A storage arrangement having multiple storage racks, a storage buffer device for interim buffering of a load during storage, a retrieval buffer device for interim buffering of a load during retrieval, and storage and retrieval devices for servicing the storage places of the storage racks is provided. The storage arrangement additionally comprises a storage vertical conveying device having multiple storage transport platforms and a retrieval vertical conveying device having multiple retrieval transport platforms. A storage conveying system is connected to the storage vertical conveying device, and a retrieval conveying system is connected to the retrieval vertical conveying device. A control system ensures that the storage transport platforms and the retrieval transport platforms are moved independently of one another. In addition, an order-picking system with a storage arrangement of the above-mentioned type and a method for operating the storage arrangement are provided.

A storage arrangement having multiple storage racks, a storage buffer device for interim buffering of a load during storage, a retrieval buffer device for interim buffering of a load during retrieval, and storage and retrieval devices for servicing the storage places of the storage racks is provided. The storage arrangement additionally comprises a storage vertical conveying device having multiple storage transport platforms and a retrieval vertical conveying device having multiple retrieval transport platforms. A storage conveying system is connected to the storage vertical conveying device, and a retrieval conveying system is connected to the retrieval vertical conveying device. A control system ensures that the storage transport platforms and the retrieval transport platforms are moved independently of one another. In addition, an order-picking system with a storage arrangement of the above-mentioned type and a method for operating the storage arrangement are provided.

Systems and methods for sampling particle mixtures include use of a cantilevered arm and sample collector to extend into a particle mixture cascade or stream to capture a sample of the mixture for analysis, audit, certification, or review. Generally, the arm is rotatable about a vertical axis and extendable in a radial direction therefrom at a selectable height. The sample collector is in the form of a gimballed cup disposed at a free end of the cantilevered arm.

Systems and methods for sampling particle mixtures include use of a cantilevered arm and sample collector to extend into a particle mixture cascade or stream to capture a sample of the mixture for analysis, audit, certification, or review. Generally, the arm is rotatable about a vertical axis and extendable in a radial direction therefrom at a selectable height. The sample collector is in the form of a gimballed cup disposed at a free end of the cantilevered arm.

A vertical reciprocating conveyor that can be transported in a storage condition and assembled at a work facility in an operating condition. The vertical reciprocating conveyor includes a carriage assembly that is movable along a pair of spaced vertical rails of a support frame. The carriage assembly includes a pair of spaced uprights and a carriage deck designed to support material moved along the pair of spaced vertical rails of the support frame. The carriage deck is movable between an operating condition and a storage condition, where the carriage deck is perpendicular to the pair of spaced uprights in the operating condition and parallel to the pair of spaced uprights in the storage condition. The movement of the carriage deck allows the overall size of the vertical reciprocating conveyor to be reduced for shipping.

A depositing device for depositing poultry from a pile of one or more stacked crates to a poultry conveyor. A tilting unit is configured for tilting the pile of one or more stacked crates around a tilt axis between a receiving position and a depositing position. A chute is tiltable between the receiving position and the depositing position independently to the tilting unit.

A depositing device for depositing poultry from a pile of one or more stacked crates to a poultry conveyor. A tilting unit is configured for tilting the pile of one or more stacked crates around a tilt axis between a receiving position and a depositing position. A chute is tiltable between the receiving position and the depositing position independently to the tilting unit.

A method of manipulating boxes includes receiving a minimum box size for a plurality of boxes varying in size located in a walled container. The method also includes dividing a grip area of a gripper into a plurality of zones. The method further includes locating a set of candidate boxes based on an image from a visual sensor. For each zone, the method additionally includes, determining an overlap of a respective zone with one or more neighboring boxes to the set of candidate boxes. The method also includes determining a grasp pose for a target candidate box that avoids one or more walls of the walled container. The method further includes executing the grasp pose to lift the target candidate box by the gripper where the gripper activates each zone of the plurality of zones that does not overlap a respective neighboring box to the target candidate box.

A method of manipulating boxes includes receiving a minimum box size for a plurality of boxes varying in size located in a walled container. The method also includes dividing a grip area of a gripper into a plurality of zones. The method further includes locating a set of candidate boxes based on an image from a visual sensor. For each zone, the method additionally includes, determining an overlap of a respective zone with one or more neighboring boxes to the set of candidate boxes. The method also includes determining a grasp pose for a target candidate box that avoids one or more walls of the walled container. The method further includes executing the grasp pose to lift the target candidate box by the gripper where the gripper activates each zone of the plurality of zones that does not overlap a respective neighboring box to the target candidate box.

A method of manipulating boxes includes receiving a minimum box size for a plurality of boxes varying in size located in a walled container. The method also includes dividing a grip area of a gripper into a plurality of zones. The method further includes locating a set of candidate boxes based on an image from a visual sensor. For each zone, the method additionally includes, determining an overlap of a respective zone with one or more neighboring boxes to the set of candidate boxes. The method also includes determining a grasp pose for a target candidate box that avoids one or more walls of the walled container. The method further includes executing the grasp pose to lift the target candidate box by the gripper where the gripper activates each zone of the plurality of zones that does not overlap a respective neighboring box to the target candidate box.