Abstract: Systems and methods to generate and schedule tasks for automated guided carts (AGCs) may include an overhead sensor system, a warehouse management system, an order management system, and a traffic controller. The overhead sensor system may detect trolleys and totes positioned at various trolley locations within a material handling facility. Based on the sensor data and data associated with states of portions of the material handling facility, the order management system may generate logically feasible tasks to transport trolleys and totes within the facility, and may also sequence the tasks in a temporally feasible order. Then, the traffic controller may instruct execution of the sequence of tasks by AGCs to facilitate various material handling processes within the facility.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed for automated shuttles for rapid replacement of full containers. In one embodiment, an example system may include a shuttle configured to move adjacent to an array of containers arranged in a first row and a second row, the array of containers having a first container in the first row and a second container in the second row, a first container receptacle portion configured to receive containers, the first container receptacle portion having a first conveyor, and a second container receptacle portion configured to receive containers, the second container receptacle portion having a second conveyor. The system may include a motor configured to cause the shuttle to move laterally adjacent to the array of containers.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed for automated item redistribution systems for containers. In one embodiment, an example system may include a shuttle configured to move adjacent to an array of containers arranged in a first row and a second row, the array of containers including a first container in the first row and a second container in the second row. Example systems may include a first camera configured to image containers in the first row, a second camera configured to image containers in the second row, a first container receptacle portion configured to receive containers, and a rake arm comprising a telescoping portion and a head portion. The head portion may be configured to rotate from a flat position to an angled position. The system may be configured to clear jams in individual containers of the array of containers using the rake arm.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for systems and methods for item singulation in a conveyor belt system. The singulation system may include one or more conveyor belts, one or more piston arrays disposed below the one or more conveyor belts, one or more cameras for generating image data of the conveyor belt, and a computing device for processing the image data and controlling the piston array. The singulation system may selectively actuate pistons of the piston array to achieve singulation of the items (e.g., packages) on the conveyor belt to ensure such items are separated by a certain distance. Multiple conveyor belts in series and with increasing velocities may be employed to increase separation between items.

Abstract: Container gripping systems and methods may include a plurality of arm assemblies and at least one fork assembly that are configured to align, grip, lift, transfer, and release a layer of containers between locations. Each of the plurality of arm assemblies and the at least one fork assembly of a container gripping apparatus may move between respective retracted positions, in which portions of containers are gripped or supported, and extended positions, in which portions of containers are released or unsupported. Further, a movement device, such as a robotic arm, may couple to a container gripping apparatus and may manipulate the apparatus to align, grip, lift, transfer, and release a layer of containers between locations.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed for automated container shaking systems. In one embodiment, an example container shaking system may include a first support disposed at a first side of a first container slot, a second support disposed at a second side of the first container slot, and a first moveable platform disposed on the first support and the second support. The first moveable platform may be configured to slide on the first support and the second support, and the first moveable platform may be configured to receive a first container. The system may include a first actuator coupled to the first moveable platform, the first actuator configured to push and pull the first moveable platform, and an optional first sensor configured to detect an item deposited into the first container. Feedback from the first sensor may optionally be used to trigger the first actuator.

Abstract: Container depalletization systems and methods may include various example depalletizing stations including a frame and a plurality of fork assemblies. For example, the frame may receive a stack of containers, and the plurality of fork assemblies may engage, lift, lower, and release layers of containers from the stack of containers to downstream stations or processes. In addition, the example depalletizing stations may include transfer elevator assemblies that may receive layers of containers from the plurality of fork assemblies and transfer the layers of containers to downstream stations or processes. Further, the example depalletizing stations may include movable frames that may move between a first position, at which layers of containers may be engaged and lifted by the plurality of fork assemblies, and a second position, at which layers of containers may be lowered and released by the plurality of fork assemblies and transferred to downstream stations or processes.

Abstract: A system and method for automated palletization of totes and cuboid containers includes an end effector having fingers projecting outwardly. The fingers may engage recesses in the totes. Alternatively, actuators on fixed fingers can move gripping surfaces into engagement with the totes or containers. Or actuators on a body of the end effector can move the fingers, which include gripping surfaces.

Abstract: A method of applying a label to a transport structure includes receiving the label from a label dispenser with an end effector, in which the label includes information related to a plurality of storage containers secured to the transport structure with a restraining member. The method further includes measuring a position of the end effector relative to an object, moving the end effector with the label to a target position based upon the measured position, and applying the label to the restraining member with the end effector. The method may further include moving the end effector away from the storage containers, and transporting the transport structure with the storage containers and the label based upon the information of the label.

Abstract: A system and method for automated palletization of totes and cuboid containers includes an end effector having fingers projecting outwardly. The fingers may engage recesses in the totes. Alternatively, actuators on fixed fingers can move gripping surfaces into engagement with the totes or containers. Or actuators on a body of the end effector can move the fingers, which include gripping surfaces.

Abstract: A system and method for automated palletization of totes and cuboid containers includes an end effector having fingers projecting outwardly. The fingers may engage recesses in the totes. Alternatively, actuators on fixed fingers can move gripping surfaces into engagement with the totes or containers. Or actuators on a body of the end effector can move the fingers, which include gripping surfaces.

Abstract: A gripper assembly for use with a moving device is disclosed. The moving device can be a mechanical device such as a robot. The gripper assembly includes a platform and an elongate arm extending from the platform. The elongate arm is in the form of least one elongate member. Each elongate member has a body which has a proximal end and an opposed distal end. A gripping mechanism is rotatably supported relative to the arm, and includes a holder having a pivoting arm pivotably joined to the body in the region of the distal end of the body. An actuator is in operable communication with the pivoting arm to impart pivotable movement to the pivoting arm and rotational movement to said gripping mechanism about a horizontal axis upon actuation of the actuator. The gripper assembly may have a center of mass substantially aligned with a vertical rotation axis of the gripper assembly.

Abstract: A gripper assembly for a mechanical device includes an elongate arm in engagement with robotic translation and rotation means. The elongate arm has a platform with at least one elongate member having a bearing bore defined at a free extent thereof. Each bearing bore accommodates insertion of a bearing shaft upon which a gripping mechanism, such as a suction cup assembly, is rotatably supported. The suction cup assembly includes a pivoting arm having a pivoting bore in engagement with a free extent of a linkage element that establishes pivotable movement between the pivoting arm and an actuator means. The gripper assembly has a center of mass substantially aligned with a vertical rotation axis between an initial article picking orientation, wherein the suction cup assembly engages an article in a random orientation, and a successive article rotation orientation, wherein the suction cup assembly rotates a picked article around a horizontal axis for placement in an article placement position.

Abstract: A gripper assembly for use with a moving device. The moving device can be a mechanical device such as a robot. The gripper assembly includes a platform and an elongate arm extending from the platform. The elongate arm is in the form of least one elongate member. Each elongate member has a body which has a proximal end and an opposed distal end. A gripping mechanism is rotatably supported relative to the arm, and includes a holder having a pivoting arm pivotably joined to the body in the region of the distal end of the body. An actuator is in operable communication with the pivoting arm to impart pivotable movement to the pivoting arm and rotational movement to said gripping mechanism about a horizontal axis upon actuation of the actuator. The gripper assembly may have a center of mass substantially aligned with a vertical rotation axis of the gripper assembly.