Abstract: A parcel cart loading system includes: a conveyor; parcel carts for receiving parcels offloaded from the conveyor; a loading station where parcels are offloaded to the parcel carts; and a vision and control subsystem that is operably connected to a plurality of mobile robots. The vision and control subsystem acquires one or more images of parcel carts within a loading area of the loading station and determines if any of the parcel carts are fully loaded based on the image data. Each parcel cart determined to be fully loaded is autonomously transported out of the loading area and to its intended destination by one of the mobile robots within the system. Each parcel cart transported out of the loading area is replaced by another parcel cart from a queue area of the loading station by another mobile robot of the system.

Abstract: A conveyor system includes: a pick conveyor defining a picking area for a bulk flow of parcels; a place conveyor positioned downstream of the picking area; a first robot singulator and a second robot singulator, which work in parallel to transfer parcels within a picking area of the pick conveyor to the place conveyor; and a vision and control subsystem that communicates instructions to control operation of some or all of the foregoing components. The vision and control subsystem includes a target camera for acquiring one or more images of the picking area, which are processed within the system to determine the location of parcels positioned within the picking area. The vision and control subsystem can execute one or more routines or subroutines to reduce system downtime associated with image acquisition and processing, parcel transfer to the place conveyor, and/or parcel delivery to the picking area.

Abstract: A parcel cart for transporting parcels comprises a substructure, with a frame mounted to and supported by the substructure. The frame defines an internal volume in which parcels are received and stored for transport. The frame also includes: a base; a first end wall; a second end wall; a first side wall; and a second side wall. To facilitate loading or unloading of the parcel cart, the frame can include at least one end wall configured to transition between an upright position and a lowered position. To facilitate autonomous transport of the parcel cart, the substructure and the frame can define a cavity for receiving a mobile robot. To avoid occlusion of the field of view of one or more cameras associated with the mobile robot, the frame can include at least one end wall that is in a non-perpendicular orientation relative to the base.

Abstract: A conveyor system includes: a pick conveyor defining a picking area for a bulk flow of parcels; a place conveyor positioned downstream of the picking area; a first robot singulator and a second robot singulator, which work in parallel to transfer parcels within a picking area of the pick conveyor to the place conveyor; and a vision and control subsystem that communicates instructions to control operation of some or all of the foregoing components. The vision and control subsystem includes a target camera for acquiring one or more images of the picking area, which are processed within the system to determine the location of parcels positioned within the picking area. The vision and control subsystem can execute one or more routines or subroutines to reduce system downtime associated with image acquisition and processing, parcel transfer to the place conveyor, and/or parcel delivery to the picking area.

Abstract: A parcel cart for transporting parcels comprises a substructure, with a frame mounted to and supported by the substructure. The frame defines an internal volume in which parcels are received and stored for transport. The frame also includes: a base; a first end wall; a second end wall; a first side wall; and a second side wall. To facilitate loading or unloading of the parcel cart, the frame can include at least one end wall configured to transition between an upright position and a lowered position. To facilitate autonomous transport of the parcel cart, the substructure and the frame can define a cavity for receiving a mobile robot. To avoid occlusion of the field of view of one or more cameras associated with the mobile robot, the frame can include at least one end wall that is in a non-perpendicular orientation relative to the base.

Abstract: A closure assembly configured to urge a drawer of a refrigerator from an open position that permits access to an interior of the drawer toward a closed position that impedes access to the interior of the drawer. The closure assembly includes a cam block configured to be disposed on one of the drawer and a portion of the refrigerator other than the drawer. The cam block includes a cam surface. A cam member is configured to be disposed on the other one of the drawer and the portion of the refrigerator other than the drawer. The cam member includes a contact surface configured to contact the cam surface to urge the drawer from the open position toward the closed position.

Abstract: A closure assembly configured to urge a drawer of a refrigerator from an open position that permits access to an interior of the drawer toward a closed position that impedes access to the interior of the drawer. The closure assembly includes a cam block configured to be disposed on one of the drawer and a portion of the refrigerator other than the drawer. The cam block includes a cam surface. A cam member is configured to be disposed on the other one of the drawer and the portion of the refrigerator other than the drawer. The cam member includes a contact surface configured to contact the cam surface to urge the drawer from the open position toward the closed position.