公开(公告)号：US08002138B2

公开(公告)日：2011-08-23

申请号：US11393445

申请日：2006-03-29

申请人： Robert M. Fitzgerald ,  Kyle A. Joiner ,  Joel H. Eisler ,  James W. Dotson, Sr.

发明人： Robert M. Fitzgerald ,  Kyle A. Joiner ,  Joel H. Eisler ,  James W. Dotson, Sr.

IPC分类号： B65D25/04

CPC分类号： D06F95/002

摘要： An item receiving apparatus that, in various embodiments, comprises: (1) a housing defining an interior storage area and an opening through which at least one item may be received for storage within the interior storage area; (2) an item support surface disposed adjacent the interior storage area for supporting one or more items as the items are stored within the interior storage area; (3) an item repositioning assembly disposed between the opening and the item support surface. The item receiving apparatus may be adapted to move the item repositioning assembly from a first orientation to a second orientation in response to the occurrence of a pre-determined event. The item repositioning assembly may be adapted to push one or more items within the storage area laterally away from at least a portion of the item repositioning assembly as the item repositioning assembly is moved from the first orientation to the second orientation.

摘要翻译： 一种物品接收装置，在各种实施例中，包括：（1）限定内部存储区域和开口的壳体，至少一个物品可通过该开口被容纳以存储在内部存储区域内; （2）邻近内部存储区域设置的物品支撑表面，用于在物品被存储在内部存储区域内时支撑一个或多个物品; （3）设置在所述开口和所述物品支撑表面之间的物品重新定位组件。 物品接收设备可以适于响应于预定事件的发生而将物品重新定位组件从第一方向移动到第二方向。 物品重新定位组件可以适于在物品重新定位组件从第一方向移动到第二方向时将存储区域内的一个或多个物品横向推离物品重新定位组件的至少一部分。

公开(公告)号：US07134242B2

公开(公告)日：2006-11-14

申请号：US10671301

申请日：2003-09-24

申请人： Robert M. Fitzgerald

发明人： Robert M. Fitzgerald

IPC分类号： E05D15/26 ,  A47F1/00 ,  A47B88/00

CPC分类号： G07F11/62 ,  G07F5/26

摘要： A dispenser that includes one or more sliding user doors for selectively restricting access to items disposed within the dispenser. In one embodiment, the dispenser includes a unique locking and drive mechanism that allows a single actuator to both: (1) lock and unlock a sliding user door; and (2) move the user door into and out of driving engagement with a drive mechanism that may be used to open and close the user door. In a particular embodiment, the dispenser further includes a door support that supports the weight of a downward-opening sliding user door when the downward-opening user door is in a closed position, but that may be selectively repositioned to facilitate the movement of the user door from a closed to an open position.

摘要翻译： 一种分配器，其包括一个或多个滑动用户门，用于选择性地限制对设置在分配器内的物品的访问。 在一个实施例中，分配器包括唯一的锁定和驱动机构，其允许单个致动器同时：（1）锁定和解锁滑动用户门; 和（2）将用户门与可用于打开和关闭用户门的驱动机构移动和脱离驱动接合。 在特定实施例中，分配器还包括门支撑件，其在向下打开的使用者门处于关闭位置时支撑向下开启的滑动使用者门的重量，但是可以选择性地重新定位以便于使用者的移动 门从一个封闭到一个开放的位置。

公开(公告)号：US5713270A

公开(公告)日：1998-02-03

申请号：US592062

申请日：1996-01-26

申请人： Robert Matthew Fitzgerald ,  Eugene O. Gresens ,  Ward Pafford Broom

发明人： Robert Matthew Fitzgerald ,  Eugene O. Gresens ,  Ward Pafford Broom

IPC分类号： B30B9/30 ,  B30B9/00

CPC分类号： B30B9/3007 ,  B30B9/3082

摘要： An apparatus and method for collecting and compacting articles, such as hospital scrub garments. Included is a cabinet assembly, having user and operator accessible doors; collection bags and support associate with the cabinet; a control assembly including a microprocessor and receiver board capable of recognizing an authorized user and permit him or her access to the apparatus, and optionally a video monitoring system; a drive assembly comprising a drive motor, arm linkage, drive chain and sprockets; a pair of sweeping arms operable by the drive assembly and which cooperate with a pair of packing arm assemblies. The sweeping arms urge garments deposited by authorized users downward and to the side in the cabinet and the packing arm cooperates to compact garments which have dropped into the collection bags. A method is disclosed for selectively identifying and permitting user access to the apparatus and for automatically processing received garments into a compacted condition in the collection bags.

