Abstract: A conveyance system includes an in-feed conveyor for conveying a high density flow of a plurality of parcels. The system further includes a first pick conveyor configured for being selectively activated and deactivated in order to space out the plurality of parcels and turn the high density flow into a low density flow of parcels. A second pick conveyor is in series with and downstream of the first pick conveyor. The system further includes a first place conveyor and a second place conveyor in series with and downstream of the first place conveyor. A first robot is configured for transferring parcels from the first pick conveyor to the first place conveyor. A second robot is configured for transferring parcels from the second pick conveyor to the second place conveyor. As such, robots each have their own dedicated workspace and do not interfere with each other.

Abstract: A gripping system includes a gripper body having a vacuum pathway, a vacuum source connector, and an air source connector. A plurality of air lines are coupled to the air source connector and a respective plurality of valves are coupled to the air lines. Each one of the valves is configured for switching between a compressed air source and a vacuum source. A respective plurality of compensators are coupled to the plurality of air lines. Each compensator includes a cylinder and a piston configured for reciprocal linear translation within the cylinder. An expansion volume in the cylinder is in fluid communication with one of the air lines, and is configured to expand when the air line is coupled to the compressed air source and is configured to contract when the air line is coupled to the vacuum source, thereby extending and retracting the compensator relative to the gripper body.

Abstract: A conveyance system includes an in-feed conveyor for conveying a high density flow of a plurality of parcels. The system further includes a first pick conveyor configured for being selectively activated and deactivated in order to space out the plurality of parcels and turn the high density flow into a low density flow of parcels. A second pick conveyor is in series with and downstream of the first pick conveyor. The system further includes a first place conveyor and a second place conveyor in series with and downstream of the first place conveyor. A first robot is configured for transferring parcels from the first pick conveyor to the first place conveyor. A second robot is configured for transferring parcels from the second pick conveyor to the second place conveyor. As such, robots each have their own dedicated workspace and do not interfere with each other.

Abstract: A conveyance system includes an in-feed conveyor for conveying a high density flow of a plurality of parcels. The system further includes a first pick conveyor configured for being selectively activated and deactivated in order to space out the plurality of parcels and turn the high density flow into a low density flow of parcels. A second pick conveyor is in series with and downstream of the first pick conveyor. The system further includes a first place conveyor and a second place conveyor in series with and downstream of the first place conveyor. A first robot is configured for transferring parcels from the first pick conveyor to the first place conveyor. A second robot is configured for transferring parcels from the second pick conveyor to the second place conveyor. As such, robots each have their own dedicated workspace and do not interfere with each other.

Abstract: A conveyance system includes an in-feed conveyor for conveying a high density flow of a plurality of parcels. The system further includes a first pick conveyor configured for being selectively activated and deactivated in order to space out the plurality of parcels and turn the high density flow into a low density flow of parcels. A second pick conveyor is in series with and downstream of the first pick conveyor. The system further includes a first place conveyor and a second place conveyor in series with and downstream of the first place conveyor. A first robot is configured for transferring parcels from the first pick conveyor to the first place conveyor. A second robot is configured for transferring parcels from the second pick conveyor to the second place conveyor. As such, robots each have their own dedicated workspace and do not interfere with each other.

Abstract: An end effector for attaching to a robotic arm includes a gripper fixedly attached to a carriage, and a platform. The gripper is configured for being in fluid communication with a vacuum source. The platform has a distal end and a proximal end that is configured for being coupled to the robotic arm. The carriage is operatively coupled to the platform and is configured to move back and forth between the distal and proximal ends of the platform. The gripper may include a plurality of suction cups configured for engaging a package, and the carriage may be configured for lifting the gripper and dragging the package onto the platform while the package is engaged by the gripper.