Embodiments of present disclosure relate to an apparatus and a method for separating objects. The apparatus comprises: a separating mechanism configured to separate objects arranged in a stack; a robot configured to hold the separating mechanism; and a controller configured to: cause the robot to move the separating mechanism to a first height; cause the robot to move the separating mechanism towards the stack; in response to a distance between the separating mechanism and the stack reaching a distance threshold, cause the robot to stop moving the separating mechanism; and cause the separating mechanism to separate the objects.

A depalletizing machine for picking up and moving groups of articles, specifically bundles of blanks, includes a containing structure internally provided with at least one receiving area for a movable magazine containing one or more groups of articles. The machine also includes at least one access opening for allowing the magazine to be inserted into, or removed from, the receiving area. The machine also includes a collection zone configured for receiving a succession of groups of articles from the movable magazine and for moving the groups of articles towards the outside of the machine. The machine also includes at least one sensor configured for detecting a position of the movable magazine within the at least one receiving area and a pickup head configured to pick up groups of articles from the movable magazine and transferring them into the collection zone. The machine also includes a control unit configured for setting a predetermined law of motion for the pickup head as a function of at least one information item obtained from the sensor, regarding the position of the movable magazine.

According to one embodiment, a hand includes a first holding unit, and a second holding unit. The first holding unit includes a plurality of first holding portions capable of holding an article. A plurality of the first holding units is provided in a second direction and is movable independently of each other in a first direction crossing the second direction. The second holding unit is movable in a third direction crossing a plane parallel to the first direction and the second direction. The second holding unit includes a plurality of second holding portions capable of holding the article.

An unloading apparatus includes a holding apparatus configured to hold side peripheral surfaces of a holding target article group, which is an article subgroup in one level among a plurality of article subgroups in a plurality of levels which article subgroups are included in the stacked article group, in such a manner as to hold the holding target article group and an article subgroup above the holding target article group; a first transport apparatus configured to receive at least one article subgroup held by the holding apparatus from the holding apparatus, and transport the at least one received article subgroup; a retrieval apparatus configured to retrieve one or more articles from an article subgroup in an uppermost level in the stacked article group; and a second transport apparatus configured to transport the stacked article group from the retrieval apparatus to the holding apparatus.

An unloading apparatus includes a holding apparatus configured to hold side peripheral surfaces of a holding target article group, which is an article subgroup in one level among a plurality of article subgroups in a plurality of levels which article subgroups are included in the stacked article group, in such a manner as to hold the holding target article group and an article subgroup above the holding target article group; a first transport apparatus configured to receive at least one article subgroup held by the holding apparatus from the holding apparatus, and transport the at least one received article subgroup; a retrieval apparatus configured to retrieve one or more articles from an article subgroup in an uppermost level in the stacked article group; and a second transport apparatus configured to transport the stacked article group from the retrieval apparatus to the holding apparatus.

A recycling apparatus for positioning within a canning facility receives pallets of damaged or otherwise unusable unfilled aluminum cans, and discharges the layers of cans within a depalletizer into a discharge chute which communicates with the hopper of a baler which compresses the cans and forms a compact bale which is then shipped to a recycled metal processor. The apparatus may be operated as a service to the canner charged on a per pound recovered basis.

A recycling apparatus for positioning within a canning facility receives pallets of damaged or otherwise unusable unfilled aluminum cans, and discharges the layers of cans within a depalletizer into a discharge chute which communicates with the hopper of a baler which compresses the cans and forms a compact bale which is then shipped to a recycled metal processor. The apparatus may be operated as a service to the canner charged on a per pound recovered basis.

An emptying system for emptying a box of food products comprising: —a box overturning robot (2) comprising gripping means (20); —acquisition means (3) for acquiring at least one image of at least one part of the box; —a control unit (4) that moves said gripping means (20) in function of the information arising from said acquisition means (3) for grasping the box by said gripping means (20).

An emptying system for emptying a box of food products comprising: —a box overturning robot (2) comprising gripping means (20); —acquisition means (3) for acquiring at least one image of at least one part of the box; —a control unit (4) that moves said gripping means (20) in function of the information arising from said acquisition means (3) for grasping the box by said gripping means (20).

Methods, apparatuses, systems, computing devices, and/or the like are provided. An example method may include determining a height value associated with a highest object on a pallet; causing a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor to travel to a height based at least in part on the height value; determining whether a detection signal from the LiDAR sensor indicates a first clear status; in response to determining that the detection signal indicates the first clear status, causing a robotic arm to lift the object until the detection signal indicates a blocked status and then a second clear status.