Patent Publication Number: US-11027871-B2

Title: Movable loading support platform within a container

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/250,723 filed on Aug. 29, 2016, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Containers are constantly packed and unpacked in fulfillment centers that manage movement and storage of items sold on electronic marketplaces. In modern fulfillment centers, automation is heavily used and items are often sorted and moved to different locations by item conveyers. However, containers, such as reusable totes or cardboard shipping boxes, are often loaded with items manually by a human worker. The worker is responsible for packing the container in a way that prevents damage to items during the packing, but also during the transit of the items in the container. Packing containers manually by workers requires extra time for handling of each item and is expensive. 
     Some item conveyers transport items directly into containers. In these arrangements, the items typically fall to the bottom of the container and may be damaged by the fall or by an impact from above by a heavy item deposited into the container. For example, when a light bulb is followed by a dictionary along the item conveyer that feeds items into the container, the light bulb would likely get crushed when the dictionary falls on top of the light bulb. One solution is to order the heavier items first along the item conveyer. However, this sortation is often logistically challenging and expensive. For example, additional sortation may require additional conveyers and/or other hardware or sensors. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same reference numbers in different figures indicate similar or identical items. 
         FIGS. 1A-1C  show schematic diagrams of an illustrative packaging bladder that selectively is inflated or deflated to reduce a distance an item falls when conveyed into a container. 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  show a pictorial flow diagram of an illustrative process showing placement of the bladder in the container before items are placed in the container and removal of the bladder from the container after items are placed in the container, and some intermediary operations. 
         FIGS. 3A-3C  are schematic diagrams of illustrative air supply controllers and/or devices used to control at least a rate or amount of deflation of the bladder for a given period of time. 
         FIGS. 4A-4D  show schematic diagrams of an illustrative container bladder that is selectively inflated or deflated to change a height of a support platform in the container to reduce a distance an item falls when conveyed into a container at a filling location. 
         FIGS. 5A-5D  show schematic diagrams of the illustrative container bladder that is selectively inflated or deflated to change a height of the support platform in the container to empty items from the container at a second location. 
         FIGS. 6A-6C  show schematic diagrams of an illustrative container base height adjustment apparatus that selectively changes the height of a base of a container during filling of the container with items. 
         FIGS. 7A-7D  show schematic diagrams of various illustrative container base height adjustment apparatuses that selectively changes the height of the base of the container. 
         FIGS. 8A-8D  show schematic diagrams of an illustrative sortation apparatus that causes a heavier item to be deposited in a container before a lighter item. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram of an illustrative computing architecture to control at least some of the item sortation and protection apparatuses disclosed herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This disclosure is directed to techniques, systems, and apparatuses for loading and unloading containers with items using automation that requires little or no human interaction. In some embodiments, a space-filling device, such as an inflatable bladder (e.g., balloon, airbag, etc.), is used to prevent or minimize a distance of a fall of an item entering a container. The bladder is deflated as items are loaded into the container until the bladder is empty and the container is full of items. By deflating the bladder as items are loaded into the container, a heavier item may be safely placed on a relatively fragile item since the heavier item will not experience a considerable fall (e.g., the bladder reduces the potential energy of a dictionary since the dictionary has a shorter fall into the container than would otherwise occur if the bladder was not present in the container). In addition, the bladder may act as a dampener to absorb an impact force caused by a falling object, and thus further reduce a likelihood of damage to items falling into the container or items below the falling items. Although the terms “fall” and “falling” are used, this is not limited to a freefall of an item. Instead, items may slide from an item conveyer into a contain, but then drop at least some distance downward into the container, possibly while sliding along a surface of the bladder or another surface or rotating about an edge that contacts another surface. The inflatable container may be used with existing containers, and thus may not require custom containers to be used with the bladder. However, some embodiments described below include customized containers. The bladder, when deflated, may be shipped with the container full of items or may be removed from the container prior to shipment of the container and items. 
     In various embodiments, a support platform (e.g., surface, base, or member) may be used with the container and may be selectively raised and lowered within the container to minimize a distance of a fall of an item deposited into the container. The support platform may be lowered as items are loaded into the container until the support platform reaches a bottom position proximate to the bottom of the container. The support platform may be raised and lowered by pneumatic devices, mechanical devices, and/or other controlled devices. 
