ROBUST PICKING AND PACKING OF STORAGE ITEMS

Abstract

A method includes providing a container having a folding side wall, the folding side wall in an open position defining a side access port having a predetermined side access port frame of reference. The folding side wall is positioned in the open position. Content/items are ordinated from a first arrangement of the content/items to a second arrangement of the content/items, different than the first arrangement of the content/items and disposed within the container with the second arrangement of the content/items ordinated with respect to the predetermined side access port frame of reference and an access direction to the content/items through the side access port.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Non-Provisional Patent Application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/602,856, filed May 8, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The exemplary embodiments generally relate to material handling, and more particularly, to automated storage and retrieval systems.

2. Brief Description of Related Developments

Generally, a majority of items shipped from a production facility are arranged in an orderly array (i.e., having a known position and orientation) and are packaged so as to maintain the orderly array of items. However, once the items arrive at a storage or distribution facility, they are removed from their packaging and, frequently, the orientation of the items in the array is disrupted with respect to one another. For example, items may be removed from packaging and dumped into a bin with other similar items such that the position and orientation of each item within the bin is unknown. As a result, an order picking company must then re-determine the position and orientation of the items (e.g., robotically with vision systems or manually with pick-to-light, pick-to-voice, etc.) when assembling the items of a customer order. In some instances, the position and orientation of items may be lost and subsequently re-determined multiple times between receipt of shipment from the production facility and shipment to the customer. Further, the known position and orientation of items in a container may be lost if the contents within the container are not secured against agitation during transport or storage operations. The result is additional complexity and cost associated with picking and packaging customer orders.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, apparatuses and methods, intended to address at least one or more of the above-identified concerns, would find utility.

The following is a non-exhaustive list of examples, which may or may not be claimed, of the subject matter according to the present disclosure.

One example of the subject matter according to the present disclosure relates to a method including providing a container having a folding side wall, the folding side wall in an open position defining a side access port having a predetermined side access port frame of reference, positioning the folding side wall in the open position, and ordinating content/items, from a first arrangement of the content/items to a second arrangement of the content/items, different than the first arrangement of the content/items and disposed within the container with the second arrangement of the content/items ordinated with respect to the predetermined side access port frame of reference and an access direction to the content/items through the side access port.

Another example of the subject matter according to the present disclosure relates to a method including providing a container having a movable side wall, the movable side wall in an open position defining a side access port having a side access port open plane, the side access port open plane being defined by an edge of the side access port, positioning the folding side wall in the open position, and ordinating content/items, from a first arrangement of the content/items to a second arrangement of the content/items, different than the first arrangement of the content/items and disposed within the container with an ordinating access direction to each of the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items through the side access port in a direction substantially perpendicular to the open plane of the side access port, the ordinating access direction being ordinated in an ordination direction having an axis defined by the side access port open plane.

