An automated storage and retrieval facility includes a container dispenser which transfers one or more containers into a tote. Once loaded into a tote, the one or more containers may receive goods to fulfill an order. Once filled with goods, the containers may be accessed by customers for transport away from the facility. The container dispenser may include a table configured to move over an opening of a tote to dispense more than one container at different positions within the tote. The container dispenser may be integrated within a storage area of the automated storage and retrieval facility. Alternatively, the container dispenser may be part of workstation positioned away from the storage area.

A tire-enhancement product has a container comprising a dissolvable packaging material; and a solute encased in the container that is inert to the solute. The container is configured to be placed in an interior volume of a tire, to which solvent can be added. The container is configured to dissolve when placed in a predetermined solvent, and the solute is configured to mix with the solvent to form a tire-enhancement mixture.

A feed unit for articles includes: a first feeding device; a second feeding device for individually picking up the articles from the first feeding device at a removal location at a predetermined time interval; and a synchronization device for receiving the articles from the first feeding device and to moving the articles into the removal location. A control system is also provided, to adjust the speed of the synchronization device in such a manner that each article reaches the removal location at the predetermined time interval in order to be picked up by the second feeding device.

A picking system is configured to pick items from, and put items into, storage containers. The picking system includes a picking station. The picking station includes: a picking system controller configured to receive product orders from a warehouse management system; at least one container contents handling position; a camera configured to produce an image of contents of a storage container; an image processing system in communication with the camera for processing the image produced by the camera in order to identify a position of a specific item in the storage container, and a robotic picking device. The image processing system is further in communication with a picking system controller and is adapted to inform the picking system controller of the position of the specific item. The robotic picking device is in communication with the picking system controller and is configured to, under guidance from the picking system controller, to pick said specific item from said position in the storage container. The camera and the robotic picking device are arranged to operate, at any one instance, on different containers such that the camera is producing an image and the image processing system is processing the produced image of the contents of a storage container in a first product order while the robotic picking device is handling a second storage container on the basis of an earlier image that has been produced by the camera and processed by the image processing system.

A conveyor carriage movable on a guide rail. The conveyor carriage includes a conveyor frame; a pair of side rails spaced apart from each other; and a load carrying portion coupled to the pair of side rails. A drop-down plate hingedly mounted to the conveyor frame and positioned in between the pair of side rails. The drop-down plate is pivotable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the drop-down plate encloses a component of the conveyor carriage in the closed position. The conveyor carriage to pick up and deposit loads from and to a load handling station. The load handling station including a control box with a pivotable lid to enclose one or more components of the load handling station in the closed position.

The invention relates to a method for the position determination of an object (6, 6a . . . 6d), which is conveyed on a conveying device (1a . . . 1c). In this process, a deviation (ΔP) between a position (P.sub.sig) of the object (6, 6a . . . 6d), which is calculated with the aid of rotation signals from the drives (M) for conveyor elements (2, 2.sub.M, 2.sub.L) of the conveying device (1a . . . 1c), and a position (P.sub.1 . . . P.sub.5) of a detection area (E.sub.1,E.sub.2) of a sensor (L.sub.1 . . . L.sub.5) fixedly installed on the conveying device (6, 6a . . . 6d) is determined and used for calculating a corrected position (P.sub.korr) of the object (6, 6a . . . 6d) during a movement of the object (6, 6a . . . 6d) away from this detection area (E.sub.1,E.sub.2). Furthermore, a conveying device (1a . . . 1c) for performing the presented method is indicated.

Embodiments according to the present invention relate to an apparatus and method for plant transportation using a smart conveyor. Embodiments of the present invention provide enhanced capabilities as a result of integrating robotic features, automations, artificial intelligence, queuing, fault control, automatic transport, scalability, safety measures, smaller footprint, and other computerized functions, along with a creative business model. In design of this invention the following high-level requirements were achieved: scalable for small, medium, and large businesses; safer than other machines in the market; sanitation consideration; simplicity in maintenance, and automated functions to reduce the need for labor (e.g., integration of robotics, AI, and/or other computerized systems).

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for systems and methods for an adjustable conveyer system. The adjustable system may include one or more conveyor systems, a support structure for a first end of the conveyor system, a support structure for the second end of the conveyor system, and a lift system. The lift system may be actuated to cause the first end of the conveyor system to raise to a height that is higher or lower than the second end of the conveyor system. The adjustable system may be used to distribute packages to containers of various heights and sizes. In one example, the lift system may include a crank shaft. In another example, the lift system may involve a pulley system.

Devices, methods, and computer program products for article retrieval are provided. An example article retrieval device includes a frame and a pair of loading arms movably attached to the frame that move between a retracted position and an extended position. The device includes an engagement structure movably attached to at least one of the pair of loading arms that moves between a stored position and a deployed position. The device further includes a sensing device coupled with the pair of loading arms and a computing device operably coupled with the pair of loading arms, the at least one engagement structure, and the sensing device. The computing device causes the pair of loading arms to extend from the retracted position to a position proximate a first article and deploys the at least one engagement structure based upon sensor data generated by the sensing device.

The present invention relates to a picking system for a job-related picking of goods in output bins, said picking system comprising a plurality of automated picking cells; comprising a first conveying system for the supply and/or discharge of the supply bins to and/or from the picking cells; and a second conveying system for the supply and/or discharge of the output bins to and/or from the picking cells, and a job management control for working through a plurality of picking jobs by controlling the first and second conveying systems and the plurality of picking cells, wherein at least one first picking cell has different goods handling properties than a second picking cell; and/or in that the job management control uses at least one first picking cell for working through different jobs and/or partial jobs than a second picking cell.