Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for robotic item sortation and optimization along the vertical axis in a conveyor-based system. A robotic system may be mounted above or adjacent to a conveyor system that moves items along a conveyor belt or similar device. Once an item is laterally diverted from the conveyor system, the robotic system may collect the item at a respective holding station and move the item along a vertical axis for placement in one of a plurality of vertically-configured item handling devices.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for using air pressure to increase or decrease the force of static friction between an item and the surface of a conveyance system. The conveyance system can include a track and a conveyor segment affixed to the track. The conveyor segment can include an air permeable surface on which an item can be placed. Mounted underneath the air permeable surface is an air displacement device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automated shipping optimization are described herein. In some embodiments, items may be loaded into a receptacle. As items are loaded into a receptacle, a imaging device monitors the items in order to determine if a package is inefficiently oriented in a receptacle. If a package is inefficiently oriented in a receptacle, in some embodiments, the imaging device may send instructions to a robotic device to re-orient the inefficiently oriented item. The imaging device and robotic device, in some embodiments, can monitor multiple receptacles.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for robotic item sortation and optimization along the vertical axis in a conveyor-based system. A robotic system may be mounted above or adjacent to a conveyor system that moves items along a conveyor belt or similar device. Once an item is laterally diverted from the conveyor system, the robotic system may collect the item at a respective holding station and move the item along a vertical axis for placement in one of a plurality of vertically-configured item handling devices.

Abstract: A soldier's garment includes a hard plate carrier, a concealable carrier that can carry soft armor panels, and separate soft armor panels. The plate carrier can be worn alone, the concealable carrier can be worn alone, the plate carrier can be worn with the concealable carrier, or the plate carrier can be worn with the soft armor panels. The plate carrier has an actuatable quick release system for enabling release of the plate carrier. Each one of the concealable carrier and the soft armor panels is released from the soldier with the plate carrier when the quick release system is actuated.