Abstract: A multi-belt conveyor is described. The multi-belt conveyor comprises a base assembly comprising a base frame that extends along a length of the multi-belt conveyor. Further, the multi-belt conveyor comprises a conveyor bed having a plurality of cartridges positioned adjacently to each other and mounted to the base frame. In this regard, each cartridge of the plurality of cartridges comprises a set of conveyor belts configured to move in a direction along the conveyor bed at a defined speed. Further, in accordance with example embodiments, a cartridge of the plurality of cartridges is configured to be removed from the conveyor bed without removing an adjacent cartridge from the plurality of cartridges. Further, each cartridge of the multi-belt conveyor comprises an actuation assembly comprising: a drive pulley, a roller-slider bed comprising a plurality of rollers, and the set of conveyor belts mounted around the roller-slider bed and the drive pulley.

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: 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. In an instance where the item detection variable and an 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, a method for adjusting aggressiveness is disclosed. In another embodiment, a tunable release rate accumulation conveyor is disclosed. In still another embodiment, a tunable crowding accumulation conveyor is disclosed.

Abstract: Method, apparatuses, and computer program products for automatically determining a placement location or removal location for one or more items is disclosed. An example method comprising generating a plurality of three-dimensional pallet cells for a pallet; generating one or more three-dimensional item cells for each item of a plurality of items; determining a placement location comprising one or more three-dimensional pallet cells for one or more items of the plurality of items; and causing one or more indications describing the placement location for the one or more items of the plurality of items.

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 convey or 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: Various embodiments illustrated herein disclose a container unloader device. The container unloader device comprises a platform to receive a container, wherein the container comprises a package. The container unloader device also comprises a front panel configured to move between a raised orientation and a lowered orientation, wherein when the front panel being is in the raised orientation, the front panel is orthogonal with respect to the platform, and when the front panel is in the lowered orientation, the front panel and the platform form a continuous surface. The platform can be pivoted from a first angle to a second angle, that is greater than the first angle. The package leans against the front panel the front panel is in the raised orientation. The package is released on a surface of a conveyor when the front panel is in the lowered orientation.

Abstract: Various embodiments illustrated herein disclose a leveling foot tool which comprises a first base and a threaded rod. The threaded rod comprises a cavity to insert a screw nut and bolt assembly. A socket driver is installed over the screw nut and bolt assembly. The leveling foot tool is mounted on a drill. The first base of the leveling foot tool has one or more holes through which one or more screw nut and bolt assemblies are threaded. A leveling foot, which is to be installed comprises a second base and a threaded rod. The second base of the leveling foot comprises one or more holes to receive the one or more screw assemblies of the leveling foot tool. Using the rotational and the translational motion of the drill, the threaded rod of the leveling foot is drilled into a threaded hole of a leg of a machine.

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: 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: A measurement system used in conjunction with a conveyor includes a first sensor with a first transceiver and a second sensor with a second transceiver. The transceivers transmit a first light beam and a second light beam towards a movable portion of the conveyor. A control unit communicably coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor, wherein the control unit calculates a first distance between the first sensor and the movable portion based on the first sensor and a second distance between the second sensor and the movable portion based on the second sensor. The control unit determines a difference value between the first distance and the second distance; and stops the unloader in response to the difference value being above a predefined threshold value.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a goods to operator workstation for presenting a container of articles to an operator for picking. The goods to operator workstation includes a container presenting mechanism having laterally movable arms positioned at a first predetermined distance from each other to create a first space to receive and present the container to the operator for picking. A lifting unit moves vertically upwards into the first space to receive the picked container, the laterally movable arms move outwardly away from each other to be positioned at a second predetermined distance from each other, and the lifting unit moves vertically downwards through the at least two laterally movable arms to transfer the picked container onto the discharge conveyor.

Abstract: Various example embodiments described herein relate to an item manipulation system including a control system and a robotic arm coupled to the control system. The item manipulation system includes an end effector communicatively coupled to the control system and defines a first end and a second end. The first end of the end effector is rotatably engaged to the robotic arm. The item manipulation system also includes a gripper unit attached to the second end of the end effector. The gripper unit is configured to grip the item. The gripper unit includes at least one flexible suction cup and at least one rigid gripper. Each of the flexible suction cup and the at least one rigid gripper engage a surface of the item based on vacuum suction force generated through the at least one flexible suction cup or the at least one rigid gripper.

