Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a conveyor assembly and method of using the same. In various embodiments, a conveyor assembly may comprise a plurality of rollers defining a conveyor section configured for transporting one or more objects disposed thereon along a transportation path, wherein the plurality of rollers comprises a drive roller, the drive roller being selectively configurable between a first operating condition and a second operating condition; and a controller configured to generate one or more control signals to control the drive roller; wherein the conveyor section is selectively configurable between a single-zone configuration and a dual-zone configuration based on the configuration of the drive roller in one of the first operating condition and the second operating condition, the dual-zone configuration being defined by the drive roller selectively driving operation of a first conveyor zone and a second conveyor zone defined within the conveyor section independently of one another.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a label-placement module having a first feeder assembly, including a horizontal delivery platter for receiving a label, and a first drive wheel, positioned adjacent to a distal end of the horizontal delivery platter and rotatable to move the label on the horizontal delivery platter in a first direction. The label-placement module may include a second feeder assembly coupled to an actuator that moves the second feeder assembly vertically to a delivery position associated with the container. The second feeder assembly having a vertical delivery platter for receiving the label from the horizontal delivery platter and a second drive wheel rotatable to move the label forward in the first direction towards the container such that at least a portion of the label may be clamped between the container and a lid of the container thereby attaching the label to the container.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and computer program products for article retrieval are provided. An example article retrieval device includes a frame and a pair of loading arms movably attached to the frame that move between a retracted position and an extended position. The device includes an engagement structure movably attached to at least one of the pair of loading arms that moves between a stored position and a deployed position. The device further includes a sensing device coupled with the pair of loading arms and a computing device operably coupled with the pair of loading arms, the at least one engagement structure, and the sensing device. The computing device causes the pair of loading arms to extend from the retracted position to a position proximate a first article and deploys the at least one engagement structure based upon sensor data generated by the sensing device.

Abstract: According to the embodiments illustrated herein, a method is disclosed. The method comprises receiving, by a computing device comprising a processor, an input from an operator device, wherein the input facilitates determining a task to be performed. Further, the method comprises activating, by the computing device, a first light device associated with a first location in a workplace in response to receiving the input, wherein the first location is associated with the task to be performed. Furthermore, the method comprises receiving, by the computing device, a first voice input from the operator device, indicative of an exception encountered during execution of the task. Additionally, the method includes modifying the task, in response to determining that the first voice input is indicative of the exception encountered during execution of the task.

Abstract: A lift structure of a rack storage system including a pair of vertical post, a pair of guide rail portions stacked one on top of the other, a mounting brace, and a mounting platform attached to the pair of vertical post. The mounting brace includes an adjustment mechanism to adjust an alignment between the pair of guide rail portions fastened together by a clamping plate. A load handling station is secured to the mounting platform to support loads transported to and from the rack storage system, wherein the load handling station is located by locating a position of the mounting platform.

Abstract: An object gripping mechanism is provided for use with a robotic arm. A robotic arm and method of manufacturing an object gripping mechanism are also provided. The object gripping mechanism includes an attachment modular configured to connect the object gripping mechanism to the robotic arm. The object gripping mechanism also includes a plurality of retractable arms each pivotably connected with the attachment modular. The object gripping mechanism also includes one or more movement mechanisms collectively configured to pivot the plurality of retractable arms to a desired position. The object gripping mechanism further includes a drive mechanism positioned within each of the plurality of retractable arms and configured to pivot the object engagement feature using a gear and timing belt configuration.

Abstract: Various embodiments illustrated herein disclose an axle lock assembly comprising a first plate with a first aperture, a second plate with a second aperture, a shaft, wherein the shaft is inserted through the first aperture and the second aperture and a bush. When the bushing is in contact with the first plate and the second plate, the bush creates a lateral force to move the first plate and the second plate in opposite directions to secure the shaft.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a conveyor apparatus comprising: a conveyor frame embodying a structural support for a conveyor surface defining a conveyor length that extends in a length direction and comprises: a first sidewall comprising a first guide track extending along a first inner surface thereof in the length direction, and a second sidewall comprising a second guide track extending along a second inner surface thereof in the length direction; a plurality of bottom panels, each extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, wherein a first bottom panel of the plurality of bottom panels is engaged with the first guide track of the first sidewall and the second guide track of the second sidewall such that the first bottom panel is configured to be selectively moveable throughout a range of motion defined at least in part by the first guide track and the second guide track.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a finger guard apparatus comprising a mounting bracket configured to be secured to a conveyor assembly such that the mounting bracket defines a first lateral side of the finger guard apparatus; a finger guard plate detachably secured to the mounting bracket; and a lock assembly that secures the finger guard plate in a locked position relative to the mounting bracket and is configured to facilitate selective detachment of the finger guard plate from the mounting bracket, the lock assembly comprising: a lock arm connected to the mounting bracket such that the lock arm is configured to move between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the lock arm is configured to engage the finger guard plate in the locked position; and a retention element engaged with the lock arm and configured to bias the lock arm towards the locked position.