公开(公告)号：US07628410B2

公开(公告)日：2009-12-08

申请号：US11744387

申请日：2007-05-04

申请人： Robert M. Fitzgerald ,  Kyle Joiner ,  Ward P. Broom

发明人： Robert M. Fitzgerald ,  Kyle Joiner ,  Ward P. Broom

IPC分类号： B62B3/00 ,  B62B5/00

CPC分类号： G07F9/10 ,  A47F3/06 ,  A47F10/04 ,  B62B5/0083 ,  B62B2202/90 ,  B62B2203/07 ,  B62B2203/10 ,  B62B2203/50 ,  G07F7/0645

摘要： A method of loading a cart into an enclosure, according to various embodiments of the invention, comprises the steps of: (A) providing a cart having a first end and a second end, the cart comprising at least one swiveled wheel adjacent the first end, and at least two non-swiveled wheels adjacent the second end, the swiveled and non-swiveled wheels being adapted to facilitate the rolling movement of the cart over a surface; (B) positioning the at least two non-swiveled wheels on a wheeled platform so that the non-swiveled wheels are supported by the wheeled platform; and (C) while the non-swiveled wheels are supported by the wheeled platform, and while the at least one swiveled wheel is disposed on a support surface adjacent an interior portion of the enclosure, using the wheeled platform and the at least one swiveled wheel to roll the cart into the interior portion of the enclosure.

摘要翻译： 根据本发明的各种实施例，将推车装载到外壳中的方法包括以下步骤：（A）提供具有第一端和第二端的推车，所述推车包括与所述第一端相邻的至少一个转向轮 以及与所述第二端相邻的至少两个非转动轮，所述旋转和非转动轮适于促进所述推车在表面上的滚动运动; （B）将所述至少两个非转动轮定位在轮式平台上，使得所述非转动轮由所述轮式平台支撑; 和（C），而所述非转动轮由所述轮式平台支撑，并且当所述至少一个转动轮设置在邻近所述外壳的内部的支撑表面上时，使用所述轮式平台和所述至少一个回转轮 将推车推入外壳的内部。

公开(公告)号：US07320412B2

公开(公告)日：2008-01-22

申请号：US10851859

申请日：2004-05-20

申请人： Robert M. Fitzgerald

发明人： Robert M. Fitzgerald

IPC分类号： G07F11/00

CPC分类号： G07F9/10 ,  G07F11/16

摘要： A dispenser comprising a first barrier, and a second barrier that is spaced apart from the first barrier. These two barriers define a first item-receiving space between the barriers, and the second barrier at least partially defines a second item-receiving space behind the second barrier. The first barrier is adapted to move between: (A) a first-barrier-closed position in which the first barrier restricts access to the first item-receiving space, and (B) a first-barrier-open position in which the first barrier permits access to the first item-receiving space. Similarly, the second barrier is adapted to move between: (A) a second-barrier-closed position in which the second barrier restricts access to the second item-receiving space, and (B) a second-barrier-open position in which the second barrier permits access to the second item-receiving space. The dispenser may comprise a third barrier, and the first, second, and third barriers may be positioned in a substantially horizontal array.

摘要翻译： 一种分配器，包括第一屏障和与第一屏障隔开的第二屏障。 这两个障碍物限定了障碍物之间的第一物品接收空间，并且第二屏障至少部分地限定了第二屏障后面的第二物品接收空间。 第一屏障适于在以下之间移动：（A）第一屏障闭合位置，其中第一屏障限制对第一物品接收空间的访问，以及（B）第一屏障打开位置，其中第一屏障 允许访问第一个项目接收空间。 类似地，第二屏障适于在以下之间移动：（A）第二屏障闭合位置，其中第二屏障限制对第二项目接收空间的访问，以及（B）第二屏障打开位置，其中 第二屏障允许访问第二项目接收空间。 分配器可以包括第三屏障，并且第一，第二和第三屏障可以被定位在基本水平的阵列中。