     The embodiments described above may also be used to unload items from a container. For example, when the bladder is shipped with the container full of items, and the bladder is under the items, the bladder may be re-inflated to cause the items in the container to be pushed out of the container, possibly onto another item conveyer that moves the items away from the container without human interaction. Similarly, the support platform may be moved upward to empty items from the container. 
     In accordance with one or more embodiments, an item sortation apparatus may be used to selectively deposit heavier items into a container while lighter items traverse past a “trapdoor” to a holding area for later deposit on top of or around the heavier items in the container. The trapdoor may act as a sorting mechanism that sorts items based on weight and/or other attributes of items. The trapdoor may be held in place by at least one of a biasing device, an electromagnetic force, a counter weight, a mechanical arm, a pneumatic force, and/or by other forces that can be overcome by a heavier object by not by a lighter object. A weight of an item that causes the trapdoor to open may be a design consideration, and thus may depend on the application of use of such a device. 
     As discussed herein, a container may be any instrument to secure items for transport and/or storage, such as a bag, a cardboard box, or a reusable tote, among many other possible examples. The apparatuses, techniques, and systems described herein may be implemented in a number of ways. Example implementations are provided below with reference to the following figures. 
       FIGS. 1A-1C  show schematic diagrams of an illustrative packaging bladder that selectively is inflated or deflated to reduce a distance an item falls when conveyed into a container. As shown in  FIG. 1A , an item conveyer  102  may transport or convey items toward a container  104 . The item conveyer  102 , and other conveyers described herein may be driven rollers, free-spinning rollers, belts, slides, chutes, and/or other types of item conveyance mechanisms typically used in warehouses to move products with little or no human interaction. The container  104  may have a top side that is open, and capable to receive items pushed into the container  104  by the item conveyer  102 . The container  104  may be a tote, a cardboard box, a bag, and/or any other type of container. The items may include a first item  106 , a second item  108 , and a third item  110 . However, more or fewer items may be loaded into the container  104 . For explanation purposes, the second item  108  may be relatively heavy than a first item while the first item  106  may contain a relatively fragile item compared to the second item, which may not be fragile. The items may be different and may be selected for placement on the item conveyer  102  for reasons other than weight or fragility concerns. The items may be unpackaged, packaged in retail packaging, or otherwise include some packaging or cushioning material in some instances. The first item  106  may be deposited first in by the item conveyer  102  into the container  104 , followed in turn by the second item  108 , the third item  110 , and then possibly by other items until the container is full or ready for shipment. 
     An inflatable bladder system  112  may be used with the container  104  to decrease a distance that the items fall when entering the container  104 . The inflatable bladder system  112  may include a bladder  114 , a hose  116 , and a bladder movement mechanism  118 . The hose  116  may be coupled to the bladder  114  and the bladder movement mechanism  118 , when implemented as an air supply controller, may be used to provide air to inflate the bladder  114  or exhaust air from the bladder  114  to deflate the bladder  114 . The bladder movement mechanism  118  may be implemented as a spool that winds the hose to retrieve the bladder or unwinds the hose to deposit the bladder  114  into the container  104 . However, the bladder movement mechanism  118  may be implemented using other mechanisms that cause movement of the bladder  114 , such as a mechanical arm. The bladder may be a balloon, an air bag, and/or any other receptacle that expands with addition of air or any other gas. The bladder may be flexible and bendable, which may enable removal of the bladder from the container  104 , as described below. 
       FIG. 1A  shows the container  104  and inflatable bladder system  112  prepared for receipt of items, but before items are placed in the container by the item conveyer  102 . As shown, a conveyer upper surface  120 , which defines a conveyance height of the item conveyer  102 , is situated slightly above a container upper surface  122  of the container  104  to enable items to fall from the item conveyer  102  into the container  104 . Meanwhile, the bladder  114  includes a bladder upper surface  124  that is situated just below the container upper surface  122  to minimize the fall of the first item  106  entering the container  104  from the item conveyer  102 . The location of the bladder upper surface  124  is controllable based on an inflation of the bladder  114 , via the hose  116 . For example, the hose  116  may be in fluid communication with an air compressor or other pneumatic air sources that provides air to the bladder  114  to inflate the bladder  114 . The hose  116  or a release valve may be used to release air from the bladder  114 , and thus lower a location of the bladder upper surface  122  relative to the container upper surface  122  as explained below. Various devices and controls for releasing air from the bladder are discussed with reference to  FIGS. 3A-3C . 
