Abstract: Detecting, locating, identifying, engaging, and/or shifting objects in automated or semi-automated fashion as well as methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer-program products therefor. Embodiments used for shifting objects in automated or semi-automated fashion may be implemented in stationary environments, and/or in moving, e.g., in-transit, environments, and may be used to transfer, route, and/or organize objects based on their designated destinations. The embodiments may further be implemented in a logistics network, thereby increasing the efficiency and capacity of the logistics network, among other benefits.

Abstract: Detecting, locating, identifying, engaging, and/or shifting objects in automated or semi-automated fashion as well as methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer-program products therefor. Embodiments used for shifting objects in automated or semi-automated fashion may be implemented in stationary environments, and/or in moving, e.g., in-transit, environments, and may be used to transfer, route, and/or organize objects based on their designated destinations. The embodiments may further be implemented in a logistics network, thereby increasing the efficiency and capacity of the logistics network, among other benefits.

Abstract: An automated shuttle sorter is disclosed that includes a carriage that is movable from a load position at which the carriage may be loaded, and at least two destination locations into which any contents of the carriage may be provided from the carriage.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include product picking systems and methods to pick products. In one embodiment, the system includes a work order module configured to receive a work order to obtain at least one product, obtain a virtual stack of the at least one product based on the work order, the virtual stack being a 3D representation of the at least one product, and determine a set of business rules for selecting each product of the at least one product. The system also includes a vision module configured to identify a first product of the at least one product. The system further includes a processor configured to determine whether the first product satisfies business rules for selecting the first product is satisfied, and configured to operate a robotic arm to select the first product and to arrange the first product to form a physical stack corresponding to the virtual stack.

Abstract: A pickface builder for a storage and retrieval system for storing goods units and having an in-feed conveyor and a picking device, each goods unit holding at least one product package therein, the pickface builder including a frame, a pusher member movably coupled to the frame, and a snugger member movably coupled to the frame, wherein the pickface builder is configured to receive goods units from the in-feed conveyor and the pusher member and snugger member are movable at least in a direction transverse to a direction of goods unit travel on the in-feed conveyor and configured to form the goods units into a pickface picked by the picking device as a unit and having a predetermined reference datum relating the pickface to a placement position of goods units forming the pickface along a storage surface of the storage and retrieval system.

Abstract: A labeling system includes a pasting unit having a first mechanical arm adapted to pick up a label to be pasted, at least one visual device configured to guide the first mechanical arm to paste the label on an object, and at least one scanning device adapted to scan the label pasted on the object.

Abstract: Systems and methods for commanding, controlling, and guiding automated guided vehicles (“AGVs”). Automated systems translate AGV commands according to AGV manufacturers. AGVs can be summoned and destinations be determined automatically.

Abstract: A ply transporting and compacting apparatus comprises a rigid frame, a top-layer sheet of flexible rubber material fastened to the frame, and a bottom-layer sheet of perforated flexible rubber material having openings. The apparatus also comprises a middle-layer sheet of flow media material disposed in a first plenum area that is defined between the top and bottom layer sheets. The apparatus further comprises a moving device coupled to the frame and arranged to lower the frame and sheets onto a composite ply at a trimming location to pick up the composite ply with a suction force when a vacuum is drawn in the first plenum area to create the suction force through the openings of the bottom-layer sheet.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include methods and apparatus for picking products. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a machine-readable medium containing business rules for arranging at least one product of a physical stack having physical dimensions into a virtual stack, the virtual stack being a 3D representation of the at least one product, and also containing business rules for selecting the at least one product. The apparatus also includes a vision module including a sensor configured to identify indications of a condition of each product. The apparatus also includes a processor configured to perform an inspection of each product based on the condition of the product and the set of business rules for selecting the product. The apparatus further includes a robotic arm for selecting each product of that has passed the inspection and for arranging the product to form a physical stack based on the virtual stack.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for packing optimization and visualization.

