Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and systems comprising element in-built diverts for motorized conveyor rollers are provided. An example conveyor roller can include a housing that forms a cylindrical tube. The conveyor roller includes a plurality of element in-built diverts disposed on an exterior surface of the housing. The plurality of element in-built diverts are reconfigurable between one or more orientations with respect to the housing to divert an item an angle with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus are provided for retrieving an object from a multi-depth object storage. The method includes retrieving, via a shuttle, at least a first object from a first depth of a storage location and a second object from a second depth of the storage location. The first depth is less than the second depth, such that the first object positioned at the first depth interferes with retrieval of the second object positioned at the second depth. The method also includes manipulating the first object and the second object, such that the first object is positioned to be disposed into the storage location while the second object remains disposed on the shuttle. The method further includes disposing the first object into the storage location while the second object remains on the shuttle. A corresponding apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: Method, apparatuses, and computer program products for dynamically detecting an item within a conveyor zone are disclosed herein. An example method may comprise: accessing a load condition data object, wherein the load condition data object is indicative of a force exerted on at least one conveyor zone, processing the load condition data object using a weight condition detection model to generate a weight condition indication associated with the at least one conveyor zone, and causing one or more prediction-based actions to be performed based at least in part on the weight condition indication.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein provide for an improved accumulation conveyor and systems and methods for controlling a high rate, high density tunable accumulation conveyor. In one embodiment, an accumulation conveyor system determines whether an item detection variable associated with a second zone of a plurality of zones is satisfied, wherein the second zone is downstream of a first zone. The accumulation conveyor system determines whether at least one of two operational characteristic variables is satisfied. In an instance where both the item detection variable and at least one operational characteristic variable are satisfied, the accumulation conveyor system is configured to set a zone operating state associated with the first zone to inactive and send a command signal comprising the zone operating state associated with the first zone to a control module associated with the first zone. In another embodiment, an improved method for adjusting aggressiveness is disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a carriage lift assembly comprising: at least one frame element configured to secure the carriage lift assembly relative to a first mast and a second mast; and at least one spreader arm extending laterally and defining at least a portion of a lift width; wherein the spreader arm width of the spreader arm comprises a selectively adjustable configuration, wherein the lift width is configured to be selectively adjustable based at least in part on the adjustable configuration of the spreader arm width. In various embodiments, the at least one spreader arm comprises an at least partially resilient configuration such that, in response to a force acting on the spreader arm in one or more directions, the spreader arm may exhibit a movement in the one or more directions so as to absorb at least a portion of the force.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to conveyor apparatuses and methods of using the same. In various embodiments, a conveyor apparatus comprises a conveyor frame including a plurality of opposing sidewalls extending in a length direction and a bottom panel comprising a hinged configuration relative to the opposing sidewalls such that the bottom panel is configured for movement throughout a range of rotational motion between a closed position and an open position; and a bottom panel positioning assembly comprising: a mounting bracket secured to one of the opposing sidewalls; a positioning element slidably engaged relative to the mounting bracket and configurable between a nominal position and an engaged position; and a retention element configured to bias the positioning element towards the nominal position; wherein the bottom panel positioning assembly is configured to facilitate selective arrangement of the bottom panel based at least in part on an arrangement of the positioning element.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for identifying and tracking products in a material handling system and/or for identifying and handling product defects in a material handling system are provided. An example method may include receiving one or more articles in the material handling system; capturing one or more images of the one or more articles; identifying at least one visual defect indicator on at least one article of the one or more articles; and determining an indication corresponding to at least one of a defect of the at least one article or a portion of the material handling system causing the defect.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a carriage lift assembly including a mast member, a top and bottom bearing assembly, one or more belt members, one or more belt tensioner assemblies, and one or more carriage assemblies. Each belt tensioner assembly defines a first clamping block and a second clamping block for securing a first and a second end, respectively, of a belt member to provide initial tension, and a pair of bolt members adjusted to move a slidable plate member upon which the second block is coupled to provide final tension. Each carriage assembly is removably attached to a corresponding belt tensioner assembly, and defines a center plate and two side plates. Each side plate defines at least a removable set of guiding wheels and a first set of guiding members.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein provide for a lip assembly for a vacuum gripper or suction device that is designed to work well with both soft flexible packages and articles with rigid surfaces. The lip assembly can have a compliant or flexible inner lip that soft packages can blossom over when suction is applied, while the outer lip of the lip assembly is also suited to working with hard, rigid packages. The vacuum gripper can be mounted on an end of arm tool of a robotic arm and can therefore be configured to work with a wide variety of packages and package types. The small footprint achieved by having a single vacuum gripper that is able to work with both types of packages enables a better opportunity to pick individual packages at one time and maintain a grasp on the package during medium to high-speed transport.