       FIG. 1B  shows the first item  106  deposited into the container  104  and supported by the bladder  114  such that an upmost item upper surface  126  is below the container upper surface  122 . Meanwhile, the bladder  114  has been deflated, thereby lowering the upper bladder surface  122  to a position closer to a bottom  128  of the container  104 . Air may be removed from the bladder after the deposit of the first item  106  into the container  104 . The air may be removed based at least in part on the weight of the first item  106  pressing downward against the bladder  114 . However, as discussed below, other mechanisms and/or controls may be used to control a release of air from the bladder, and thus lower the position of the upmost item upper surface  126  (which is associated with the upmost item, which is the first item  106  in  FIG. 1B ). Meanwhile a fourth item  130  may enter the item conveyer  102  for eventual deposit into the container  104 . 
       FIG. 1C  shows all of the items deposited into the container  104 . The bladder  114  is deflated or substantially deflated such that an upmost item upper surface  126  (now associated with the fourth item  130  as shown in  FIG. 1C ) is below the container upper surface  122 . Meanwhile, the bladder  114  has been deflated, thereby lowering the upper bladder surface  122  to a position closer to or proximate to the bottom  128  of the container  104 . Air may be removed from the bladder after the deposit of some items or each item into the container  104 . The container  104  may be ready for shipment, and may include at least the four items in this example, but possibly more or fewer items. As items are placed into, or “fall” into the container, the distance of the fall of each item is less than a distance would be if the bladder  114  was not present. This reduction in distance due to presence of the bladder  114  may prevent or minimize damage to items caused by the fall of the items into the container from the conveyer upper surface  120  toward the bottom  128  of the container  104 . In some embodiments, the bladder  114  may be shipped with the items in the container  104 , whether in an inflated state, a deflated state, or some intermediate state of inflation. For example, the hose  116  may be disconnected from the bladder  114  and/or from the bladder movement mechanism  118 , or the hose  116  may possibly be cut, such as when the bladder is intended for limited use (e.g., one time use, etc.). 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  show a pictorial flow diagram of an illustrative process  200  showing placement of the bladder  114  in the container  104  before items are placed in the container and removal of the bladder  114  from the container  104  after items are placed in the container, and some intermediary operations. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2A , at  202 , the container  104 , which may be empty, is supplied by a container conveyer  204  to a location proximate to and under the inflatable bladder system  112  and proximate to the item conveyer  102  that moves items into the container  104 . The container may be readied to receive items from the item conveyer  102 . The bladder  114  may be suspended above the container  104  as the container is moved to the location proximate to the item conveyer  102 . The bladder movement mechanism  118  may traverse along a mechanism conveyer  206  between a first location  208  and a second location  210 . At the operation  202 , the bladder movement mechanism  118  may be located at the first location  208 . 
     At  212 , the bladder  114  may be inflated with air and moved, via the mechanism conveyer  206 , to the second location  210 . The bladder  114  may be inflated during the supplying of the container  104  at the operation  202  or after the container  104  is located at the location proximate to the item conveyer  102 . 
     At  214 , the bladder  114  may be lowered into the container  104 . For example the hose  116  may be retracted or unspooled from the bladder movement mechanism  118  to cause the bladder  114  to be lowered into the container  104 . The bladder  104  may be situated on a second side  216  of the container at is opposite a first side  218  of the container  104 . The first side  218  of the container  104  may be generally under the first location  208  of the mechanism conveyer  206  while the second side  216  of the container  104  may be generally under the second location  210  of the mechanism conveyer  206 . Since the hose  116  may connect to a side of the bladder  114 , the bladder  114  may be lowered into the container in a vertical orientation, whereas the bladder  114  is used in a vertical configuration during loading of items into the container  104 . In some embodiments, the container  104 , the bladder  114 , or both may include alignment mechanisms to cause the bladder  114  to be situated in a predetermined location and orientation with respect to the container  104 . For example, the alignment mechanisms may be complementary magnets or electromagnets that cause the bladder  114  to be situated in the predetermined location and orientation in the container  104 . As another example, the alignment mechanisms may include a shape of the bladder  114  and/or the walls and base of the container  104 , which may guide a location of the bladder during at least the operation  214 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 2B , at  220 , the bladder movement mechanism  118  may retract an additional amount of the hose  114  and the bladder movement mechanism  118  may traverse back to the first location  208  of the mechanism conveyer  206 , causing the bladder  114  to transition from the vertical orientation shown with respect to the operation  214  to a horizontal orientation. Again, the alignment mechanisms may cause the bladder  114  to be situated in a predetermined location and orientation with respect to the container  104  while the bladder  114  is transitioned to the horizontal orientation. 