Abstract: Shuttle robots (107) are used that are suitable for moving trolleys (106, 106?) under the control of a monitoring and control unit (190) for handling objects so as to move them from a collection point (110) to a palletizing station (151) remote from the collection point, the shuttle robots being autonomously movable and being suitable for hitching to and unhitching from the trolleys, the monitoring and control unit controls the shuttle robots so that they move the objects on trolleys from the collection point to a buffer storage zone (141) where the articles on the trolleys are grouped together into batches of articles for palletizing, and the monitoring and control unit controls the shuttle robots so that they take the objects on trolleys grouped together in batches from the buffer storage zone and move them in sequence to the palletizing station.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems, apparatuses and methods are provided to enhance delivery of packages and/or cargo through the use of unmanned delivery vehicle. In some embodiments, a mechanical package release system is provided that comprises: a package release hanger configured to couple with and suspend from an unmanned delivery vehicle; and one or more tension supports each configured to secure with a package and to releasably couple with the package release hanger wherein a decrease of at least a threshold amount of a force being applied by the weight of the package on the one or more tension supports induces a mechanical release of the coupling between the one or more tension supports and the package release hanger resulting in a release of the package from the unmanned delivery vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for optimizing cubic utilization when loading packages into a loading space. A current loading configuration of the loading space can be determined according to image data obtained by 3D sensors. Package data (e.g., volume, mass, type, dimensions, etc.) can be determined for incoming packages to be loaded into the package data. The current loading configuration and the package data are used to determine a package sequence and optimal placement location for the next package to be loaded such that a cubic efficiency of the loading space is maximized and amount of air gaps between packages is minimized.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for efficient box packing and visualization. One method comprises receiving, from a remote system, an order comprising at least one item; searching at least one data store to determine dimensions associated with the at least one item; and modifying dimensions of at least one largest item of the order using a factor. The method may further comprise selecting a data structure representing a first package, the data structure comprising a size of the first package; iteratively simulating packing the items into the first package based on the modified dimensions, until all items are packed in the selected package; and generating at least one set of instructions for packing the items into the selected package. The method may further comprise sending the generated instructions to a second system for display, the instructions including at least one item identifier and one package identifier.

Abstract: A storage and handling system for elongated tubing and bar stocks comprises a storage rack having cantilever arms. A material storage pallet is supported by the cantilever arms. The pallet is formed by a single-layer tubular frame having a pair of inset fork tubes to receive the tines of a forklift and which directly support loads carried on the pallet. A plurality of vertically-oriented receiving holes are disposed in transversely-aligned rows across the length of the pallet to receive a plurality of organizer pins that restrain therebetween elongated raw materials stacked transversely on the pallet. The system may be paired with a roller cart configured to transfer one of the pallets to and from the storage rack.

Abstract: Provided is a food container supply device in which a gripping device includes a pair of claws and a pair of shutters which move in each horizontal direction between a forward movement position of contacting a food container and a backward movement position of non-contacting the food container respectively and a control device selects one of gripping operation patterns including an operation of respectively moving the claw and the shutter to the forward movement position at the same time, an operation of moving one of the claw and the shutter to the forward movement position and then moving the other to the forward movement position, and an operation of moving only one of the claw and the shutter to the forward movement position during each operation of extracting the food container in response to a shape of the food container.

Abstract: In a device for removing planar objects (2), such as glass panes, from a frame (1) on which the objects (2) are stacked in abutment, wherein spacers (3) are arranged between objects (2), and wherein holding devices (5) are arranged on a support (4) in order to remove the objects (2), at least one removal device (7) for spacers (3) is arranged on the support (4) in the region above the holding devices and preferably has at least one penetration body (8) for spacers (3).

Abstract: The apparatus for moving and grouping flat products (10) having two main faces and a perimetral edge comprises: a conveyor device (16) from which catch elements (18) suitable for pushing the products (10) along a longitudinal conveying direction protrude; a plurality of magazines (22) which contain stacks of products (10) and are arranged in succession along the conveying direction above the conveyor device (16); respective guide members arranged below the bottom end of each magazine (22) and suitable for guiding products (10) exiting from the magazine (22) towards the conveyor device (16); and a respective pair of rotating elements associated with the bottom end of each magazine (22).

Abstract: A vial storage and transportation assembly (10) includes a vial tray (130), a transport lid (100), and a processing lid (200). The transport (100) and the processing lid (200) are interchangeably engageable with the vial tray (30) to house a plurality rt lid vials therein, to shift the assembly (10) between a transport configuration and a processing configuration.