Another example of the subject matter according to the present disclosure relates to a method including providing a first container and a second container, each container having a demountable side wall, the demountable side wall of each container, in a demounted position, defining a side access port having a side access port open plane and having a side access port frame of reference, removing the demountable side wall from one or more of the first container and the second container, and ordinating content/items, from a first arrangement of the content/items in the first container to a second arrangement of the content/items in the first container, different than the first arrangement of the content/items and ordinated with respect to ordination of content/items in the second container, with respect to the side access port frame of reference of the first container, and with ordinating access directed through the side access ports of the first and second containers in a direction substantially perpendicular to the open plane of each respective side access port.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described examples of the present disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary system for the ordination and storage of content/items, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary container of the system of FIG. 1 with a folding side wall in an open position, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 with exemplary contents, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. showing ordinated contents secured in their respective ordinated positions, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. showing ordinated contents secured in their respective ordinated positions, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. showing ordinated contents secured in their respective ordinated positions, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. showing ordinated contents secured in their respective ordinated positions, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an exemplary array of contents, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the array of contents of FIG. 8 being transferred to a robotic end effector, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the array of contents of FIG. 8 being transferred to a robotic end effector, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the array of contents of FIG. 8 being transferred to a robotic end effector, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the array of contents of FIG. 8 being transferred to a robotic end effector, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the array of contents of FIG. 8 being transferred to a robotic end effector, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 with exemplary ordinated contents secured in row restraints, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the container and contents of FIG. 14 showing ordination of additional contents, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the container and contents of FIG. 14 showing ordination of additional contents, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the container and contents of FIG. 14 showing ordination of additional contents, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the container and contents of FIG. 14 showing ordination of additional contents, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 with exemplary ordinated contents secured in row restraints, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an exemplary container including subcompartments, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 showing an exemplary interface between a robotic end effector and contents, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 including an exemplary container insert, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the container and insert of FIG. 22 showing removal of contents by a robotic end effector, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the container and insert of FIG. 22 showing removal of contents by a robotic end effector, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the container and insert of FIG. 22 showing removal of contents by a robotic end effector, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 26 is a front view of an exemplary container, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing a robotic end effector porting contents from a first container to a second container, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 28A-E illustrate respective top views of different positions of a robotic end effector porting contents from a first container to a second container, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 29A-E illustrate respective side views of different positions of the robotic end effector of FIG. 28A-E porting contents from the first container to the second container, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 30A-E illustrate respective side views of different positions of a robotic end effector porting contents from a first container to a second container, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 31A-C illustrate respective top views of different positions of the porting of contents from a first container to a second container, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 32-34 illustrate respective perspective views of a robotic end effector porting contents from an exemplary container comprising a demountable side wall, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 35-39 illustrate respective front views of a robotic end effector porting contents from an exemplary container comprising a demountable side wall, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 40 is a flow diagram of an ordination and storage system, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 41 is a flow diagram of an ordination and storage system, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1,2, and 12, the aspects of the present disclosure provide a system 1000 including a container 10 having a folding side wall 100 and configured to store one or more content/items (hereinafter contents 110) (FIG. 40, Block 1120). The folding side wall 100 may be positioned into either a closed position or an open position (see, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 2) by, for example, rotating the folding side wall 100 about an axis 100A (FIG. 40, Block 1140). The folding side wall 100 in an open position defines a side access port 104 having a predetermined side access port 104 frame of reference and a side access port open plane 104P defined by an edge of the side access port 104 with ordinating access directed through the side access port 104 in access direction d1. The ordinating access direction d1 may be ordinated in an ordination direction d0 having an axis defined by the side access port open plane 104P.

As will be described herein, contents 110 may be first received (e.g., in the original packaging) in a first arrangement 120 of the contents 110. For example, contents 110 stored in their original packaging (i.e., packaged for shipment from a manufacturing facility) may be in some original packaging order or in a deranged order from the original packaging. At the facility, the container 10 folding side wall 100 may be use in accordance with the disclosed system and method as described below to ordinate the contents 110 from a first arrangement 120 of the contents 110 to a second arrangement 130 of the contents 110, different from the arrangement of the contents as received, for example, contents 110 stored within the container 10 and ordinated with respect to the predetermined side access port 104 frame of reference in access direction d1 through the side access port 104 (FIG. 40, Block 1140). One or more items of the second arrangement 130 of the contents 130 may then be picked from the container 10 in an access direction d1 through the side access port 104. As will be described, the access direction d1 may be ordinated in an ordination direction d0 defined by the side access port open plane 104P. Further, contents 110 of the second arrangement 130 of the contents 110 may be secured with respect to position and orientation, either individually, in groups (e.g., contents arranged in two or more rows) or as a whole, by a number of systems and methods, which will be described more fully herein. Illustrative, non-exhaustive examples, which may or may not be claimed, of the subject matter according to the present disclosure are provided below.

Referring to FIG. 2, container 10 is a generally hexahedral shaped storage container of suitable material such as metal, plastic, compressed cardboard, etc. Aspects of container are described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,334,081, issued May 10, 2016, incorporated by reference herein, however, any other suitable container may be used. As used herein, a “side wall,” for example, the folding side wall 100 or the demountable side wall 600, may be repositioned in any number of ways to effect ordinating access to the contents of a respective container. For example, while the terms “folding side wall” or “demountable side wall” may be used throughout the specification, the side wall may be repositioned or moved by any one or more of folding the side wall about an axis, removing/installing the side wall, sliding the side wall between positions, and any other suitable method for repositioning or moving the side wall.