公开(公告)号：US20070073441A1

公开(公告)日：2007-03-29

申请号：US11236214

申请日：2005-09-26

申请人： Robert Stonikas ,  Daniel Weyen ,  Ward Broom ,  Robert Fitzgerald

发明人： Robert Stonikas ,  Daniel Weyen ,  Ward Broom ,  Robert Fitzgerald

IPC分类号： G06F17/00

CPC分类号： G06Q10/087

摘要： An inventory management system for use, for example, in automatically distributing items (such as laundered items) to users within a particular facility (e.g., a hospital), and for monitoring the amount (e.g., weight) of items distributed by the system. The system may include, for example, at least one automated dispenser having a weighing mechanism (e.g., a scale) for measuring the weight of its inventory and for periodically transmitting this information to a computer system associated with a particular item processing facility (e.g., a laundry facility). The computer system may then use this information, for example, to predict the amount of incoming items (e.g., dirty laundry) to be processed by the item processing facility during an upcoming time period. The computer system may also use this information for other purposes, such as predicting the amount of items that will need to be loaded into the system's dispensers during an upcoming time period.

摘要翻译： 一种库存管理系统，用于例如在特定设施（例如，医院）内的用户自动分发物品（例如洗涤物品）以及用于监视由系统分发的物品的数量（例如重量）。 该系统可以包括例如至少一个自动分配器，其具有用于测量其库存重量的称重机构（例如，秤），并且用于周期性地将该信息传送到与特定物品处理设备相关联的计算机系统（例如， 洗衣设施）。 然后，计算机系统可以使用该信息，例如，以预测在即将到来的时间段期间由物品处理设施处理的进入物品（例如，脏衣物）的量。 计算机系统还可以将该信息用于其他目的，例如预测在即将到来的时间段期间将需要加载到系统分配器中的物品的数量。

公开(公告)号：US20060250056A1

公开(公告)日：2006-11-09

申请号：US11122285

申请日：2005-05-03

申请人： Robert Fitzgerald

发明人： Robert Fitzgerald

IPC分类号： A47B97/00

CPC分类号： A47F3/02 ,  G07F9/10

摘要： A dispenser comprising: (1) a dispenser housing that includes: (a) a dispenser body that defines both an interior portion and an access opening, and (b) an access door that is mounted to selectively restrict access to the interior portion through the access opening; (2) a storage cartridge that is mounted on wheels to roll adjacent the dispenser body; and (3) a storage cartridge positioning system that is adapted to facilitate moving the storage cartridge into a “loading position” in which the storage cartridge is positioned to be loaded into the dispenser. The motion of the access door from an open position to a closed position may serve to urge the storage cartridge from the “loading position” into a “loaded position” in which the storage cartridge is disposed substantially within the dispenser housing.

摘要翻译： 一种分配器，包括：（1）分配器壳体，其包括：（a）分配器本体，其限定内部部分和进入开口;以及（b）通道门，其安装成选择性地限制通过所述内部部分 进出口; （2）安装在车轮上以相邻于分配器主体滚动的存储盒; 和（3）存储盒定位系统，其适于便于将存储盒移动到存储盒被定位成装入分配器中的“装载位置”中。 进入门从打开位置到关闭位置的运动可以用于将存储盒从“装载位置”推动到“装载位置”，在该装载位置中存储盒基本上设置在分配器壳体内。

公开(公告)号：US20080272564A1

公开(公告)日：2008-11-06

申请号：US11778422

申请日：2007-07-16

申请人： Robert M. Fitzgerald ,  Kyle Joiner ,  Ward P. Broom

发明人： Robert M. Fitzgerald ,  Kyle Joiner ,  Ward P. Broom

IPC分类号： A47F1/04 ,  A47B96/00 ,  B62B11/00

CPC分类号： G07F9/10 ,  A47F10/04 ,  B62B5/0083 ,  B62B2202/90 ,  B62B2203/07 ,  B62B2203/10 ,  G07F7/0645

摘要： Various embodiments of the wheel positioning assembly are adapted for facilitating the insertion of a cart into an enclosure. In certain embodiments, the cart comprises: (1) first and second fixed front wheels that are disposed adjacent opposite front lateral sides of the cart; and (2) first and second swiveled rear wheels disposed adjacent opposite lateral side of the cart. In various embodiments, the wheel positioning assembly comprises: (1) a first wheel guide for physically guiding the first, fixed front wheel into a desired first-front-wheel position in which the first front wheel is disposed within the dispenser and adjacent a first wheel barrier; and (2) a locking mechanism for selectively maintaining the second rear wheel in a desired second-rear-wheel position within the dispenser. The first wheel barrier and the locking mechanism may selectively cooperate to physically prevent removal of the cart from the enclosure.