Abstract: An article of furniture includes a structure having a surface that supports a weight. The surface may be tiltable from a first position in which the surface is flat or substantially horizontal and a second position in which the surface is substantially vertical. At least one leg rotating mechanism may attach at least one leg of the article of furniture to the surface so that the at least one leg is rotatable about a vertical axis when the surface is tilted. In some embodiments, the article may be a table and the surface may be a tabletop. In other embodiments, the article may be a chair and the surface may be a seating surface of a seat.

Abstract: A method for delivering articles using a container having a substantially vertical rear wall with a baseplate extending therefrom is disclosed herein. A plurality of articles may be loaded onto the baseplate. The rear wall, baseplate, and articles are preferably transported to the destination. Once at the final destination, the articles can be removed from the baseplate by sliding the baseplate and rear wall away from the articles. In some embodiments, the rear wall remains substantially vertical during transportation to the destination. In other embodiments, the rear wall can be removably connected to a wheeled apparatus for secure transport.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for manipulating articles initially disposed in a stack (S), which apparatus (100) comprises a moveable head (2) and a receptacle (5), the receptacle (5) being disposable adjacent a stack (S) of articles and the moveable head (2) being operable to abut and transfer selected articles from the stack (S) into the receptacle (5). The receptacle (5) is a comb-like box which makes it possible to deposit the articles on a roller conveyor (7).

Abstract: An apparatus for handling food products comprises an alignment trough disposed at an incline for holding a stack of the food products at an incline. The alignment trough defines a portion of a passage upon which the food products travel. The stack defines a bottom food product. At least one movable member extends into the passage to control the separation of the bottom food product from the remainder of the stack by moving to provide clearance fro the food product to pass.

Abstract: A method for dispensing pallets, comprising: moving a pallet stack held in a movable frame from a pallet-storage position to a pallet-dispensation position including: raising the pallet stack held in the movable frame, the movable frame being configured to be moved between the pallet-storage position and the pallet-dispensation position once the pallet stack is raised; and dispensing a pallet from the movable frame.

Abstract: Method for transferring and placing beads for tires, providing: a bead storage unit in which a number of beads are vertically stacked placing spacers between them, a collection unit for empty spacers, a tire building machine for receiving the beads thereon, a bead retaining provided with engagement jaws that are arranged at equal angular distance in a circumferential direction on the bead retaining means, wherein the engagement jaws are driven or withdrawn in radial direction, a spacer retaining means for picking up and retaining a spacer, and arranging the bead retaining means and the spacer retaining means on a common transfer means. The spacer retaining means acts in a radial direction and is provided with at least two spacer engagement jaws that are arranged circumferentially at equal angular.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for dispensing vehicle balancing weights are disclosed. The dispenser comprises a transport unit arranged below a cartridge for storing balancing weights. The transport unit moves a balancing weight from a selected section of the cartridge on a belt conveyor for further transporting the balancing weight to a handling device. The transport unit comprises a feeder, and a plurality of stack lifters for lifting a stack of balancing weights and allowing the feeder to push a selected balancing weight under the stack of other balancing weights towards the belt conveyor.

Abstract: A wafer separation apparatus improves wafer separation performance in separation and transfer and suppresses the occurrence of wafer breakage in separation and transfer, while remaining inexpensive and small. The apparatus includes: a cassette that vertically accommodates a large number of single wafers in intimate contact with each other, the cassette being at least vertically opened; a cassette support that removably supports the cassette, the cassette support being at least vertically opened; a hoisting unit that hoists and lowers the cassette support integrally with the cassette; a liquid bath that accommodates a liquid into which the cassette support is immersed integrally with the cassette when the hoisting unit descends; a nozzle in the inside of the liquid bath to issue micro bubbles from the underside of the cassette support toward a large number of the wafers; and a micro bubble generator that generates micro bubbles to be issued from the nozzle.

Abstract: A feeder for flat objects, particularly a supplement feeder for supplements, having a stack compartment for receiving objects in the form of a stack and a takeoff device for taking individual objects off the stack along a takeoff direction, wherein the takeoff device includes a conveying element and a gate, through which the objects taken off the stack are led individually by the conveying element. In order to be able to process different objects with properties differing from one another, particularly objects of different type and thickness, with the feeder in continuous operation without problems and without congestion and to provide a feeder for different objects that is as flexible as possible and that is capable of processing both thick and thin objects without lasting deformations while largely avoiding takeoff errors, the gate has a first gate device and a second gate device.