     In some embodiments, the bladder movement mechanism  118  may be omitted and the process  200  may instead rely on movement of the container  104  via the container conveyer  204  to achieve similar results shown and described with respect to operations  212  and  214  in  FIG. 2A . 
     At  222 , the bladder  114  may be used to reduce a fall of items  224  being deposited into the container  104  as discussed above with reference to  FIGS. 1A-1C . The bladder  114  may be compressed and return to a deflated state. 
     At  226 , the bladder movement mechanism  118  may lift the bladder  114  from the container  104  by taking up the hose  116 . For example, the bladder movement mechanism  118  may wind the hose  116  (or another tether) about a spool to take up the hose  116  (or other tether) and thereby lift the bladder  114  from the container  104 . The container, now loaded with the items  224 , may be moved away from the inflatable bladder system  112  for further processing, such as for shipment to a different location. In some embodiments, another tether may be used to move (e.g., raise, lower, etc.) the bladder  114  other than the hose  116 , such as to prevent damage to the hose  116 . For example, a cable or line may be coupled to the bladder and the bladder movement mechanism  118  for such purposes. The cable or the line may or may not be coupled to the hose  116 . 
     In some embodiments, the bladder  114  may be inflated after being placed in the container  104 . For example, the bladder  114  may be formed such that it rolls up when deflated and not loaded with items on top of the bladder. The rolled up and deflated bladder may be placed in the container  104  as described above, and then inflated in the container to unroll and cover the bottom of the container or a portion of the bottom of the container. 
       FIGS. 3A-3C  are schematic diagrams of illustrative air supply controllers and/or devices used to control at least a rate or amount of deflation of the bladder for a given period of time. 
       FIG. 3A  shows an optical sensor  302  directed along or aimed along a plane defined by or parallel to the container upper surface  122  of the container  104  such that the optical sensor  302  is capable of detecting an item protruding above the container upper surface  122  and braking or interfering with a fill line  304  while the item is locating in the container  104 . When the optical sensor  302  detects an absence or interruption of light (e.g. reflection of light output from the optical sensor&#39;s light source, or light from a separate light source), the optical sensor may determine that the fill line  304  is blocked by the item. The optical sensor  302  may then transmit a signal to the inflatable bladder system  112  via a connection  306  to cause deflation of the bladder  114  until the fill line is unobstructed and light is again sensed by the optical sensor  302 , and thus the item is below the fill line  304 . The optical sensor  302  may be located at virtually any position or angle that creates the fill line  304  usable to control deflation of the bladder  114 . The optical sensor  302  may include a light source or may rely on another independent light source to establish the fill line  302 . The bladder  114  may be deflated by pumping air from the bladder  114  or opening a release valve to release air from the bladder  114 , for example. The system described may be operated with or without a computing device executing software. For example, the system may be implemented as an electronic control switch that operates without software. 
       FIG. 3B  shows an image sensor  308  directed toward the item conveyer  102  to detect presence of an item and to read a code, such as a barcode or other unique identifier of the item, from the item. The image sensor  308  may transmit the code to a computing device  310  for processing. The computing device  310  may access a data store  312  that includes item information, such as item physical dimensions, item volume, item weight, item fragility, and/or other physical properties of items. The computing device  314  may provide input to the inflatable bladder system  112  via a connection  314  to cause deflation of the bladder  114  an amount based on the item physical dimensions and/or other information about the item. The bladder  114  may be deflated by pumping air from the bladder  114 , opening a release valve to release air from the bladder  114 , for example. As an example operation, the computing device  310  may determine a next item has a certain height or volume based on capturing and processing the code. The computing device  310  may the cause the inflatable bladder system  112  to reduce a volume of the bladder  114  a corresponding amount such that the item is situated below the container upper surface  122  prior to arrival of a next item into the container  104 . The process may be repeated for each item. Thus, the computing device  310  may actively control deflation of the bladder  114  based on identification of items about to be deposited into the container and based on attributes of those items. The volume of air removed from the bladder  114  may be different than a volume of the item. The computing devices is described in further detail with reference to  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 3C  shows the bladder  114  with an exhaust valve  316 . The exhaust valve  316  may be configured to release air from the bladder at a predetermined rate and/or in response to downward pressure of items placed on top of the bladder  114 . For example, the bladder  114  may include an internal air pressure, which may cause air to be forced through the exhaust valve  316  over time. In such embodiments, the bladder  114  may be formed of an elastic material, such as latex or rubber, which enables expansion of the bladder  114  under pressure. However, the bladder  114  may operate in some embodiments without internal air pressure, and thus may deflate when items are placed on top of the bladder  114 . In various embodiments, the exhaust valve  316  may release air from the bladder  114  at least partly due to air pressure within the bladder  114  and at least partly from air pressure generated from an item placed on top of the bladder  114 . The air pressure of the bladder and/or the exhaust rate of the exhaust valve may be selected to cause the bladder to deflate at a controlled and known rate, and thus operate to perform the functionality described above, with particular reference to  FIGS. 1A-1C . 
