Item stabilizer

A stabilizer can include an attachment surface and a non-stick surface. Multiple stabilizers can be arranged in a stack, e.g., such that the attachment surface of one stabilizer is engaged with the non-stick surface of another stabilizer. A stabilizer can be removed from the stack and attached to an item having a curved surface along the length of the item. The item, with the stabilizer attached, can be positioned on a conveyance surface, e.g., such that the stabilizer is between the conveyance surface and the item.

BACKGROUND

Inventory systems, such as those in warehouses, supply chain distribution centers, airport luggage systems, and custom-order manufacturing facilities, face significant challenges in storing and transporting inventory items. The inventory items can be moved around. As the amount of inventory stored at a single location continues to grow, inefficient utilization of system resources, including space and equipment can result in lower throughput, unacceptably long response times, an ever-increasing backlog of unfinished tasks, and, in general, poor system performance. The inventory items can have various sizes and shapes that may use stabilization devices while moving around the inventory system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples herein are directed to, among other things, systems and techniques relating to a stabilizer for stabilizing curved items during conveyance. The techniques described herein may be implemented by any suitable stabilizer, but particular examples are described that include a rigid or semi-rigid stabilizer having a two sides, a spine, and supports extending from each side of the spine. The stabilizer can include an attachment area on a first side positioned at, for example, the spine. The stabilizer can additionally or alternatively include a non-stick area on the second side positioned for engagement with an attachment area of another stabilizer.

The stabilizers can be used in any suitable warehouse environment, supply chain distribution centers, airport luggage systems, and custom-order manufacturing facilities, but particular stabilizer examples are described use with conveyance systems. For example, conveyance systems having belted and/or motor driven rollers. The stabilizers can be attached to items before the items are positioned on conveyance surfaces of the conveyance systems for conveyance of the items. For example, a stabilizer can be positioned between the conveyance surface and the item.

In embodiments, stabilizers can be stacked together and positioned, for example, next to a conveyance system. The stabilizers can include a flat sheet made of rigid or semi-rigid material. The flat sheet can include a first face, a second face, a spine, and support structures extending from opposite sides of the spine. The spine can include an attachment area of releasable adhesive on one side and, on a second side, a non-stick area for attaching to the attachment area of another stabilizer when the stabilizers are stacked together. One of the stabilizers can be removed from the stack and attached to a curved item, for example a cylinder, along the length of the item. The stabilizer with the item attached can be positioned on a conveyance surface of the conveyance system, such that the stabilizer is between the conveyance surface and the item. The support structures can contact the conveyance surface and the rigidity of the support structures can resist rolling of the item while the item is being conveyed by the conveyance system. After conveyance and while the item is still attached to the stabilizer, the item and stabilizer can be packed in a box and/or container for further processing. However, the item and the stabilizer may be separated before the item and/or the stabilizer are packed in the box and/or container.

Turning now to the figures,FIG. 1illustrates an item conveyance system100including a stabilizer102positioned on a conveyance device104, in accordance with embodiments. In embodiments described herein, one or more stabilizers102can be positioned next to a conveyance device, such as the conveyance device104. The stabilizers102can be arranged, for example, such that the stabilizers are stacked one on top of another. A stabilizer102can be removed from the stack and attached to an item106, for example, along the length of the item. With the item106attached, the stabilizer102can be positioned on the conveyance device104. The stabilizer102can be positioned on the conveyance device104, such that the stabilizer is positioned between the conveyance device and the item106, and the conveyance device104can convey the stabilizer102with the item106attached. The strength and/or rigidity of the stabilizer102can resist the rolling of the item106when the item is being conveyed by the conveyance device104. The item106and stabilizer102can be conveyed to a position for further processing. For example, the item106and stabilizer102can be conveyed to a position for packaging of the item106and/or the stabilizer102in a package108. The stabilizer102with the item106attached can be positioned in the package108. However, the item106and the stabilizer102may be separated prior to the item and/or the stabilizer being positioned in the package108.