As used herein, a “container,” for example, container (see also, e.g., container 50A, 50B, 60A, 60B, 70A, 70B), may be any suitable size and shape for storage of the desired contents. A container may comprise one or more of plastic (see, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 2), cardboard (see, e.g., FIG. 26), solid foam (see, e.g., FIGS. 35-39), or any other suitably rigid material for storage of contents. The container may include a latching mechanism, such as latching mechanism 100L, 106L, configured to hold the folding side wall, such as folding side wall 100, in a closed position. The container may also include floor grooves 430 (see, e.g., FIGS. 3-7 and 21) configured to interface with, for example, a multi-fingered end effector, so as to allow the end effector to lift contents from the container. The container may include a top which may be configured to be repositioned to allow or assist ordinating, picking, storing, or other access to the interior of the container. The top may be, for example, a removable lid or a permanent cover that may cover all or part of a side of the container 10. Alternatively, the top may not be a physical component. As will be discussed in further detail, in some embodiments, the top may be removed or installed as necessary, for example, the top may normally be removed from the container and installed as necessary for securing the contents of the container in their ordinated positions (see, e.g., FIGS. 5 and 6). In other embodiments, the top may be repositioned (e.g., folded) into a closed or open position (see, e.g., FIG. 26).

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, in some embodiments, ordination of contents 110 from a first arrangement 120 of the contents 110 to a second arrangement 130 of the contents 110 may include removing all or a portion of packaging 110P from the first arrangement 120 of the contents 110. For example, plastic overwrap or corrugated cardboard may be removed from the first arrangement 120 of the contents 110. Contents 110 of the second arrangement 130 of the contents 110 may include a portion of the packaging 110P (e.g., a corrugated cardboard case or tray) inside the container 10 (as can be seen in FIG. 3, for example) or, alternatively, the contents 110 of the second arrangement 130 of the contents 110 may include no packaging 110P whatsoever. The second arrangement 130 of the contents 110 may be ordinated with respect to a predetermined side access port 104 frame of reference and an access direction d1 to the contents 110 in the second arrangement 130 of the contents 110 through the side access port 104. In some embodiments, the ordinating access direction d1 to each of the contents 110 in the second arrangement 130 of the contents 110 through the side access port 104 may be in a direction substantially perpendicular to the side access port open plane 104P. Further, in some embodiments, the ordinating access direction d1 may be ordinated in an ordination direction d0 having an axis defined by the side access port open plane 104P.

Referring to FIGS. 8-19, in some embodiments, ordination of contents 110 from a first arrangement 120 of the contents 110 to a second arrangement 130 of the contents may include removing the contents 110 of the first arrangement 120 of the contents 110 from their packaging 110P and maintaining the contents 110 in an array 120A. The contents 110 of the first arrangement 120 of the contents 110 may be kept in the array 120A using, for example, guides 410 and pushers 420 of an automation device. As can be understood from FIGS. 9-13, the contents 110 of the array 120A, in whole or in part, may be transferred (e.g., pushed by pusher 420) to, for example, a robotic end effector 400 or another automation device. For example, as can be seen in FIG. 10, a single row of contents 110 of the array 120A may be pushed into the end effector 400. When transferring the contents 110 of the array 120A to the end effector 400, control of the contents may be maintained, for example, by keeping both the array 120A and the row of contents 110 on the end effector 400 tilted.

As can be understood from FIGS. 14-19, the end effector 400 may then position the contents 110 within the container 10 with respect to the predetermined side access port 104 frame of reference and with an access direction d1 through the side access port 104, thus, forming the second arrangement 130 of the contents 110. While FIGS. 14-19 illustrate the use of row restraints 230 (which will be discussed in further detail below) in the second arrangement 130 of the contents 110, ordinating contents 110, from a first arrangement 120 of the contents 110 to a second arrangement 130 of the contents 110, by the end effector 400, may be performed without row restraints 230.

Referring to FIG. 4, contents 110 of the second arrangement 130 of the contents 110 may be secured in their ordinated positions by tilting the container 10 in one or more directions. For example, container 10 may be tilted downward in one or both (i.e., “double tilted”) of direction t1 and direction t2, thus securing the contents 110 of the second arrangement 130 of contents 110 in their ordinated positions with respect to the predetermined side access port 104 frame of reference. The container 10 may be stored or transported in the above-described tilted condition to maintain the contents 110 of the second arrangement 130 of contents 110 in their ordinated positions with respect to the predetermined side access port 104 frame of reference. The container 10 may be tilted in one or more other directions (e.g., a direction or directions different than direction t1 and/or direction t2) to achieve the desired securing of the contents 110 of the second arrangement 130 of content 110 in their ordinated positions with respect to the predetermined side access port 104 frame of reference.