       FIGS. 4A-4D  show schematic diagrams of an illustrative container bladder  402  that is selectively inflated or deflated to change a height of a support platform  404  in a container  406  to reduce a distance an item falls when conveyed into the container  406  at a filling location  408  (denoted in  FIG. 4A  as a dashed line that indicates a position of a leading edge of the container  406  with respect to the item conveyer  102  or other apparatuses. The support platform  404  may include a surface to interface with at least a first item deposited into the container. The support platform  404  may be a rigid planar object, for example. 
       FIG. 4A  shows the container  406  being moved to the filling location  408 . The filling location  408  is a location where the container  406  is proximate to the item conveyer  102  such that items can be conveyed directly into the container  406  via the item conveyer  102 . The container  406  may include a container valve coupler  410  that can be coupled to an air supply  412  (e.g., a compressor or other source of air), via an air supply valve coupler  414  when the container  406  is located at the filling location  408 . For example, the container conveyer  204  may move the container  406  (in an uncoupled state and with the bladder  402  deflated) toward the filling location  408 . As the container  406  approaches the filling location  408 , the container valve coupler  410  may mate/couple with the air supply valve coupler  414  to provide fluid communication between the air supply  412  and the bladder  402 , and thus enable inflating the bladder  402 . The mating/coupling may be performed using guides or other alignment devices that cause the mating of the container valve coupler  410  with the air supply valve coupler  414 . For example, the guides may include a cone shape that projects from around the container valve coupler  410  (or from around the air supply valve coupler  414 ) and guides the complementary part for alignment during the coupling (e.g., similar to a refueling probe used by military aircraft for inflight refueling). 
     Meanwhile, the support platform  404  may be situated above or on an upper surface or area of the bladder  402 . In some embodiments, the support platform  404  may be movably coupled to the container  406 , such as by a track, to cause the support platform  404  to maintain an orientation with respect to the container during movement and/or for other reasons, such as to assist with removing items from the container, as discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 5A-5D . 
       FIG. 4B  shows the container  406  at the filling location  408  (where the leading edge of the container  406  is at the filling location  408 ). In some instances, the filling location  408  may include a trigger switch that is activated when the container  406  is at the filling location  408  (e.g., by physical contact, etc.). The trigger switch, when activated, may enable the item conveyer  102  to operate to move items into the container  406 . 
     At the filling location  408 , the container valve coupler  410  is coupled to the air supply  412  via the air supply valve coupler  414 . After the coupling of the container valve coupler  410  to the air supply valve coupler  414 , the air supply  412  may provide air to the bladder  402  to inflate the bladder  402  and thereby raise the support platform  404  to a predetermined location  416  to receive the first item  106  from the item conveyer  102 . The predetermined location  416  may be below the container upper surface  122 . 
       FIG. 4C  shows the container  406  after being filled with items. During the filling of the container  406 , the support platform  404  may be lowered such that a next item deposited into the container  406  falls into the container  406 , and yet maintains the upmost item upper surface  126  at a location near, but below, the container upper surface  122 . The depositing of the items may be performed as described above with reference  FIGS. 1A-1C, 2, and 3A-3C  describing operation of the bladder  114  and associated components, such as the optical sensor  302 , the exhaust valve  316 , and so forth. In some embodiments, the air supply  412  may recapture air from the bladder  402  to cause the bladder  402  to deflate, and thereby lower the level of the support platform  404 . 
