Systems and methods for processing objects including space efficient distribution stations and automated output processing
A space efficient automated processing system for processing objects is disclosed. The processing system includes an input conveyance system for moving objects from an input area in at least an input conveyance vector that includes an input conveyance horizontal direction component and an input conveyance vertical direction component, a perception system for receiving objects from the input conveyance system and for providing perception data regarding an object, a primary transport system for receiving the object from the perception system and for providing transport of the object along at least a primary transport vector including an primary transport horizontal component and a primary transport vertical component that is generally opposite the input conveyance horizontal direction component, and at least two secondary transport systems, each of which receives the object from the primary transport system and moves the object in either of reciprocal directions that are each generally parallel with the input conveyance horizontal direction component and the primary direction horizontal direction component.
1. A space efficient automated processing system for processing objects, said processing system comprising:
an input conveyance system for moving objects from an input area in at least an input conveyance vector that includes an input conveyance horizontal direction component and an input conveyance vertical direction component;
a perception system for receiving objects from the input conveyance system and for providing perception data regarding an object;
a primary transport system for receiving the object from the perception system and for providing transport of the object along at least a primary transport vector including a primary transport horizontal direction component that is generally opposite the input conveyance horizontal direction component, and a primary transport vertical direction component; and
at least two secondary transport systems, each of which is adapted to receive the object from the primary transport system and move the object in either of reciprocal directions that are each generally parallel with the input conveyance horizontal direction component and the primary transport horizontal direction component.
2. The space efficient automated processing system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the system includes a third secondary transport system that is adapted to move the object in a third direction that is also generally parallel with the input conveyance horizontal direction component and the primary horizontal direction component.
3. The space efficient automated processing system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the system includes a diverter for selectively causing the object to be returned from the primary transport system to the input area.
4. The space efficient automated processing system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the primary transport vertical direction component is generally in a same direction as the input conveyance vertical direction component.
5. The space efficient automated processing system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each secondary transport system includes a reciprocating carriage.
6. The space efficient automated processing system as claimed in claim 5 , wherein each reciprocating carriage of each secondary transport system is configured to deliver the object to one of plurality of destination stations.
7. The space efficient automated processing system as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the plurality of destination stations associated with each of the secondary transport systems is provided as two rows of bins or boxes on either side of the each secondary transport system.
8. The space efficient automated processing system as claimed in claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of bins or boxes is provided on a bin or box input conveyor.
9. The space efficient automated processing system as claimed in claim 8 , wherein each input conveyor is gravity biased to urge the plurality of bins or boxes on the bin or box input conveyor to one side of the bin or box input conveyor.
10. The space efficient automated processing system as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the system includes a plurality of bin or box output conveyors, as well as at least one bin displacement system for selectively urging a bin or box of the plurality of bins or boxes onto one of the plurality of bin or box output conveyors.
11. The space efficient automated processing system as claimed in claim 10 , wherein each bin or box output conveyor is gravity biased to urge the bin or box on the bin or box output conveyor to one side of the bin or box output conveyor.
12. The space efficient automated processing system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein each of the bins or boxes includes a collection bag.
13. The space efficient automated processing system as claimed in claim 1 , where the primary transport system includes a cleated conveyor, and wherein the system further includes a primary transport system perception unit for monitoring a status of each of a plurality of areas of the cleated conveyor that are defined by cleats on the cleated conveyor.
14. A method for providing space efficient automated processing of objects, said method comprising the steps of:
conveying objects on an input conveyance system from an input area in at least an input conveyance vector that includes an input conveyance horizontal direction component and an input conveyance vertical direction component;
receiving objects from the input conveyance system and providing perception data regarding an object responsive to the object falling in a perception system vertical direction that is generally opposite in direction to the input conveyance vertical direction component;
transporting objects received from the perception system using a primary transport system along at least a primary transport vector including a primary transport horizontal direction component that is generally opposite the input conveyance horizontal direction component and a primary transport vertical direction component; and
receiving the object from the primary transport system, and moving the object in a direction that is generally parallel with the input conveyance horizontal direction component and the primary transport horizontal direction component.
15. The method as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the method further includes the step of selectively causing the object to be returned from the primary transport system to the input area.
16. The method as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the primary transport vector of the primary transport vertical direction component is generally in a same direction as the input conveyance vertical direction component.
17. The method as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the step of moving the object in the direction that is generally parallel with the input conveyance horizontal direction component and the primary direction horizontal direction component involves moving a reciprocating carriage.
18. The method as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the method further includes the step of delivering the object to one of plurality of bins or boxes.
19. The method as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the plurality of bins or boxes is provided as two rows of bins or boxes on either side of a secondary transport system that performs the steps of receiving the object from the primary transport system, and moving the object in the direction that is each generally parallel with the input conveyance horizontal direction component and the primary direction horizontal direction component.
