Patent Grant
10669054
Contemporary online marketplaces are able to offer a wide variety of groups or types of items (including goods, services, information and/or media of any type or form) to customers who may be located in virtually any area of the globe, in any number of ways. Such items may be delivered to a fulfillment center or other facility operated by the online marketplace by one or more sellers, vendors, manufacturers or other sources. When a customer places an order for one or more of the items, the online marketplace may package the item for delivery to the customer, process any necessary transactions, and arrange for the items to be delivered to the customer.
Within a modern fulfillment center environment, items that have been ordered by customers are typically delivered to the customers, or to destinations specified by such customers, according to one or more general methods. For example, an ordered item may be retrieved from a designated storage location and transported to a workstation where the item is to be prepared for delivery. Upon an arrival of the ordered item at the workstation, the item may be recognized by one or more manual or automatic means, such as by scanning or reading an external marking, label or other identifier on an outer surface of the item, by recognizing a data transfer device associated with the item or the vehicle in which it is transported, or by determining a mass of the item.
Once an ordered item has been identified, a set of instructions for preparing the ordered item for delivery may be determined and provided to a worker, e.g., on paper, or on at least one monitor or other computer display, and such instructions may be of any kind or take any form. For example, the instructions may identify a container (e.g., a box, a bag, a tube, an envelope) into which the ordered item is to be placed, along with an amount and type of dunnage (e.g., paper, plastic, foam materials or “bubble wrap”), a means of transit by which the container is to be delivered (e.g., a common carrier, the United States Postal Service, or a customized or specialized means of transit), as well as a destination for the container. Additionally, the instructions may be intrinsic to the ordered item itself. For example, an instruction may direct a worker to affix a label or decal on heavy or large items, to include a gift card or order description (e.g., packing slip) in a container with the ordered item, or to take any other specific action based on one or more attributes of the ordered item.
The processes of selecting containers and dunnage may be substantial drivers of the costs or time required in order to deliver such items. For example, while containers such as boxes, bags, tubes or envelopes are typically manufactured in nominal sizes, an item having dimensions that deviate from dimensions of nominally sized containers may require packing within a container having a number of voids or unused spaces, which are typically filled with dunnage. Moreover, selecting proper amounts and types of dunnage may create dilemmas for workers who are packing items within containers, as selecting excessive amounts of dunnage or overly heavy dunnage increases the weight of a container and may lead to unnecessary increases in cost, while selecting insufficient amounts of dunnage or inadequate types of dunnage may increase a risk of damage to an item during delivery. Furthermore, even when an item arrives at a destination safely, a customer or other recipient must dispose of a container in which the item arrived, along with any associated dunnage upon its arrival.
As is set forth in greater detail below, the present disclosure is directed to fabricating thermoformed cavities for packaging items. In some embodiments, the cavities are fabricated by passing or providing thermoplastic material such as a thermoplastic film within a vicinity of an actuator system having a plurality of individually programmable or addressable linear actuators, and causing a selected number of the linear actuators to be extended into the thermoplastic material by selected distances. Linear actuators may be coupled to electric motors, pneumatic cylinders or other systems for initiating their extension by selected distances, or causing their retraction. The number of the linear actuators, and the distances by which each of the linear actuators is to be extended, may be selected based on dimensions of the items that are to be placed into such cavities, which may be determined in any manner.
In some embodiments, the actuating systems may include systems or components for generating a differential pressure, e.g., a vacuum, across the thermoplastic material, thereby aiding in the formation of cavities within the thermoplastic material. In some other embodiments, packaging systems including one or more of the actuating systems disclosed herein may be outfitted with additional components or peripherals, including sensors for identifying items to be packaged, robotic arms or other manipulators for positioning or repositioning items within cavities formed thereby (if necessary), printers for generating shipping labels to be affixed to such cavities or packing slips to be inserted into such cavities, or cutting systems for severing a cavity from a balance of the thermoplastic material, as well as spools for decoiling or recoiling the thermoplastic material, or sealants or layers for enclosing a cavity with one or more items therein.
Referring to
The conveying system 134 may be any type or form of conveyor or powered carrier for transporting items on network components (e.g., belts, chains, hooks, rails, rollers, tracks) and, as is shown in
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The film F1 may have any desired dimensions, such as lengths, widths or thicknesses. In some embodiments, the film F1 may have a thickness of approximately ten mils, or ten thousandths of one inch (0.010 in.), or less. In some other embodiments, the film F1 may have a thickness of approximately ten to one hundred mils (0.010-0.100 in.). In some other embodiments, the film F1 may have a thickness of greater than one hundred mils (0.100 in.), or any other thickness as may be desired. Additionally, the film F1 may be any thermoplastic material, and need not take the form of a film. As is shown in
The actuator system 140 includes a plurality of actuators 142-n that are arranged in an array (or grid or matrix), as well as one or more motors, shafts, cylinders, power sources, pressure sources or other components for controlling the operation of the actuators 142-n within a common housing or structure. Each of the actuators 142-n is individually programmable or addressable, and may be caused to translate in either direction along a designated axis, and may thereby extend into or retracting from a film provided adjacent to tips (e.g., contact points) of the actuators 142-n. In a neutral (e.g., rest) position or condition, each of the actuators 142-n is not extended, and the respective tips of the actuators 142-n are co-aligned in a common plane.
In some embodiments, the actuators 142-n of the actuator system 140 may be arranged in an array having a size (e.g., an area) that is not smaller than a largest cross-sectional area of any item that may be expected to travel along the conveying system 134, and for which a thermoformed cavity may be required. Likewise, the actuators 142-n may have dimensions (e.g., lengths) that are also selected based on a maximum height of any item that may be expected to travel along the conveying system 134, and for which a thermoformed cavity may be required. Thus, where the array of actuators 142-n, and the lengths of the actuators 142-n, are selected based on the maximum cross-sectional areas and maximum heights of the items, the actuator system 140 may be configured to generate a cavity that is sufficiently large to accommodate any of the items that may be expected to travel along the conveying system 134, or for which a thermoformed cavity may be required, regardless of any variation in the volumes or surface features of the respective items.
