Computer-Implemented Process for Improved Delivery of Commodities to Consumers

• US 20130073477A1
• Filed: 09/11/2012
• Published: 03/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Greg Grinberg
• Original Assignee: Greg Grinberg
• Inventors: Grinberg, Greg
• Granted Patent: US 10,896,427 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/332
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/146 the receptacle comprising identification means, e.g. a bar code
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/147 the receptacle comprising heating or cooling means
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/141 comprising electronically controlled locking means
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions

Abstract

The invention provides an improved method of logistics and/or operations for conducting a direct-to-consumer e-commerce retail business. The logistics and/or operations system of the present invention may be used in connection with any online or e-commerce retail sector, including, for example, but not limited to, food retail (i.e., grocery retail), electronics, home goods, books, clothing, and shoes.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented process for efficiently delivering a plurality of orders of products to a plurality of customers located substantially within a single geographical region comprising:

(a) obtaining a plurality of product orders from a plurality of customers located within a single geographical region, wherein the product orders are made by customers using a computer-implemented device;

(b) fulfilling the plurality of product orders with inventory from a fulfillment facility;

(c) sorting the inventory into a container corresponding to a customer'"'"'s order;

(d) packing the containers onto a delivery vehicle;

(e) transporting the containers on the delivery vehicle to a waypoint distribution site located in the single geographical region, wherein the waypoint distribution site comprises at least one distribution device including a plurality of compartments;

(f) transferring a container from the delivery vehicle to a compartment of the distribution device which is accessible to the customer;

(g) repeating steps (e) and (f) until each of the orders have been delivered.

2. The computer-implemented process of claim 1, wherein the single geographical region is a county, a city, a town, a village, a burrow, a neighborhood, a city block, or a food desert.

3. The computer-implemented process of claim 1, wherein the computer-implemented device is a personal computer.

4. The computer-implemented process of claim 1, wherein the computer-implemented device is a mobile device.

5. The computer-implemented process of claim 1, wherein the computer-implemented device is connected to the internet.

6. The computer-implemented process of claim 1, wherein the single geographical region includes between about 1 and 50,000 people.

7. The computer-implemented process of claim 1, wherein the single geographical region includes between about 1 and 25,000 people.

8. The computer-implemented process of claim 1, wherein the single geographical region includes between about 1 and 10,000 people.

9. The computer-implemented process of claim 1, wherein the single geographical region includes between about 1 and 25,000 people.

10. The computer-implemented process of claim 1, wherein the single geographical region includes between about 1 and 5000 people.

11. The computer-implemented process of claim 1, wherein the step of fulfilling the plurality of orders is done with a computer-implemented device in order to track the status of the orders.

12. The computer-implemented process of claim 1, wherein the step of fulfilling the plurality of orders includes the further step of substituting inventory with suitable replacements as needed.

13. The computer-implemented process of claim 1, wherein the sorting step is conducted with a computer-implemented device in order to track the status of the orders.

14. The computer-implemented process of claim 1, wherein the packing step involves placing the containers corresponding to the customer orders onto the delivery vehicle in an order corresponding to the delivery order.

15. The computer-implemented process of claim 1, wherein the distribution device further comprises one or more environmental regulation or monitoring devices.

16. The computer-implemented process of claim 15, wherein the environmental regulation or monitoring devices are selected from the group consisting of a thermosensor, a humidity sensor, a thermometer, a pressure sensor, and a light sensor.

17. The computer-implemented process of claim 16, wherein the environmental regulation or monitoring device operates or is controlled by a computer-implemented device either locally or remotely to control and regulate the environment of the compartments of the distribution device.

18. The computer-implemented process of claim 1, wherein the compartments of the distribution device further comprise a security means to regulate access by customers.

19. The computer-implemented process of claim 18, wherein the security means is a lock, card swiper, computerized key pad, retinal scanner, finger print scanner, voice activated scanner, or traditional lock.

20. The computer-implemented process of claim 1, further comprising the step of picking up locally-grown food items during transit and optionally fulfilling orders with same.

21. A distribution device comprising a main body having a plurality of compartments therein, each compartment being suitable to receive and store a customer order, wherein the plurality of compartments each further comprise a security means for selective access to a customer, and an environmental sensor for regulating and controlling the internal environment of the compartment.