20. The method as claimed in claim 19 , wherein each of the plurality of bins or boxes is provided on a bin or box input conveyor.
21. The method as claimed in claim 20 , wherein each bin or box input conveyor is gravity biased to urge the plurality of bins or boxes on the bin or box input conveyor to one side of the bin or box input conveyor.
22. The method as claimed in claim 21 , wherein the method further includes the step of providing a plurality of bin or box output conveyors, as well as at the step of selectively urging a bin or box of the plurality of bins onto one of the plurality of bin or box output conveyors.
23. The method as claimed in claim 22 , wherein each output conveyor is gravity biased to urge the bin or box on the bin or box output conveyor to one side of the bin or box output conveyor.
24. The method as claimed in claim 23 , wherein each of the bins or boxes includes a collection bag.
25. The method as claimed in claim 14 , where the primary transport system includes a cleated conveyor, and wherein the method further includes a primary transport system perception unit for monitoring a status of each of a plurality of areas of the cleated conveyor that are defined by cleats on the cleated conveyor.
26. An automated processing system for processing objects, said automated processing system comprising:
an input conveyance system for moving objects from an input area toward a perception system in at least an input conveyance vector that includes an input conveyance horizontal direction component and an input conveyance vertical direction component;
said perception system for receiving objects from the input conveyance system and for providing perception data regarding an object;
a primary transport system for receiving the object from the perception system and for providing transport of the object along at least a primary transport vector including a primary transport horizontal direction component that is generally opposite the input conveyance horizontal direction component, and a primary transport vertical direction component; and
a diverter system for providing the object to one of a plurality of processing locations, each processing location including a processing bin or box, wherein each of the processing bins or boxes is provided on at least one input bin or box conveyor system that is biased to urge the processing bins or boxes on the input bin or box conveyor system to one side of the input bin or box conveyor system.
27. The automated processing system as claimed in claim 26 , wherein the system includes a plurality of output conveyors, as well as at least one bin displacement system for selectively urging a bin or box of the plurality of bins or boxes onto one of the plurality of output conveyors.
28. The automated processing system as claimed in claim 27 , wherein each output conveyor is gravity biased to urge the bin or box on the output conveyor to one side of the output conveyor.
29. The automated processing system as claimed in claim 26 , wherein each of the bins or boxes includes a collection bag.
30. The automated processing system as claimed in claim 26 , wherein the system includes a diverter for selectively causing the object to be returned from the primary transport system to the input area.
31. The automated processing system as claimed in claim 26 , where the diverter system includes a plurality of secondary transport systems that each include a reciprocating carriage that is adapted to provide the object to one of the plurality of bins or boxes.
32. The automated processing system as claimed in claim 26 , where the primary transport system includes a cleated conveyor, and wherein the system further includes a primary transport system perception unit for monitoring a status of each of a plurality of areas of the cleated conveyor that are defined by cleats on the cleated conveyor.
33. A method of processing objects, said method comprising the steps of:
moving objects from an input area using an input conveyance system toward a perception system in at least an input conveyance vector that includes an input conveyance horizontal direction component and an input conveyance vertical direction component;
receiving the objects from the input conveyance system and for providing perception data regarding an object using a primary perception system;
receiving the object from the primary perception system and for providing transport of the object using a primary transport system along at least a primary transport vector that includes a primary transport horizontal direction component that is generally opposite the input conveyance horizontal direction component, and a primary transport vertical direction component;
diverting the object to one of a plurality of processing locations, each processing location including a processing bin or box, wherein each of the processing bins or boxes is provided on at least one bin or box input conveyor system that is biased to urge the processing bins or boxes toward one end of the input conveyor system.
34. The method as claimed in claim 33 , wherein the method further includes the step of selectively urging a processing bin or box of the plurality of processing bins or boxes onto one of a plurality of output conveyors.
35. The method as claimed in claim 34 , wherein the step of urging a processing bin or box onto one of a plurality of output conveyors includes pushing the processing bin or box onto the output conveyor.
36. The method as claimed in claim 34 , wherein each output conveyor is gravity biased to urge the bin or box on the output conveyor to one side of the bin or box input conveyor.
37. The method as claimed in claim 33 , wherein each of the processing bins or boxes includes a collection bag.
38. The method as claimed in claim 33 , wherein the method further includes the step of diverting the object to be returned from a primary transport system to the input area.
39. The method as claimed in claim 33 , where the step of diverting the object to one of the plurality of processing locations further includes the step of moving a reciprocating carriage to provide the object to one of the plurality of bins or boxes.
40. The method as claimed in claim 33 , where the primary transport system includes a cleated conveyor, and wherein the method further includes the step of monitoring a status of each of a plurality of areas of the cleated conveyor that are defined by cleats on the cleated conveyor.