Additionally, the frame 133 may be constructed in a manner that enables any of the actuators 142-n to be extended into the film F1 by any desired distance. For example, in some embodiments, the frame 133 may consist of a pair of tracks or rails extending between the decoiler spool 150 and the cart 138-1 that are aligned in parallel, at least in vicinity of the actuator system 140, thereby providing support for at least a portion of the film F1 in that area, while also permitting any of the actuators 142-n to be extended into the film F1 in that area. A gap or space between the respective tracks or rails may form a gap or other opening that is at least as large as the array of the actuators 142-n of the actuator system 140, thereby enabling any of the individual actuators 142-n to be extended or retracted to their respective maximum extents into the film F1 without coming into contact with either of the tracks or rails. In other embodiments, the frame 133 may include a substantially solid surface extending between the decoiler spool 150 and the cart 138-1 that provide support for the film F1 in such areas, and an opening that is at least as large as the array of the actuators 142-n of the actuator system 140. With such an opening provided in an area of the actuator system 140, any of the actuators 142-n may be extended or retracted to their respective maximum extents into the film F1 without coming into contact with the substantially solid surface. In some embodiments, the frame 133 may include a surface having the form of a lattice, a grid, or any other shape, and may be constructed from materials such as woods, plastics, metals, composite materials, or combinations thereof, or any other suitable materials.
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Based on the images, or information or data regarding the item 10 identified upon processing the images, a profile P10 of the item 10 may be generated. The profile P10 may take the form of a point cloud or other three-dimensional representation (e.g., a mesh) of the surface features of the item 10, or any other form. As is shown in
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In some embodiments, the actuator system 140 may be equipped with one or more systems for generating a differential pressure across the film F1 with the subset 142-a of the actuators 142-n extended therein. For example, with the subset 142-a of the actuators 142-n extended into the film F1 as is shown in
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Accordingly, the systems and methods of the present disclosure are directed to packaging items in thermoformed cavities that are fabricated in a customized manner. The cavities may be formed by linearly extending one or more actuators into a thermoplastic material, e.g., a thermoplastic film, and removing the actuators therefrom. The actuators (e.g., linear actuators) and the distances (or depth) by which such actuators are extended into the thermoplastic material may be selected based on dimensions of a specific item, in order to custom-fabricate a cavity for packaging the specific item. For example, in some embodiments, the number of the actuators in the array may be selected based on two dimensions of an item, e.g., a length and a width. The distances by which the actuators are extended into the thermoplastic material may be selected based on a third dimension of the item, e.g., one or more heights of the item, such that extending the selected actuators by the selected distances creates a cavity within the thermoplastic material that corresponds to the dimensions of the item.
The actuators may be individually programmable or addressable extensions that are disposed in a frame or housing and arranged in an array. Each of the actuators may be in communication with one or more computer devices or systems and configured to operate in response to one or more control signals. In some embodiments, thermoplastic material may be passed within a vicinity of tips of an array of actuators, each of which may be individually programmed to be extended into the thermoplastic material by a selected distance (or depth). The tips may have substantially flat contact points or faces or, alternatively, tips in the shapes of pyramids, cones, hemispheres, or any other shapes that may be selected in order to cause a desired surface to be formed in the resulting cavity. Additionally, the actuators may have cross-sections of any shape (e.g., round, square, triangular), length or size, and may be coupled to one or more shafts, motors, pneumatic cylinders, or any other components for causing the actuators to extend or retract.
Moreover, the thermoplastic materials of the present disclosure may also be formed from or include one or more resins or any materials, and may have any desired properties, in accordance with the present disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, the thermoplastic materials may be formed from one or more acrylics, blends, copolymers, polyamides (e.g., nylons), polycarbonates, polyesters, polyethylenes, polylactic acids, polymeric materials, polyolefins, polypropylenes, polystyrenes or thermoplastic materials, e.g., natural or artificial fibers that may be molded by heat and/or pressure, along with one or more additives, barriers, layers, pigments or other materials or substances, and may have any desired properties in tension, compression, elasticity or shear. In some embodiments, the thermoplastic material may be heated to a selected temperature prior to extending the one or more actuators therein, and cooled to a desired temperature (e.g., a setting temperature for a specific thermoplastic material, or an ambient temperature) prior to removing the actuators therefrom.
The dimensions of the items that are to be packaged within thermoformed cavities in accordance with the present disclosure may be determined in any manner. For example, in some embodiments, an actuator system may be specifically programmed with the dimensions of a single item, and the individual actuators that are to be extended into the film, and the distances by which each of such actuators are to be extended, may be determined for that single item on that basis. Additionally, in some embodiments, an item may be evaluated using one or more sensors, e.g., imaging devices (such as visual cameras or depth cameras), acoustic sensors, scales or other weight sensors, scanners, readers (such as radiofrequency identification readers, or RFID readers), or other sensors. Information or data captured by one or more of such sensors may be used to determine one or more dimensions of the item, or any other information regarding the item (e.g., handling restrictions, components, intended uses or destinations), e.g., based on an analysis of the information or data, or by identifying the item from the information or data. Upon identifying the item, one or more dimensions of the item in records or files maintained in one or more data stores may be identified and used to program an actuator system accordingly. Dimensions of an item may be identified, determined or obtained in any manner, and provided to an actuator system, e.g., by wired or wireless means, in order to program or control one or more actuators of the actuator system to fabricate a cavity in thermoplastic materials, e.g., by extending any number of actuators by any distance and in any manner accordingly.
The actuator systems may be configured to fabricate cavities of any size or shape in accordance with the present disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, the actuators of an array may be selected, and the distances by which the actuators are to be extended may also be selected, in order to fabricate a cavity having internal dimensions that closely conform to external dimensions of a selected item. In some embodiments, the actuators and distances may also be selected to fabricate a cavity having external dimensions that enable the cavity to be readily inserted into another container (e.g., a box), and including one or more external features or dimensions that correspond to internal features or dimensions of the other container.
Additionally, in some embodiments, the actuator systems may be configured to fabricate cavities having one or more buffer zones corresponding to aspects of selected items that are to be packaged therein. For example, actuators may be selected and programmed to be extended into thermoplastic films to fabricate a cavity having a volume that may not only accommodate an item therein but also provide one or more barriers or protective zones about the item within the cavity. Such barriers or zones may be designed to maintain an item within a specified alignment within the cavity, while also providing flexible resistance to impacts or contact for the item, e.g., by acting as dunnage or cushioning. The sizes, shapes, locations or orientations of such barriers or protective zones within the cavity may be selected on any basis, including but not limited to one or more intrinsic properties of the item, such as dimensions, sizes, preferred orientations (e.g., “this end up” restrictions), locations of anticipated contact or impact, protection requirements, or handling instructions or restrictions, including temperatures, pressures, humidities or the like.