Abstract: An apparatus for unloading load items, comprising a receiving conveyor having a freely projecting receiving end and a rear delivery end, a removal conveyor and a transfer conveyor arranged therebetween which has a front takeover end adjoining the delivery end of the receiving conveyor and a rear handover end adjoining a head end of the removal conveyor, wherein the transfer conveyor is mounted so as to be pivotable in height about a first swivelling axis arranged at the handover end, and the receiving conveyor is mounted so as to be pivotable in height about a second swivelling axis arranged at the delivery end, wherein the receiving conveyor and the transfer conveyor can be moved, by being swivelled about the first and second swivelling axes, into at least one upper unloading position, in which the transfer conveyor is substantially horizontal before the first swivelling axis, the receiving conveyor is substantially vertical below the second swivelling axis and the receiving end of the receiving conveyor is

Abstract: This invention is directed to a means for transporting a mine roof support set including a plurality of nested containers. Each container in the set has a progressively smaller cross-sectional dimension, or a tapered, frusto-conical shape, to allow the containers to be nested one within the other. The plurality of nested containers allows more efficient transportation of the mine roof support set to a mine site. The containers can be separated at the mine site and filled with a load-bearing material. The containers filled with the load-bearing material are then placed with their longitudinal axis between a mine roof and a mine floor.

Abstract: A device for removing a ring-shaped label from a pack of substantially identical, abutting ring-shaped labels comprises a pick-up head which is provided with a stop surface and retaining devices for holding a ring-shaped label against the stop surface. The device comprises a storage holder for accommodating the pack of ring-shaped labels. A displacement device can displace the pack of ring-shaped labels from a storage position, in which the pack of ring-shaped labels is situated at a distance from the stop surface of the pick-up head, to a discharge position, in which the pack of ring-shaped labels is pushed against the stop surface of the pick-up head by means of an outer ring-shaped label. A blast of air is delivered when the outer ring-shaped label is held against the stop surface of the pick-up head.

Abstract: A method of handling a load comprising a plurality of articles (100) is disclosed. The method comprises providing a lifting assembly (10) comprising a plurality of carrying arrangements (12) arranged one above another. The carrying arrangements are movable between proximate and separated conditions, whereby adjacent carrying arrangements are spaced from each other by a greater distance in the separated condition than in the proximate condition. The method further includes disposing the articles on the carrying arrangements when the carrying arrangements are in the proximate condition, and moving the carrying arrangements to the separated condition, thereby moving the articles to a spaced configuration. With the carrying arrangements in the separated condition, the method includes delivering the articles to a support assembly (104) to dispose the articles at the support assembly in the spaced configuration.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for unloading articles from a container of items for use in an automatic stack feeder are disclosed. The automatic stack feeder may comprise a belt, a moveable lower paddle, and a moveable upper paddle, wherein the lower paddle is configured to partially extend through a belt of the automatic stack feeder. The movement of the belt, the lower paddle, and the upper paddle are coordinated such that there is no need to interrupt the operation of the automatic stack feeder to unload the container.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for singulating articles in an automatic stack feeder are disclosed. The automatic stack feeder may comprise a pressure sensor on a perforated drive belt assembly configured to sense the pressure exerted by a stack of articles. The sensed pressure may be used to control various portions of the automatic stack feeder, such as a belt or a paddle.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for shingulating, singulating, and synchronizing articles in an article feeder system are disclosed. The article feeder system may include a shingulating device configured to receive a stack of articles and to produce a positively lapped stack of articles, a plurality of picking devices configured to pick one or more articles from the positively lapped stack of articles and to produce one or more singulated articles, and one or more synchronization devices configured to deliver the one or more singulated articles to one or more sorter windows.

