IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,312,170
Granted Patent B2
US 12,312,170 · App. 18/393,351 · Granted May 27, 2025

Systems and methods for order processing

Inventors: Lars Sverker Ture Lindbo (Hatfield, GB); Andrew John Ingram-Tedd (Hatfield, GB); Stuart Richard North (Hatfield, GB); Robert Rolf Stadie (Hatfield, GB)
Assignee: Ocado Innovation Limited
B65G1/0464B25J9/0093B25J9/0096B65D21/02B65D21/0209B65D21/0233B65G1/065B65G1/1378G05B19/4189G06Q10/083G06Q10/087Y10S901/01Y10S901/02
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,312,170
App. No.
18/393,351
Granted
May 27, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems, methods, and machine-executable coded instruction sets are disclosed for fully- and/or partly automated handling of goods. The disclosure provides improvements in the storage and retrieval of storage and delivery containers in order processing systems.

Claims (43)

1. A goods storage and retrieval system comprising:

a framework defining a grid of storage locations, the grid storing a plurality of storage containers in rows and columns of stacks of storage containers, the plurality of storage containers being configured for storage of items of inventory in the plurality of storage containers;

a plurality of overhead robotic load handlers for transporting the plurality of storage containers to and from the storage locations within the grid, the plurality of overhead robotic load handlers configured to move on rails along the rows and columns of the grid; and

a plurality of delivery containers, each delivery container being configured for delivery of one or more items to a delivery destination and configured for storage in the grid as a combined container;

wherein the combined container is formed of one or more delivery containers of the plurality of delivery containers stored within a storage container of the plurality of storage containers, the one or more delivery containers being removable from the storage container for delivery of the one or more delivery containers to the delivery destination with the one or more items contained within the one or more delivery containers.

2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein each delivery container of the plurality of delivery containers is configured to be placed inside any of the plurality of storage containers such that upper edges of each delivery container do not protrude above upper edges of the storage container.

3. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of delivery containers are nestable.

4. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of storage containers do not nest.

5. The system according to claim 1 , wherein each storage container of the plurality of storage containers is strong enough to support a stack of multiple storage containers of the plurality of storage containers within the grid.

6. The system according to claim 1 , wherein each storage container of the plurality of storage containers is heavier than each delivery container of the plurality of delivery containers.

7. The system according to claim 1 , wherein each delivery container of the plurality of delivery containers is contained within a corresponding storage container of the plurality of storage containers when the plurality of delivery containers are stored in a storage location of the storage locations within the grid.

8. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the rails are above the grid of storage locations and are formed by the framework.

9. A method of operating an order processing system comprising a goods storage and retrieval system, the goods storage and retrieval system comprising:

a framework defining a grid of storage locations, the grid storing a plurality of storage containers in rows and columns of stacks of storage containers, the plurality of storage containers being configured for storage of items of inventory in the plurality of storage containers;

a plurality of overhead robotic load handlers for transporting the plurality of storage containers to and from the storage locations within the grid, the plurality of overhead robotic load handlers configured to move on rails along the rows and columns of the grid; and

a plurality of delivery containers, each delivery container being configured for delivery of one or more items to a delivery destination and configured for storage in the grid as a combined container,

wherein the combined container is formed of one or more delivery containers of the plurality of delivery containers stored within a storage container of the plurality of storage containers, the one or more delivery containers being removable from the storage container for delivery of the one or more delivery containers to the delivery destination with the one or more items contained within the one or more delivery containers, and

wherein the method comprises:

storing, using one or more of the plurality of overhead robotic load handlers, the combined container in a storage location of the storage locations within the grid, the combined container being formed of a first delivery container of the plurality of delivery containers stored within a first storage container of the plurality of storage containers.

10. The method according to claims 9 , comprising steps of:

retrieving, using one or more of the plurality of overhead robotic load handlers, the combined container from the storage location within the grid, wherein the first delivery container contains the one or more items for delivery;

removing the first delivery container from the first storage container; and

providing the first delivery container to a dispatch facility for dispatch of the first delivery container to the delivery destination with the one or more items contained within the first delivery container.