In some embodiments, a packaging system may further include one or more robotic arms, diverters or other implements for orienting or reorienting an item within a cavity fabricated from thermoplastic film. For example, upon recognizing an eccentrically or irregularly shaped item, or an item having eccentric or irregular cross-sections (e.g., non-spherical or non-cubic), a cavity may be selected to align the item in a specific orientation within the cavity. After the cavity has been formed, e.g., by extending a selected plurality of actuators into a thermoplastic film by selected distances and retracting the actuators therefrom, the item may be manually or automatically deposited into the cavity. For example, the item may be delivered by one or more conveying systems to a location of the cavity and permitted to be deposited into the cavity, e.g., by gravity. Alternatively, the item may be deposited into the cavity in a selected orientation by a robotic arm or other system. Furthermore, to the extent that an item is not aligned in a specific orientation within a cavity, however, a human, a robotic arm, or another implement may cause the item to be reoriented within the cavity prior to enclosing the item therein, e.g., by one or more sealants, layers or barriers.
The sealants, layers or barriers that may be applied to a cavity in order to enclose an item therein may be formed from any desired materials. For example, in some embodiments, a cavity formed from a first thermoplastic film may be closed by a second thermoplastic film that may be applied thereon and clamped or otherwise sealed (e.g., heat-sealed) in place over an opening of the cavity. In some other embodiments, a cavity formed from a thermoplastic film may be closed by a snap-fit cover formed from any materials, including but not limited to another thermoplastic film. In such embodiments, the cavity may be formed by an actuator system that is programmed to form lips, edges or other features about the cavity, thereby enabling the cavity to accommodate one or more covers thereon. Any other type or form of system, formed from any type of materials, may be applied to a cavity fabricated from thermoplastic film in accordance with the present disclosure. Moreover, such cavities may be sealed in an airtight or watertight manner or, alternatively, enclosed in a manner that is neither airtight nor watertight.
The packaging systems of the present disclosure may further include one or more printers or other printing systems for generating records in hard copy format for insertion into a cavity, along with one or more items, and prior to sealing or otherwise enclosing the cavity. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more embodiments of the packaging systems may be configured to insert one or more chips, trackers or other systems for automatically reporting a position of a cavity or an item therein according to one or more wireless protocols or standards, e.g., Bluetooth®, Wireless Fidelity (or “Wi-Fi”), RFID, or any other protocol or standard.
Referring to
As is shown in
The packaging system 230 may be any facility that is configured to fabricate one or more cavities from thermoplastic material, with the cavities being customized based on one or more dimensions or other attributes of items to be inserted to such cavities. For example, the packaging system 230 may be associated with any entity or individual that intends to package one or more items into cavities fabricated from thermoplastic materials, such as a fulfillment center, a warehouse or a like facility that is adapted to receive, store, process and/or distribute items and may include one or more receiving stations, storage areas, distribution stations or the like. Alternatively, the packaging system 230 may be provided in association with any other facility, e.g., a postal facility, a shipping facility, a retail establishment or any other materials handling facility for receiving, storing, processing and/or distributing items.
The computer 232 may be one or more servers, computer devices or machines having one or more processors, memory components (e.g., databases and/or data stores) and transceivers (e.g., transmitters and receivers), as well as any number of input/output devices (not shown), such as keyboards, keypads, mice, styluses, touchscreens, RFID readers, or other devices that are configured to operate one or more order processing and/or communication systems and/or software applications having one or more user interfaces, or to communicate with one or more other computing devices or machines. For example, the computer 232 may be configured to receive information or data from, or provide information or data to, one or more of the conveyor system 234, the sensor 236, the actuator system 240, the source spool 250-1, the waste spool 250-2, the robotic arm 260, the printer 262, the sealing system 264 and/or the cutting system 266, e.g., by wired or wireless connections. The computer 232 may also be configured to interpret information or data regarding one or more items that is captured by the sensor 236, e.g., to determine one or more attributes of such items, or to identify such items, and to provide one or more instructions for operating one or more of the conveyor system 234, the actuator system 240, the source spool 250-1, the waste spool 250-2, the robotic arm 260, the printer 262, the sealing system 264 and/or the cutting system 266 based on such information or data.
The computer 232 may be further connected to any number of other servers, computer devices or machines over a network 290, e.g., by the sending and receiving of digital data. For example, the computer 232 may be configured to transmit information or data to, or receive information or data from, one or more servers, computer devices or machines associated with a marketplace, a fulfillment center, a customer or a source of items, such as a manufacturer, a merchant, a seller, a vendor, or any other entity. The computer 232 may transmit instructions, or receive or transmit any other information or data, directly or over the network 290 by any known wired or wireless means, through the sending and receiving of digital data. The protocols and components for providing communication between the computer 232 and such devices or systems are well known to those skilled in the art of computer communications and need not be described in more detail herein.
The conveying system 234 may be configured to transport one or more items to or from the packaging system 230, such as from a receiving station or a storage area of a fulfillment center, or to a storage area or a destination station of a fulfillment center. For example, the conveying system 234 may include any number of mover systems, diversion systems or control systems for transporting items from one or more origins to one or more destinations within the packaging system 230. In some embodiments, the conveying system 234 may include one or more belted conveyor systems, static rail or moving rail systems, rack-and-pinion systems or the like, and such systems may be configured to transport one or more items by way of stationary carriers and moving conveyors, or moving carriers and stationary conveyors, or a combination of stationary and moving carriers or stationary and moving conveyors. The conveying system 234 may also include any necessary extensions and/or termini that may be associated with one or more receiving stations, storage areas, distribution stations or the packaging station at one or more locations. Additionally, the conveying system 234 may further include one or more diversion systems for transferring items between or among carriers or conveyors, and such diversion systems may include, but are not limited to, pusher diverters, steered wheel diverters or any other type of diverters or diversion systems for transferring objects from one system to another, and at any elevation or depth. Any type of carriers, conveyors, diverters or other components may be utilized to transfer objects from one location associated with the packaging system 230 to another location associated with the packaging system 230 in accordance with the present disclosure.
