The present disclosure provides an automatic loading and unloading system that is adaptable for an array of freight sizes, trucks and/or trailers. In some examples, the automatic loading and unloading may inventory the parcels scheduled for delivery, identify the dimensions of the parcels, and plot a loading configuration that maximizes the use of the truck or trailer. Based on the plotting, the automatic loading and unloading system may direct the automated guided vehicles (e.g., automatic forklifts) to the parcels scheduled for delivery. The automated guided vehicles may utilize the information received from the automatic loading and unloading system to identify a route from the parcel's storage location in the warehouse, for example, to the plotted position in the truck or trailer.

An inverted carrier lift and method is disclosed. The inverted carrier lift includes a trolley movable along an overhead conveyor and a carrier for supporting a workpiece to undergo an assembly or manufacturing process. The carrier is movable relative to the trolley from a raised position to a lowered position by a motor engaged with a lifting mechanism on the trolley. On rotation of the motor, the carrier and supported workpiece is lowered or raised to position the workpiece in the workstation for processing. The workpiece may be disengaged by the carrier for support of the workpiece by one of many different fixtures depending on the processing. Following processing, the workpiece is re-engaged by the carrier, moved to a raised position and the trolley is transferred to a subsequent workstation.

An inverted carrier lift and method is disclosed. The inverted carrier lift includes a trolley movable along an overhead conveyor and a carrier for supporting a workpiece to undergo an assembly or manufacturing process. The carrier is movable relative to the trolley from a raised position to a lowered position by a motor engaged with a lifting mechanism on the trolley. On rotation of the motor, the carrier and supported workpiece is lowered or raised to position the workpiece in the workstation for processing. The workpiece may be disengaged by the carrier for support of the workpiece by one of many different fixtures depending on the processing. Following processing, the workpiece is re-engaged by the carrier, moved to a raised position and the trolley is transferred to a subsequent workstation.

A radiology garment storage and cleaning system, for storing and cleaning radiology garments, each garment including a radiology apron and a radiology collar. The radiology garment storage and cleaning system includes a storage apparatus, which is divided into a number of compartments for accepting a radiology garment, the compartments extending from the first side to the second side. Each compartment is equipped with a cleaning system, a door with a lock and at least one status light. The storage apparatus also includes an ID card and a monitoring system which is in electronic communication with the ID card reader, the lock of each compartment, each of the cleaning mechanisms, and the status light of each compartment. The monitoring system is configured to monitor when the radiology garment is placed in one of the compartments, automate the cleaning of the garment, and track the garment's usage.

A radiology garment storage and cleaning system, for storing and cleaning radiology garments, each garment including a radiology apron and a radiology collar. The radiology garment storage and cleaning system includes a storage apparatus, which is divided into a number of compartments for accepting a radiology garment, the compartments extending from the first side to the second side. Each compartment is equipped with a cleaning system, a door with a lock and at least one status light. The storage apparatus also includes an ID card and a monitoring system which is in electronic communication with the ID card reader, the lock of each compartment, each of the cleaning mechanisms, and the status light of each compartment. The monitoring system is configured to monitor when the radiology garment is placed in one of the compartments, automate the cleaning of the garment, and track the garment's usage.

A packaging system for high flexibility and speed box-last packaging comprises one or more dimensional scanning sensors that are configured to scan a group of one or more target products that are to be boxed and gather dimension information describing physical dimensions of the group of one or more target products. The system also comprises one or more packaging-production machines that are configured to generate custom-made packaging templates that conform to a pre-determined set of packaging template types. Additionally, the system comprises a packaging template buffer that comprises physically divided sections that contain multiple packaging templates selected from the pre-determined set of packaging template types that are generated by the one or more packaging-production machines. Each of the packaging templates are organized within the physically divided section based upon packaging template type.

Today's funeral practices are unsustainable, toxic, and polluting. Both cremation and the manufacture and transport of caskets, grave liners, and headstones emit greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. In fact, the very last thing that most of us will do on this earth is poison it. As a response, a system and method called recomposition that gently and naturally returns humans to the earth after death.

Described herein is an apparatus and method for selecting a storage location for an item. The method includes obtaining order information for a plurality of previously fulfilled orders, wherein each order includes at least one item. Based on the obtained order information, one or a combination of an affinity value of the item and a popularity value of the item are computed. The method determines available storage locations in a plurality of storage racks, each rack including at least one shelf. Further, the method computes for each available storage location, one or a combination of an affinity score and a popularity score of the storage rack with respect to the item. The method selects the storage location from the available storage locations based on at least one of the calculated affinity score and the calculated popularity score, and instructs a vehicle to store the item at the selected storage location.

Described herein is an apparatus and method for selecting a storage location for an item. The method includes obtaining order information for a plurality of previously fulfilled orders, wherein each order includes at least one item. Based on the obtained order information, one or a combination of an affinity value of the item and a popularity value of the item are computed. The method determines available storage locations in a plurality of storage racks, each rack including at least one shelf. Further, the method computes for each available storage location, one or a combination of an affinity score and a popularity score of the storage rack with respect to the item. The method selects the storage location from the available storage locations based on at least one of the calculated affinity score and the calculated popularity score, and instructs a vehicle to store the item at the selected storage location.

A material handling system for handling, placing packages onto pallets destined for an order store, the material handling system comprising, a storage array with storage spaces for holding packages therein, an automated package transport system communicably connected to the storage array for storing packages within the storage spaces of the storage array and retrieving packages from the storage spaces of the storage array, an automated palletizer for placing mixed packages onto a pallet to form a pallet load of mixed packages, the automated palletizer is communicably connected to the automated package transport system which provides individual packages from the storage array to the automated palletizer for forming the pallet load of mixed packages, the pallet load of mixed packages including more than one composite layers of mixed packages, a controller operably connected to the automated palletizer, the controller being programmed with a pallet load generator with an initial pallet load.