A control system is disclosed for an item processing system with a programmable motion device, said control system including a parameter estimator for estimating item handling parameters for items for which at least some parameters are known, a parameter explorer for identifying item handling parameters of items for which no parameters are known, and a parameter governor for determining whether to employ the parameter estimator or the parameter explorer in adjusting parameters for the item processing system.

In one embodiment, a pneumatic distribution system configured to distribute a granular product to an agricultural implement includes a first pressure sensor, a second pressure sensor, and a controller. The first pressure sensor is configured to be fluidly coupled to a storage tank configured to store the granular product and positioned upstream of the meter roller. The first pressure sensor is configured to output a first signal indicative of a first static pressure in the storage tank. The second pressure sensor is configured to be fluidly coupled to a component of the pneumatic distribution system, downstream of the meter roller. The second pressure sensor is configured to output a second signal indicative of a second static pressure downstream of the meter roller. The controller is communicatively coupled to the first pressure sensor and to the second pressure sensor. The controller is configured to determine a pressure differential, wherein the pressure differential is the difference between the first static pressure and the second static pressure. The controller may also be configured to generate a first warning when the first static pressure is below a threshold value and output the first warning to an operator interface, generate a second warning when the pressure differential is below a desired range and output the second warning to the operator interface, and generate a third warning when the pressure differential is above the desired range and output the third warning to the operator interface.

A container packer system includes a transfer base, which receives a container packer adapted for movement longitudinally between retracted and extended positions with respect to the transfer base. The transfer base includes a power subsystem with a motor or engine driving a hydraulic pump for powering hydraulic piston-and-cylinder units of the system, including a container packer piston-and-cylinder unit for hydraulically extending and retracting the container packer. The container packer generally encloses an interior adapted for receiving bulk material for transfer to a transport container, which can comprise a standard shipping container, a trailer or some other bulk material receptacle. The container packer includes a push blade assembly longitudinally movably mounted in its interior and actuated by a push blade piston-and-cylinder unit.

A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a path to/from the destination areas that are positioned along the path. Along the path, the vehicles are scanned to determine if any item on the vehicles extends beyond a dimensional constraint. If it is determined that an item on a vehicle extends above the pre-determined threshold, the vehicle is controlled, such as by stopping or re-directing the vehicle. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.

A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a path to/from the destination areas that are positioned along the path. Along the path, the vehicles are scanned to determine if any item on the vehicles extends beyond a dimensional constraint. If it is determined that an item on a vehicle extends above the pre-determined threshold, the vehicle is controlled, such as by stopping or re-directing the vehicle. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.

A system and method for enabling a commodity trailer having conventional gravity discharge slide gates to operate with a pneumatic discharge configuration on an as-needed basis is provided. A pneumatic discharge gate, which supports a pneumatic discharge assembly, is configured to directly replace the gravity fed hopper gate and to be retained on the same hopper structure that supported the slide gate so that the slide gate and the pneumatic discharge gate, and the uses thereof, are fully interchangeable.

A conveyor sensor arrangement is disclosed. The conveyor sensor arrangement includes a conveyor configured to move a product from a first conveyor end to a second conveyor end in a conveying direction. A plurality of fingers are pivotally arranged on a support that is positioned above the conveyor and that is arranged perpendicular to the conveying direction. Each finger of the plurality of fingers includes a first finger end and a second finger end, and the first finger end extends toward a surface of the conveyor. A single sensor is arranged above the conveyor. Contact between a leading edge of a product moving along the conveyor and at least one of the first finger ends causes a corresponding one of the second finger ends to trigger the sensor.

A transport system includes a plurality of coils; and a carriage that has a magnet and is movable in a first direction along the plurality of coils in accordance with electromagnetic force to which the magnet is subjected from the plurality of coils, and the carriage has a movable mechanism that is provided so as to be able to interlock with the magnet and is driven by electromagnetic force to which the magnet is subjected in a second direction intersecting with the first direction from the plurality of coils.

A transport device has a position detection portion, a holding portion attached to an arm, a driving portion to drive the holding portion and the arm, and a control portion. A control portion controls the position detection portion and the driving portion to perform, as one cycle, a procedure to detect a position of a parcel, select parcels based on a predetermined condition, and set priority for the selected parcels, and a procedure to refer to a result of the detection, and cause the holding portion to take out one or more parcels from the accumulation portion in accordance with the priority to transport the parcels to a predetermined location, and excludes, from parcels to be taken out, a second parcel that is present within a predetermined distance from a first parcel and has priority lower than the priority of the first parcel, during the one cycle.

The present disclosure provides a buffer device for temporarily storing an article container for containing an article to be picked up, including: a placing unit on which the article container is placed and which is configured to transport the placed article container in a direction away from a pick-up area; a supply unit which supplies the article container from the pick-up area to an end area on a side of the placing unit close to the pick-up area; a movable carriage unit which is configured to travel in a transport direction of the article container in the placing unit and which allows the article container to be placed; and a transfer device which transfers the article container at least between the placing unit and the movable carriage unit.