11. The method according to claim 9 , wherein when forming the combined container, upper edges of the one or more delivery containers do not protrude above upper edges of the storage container.

12. The method according to claim 9 , wherein storing the combined container comprises storing the combined container in a stack of the stacks in the goods storage and retrieval system.

13. The method according to claim 9 , further comprising:

retrieving, using one or more of the plurality of overhead robotic load handlers, the combined container from the storage location within the grid, and delivering the combined container to an order picking station.

14. The method according to claim 9 , further comprising:

transporting, using one or more of the plurality of overhead robotic load handlers, the combined container within the goods storage and retrieval system for storage prior to delivery.

15. The method according to claim 9 , wherein each storage container of the plurality of storage containers is heavier than each delivery container of the plurality of delivery containers.

16. The method according to claim 9 , further comprising removing the first delivery container from the first storage container.

17. The method according to claim 16 , wherein removing the first delivery container is performed via at least one lifter mechanism configured for engaging and lifting the first delivery container from the first storage container using at least one of a lip, a handle, and an aperture of the first delivery container.

18. A method of using a combined container in a goods storage and retrieval system, wherein the goods storage and retrieval system comprises:

a framework defining a grid of storage locations, the grid storing a plurality of storage containers in rows and columns of stacks of storage containers, the plurality of storage containers being configured for storage of items of inventory in the plurality of storage containers;

a plurality of overhead robotic load handlers for transporting the plurality of storage containers to and from the storage locations within the grid, the plurality of overhead robotic load handlers configured to move on rails along the rows and columns of the grid; and

a plurality of delivery containers, each delivery container being configured for delivery of one or more items to a delivery destination;

wherein the combined container is formed of a storage container of the plurality of storage containers containing one or more delivery containers of the plurality of delivery containers,

wherein the one or more delivery containers are removable from the storage container for delivery of the one or more delivery containers to a delivery destination with one or more items contained within the one or more delivery containers, and

wherein the method comprises:

removing the one or more delivery containers from the storage container.

19. The method of using a combined container according to claim 18 , wherein upper edges of the one or more delivery containers do not protrude above upper edges of the storage container.

20. The method of using a combined container according to claim 18 , wherein shopping bags or shipping boxes are stored within the one or more delivery containers.