摘要翻译： 车轮定位组件的各种实施例适于便于将车插入外壳。 在某些实施例中，所述推车包括：（1）邻近所述推车的相对的前侧面设置的第一和第二固定前轮; 和（2）与推车的相对侧面相邻设置的第一和第二旋转后轮。 在各种实施例中，车轮定位组件包括：（1）第一轮导向器，用于物理地将第一固定前轮引导到期望的第一前轮位置，在该期望的第一前轮位置，第一前轮设置在分配器内并邻近第一前轮 轮障; 和（2）用于选择性地将第二后轮保持在分配器内的期望的第二后轮位置的锁定机构。 第一轮挡板和锁定机构可以选择性地协作以物理地防止从外壳移除推车。

公开(公告)号：US20070246470A1

公开(公告)日：2007-10-25

申请号：US11393445

申请日：2006-03-29

申请人： Robert Fitzgerald ,  Kyle Joiner ,  Joel Eisler ,  James Dotson

发明人： Robert Fitzgerald ,  Kyle Joiner ,  Joel Eisler ,  James Dotson

IPC分类号： B65D1/36

CPC分类号： D06F95/002

摘要： An item receiving apparatus that, in various embodiments, comprises: (1) a housing defining an interior storage area and an opening through which at least one item may be received for storage within the interior storage area; (2) an item support surface disposed adjacent the interior storage area for supporting one or more items as the items are stored within the interior storage area; (3) an item repositioning assembly disposed between the opening and the item support surface. The item receiving apparatus may be adapted to move the item repositioning assembly from a first orientation to a second orientation in response to the occurrence of a pre-determined event. The item repositioning assembly may be adapted to push one or more items within the storage area laterally away from at least a portion of the item repositioning assembly as the item repositioning assembly is moved from the first orientation to the second orientation.

摘要翻译： 一种物品接收装置，在各种实施例中，包括：（1）限定内部存储区域和开口的壳体，至少一个物品可通过该开口被容纳以存储在内部存储区域内; （2）邻近内部存储区域设置的物品支撑表面，用于在物品被存储在内部存储区域内时支撑一个或多个物品; （3）设置在所述开口和所述物品支撑表面之间的物品重新定位组件。 物品接收设备可以适于响应于预定事件的发生而将物品重新定位组件从第一方向移动到第二方向。 物品重新定位组件可以适于在物品重新定位组件从第一方向移动到第二方向时将存储区域内的一个或多个物品横向推离物品重新定位组件的至少一部分。

公开(公告)号：US20040245272A1

公开(公告)日：2004-12-09

申请号：US10414579

申请日：2003-04-15

申请人： Innovative Product Achievements, Inc.

发明人： Robert M. Fitzgerald ,  Ward P. Broom ,  Joel H. Eisler ,  Kyle A. Joiner

IPC分类号： G07F011/06

CPC分类号： G07F9/026 ,  G07F17/18

摘要： A compact automated dispenser for quickly and quietly dispensing hospital linens or other items while tracking the dispenser's inventory. The dispenser preferably includes a flexible nullroll-up doornull that opens by rolling onto a door support, such as a roller, within the top portion of the dispenser. This makes it possible to open the door without swinging the door outwardly from the front surface of the dispenser. Alternatively, the door may be mounted on tracks to slide into the dispenser when the door is opened. A control system controls access to items within the dispenser, and closes the door automatically in response to one or more predetermined events. Such predetermined events include: (1) the passage of a pre-determined period of time; (2) a user activating a nullclose doornull button; or (3) a sensor failing to detect the presence of a user within the proximity of the dispenser for a pre-determined period of time.

摘要翻译： 一种紧凑型自动分配器，用于在跟踪分配器的库存的同时快速安静地分配医院床单或其他物品。 分配器优选地包括通过在分配器的顶部内滚动到门支撑件（例如辊）而打开的柔性“卷起门”。 这使得可以在不从分配器的前表面向外摆动门的情况下打开门。 或者，当门打开时，门可以安装在轨道上以滑入分配器。 控制系统控制对分配器内物品的访问，并响应一个或多个预定事件自动关闭门。 这些预定事件包括：（1）通过预定时间段; （2）用户激活“关门”按钮; 或（3）传感器未能在预定时间段内检测在分配器附近的用户的存在。