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AmazonGranted patentRobots & automationInterest 6/10

Amazon patents robot gripper that lifts items from crowded bins

Amazon has been granted a patent for a robotic hand designed to pick specific items from storage bins filled with other objects. The device uses a suction cup that extends to grab the target item, while two side plates press against neighboring items to keep them in place during the lift.

Why it mattersThis design could help warehouse robots handle mixed inventory more accurately by preventing accidental bumps or displacements of nearby products during the picking process.

In the filing’s own words

Systems and techniques for picking an item from a container using an end effector are described. An example system includes a rack comprising a plurality of containers. Each container is configured to hold one or more items. The system also includes a robotic arm having an end effector configured to pick a target item from one of the plurality of containers. The end effector includes (i) first and second plates disposed parallel to each other and (ii) an extendable suction cup disposed between the first and second plates. The end effector is configured to extend the extendable suction cup to contact the target item, create a seal with the target item, after creating the seal, retract the extendable suction cup to remove the target item from the container, and after retracting the extendable suction cup, engage the target item between the first and second plates.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. An end effector comprising: first and second plates disposed parallel to each other; and an extendable suction cup disposed between the first and second plates, wherein: the extendable suction cup is configured to: pneumatically extend to contact a target item within a container; create a seal with the target item; and pneumatically retract to remove the target item from the container; the end-effector is further configured to: identify a first item adjacent to a first side of the target item and a second item adjacent to a second side of the target item; move the first plate so that it is aligned with the first item; move the second plate so that it is aligned with the second item; and retract the extendable suction cup; wherein the first plate and the second plate are configured to keep the first and second items fixed within the container while the extendable suction cup is retracted to remove the target item from the container.

Facts

Company
Amazon (Amazon Technologies, Inc.)
Official title
Robotic tool and process for picking objects from compartmented storage units
Patent number
US12741816B1
Application number
18066864
Filed
Dec 15, 2022
Granted
Sep 22, 2026
Inventors
4
Claims
13

Classified under

B65G 1/1375 Operations & transportB25J 15/0616 Operations & transportB65G 1/02 Operations & transportB65G 1/1373 Operations & transportB65G 47/91 Operations & transport
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.