An automatic storage and retrieval system includes: a delivery vehicle; a storage container carried by the delivery vehicle; and an unloading station for unloading an item from the storage container while it is being carried by the delivery vehicle. The unloading station includes: an unloading device; and a destination conveyor configured to convey the item to a target destination, wherein the unloading device is configured to move the item through a side opening of the storage container to the destination conveyor.

An automatic storage and retrieval system includes: a delivery vehicle; a storage container carried by the delivery vehicle; and an unloading station for unloading an item from the storage container while it is being carried by the delivery vehicle. The unloading station includes: an unloading device; and a destination conveyor configured to convey the item to a target destination, wherein the unloading device is configured to move the item through a side opening of the storage container to the destination conveyor.

Systems and methods of monitoring a production level of a vibratory feeder configured to process a workpiece are described herein. The methods include operating a processor to: receive device data associated with the vibratory feeder during operation of the vibratory feeder, the device data comprising at least one input state of the vibratory feeder; receive production data associated with the vibratory feeder, the production data being representative of a production level of the vibratory feeder; determine, based on the device data and/or the production data, one or more faults corresponding to the vibratory feeder when the production level falls below a threshold production level; and determine, based on the one or more faults, a corrective action to return the production level to or above the threshold production level.

Systems and methods of monitoring a production level of a vibratory feeder configured to process a workpiece are described herein. The methods include operating a processor to: receive device data associated with the vibratory feeder during operation of the vibratory feeder, the device data comprising at least one input state of the vibratory feeder; receive production data associated with the vibratory feeder, the production data being representative of a production level of the vibratory feeder; determine, based on the device data and/or the production data, one or more faults corresponding to the vibratory feeder when the production level falls below a threshold production level; and determine, based on the one or more faults, a corrective action to return the production level to or above the threshold production level.

A live-bottom trailer having a conveyor system. The conveyor system including: a frame; a conveyor mounted to the frame and having a carrying surface and an opposite rear surface, the conveyor operable to move the carrying surface between a first end of the live-bottom trailer and a second end of the live-bottom trailer while the rear surface passes over a support surface of the frame; and a pressurized air system operable to direct pressurized air at the rear surface of the conveyor to reduce friction between the support surface of the frame and the rear surface of the conveyor.

A live-bottom trailer having a conveyor system. The conveyor system including: a frame; a conveyor mounted to the frame and having a carrying surface and an opposite rear surface, the conveyor operable to move the carrying surface between a first end of the live-bottom trailer and a second end of the live-bottom trailer while the rear surface passes over a support surface of the frame; and a pressurized air system operable to direct pressurized air at the rear surface of the conveyor to reduce friction between the support surface of the frame and the rear surface of the conveyor.

A drive belt assembly for a load handling device includes a drive belt; a drive wheel; and one or more driven wheels. A first tensioning arm, having a fixed end above an elbow and a rotatable distal end pivotally attached at the elbow, is horizontally displaceable relative to the drive wheel and driven wheels. A second tensioning arm is provided wherein the drive belt is routed around the first and second tensioning arms, and the first and second tensioning arms are arranged to put pressure on the drive belt to tension the drive belt.

An object processing system is disclosed for dynamically providing the removal of objects from a trailer of a tractor trailer. The object processing system includes a load assessment system for assessing a load characteristic of a plurality of objects within the trailer and for providing load assessment data representative of the load characteristic, an object assessment system for assessing a relative position and relative environment of an object of the plurality of objects responsive to the load assessment data, and for providing object assessment data for the object, and a dynamic engagement system for dynamically engaging the objects within the trailer with either of at least two different engagement systems responsive to the object assessment data.

An object processing system is disclosed for dynamically providing the removal of objects from a trailer of a tractor trailer. The object processing system includes a load assessment system for assessing a load characteristic of a plurality of objects within the trailer and for providing load assessment data representative of the load characteristic, an object assessment system for assessing a relative position and relative environment of an object of the plurality of objects responsive to the load assessment data, and for providing object assessment data for the object, and a dynamic engagement system for dynamically engaging the objects within the trailer with either of at least two different engagement systems responsive to the object assessment data.

A control system for a cargo handling system is disclosed. The control system may be configured to advance larger containers at a slower speed than smaller containers. For instance, all containers may be initially advanced by the same first velocity control signal. At the expiration of a certain time period, all containers may thereafter be advanced by a different velocity control signal (from the first velocity control signal) that should least substantially maintain the velocity of the container as it existed at the time of the expiration of the noted time period. The length of the time period (for advancing the container at the first velocity control signal) may be varied based upon the size of the containers such that larger containers are accelerated for a shorter time than smaller containers and which in turn should then advance larger containers at a lower velocity compared to smaller containers.