The sensor 236 may be any form of sensing device for capturing information or data regarding conditions in or around the packaging system 230, and may be operatively or functionally joined with the computer 232 or one or more other components by any wired or wireless means. For example, the sensor 236 may be configured to read or interpret one or more external markings on an object, as well as to determine a distance from between the sensor 236 and the object. Some such external markings may include images, bar codes, QR codes, bokodes, characters, numbers, symbols, or colors that are located within a specific distance or depth of field of the sensor 236. Any number or type of sensors 236 that may be provided in association with the packaging system 230 in accordance with the present disclosure, including but not limited to cameras or other optical sensors, temperature sensors, heat sensors, radiation sensors or position and/or orientation sensors, is not limited.
Those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art will also recognize that the sensor 236 may also be or include a camera or other imaging device configured to capture one or more images of items within its field of view or operating range, defined as a function of a distance between a sensor and a lens, viz., a focal length, including but not limited to digital cameras (e.g., an RGB color camera, a still camera, a motion capture/video camera or any other type or form of camera for capturing color, grayscale and/or black-and-white images), depth sensors, range cameras, thermal imaging cameras (e.g., infrared cameras), radiographic cameras, ultraviolet cameras, radar sensors or laser sensors, and any associated memory or storage components and processors, as well as one or more photosensitive surfaces, filters, chips, electrodes, clocks, boards, timers or any other relevant features (not shown). Where the sensor 236 is configured to capture imaging data, the imaging data may be stored in any variety of formats including, but not limited to, YUYV, RGB, RAW, .BMP, .JPEG, .GIF, or the like.
In some embodiments, the sensor 236 may be hard-mounted to or embedded within one or more surfaces of the packaging system 230 in a manner that maintains the sensors in a fixed configuration or angle with respect to one, two or three axes. Alternatively, however, the sensor 236 may be provided with one or more motors and/or controllers for manually or automatically operating one or more of the components, or for reorienting an axis or direction, i.e., by panning or tilting the sensor 236.
Information and/or data regarding features or objects expressed in a digital image captured using the sensor 236 may be extracted from the image in any number of ways. For example, a color of a pixel, or a group of pixels in a digital image may be determined and quantified according to one or more standards, e.g., the RGB (“red-green-blue”) color model, in which the portions of red, green or blue in a pixel are expressed in three corresponding numbers ranging from 0 to 255 in value, or a hexadecimal model, in which a color of a pixel is expressed in a six-character code, wherein each of the characters may have a range of sixteen. Moreover, a texture of a feature or object expressed in a digital image captured using the sensor 236 may be identified using one or more computer-based methods, such as by identifying changes in intensities within regions or sectors of the image, or by defining areas of an image corresponding to specific surfaces. Furthermore, edges, contours or outlines of objects may be identified in a digital image using one or more algorithms or machine-learning tools. For example, some such algorithms or tools may recognize edges, contours or outlines of objects in the digital image, or of portions of objects, and may match the edges, contours or outlines of the objects against a database containing information regarding edges, contours or outlines of known objects.
The actuator system 240 may be any system configured to cause one or more individually programmable or addressable actuators 242-1 . . . 242-n to translate in either direction along a designated axis, thereby extending a selected number of the actuators 242-1 . . . 242-n by selected distances into a thermoplastic material (e.g., a thermoplastic film) provided adjacent to tips of the actuators 242-1 . . . 242-n, or retracting the selected number of the actuators 242-1 . . . 242-n from the material accordingly. The actuators 242-1 . . . 242-n may be extensions that are coupled, e.g., by a shaft or other like extension, to individually programmable or addressable motors 244-1 . . . 244-n that are disposed in a frame or housing and arranged in an array. Each of the actuators 242-1 . . . 242-n and/or the motors 244-1 . . . 244-n may be in communication with one or more computer devices or systems, e.g., the computer 232, and may operate in response to one or more control signals. Alternatively, the actuator system 240 may include one or more computer devices or systems for controlling the operation of the one or more actuators 242-1 . . . 242-n in response to one or more control signals.
In some embodiments, the motors 244-1 . . . 244-n may be linear induction motors, or “linear motors,” e.g., induction motors that are used to cause motion in a straight line, as opposed to rotation, i.e., torque. Linear induction motors operate under the same principles as induction motors in general, but feature a stator that is unrolled into a flat plate, rather than a coiled, rounded stator. Thus, linear induction motors typically feature stator windings, viz., primary windings, of a finite length, rather than a continuous loop.
In some other embodiments, the motors 244-1 . . . 244-n may be servo motors or any other type or form of motors that are configured to extend or retract a respective one of the actuators 242-1 . . . 242-n by selected distances. In still other embodiments, and in lieu of or along with one or more of the motors 244-1 . . . 244-n, a pneumatic device or cylinder that is caused to extend or retract a respective one of the actuators 242-1 . . . 242-n by fluid pressure. Any type or form of motor or other prime mover may be associated with one or more of the actuators 242-1 . . . 242-n and used to extend or retract a respective one of the actuators 242-1 . . . 242-n by a selected distance in accordance with the present disclosure.
The pressure differential source 246 may be any system or component for generating a pressure differential across thermoplastic material (e.g., a thermoplastic film) prior to or after extending one or more of the actuators 242-1 . . . 242-n therein, thereby enhancing the contact between the thermoplastic material and contact points of the actuators 242-1 . . . 242-n extended therein. For example, the pressure differential source 246 may be configured to generate a negative pressure differential (e.g., a vacuum and/or suction) on a same side of the thermoplastic material as the actuators 242-1 . . . 242-n, thereby drawing the thermoplastic material further into contact with the contact points of the respective actuators 242-1 . . . 242-n when the one or more of the actuators 242-1 . . . 242-n is extended therein. Alternatively, the pressure differential source 246 may be configured to generate a positive pressure differential on an opposite side of the thermoplastic material from the actuators 242-1 . . . 242-n, thereby pushing the thermoplastic film further into contact with the contact points of the respective actuators 242-1 . . . 242-n when the one or more of the actuators 242-1 . . . 242-n is extended therein. In some embodiments, the pressure differential source may include one or more pumps (e.g., a vacuum pump), ejectors, blowers, valves, filters, power supplies or regulators, or any other components, as desired. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the pressure differential source 246 may be provided within a common housing of the actuator system 240 that also includes the actuators 242-1 . . . 242-n and/or the motors 244-1 . . . 244-n. In some other embodiments, however, the pressure differential source 246 may be provided within a separate housing, and functionally joined to a housing that includes the actuators 242-1 . . . 242-n and/or the motors 244-1 . . . 244-n by one or more pipes, hoses or other connections.