The stabilizer102can include a rigid or semi-rigid sheet having a first side (e.g., an attachment side), a second side (e.g., a non-stick surface), and a spine region110. On the first side, the spine region110can include one or more attachment areas for attachment of one or more items106and/or for engaging with other stabilizers102. On the second side, the spine region110can include one or more non-stick areas for engaging with another stabilizer102. Support regions can extend from opposite sides of the spine region110and include material and/or structure to resist rolling of the item106when the item is attached to the stabilizer102. The stabilizers102can be positioned in a warehouse environment adjacent to the conveyance device104. As depicted inFIG. 1, the stabilizer102can be positioned on the conveyance device104in an orientation in which the first side (e.g., the attachment side) is arranged as an upper or top side and the second side (e.g., the non-stick surface) is depicted as a lower or bottom side, although other orientations for the stabilizer may be utilized elsewhere.

In various embodiments, one or more stabilizers102can be arranged in a stack. The stack of stabilizer102can be formed by engaging the attachment area of a first stabilizer with the non-stick area of a second stabilizer. An additional stabilizer102can be added to the stack in the same or a similar matter. In some embodiments, the stabilizers102can include additional features (e.g., alignment images) to aid in forming the stack of stabilizers. One or more stabilizers102can be removed from the stack by disengaging the stabilizers from the bottom and/or the top of the stack. For example, a stabilizer102can be removed from the top of the stack by disengaging the non-stick surface of the stabilizer from the attachment area of the stabilizer beneath it. Similarly, a stabilizer102can be removed from the bottom of the stack by disengaging the attachment area from the non-stick surface of the stabilizer above it.

The stack of stabilizers102can be positioned on a support structure112to aid in disengaging one or more of the stabilizers102from the stack. For example, the stack of stabilizers102can be positioned on an actuating table that raises in height as stabilizers are removed from the stack. The support structure112may additionally or alternatively include an attachment mechanism for holding the stack of stabilizers102in place. For example, the support structure112may include a clamp and/or adhesive to hold the stack of stabilizers102in place. The support structure112can be positioned at a height below or relatively aligned with the conveyance device104to aid a user in removing a stabilizer102from the stack. However, the support structure112may be positioned at a height above the conveyance device104.

In some embodiments, the support structure112can be or include components for modifying the stabilizers102. For example, the support structure112can receive one or more stabilizers102without an attachment area and include components for adding the attachment area to the stabilizers. The support structure112can additionally or alternatively include components for adding images, text, labels, computer readable symbols, or similar marks to one or more sides of the stabilizers102. In further embodiments, the support structure112can include one or more components for manipulation of one or more stabilizers102. For example, the support structure112can include a robotic arm for removal of a stabilizer102from the stack of stabilizers.

A stabilizer102can be removed from the stack of stabilizers and attached to one or more items106prior to positioning the items on the conveyance device104. For example, a stabilizer102can be removed from the top of the stack of stabilizers, attached to an item106, and placed on the conveyance device104. However, stabilizers102may be positioned on the conveyance device104prior to attaching the item106to the stabilizer. The item106can additionally or alternatively be attached to a stabilizer102when the stabilizer is positioned on the stack of stabilizers and the stabilizer attached to the item can be removed from the stack and positioned on the conveyance device104.

The item106can be or include a curved surface (e.g., a cylinder) that can be attached to the stabilizer102. The stabilizer102can be aligned with and attached to the item106along a length of the item. For example, the stabilizer102can be aligned with a longitudinal axis going down the center of a cylindrical item106. However, the item106may be attached to the stabilizer102in any suitable orientation. The stabilizer102and the item106can be attached along a planar section of a curved surface of the item106to resist rolling of the item along the curved surface. The item106can be or include a solid geometric figure with straight parallel sides and a circular or oval cross section, for example, a cylinder.

In various embodiments, the item106can be or include a round object with multiple curved surfaces, such as where every part of the surface or circumference is equidistant or approximately equidistant from the center (e.g., a sphere). The item106can be attached along a planar section of one or more of the curved surfaces and resist rolling of the item106along any of the other curved surfaces.

In some embodiments, the item106can include one or features to aid in attaching the item to the stabilizer102. For example, the item106can include a mark and/or indicator to aid in attaching the item to the stabilizer102. The item106can additionally or alternatively include adhesives, magnets, hook and loop components, or any suitable components to aid in attaching the item to the stabilizer102.