Referring to FIG. 5, contents 110 of the second arrangement 130 of the contents 110 may be secured in their ordinated positions with one or more airbags 210 which may be inflated to prevent the contents 110 of the second arrangement 130 of contents 110 from moving while inside the container 10, for example, during transport. In embodiments, a removable top 200 may be installed on the container 10, prior to inflation of the one or more airbags 210, such that the one or more airbags 210 expand to fill the space between the contents 110 of the second arrangement 130 of contents and the removable top 200 and walls of the container 10, thereby securing the contents 110 of the second arrangement 130 of contents 110 in their ordinated positions with respect to the predetermined side access port 104 frame of reference. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the removable top 200 may be positioned with respect to the container 10 with one or more top stabilizers 200S. In some embodiments, the top stabilizer 200S may be an extension of the robot end effector 400 or another automation device. In other embodiments, the top of the container 10 may, instead, be enclosed with a permanent (i.e., non-removable) barrier and, thus, the container 10 may not include one or more of the removable top 200 and the one or more top stabilizers 200S. However, the operation of the one or more airbags 210 to secure the contents 110 of the second arrangement 130 of contents 110 in their ordinated positions, with respect to the predetermined side access port 104 frame of reference, would be substantially the same as above with respect to the removable top 200.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, contents 110 of the second arrangement 130 of the contents 110 may be secured in their ordinated positions with a restraining blanket 220. The restraining blanket 220 may be configured to secure the contents 110 of the second arrangement 130 of contents by, for example, anchoring the restraining blanket 220 to the container 10 at one or more anchor points so as to position the restraining blanket 220 in communication with at least a portion of the contents 110 of the second arrangement 130 of contents, thereby securing the contents 110 of the second arrangement 130 of contents 110 in their ordinated positions with respect to the predetermined side access port 104 frame of reference. In some embodiments, the restraining blanket 220 may be anchored to one or more of the one or more top stabilizers 200S. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the restraining blanket 220 may be anchored to other anchor points in the interior of the container 10 or to a combination of the one or more top stabilizers 200S and alternative anchor points. The size and weight of the restraining blanket 220 will vary depending on, for example, the size and shape of the container 10 or the particular contents 110 of the container 10. For example, where the contents 110 of the container 10 are particularly heavy, a restraining blanket 220 having a greater weight may be used to secure the contents 110 of the second arrangement 130 of contents 110 in their ordinated positions. Additionally, the contents 110 may be secured so that ordination of contents in the second arrangement 130 of the contents 110 is substantially constant as one or more contents 110R are removed in the access direction d1 through the side access port 104.

Referring to FIGS. 14-19, contents 110 of the second arrangement 130 of the contents 110 may be secured in their ordinated positions by one or more row restraints 230 disposed within the container 10. Securing the contents 110 of the second arrangement 130 of the contents 110 may include placing each of the contents 110 into a predetermined one of the one or more row restraints 230. Each of the one or more row restraints 230 may include a door 230D which can be folded, removed, or otherwise configured to effect ordination access directed through the side access port 104 of the container 10 in access direction d1. The door 230D may also be folded, installed, or otherwise configured to secure the contents 110 of the respective row restraint 230. In some embodiments, the one or more row restraints 230 may be mounted to the container 10 or may be unitary with the container 10. In other embodiments, the one or more row restraints 230 may be inserted into the container 10, as necessary, to secure the predetermined contents 110 of the container 10. For example, a robotic end effector 400 or another automation device may insert one or more row restraints 230 into the container 10. The same or a different robotic end effector 400 or automation device may then ordinate contents 110 in the respective row restraint 230.

Referring to FIG. 20, the interior of the container 10 may be divided into a plurality of subcompartments 300S by a subcompartment wall 300. The subcompartment wall 300 may be rigidly affixed to the container 10 or may be fully or partially removable. For example, one or more portions of the subcompartment wall 300 may be removed to reduce the number of subcompartments 300S. Alternatively, one or more portions of the subcompartment wall 300 may be inserted to increase the number of subcompartments 300S. As can be understood from FIG. 20, in some embodiments, the container 10 may include a second folding side wall 106, similar to the folding side wall 104, and having a respective side access port 108 configured to effect ordination access directed through the side access port 108 (not shown) of the container 10.