21. The method of using a combined container according to claim 18 , wherein walls of the storage container are of suitable thickness and stiffness to support a stack of the stacks of storage containers.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 26, 2025
From: LINDBO, LARS SVERKER TURE; INGRAM-TEDD, ANDREW JOHN; NORTH, STUART RICHARD; STADIE, ROBERT ROLF
To: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
Reel/Frame 070641/0436 →
Priority Claims (1)
GB 1310784 · Jun 17, 2013 · national
Continuity (6)
Continuation 18144133 · May 5, 2023
Continuation 17951865 · Sep 23, 2022
Continuation 16786333 · Feb 10, 2020
Continuation 15790704 · Oct 23, 2017
Continuation 14899367
Related Publication 20240199325A1 · Jun 20, 2024
References Cited (151)
US 3923187A · Johansson et al. · 1975 [cited by applicant]
US 4088232A · Lilly · 1978 [cited by applicant]
US 4602715A · Sarver et al. · 1986 [cited by applicant]
US 4674948A · Hornacek · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 5380139A · Pohjonen et al. · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5598943A · Markus · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 6654662B1 · Hognaland · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6895301B2 · Mountz · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 7097045B2 · Winkler · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7912574B2 · Wurman et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 8092140B2 · Baker et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8311902B2 · Mountz et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8628289B1 · Benedict et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8758178B2 · Gunji et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 9002506B1 · Agarwal et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9139363B2 · Lert · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9187244B2 · Toebes et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9188982B2 · Thomson · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9334081B2 · Derby et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9422108B2 · Hognaland · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9481530B2 · Brandmüller et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9792577B2 · Mountz et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9796080B2 · Lindbo · 2017 [cited by examiner]
US 9886036B2 · Douglas et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10189641B2 · Hognaland · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10556742B2 · Lindbo · 2020 [cited by examiner]
US 11453552B2 · Lindbo · 2022 [cited by examiner]
US 11851276B2 · Lindbo · 2023 [cited by examiner]
US 20030155731A1 · Ditges et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 20030230510A1 · Aiken et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 20040146380A1 · Baker et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20060095160A1 · Orita et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20070295632A1 · Palisin · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20080025833A1 · Baker et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080105583A1 · Stahl · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20090185884A1 · Wurman et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090299521A1 · Hansl et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20100316468A1 · Lert et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20110106295A1 · Miranda et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110130869A1 · Linge et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110295413A1 · Hara et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20120101627A1 · Lert · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120195720A1 · Sullivan et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20130015675A1 · Pickard et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130073076A1 · Mathi et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130213755A1 · Shibata et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20140288696A1 · Lert · 2014 [cited by examiner]
US 20150127143A1 · Lindbo et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20160075464A1 · Turner · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20180043528A1 · Lindbo et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
CA 2735988 · 2010 [cited by applicant]
CN 101407271 · 2009 [cited by applicant]
CN 101553416 · 2009 [cited by applicant]
DE 2629718 · 1978 [cited by applicant]
EP 2336075 · 2011 [cited by applicant]
EP 2518000 · 2014 [cited by applicant]
JP S4823169 · 1973 [cited by applicant]
JP H08157016 · 1996 [cited by applicant]
JP H10181869 · 1998 [cited by applicant]
JP H10236605 · 1998 [cited by applicant]
JP H10299280 · 1998 [cited by applicant]
JP 2008037567 · 2008 [cited by applicant]
JP 2011502917 · 2011 [cited by applicant]
JP 2011126667 · 2011 [cited by applicant]
JP 4883616B · 2012 [cited by applicant]
