Abstract: In one embodiment, an inventory storage module has a pair of upper tracks and a pair of lower tracks that are connected to one another so as to define a closed movement path in a vertical plane. The module has a plurality of carriers arranged end-to-end along the upper and lower tracks. Each carrier is elongate along a direction that extends between a pair of the upper or lower tracks so as to carry a set of the storage containers that are arranged side-by-side. Each carrier has first and second first wheel assemblies that couple the carrier to the pairs of upper tracks and lower tracks when supported by the pairs of upper tracks and lower tracks, respectively. The storage module can move the inventory carriers around the movement path until a desired one of the inventory carriers is presented at one of the first and second ends.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a moveable support platform within the container to reduce a distance that items fall into the container when stowed. The support platform is lowered by a movement mechanism as items are placed into the container. The movement mechanism may be a bladder filled with air, a biasing device, a pneumatic device, or a mechanical device. The moveable support may form a bottom portion of the container during transport of the container. In some instances, the movement mechanism may lift items out of the container to empty the container at a destination.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system has a carousel that has a guiderail that forms a loop that has a loading position and an unloading position. The carousel also has a plurality of buckets, each having an upper end and a lower end. The lower end includes at least one bottom wall that is moveable between (i) a transporting configuration where the at least one bottom wall substantially closes the lower end of the bucket and (ii) a discharge configuration where the at least one bottom wall is moved so as to define an opening in the lower end of the bucket. The buckets are supported by the guiderail such that the buckets can be driven from the loading position towards the unloading position in the transporting configuration. The buckets can be transitioned to the discharge configuration so as to unload inventory items at the unloading position into a packaging material.

Abstract: A packaging system employs a cartridge having moveable walls such that the cartridge discharges or inducts one or more items into a cavity of a package, such as a film that is sealed into a pouch or mailer. A bottom wall of the cartridge is retracted relative to an end panel of the cartridge during the induction process.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an inventory storage system has a vertical stack of storage modules that extend from a first stack end to a second stack end, and are stacked on top of one another. Each storage module defines a path that forms a loop in a vertical plane, and each storage module has a plurality of inventory carriers that translate around the loop. The vertical stack has a first end section that extends from the first stack end towards the second stack end, and that includes a first end of each loop of the stack. The vertical stack also has a second end section that extends from the second stack end towards the first stack end, and that includes a second end of each loop of the stack. The sections can be transported separately by a truck or container and then coupled together at the destination.

Abstract: An example process may include receiving a request identifying an action with respect to an item and a modular storage system. The modular storage system may include a plurality of shipping containers accessible from an item transfer facility. The process may also include identifying a particular shipping container of the plurality of shipping containers to fulfill the request. The process may also include identifying, within the particular shipping container, a particular storage module to fulfill the request. The particular storage module may include a particular plurality of storage containers. The process may also include identifying, from among the particular plurality of storage containers, a particular storage container to fulfill the request. The process may also include causing movement of the particular plurality of storage containers to move the particular storage container to an access position.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are described herein for managing item storage using rotating platforms. In some examples, an item can be loaded on to a material conveyance device. The item then can be unloaded from the material conveyance device to a rotating platform. The rotating platform can include a sloped surface. Sensor data that identifies the item can be received. A robotic manipulator can be used to manipulate the item based at least in part on the sensor data.

Abstract: An example storage module may include an upper support structure, a lower support structure, and a frame. The upper support structure may engage with a corresponding lower support structure of a first different storage module. The lower support structure may engage with a corresponding upper support structure of a second different storage module. The frame may include a first component and a second component. Each component may include an upper portion, a lower portion, and a set of connecting portions. The upper portion may define an upper level of the storage module. The lower portion may define a lower level of the storage module. The set of connecting portions may connect the upper and lower portions. The storage module may also include a set of carrier devices to move in accordance with a movement path and support a set of storage containers.

Abstract: A moveable support platform within a container may reduce a distance that items fall into the container when stowed. The moveable support platform is lowered by a movement mechanism as items are placed into the container. The movement mechanism may be a bladder filled with air, a biasing device, a pneumatic device, or a mechanical device. The moveable support platform may form a bottom portion of the container during transport of the container. In some instances, the movement mechanism may lift items out of the container to empty the container at a destination.