The spools (or drums) 250-1, 250-2 may be any rotatable systems that may be operated to discharge thermoplastic material (e.g., thermoplastic film) therefrom, or to receive thermoplastic material thereon. The spools 250-1, 250-2 may have hubs or flanges of any diameter or width, and may be utilized to load any amount of thermoplastic material thereon or to discharge any amount of thermoplastic material therefrom, at any rates. As is shown in
Alternatively, in some embodiments, the packaging system 230 need not include either or both of the spools 250-1, 250-2 and/or the motors 252-1, 252-2. For example, the packaging system 230 may instead include one or more systems for providing thermoplastic material to the actuator system 240 in sheets or in any other manner, either manually or automatically.
The robotic arm 260 may be any system having an end effector configured to grasp, orient, reorient and/or release an item, e.g., an item that is to be inserted into a cavity fabricated from thermoplastic material by the actuator system 240, or an item that has been inserted into such a cavity. For example, when a cavity has been fabricated from thermoplastic material, and an item has been deposited into the cavity in an orientation or alignment that is not an optimal or intended orientation or alignment, the robotic arm 260 may be used to reorient the item within the cavity. Alternatively, the robotic arm 260 may be used to engage an item and deposit the item into a cavity, or, alternatively, to sever a cavity from thermoplastic material or deposit the cavity in a desired location, e.g., the cart 138-2 of
The printer 262 may be any form of analog or digital printer, e.g., a toner-based, inkjet, solid ink, inkless, dot-matrix or daisy wheel printer, configured to impose one or more characters, symbols or other markings onto a paper-type product that may be inserted into a cavity along with one or more items, or applied or affixed to a surface of the cavity prior to or after one or more items have been inserted therein. The printer 262 may be configured to operate separately or in conjunction with the actuator system 240 and/or either or both of the spools 250-1, 250-2, and may include various material supply facilities such as rolls, trays or carriages which may provide blank stock to the printer 262 for printing. The printer 262 may be further connected to or otherwise associated with one or more computer devices, such as a direct or networked connection with the computer 232 or a networked connection with any other computer device outside of the packaging system 230, and may receive one or more commands to print instructions or data onto a predetermined sheet of a selected type or form, such as a packing slip, a gift card, a receipt, a shipping label, a sorting label, or any other type or form of sheet. Moreover, the printer 262 may be used to print documents for various applications. For example, a printer 262 may be configured to print packing slips or return labels for inclusion in one or more containers that are being prepared for delivery to one or more customers or destinations, or to print shipping or sorting labels that are to be applied or affixed to such containers prior to delivery. Additionally, the printer 262 may further include one or more components for transferring a printed document into a cavity fabricated from thermoplastic material or for performing any other function.
The sealing system 264 may be any system for closing or sealing a cavity formed in thermoplastic material by the actuator system 240. In some embodiments, the sealing system 264 may close or seal a cavity with one or more items therein using one or more closing agents such as adhesive tapes or other layers, bands, belts, straps, loops or other apparatuses, shrink-wrap plastic layers, as well as one or more glues, cements or other sealing substances. In some embodiments, the sealing system 264 may be an impulse heat sealer having one or more sealing bars for closing around one or more heated conductors in contact with one or more layers of thermoplastic material. For example, cavities may be closed with shipping tape or packing tape (e.g., strongly adhesive plastic tape that may be reinforced with one or more fiberglass or woven threads), as well as duct tape (e.g., a composite of woven fabric and polyethylene that is backed with a high-tack adhesive and may form waterproof or nearly waterproof seals), electrical tape (e.g., an elastic polyvinylchloride strip backed with a rubber-like adhesive), masking tape or painter's tape (e.g., a thin and easily torn strip of paper having a releasable pressure-sensitive adhesive backed thereon), or any other like forms of tape or other flexible adhesives. In addition to tapes, such cavities may be sealed with any type or form of glues or cements, e.g., liquid adhesives comprising acetates, aliphatic compounds, epoxies or polyurethanes, or any other type or form of sealants. In accordance with the present disclosure, items may be sealed or enclosed within cavities or, alternatively, cavities having items therein may be sealed or enclosed within one or more other containers, e.g., boxes, canisters, crates, envelopes or tubes, which may be formed from any suitable material (e.g., corrugated cardboard, wood, paper, metal, plastic) and may have any standard or custom sizes. Alternatively, any technique for closing or sealing a cavity fabricated from one or more layers of thermoplastic material may be utilized by the sealing system 264.
The cutting system 266 may be any device or machine having one or more blades or other cutting implements that are configured to cut, pierce, slice, slit or split thermoplastic material, thereby enabling a cavity fabricated therefrom to be severed from waste or scrap portions of the thermoplastic material. The cutting system 266 may require manual operation for cutting thermoplastic material, e.g., a pair of scissors, a guillotine-style paper cutter, a rolling-style paper cutter, or may include one or more motors or machines for automatically cutting the thermoplastic material. Any type or form of device that may make one or more straight or curvilinear cuts in thermoplastic material may be utilized in accordance with the present disclosure.
The computer 232 may further generate instructions for controlling operations of the conveying system 234, the sensors 236, the actuator system 240, the source spool 250-1, the waste spool 250-2, the robotic arm 260, the printer 262, the sealing system 264 and/or the cutting system 266, or any other aspects of the packaging system 230, e.g., or one or more receiving stations, storage areas or distribution stations.
The network 290 may be any wired network, wireless network, or combination thereof, and may comprise the Internet in whole or in part. In addition, the network 290 may be a personal area network, local area network, wide area network, cable network, satellite network, cellular telephone network, or combination thereof. The network 290 may also be a publicly accessible network of linked networks, possibly operated by various distinct parties, such as the Internet. In some embodiments, the network 290 may be a private or semi-private network, such as a corporate or university intranet. The network 290 may include one or more wireless networks, such as a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network, or some other type of wireless network. Protocols and components for communicating via the Internet or any of the other aforementioned types of communication networks are well known to those skilled in the art of computer communications and thus, need not be described in more detail herein.
