Systems, methods, and apparatuses for controlling objects being loaded or unloaded from a storage structure or vehicle, such as a trailer. In example embodiments, a plurality of parcels may be stored in or on a trailer that is attached to a cab of a delivery vehicle. Upon arrival at a deposit location, the trailer loaded with the one or more parcels may be removably secured to a an adjustable platform designed to be raised to a predetermined angle for unloading of the one or more parcels. Once the adjustable platform is raised to the predetermined angle, a plurality of adjustable dividing mechanisms may be configured to pivot, allowing for the movement of a controlled volume of the one or more parcels onto the receiving platform.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for controlling objects being loaded or unloaded from a storage structure or vehicle, such as a trailer. In example embodiments, a plurality of parcels may be stored in or on a trailer that is attached to a cab of a delivery vehicle. Upon arrival at a deposit location, the trailer loaded with the one or more parcels may be removably secured to a an adjustable platform designed to be raised to a predetermined angle for unloading of the one or more parcels. Once the adjustable platform is raised to the predetermined angle, a plurality of adjustable dividing mechanisms may be configured to pivot, allowing for the movement of a controlled volume of the one or more parcels onto the receiving platform.

Described herein are systems and methods for baggage or parcel handling. The system includes an automated bag unloading cell, a container roller deck positioned in the automated unloading cell. The container roller deck includes a roller deck base and a deck frame. The deck frame can selectively support and transfer a container housing a bag or parcel. The deck frame can selectively rotate about a deck frame axis of rotation relative to the roller deck base. The deck frame is operable to selectively release the bag or parcel from the container. The container roller deck can also include an index table in communication with the deck frame. The index table can be operable to receive the bag or parcel released from the container. The index table can include at least one index table conveyor operable to selectively advance the bag or parcel from the index table to a first transfer device.

Disclosed is an apparatus for tilting a container for loading thereof. The apparatus includes a platform and a support frame being pivotally connected to the platform to move between a resting position and a loading position. The apparatus includes a gate operable to move between an open position and a closed position. The apparatus includes a pair of first actuating cylinders, each of the first actuating cylinders being pivotally supported with respect to the platform and fixedly connected to the support frame. The apparatus includes a pair of second actuating cylinders with each of the second actuating cylinders being pivotally connected to the platform and fixedly connected to the support frame. Herein the pair of first actuating cylinders are compressed and the pair of second actuating cylinders are extended to move the support frame from the resting position to the loading position.

An apparatus for unloading tote contents is provided. The apparatus includes an arm assembly, a door assembly connected to the arm assembly, and first and second drivers configured to rotate the arm assembly and the door assembly about first and second axes, respectively. The arm assembly is configured to pick up a tote from a first conveyor belt. The door assembly is configured to secure at least one item within the tote and provide a ramp for unloading the at least one item from the tote onto a second conveyor belt.

An apparatus for unloading tote contents is provided. The apparatus includes an arm assembly, a door assembly connected to the arm assembly, and first and second drivers configured to rotate the arm assembly and the door assembly about first and second axes, respectively. The arm assembly is configured to pick up a tote from a first conveyor belt. The door assembly is configured to secure at least one item within the tote and provide a ramp for unloading the at least one item from the tote onto a second conveyor belt.

A side-loading robotic arm for use with rear or mid-body mounted refuse containers. The robotic arm is configured for disposition forward of a container, but may be disposed behind or otherwise oriented relative to the container. The robotic arm includes a tipping arm pivotingly attached to and carried by a carriage body disposed on lateral rails. The tipping arm has a generally right-angle configuration. A lifting arm is pivotingly attached to the tipping arm distal from the carriage body. A pair of gripper arms is disposed on the lifting arm distal from the tipping arm. The right-angle configuration of the tipping arm facilitates pivoting and inversion of bins to be emptied into the refuse containers. The fixed shape of the tipping arm eliminates a mechanical movement operation of the prior art and minimizes potential mechanical interference with other parts of the robotic arm.

A side-loading robotic arm for use with rear or mid-body mounted refuse containers. The robotic arm is configured for disposition forward of a container, but may be disposed behind or otherwise oriented relative to the container. The robotic arm includes a tipping arm pivotingly attached to and carried by a carriage body disposed on lateral rails. The tipping arm has a generally right-angle configuration. A lifting arm is pivotingly attached to the tipping arm distal from the carriage body. A pair of gripper arms is disposed on the lifting arm distal from the tipping arm. The right-angle configuration of the tipping arm facilitates pivoting and inversion of bins to be emptied into the refuse containers. The fixed shape of the tipping arm eliminates a mechanical movement operation of the prior art and minimizes potential mechanical interference with other parts of the robotic arm.

An automated storage and retrieval system includes a grid-based rail structure and a plurality of remotely operated vehicles arranged to operate on the grid-based rail structure. The automated storage and retrieval system includes a locking device arranged in a zone of the grid-based rail structure where a human and/or a robotic operator is permitted to interact with the remotely operated vehicle or contents of a storage container that the remotely operated vehicle is carrying. The locking device is arranged to lock the remotely operated vehicle against accidental displacement prior to interaction with the human and/or robotic operator, and wherein the locking device being arranged to unlock the remotely operated vehicle once interaction with the human and/or robotic operator is no longer required.

The present invention provides a storage system (1) comprising a storage grid structure (104) and multiple container handling vehicles (200,300), the storage grid structure comprises vertical column profiles (102) defining multiple storage columns (105), in which storage containers (106) can be stored one on top of another in vertical stacks (107), and at least one transfer column (119,120), the column profiles are interconnected at their upper ends by top rails (110,111) forming a horizontal top rail grid (108) upon which the container handling vehicles (200,300) may move in two perpendicular directions, the container handling vehicles are able to retrieve storage containers (106) from, and store storage containers in, the storage columns (105), and transport the storage containers on the storage grid structure, wherein the storage grid structure (104) comprises at least one horizontal transfer section (2); and the storage system comprises multiple container transfer vehicles (6) and a transfer floor (5) on which the container transfer vehicles (6) may move horizontally, and the transfer section (2) is arranged at a level below the top rail grid (108) and extends from an external side (12) of the storage grid structure (104) to a position below the at least one transfer column (119,120) and comprises at least a section of the transfer floor (5); and each of the container transfer vehicles comprises a container carrier (38) for carrying a storage container (106) and a wheel arrangement (32a,32b) for moving the container transfer vehicle (6) in at least two perpendicular directions on the transfer floor (5); and wherein the at least one transfer column (119,120) extends from the top rail grid (108) to the transfer section (2), such that a storage container (106) may be transferred between the top rail grid (108) and the container carrier of one of the container transfer vehicles (6).