Random access and random load dispensing unit
First Claim
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1. A random access and random load dispensing unit, comprising:
- a housing;
at least one support located in the housing and defining a first axis;
a platform movable along the support, and defining a second axis and a third axis;
wherein the second axis and the third axis are substantially perpendicular to the first axis and each other;
the platform supporting a plurality of storage locations extending along both the second and third axes, wherein a storage location is capable of storing at least one distinct, consumer-specific item, the consumer specific item being locatable at the storage location without predetermination and coupled with identifying information associating the item with a specific consumer;
a plurality of bins, each bin supported by the movable platform, wherein each bin substantially contains a plurality of storage locations, and wherein the storage bins further comprise a plurality of walls, wherein the walls extending along the plane defined by the first and third axes contain a plurality of notches, wherein the notches in opposite walls are substantially aligned so as to form a plurality of substantially parallel storage location; and
a shuttle assembly movable along the first axis and further movable along an axis chosen from the group consisting of the second or third axis to access and retrieve stored items.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a random access and random load dispensing unit including a housing, at least one support located in the housing and defining a first axis, a plurality of platforms movable along the support along the first axis, a plurality of bins supported on the platforms, the bins being movable with the platforms, and a shuttle assembly movable along the first axis and further movable along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis between the plurality of platforms to access and retrieve products stored in the bins.
194 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A random access and random load dispensing unit, comprising:
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a housing; at least one support located in the housing and defining a first axis; a platform movable along the support, and defining a second axis and a third axis; wherein the second axis and the third axis are substantially perpendicular to the first axis and each other; the platform supporting a plurality of storage locations extending along both the second and third axes, wherein a storage location is capable of storing at least one distinct, consumer-specific item, the consumer specific item being locatable at the storage location without predetermination and coupled with identifying information associating the item with a specific consumer; a plurality of bins, each bin supported by the movable platform, wherein each bin substantially contains a plurality of storage locations, and wherein the storage bins further comprise a plurality of walls, wherein the walls extending along the plane defined by the first and third axes contain a plurality of notches, wherein the notches in opposite walls are substantially aligned so as to form a plurality of substantially parallel storage location; and a shuttle assembly movable along the first axis and further movable along an axis chosen from the group consisting of the second or third axis to access and retrieve stored items.
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2. A random access and random load dispensing unit, comprising:
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a housing; at least one support located in the housing and defining a first axis; a plurality of substantially co-planar platforms, at least two of the plurality movable along the support, and defining a second axis and a third axis;
wherein the second axis and the third axis are substantially perpendicular to the first axis and each other;
each movable platform supporting at least one bin, each bin substantially containing a plurality of storage locations extending along both the second and third axes, wherein a storage location is capable of storing at least one distinct, consumer-specific item locatable at the storage location without predetermination and coupled with identifying information associating the item with a specific consumer;wherein the storage bins further comprise a plurality of walls, wherein the walls extending along the plane defined by the first and third axes contain a plurality of notches, wherein the notches in opposite walls are substantially aligned so as to form a plurality of substantially parallel storage location; and a shuttle assembly movable along the first axis and further movable along an axis chosen from the group consisting of the second or third axis to access and retrieve stored items. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification