DETAILED ACTION
1. Claims 1-20 are currently pending. The effective filing date of the present application is 1/31/2022.
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
2. The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Double Patenting
3. The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13.
The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The actual filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/applying-online/eterminal-disclaimer.
4. Claims 1-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-20 of U.S. Patent No. 12,293,322. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the use of synonyms and a broader scope.
4. Claims 1-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-20 of U.S. Patent No. 11,948,120. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the use of synonyms and a broader scope.
19/098,812
12,293,322
11,948,120
1. An automated storage and retrieval system for managing storage of inventory at a retail facility, the system comprising:
1. An automated storage and retrieval system for managing storage of inventory at a retail facility, the system comprising:
1. An automated storage and retrieval system for managing storage of inventory at a retail facility, the system comprising:
a storage structure including a plurality of storage locations configured to store a plurality of containers, each of the containers containing a plurality of products;
a storage structure including a plurality of storage locations configured to store a plurality of containers, each of the containers containing a plurality of products;
a storage structure including a plurality of storage locations configured to store a plurality of containers, each of the containers containing a plurality of products;
a container transport system including at least one conveyor configured to transport the containers between the storage locations and at least one picking station, where one or more products are removed from one or more of the containers; and
a container transport system including at least one conveyor configured to transport the containers between the storage locations and at least one picking station, where one or more products are removed from one or more of the containers;
a container transport system including at least one conveyor configured to transport the containers between the storage locations and at least one picking station, where one or more products are removed from one or more of the containers;
a control circuit configured to cause two containers that are eligible for the product merging to stop and remain at the at least one picking station until all of the products stored in a first one of the two containers are removed from the first one of the two containers and merged with the products stored in a second one of the two containers.
a control circuit communicatively coupled to the control unit, the control circuit being configured to:
identify two adjacent containers that are eligible for product merging therebetween; and
in response to receipt of a signal indicating that the two adjacent containers identified as being eligible for the product merging arrived at the at least one picking station, cause the two adjacent containers that are eligible for the product merging to remain at the at least one picking station until all of the products stored in a first one of the two adjacent containers are removed from the first one of the two adjacent containers and merged with the products stored in a second one of the two adjacent containers.
a control circuit communicatively coupled to the control unit, the control circuit being configured to:
analyze at least one business rule governing product merging between the containers being transported toward the at least one picking station by the container transport system to identify two adjacent containers that are eligible for the product merging therebetween; and
in response to receipt of a signal from at least one sensor positioned adjacent the at least one picking station, the signal indicating that the at least one sensor detected that the two adjacent containers identified as being eligible for the product merging arrived at the at least one picking station, transmit a first signal to the control unit to cause the control unit to stop movement of the at least one conveyor of the container transport system to keep the two adjacent containers that are eligible for the product merging at the at least one picking station until all of the products stored in a first one of the two adjacent containers are removed from the first one of the two adjacent containers and merged with the products stored in a second one of the two adjacent containers.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to identify the two containers that are eligible for the product merging based on at least one of: a total number of the products located within the containers being moved by the container transport system; size dimensions of each of the products located within the containers being moved by the container transport system; a total weight of each of the products located within the containers being moved by the container transport system; pending customer orders associated with the products located within the containers being moved by the container transport system; a total number of product transfers required to merge the products stored in the first one of the two containers with the products stored in the second one of the two containers; and a total workload assigned to the at least one picking station.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to identify the two adjacent containers that are eligible for the product merging based on at least one of: a total number of the products located within the containers being moved by the container transport system; size dimensions of each of the products located within the containers being moved by the container transport system; a total weight of each of the products located within the containers being moved by the container transport system; pending customer orders associated with the products located within the containers being moved by the container transport system; a total number of product transfers required to merge the products stored in the first one of the two adjacent containers with the products stored in the second one of the two adjacent containers; and a total workload assigned to the at least one picking station.
2. (Original) The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one business rule governing the product merging between the containers being moved by the container transport system includes at least one of: a total number of the products located within the containers being moved by the container transport system; size dimensions of each of the products located within the containers being moved by the container transport system; a total weight of each of the products located within the containers being moved by the container transport system; pending customer orders associated with the products located within the containers being moved by the container transport system; a total number of product transfers required to merge the products stored in the first one of the two adjacent containers with the products stored in the second one of the two adjacent containers; and a total workload assigned to the at least one picking station.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured, to identify two containers that are eligible for product merging therebetween and, upon an identification by the control circuit of the two containers that are eligible for the product merging, to transmit a control signal to a computing device including a display to cause the computing device to show on the display a notification to a worker at the at least one picking station, the notification identifying the two containers eligible for the product merging and indicating which of the two containers is to be emptied, and which of the two containers is to be filled with the products removed from a container that is emptied.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured, upon an identification by the control circuit of the two adjacent containers that are eligible for the product merging, to transmit a control signal to a computing device including a display to cause the computing device to show on the display a notification to a worker at the at least one picking station, the notification identifying the two adjacent containers eligible for the product merging and indicating which of the two adjacent containers is to be emptied, and which of the two adjacent containers is to be filled with the products removed from a container that is emptied.
3. (Original) The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured, upon an identification by the control circuit of the two adjacent containers that are eligible for the product merging, to transmit a second signal to a computing device including a display to cause the computing device to show on the display a notification to a worker at the at least one picking station, the notification identifying the two adjacent containers eligible for the product merging and indicating which of the two adjacent containers is to be emptied, and which of the two adjacent containers is to be filled with the products removed from a container that is emptied.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the container transport system includes at least one sensor configured to detect a number of the products picked from the first one of the two containers at the at least one picking station and transferred into the second one of the two containers at the at least one picking station.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the container transport system includes at least one sensor configured to detect a number of the products picked from the first one of the two adjacent containers at the at least one picking station and transferred into the second one of the two adjacent containers at the at least one picking station.
4. (Original) The system of claim 1, wherein the container transport system includes at least one sensor configured to detect a number of the products picked from the first one of the two adjacent containers at the at least one picking station and transferred into the second one of the two adjacent containers at the at least one picking station.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the at least one conveyor of the container transport system further includes:
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the at least one conveyor of the container transport system further includes:
5. (Currently Amended) The system of claim 4, wherein the at least one conveyor of the container transport system further includes:
a main conveyor configured to convey the containers between the storage locations and the at least one picking station; and
a main conveyor configured to convey the containers between the storage locations and the at least one picking station; and
a main conveyor configured to convey the containers between the storage locations and the at least one picking station; and
a transfer conveyor configured, after all of the products are picked from the first one of the two containers at the at least one picking station and transferred into the second one of the two containers at the at least one picking station, to convey the first one of the two containers via the transfer conveyor from the at least one picking station to an empty container filling or disposal station.
a transfer conveyor configured, after all of the products are picked from the first one of the containers at the at least one picking station and transferred into the second one of the containers at the at least one picking station, to convey the first one of the containers from the at least one picking station to an empty container filling or disposal station.
a transfer conveyor configured, after all of the products are picked from the first one of the containers at the at least one picking station and transferred into the second one of the containers at the at least one picking station, to convey the first one of the containers from the at least one picking station to an empty container filling or disposal station.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein, after the control circuit receives data from the at least one sensor and determines that the data received from the at least one sensor indicates that all of the products have been picked from the first one of the two containers and transferred into the second one of the two containers at the at least one picking station, the control circuit is configured to transmit a first control signal to activate the transfer conveyor to convey the first one of the two containers from the at least one picking station to the empty container filling or disposal station while the second one of the two containers remains at the at least one picking station.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein, after the control circuit receives data from the at least one sensor and determines that the data received from the at least one sensor indicates that all of the products have been picked from the first one of the two adjacent containers and transferred into the second one of the two adjacent containers at the at least one picking station, the control circuit is configured to transmit a first control signal to the control unit of the container transport system to activate the transfer conveyor to convey the first one of the two adjacent containers from the at least one picking station to the empty container filling or disposal station while the second one of the containers remains at the at least one picking station.
6. (Original) The system of claim 5, wherein, after the control circuit receives data from the at least one sensor and determines that the data received from the at least one sensor indicates that all of the products have been picked from the first one of the two adjacent containers and transferred into the second one of the two adjacent containers at the at least one picking station, the control circuit is configured to transmit a second signal to the control unit of the container transport system to activate the transfer conveyor to convey the first one of the two adjacent containers from the at least one picking station to the empty container filling or disposal station while the second one of the containers remains at the at least one picking station.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the control circuit is configured to identify a third one of the containers that is eligible for the product merging with the second one of the two containers that remains at the at least one picking station after the products stored in the first one of the two containers were merged with the products stored in the second one of the two containers.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the control circuit is configured to identify a third one of the containers that is eligible for the product merging with the second one of the containers that remains at the at least one picking station after the products stored in the first one of the containers were merged with the products stored in the second one of the containers.