The conveyance device104can convey and/or transport the item106and stabilizer102to various positions in a warehouse environment. For example, the item106and stabilizer102can be positioned on the conveyance device104at a loading location and the conveyance device can convey and/or transport the item and stabilizer to a packaging station at a packaging location. In some embodiments, the conveyance device104can include one or more sensors for detecting data associated with the items106and/or the stabilizers102. For example, the conveyance device104can include an optical scanner for identifying a mark on a stabilizer102. The mark may include data associated with the item106, a customer, an item location, or similar data.

In various embodiments, The conveyance device104can be or include a conveyance surface114. The conveyance surface114can be or include a conveyor (belted or non-belted) and/or rollers (motor driven, belted, or idle) for conveying and/or transporting the item106and the stabilizer102. For example, the conveyance surface114can include belted, motor-driven rollers. The conveyance surface114can additionally or alternatively include features and/or components for engaging with the stabilizer102and/or the item106. For example, the conveyance surface114can include engagement components for holding the stabilizer102in position on the conveyance surface.

The conveyance device104can convey the item106attached to the stabilizer102to a station for packaging of the item and/or stabilizer. For example, the item106can be detached from the stabilizer102and the item106can be positioned inside a package108directly against a packaging surface (e.g., the bottom of the package). However, the item106with the stabilizer102attached can be positioned in the package108with the stabilizer positioned between the packaging surface and the item.

In various embodiments, the item106and/or the stabilizer102may be positioned on a packaging surface that is not yet part of a package108. For example, the item106and/or the stabilizer102may be positioned on a piece of flat material that is formed into a package108around the item and/or stabilizer. The item106and/or the stabilizer102may additionally or alternatively be positioned on a packaging surface that is itself positioned inside a package108.

Turning toFIGS. 2 through 4, various views of an example stabilizer102that can be included in particular embodiments of the item conveyance system100ofFIG. 1are shown.FIG. 2is a detailed side view of the example stabilizer102that can be included in particular embodiments of the item conveyance system100ofFIG. 1. The stabilizer102can be or include a sheet to which items106can be attached. The stabilizer102can be rigid or semi-rigid, for example, having flexibility, a resistance to bending, and a resilience to return to the original shape after bending. The nature of the stabilizer102may bias the stabilizer toward moving toward a flat or other original state after being bent or otherwise moved. The stabilizer102can resist deflection, deformation, and/or bending caused by the rolling of the items106attached to the stabilizer. For example, the stabilizer102can resist the rolling of an item106weighing up to 25 pounds. However, the stabilizer102may resist rolling of an item106weighing greater than 25 pounds. The resistance to rolling may prevent or otherwise mitigate rolling of the items106relative to the stabilizer102, relative to the conveyance surface114and/or relative to other structures. The resistance to rolling may be provided at least in part by a stiffness of the stabilizer102. The stiffness of the stabilizer can be in the range of 100 pounds per inch (PSI) to 700 PSI. However, the stiffness of the stabilizer can be below 100 PSI and above 700 PSI.

The stabilizer102can include one or more types of material. The material of the stabilizer102can include material that is thicker and heavier than, for example, freesheet paper. The stabilizer102may also be or include corrugated, cardboard, plastic, metal, ABS, PVC, carbon fiber, or any suitably rigid or semi-rigid material. In various embodiments, the stabilizer102can be or include flute B and/or flute D corrugated.

The stabilizer102can include a height208, a width210, and a length214. As an illustrative example, the stabilizer102can have a height208of 0.5 mm, a width of 100 mm, and a length of 150 mm. The height208of the stabilizer102can be or include one or more layers. The layers may have the same or similar thicknesses or may have varying thicknesses. In various embodiments, the stabilizer102has a single layer with two opposing faces. The opposing faces can be or include the attachment surface200and the non-stick surface202respectively. The layers can include features and/or marks designating various layers. For example, a middle layer may include different features than an exterior layer.

