A feeding group includes a tray to retain articles arranged in discrete rows, an inlet station to receive the tray, a transfer device to move the tray, and a retaining device to retain the tray during movement of the tray between the inlet station and an unloading station. The retaining device is to further release the tray at an outlet station. The feeding group also includes an unloading device to unload the articles from the tray at the unloading station. The unloading station includes a conveyor device to receive the discrete rows unloaded from the tray.

A feeding group includes a tray to retain articles arranged in discrete rows, an inlet station to receive the tray, a transfer device to move the tray, and a retaining device to retain the tray during movement of the tray between the inlet station and an unloading station. The retaining device is to further release the tray at an outlet station. The feeding group also includes an unloading device to unload the articles from the tray at the unloading station. The unloading station includes a conveyor device to receive the discrete rows unloaded from the tray.

A system for storing and transporting storage containers includes an automated storage and retrieval grid including vertical members defining multiple storage columns for storing storage containers on top of each other in vertical stacks. The vertical members are interconnected at their upper ends by a container handling vehicle rail system arranged to guide at least one container handling vehicle being configured to raise storage containers from, and lower storage containers into, the storage columns, and to transport the storage containers above the storage columns. The container handling vehicle rail system includes a first set of parallel rails arranged in a first horizontal plane and extending in a first direction, and a second set of parallel rails arranged in the first horizontal plane and extending in a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction, which first and second sets of rails form a grid pattern in the first horizontal plane including a plurality of adjacent container handling vehicle grid cells. Each container handling vehicle grid cell includes a container handling vehicle grid opening defined by a pair of neighboring rails of the first set of rails and a pair of neighboring rails of the second set of rails. A transfer column is adapted for transport of a storage container between the container handling vehicle and a delivery space is situated at a lower end of the transfer column. A delivery system includes a first delivery rail system having at least one set of parallel rails arranged in a second horizontal plane guiding at least one delivery vehicle thereon. The delivery vehicle is adapted to receive and/or deliver a storage container at a storage container delivery location arranged below the delivery space of the transfer column and to move between the storage container delivery location and a second location, the first delivery rail system covers at least an area extending from the storage container delivery location to the second location. A vehicle lift device is for transfer of the at least one delivery vehicle between a first lift stop position adjacent the second location in the second horizontal plane and a second lift stop position adjacent a third location arranged in a third horizontal plane being at a different vertical level than the second horizontal plane.

An article-unloading apparatus comprising a bin assembly including a bag inside a bin. The bin assembly is raised and lowered by a lift and tilted, when raised, to dump articles onto a decline conveyor, such as a ramp. A winch attached to the bag moves the bottom of the bag through the bin to help push articles from the tilted bin assembly. A camera takes a video image of the articles entering the ramp to detect clumps. Stops on the ramp are selectively actuated to block the bottom-most articles in a clump to help separate articles.

An article-unloading apparatus comprising a bin assembly including a bag inside a bin. The bin assembly is raised and lowered by a lift and tilted, when raised, to dump articles onto a decline conveyor, such as a ramp. A winch attached to the bag moves the bottom of the bag through the bin to help push articles from the tilted bin assembly. A camera takes a video image of the articles entering the ramp to detect clumps. Stops on the ramp are selectively actuated to block the bottom-most articles in a clump to help separate articles.

A refuse vehicle includes a chassis, a plurality of tractive elements coupled to the chassis, and a lift assembly including a carriage, a grabber arm selectively repositionable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, a track configured to be coupled to a chassis of the refuse vehicle, and a roller assembly slidably coupling the carriage to the track. In the engaged position, the grabber arm is configured to couple a refuse container to the carriage. The track defines a track groove extending at least partway along a length of the track. The roller assembly includes a base coupled to the carriage, a shaft coupled to the base and extending outward from the base, a roller extending at least partially into the track groove, the roller defining first a central aperture that receives the shaft, and a bushing that rotatably couples the roller to the shaft.

A refuse vehicle includes a chassis, a plurality of tractive elements coupled to the chassis, and a lift assembly including a carriage, a grabber arm selectively repositionable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, a track configured to be coupled to a chassis of the refuse vehicle, and a roller assembly slidably coupling the carriage to the track. In the engaged position, the grabber arm is configured to couple a refuse container to the carriage. The track defines a track groove extending at least partway along a length of the track. The roller assembly includes a base coupled to the carriage, a shaft coupled to the base and extending outward from the base, a roller extending at least partially into the track groove, the roller defining first a central aperture that receives the shaft, and a bushing that rotatably couples the roller to the shaft.

An automated carrier system is disclosed for moving objects to be processed. The automated carrier system includes a base structure of a carrier on which an object may be supported, and at least two wheels mounted to at least two motors to provide at least two wheel assemblies, the at least two wheel assemblies being pivotally supported on the base structure for pivoting movement from a first position to a second position to effect a change in direction of movement of the carrier.

A system to retain a bag within a container when rotated by a chute is provided. The system includes a linkage that pivots a second arm and a hook between a release position and a holding position, the linkage comprising an input, a first arm, and the second arm that supports the hook, and a fixed plate. The input is connected to a first arm such that movement of the input pivots the first arm. The second arm is pivotably connected to the first arm at a second end of the first arm, a spring is disposed at the pivotable connection between the first and second arms and is provided to bias the second arm toward a position where the second arm extends along a line that is substantially co-linear with a longitudinal axis through the first arm. The hook extends from an extended end portion of the second arm.

A system to retain a bag within a container when rotated by a chute is provided. The system includes a linkage that pivots a second arm and a hook between a release position and a holding position, the linkage comprising an input, a first arm, and the second arm that supports the hook, and a fixed plate. The input is connected to a first arm such that movement of the input pivots the first arm. The second arm is pivotably connected to the first arm at a second end of the first arm, a spring is disposed at the pivotable connection between the first and second arms and is provided to bias the second arm toward a position where the second arm extends along a line that is substantially co-linear with a longitudinal axis through the first arm. The hook extends from an extended end portion of the second arm.