7. (Original) The system of claim 6, wherein the control circuit is configured to analyze the at least one business rule governing the product merging between the containers moving on the container transport system to identify a third one of the containers that is eligible for the product merging with the second one of the containers that remains at the at least one picking station after the products stored in the first one of the containers were merged with the products stored in the second one of the containers.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the control circuit is configured, upon an identification by the control circuit of the third one of the containers that is eligible for the product merging with the second one of the two containers that remains at the at least one picking station, to transmit a second signal to activate the main conveyor of the container transport system to convey the third one of the containers to the at least one picking station for the product merging with the second one of the two containers that remains at the at least one picking station.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the control circuit is configured, upon an identification by the control circuit of the third one of the containers that is eligible for the product merging with the second one of the containers that remains at the at least one picking station, to transmit a second signal to the control unit to activate the main conveyor of the container transport system to convey the third one of the containers to the at least one picking station for the product merging with the second one of the containers that remains at the at least one picking station.
8. (Currently Amended) The system of claim 7, wherein the control circuit is configured, upon an identification by the control circuit of the third one of the containers that is eligible for the product merging with the second one of the contains containers that remains at the at least one picking station, to transmit a third signal to the control unit to activate the main conveyor of the container transport system to convey the third one of the containers to the at least one picking station for the product merging with the second one of the containers that remains at the at least one picking station.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the control circuit is configured, upon a determination by the control circuit that the second one of the two containers has been filled with the products such that the second one of the two containers at the at least one picking station is no longer eligible for the product merging with another one of the containers being conveyed by the container transport system, to transmit a third signal to activate the main conveyor of the container transport system to convey the second one of the two containers from the at least one picking station to open up space at the at least one picking station.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the control circuit is configured, upon a determination by the control circuit that the second one of the containers has been filled with the products such that the second one of the containers is no longer eligible for the product merging with another one of the containers being conveyed by the container transport system, to transmit a third signal to the control unit to activate the main conveyor of the container transport system to convey the second one of the containers from the at least one picking station to open up space at the at least one picking station.
9. (Original) The system of claim 8, wherein the control circuit is configured, upon a determination by the control circuit that the second one of the containers has been filled with the products such that the second one of the containers is no longer eligible for the product merging with another one of the containers being conveyed by the container transport system, to transmit a fourth signal to the control unit to activate the main conveyor of the container transport system to convey the second one of the containers from the at least one picking station to open up space at the at least one picking station.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein:
the at least one picking station includes at least one robotic arm movable to remove the products from the first one of the two containers at the at least one picking station and to place the products removed from the first one of the two containers at the at least one picking station into the second one of the two containers at the at least one picking station; and
the control circuit is configured to transmit a control signal to control movement of the at least one robotic arm.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein:
the at least one picking station includes at least one robotic arm and the control unit of the container transport system is configured to control the at least one robotic arm to remove the products from the first one of the two adjacent containers and to place the products removed from the first one of the two adjacent containers into the second one of the two adjacent containers; and
the control circuit is configured to transmit a control signal to the control unit of the container transport system to control movement of the at least one robotic arm.
10. (Original) The system of claim 1, wherein: the at least one picking station includes at least one robotic arm and the control unit of the container transport system is configured to control the at least one robotic arm to remove the products from the first one of the two adjacent containers and to place the products removed from the first one of the two adjacent containers into the second one of the two adjacent containers; and the control circuit is configured to transmit a second signal to the control unit of the container transport system to control movement of the at least one robotic arm.
11. A method of using an automated storage and retrieval system for managing storage of inventory at a retail facility, the method comprising:
11. A method of using an automated storage and retrieval system for managing storage of inventory at a retail facility, the method comprising:
11. (Currently Amended) A method of using an automated storage and retrieval system for managing storage of inventory at a retail facility, the method comprising:
transporting, via a container transport system including at least one conveyor, a plurality of containers containing a plurality of products between a plurality of storage locations of a storage structure toward at least one picking station where one or more of the products are removed from one or more of the containers; and
wherein a container transport system includes at least one conveyor configured to convey the containers between the storage locations and the at least one picking station, where one or more products are removed from one or more of the containers; and
wherein a container transport system is-includes at least one conveyor configured to convey the containers between the storage locations and the at least one picking station, where one or more products are removed from one or more of the containers; and
by a control circuit of the automated storage and retrieval system, causing two containers that are eligible for product merging therebetween to stop and remain at the at least one picking station until all of the products stored in a first one of the two containers are removed from the first one of the two containers and merged with the products stored in a second one of the two containers.