Abstract: A device for reducing rotation of an article during singulation of a stack of articles is disclosed. The device may include a torsion element, a rotatable member configured to rotate about an elongated axis of the torsion element between a first position and a second position, and a revolving member coupled to the rotatable member. An outer surface of the revolving member contacts a drive belt in the first position and an article in the second position. The torsion element exerts torque on the rotatable member when it moves from the first position towards the second position. The torque causes the outer surface of the revolving member to apply a frictional force to the article, thereby minimizing rotation of the article. Systems and methods of singulating articles are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to gripper head for unstacking a stack of trays, each tray provided with a relief of pockets with edge portions and loaded with eggs, the gripper head provided with a holder frame,—having included therein a matrix of suction heads connected with an air suction system, the suction heads, during pickup, transfer and deposition of one tray, being placed on the eggs and engaging them with suction,—having connected therewith at least two oppositely arranged grippers for engaging, simultaneously with the eggs, the tray at corresponding sides during pickup, transfer and deposition of the tray, and—having at least a mast piece which extends perpendicularly with respect to the matrix and is connected with at least an arm for displacing the gripper head between a pickup location and a delivery location, wherein the gripper head furthermore comprises a carrier unit which is connected through at least one spacer with the holder frame in a carrying manner, movably in at least three degrees of freedo

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a pipe handling system is disclosed. The system includes at least a pipe handling assembly configured to cooperate with a drilling rig. The pipe handling assembly includes at least a pusher member, trough, and a ramp. A pipe component is transported from a first position of the trough to a second position with the pusher member. The pipe component is elevated to a predetermined height through engagement with the ramp, which is stationary during the pipe component's movement, and presented to the drilling rig.

Abstract: A destacker for automatically destacking a plurality of vertically stacked articles that is particularly useful in destacking magnetic moulds used in the chocolate manufacturing industry. Each article comprises at least one slanted notch. The destacker includes at least one hammer having a blade that moves from a retracted position to an extracted position, wherein at the extracted position the blade engages a gap formed by the slanted notch between the bottommost article and the article located above the bottommost article to release the bottommost article from the plurality of stacked articles. The bottommost article then drops onto a conveyor to be transported to the production line. The destacker further includes oppositely disposed pair of mould carriers and oppositely disposed pair of mould lockers that assist the destacker to feed the stack of moulds in a downward direction.

Abstract: A card dispensing system for dispensing cards along a conveying surface which conveys sliced products downstream of a slicer for packaging the sliced products. A hopper contains a stack of cards which are withdrawn from the hopper by a suction force provided via at least one suction cup. The suction cup is moveable vertically to retrieve and remove the card from the hopper. The suction cup is moveable laterally to move the card into a receiving position where a card clamp on a clamp carriage arrives to receive the card. Suction force on the card is released when the card clamp clamps down on the card. The clamp carriage moves the card from the receiving position to the staging position where a nip engages with the card to feed the card through a junction in the conveyor line just as a food product passes over the junction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for feeding histology specimen slides from a stack of the slides in a slide printer. The stack of slides includes first, next-to-be removed and second slides having adjacent surfaces. A flow of gas is applied to a location that the adjacent surfaces of the first and second slides meet when removing the first slide from the stack. The flow of gas, which may be a jet or blast of air applied through a nozzle, and which may be applied before and/or during the removal of the slide from the stack, helps un-stick the slides to enhance the feeding action.

Abstract: In a system for transferring a plate-shaped member with interleaving paper thereon, a suction adhesion device included in a suction adhesion unit includes suction pads that adhere to a surface of a glass plate by suction with interleaving paper in between the surface and the suction pads; an air blowing device blows air between the adhered glass plate and a glass plate positioned below the adhered glass plate; a robot moves the suction adhesion unit; a clamping device includes a pair of pushing members that are arranged at both sides, respectively, of the glass plates and move toward the glass plates to come close to each other; and at least before the suction adhesion unit lifts the adhered glass plate, a controller causes the pair of pushing members to move to push protruding portions of pieces of interleaving paper, the protruding portions protruding from the sides of the glass plates.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a first pack (1) and a second pack (2) arranged in a stack which is movable on a transport path (3) comprises a deflection unit (4). The deflection unit comprises at least one deflection device (40; 41) having at least one pair (400, 401; 410, 411) of rotatable rollers which are positioned laterally adjacent to the transport path (3). A first roller of the pair of rollers is positioned at one side of the transport path (3), and a second roller of the pair of rollers is positioned at the other side of the transport path (3). The at least one pair of rollers is arranged to define a deflection path (402; 412) which includes an acute angle (?) with the transport path (3) of the stack. The apparatus allows for separation of the first pack (1) from the second pack (2).