WO WO98049075 · 1998 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2012026824 · 2012 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2012103566 · 2012 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2013167907 · 2013 [cited by applicant]
International Search Report (PCT/ISA/210) dated Nov. 5, 2014, by the IB Patent Office as the International Searching Authority for International Application No. PCT/IB2014/062165. [cited by applicant]
Third Party Observation for PCT Application PCT/IB2014/062165, filed Aug. 19, 2015, in 30 pages. [cited by applicant]
Written Opinion (PCT/ISA/237) dated Nov. 5, 2014, by the IB Patent Office as the International Searching Authority for International Application No. PCT/IB2014/062165. [cited by applicant]
Complaint for Patent Infringement with Exhibits, [cited by applicant]
First Amended Complaint for Patent Infringement with Exhibits, [cited by applicant]
Defendant's Motion to Dismiss with Memorandum of Law in Support of Motion and Exhibits, [cited by applicant]
Second Amended Complaint for Patent Infringement with Exhibits, [cited by applicant]
Declaration of Dr. Stephen Derby in Support of Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Pat. No. 9,796,080, Ex. 1003, [cited by applicant]
Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Pat. No. 9,796,080, [cited by applicant]
Ergonomics, Safety and Health Topics, United States Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Ex. 1010 from Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Pat. No. 9,796,080, [cited by applicant]
Defendant's Partially Renewed Motion to Dismiss with Memorandum of Law in Support of PartiallyRenewed Motion and Exhibits, [cited by applicant]
Plaintiffs' Opposition to Defendant's Partially Renewed Motion to Dismiss, [cited by applicant]
Defendant's Reply in Support of Partially Renewed Motion to Dismiss, [cited by applicant]
Defendant's Notice of Supplemental Authority in Support of Partially Renewed Motion to Dismiss, [cited by applicant]
Plaintiff's Notice of Supplemental Authority in Opposition to Partially Renewed Motion to Dismiss, [cited by applicant]
Defendant's Notice of Supplemental Authority in Support of Partially Renewed Motion to Dismiss, [cited by applicant]
Gawrilow et al., “Dynamic Routing of Automated Guided Vehicles in Real-time,” Technische Universität Berlin, Fakultät Mathematik und Naturwissenschaften, Institut für Mathematik, No. 039/2007, dated Oct. 10, 2007, in 16… [cited by applicant]
Vivaldini et al., “Robotic Forklifts for Intelligent Warehouses: Routing, Path Planning, and Auto-localization,” IEEE, dated 2010, in 6 pages. [cited by applicant]
Vivaldini et al., “Automatic Routing System for Intelligent Warehouses,” IEEE, dated Feb. 28, 2010, in 6 pages. [cited by applicant]
Memorandum Order Denying Defendant's Partially Renewed Motion to Dismiss, [cited by applicant]
“An Introduction to The AutoStore System,” AutoStore Concept Ver. 01.10a Commercial, dated 2004, in 36 pages. [cited by applicant]
Defendant's Answer, Affirmative Defenses, and Counterclaims to Plaintiff's Second Amended Complaint, [cited by applicant]
Plaintiff's Answer to Defendant's Counterclaims, [cited by applicant]
Plaintiff's Motion to Strike Defendant's Affirmative Defense of Inequitable Conduct and Memorandum in Support of Motion, [cited by applicant]
Complaint for Patent Infringement with Exhibits, [cited by applicant]
Plaintiff's Reply Memorandum in Further Support of Motion to Strike Defendant's Affirmative Defense of Inequitable Conduct, [cited by applicant]
Corrected Order of Consolidation Consolidating Case No. 1:21-cv-00041-JL and 1:21-cv-00806-JL, [cited by applicant]
Defendant's Answer, Affirmative Defenses, and Counterclaims to Plaintiff's Complaint in Former Case No. 1:21-cv-00806-JL, [cited by applicant]
“AutoStore Logistics—Technical Presentation”, retrieved from www.youtube.com/walch?v=iyVDMp2bL9c, in 1 page. [cited by applicant]
Memorandum Order Granting Plaintiff's Motion to Strike Defendant's Inequitable Conduct Defense, [cited by applicant]
Plaintiff's Answer to Defendant's Counterclaims in Former Case No. 1:21-cv-00806-JL, [cited by applicant]
Patent Owner Preliminary Response for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Pat. No. 9,796,080, [cited by applicant]
Declaration of Dr. Brian Pfeifer in Support of Patent Owner Preliminary Response for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Pat. No. 9,796,080, Ex. 2009, [cited by applicant]
Definition of “grid”, Random House Webster's College Dictionary, dated 2000, in 3 pages. [cited by applicant]
Definition of “autonomous”, Merriam-Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, dated 2021, in 2 pages. [cited by applicant]
Petitioner Reply to Patent Owner Preliminary Response for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Pat. No. 9,796,080, [cited by applicant]
Conference Call Transcript for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Pat. No. 9,796,080, [cited by applicant]