Additionally, the ordinated contents 110 of a container 10 may be secured in their ordinated positions by a combination of the means for securing the ordinated contents 110 of a container 10 discussed above. For example, ordinated contents 110 of a container may be arranged in row restraints 230 within the container 10. The ordinated contents 110 of the container 10 may then be further secured in their ordinated positions by tilting the container 10 in one or more directions. Additionally, the contents 110 may be secured so that ordination of contents in the second arrangement 130 of the contents 110 is substantially constant as one or more contents 110R are removed in the access direction d1 through the side access port 104 (as shown in FIG. 6).

Referring to FIGS. 22-25, the container 10 may include one or more container inserts 440. The container insert 440 may be removably disposed within the container 10 and configured to hold one or more of the contents 110 of the container 10. The container insert 440 may be repositioned with respect to the container 10 (e.g., the container insert 440 may be raised through a top opening of the container 10) so as to effect ordinating access to the contents 110 within the container insert 440 while the folding side wall 100 of the container 10 is a closed position (see FIGS. 23-25). Alternatively, the container insert 440 may be disposed within the container 10 with ordinating access to the contents 110 within the container insert 440 through the side access port 104 in access direction d1 while the folding side wall 100 of the container 10 is in an open position. In other embodiments, the container insert 440 may be used to effect ordinating access to the contents of a container 10 without a side access port 100.

Referring to FIGS. 27 and 41, ordination of contents 510 from a first arrangement 520 of the contents 510 to a second arrangement 530 of the contents 510 may include a first container 50A and a second container 50B (FIG. 41, Block 1220). For example, ordinating contents 510 from a first arrangement 520 of the contents 510 to a second arrangement 530 of the contents 510 may be performed by a robotic end effector 400 or another automation device picking one or more contents 510 from the contents 510 of the first container 50A and positioning the one or more picked contents 510 in one or more second containers 50B. In some embodiments, contents 510 may be ordinated from a first arrangement 520 of the contents 510 in the first container 50A to a second arrangement 530 of the contents 510 in the first container 50A, different than the first arrangement 520 of the contents 510 and ordinated with respect to ordination of contents 510 in the second container 50B (FIG. 41, Block 1260). In other embodiments, contents 510 may be ordinated from a first arrangement 520 of the contents 510 in the first container 50A to a second arrangement 530 of the contents 510 in the second container 50B, different than the first arrangement 520 of the contents 510 in the first container 50A (as shown in FIG. 27).

Referring to FIGS. 28-30, 32-39, and 41, ordination of contents 610, for example, plants, from a first arrangement 620 of the contents 610 to a second arrangement 630 of the contents 610 may include demounting a demountable side wall 600 of a first container 60A, picking one or more of the contents 610 of the first arrangement 620 of the contents 610 of the first container 60A and forming a second arrangement 630 of the contents 610, different than the first arrangement 620 of the contents 610, by positioning the picked contents 610 in one or more second containers 60B (FIG. 41, Block 1220 and 1240). As can be understood from FIGS. 28A-E and corresponding FIGS. 29A-E and 30A-E, for example, the demountable side wall 600 may be demounted from the first container 60A having contents 610 in a first arrangement 620 of the contents 610, the demountable side wall 600 in a demounted (i.e., open) position defining a side access port 604 having a side access port open plane 604P (not shown) defined by an edge of the side access port 604. A robotic end effector 400 or another automation device (e.g., a multi-head robot gripper), for example, may ordinate the contents 610 of the first arrangement 620 of the contents 610 by picking one or more of the contents 610 of the first arrangement 620 of the contents 610 from the first container 60A in an access direction d2 through the side access port 604. The one or more picked contents 610 may be positioned in the one or more second containers 60B forming the second arrangement 630 of the contents 610. As can be understood from FIGS. 30A-E (corresponding to respective FIGS. 28A-E), a container, such as the first container 60A and/or the second container 60B may be rotated to effect ordinating access to the contents 610 of the container 60A, 60B.