       FIG. 4D  shows the container  406  full of items after moving away, via the container conveyer  204 , from the filling location  408 . When employed, the trigger switch may be deactivated when the container is moved away from the filling location  408 , which may cause the item conveyer  102  to stop. The container valve coupler  410  is decoupled from the air supply valve coupler  414 , and thus from the air supply  412 . After the decoupling, the bladder  402  may deflate to exhaust air. In some embodiments, the container valve coupler  410  may include a dust cover to prevent dust or other particulates from entering the bladder  402  during shipping, handling, and/or storage of the container  406 . The dust cover may open during the coupling of the container valve coupler  410  to the air supply valve coupler  414  to allow airflow through the container valve coupler  410 . The container  406 , the bladder  402  and the support platform  404  may be shipped with the items to a destination. The embodiments described with reference to  FIGS. 4A-4D  may be used with any of the prior embodiments described, such as the embodiments described with reference to  FIGS. 3A-3C . 
       FIGS. 5A-5D  show schematic diagrams of the illustrative bladder  406  that is selectively inflated or deflated to change a height of the support platform  404  in the container  406  to empty items from the container  406  at a destination location  502 . 
       FIG. 5A  shows the container  406 , filled with the items, being moved toward the destination location  502  (shown as a dashed line) where the items in the container will be unloaded from the container  406  and placed upon a receiving conveyer  504 . 
       FIG. 5B  shows the container  406  at the destination location  502 , where the leading edge of the container  406  is at the destination location  502 . In some instances, the destination location  502  may include a trigger switch that is activated when the container  406  is at the destination location  502  (e.g., by physical contact, etc.). The trigger switch, when activated, may enable the item conveyer  102  to operate to move items away from the container  406  as described below. 
     At the destination location  502 , the container valve coupler  410  is coupled to the air supply  412  via the air supply valve coupler  414 . After the coupling of the container valve coupler  410  to the air supply valve coupler  414 , the air supply  412  may provide air to the bladder  402  to inflate the bladder  402  and thereby raise the support platform  404  to predetermined location  416 . 
       FIG. 5C  shows the items of the container  406  being unloaded onto the receiving conveyer  504 . To unload the items, the air supply  412  may cause the bladder  402  to be inflated and additionally raise the support platform  404  to an emptying location  506 , which may be even with or higher than the container upper surface  122 . As the support platform  404  approaches the emptying location  506 , the support platform  404  may be tilted toward the receiving conveyer  504 . The tilting of the support platform  404  may be caused by a shape of the bladder  402  (e.g., curved or triangular shape at top of the bladder, etc.), features in guides that guide the support platform  404  to cause a tilt (e.g., a guide may restrict one side of the support platform  404  to cause tilting when the support platform  404  is near the top of the container  406 ), and/or other features. The guides may constrain at least one of movement or orientation of the support platform  404  as the support platform within the container. In some embodiments, the support platform  404  may include rollers or other features to reduce friction of items on the support platform  404  for depositing the items on the receiving conveyer  504 . In various embodiments, the support platform  404  may include one or more conveyers to direct items onto or off of the support platform  404 . For example, a powered conveyer may be used to move items off the conveyer as discussed below during an unloading process. In various embodiments, the items may be removed from the support platform  404  by vibrating or shaking the container  406  and/or support platform  404 . 
       FIG. 5D  shows the container  406  being empty after moving away, via the container conveyer  204 , from the delivery location  502 . When present, the trigger switch may be deactivated when the container is moved away from at the filling location  408 , which may cause the receiving conveyer  504  to stop moving. The container valve coupler  410  is decoupled from the air supply valve coupler  414 , and thus from the air supply  412 . After the decoupling, the bladder  402  may deflate more. In some embodiments, the container valve coupler  410  may include a dust cover to prevent dust or other particulates from entering the bladder  402  during handling of the container  406 . The dust cover may open during the coupling of the container valve coupler  410  to the air supply valve coupler  414  to allow airflow through the container valve coupler  410 . In some embodiments, rather than moving the container  406 , it may be loaded with items at the destination location. 
       FIGS. 6A-6C  show schematic diagrams of an illustrative container support platform height adjustment apparatus  602  that selectively changes the height of a support platform  604  of a container  606  during filling of the container  606  with items. The container support platform height adjustment apparatus  602  may operate similar to the bladder  114  described with reference to  FIGS. 1A-1C , but may differ in at least two ways. Firstly, the support platform  604  of the container  606  may be detachable from a bottom position of the container, to enable the support platform  604  to raise relative to the container  606  (similar to the raising of the support platform  404  described above). Secondly, the container support platform height adjustment apparatus  602  may be moved by means other than inflation/deflation of a bladder. 