Abstract: A singulation conveyor is described. The singulation conveyor includes multiple rollers, for example, a first roller and a second roller. In some example embodiments, the first roller can be of a first roller cross-sectional profile and the second roller can be of a second roller cross-sectional profile. The first roller cross-sectional profile can be defined by a sleeve mounted around a circumference of the first roller and a dowel positioned between the sleeve and the first roller. Further, in some examples, the first roller cross-sectional profile can be different from the second roller cross-sectional profile. Furthermore, according to some examples, the first roller and the second roller can be configured to be rotated based on a first rotation pattern and a second rotation pattern respectively, to cause singulation of a shingled item.

Abstract: A method for establishing and transmitting the status parameters of a conveyor and it's articles accumulated includes recording a first signal and a second signal with the first signal received from at least one sensor of a plurality of sensors in a conveyor zone and the second signal transmitted in response to receiving the first signal. The first signal is indicative of an article presence status in the conveyor zone and the second signal is indicative of an actuation status of the conveyor zone. Further, the method includes storing the first signal and the second signal recorded over a periodic scan cycle in a memory to create a historical log of the first signal and the second signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for performing article singulation are provided. An article singulator can include an intake conveyor, an out-take conveyor, and multiple intermediate conveyors. The intake conveyor can receive multiple articles and convey the articles to the multiple intermediate conveyors. Further, the out-take conveyor may convey singulated articles from amongst the multiple articles (e.g. to an outfeed). Further, the multiple intermediate conveyors may include successive conveyors to convey the articles and provide the singulated articles to the out-take conveyor. In some examples, each successive conveyor of the multiple intermediate conveyors may be positioned at a lower level than a preceding conveyor. Further, each successive conveyor can convey the articles in a different direction and at a different speed than a preceding conveyor such that the articles are singulated upon conveyance by the article singulator.

Abstract: A material handling apparatus includes a first pop-up belt abutting a first cam. The first pop-up belt is configured to facilitate movement of a package between a first conveyor and a second conveyor. a separator wall abuts a second cam. The separator wall is configured to control movement of the package between the first conveyor and the second conveyor. In response to the camshaft rotating in a first direction, the first cam causes the first pop-up belt to extend out from the first conveyor. The second cam causes the separator wall to move to a first position. I in the first position, the separator wall allows the package to move from the first conveyor to the second conveyor. In response to the camshaft rotating in a second direction, the first pop-up belt move to a retracted position while the separator wall to move to a second position.

Abstract: A material handling apparatus includes a first pop-up belt abutting a first cam. The first pop-up belt is configured to facilitate movement of a package between a first conveyor and a second conveyor. a separator wall abuts a second cam. The separator wall is configured to control movement of the package between the first conveyor and the second conveyor. In response to the camshaft rotating in a first direction, the first cam causes the first pop-up belt to extend out from the first conveyor. The second cam causes the separator wall to move to a first position. I in the first position, the separator wall allows the package to move from the first conveyor to the second conveyor. In response to the camshaft rotating in a second direction, the first pop-up belt move to a retracted position while the separator wall to move to a second position.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a diverter apparatus and method of using the same. In various embodiments, the diverter apparatus is configured to selectively direct an exemplary object traveling along a conveyor travel path to one of a plurality of adjacent conveyor locations. In various embodiments, the diverter apparatus may comprise a diverter conveyor surface, a cam follower, and a cam comprising a rotational range of motion about a cam shaft axis, the cam being physically engaged with the cam follower. Various embodiments are directed to a diverter apparatus configured to utilize a plurality of forces generated by the rotational motion of the cam to facilitate the transition of the directional configuration of the diverter conveyor surface from the first directional configuration to the second directional configuration, and, subsequently, from the second directional configuration back to the first directional configuration, again using the rotational motion of the cam.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a material handling system for manipulating items. The material handling system includes a repositioning system comprising a robotic tool which includes a robotic arm portion and an end effector. The robotic tool is configured to manipulate an item in a first orientation and reorient the item to a second orientation. The material handling system further includes a vision system having one or more sensors positioned within the material handling system. The vision system is configured to generate inputs corresponding to the characteristics of the items. The material handling system may further include a controller executing instructions to cause the material handling system to identify the item in the first orientation, based on the one or more characteristics of the item, initiate, by the repositioning system, picking of the item in the first orientation, and re-orient the item in the second orientation.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and computer program products for a temperature regulated container disclosed herein. An example temperature regulated apparatus comprises abase container. The base container includes at least a base portion, one or more sidewall portions, and a lid portion. The temperature regulated apparatus also includes one or more thermoelectric components, wherein (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 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.