The stabilizer102can be a single sheet of material that includes one or more regions. For example, the width210of the stabilizer102can include a first support region204, a second support region206, and a spine region110. As an illustrative example, the stabilizer102may have a width210of 100 mm with the spine region110having a width of 10 mm and the support regions204,206each having a width of 45 mm. The regions can be designated (e.g., by scoring, marks, cuts, or similar features) or may be designated by their position (e.g., a region at the center of the stabilizer102is the spine region110and the regions on either side or the support regions204,206).

In some embodiments, the width210of the stabilizer102can include one or more pieces that can correspond to the regions (e.g., the spine region110and first and second support regions204and206, respectively). For example, the pieces may include a first piece (e.g., the first support region204), a second piece (e.g., the spine region110), and a third piece (e.g., the second support region206). The pieces can be arranged such that the first and third pieces extend from opposing sides of the piece (e.g., from left and right sides). The sections may be joined together using adhesives and/or any suitable joining material.

In various embodiments, the first support region204, the second support region206, and/or the spine region110can be or include stabilizing elements to resist rolling of the items106. For example, the support regions204,206can be connected to the spine region110via a moveable joint that flexes in response to the item106rolling. The moveable joint can reduce and or eliminate the force generated by the item106as it tries to roll.

The layers and/or the sections can include one or more materials. The materials can be rigid or semi-rigid to aid in resisting rolling of the item106. The material can additionally or alternatively be or include material to aid in the conveyance of the item106. For example, the material can be or include soft material to cushion the item106. The material of the stabilizer102can vary along the height208and/or width210of the stabilizer102(e.g., the stabilizer can have different heights208along the width of the stabilizer102and/or the stabilizer can have different widths along the height of the stabilizer). In further embodiments, a layer can have different material at various points along the width210or the same material at various points along the width. Additionally or alternatively, a section can have different material at various points along the height208or may have the same material at various points along the height.

In various embodiments, the stabilizer102can include one or more strengthening features. The strengthening features can increase the rigidity of the stabilizer102and/or aid in resisting the rolling of item106when the item is attached to the stabilizer. Layers and/or sections can be or include strengthening members, including but not limited to, multiple materials, strengthening members, and/or any features suitable for strengthening the stabilizer102. These strengthening features can extend a portion or the whole width210and/or height208of the stabilizer. For example, a strengthening features can extend along the width210direction from one edge of the first support region204to an opposing edge and/or from one edge of the second support region206to the opposing edge. Additionally or alternatively, a strengthening feature can extend from one face of the stabilizer102(e.g., the attachment surface200) to an opposing face (e.g., the non-stick surface202).

FIG. 3is a detailed top view of the example stabilizer102including an attachment surface200that can be included in particular embodiments of the item conveyance system100ofFIG. 1. The attachment surface200can include one or more attachment areas212to attach the stabilizer102to the item106. For example, attachment areas212A and212B can be attached along the length of an item106. The attachment areas212can be positioned on the stabilizer102along the width210, the length214, diagonally, and/or in any suitable pattern. The attachment areas212can be designated via a mark and/or feature. For example, the attachment areas212can be or include an outline around an area where an item106should be attached. The attachment areas212can be or include a target or similar mark to aid in attaching the item106to the attachment area. For example, a target can be positioned at or near the middle of an attachment area212to aid in aligning an item106with the attachment area.

In various embodiments, the attachment areas212can be positioned along the length214of the spine region110. For example, three attachment areas212A,212B, and212C can be positioned along the length214of the spine. However, a single attachment area212may extend along all or most of the length214of the spine region110. The attachment areas212can have a geometric shaped (e.g., a rectangle, a circle, or a triangle). The attachment areas212can additionally or alternatively be spaced apart in a geometric and/or repeating patterns. As an illustrative example, the attachment areas212can be circles with an 8 mm diameter and the circles can be spaced 14 mm apart (e.g., from center-to-center) from one another along the spine region110of the stabilizer102. The attachment areas212can additionally or alternatively be positioned at any suitable position on the attachment surface200. For example, the attachment areas212can be positioned on the support regions204,206. In various embodiments, multiple attachment areas212may be attached to a single item106(e.g., attachment areas212A,212B and/or212C may be used to attach item106), each attachment area212may be used to attach to a single item, (e.g., each of the attachment areas212A,212B, and212C are attached to first, second, and third items, respectively), or a single attachment area212may be used to attach multiple items, (e.g., attachment area212A may be attached to first and second items106).