       FIG. 6A  shows the container  606  and the container support platform height adjustment apparatus  602  prepared for receipt of items, but before items are placed in the container  606  by the item conveyer  102 . As shown, the conveyer upper surface  120  of the item conveyer  102  is situated slightly above a container upper surface  122  of the container  104  to enable items to fall from the item conveyer  102  into the container  606 . Meanwhile, the support platform  604  is situated by the container support platform height adjustment apparatus  602  just below the container upper surface  122  to minimize the fall of the first item  106  entering the container  606  from the item conveyer  102 . The location of the support platform  604  is controllable based on movement caused by the container support platform height adjustment apparatus  602 . For example, the container support platform height adjustment apparatus  602  may be moved by pneumatic pressure, by a biasing force, by a mechanical mechanism, by inflation of a bladder, and/or by other techniques or devices. Various devices and controls that create container support platform height adjustment apparatus  602  are discussed with reference to  FIGS. 7A-7D . 
       FIG. 6B  shows the first item  106  deposited into the container  606  and supported by the support platform  604  such that an upmost item upper surface  126  is below the container upper surface  122 . Meanwhile, the support platform  604  has been lowered by the container support platform height adjustment apparatus  602  to a position closer to a base  608  of the container  606 . Meanwhile a fourth item  130  may enter the item conveyer  102  for eventual deposit into the container  606 . The base  608  may include one or more apertures. The container support platform height adjustment apparatus  602  may access the support platform via the one or more apertures, and possibly through the one or more apertures. The support platform may cover the one or more apertures during transport of the container. 
       FIG. 6C  shows all of the items deposited into the container  606 . The container support platform height adjustment apparatus  602  is lowered such that the container support platform height adjustment apparatus  602  disengages with the support platform  604 . However, as described below, the container support platform height adjustment apparatus  602  may not engage the support platform in some embodiments even when the support platform  604  is in the raised position shown in  FIG. 6A . The support platform  604  may couple to the base  608  of the container  606 . In some embodiments, the base  608  of the container  606  may include a releasable coupler that may secure the support platform  604  to the container  606  (e.g., during transport of the container, etc.) until the releasable coupler is opened (disengaged), possibly by engagement by the container support platform height adjustment apparatus  602  during lifting of the support platform  604 . In the position shown in  FIG. 6C , the upmost item is the fourth item  130 . The support platform  604  is lowered to a position closer to or proximate to the base  608  of the container  606 . The container  606  may be ready for shipment, and may include at least the four items in this example and the support platform  604 . However, the container support platform height adjustment apparatus  602  may not be shipped with the container, but may instead be available for use with a different container. Thus, the container  606  may be moved away from the filling location and away from (e.g., over) the container support platform height adjustment apparatus  602 , such as when the container support platform height adjustment apparatus  602  is in a retracted position and disengaged from the support platform  604 . As items are placed, or “fall” into the container, the distance of the fall of each item is less than a fall would be if the support platform  604  were not moved by the container support platform height adjustment apparatus  602 . This reduction in distance due to movement of the support platform  604  may prevent or minimize damage to items caused by the fall of the items into the container from the conveyer upper surface  120  toward the base  608  of the container  606 . The embodiments described with reference to  FIGS. 6A-6C  may be used with any of the prior embodiments described, such as the embodiments described with reference to  FIGS. 3A-3C . 
       FIGS. 7A-7D  show schematic diagrams of various illustrative container support platform height adjustment apparatuses that selectively change the height of the support platform  604  of the container  606 . 
       FIG. 7A  shows the container support platform height adjustment apparatus  602  implemented with the bladder  114  that is inflated by the air source  412  via the hose  116 . The bladder  114 , when inflated, may push the support platform  604  away from the base  608  of the container  606  and toward the container upper surface  122 . The bladder  114  may be inflated and deflated as described in the embodiments above to control the location of the support platform  604 , and thus, the upmost item upper surface (as described with reference to  FIG. 1B ). The container support platform height adjustment apparatus  602  may include guides  702 , which may create an attachment point for the support platform  604  and/or control movement of support platform  604  along an axis while moving inside of the container  606 . In some embodiments, the guides  702  may compact using an accordion-like design. However, other designs may be used to create the guides  702 . 