Abstract: A conveyor carriage movable on a guide rail. The conveyor carriage includes a conveyor frame; a pair of side rails spaced apart from each other; and a load carrying portion coupled to the pair of side rails. A drop-down plate hingedly mounted to the conveyor frame and positioned in between the pair of side rails. The drop-down plate is pivotable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the drop-down plate encloses a component of the conveyor carriage in the closed position. The conveyor carriage to pick up and deposit loads from and to a load handling station. The load handling station including a control box with a pivotable lid to enclose one or more components of the load handling station in the closed position.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, systems, and computer program products for an improved anti-sway control system and adjustable end effector for a robotic arm are provided. An example method includes determining at least one of a size, shape or orientation of a package to be picked up by an end effector of a robotic arm and facilitating adjusting a position of a suction cup on the end effector, wherein the position is determined based on the at least one determined size, shape, or orientation of the package. The method further includes facilitating grasping the package with the end effector and facilitating movement of the end effector via a robotic joint to reduce force on the suction cup by the package due to an acceleration of the package due to movement of the robotic arm.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein relate to techniques for reinforcement learning based conveyoring control. In this regard, a conveyor system is configured to transport one or more objects via a conveyor belt. Furthermore, a vision system comprises one or more sensors configured to scan the one or more objects associated with the conveyor system. A processing device is configured to employ a machine learning model to determine object pose data associated with the one or more objects. The processing device is further configured to generate speed control data for the conveyor belt of the conveyor system based on a set of control policies associated with the object pose data.

Abstract: A manipulator including a shaft driven by a first motor, a rotatable unit, a linear slider, and a gripper is provided. The rotatable unit is coupled to the shaft, wherein the rotatable unit rotates with rotation of the shaft. The linear slider disposed on a first surface of the rotatable unit configured to slide from an initial position proximate to an outer edge of the rotatable unit to intermediate positions and to a final position proximate to a center of the rotatable unit. The gripper coupled to the linear slider to facilitate movement of the gripper along a first plane defined by the first surface of the rotatable unit.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein relate to controlling a conveyor that comprises at least a first zone that is upstream of a second zone. A second control module associated with the second zone receives a first signal from a first control module associated with the first zone. The first signal indicates that one of a first article that has an irregular boundary or a second article that has a regular boundary exits from the first zone. The second control module controls the second drive assembly and a second brake assembly based on the indication by the first signal.

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 hushing 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: In various embodiments, a goods to operator workstation is provided. The goods to operator workstation include an upper level. The upper level includes an upper level conveyor and one or more upper level container bays configured to receive and present one of the one or more upper level containers. The goods to operator workstation also includes at least one connector panel extending from the upper level. The goods to operator workstation further includes a lower level coupled to the at least one connector panel. The lower level is configured to receive one or more lower level containers. A gap is defined between the upper level and lower level that is sized to allow the one or more lower containers to be placed on the lower level. A method of operating the goods to operator workstation is also included.

Abstract: A conveyor that includes a conveyor frame, a first guide rail assembly, a divert unit having a switch assembly, and an alignment key is described. In this regard, the first guide rail assembly is positioned on a first portion of the conveyor frame such that rails of the first guide rail assembly extends along a length of the conveyor. In some examples, the first guide rail includes a first guide rail and a second guide rail positioned parallel to the first guide rail. Further, the first guide rail defines a groove along a length of the first guide rail assembly. Furthermore, according to some examples, the switch assembly defines a key slot. The key slot is adapted to enable the alignment key to pass through the key slot and further into the groove of the first guide rail, thereby, aligning the switch assembly on the first guide rail.

Abstract: A method for auto-calibration of a sorter is described. The method includes transmitting, by a carrier transmit board of a sorter, a short discharge command to a first section of the sorter. The short discharge command can be generated based on a first clock offset. Further, the method includes receiving at the carrier transmit board a status message indicative of a status of a first motor control board associated with the first section of the sorter. Furthermore, in response to the status message indicating that the first motor control did not receive the short discharge command, the method includes modifying the first clock offset to a second clock offset and retransmitting the short discharge command based on a second clock offset. If the first motor control receives the short discharge command, the method includes configuring a sorter control system based on the first clock offset.

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.