In some embodiments, one or more attachment areas212can be positioned on the first and/or second support regions204,206. The attachment areas212can cover all, some, or most of the support regions204,206. The attachment areas212positioned on the first and/or second support regions204,206can allow or aid in attaching the items106to the stabilizer102. For example, a portion of an item106can be attached to attachment area212A and oriented, such that, a portion of the item extends to the first and/or second support regions204,206. The portion of the item106that extends to the first and/or second support regions204,206can be attached to the support structures via the attachment material and/or features.

The attachment areas212can be or include attachment material and/or features for attaching the stabilizer102with at least a portion of items106and/or for attaching the stabilizer with another stabilizer. The attachment areas212can include the same or similar attachment material and/or features or the attachment areas212can include different attachment materials and/or features. For example, the first attachment area212A can include a first attachment material and/or feature, the second attachment area212B can include a second attachment material and/or feature, and/or the third attachment area212C can include a third attachment material and/or feature. The attachment material can be or include a releasable adhesive or otherwise have bonding properties that adheres (e.g., chemically attaches two or more surfaces together) the stabilizer102with another stabilizer and/or with an item106throughout the service life of the stabilizer while allowing removal of the item and/or other stabilizer without causing damage. The service life of the stabilizer102may be single use (e.g., attachment to another stabilizer and/or an item106once) or may be multiple uses (attaching to stabilizers and/or items multiple times). The attachment material and/or feature216can be or include releasable adhesive, cyanoacrylate adhesive, hot melt adhesive, pressure sensitive adhesive, polyurethane, fugitive adhesive, latex adhesive, low-tack adhesive, hook and loop connectors, magnets pressure-sensitive hot melt adhesive, bond pressure sensitive adhesive, removable adhesive, glue, epoxy, rubber, suction, and/or any suitable material and/or features for attaching the item106to the stabilizer102. In some embodiments, the attachment areas212can be or include raised features to aid in attaching the item106with the stabilizer.

In some embodiments, the stabilizer102and/or the attachment areas212can be or include transparent or semi-transparent material. The transparent or semi-transparent material can allow a portion (e.g., a label) of the item106to be scanned through the stabilizer102. For example, an item106can be oriented and attached to the attachment area212with a label facing towards the stabilizer102. A sensor and/or scanner can be positioned to scan the label through the transparent or semi-transparent material of stabilizer102and detect data associated with the label. The sensor and/or scanner may additionally or alternatively scan a portion of the item106containing a barcode, product name, logo, or a similar marking. The transparent or semi-transparent material can include polycarbonate, acrylic, and/or any suitable material that can allow a portion of an item to be scanned through the material.

In further embodiments, the stabilizer102can include a cutout and/or window area. An item106can be attached to the stabilizer102and positioned, such that, a portion of the item is readable through the cutout. For example, the cutout can be positioned in the spine region110and allow a label of an item106to be positioned over the cutout to allow a scanner and/or sensor to detect the label.

Turning toFIG. 4, a detailed bottom view of the example stabilizer102including a non-stick surface202that can be included in particular embodiments of the item conveyance system100ofFIG. 1is shown. The non-stick surface202can include one or more non-stick areas220. The non-stick areas220can be or include a substance that reduces the ability of other materials to stick to it. For example, the non-stick areas220can include be or include material that allows non-stick areas of a stabilizer102to attach and detach from the attachment areas212of another stabilizer. The non-stick areas220can be or include surfaces and/or coatings including polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), anodized aluminum, ceramics, silicone, enameled cast iron, or any suitable non-stick material.

The non-stick areas220can be attached to and/or detached from attachment areas212one or more times. In various embodiments the attachment areas212can be attached and removed from the non-stick areas220leaving little or no residue. Additionally or alternatively, the non-stick areas220can include material that keeps the attachment area212attached until a certain threshold force has been met. For example, the non-stick areas220can attach to the attachment areas212to form a stack of stabilizers102. The non-stick areas220can engage with the attachment areas212and prevent a stabilizer102from being removed from the stack until a threshold force has been reached, at which point the stabilizer can be removed.