Referring to FIGS. 31A-C, in some embodiments, a container, such as a first container 70A, having a first arrangement 720 of the contents 710, may be segmented into a plurality of segmented containers 70S, each segmented container 70S of the plurality of segmented containers 70S containing a portion of the contents 710 of the first arrangement 720 of the contents 710. Ordination of the contents 710 from the first arrangement 720 of the contents 710 to the second arrangement 730 (not shown) of the contents 720 may include ordination of all or part of each segmented container 70S containing a respective portion of the contents 710 of the first arrangement 720 of the contents 710. For example, a segmented container 70S, containing a portion of the contents 710 of the first arrangement 720 of the contents 710, may be positioned inside a second container 70B. The ordinating access direction d2 may be ordinated in an ordination direction d0 having an axis defined by the side access port open plane 704.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a method is provided. The method includes providing a container having a folding side wall, the folding side wall in an open position defining a side access port having a predetermined side access port frame of reference. The folding side wall is positioned in the open position. Content/items are ordinated from a first arrangement of the content/items to a second arrangement of the content/items, different than the first arrangement of the content/items and disposed within the container with the second arrangement of the content/items ordinated with respect to the predetermined side access port frame of reference and an access direction to the content/items through the side access port.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the method further includes securing the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items such that the position and orientation of each of the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items is held substantially constant with respect to the predetermined side access port frame of reference.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the method further includes securing the content/items so that ordination of content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items is substantially constant as one or more content/items are removed in the access direction through the side access port.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, securing the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items includes tilting the container in one or more predetermined directions with respect to the predetermined side access port frame of reference.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the method further includes providing a container top and a top stabilizer, the top stabilizer disposed so as to secure the container top in a position.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the method further includes providing one or more airbags, wherein securing the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items comprises inserting the one or more airbags into the container and inflating the one or more airbags.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the method further includes providing a restraining blanket, wherein securing the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items comprises positioning the restraining blanket in the container with respect to the predetermined side access port frame of reference.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, ordinating content/items, from a first arrangement of the content/items to a second arrangement of the content/items, includes transferring one or more of the content/items of the first arrangement of content/items to an array and forming the second arrangement of the content/items with respect to the predetermined side access port frame of reference, with one or more of the content/items of the array.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the second arrangement of the content/items is formed inside the container.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the method further includes providing a row restraint, disposed within the container and comprising one or more rows, wherein securing the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items comprises placing each of the content/items into a predetermined row of the one or more rows of the row restraints.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the container comprises a plurality of subcompartments.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a method is provided. The method includes providing a container having a movable side wall, the movable side wall in an open position defining a side access port having a side access port open plane, the side access port open plane being defined by an edge of the side access port. The movable side wall in positioned in the open position. Content/items are ordinated, from a first arrangement of the content/items to a second arrangement of the content/items, different than the first arrangement of the content/items and disposed within the container with an ordinating access direction to each of the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items through the side access port in a direction substantially perpendicular to the open plane of the side access port, the ordinating access direction being ordinated in an ordination direction having an axis defined by the side access port open plane.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the method further includes securing the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items such that the position and orientation of each of the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items is held substantially constant with respect to a predetermined side access port frame of reference.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the method further includes securing the content/items so that ordination of content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items is substantially constant as one or more content/items are removed in the access direction through the side access port.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, securing the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items includes tilting the container in one or more predetermined directions with respect to the predetermined side access port frame of reference.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the method further includes providing a container top and a top stabilizer, the top stabilizer disposed so as to secure the container top in a position.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the method further includes providing one or more airbags, wherein securing the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items comprises inserting the one or more airbags into the container and inflating the one or more airbags.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the method further includes providing a restraining blanket, wherein securing the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items comprises positioning the restraining blanket in the container with respect to the predetermined side access port frame of reference.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, ordinating content/items, from a first arrangement of the content/items to a second arrangement of the content/items, includes transferring one or more of the content/items of the first arrangement of content/items to an array and forming the second arrangement of the content/items with respect to the predetermined side access port frame of reference, with one or more of the content/items of the array.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the second arrangement of the content/items is formed inside the container.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the method further includes providing a row restraint, disposed within the container and comprising one or more rows, wherein securing the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items comprises placing each of the content/items into a predetermined row of the one or more rows of the row restraints.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the container comprises a plurality of subcompartments.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a method is provided. The method includes providing a first container and a second container, each container including a demountable side wall, the demountable side wall of each container, in a demounted position, defining a side access port comprising a side access port open plane and having a side access port frame of reference. The demountable side wall is removed from one or more of the first container and the second container. Content/items are ordinated, from a first arrangement of the content/items in the first container to a second arrangement of the content/items in the first container, different than the first arrangement of the content/items and ordinated with respect to ordination of content/items in the second container, with respect to the side access port frame of reference of the first container, and with ordinating access directed through the side access ports of the first and second containers in a direction substantially perpendicular to the open plane of each respective side access port.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the method further includes securing the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items such that the position and orientation of each of the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items is held substantially constant with respect to the side access port frame of reference.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the method further includes securing the content/items so that ordination of content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items is substantially constant as one or more content/items are removed in the access direction through the side access port.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, securing the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items includes tilting the container in one or more predetermined directions with respect to the side access port frame of reference.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the method further includes providing a container top and a top stabilizer, the top stabilizer disposed so as to secure the container top in a position.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the method further includes providing one or more airbags, wherein securing the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items comprises inserting the one or more airbags into the container and inflating the one or more airbags.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the method further includes providing a restraining blanket, wherein securing the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items comprises positioning the restraining blanket in the container with respect to the side access port frame of reference.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, ordinating content/items, from a first arrangement of the content/items to a second arrangement of the content/items, includes transferring one or more of the content/items of the first arrangement of content/items to an array and forming the second arrangement of the content/items with respect to the side access port frame of reference, with one or more of the content/items of the array.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the second arrangement of the content/items is formed inside the container.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the method further includes providing a row restraint, disposed within the container and comprising one or more rows, wherein securing the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items comprises placing each of the content/items into a predetermined row of the one or more rows of the row restraints.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the container comprises a plurality of subcompartments.