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a racking system for receiving, storing, and/or delivering rods and tubulars. The racking system includes a rack having a plurality of beams configured to support a plurality of rods, a plurality of tubulars, or both. each of the plurality of beams includes a proximal end and a distal end. The racking system further includes a plurality of indexers aligned with or proximal to the proximal ends of the plurality of base beams, wherein each of the plurality of indexers includes a series of rotating holders configured to transport the plurality of rods, tubulars, or both to and from the rack. Additionally, the racking system further includes a jack coupled to the distal end each of the plurality of base beams, wherein the jack raises and lowers the distal end of the base beam in relation to the proximal end.

Abstract: Magnetic rack system comprising a holder having trough-holes for receiving tubes, a base having a plurality of receptacles with at least one magnet, wherein trough-holes in the holder are arranged relative to the base such that each tube can be positioned in a respective receptacle in a pre-determined position relative to the magnet, and an adapter, wherein the adapter is designed to allow transmission of motion to the tubes (2) positioned in the holder (1).

Abstract: After a cassette is mounted on a cassette mounting part, a control unit instructs a substrate treatment apparatus to start treatment on substrates in the cassette. Thereafter, the control unit indicates, to the substrate treatment apparatus, a cassette on the cassette mounting part to which a substrate is transferred at completion of the treatment. If the transfer destination cassette for the substrate at the completion of treatment has not been indicated when a number of remaining treatment steps for the substrate reaches a predetermined set number, an alarm is given from the substrate treatment apparatus. This alarm is sent from the substrate treatment apparatus to the control unit, and the control unit indicates a transfer destination cassette for the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention describes a machine (100) for moving overlapped layers of objects (S1-SN), said overlapped layers forming a stack (1) having a main developing direction (D1), comprising: means (2) for picking up at least one layer of objects (SI) arranged on the top of the stack (1), said picking up means (2) being configured to perform a first translation along a direction (D2) parallel to the main developing direction (D1) of the stack to engage with said at least one layer of objects (SI) and to perform a second translation reversibly along a direction (D3) orthogonal to the main developing direction of the stack (1), a plane (10) for transferring said at least one layer of objects (SI), said transferring plane (10) being configured to perform a reversible translation along a direction (D4) parallel to the main developing direction of the stack (1) between a loading position (A) of said at least one layer of objects (SI) and an unloading position of said at least one layer of objects (SI) towards a w

Abstract: Automatic loading/unloading apparatus (1) for automatically loading flat articles (200) stacked on edge into storage trays (300) and for automatically unloading flat articles (200) stacked on edge therefrom, each of the storage trays (300) having a bottom plate (301) provided with a through window (306), said automatic loading/unloading apparatus having a stationary actuator (4) in register with said window and a moving actuator (5) that receives said storage tray (300) and that is mounted to move between: a waiting position in which said stationary actuator (4) is set back from said moving actuator (5) and is not in contact with said flat articles (200); and an unloading position in which said stationary actuator (4) passes through said window (306) while carrying said flat articles (200) until it comes flush with said stacking zone (3) suitable for receiving said flat articles (200) without said storage tray (300) being interposed between said flat articles (200) and said stacking zone (3).

Abstract: There is provided a robot system including a first robot arm provided with a holding unit for holding one of workpieces arranged on a workpiece arrangement unit and configured to transfer the one workpiece held by the holding unit, and a second robot arm provided with a detecting unit for detecting an arrangement state of the one workpiece. The robot system further includes a detecting operation control unit configured to perform a control operation in such a way that, during the operation of the first robot arm, the detecting unit detects the arrangement state of another one of the workpieces.

Abstract: A method of orienting a selected item from a stack of similar items, the method comprising the steps of separating, engaging and orienting. The separating step separates the selected item from the stack using a first attraction force of a transport apparatus. The engaging step engages the selected item with a second attraction force from the transport apparatus. The second attraction force being greater than the first attraction force. The orienting step orients the selected item relative to the transport apparatus as the transport apparatus is en route to a destination location.