In further embodiments, the non-stick areas220can detach from the attachment areas212at a lower force threshold than the force threshold needed to detach the item106from the attachment areas. The lower detachment threshold of the non-stick areas220and the attachment areas212can allow for the use of an item106to detach a stabilizer102from a stack of stabilizers. As an illustrative example, first and second stabilizers102can be positioned in a stack (e.g., the non-stick areas220of the first stabilizer are attached to the attachment areas212of the second stabilizer), an item106can be attached to the attachment areas220of the first stabilizer, and a force can be applied to the item that detaches the first and second stabilizers while leaving the item and first stabilizer attached.

The non-stick areas220can be positioned on the non-stick surface202at positions to align with the attachment areas212. For example, when there are three attachment areas212A,212B,212C positioned along the length214of the spine region110, there can be three non-stick areas positioned along the length of the spine to engage with the three attachment areas. In various embodiments, the amount of attachment areas212and the amount of non-stick areas220may vary. For example, there may be three attachment areas212A,212B,212C positioned along the spine region110and a single non-stick area220that extends all or most of the length214of the spine.

In various embodiments, non-stick areas220can be positioned on the support regions204,206. The non-stick areas220positioned on the support regions204,206can be positioned in a pattern that mirrors the pattern of the attachment points positioned on the support regions204,206of another stabilizer102. The non-stick areas220positioned on the first and/or second support regions204,206can include the same or similar material and/or features as the non-stick areas220positioned along the spine region110.

In further embodiments, the attachment surface200and/or the non-stick surface can include one or more marks218. The marks218can be positioned at various points on the attachment surface200and/or the non-stick surface202. The marks218on the attachment surface200and the non-stick surface can be the same, similar, or may differ from one another. The marks218can be or include an image, text, and/or marks. In various embodiments, the marks218can be or include a target and/or marks to aid in alignment of an item106and/or alignment of another stabilizer102. For example, the marks218can be positioned along the spine region110at a position for aligning an item106to attach the item to the stabilizer102. The marks218can additionally or alternatively include one or more features that can be detected by a sensor. For example, the marks218can include marks that can be detected by an optical scanner. In further embodiments, the marks218can correspond to data associated with the item106and/or the stabilizer102. For example, the marks218can correspond to order data associated with the item106. The marks218can additionally or alternatively be or include images and/or text. The images and/or text can include information associated with the item106, the stabilizer102, marketing images, and/or any images or text that can suitably be printed on the stabilizer. For example, the mark218can be or include a logo.

In some embodiments of the stabilizer102, the attachment areas212and/or the non-stick areas220can be moved. For example, the attachment areas212can be moved from a first position on the attachment surface200to a second position on the attachment surface. Further, the attachment areas212can be moved from a first position on the attachment surface200to a second position on the non-stick surface202.

In various embodiments, the non-stick areas220and the attachment areas212can be positioned on the stabilizer102at different times. For example, the non-stick areas220can be positioned on the non-stick surface202prior to the attachment areas212being positioned on the attachment surface200. In some embodiments, the attachment areas212and/or non-stick areas220can be positioned on the stabilizer102when the item is positioned on or adjacent to a conveyance device104. For example, attachment areas212may be positioned on the attachment surface200when the stabilizer102is positioned on the support structure112. The attachment areas212and/or the non-stick areas220can be positioned on the stabilizer102via a manual or automated process, for example, using a robotic manipulator.

Turning toFIG. 5, a flowchart illustrating a process500for attaching an item106to an example stabilizer102for use with the item conveyance system100ofFIG. 1is shown. Various blocks are described by referencing the components shown inFIG. 6, however, additional or alternative components may be used with the process.

The process500at block502can include positioning one or more stabilizers (e.g., stabilizers102) in a warehouse environment, for example, at a position for attaching one or more items (e.g., items106) to stabilizer102. The stabilizers102can be positioned in a stack. The stack of stabilizers102can be formed by engaging an attachment area212of a first stabilizer with a non-stick area220of a second stabilizer. The stabilizers102can additionally or alternatively be positioned adjacent to a conveyance device (e.g., conveyance device104).

