Systems and methods for processing objects including payload positionable mobile carriers and processing systems for sequencing delivery of objects
A method is disclosed of providing processing of a plurality of objects. The method comprises providing a plurality of containers from an input conveyance system to a plurality of container input stations, actuating a plurality of remotely actuatable carriers to move the containers from the plurality of input stations to a plurality of container support structures, as well as to any of a plurality of programmable motion devices for moving objects between containers; scheduling movement of the containers to and from the plurality of programmable motion devices; and providing a completed subset of the plurality of containers to an output conveyance system.
1 . An object processing system for processing a plurality of objects, said object processing system comprising:
an input conveyance system for providing a plurality of containers containing the plurality of objects;
a plurality of container storage locations for temporarily storing any of the plurality of containers, wherein one or more of the container storage locations includes a container support structure having a plurality of protrusions;
a plurality of vertical levels on which the plurality of container storage locations are distributed, said input conveyance system being in communication with the plurality of vertical levels; and
a plurality of automated carriers for moving the plurality of containers from the input conveyance system, and among the plurality of container storage locations, and to an output conveyance system;
said output conveyance system providing subsets of completed containers of the plurality of containers from any of a plurality of vertical output conveyance systems that are in communication with each of the levels of the plurality of container storage locations, each subset of completed containers being provided together at an output location of a plurality of output locations, and wherein each subset of completed containers is associated with a designated shelving area at another location,
at least one automated carrier of the plurality of automated carriers having a payload portion that includes a plurality of support ridges adapted to pass between the plurality of protrusions of the container support structure,
wherein the at least one automated carrier and the container support structure include a plurality of detection units and a plurality of markers detectable by the detection units for confirming alignment such that the plurality of support ridges pass between the plurality of protrusions.
2 . The object processing system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of output locations includes an output carrier on which each subset of completed containers is stackable.
3 . The object processing system as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the object processing system includes stacking conveyors for providing each subset of completed containers in a stacked arrangement on the output carrier.
4 . The object processing system as claimed in claim 3 , wherein each output carrier is an automated carrier.
5 . The object processing system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the completed containers of each subset of completed containers are provided in a desired distribution order onto a selected vertical output conveyance system of the plurality of vertical output conveyance systems such that each subset of completed containers are provided in a desired arrival order at a selected output location of the plurality of output locations.
6 . The object processing system as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the desired arrival order is associated with an arrangement of destination shelves to which the subset of completed containers are to be moved.
7 . The object processing system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each vertical output conveyance system is associated with a stacking placement system for placing a container.
8 . The object processing system as claimed in claim 7 , wherein each stacking placement system includes a movable tongue element.
9 . The object processing system as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the tongue element of each stacking placement system includes a fixed alignment brace.
10 . The object processing system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of support ridges of the at least one automated carrier are aligned with the plurality of protrusions of the container support structure when the plurality of detection units are aligned between respective pairs of markers.
11 . The object processing system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of detection units confirm alignment of the plurality of support ridges of the at least one automated carrier with the plurality of protrusions of the container support structure when the plurality of detection units are positioned between respective pairs of markers.
12 . An object processing system for processing a plurality of objects, said object processing system comprising:
an input conveyance system for providing a plurality of containers containing the plurality of objects;
a plurality of container storage locations for temporarily storing any of the plurality of containers, wherein one or more of the container storage locations includes a container support structure having a plurality of protrusions;
a plurality of vertical levels on which the plurality of container storage locations are distributed, said input conveyance system being in communication with the plurality of vertical levels; and
a plurality of automated carriers for moving the plurality of containers from the plurality of container storage locations, and to an output conveyance system;
said output conveyance system providing subsets of completed containers of the plurality of containers from any of a plurality of vertical output conveyance systems that are in communication with each of the levels of the plurality of container storage locations, each subset of completed containers being provided together at an output location of a plurality of output locations on further automated carriers, and wherein each subset of completed containers is associated with a designated shelving area at another location,
at least one automated carrier of the plurality of automated carriers having a payload portion that includes a plurality of support ridges adapted to pass between the plurality of protrusions of the container support structure,
wherein the at least one automated carrier includes a plurality of detection units disposed on at least two of the plurality of support ridges for confirming alignment with the plurality of protrusions of the container support structure such that the plurality of support ridges of the at least one automated carrier pass between the plurality of protrusions.
13 . The object processing system as claimed in claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of output locations includes an output carrier on which each subset of completed containers is stackable.
14 . The object processing system as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the object processing system includes stacking conveyors for providing each subset of completed containers in a stacked arrangement on the output carrier.
15 . The object processing system as claimed in claim 14 , wherein each output carrier is an automated carrier.
16 . The object processing system as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the completed containers of each subset of completed containers are provided in a desired distribution order onto a selected vertical output conveyance system of the plurality of vertical output conveyance systems such that each subset of completed containers are provided in a desired arrival order at a selected output location of the plurality of output locations.
17 . The object processing system as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the desired arrival order is associated with an arrangement of destination shelves to which the subset of completed containers are to be moved.
18 . The object processing system as claimed in claim 12 , wherein each vertical output conveyance system is associated with a stacking placement system for placing a container.
19 . The object processing system as claimed in claim 18 , wherein each stacking placement system includes a movable tongue element.
20 . The object processing system as claimed in claim 19 , wherein the tongue element of each stacking placement system includes a fixed alignment brace.
21 . The object processing system as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the object processing system further provides for mingling of objects with the plurality of storage containers on the plurality of vertical levels.
22 . The object processing system as claimed in claim 21 , wherein the objects include a flexible sealed bag.
23 . The object processing system as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the plurality of detection units disposed on at least two of the support ridges of the at least one automated carrier confirm alignment of the plurality of support ridges with the plurality of protrusions of the container support structure when the plurality of detection units are positioned between respective pairs of markers disposed on an underside of the plurality of protrusions.