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9 , the instructions when executed by the processor further causing the processor to at least:
determine a recommended container into which the item is to be packaged for shipment.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11 , wherein the fulfillment instructions further include an identification of the recommended container.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9 , wherein the tape dispensing device includes a plurality of tape dispensers, at least one of the plurality of tape dispensers containing a tape having a custom brand.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9 , wherein the custom brand is selected by a customer.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9 , wherein the tape dispensing device includes a plurality of tape dispensers, at least one of the plurality of tape dispensers containing a type of tape, wherein the type of tape is at least one of a standard strength tape, a heavy tape or a perforated tape.

16. A computing system, comprising:
one or more processors; and
a memory coupled to the one or more processors and storing program instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more processors to at least:
identify an item of an item package at a pack station;
determine that an agent selected a recommended container;
determine that a tape with a custom brand associated with a first seller of a plurality of sellers is to be applied to the recommended container; and
dispense from a tape dispensing device a length of the tape with the custom brand associated with the first seller, wherein the tape dispensing device is configured to dispense tape having a different custom brand for each of the plurality of sellers.

17. The computing system of claim 16 , wherein the item package is identified at least in part in response to the agent scanning the item.

18. The computing system of claim 16 , wherein each custom brand is pre-printed on a different roll of tape.

19. The computing system of claim 16 , wherein the program instructions that when executed by the processors further cause the processors to at least:
identify a second item package at the pack station;
determine that a tape without a custom brand is to be applied to the recommended container; and
dispense from the tape dispensing device a second length of the tape without the custom brand.

20. The computing system of claim 19 , wherein the tape without the custom brand is a clear tape.

21. The computing system of claim 16 , wherein the tape with the custom brand associated with the first seller further includes a custom brand provided by a customer.

Assignees

• Amazon Tech Inc

Inventors

• Worsley Timothy Craig
• Srivatsa Karthik Kumar
• Rice Charles Edward
• Snitselaar William Alan
• Moore Jeffery Thomas
• Rosenberg Jonathan Eric
• Fullerton Dean Christopher
• Clark David Henry

Classifications

• B65B7/00 Primary

  Closing containers or receptacles after filling · CPC title

• B65B51/06 Primary

  Applying adhesive tape · CPC title

• B65B61/025

  for applying, e.g. printing, code or date marks on material prior to packaging · CPC title

• B65B2210/04

  Customised on demand packaging by determining a specific characteristic, e.g. shape or height, of articles or material to be packaged and selecting, creating or adapting a packaging accordingly, e.g. making a carton starting from web material · CPC title

• B65H35/0006

  Article or web delivery apparatus incorporating cutting or line-perforating devices · CPC title