identifying, by a control circuit of the automated storage and retrieval system, two adjacent containers that are eligible for product merging therebetween;
wherein a control unit is operatively coupled to the container transport system and configured to control movement of the at least one conveyor of the container transport system; and wherein the plurality of storage locations are configured to store a plurality of the containers, each of the containers containing a plurality of products; in response to receipt of a signal indicating that the two adjacent containers identified as being eligible for the product merging arrived at the at least one picking station, causing, by the control circuit, the two adjacent containers that are eligible for the product merging to remain at the at least one picking station until all of the products stored in a first one of the two adjacent containers are removed from the first one of the two adjacent containers and merged with the products stored in a second one of the two adjacent containers.
analyzing, by a control circuit of the automated storage and retrieval system, at least one business rule governing product merging between containers being transported between a plurality of storage locations of a storage structure toward at least one picking station to identify two adjacent containers that are eligible for the product merging therebetween;
wherein the plurality of storage locations are configured to store a plurality of the containers, each of the containers containing a plurality of products;
wherein a control unit is operatively coupled to the container transport system and configured to control movement of the at least one conveyor of the container transport system; and in response to receipt of a signal from at least one sensor positioned adjacent the at least one picking station, the signal indicating that the at least one sensor detected upon detection that the two adjacent containers identified as being eligible for the product merging arrived at the at least one picking station, transmitting, by the control circuit, a first signal to the control unit to cause the control unit to stop movement of the at least one conveyor of the container transport system to keep the two adjacent containers that are eligible for the product merging at the at least one picking station until all of the products stored in a first one of the two adjacent containers are removed from the first one of the two adjacent containers and merged with the products stored in a second one of the two adjacent containers.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising identifying, by the control circuit of the automated storage and retrieval system, the two containers that are eligible for the product merging based on at least one of: a total number of the products located within the containers being moved by the container transport system; size dimensions of each of the products located within the containers being moved by the container transport system; a total weight of each of the products located within the containers being moved by the container transport system; pending customer orders associated with the products located within the containers being moved by the container transport system; a total number of product transfers required to merge the products stored in the first one of the two containers with the products stored in the second one of the two containers; and a total workload assigned to the at least one picking station.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the identifying, by the control circuit of the automated storage and retrieval system, the two adjacent containers that are eligible for product merging therebetween is based on at least one of: a total number of the products located within the containers being moved by the container transport system; size dimensions of each of the products located within the containers being moved by the container transport system; a total weight of each of the products located within the containers being moved by the container transport system; pending customer orders associated with the products located within the containers being moved by the container transport system; a total number of product transfers required to merge the products stored in the first one of the two adjacent containers with the products stored in the second one of the two adjacent containers; and a total workload assigned to the at least one picking station.
12. (Original) The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one business rule governing the product merging between the containers being moved by the container transport system includes at least one of: a total number of the products located within the containers being moved by the container transport system; size dimensions of each of the products located within the containers being moved by the container transport system; a total weight of each of the products located within the containers being moved by the container transport system; pending customer orders associated with the products located within the containers being moved by the container transport system; a total number of product transfers required to merge the products stored in the first one of the two adjacent containers with the products stored in the second one of the two adjacent containers; and a total workload assigned to the at least one picking station.
13. The method of claim 11, further comprising identifying, by the control circuit of the automated storage and retrieval system, the two containers that are eligible for the product merging, and, upon the identifying of the two containers that are eligible for the product merging, transmitting, by the control circuit, a control signal to a computing device including a display to cause the computing device to show on the display a notification to a worker at the at least one picking station, the notification identifying the two containers eligible for the product merging and indicating which of the two containers is to be emptied, and which of the two containers is to be filled with the products removed from a container that is emptied.
13. The method of claim 11, further comprising, upon the identification by the control circuit of the two adjacent containers that are eligible for the product merging, transmitting, by the control circuit, a control signal to a computing device including a display to cause the computing device to show on the display a notification to a worker at the at least one picking station, the notification identifying the two adjacent containers eligible for the product merging and indicating which of the two adjacent containers is to be emptied, and which of the two adjacent containers is to be filled with the products removed from a container that is emptied.