Some embodiments of the systems and methods of the present disclosure may also be provided as a computer executable program product including a transitory or non-transitory machine-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions (in compressed or uncompressed form) that may be used to program a computer (or other electronic device) to perform processes or methods described herein. The machine-readable storage medium may include, but is not limited to, hard drives, floppy diskettes, optical disks, CD-ROMs, DVDs, ROMs, RAMs, erasable programmable ROMs (“EPROM”), electrically erasable programmable ROMs (“EEPROM”), flash memory, magnetic or optical cards, solid-state memory devices, or other types of media/machine-readable medium that may be suitable for storing electronic instructions. Further, embodiments may also be provided as a computer executable program product that includes a transitory machine-readable signal (in compressed or uncompressed form). Examples of machine-readable signals, whether modulated using a carrier or not, may include, but are not limited to, signals that a computer system or machine hosting or running a computer program can be configured to access, or including signals that may be downloaded through the Internet or other networks.
Referring to
At box 320, one or more dimensions of the item are determined based on the captured data, and in parallel, at box 325, the item is identified based on the data. For example, where the captured data includes visual imaging data, the one or more dimensions may be calculated or estimated by processing the imaging data, e.g., to recognize one or more colors, textures, fabrics, shapes, cuts or other aspects of the item therein, and to determine or estimate the dimensions accordingly. Alternatively, or additionally, where one or more surfaces of the item include one or more marked identifiers, e.g., images, bar codes, QR codes, bokodes, characters, numbers, symbols, or colors, the visual imaging data may be processed to recognize and interpret the identifiers, and the interpreted identifiers may be used to locate the dimensions or other intrinsic or extrinsic data regarding the item in one or more records or files maintained in a data store. Where the captured data includes depth imaging data, a point cloud or other three-dimensional representation (e.g., a mesh) of the item may be generated based on the data, and used to determine or estimate the dimensions accordingly. The dimensions may also be determined or estimated based on the presence of monocular cues in visual or depth imaging data. Where the captured data includes a mass of the item, the mass may be compared against known masses of items in one or more records or files maintained in a data store, and information regarding the item, including one or more dimensions, may be identified based on the mass. Where the captured data includes one or more RFID signals or Bluetooth® signals identifying the item, information regarding the item, including the one or more dimensions, may be identified upon decoding such signals. The dimensions of the item may be determined or identified based on any type or form of data captured using one or more sensors in accordance with the present disclosure. Alternatively, the one or more dimensions may be manually or automatically programmed into one or more computer systems, e.g., by one or more input/output interfaces.
In some embodiments, the dimensions of the item may be determined based exclusively on the data captured at box 310, e.g., at box 320 alone. In some embodiments, the dimensions of the item may be determined based exclusively on the identity of the item, as determined from the data captured at box 310, e.g., at box 325 alone. In some embodiments, the dimensions of the item may be determined based on the data captured at box 310, e.g., at box 320, and also based on the identity of the item as determined at box 310, e.g., at box 325. A first set of dimensions determined based on one of the data or the identity of the item may be compared to a second set of dimensions determined based on another of the data or the identity of the item, e.g., as a confirmation or a check of the first set of dimensions.
At box 330, dimensions of a cavity for accommodating the item are selected based on the one or more dimensions of the item determined at box 320, or based on the identity of the item determined at box 325. For example, where a snug fit is desired for the item, a cavity having dimensions that closely mimic the dimensions of the item determined at box 320 or dimensions determined based on the identity of the item determined at box 325, e.g., to within a specific tolerance, may be defined. Where a looser fit is desired for the item, however, the cavity may have dimensions that more broadly correspond to the dimensions of the item. Furthermore, where packaging the item in a cavity having one or more buffer zones (e.g., barriers or other protective zones) is desired, dimensions of the cavity may be selected to provide such buffer zones at corners, vertices, surfaces or selected features (e.g., particularly sensitive components such as touchscreens, glassware or the like) of the item.
At box 340, a number of actuators provided in an array are selected to form the cavity based on the dimensions of the cavity determined at box 330. For example, where the item has a specific cross-sectional area, a number of actuators having contact points or faces, or cross-sections, with aggregate areas that equal or exceed the cross-sectional area of the item may be selected. At box 350, for each of the actuators selected at box 340, distances by which such actuators are to be extended to define a cavity having a volume for accommodating the item are determined based on the dimensions of the cavity as determined at box 330. For example, the distances may correspond to heights of the item in specific locations with respect to the number of actuators selected at box 340. In some embodiments, where an eccentric or irregular item is to be packaged in a cavity fabricated from thermoplastic material, e.g., a thermoplastic film, a specific orientation of the eccentric or irregular item may be selected, and the number of actuators and the distances by which such actuators are to be extended may be selected to fabricate a cavity for the item in the specific orientation within the thermoplastic material.
At box 360, each of the selected actuators is extended by their respective distances through thermoplastic material to fabricate a thermoformed cavity therein, and the process ends. In some embodiments, the actuators may each be coupled to one or more motors, pneumatic systems or other prime movers and independently programmed or addressed to extend into a thermoplastic film or other thermoplastic material by the distances determined at box 350, thereby forming a cavity within the thermoplastic film having a width that corresponds to cross-sectional areas of the selected actuators in the aggregate, and depths at various locations defined by the distances by which each of the selected actuators is extended. The thermoplastic materials may be formed from any resins or other materials such as acrylics, blends, copolymers, polyamides (e.g., nylons), polycarbonates, polyesters, polyethylenes, polylactic acids, polymeric materials, polyolefins, polypropylenes, polystyrenes or other thermoplastic materials, or the like, along with one or more additives, barriers, layers, pigments or other materials or substances, and may have any desired properties in tension, compression, elasticity or shear. In some embodiments, the thermoplastic material may be at an elevated temperature prior to extending the actuators into the thermoplastic material, and may be permitted to cool to a setting temperature for the thermoplastic material, or to ambient temperatures, prior to retracting the actuators from the thermoplastic material. Additionally, in some embodiments, a robotic arm, a diverter or any other component may come into contact with an item and cause the item to be deposited and/or properly aligned within the cavity. In some embodiments, a printer may generate a packing slip, a receipt or another document that may be inserted into the cavity along with one or more items, or affixed to an external surface of the cavity, prior to delivering the container to an intended destination. Moreover, the cavity may be manually or automatically severed from a balance of the thermoplastic material prior to or after inserting the item therein, e.g., by one or more cutting implements or systems.