Patent Owner Sur-Reply to Petitioner Reply to Preliminary Response for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Pat. No. 9,796,080, [cited by applicant]
Decision Denying Institution for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Pat. No. 9,796,080, [cited by applicant]
Petitioner Request for Rehearing for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Pat. No. 9,796,080, [cited by applicant]
Order Denying Petitioner Request for Rehearing for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Pat. No. 9,796,080, [cited by applicant]
Order Denying Petitioner Request on Rehearing of Decision Denying Institution for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Pat. No. 9,796,080, [cited by applicant]
Defendant's Opposition to Plaintiff's Motion to Strike, [cited by applicant]
Plaintiff's Reply Memorandum in Further Support of Motion to Strike Defendant's Untimely Proposed Claim Constructions, [cited by applicant]
Defendant's Sur-Reply in Opposition to Plaintiff's Motion to Strike, [cited by applicant]
Defendant's Motion to Partially Strike Plaintiff's First Supplemental Preliminary Infringement Contentions, [cited by applicant]
Plaintiff's Opposition to Defendant's Motion to Partially Strike Plaintiff's First Supplemental Preliminary Infringement Contentions, [cited by applicant]
Defendant's Reply in Support of Motion to Partially Strike Plaintiff's First Supplemental Preliminary Infringement Contentions, [cited by applicant]
Joint Claim Construction and Prehearing Statement, [cited by applicant]
Defendant's SPR 6.1 (a) Disclosure of Claim Terms Proposed for Construction, [cited by applicant]
Plaintiff's Proposed Claim Constructions and Supporting Evidence, [cited by applicant]
Plaintiff's Supplemental Proposed Claim Constructions and Supporting Evidence, [cited by applicant]
Declaration of Dr. Brian Pfeifer in Support of Plaintiff's Proposed Claim Constructions, [cited by applicant]
Declaration of Dr. Petros Ioannou in Support of Defendant's Proposed Claim Constructions, [cited by applicant]
Declaration of Dr. Raffaello D'Andrea in Support of Plaintiff's Proposed Claim Constructions, [cited by applicant]
Declaration of Dr. Matthew Spenko in Support of Defendant's Proposed Claim Constructions, [cited by applicant]
Plaintiff's Updated Supplemental Proposed Claim Constructions and Supporting Evidence, [cited by applicant]
Rebuttal Declaration of Dr. Stephen Derby Regarding Claim Construction, [cited by applicant]
Rebuttal Declaration of Dr. Petros Ioannou Regarding Claim Construction, [cited by applicant]
Rebuttal Declaration of Dr. Brian Pfeifer Regarding Claim Construction, [cited by applicant]
Rebuttal Declaration of Dr. Raffaello D'Andrea Regarding Claim Construction, [cited by applicant]
Rebuttal Declaration of Dr. Matthew Spenko Regarding Claim Construction, [cited by applicant]
First Supplemental Exhibit A-1 Alleged Invalidity Chart for U.S. Pat. No. 9,796,080, [cited by applicant]
First Supplemental Exhibit A-2 Alleged Invalidity Chart for U.S. Pat. No. 9,796,080, [cited by applicant]
First Supplemental Exhibit A-3 Alleged Invalidity Chart for U.S. Pat. No. 9,796,080, [cited by applicant]
First Supplemental Exhibit A-4 Alleged Invalidity Chart for U.S. Pat. No. 9,796,080, [cited by applicant]
First Supplemental Exhibit A-5 Alleged Invalidity Chart for U.S. Pat. No. 9,796,080, [cited by applicant]
First Supplemental Exhibit A-6 Alleged Invalidity Chart for U.S. Pat. No. 9,796,080, [cited by applicant]
Plaintiff's Opening Claim Construction Brief, [cited by applicant]
Defendant's Opening Claim Construction Brief, [cited by applicant]
Amended Joint Claim Construction and Prehearing Statement, [cited by applicant]
Defendant's Reply Claim Construction Brief, [cited by applicant]
Plaintiff's Responsive Claim Construction Brief, [cited by applicant]
Transcript of Markman Hearing—Morning Session, [cited by applicant]
Transcript of Markman Hearing—Afternoon Session, [cited by applicant]
Assented-To Motion for Leave to File Supplemental Responses to Certain of the Court's Markman Hearing Questions and Plaintiff's Proposed Supplemental Responses, [cited by applicant]
Defendant's Response to Plaintiff's Supplemental Responses to Certain of the Court's Markman Hearing Questions, [cited by applicant]
Declaration of Boloori in Support of Defendant's Opposition to Plaintiff's Motion to Strike with Chart Summarizing Certain Plaintiff Statements in Claim Construction Briefing and Motion to Strike, [cited by applicant]
Plaintiff's Supplemental Claim Construction Brief, [cited by applicant]
Defendant's Supplemental Brief in Response to Plaintiff's Supplemental Claim Construction Brief, [cited by applicant]
Stipulation of Dismissal with Prejudice Pursuant to Settlement Agreement, [cited by applicant]
Japanese Office Action for Application No. 2023-172985, dated Jan. 28, 2025 in 6 pages. [cited by applicant]