Abstract: Described are systems, methods, and apparatus for automated item singulation. The system includes a singulation station in which a plurality of different type items may be transitioned onto a singulation table. The singulation table activates and the movement of the singulation table causes the items to de-shingle, separate in distance with respect to one another and migrate along the singulation table toward a pick conveyor. As the de-shingled and singulated items arrive on the pick conveyor they are detected and individually picked by a robotic unit and transitioned from the singulation station.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the movement of portable receptacles within a materials handling facility are described. The materials handling facility utilizes at least one linear induction motor (LIM) to move the portable receptacles having conductive elements from a first location to a second location within the facility. The LIMs may be configured such that most, if not all, of the movement of the receptacles is controlled by the application of energy from the LIMs to the conductive elements of the receptacles. This energy may cause the receptacles to move from one LIM to another LIM, where each LIM in sequence can apply force to the receptacle to pass it to the next LIM in the sequence. In some implementations, the portable receptacles are configured such that at least a base portion of the receptacle includes a conductive element to interact with the LIMs, while maintaining an overall light-weight configuration.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an storage module has first and second guide rails that are spaced from one another along a lateral direction. Each guiderail has an upper track and a lower track spaced from one another along a vertical direction, and first and second connecting tracks that connect the upper track to the lower track at first and second ends, respectively. A plurality of inventory carriers that are supported between the guiderails and are arranged end-to-end along the upper and lower tracks. A drivetrain drives the carriers to translate along the upper and lower tracks at a first speed, and drives the carriers to translate along the connecting tracks at a second speed, faster than the first speed. Increasing the speed of the carriers at the connecting tracks can prevent the carriers from colliding with one another when transitioning between the upper track and the lower track.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an inventory storage system has a vertical stack of storage modules that extend from a first stack end to a second stack end, and are stacked on top of one another. Each storage module defines a path that forms a loop in a vertical plane, and each storage module has a plurality of inventory carriers that translate around the loop. The vertical stack has a first end section that extends from the first stack end towards the second stack end, and that includes a first end of each loop of the stack. The vertical stack also has a second end section that extends from the second stack end towards the first stack end, and that includes a second end of each loop of the stack. The sections can be transported separately by a truck or container and then coupled together at the destination.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an inventory storage module has first and second guiderails that are spaced from one another along a lateral direction. Each guiderail has an upper track and a lower track, and first and second connecting tracks that connect the upper track to the lower track at first and second ends of the storage module, respectively. The module has a plurality of inventory carriers that are supported between the first and second guiderails, are arranged end-to-end along the upper and lower tracks along a longitudinal direction, and are elongate along the lateral direction. The module can also have a plurality of storage containers carried by each inventory carrier in a side-by-side relation along the lateral direction, where the plurality of storage containers carry a plurality of inventory items.

Abstract: An example item storage system may include a shipping container and a plurality of storage modules disposed within the interior of the shipping container. Each storage module may include an upper support structure, a lower support structure, and a frame. The upper support structure may engage with a corresponding lower support structure of a first different storage module. The frame may define an upper level to support a first plurality of moveable container carriers, and a lower level to support a second plurality of moveable container carriers.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for an automated package unloading system. An automated package unloading system can include an end effector supported by a supporting frame which is mounted to a conveyor system. The end effector and/or the conveyor can be configured to move into and out of a container containing stacked packages. The end effector can be configured to attach to the packages and pull the packages from their original position. The end effector can further be configured to release the packages onto the underlying conveyor.

Abstract: Described herein is an inventory management system, and corresponding methods, in which robotic units are configured to execute at least a portion of a set of instructions in an automated manner. During execution of the set of instructions, robotic units may encounter tasks that they are unable to complete in an automated manner. The robotic units, upon encountering these tasks, may submit a request for manual operation to a control unit. In some embodiments, the request may be assigned to an available operator, which may take over control of the robotic unit using a remote manipulation device, to complete the task manually. Once the task has been completed manually, automated execution of the instructions may be resumed. In embodiments of the disclosed system, an operator may work assigned requests as those requests are received, which may eliminate downtime for the operator.

Abstract: Concepts of an omnidirectional pinion wheel are described. In one embodiment, the wheel includes first and second rims each including inner and outer rim surfaces, and an annular ring of rollers affixed on the outer surface of one of the first and second annular rim. Using an axis of freedom of the rollers, the wheel can move sideways in addition to forward and backward. Further, when used with a vertical rack gear, the wheel can provide vertical displacement by engagement between teeth of the gear and the pinion ring. Additionally, various racks and tracks with teeth for pinion ring engagement are described along with an example vehicle capable of vertical displacement using the wheels.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a recirculating gantry system operating in parallel with multiple actuators on one or more gantries. A plurality of items are retrieved from a plurality of picking locations via a plurality of actuators disposed on a gantry spanning the picking locations. The gantry is moved along a horizontal track toward a plurality of stowage locations. The gantry is centered on the horizontal track. Individual items are deposited in respective ones of the stowage locations via the plurality of actuators as the gantry moves over the stowage locations.

Abstract: An example process may include receiving a request identifying an action with respect to an item and a modular storage system. The modular storage system may include a plurality of shipping containers accessible from an item transfer facility. The process may also include identifying a particular shipping container of the plurality of shipping containers to fulfill the request. The process may also include identifying, within the particular shipping container, a particular storage module to fulfill the request. The particular storage module may include a particular plurality of storage containers. The process may also include identifying, from among the particular plurality of storage containers, a particular storage container to fulfill the request. The process may also include causing movement of the particular plurality of storage containers to move the particular storage container to an access position.