Features for systems and methods for loading items into a tray are disclosed. The system may have an item conveyor configured to move the items towards a tray conveyor. The tray conveyor may be configured to move trays to receive items from the item conveyor into the tray. One or more sensors may detect the height of the items on the item conveyor and/or in the tray, and/or the position of the trays on the tray conveyor. A controller may receive data related to the one or more detected heights of the items and/or the position of the trays on the tray conveyor and correspondingly control movement of the item and/or tray conveyors for efficient loading of items into the tray and efficient movement of the trays for further processing. Tray conveyor movement sensors may detect movement of the trays or tray conveyors for further control or reliability of the system.
A device for reducing rotation of an article during singulation of a stack of articles is disclosed. The device may include a torsion element, a rotatable member configured to rotate about an elongated axis of the torsion element between a first position and a second position, and a revolving member coupled to the rotatable member. An outer surface of the revolving member contacts a drive belt in the first position and an article in the second position. The torsion element exerts torque on the rotatable member when it moves from the first position towards the second position. The torque causes the outer surface of the revolving member to apply a frictional force to the article, thereby minimizing rotation of the article. Systems and methods of singulating articles are also disclosed.
An automated system for transferring articles from a container. An item transfer system includes retainers configured to secure a first tray and a second tray, a movable paddle assembly, a frame, and a plurality of actuators. The system is configured to transfer articles from the first tray to the second tray by an automated process including securing the articles within the first tray with the paddle assembly, rotating the frame by approximately 90° to 100°, moving the paddle assembly in a series of linear translations to remove the items from the first tray and place the items into the second tray, rotating the frame back to its initial orientation, and releasing the items into the second tray.
A pulley assembly for an automative machine and methods for the same are disclosed. The pulley assembly may include a monolithic body, an actuation assembly, and a pulley. The body may define a recess extending from a first end surface toward a second end surface thereof. The recess may separate an upper portion from a lower portion of the body. The body may define a bore extending through the upper and lower portions of the body. The bore may be threaded along a length thereof. The actuation assembly may include a mechanical biasing element having a threaded portion. The mechanical biasing element may be disposed in the bore such that the threaded portion thereof is threadably coupled with the threaded portion of the bore. The pulley may be rotatably coupled with the upper portion of the body such that the pully moves when the upper portion is actuated.
A computer implemented technique of tracking an evacuation of a location in an environment that utilizes physical tokens to prove physical presence at the location is presented. The technique includes receiving, by a mobile device of an evacuation facilitator, a selection from among choices including at least a real emergency and a simulated emergency; receiving wirelessly, by the mobile device, organization hierarchy data; receiving wirelessly, by the mobile device, physical token based location status information for each of a plurality of subordinates of the evacuation facilitator; displaying, by the mobile device, and based on physical token based location status information, a physical presence status at the location for each of the plurality of subordinates; receiving, by the mobile device, evacuation status information; and recording in remote persistent memory the evacuation status information, such that a second mobile device of a second evacuation facilitator displays at least the evacuation status information.
Features for loading, transporting and unloading of items are disclosed. Systems, devices and methods for such operations using a tray are described. In some embodiments, a tray having a moveable bottom allows for switching between a configuration for loading and unloading items in and out of the tray and a configuration for transportation of items inside the tray. The trays may also be stacked, for transportation of multiple trays at once, and nested, for saving space when storing the trays. In some embodiments, the trays may be used in conjunction with loading and unloading systems.
An interrogating and processing system and method is described. A wireless communication device interrogates an information source, having a barcode or tag, and wirelessly transmits data indicative of the information source. The interrogator can be built into or adjunct to the wireless communication device. An automated processing subsystem receives the transmitted data and identifies an item corresponding to the data. A fulfillment subsystem effects delivery of the item to a destination. There can be a coupon code scanning and processing system and method. A wireless computing device having an interrogator reads a coupon code. An automated processing subsystem receives the corresponding data and provides a benefit associated with the coupon. The benefit can be a discount on a product or service. Alternatively, at least a portion of the coupon including a code is displayed on a screen of the computing device for processing at a point of sale terminal.
View/download PDF