13. (Original) The method of claim 11, further comprising, upon the identification by the control circuit of the two adjacent containers that are eligible for the product merging, transmitting, by the control circuit, a second signal to a computing device including a display to cause the computing device to show on the display a notification to a worker at the at least one picking station, the notification identifying the two adjacent containers eligible for the product merging and indicating which of the two adjacent containers is to be emptied, and which of the two adjacent containers is to be filled with the products removed from a container that is emptied.
14. The method of claim 11, further comprising detecting, via at least one sensor at the at least one picking station, a number of the products picked from the first one of the two containers at the at least one picking station and transferred into the second one of the two containers at the at least one picking station.
14. The method of claim 11, further comprising detecting, via at least one sensor at the at least one picking station, a number of the products picked from the first one of the two adjacent containers at the at least one picking station and transferred into the second one of the two adjacent containers at the at least one picking station.
14. (Original) The method of claim 11, further comprising detecting, via at least one sensor at the at least one picking station, a number of the products picked from the first one of the two adjacent containers at the at least one picking station and transferred into the second one of the two adjacent containers at the at least one picking station.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one conveyor includes a main conveyor and a transfer conveyor and further comprising: conveying the containers via the main conveyor of the container transport system between the storage locations and the at least one picking station; and
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one conveyor includes a main conveyor and a transfer conveyor and further comprising: conveying the containers via the main conveyor of the container transport system between the storage locations and the at least one picking station; and
15. (Currently Amended) The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one conveyor includes a main conveyor and a transfer conveyor and further comprising: conveying the containers via a-the main conveyor of the container transport system between the storage locations and the at least one picking station; and
after all of the products are picked from the first one of the containers at the at least one picking station and transferred into the second one of the containers at the at least one picking station, conveying the first one of the two containers via the transfer conveyor of the container transport system from the at least one picking station to an empty container filling or disposal station.
after all of the products are picked from the first one of the containers at the at least one picking station and transferred into the second one of the containers at the at least one picking station, conveying the first one of the containers via the transfer conveyor of the container transport system from the at least one picking station to an empty container filling or disposal station.
after all of the products are picked from the first one of the containers at the at least one picking station and transferred into the second one of the containers at the at least one picking station, conveying the first one of the containers via a-thetransfer conveyor of the container transport system from the at least one picking station to an empty container filling or disposal station.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising, by the control circuit: receiving data from the at least one sensor and determining that the data received from the at least one sensor indicates that all of the products have been picked from the first one of the two containers and transferred into the second one of the two containers at the at least one picking station; and transmitting a first control signal to activate the transfer conveyor to convey the first one of the two containers from the at least one picking station to the empty container filling or disposal station while the second one of the containers remains at the at least one picking station.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising, after the control circuit receives data from the at least one sensor and determines that the data received from the at least one sensor indicates that all of the products have been picked from the first one of the two adjacent containers and transferred into the second one of the two adjacent containers at the at least one picking station, transmitting, by the control circuit, a first control signal to the control unit of the container transport system to activate the transfer conveyor to convey the first one of the two adjacent containers from the at least one picking station to the empty container filling or disposal station while the second one of the containers remains at the at least one picking station.
16. (Original) The method of claim 15, further comprising, after the control circuit receives data from the at least one sensor and determines that the data received from the at least one sensor indicates that all of the products have been picked from the first one of the two adjacent containers and transferred into the second one of the two adjacent containers at the at least one picking station, transmitting, by the control circuit, a second signal to the control unit of the container transport system to activate the transfer conveyor to convey the first one of the two adjacent containers from the at least one picking station to the empty container filling or disposal station while the second one of the containers remains at the at least one picking station.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising identifying, by the control circuit, a third one of the containers that is eligible for the product merging with the second one of the two containers that remains at the at least one picking station after the products stored in the first one of the two containers were merged with the products stored in the second one of the two containers.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising identifying, by the control circuit, a third one of the containers that is eligible for the product merging with the second one of the containers that remains at the at least one picking station after the products stored in the first one of the containers were merged with the products stored in the second one of the containers.
