Cargo loading systems for use with a cargo storage area of a vehicle are described. In one form, the cargo loading system has a mast frame and a carriage assembly supported by the mast frame. The carriage assembly has lifting forks, and a fork lateral control mechanism configured to control lateral movement of the lifting forks across the carriage assembly. A carriage pivot control mechanism controls pivotal movement of the carriage assembly relative to the mast frame about a first vertical axis. A fork pivot control mechanism controls pivotal movement of the lifting forks relative to the carriage assembly about a second vertical axis, between a first position in which the lifting forks extend away from the carriage assembly and a second position in which the lifting forks extend along carriage assembly. A carriage vertical control assembly controls raising and lowering of the carriage assembly relative to the mast frame, and a mast frame actuating assembly controls lateral movement of the mast frame relative to an open end of the cargo storage area of the vehicle.

According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus or method unloading and loading containers, trucks and other similar transport units (1). Especially the apparatus and method are suitable for handling pallets (4). The apparatus comprises a pair or more forklift forks (17) or another type of a handling element, for example a gripper for handling rolls or specially formed spikes. The handling elements are mounted on a carriage (16) that is mounted on a frame (15). The frame (159 runs on wheels (17) or tracks on the floor (2) of the transport unit (1). The apparatus uses a telescopic arm (3) for moving the apparatus on the wheels (17) or tracks on the floor (2). The apparatus can be pushed into the transport unit (1) and runs on the floor (2). A load is picked by the handling elements and withdrawn with the telescopic arm (3).

The invention relates to apparatus for use in the movement of goods and includes a transportable goods storage area or trailer. The trailer can be moved to a position adjacent a platform of lifting apparatus to allow goods to be moved to and from the trailer. A bridging assembly including one or more bridge portions is provided to form a bridge between the plat form and floor of the trailer. In one embodiment weight detection means are provided to allow the weight of the transportable goods storage area or trailer, and the goods therein, to be detected and compared to predetermined weight limits.

The invention relates to apparatus for use in the movement of goods and includes a transportable goods storage area or trailer. The trailer can be moved to a position adjacent a platform of lifting apparatus to allow goods to be moved to and from the trailer. A bridging assembly including one or more bridge portions is provided to form a bridge between the plat form and floor of the trailer. In one embodiment weight detection means are provided to allow the weight of the transportable goods storage area or trailer, and the goods therein, to be detected and compared to predetermined weight limits.

An automated truck unloader (10) for unloading/unpacking product, such as boxes or cases, from trailers and containers is disclosed. In one embodiment, a mobile base structure provides a support framework for a drive subassembly, conveyance subassembly, an industrial robot (56), a distance measurement subassembly, and a control subassembly (62). Under the operation of the control subassembly, an industrial robot (56) having a suction cup-based gripper arm selectively removes boxes from the trailer and places the boxes on a powered transportation path (88). The control subassembly (62) coordinates the selective articulated movement of the industrial robot (56) and the activation of the drive subassembly based upon a perception-based robotic manipulation system.

An apparatus (600) for use in unpacking or packing shipping containers (700) includes at least one barrier part which provides a barrier to wheeled powered material handling equipment (1105). The barrier part can be positioned substantially transversely across an interior of a shipping container (700) at a desired position along the length of the interior of the shipping container, to provide a working area (1120) within the shipping container in which personnel may work on foot, and substantially impede or prevent entry of wheeled powered material handling equipment into the working area. The apparatus may be provided with an arrangement to substantially maintain its location in the desired position against forces resulting from impact by the powered material handling equipment operating within the shipping container.

An apparatus (600) for use in unpacking or packing shipping containers (700) includes at least one barrier part which provides a barrier to wheeled powered material handling equipment (1105). The barrier part can be positioned substantially transversely across an interior of a shipping container (700) at a desired position along the length of the interior of the shipping container, to provide a working area (1120) within the shipping container in which personnel may work on foot, and substantially impede or prevent entry of wheeled powered material handling equipment into the working area. The apparatus may be provided with an arrangement to substantially maintain its location in the desired position against forces resulting from impact by the powered material handling equipment operating within the shipping container.

In order to protect the side walls of a container during loading, in one design, a hopper has one or more barrier wall pairs attached to the hopper walls at the end adjacent to a container. As the hopper is moved forward the barrier walls of the barrier wall pair become closely adjacent to the walls of the container protecting them from damage and helping enable material to be pushed into the container. In a variation, an assembly of barrier wall pairs is set inside a hopper and material is deposited between the barrier walls of the barrier wall pair and then the assembly is moved forward into the container, the material being pushed along with the barrier wall pair into the container. In another variation, the barrier walls may be hinged to the hopper walls. More than one barrier wall pair can be used. Where there are two pairs, the second pair can be hinged to the first so that the second pair can be extended or rotated into a storage position. In a further variation, barrier walls on opposite sides of the hopper are of different length and/or barrier wall pairs are of unequal length.

A conveyor assembly includes an extendable conveyor, a cradle configured to at least partially receive the extendable conveyor, a first conveyor that is movable between a first position and a second position, the first conveyor configured to receive a material from a first source, and second conveyor configured to receive a material from a second source. The extendable conveyor may be configured to pivot with respect to the cradle.

Presented is a method and apparatus for loading. The method includes loading one of an individually sterilized item or a non-sterile item into the cart, the cart comprising a top portion, and a plurality of wheels fixedly coupled to a bottom portion of the cart able to freely rotate and support the cart. The method further includes loading a sterilizing cabinet onto the cart, the sterilizing cabinet being removeably affixed to the cart and comprising an interior, the interior containing collectively sterilized items, the interior being sterilizeable and resealable.