Item stabilizer

{
  "publication_number": "US10988315B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "Item stabilizer",
  "abstract": "A stabilizer can include an attachment surface and a non-stick surface. Multiple stabilizers can be arranged in a stack, e.g., such that the attachment surface of one stabilizer is engaged with the non-stick surface of another stabilizer. A stabilizer can be removed from the stack and attached to an item having a curved surface along the length of the item. The item, with the stabilizer attached, can be positioned on a conveyance surface, e.g., such that the stabilizer is between the conveyance surface and the item.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A system comprising: a plurality of stabilizers arranged in a stack of stabilizers, wherein each stabilizer of the plurality of stabilizers comprises: a flat sheet comprising a first face, a second face, a spine region, and first and second support regions extending from opposite sides of the spine region, the flat sheet comprising a material that is rigid or semi-rigid so as to provide a resistance to bending; a releasable adhesive positioned on the first face at the spine region; and a non-stick area positioned on the second face along the spine region and comprising a non-stick surface configured to releasably engage with a second releasable adhesive of a second stabilizer of the plurality of stabilizers so that the plurality of stabilizers are arrangeable in the stack of stabilizers, with the releasable adhesive engaged with the non-stick surface of an adjacent stabilizer; and an item having a curved surface such that when the item, with the stabilizer attached, is placed on a surface with the stabilizer between the item and the surface, the resistance to bending of the flat sheet causes the first and second support regions to extend along the surface and resist rolling of the item.",
    "2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of stabilizers comprises at least one of corrugated flutes, cardstock, cardboard, plastic, polycarbonate, acrylic, ABS, or carbon fiber.",
    "3. The system of claim 1, wherein the releasable adhesive comprises at least one of releasable adhesive, cyanoacrylate adhesive, hot melt adhesive, pressure sensitive adhesive, polyurethane, fugitive adhesive, latex adhesive, low-tack adhesive, hook and loop connectors, or magnets.",
    "4. The system of claim 1, wherein the releasable adhesive is positioned at a plurality of locations along the spine region.",
    "5. A stabilizer comprising: a rigid or semi-rigid base comprising a first face, a second face, a spine region, and first and second support regions extending from opposite sides of the spine region; an attachment area positioned on the first face and attachable along a length of an item having a curved surface such that when the item, with the stabilizer attached, is placed on a surface with the stabilizer between the item and the surface, the base causes the first and second support regions to extend along the surface and resist rolling of the item; and a non-stick area positioned on the second face and comprising a non-stick surface configured to releasably engage with an attachment area of another stabilizer so that the stabilizers are arrangeable in a stack.",
    "6. The stabilizer of claim 5, wherein at least one of the attachment area or the non-stick area is positioned on the first face at the spine region.",
    "7. The stabilizer of claim 5, wherein the first face or the second face comprises a mark comprising at least one of an image or text.",
    "8. The stabilizer of claim 5, wherein the attachment area comprises releasable adhesive configured to engage with and disengage from the item.",
    "9. The stabilizer of claim 5, wherein the attachment area is configured to disengage with the item in response to a first force and the non-stick area is further configured to disengage with the attachment area of the another stabilizer in response to a second force, and wherein the second force is smaller than the first force.",
    "10. The stabilizer of claim 5, wherein the base has a stiffness between 100 pounds per inch and 700 pounds per inch.",
    "11. The stabilizer of claim 5, wherein the attachment area is a first attachment area and the stabilizer further comprises a second attachment area positioned on the first face.",
    "12. The stabilizer of claim 11, wherein the first attachment area is positioned on the spine region and the second attachment area is positioned on the first or second support regions.",
    "13. The stabilizer of claim 5, wherein the item is a first item, the attachment area is configured to detach from the first item and attach along a second length of a second item having a second curved surface.",
    "14. A method comprising: positioning an item having a curved surface on a rigid or semi-rigid stabilizer having a first face, a second face, a spine region, and first and second support regions extending from opposite sides of the spine region; attaching the first face of the stabilizer to the item along a length of the item; and positioning, with the item attached to the stabilizer, the item on a conveyance surface with the stabilizer between the item and the conveyance surface, wherein the first and second support regions extend along the conveyance surface and resist rolling of the item.",
    "15. The method of claim 14, wherein, prior to positioning the item on the stabilizer, the method comprises removing the stabilizer from a stack of stabilizers by disengaging a non-stick surface positioned on the second face with an attachment area of another stabilizer.",
    "16. The method of claim 14, wherein positioning the item on the stabilizer comprises positioning the item on a stabilizer attached to a stack of stabilizers, wherein a non-stick surface positioned on the second face is engaged with an attachment area of another stabilizer of the stack of stabilizers.",
    "17. The method of claim 16, wherein, prior to positioning the item on the conveyance surface, the method further comprises, with the item attached to the stabilizer, removing the stabilizer from the stack of stabilizers.",
    "18. The method of claim 14, wherein attaching the item to the first face of the stabilizer comprises attaching the item to an attachment area positioned on the first face of the stabilizer at the spine region.",
    "19. The method of claim 14, wherein positioning the item on the stabilizer comprises aligning the item with a mark on the first face of the stabilizer.",
    "20. The method of claim 14 further comprising: conveying, with the item attached to the stabilizer, the item on the conveyance surface; and positioning, with the item attached to the stabilizer, the item in a package or on a packaging surface."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "Inventory systems, such as those in warehouses, supply chain distribution centers, airport luggage systems, and custom-order manufacturing facilities, face significant challenges in storing and transporting inventory items. The inventory items can be moved around. As the amount of inventory stored at a single location continues to grow, inefficient utilization of system resources, including space and equipment can result in lower throughput, unacceptably long response times, an ever-increasing backlog of unfinished tasks, and, in general, poor system performance. The inventory items can have various sizes and shapes that may use stabilization devices while moving around the inventory system.\n\nVarious embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings, in which:\n\nFIG. 1 illustrates an item conveyance system including a stabilizer positioned on a conveyance device, in accordance with embodiments;\n\nFIGS. 2 through 4 illustrate various views of an example stabilizer that can be included in particular embodiments of the item conveyance system of FIG. 1;\n\nFIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process for attaching an item to an example stabilizer for use with the item conveyance system of FIG. 1; and\n\nFIG. 6 illustrates a simplified example process for conveying items that can be used with particular embodiments of the conveyance system of FIG. 1; and\n\nIn the following description, various embodiments will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments.",
  "cpc": [
    "B65G 17/002",
    "B65B 15/00",
    "B65B 61/20",
    "B65D 1/34",
    "B65D 73/0028",
    "B65G 1/026",
    "B65G 21/2054",
    "B65G 2201/0258",
    "B65G 35/06",
    "B65G 59/02"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B65D 1/34",
    "B65G 1/02",
    "B65G 17/00",
    "B65G 21/20",
    "B65G 35/06",
    "B65G 59/02"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Amazon Technologies Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Jay D. Childs",
    "Feng Liu"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2020-03-09",
  "publication_date": "2021-04-27",
  "grant_date": "2021-04-27",
  "priority_date": "2020-03-09",
  "application_number": "US-202016813243-A",
  "family_id": "75587599",
  "cited_by_count": 1,
  "citations": [
    "US5301790A",
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    "US7153089B2",
    "US20120228174A1",
    "US20140346068A1",
    "US9950828B2",
    "US20190100349A1",
    "US10543942B2"
  ]
}