An automated carrier system is disclosed for moving objects to be processed. The automated carrier system includes a discontinuous plurality of track sections on which an automated carrier may be directed to move, and the automated carrier includes a base structure on which an object may be supported, and at least two wheels 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.

An automated carrier system is disclosed for moving objects to be processed. The automated carrier system includes a discontinuous plurality of track sections on which an automated carrier may be directed to move, and the automated carrier includes a base structure on which an object may be supported, and at least two wheels 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.

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).

Embodiments provide for systems and methods related to kiosks for personalizing a packaged article. The kiosks may also be used for storage, inventory management, retrieval, packaging, and/or personalization of packaged articles. The kiosks discussed herein differ from non-kiosk personalization systems, such as personalization systems installed on a factory or warehouse floor, in that the kiosks are self-contained personalization systems. In some embodiments, the kiosks are portable and can be moved between different sites or events. This portability allows the kiosks to personalize packaged articles for concerts, festivals, conventions, trade shows, and the like.

Embodiments provide for systems and methods related to kiosks for personalizing a packaged article. The kiosks may also be used for storage, inventory management, retrieval, packaging, and/or personalization of packaged articles. The kiosks discussed herein differ from non-kiosk personalization systems, such as personalization systems installed on a factory or warehouse floor, in that the kiosks are self-contained personalization systems. In some embodiments, the kiosks are portable and can be moved between different sites or events. This portability allows the kiosks to personalize packaged articles for concerts, festivals, conventions, trade shows, and the like.

A stack containment fixture is disclosed. The stack containment fixture includes an insertion zone structure including an insertion zone structure and a kitting area structure. The insertion zone structure includes a pair of substantially vertically oriented deflecting arms. each having one or more funnels configured to guide a stack into a position between the deflecting arms as the stack is lowered into the insertion zone structure from above. The kitting area structure is configured to support the vehicle or the stack during kitting operations for items being placed in the vehicle or stack or for items being picked from the vehicle or stack.

The system can include: a container no, a set of sensors 120, and a controller 130. The system can optionally include a robot 140. However, the system 100 can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable set of components. The system functions to monitor and/or maintain a fullness level of a container. The system can additionally or alternatively function to enable robotic picking out of the container (e.g., in a pick-and-place setting). The system can additionally function to maintain candidate objects within reach of the robot's end effector to increase robot uptime while minimizing the extent of the robot's required motion (e.g., in the z-axis).

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus (1) for transferring items from and to a transport line (100), more particularly a transport line moving at high speed. The invention comprises the steps of picking a first item (10a) from a transport line (100) and placing a second item (10b) onto said transport line, preferably at an immediately subsequent time, into the gap left by said first item that has just been picked. The invention is applied in particular, but not exclusively, in the field of item packaging, for instance in bottling systems. More particularly, the invention can be used for transferring items to be checked from a transport line to an inspection station, and for transferring back items that have been checked and deemed satisfactory from said inspection station to said transport line.

An article handling device is provided. In one embodiment, a system for article handling is provided. The system has first and second article handling devices that each have one or more gripping assemblies arranged around their periphery. The gripping assemblies are selectably movable between an open position and a closed position based on the relative position of the first and second article handling devices.

An object processing system is disclosed that includes a plurality of track sections, and a plurality of remotely actuatable carriers for controlled movement along at least portions of the plurality of track sections, wherein each of the remotely controllable carriers is adapted to support and transport an object processing bin.