As is discussed above, an actuator system may include a plurality of actuators arranged in an array (or grid or matrix) that may be individually programmable or addressable in order to cause one or more selected actuators to extend by selected distances. Where the array has a size that is greater than a cross-sectional area of a largest item for which a thermoformed cavity is desired, the actuator system may be programmed with data regarding dimensions of an item or one or more optional barriers or buffer zones, and the actuator system may fabricate a cavity to accommodate any item from a thermoplastic material, and the cavity may include such barriers or buffer zones, as desired. Referring to
As is shown in
The individual actuators 442-i may be caused to extend by a selected distance, e.g., into a thermoplastic film, by providing one or more control signals to the respective motors 444-i. Furthermore, as is shown in
In some embodiments, the actuator system 440 may include a differential pressure system within the housing 445, or external to the housing 445, for creating a differential pressure across a thermoplastic material with one or more of the individual actuators 442-i extended therein. For example, the actuator system 440 may include a vacuum pump or other component provided within the housing 445 for drawing a vacuum on a thermoplastic material, and thereby enhancing the contact between the thermoplastic material and the contact points of the respective actuators 442-i. Alternatively, or additionally, a blower or other component may be provided external to the housing 445, and opposite a thermoplastic material in contact with one or more of the individual actuators 442-i, for providing pressure on the thermoplastic material, and thereby enhancing the contact between the thermoplastic material and the contact points of the respective actuators 442-i.
As is shown in
As is shown in
In accordance with the present disclosure, actuators that come into contact with thermoplastic films to fabricate cavities therein may have tips or other contact points or faces that have various shapes or dimensions. Referring to
As is shown in
Shapes of tips or other contact points or faces of actuators of an array may determine a surface texture of a cavity fabricated by extending such actuators into thermoplastic material. Referring to
As is shown in
As is shown in
Similarly, as is shown in
Although each of the cavities 655A, 655B, 655C shown in
The actuator systems of the present disclosure may fabricate cavities for items based on any intrinsic or extrinsic data regarding the items. For example, a cavity may be fabricated from thermoplastic film based not only on dimensions of an item or a preferred alignment of the item but also attributes of the item such as a mass or a weight of the item, contents of the item (e.g., whether the item includes glass or other fragile materials), handling instructions for the item, conditions under which the item is to be maintained, or any other subjective or objective factor regarding the item. Referring to
As is shown in
As is shown in
As is shown in
The packaging systems of the present disclosure may be incorporated into fulfillment processes and utilized in preparing and packing items for shipment in response to orders. Referring to
At box 810, an item to be packed into a thermoformed cavity is recognized. For example, referring again to
At box 820, whether any special handling instructions are required for the item is determined. Such handling restrictions may be identified or determined in any manner, including but not limited to based on any information or data that may be determined regarding the item, e.g., by one or more sensors. If any special handling instructions are required for the item, then the process advances to box 825, where one or more spatial barriers that are required around the item, consistent with the handling instructions, are determined. For example, where the item includes one or more fragile or sensitive features, sharp corners or edges, or other aspects that require enhanced protection, attributes of the one or more barriers, e.g., dimensions, shapes, orientations, or other attributes, may be determined.
If there are no special handling instructions required for the item, or after profiles of one or more barriers are determined, the process advances to box 830, where a profile of the item and the one or more barriers is generated. The profile may take the form of a point cloud or other three-dimensional representation (e.g., a mesh) of surface features of the item, and of the one or more barriers that are to be provided about the item, and data regarding the profile may be stored in one or more records or files. At box 835, an actuator system having an array of actuators is programmed with data regarding the profile of the cavity, including the item and any spatial barriers. The data may include coordinates of one or more edges or vertices of the cavity, as well as representative points on one or more surfaces of the cavity, e.g., vertices of triangles of a mesh representative of the cavity including any spatial barriers for aspects of the item.
At box 840, the actuator system selects actuators of the array, and distances by which the selected actuators are to be extended, to fabricate a cavity consistent with the profile in a thermoplastic film. For example, where the item is to be packaged in a predetermined orientation, the actuators may be selected for fabricating the cavity based on a cross-sectional area of the item in the predetermined orientation, as well as cross-sectional areas of any spatial barriers for the item with the item in the predetermined orientation. Likewise, the distances by which the selected actuators are to be extended into a thermoplastic film may be selected based on heights of the item in the predetermined orientation, with respect to the cross-sectional area.
At box 845, a thermoplastic film is passed beneath at least the selected actuators at elevated temperatures, e.g., with respect to ambient temperatures. The thermoplastic film may be translated beneath the tips of the selected actuators by one or more spools, in one or more sheets, or in any other manner. Alternatively, where the actuators of the actuator system are aligned in non-vertical orientations, the thermoplastic film may be passed alongside or above tips of the respective actuators. At box 850, the actuator system extends the selected actuators into the thermoplastic film by the selected distances to form a cavity consistent with the profile of the item and any spatial barriers. For example, the actuators of the actuator system may be individually programmed or addressed to extend by their respective distances, e.g., in response to one or more control signals provided to motors, pneumatic systems or any other prime movers associated with the respective actuators.
At box 855, a pressure differential is supplied across the thermoplastic film with the actuators extended therein. As is discussed above, supplying a pressure differential (e.g., a vacuum or positive pressure) across the thermoplastic film enhances the contact between the thermoplastic film and the selected actuators and may, depending on the shapes of the contact points of the actuators, impart one or more features into the thermoplastic film. At box 860, the thermoplastic film is permitted to cool to a setting temperature, e.g., by applying one or more bursts of air at substantially cooler temperatures to an opposite side of the thermoplastic film from the extended actuators. Alternatively, the thermoplastic film may be cooled by convective heat transfer to any fluid other than air, or by conductive heat transfer to any substance. In some embodiments, the cooling of the thermoplastic film at box 860 may be accomplished, at least in part, by the means by which the pressure differential is supplied across the thermoplastic film (e.g., by blowing air onto or sucking air from one side of the thermoplastic film).
At box 865, the actuator system retracts the selected actuators from the cavity. For example, the actuator system may provide one or opposite control signals to the respective motors, pneumatic systems or any other prime movers associated with the respective actuators, thereby causing the actuators to retract by at least the distances into which the actuators were extended into the thermoplastic film. At box 870, the item is inserted into the newly thermoformed cavity, e.g., by one or more human operators or machines, such as one or more robotic arms, or, alternatively, by allowing the item to drop into the cavity by gravity. For example, referring again to
At box 875, whether the item is in a desired orientation within the cavity is determined. For example, as is discussed above, the cavity may be fabricated for the item based on a profile of the item and any spatial barriers with the item in a specific orientation. Whether the item is in the specific orientation may be determined by manual or visual inspection, by computer vision (e.g., based on data captured by one or more sensors), or by any other technique. If the item is not in the desired orientation within the cavity, then the process advances to box 880, where the item is reoriented within the cavity, e.g., by one or more workers or machines, such as one or more robotic arms, diverters or other implements.