In various embodiments the stabilizers102(e.g., in a stack or individually) can be positioned in a layering mechanism. The layering mechanism can add one or more layers to the stabilizers102. For example, the stabilizers102can add attachment areas212and/or non-stick areas to the stabilizers.

In further embodiments, the stabilizers102can additionally or alternatively be positioned on a support structure112. The support structure112may be located in the warehouse environment when receiving the stabilizers102or may be located out of the warehouse environment when receiving the stabilizers. In various embodiments, the stabilizers102may be moved around the warehouse environment to various positions. For example, the stabilizers102may be positioned at a first conveyance device104for removal of a first stabilizer and repositioned to a second conveyance device for removal of a second stabilizer. The stabilizers102may be moved around the warehouse environment using a robotic manipulator, a mobile drive unit, a unmanned aerial vehicle, and/or any suitable device for moving the stabilizers.

The process500at block504can include positing an item106on a stabilizer102. The stabilizer102can be positioned along a length of the item106. The item106can be aligned with the attachment surface200and/or a portion of the stabilizer102suitable for attaching the item to the stabilizer. For example, the item106can be aligned with attachment areas212positioned on the spine region110of the stabilizer102. However, the item106may be aligned with any suitable portion of the stabilizer102(e.g., support regions204,206). The item106and the stabilizer102can be aligned when the stabilizer102is arranged on a stack of stabilizers. For example, the item106can be aligned with a stabilizer102positioned on a top of stabilizers. In some embodiments, the item106and the stabilizer102can be aligned when the stabilizer102has be removed from a stack of stabilizers. For example, the stabilizer102can be removed from the stack of stabilizers and the item106can be aligned with the stabilizer that has been removed.

In various embodiments, the positioning of the item106on the stabilizer102can be aided by mark218. For example, mark218can be or include a target for aligning the item106.

The process500at block506can include attaching the item106to the stabilizer102. However, the item106can be aligned and/or attached with multiple stabilizers102. Attaching the item106to the stabilizer102can include engaging a portion of the item with a portion of the stabilizer. For example, the item106can be attached to the stabilizer102by engaging a portion of the item with one or more attachment areas212. A threshold force can be used to attach the item106to the stabilizer102. The threshold force can be applied to the item106and/or the stabilizer102.

In some embodiments, the attachment between the item106and the stabilizer102can be stronger than the attachment between the stabilizer and another stabilizer. For example, when the stabilizers102are arranged in a stack, the item106can be attached to the stabilizer on the top or bottom of the stack. The item106can then be used to disengage the stabilizer102from the top and/or bottom of the stack (e.g., the item can be pulled and the stabilizer can disengage from the stack).

In further embodiments, attaching the item106and the stabilizer102can include treatment of the stabilizer. For example, adhesives can be applied to one or more attachment areas and the item106can be attached to the engagement areas.

The process500at block508can include placing the stabilizer102attached to the item106on a conveyance device (e.g., conveyance device104). As shown inFIG. 6, the stabilizer102can be positioned on the conveyance device104, such that, the stabilizer is between the conveyance device104and the item106. The stabilizer102can be positioned on the conveyance surface114. The non-stick surface202and/or the conveyance surface114can include one or more features for receiving the stabilizer. For example, the conveyance surface114can include one or more marks for aligning the stabilizer102.

In various embodiments, the item106and stabilizer102can be aligned with the conveyance device104in a conveyance direction602. For example, the item106and stabilizer102can be aligned with the conveyance direction602, such that, the length214is parallel to the direction of travel. However, the item106and stabilizer102can be positioned on the conveyance device104at any suitable orientation.

The process500at block510can include conveying the item106and stabilizer102. The item106and stabilizer102can be conveyed in conveyance direction602. The item106and stabilizer102can be conveyed to a location for further processing of the item and/or the stabilizer. In some embodiments, the item106an/or the stabilizer102can be positioned in a package after conveyance. Conveyance of the item106and the stabilizer102can include operating the conveyance device104. However, additional and/or alternative conveyance devices can be used for conveying the item and stabilizer.