A growth system includes growth trolleys each having at least one carrier configured to support products for growing, and a growth hub including equipment facilitating growth of products from a group comprising fluid supply, nutrient supply, and the like. At least one of the growth hub and the growth trolleys is displaceable relative to the other of the growth trolleys and the growth hub to furnish at least one growth facilitating function to products in at least one of the trolleys, when the at least one of the growth trolleys is adjacent to the growth hub.

An apparatus, system and method for securing wheeled shipping carts within a shipping container. The apparatus, system and method for securing wheeled shipping carts within a shipping container secures the shipping racks across the width of the container and vertically, and then end-to-end inside the length of the container from the fixed end of the container to the doors as the container is loaded. In addition, the system and method secures wheeled shipping carts within a shipping container using a securing apparatus installed within the shipping container to constrain the wheeled shipping carts both vertically and horizontally in location during transport.

An apparatus for use with a plurality of robotic appliances, the apparatus comprising a plurality of receiving spaces each configured to receive at least one robotic appliance, wherein each of the receiving spaces comprises: a shelf comprising an upper surface on which a robotic appliance can be located; a charging element configured to charge a robotic appliance when it is located on the shelf; and one or more locating formations arranged to abut said robotic appliance, such that the one or more locating formations provide support against movement of the robotic appliance when the robotic appliance is located on the shelf, wherein the one or more locating formations are provided at or above the upper surface of said shelf.

A depalletizing machine for picking up and moving groups of articles, specifically bundles of blanks, includes a containing structure internally provided with at least one receiving area for a movable magazine containing one or more groups of articles. The machine also includes at least one access opening for allowing the magazine to be inserted into, or removed from, the receiving area. The machine also includes a collection zone configured for receiving a succession of groups of articles from the movable magazine and for moving the groups of articles towards the outside of the machine. The machine also includes at least one sensor configured for detecting a position of the movable magazine within the at least one receiving area and a pickup head configured to pick up groups of articles from the movable magazine and transferring them into the collection zone. The machine also includes a control unit configured for setting a predetermined law of motion for the pickup head as a function of at least one information item obtained from the sensor, regarding the position of the movable magazine.

An apparatus, system and method for securing wheeled shipping carts within a shipping container. The apparatus, system and method for securing wheeled shipping carts within a shipping container secures the shipping racks across the width of the container and vertically, and then end-to-end inside the length of the container from the fixed end of the container to the doors as the container is loaded. In addition, the system and method secures wheeled shipping carts within a shipping container using a securing apparatus installed within the shipping container to constrain the wheeled shipping carts both vertically and horizontally in location during transport.

A wheeled shipping/transport cart includes a cart frame that supports a plurality of wheels. The cart frame supports a plurality of stackable trays. The trays include a tray frame with opposed end members, a plurality of longitudinal support members disposed between the opposed end members, and a plurality of upright members nesting with upright members of an adjacent tray. A support structure is disposed between the opposed end members to form an arc corresponding to a curved surface of an article to be supported by the support structure. A pin is received through each of the upright members of the plurality of stackable trays to retain the stackable trays in a stacked configuration.

A dish carrying assembly for collecting and transporting entrée dishes includes a cart that has a plurality of rollers for rolling on a support surface. A canister is coupled to the cart has the canister extending upwardly from the cart and the canister has an entry to facilitate entrée dishes to be positioned within the canister. A lifting unit is integrated into the canister and the entree dishes can be stacked upon the lifting unit. The lifting unit is biased to travel upwardly in the canister thereby facilitating a user to remove a respective entrée dish from the canister without having to bend over. A door is slidably disposed on the canister for opening and closing the canister.

A method for managing inventory carriers using mobile robotic units (MRUs) in a pod that is configured to receive online orders at a replenishment station for pickup by customers at a delivery station includes receiving, by an MRU, instructions that identify a first inventory carrier, moving the MRU to a location of the identified inventory carrier, and using the MRU to transport the identified inventory carrier to the replenishment station for pickup by a delivery vehicle.

A fluid delivery system for delivering a fluid from an automatic water source to animals housed in cages in high density caging systems may comprise a flexible, non-metal, hose-type manifold line having a plurality of circular apertures and a plurality of injection molded plastic saddle fittings each configured to fit into an aperture. Each cage location may comprise two apertures opposite one other and two saddle fittings fit thereto. The saddle fittings may further comprise a U-shaped portion configured to fit around the flexible manifold line, an inward-facing protrusion sized and configured to penetrate and seal to an aperture, and one or more ribs to seal the aperture and/or grip the flexible manifold.

A fluid delivery system for delivering a fluid from an automatic water source to animals housed in cages in high density caging systems may comprise a fluid delivery valve assembly, wherein the fluid delivery valve assembly is adapted to be coupled to the automatic water source to facilitate the provision of fluid to animals housed in the cages. The fluid delivery valve assembly may further comprise a valve body and end cap, which may be joined together, that define a fluid channel. The fluid delivery valve assembly may further comprise sealing elements, a spring element, and an interior stem disposed at least in part in the fluid channel to open and close the fluid channel.