17. (Original) The method of claim 16, further comprising analyzing, by the control circuit, the at least one business rule governing the product merging between the containers moving on the container transport system to identify a third one of the containers that is eligible for the product merging with the second one of the containers that remains at the at least one picking station after the products stored in the first one of the containers were merged with the products stored in the second one of the containers.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising, upon the identifying by the control circuit of the third one of the containers that is eligible for the product merging with the second one of the two containers that remains at the at least one picking station, transmitting by the control circuit a second control signal to activate the main conveyor of the container transport system to convey the third one of the two containers to the at least one picking station for the product merging with the second one of the two containers that remains at the at least one picking station.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising, upon an identification by the control circuit of the third one of the containers that is eligible for the product merging with the second one of the containers that remains at the at least one picking station, transmitting by the control circuit a second control signal to the control unit to activate the main conveyor of the container transport system to convey the third one of the containers to the at least one picking station for the product merging with the second one of the containers that remains at the at least one picking station.
by the control circuit of the third one of the containers that is eligible for the product merging with the second one of the contains containers that remains at the at least one picking station, transmitting by the control circuit a third signal to the control unit to activate the main conveyor of the container transport system to convey the third one of the containers to the at least one picking station for the product merging with the second one of the containers that remains at the at least one picking station.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising, upon a determination by the control circuit that the second one of the two containers at the at least one picking station has been filled with the products such that the second one of the containers is no longer eligible for the product merging with another one of the containers being transported by the container transport system, transmitting by the control circuit a third control signal to activate the main conveyor of the container transport system to convey the second one of the containers from the at least one picking station to open up space at the at least one picking station.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising, upon a determination by the control circuit that the second one of the containers has been filled with the products such that the second one of the containers is no longer eligible for the product merging with another one of the containers being transported by the container transport system, transmitting by the control circuit a third control signal to the control unit to activate the main conveyor of the container transport system to convey the second one of the containers from the at least one picking station to open up space at the at least one picking station.
19. (Original) The method of claim 18, further comprising, upon a determination by the control circuit that the second one of the containers has been filled with the products such that the second one of the containers is no longer eligible for the product merging with another one of the containers being transported by the container transport system, transmitting by the control circuit a fourth signal to the control unit to activate the main conveyor of the container transport system to convey the second one of the containers from the at least one picking station to open up space at the at least one picking station.
20. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
20. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
20. (Original) The method of claim 11, further comprising:
by at least one robotic arm at the at least one picking station, removing the products from the first one of the two containers at the at least one picking station and placing the products removed from the first one of the two containers into the second one of the two containers at the at least one picking station; and transmitting a control signal from the control circuit to control movement of the at least one robotic arm.
controlling at least one robotic arm of the at least one picking station by the control unit of the container transport system to remove the products from the first one of the two adjacent containers and to place the products removed from the first one of the two adjacent containers into the second one of the two adjacent containers; and transmitting a control signal from the control circuit to the control unit of the container transport system to control movement of the at least one robotic arm.
controlling at least one robotic arm of the at least one picking station by the control unit of the container transport system to remove the products from the first one of the two adjacent containers and to place the products removed from the first one of the two adjacent containers into the second one of the two adjacent containers; and transmitting a second signal from the control circuit to the control unit of the container transport system to control movement of the at least one robotic arm.
Eligible and Allowable Subject Matter
5. The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
The reason for allowable subject matter of claims 1-20 in the instant application is because the prior art of record fails to teach the overall combination as claimed. Therefore, it would not have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the prior art to meet the combination above without unequivocal hindsight and one of ordinary skill would have no reason to do so. The nearest art, Almogy 2019/0276176, Phan-Quiroga 2019/0233213, and Lert 2018/0194556, does not teach a container transport system including at least one conveyor configured to transport the containers between the storage locations and at least one picking station, where one or more products are removed from one or more of the containers and two containers that are eligible for the product merging to stop and remain at the at least one picking station until all of the products stored in a first one of the two containers are removed from the first one of the two containers and merged with the products stored in a second one of the two containers.
Upon further searching the examiner could not identify any prior art to teach these limitations. The prior art on record, alone or in combination, neither anticipates, reasonably teaches, not renders obvious the Applicant' s claimed invention.
Examiner further notes the practical application of using the conveyer system similar to Example 37.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. See Notice of References Cited, PTO form 892.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MICHAEL JARED WALKER whose telephone number is (303)297-4407. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM -5:00 PM CT.
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/MICHAEL JARED WALKER/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3627 Michael.walker@uspto.gov
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