If the item is in the desired orientation within the cavity, or after the item has been placed into the desired orientation within the cavity, the process advances to box 885, where the cavity is sealed with the item therein by one or more covering materials. For example, in some embodiments, the cavity may be sealed and/or enclosed by one or more other thermoplastic films, which may be heat-sealed to one or more edges or other surfaces of the cavity. In some other embodiments, the cavity may be sealed or enclosed by one or more friction-fit covers. In accordance with the present disclosure, the cavity may be sealed or enclosed in an airtight or watertight manner or, alternatively, enclosed in a manner that is neither airtight nor watertight. Alternatively, or additionally, the item may be accompanied by one or more packing slips, order summaries, receipts, sets of instructions or any other documents that may be printed previously or in conjunction with the fabrication of the cavity.
At box 890, the sealed cavity is severed from the thermoplastic film, and the process ends. For example, one or more cutting implements (e.g., knives, blades or other systems) may be operated by a worker or a machine to sever the sealed cavity from a balance of the thermoplastic film, which may then be discarded or recycled. The sealed cavity may then be transported to an intended destination for the item by one or more carriers such as cars, trucks, trailers, freight cars, container ships or cargo aircraft (e.g., manned aircraft or unmanned aircraft, such as drones).
The system for fabricating thermoformed cavities for packaging items in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure may be incorporated into processes that may be partially or even entirely automated. Referring to
As is shown in
The feed spool 950-1 is aligned upstream of the actuator system 940 and configured to discharge the thermoplastic film F9A downstream to the actuator system 940. The take-up spool 950-2 is aligned downstream of the actuator system 940 and the robotic arm 960, the printer 962, the sealing system 964 and the cutting implement 966. The take-up spool 950-2 is aligned and configured to receive surplus, waste or excess thermoplastic film F9A from the feed spool 950-1, after one or more cavities have been fabricated into the thermoplastic film F9A, and after such cavities have been severed from the thermoplastic film F9A by the cutting implement 966.
As is shown in
Additionally, operations of the robotic arm 960 may be further coordinated by such servers or computer systems to deposit one or more items into one or more of the cavities 955-1, 955-2, 955-3, 955-4, 955-5, viz., the cavity 955-3, or to manipulate one or more items that have been deposited into one or more of the cavities, such as is shown in
Operations of the feed spool 950-3 may also be coordinated by such servers or computer systems to provide one or more layers or sheets of a film F9B, or another cover, to be applied over one or more of the cavities 955-1, 955-2, 955-3, 955-4, 955-5, viz., the cavity 955-4, as is shown in
Operations of the cutting implement 966 may be further coordinated by such servers or computer systems to sever one or more of the cavities 955-1, 955-2, 955-3, 955-4, 955-5, viz., the cavity 955-5, as is shown in
Although some embodiments of the present disclosure describe the fabrication of cavities from thermoformed films and the packaging of items in such cavities within a fulfillment center environment, those of ordinary skill in the pertinent arts will realize that the systems and methods of the present disclosure may be utilized to fabricate a cavity from thermoplastic film for any purpose and are not limited for use in fulfillment centers. Rather, the systems and methods of the present disclosure may be utilized in connection with the fabrication of packaging for any reason, which may be customized based on any information or data regarding an item that may be known, determined or predicted.
Furthermore, the systems and methods of the present disclosure are not limited to the fabrication of cavities for packaging single items. Rather, where information or data regarding a plurality of items (e.g., a bundle of such items) is known, predicted or determined, such information or data may be used to program an actuator system to cause actuators to extend into thermoplastic films by selected distances and to fabricate cavities for such items accordingly.
It should be understood that, unless otherwise explicitly or implicitly indicated herein, any of the features, characteristics, alternatives or modifications described regarding a particular embodiment herein may also be applied, used, or incorporated with any other embodiment described herein, and that the drawings and detailed description of the present disclosure are intended to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives to the various embodiments as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, with respect to the one or more methods or processes of the present disclosure described herein, including but not limited to the flow charts shown in
Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey in a permissive manner that certain embodiments could include, or have the potential to include, but do not mandate or require, certain features, elements and/or steps. In a similar manner, terms such as “include,” “including” and “includes” are generally intended to mean “including, but not limited to.” Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.
The elements of a method, process, or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module stored in one or more memory devices and executed by one or more processors, or in a combination of the two. A software module can reside in RAM, flash memory, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM or any other form of non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, media, or physical computer storage known in the art. An example storage medium can be coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium can be integral to the processor. The storage medium can be volatile or nonvolatile. The processor and the storage medium can reside in an ASIC. The ASIC can reside in a user terminal. In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium can reside as discrete components in a user terminal.
Disjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, or Z,” or “at least one of X, Y and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to present that an item, term, etc., may be either X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y, and/or Z). Thus, such disjunctive language is not generally intended to, and should not, imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, or at least one of Z to each be present.
Unless otherwise explicitly stated, articles such as “a” or “an” should generally be interpreted to include one or more described items. Accordingly, phrases such as “a device configured to” are intended to include one or more recited devices. Such one or more recited devices can also be collectively configured to carry out the stated recitations. For example, “a processor configured to carry out recitations A, B and C” can include a first processor configured to carry out recitation A working in conjunction with a second processor configured to carry out recitations B and C.
Language of degree used herein, such as the terms “about,” “approximately,” “generally,” “nearly” or “substantially” as used herein, represent a value, amount, or characteristic close to the stated value, amount, or characteristic that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “about,” “approximately,” “generally,” “nearly” or “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of, within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of the stated amount.
Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to illustrative embodiments thereof, the foregoing and various other additions and omissions may be made therein and thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9168678 | Kristensen | Oct 2015 | B2 |
| 10343802 | Wu | Jul 2019 | B1 |
| 20160159510 | Lau | Jun 2016 | A1 |
| 20160345437 | Heikkinen | Nov 2016 | A1 |
| 20180207839 | Isse | Jul 2018 | A1 |