In the preceding description, numerous specific details have been set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed concepts, which may be practiced without some or all of these particulars. In other instances, details of known devices and/or processes have been omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. While some concepts have been described in conjunction with specific examples, it will be understood that these examples are not intended to be limiting.

Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are used herein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal, positional, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which these terms refer. Moreover, reference to, e.g., a “second” item does not require or preclude the existence of, e.g., a “first” or lower-numbered item, and/or, e.g., a “third” or higher-numbered item.

Reference herein to an “example” means that one or more feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least one implementation. The term “example” in various places in the specification may or may not be referring to the same example.

As used herein, a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware “configured to” perform a specified function is indeed capable of performing the specified function without any alteration, rather than merely having potential to perform the specified function after further modification. In other words, the system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware “configured to” perform a specified function is specifically selected, created, implemented, utilized, programmed, and/or designed for the purpose of performing the specified function. As used herein, “configured to” denotes existing characteristics of a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware which enable the system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware to perform the specified function without further modification. For purposes of this disclosure, a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware described as being “configured to” perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively be described as being “adapted to” and/or as being “operative to” perform that function.

Different examples of the apparatus(es) and method(s) disclosed herein include a variety of components, features, and functionalities. It should be understood that the various examples of the apparatus(es), system(s), and method(s) disclosed herein may include any of the components, features, and functionalities of any of the other examples of the apparatus(es) and method(s) disclosed herein in any combination, and all of such possibilities are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

Many modifications of examples set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.

Therefore, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not to be limited to the specific examples illustrated and that modifications and other examples are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing description and the associated drawings describe examples of the present disclosure in the context of certain illustrative combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative implementations without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, parenthetical reference numerals in the appended claims are presented for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter to the specific examples provided in the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

providing a container comprising a folding side wall, the folding side wall in an open position defining a side access port having a predetermined side access port frame of reference;

positioning the folding side wall in the open position; and

ordinating content/items, from a first arrangement of the content/items to a second arrangement of the content/items, different than the first arrangement of the content/items and disposed within the container with the second arrangement of the content/items ordinated with respect to the predetermined side access port frame of reference and an access direction to the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items through the side access port.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising securing the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items such that the position and orientation of each of the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items is held substantially constant with respect to the predetermined side access port frame of reference.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising securing the content/items so that ordination of content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items is substantially constant as one or more content/items are removed in the access direction through the side access port.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein securing the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items comprises tilting the container in one or more predetermined directions with respect to the predetermined side access port frame of reference.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising providing a container top and a top stabilizer, the top stabilizer disposed so as to secure the container top in a position.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising providing one or more airbags, wherein securing the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items comprises inserting the one or more airbags into the container and inflating the one or more airbags.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising providing a restraining blanket, wherein securing the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items comprises positioning the restraining blanket in the container with respect to the predetermined side access port frame of reference.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein ordinating content/items, from a first arrangement of the content/items to a second arrangement of the content/items, comprises transferring one or more of the content/items of the first arrangement of content/items to an array and forming the second arrangement of the content/items with respect to the predetermined side access port frame of reference, with one or more of the content/items of the array.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the second arrangement of the content/items is formed inside the container.