Abstract: Various example embodiments described herein relates, to an item manipulation system that can include a control system and an end effector. The end effector can include a tube defining a channel between a first end and a second end. The tube can include, a flexible suction cup that can be disposed within the channel of the tube. In some examples, the flexible suction cup can engage a surface of the item based on suction force generated through the flexible suction cup. The end effector also includes a linear actuator that can be mechanically coupled to the flexible suction cup. The end effector can be configured to: extend, the flexible suction cup towards the second end of the channel to position at least a portion of the flexible suction cup outside the tube and retract, the flexible suction cup within the channel to position the flexible suction cup within the tube.

Abstract: A voice control interactive system and method to provide a hands-free operation for the operator to monitor and control multiple conveyors in a warehouse. The system comprises a first computing device and a second computing device. The first computing device receives an audio signal generated by a second computing device and generates a control signal and a response signal in response to the audio signal. The audio signal comprises information relating to a verbal command spoken by an operator associated with the second computing device. The response signal comprises information relating to a response for the verbal command, wherein the information is generated based on a location of the second computing device. The control signal comprises information to control a conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatuses, method and computer program products for automatically performing sorting operations are disclosed herein. An example apparatus may comprise: an array of gripping elements, and at least one processing component configured to: obtain image data corresponding with the plurality of items; identify, from the image data, one or more characteristics of the plurality of items; determine, based at least in part on the one or more characteristics, an ordered sequence corresponding with the plurality of items; and generate a control indication to cause at least one of the gripping elements to perform the sorting operations based at least in part on the ordered sequence.

Abstract: The present application discloses temperature regulated apparatuses, methods, and computer program products for temperature regulated containers. An example temperature regulated apparatus includes a base container. The base container includes at least a base portion, one or more sidewall portions, and a lid portion. The example temperature regulated apparatus also includes one or more thermoelectric components, where (i) each of the one or more thermoelectric components are configured to be disposed within the interior of the base container, (ii) each thermoelectric component comprises an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a composite semiconductor layer disposed between the exterior surface and the interior surface, and (iii) each thermoelectric component is configured to, in an instance current flows through the thermoelectric component, transfer heat between the interior surface and exterior surface.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a rotary put wall having a plurality of totes. The apparatus further comprises a vertical reciprocating conveyor (VRC) placed within the rotary put wall. The internal vertical reciprocating conveyor (VRC) comprises a plurality of chutes to receive one or more items from a robotic device. The internal vertical reciprocating conveyor (VRC) is further configured to be rotatable with respect to the rotary put wall and to convey the one or more items into one tote of the plurality of totes of the rotary put wall.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and systems comprising integrated motorized conveyor rollers are provided. The example integrated motorized conveyor roller comprises: a housing; a motor assembly and a drive assembly at least partially disposed within the housing that are configured to cause rotation of at least a portion of the integrated motorized conveyor roller; at least one sensing element operatively coupled to the integrated motorized conveyor roller; and a controller component in electronic communication with the at least one sensing element, the motor assembly and the drive assembly, wherein the controller component is configured to obtain operational data via the at least one sensing element.

Abstract: Various embodiments illustrated herein disclose a sprocket wear gauge. The sprocket wear gauge comprises a first plate having a first opening of a first diameter and a second plate having a second opening of a second diameter. The first plate is mounted on one end of adjacent sprocket teeth of a plurality of sprocket teeth of a sprocket wheel. The second plate is mounted on an opposite end of the adjacent sprocket teeth of a plurality of sprocket teeth of a sprocket wheel. The first plate and the second plate are attached to each other using screws. A cylindrical pin is placed between the adjacent sprocket teeth and is configured to pass through at least one of the first opening of the first plate and the second opening of the second plate.

Abstract: A material handling system has a vertical lift two vertically aligned carriages that are independently positionable on a vertical support structure by respective drive systems. A processor subsystem selects one of the two carriages to move an article from at least one in-feed conveyor to a selected level of an automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS). The processor subsystem concurrently positions the other carriage to avoid a collision.

Abstract: A lift gate apparatus includes a movable conveyor device and a bracket. The movable conveyor device is configured to transition between a conveying position and a non-conveying position. The bracket configured to bridge a gap between the movable conveyor device and a fixed conveyor device, wherein the bracket pivots and slides over the fixed conveyor device when the movable conveyor device is transitioned from the conveying position to the non-conveying position.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, devices, and computer program products are disclosed for container transportation. An example system includes a conveyor network that includes a plurality of conveyors and each conveyor supports one or more containers thereon. Each conveyor defines a conveyor length and a conveyor operating speed. The system further includes a computing device operably coupled to the conveyor network. The computing device receives a starting location and a destination location of a first container within the conveyor network and receives an operating density for each conveyor in the conveyor network. The computing device determines a first travel path for the first container between the starting location and the destination location based upon the conveyor length, the conveyor operating speed, and the operating density for each conveyor in the conveyor network. The first travel path minimizes a total travel time for the first container between the starting location and the destination location.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, computing devices, computing entities, and/or the like associated with a robotic sortation system are provided. An example method may include receiving imaging data associated with a first item at a first sorting location of a material handling system, determining a sorting destination for the first item based at least in part on the imaging data, determining a plurality of first-tier robotic devices and a plurality of second-tier robotic devices based at least in part on the first sorting location and the sorting destination, and generating a first sortation scheme for the first item.