10. The method of claim 2, further comprising providing a row restraint, disposed within the container and comprising one or more rows, wherein securing the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items comprises placing each of the content/items into a predetermined row of the one or more rows of the row restraints.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the container comprises a plurality of subcompartments.

12. A method comprising:

providing a container comprising a movable side wall, the movable side wall in an open position defining a side access port comprising a side access port open plane, the side access port open plane being defined by an edge of the side access port;

positioning the folding side wall in the open position; and

ordinating content/items, from a first arrangement of the content/items to a second arrangement of the content/items, different than the first arrangement of the content/items and disposed within the container with an ordinating access direction to each of the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items through the side access port in a direction substantially perpendicular to the open plane of the side access port, the ordinating access direction being ordinated in an ordination direction having an axis defined by the side access port open plane.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising securing the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items such that the position and orientation of each of the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items is held substantially constant with respect to a predetermined side access port frame of reference.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising securing the content/items so that ordination of content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items is substantially constant as one or more content/items are removed in the access direction through the side access port.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein securing the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items comprises tilting the container in one or more predetermined directions with respect to the predetermined side access port frame of reference.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising providing a container top and a top stabilizer, the top stabilizer disposed so as to secure the container top in a position.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising providing one or more airbags, wherein securing the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items comprises inserting the one or more airbags into the container and inflating the one or more airbags.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising providing a restraining blanket, wherein securing the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items comprises positioning the restraining blanket in the container with respect to the side access port frame of reference.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein ordinating content/items, from a first arrangement of the content/items to a second arrangement of the content/items, comprises transferring one or more of the content/items of the first arrangement of content/items to an array and forming the second arrangement of the content/items with respect to a predetermined side access port frame of reference, with one or more of the content/items of the array.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the second arrangement of the content/items is formed inside the container.

21. The method of claim 13, further comprising providing a row restraint, disposed within the container and comprising one or more rows, wherein securing the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items comprises placing each of the content/items into a predetermined row of the one or more rows of the row restraints.

22. The method of claim 12, wherein the container comprises a plurality of subcompartments.

23. A method comprising:

providing a first container and a second container, each container comprising a demountable side wall, the demountable side wall of each container, in a demounted position, defining a side access port comprising a side access port open plane and having a side access port frame of reference;

removing the demountable side wall from one or more of the first container and the second container; and

ordinating content/items, from a first arrangement of the content/items in the first container to a second arrangement of the content/items in the first container, different than the first arrangement of the content/items and ordinated with respect to ordination of content/items in the second container, with respect to the side access port frame of reference of the first container, and with ordinating access directed through the side access ports of the first and second containers in a direction substantially perpendicular to the open plane of each respective side access port.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising securing the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items such that the position and orientation of each of the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items is held substantially constant with respect to the side access port frame of reference.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising securing the content/items so that ordination of content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items is substantially constant as one or more content/items are removed in the access direction through the side access port.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein securing the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items comprises tilting the container in one or more predetermined directions with respect to the side access port frame of reference.

27. The method of claim 24, further comprising providing a container top and a top stabilizer, the top stabilizer disposed so as to secure the container top in a position.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising providing one or more airbags, wherein securing the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items comprises inserting the one or more airbags into the container and inflating the one or more airbags.

29. The method of claim 27, further comprising providing a restraining blanket, wherein securing the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items comprises positioning the restraining blanket in the container with respect to the side access port frame of reference.

30. The method of claim 23, wherein ordinating content/items, from a first arrangement of the content/items to a second arrangement of the content/items, comprises transferring one or more of the content/items of the first arrangement of content/items to an array and forming the second arrangement of the content/items with respect to the side access port frame of reference, with one or more of the content/items of the array.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the second arrangement of the content/items is formed inside the container.

32. The method of claim 24, further comprising providing a row restraint, disposed within the container and comprising one or more rows, wherein securing the content/items in the second arrangement of the content/items comprises placing each of the content/items into a predetermined row of the one or more rows of the row restraints.

33. The method of claim 23, wherein the container comprises a plurality of subcompartments.