       FIG. 7B  shows the container support platform height adjustment apparatus  602  implemented with an air power source  704 , such as a fan or a pneumatic power source that directs air into a cavity of the container support platform height adjustment apparatus  602 . The air power source  704  may include fluid communication of air into the cavity  706  to cause the support platform to move up or expand (as a result of increased airflow into the cavity  706 ), and to move down (after reducing or terminating airflow into the cavity  706 ). The air from the air power source  704  may move through orifices  708  in a bottom of the container support platform height adjustment apparatus  602  to gain access to the cavity  706 . 
       FIG. 7C  shows the container support platform height adjustment apparatus  602  implemented with a biasing device  708 , such as a spring that applies a force against the support platform  604  to bias the support platform  604  toward the container upper surface  122 , but is compressed by a downward force applied by items placed on the support platform  604 . The biasing device  710  may be locked in a compressed state or positioned under the container  606  when the container  606  is full and ready for movement away from the container support platform height adjustment apparatus  602 . 
       FIG. 7D  shows the container support platform height adjustment apparatus  602  implemented with a mechanical device  712 , such as a telescoping device or mechanical arm that may be controlled by actuation of solenoids, motors, and/or other devices to move the support platform  604  toward the container upper surface  122  or away from the container upper surface  122 . 
       FIGS. 8A-8D  show schematic diagrams of an illustrative sortation apparatus  802  that causes a heavier item to be deposited in a container before a lighter item. By depositing heavier items before some lighter items, items are less likely to be damaged during the loading of items into a container. The embodiments of the sortation apparatus  802  described below may be implemented with any of the embodiments described that limit a distance items drop into the container. However, the embodiments of the sortation apparatus  802  described below may also be implemented independent from embodiments described that limit a distance items drop into the container. 
       FIG. 8A  shows the sortation apparatus  802  before receipt of items provided by the item conveyer  102 . The container  104  may be situated underneath and proximate to the sortation apparatus  802 . The container  104  may be empty or otherwise ready for receipt of items. 
     The sortation apparatus  802  may include a first member  804  that moves about a first pivot  806  and a second member  808  that moves about a second pivot  810 . For example, the members may move by rotation, by bending (deflection), or by other means generally about a pivot. The movement of the members  804  and  808  may be caused in response to a weight of an item supported by a member where the item imparts a force on the respective member. However, the movement may be caused by other devices or techniques, such by actuation by a device (e.g., an actuator, a solenoid, etc.). 
     In some embodiments, a structure  812  may be included and situated between the first member  804  and the second member  808 . The structure  812  may be not be movable (e.g., rotatable with the first member  804  or second member  808 , etc.), and thus may function to guide items from the first member  804  to the second member  808  and/or may retain items on the second member  808  while the first member  804  empties another item into the container  104 . 
     As items are conveyed from the item conveyer  102  onto the sortation apparatus  802 , the items may begin to travel (slide, roll, etc.) down a top surface of the first member  804  toward the second member  808 . The first member  804  may be designed to selectively move about the first pivot  806  to cause an item that exceeds a predetermined weight to enter the container  104 , as shown in  FIG. 8B . 
     The first member  804  may move from a first position  814  shown in  FIG. 8A  to a second position  816  shown in  FIG. 8B , such as when the first member  804  is subject to a force (weight) of an item that overcomes the predetermined weight. The movement of the first member  804  may be restricted by a first stopper  818 . The first member  804  may be biased toward the first position  814  by a biasing device  820 . The biasing device  820  may be selected to maintain an upward force equal to the predetermined weight, or to simply return the first member  804  to the first position  814  whereas another device may be used to regulate when the first member  804  moves or is able to move to the second position  816 . In some embodiments, a first inhibitor  822  may be used to maintain the first member  804  in the first position  814  until the predetermine weight (or force) is exceeded. For example, the first inhibitor  822  may be a magnet or an electromagnet, located near or at an end of the first member  804  proximate to the structure  812 , may be used to maintain the first member  814  in the first position until a force imparted on the first member by an item overcomes the attraction force of the magnets, and thereby allows the first member  804  to move about the first pivot  806  and deposit the item in the container  104 . In some embodiments, the predetermined weight, that when reached or exceeded, enables an item to be deposited into the container via movement of the first member  804  may be adjusted, such as by adjusting a staying power/force of the first inhibitor  822  and/or adding or removing biasing devices/forces via the biasing device  820 . For example, the predetermine weight may be modified based on the known or expected weight of items to be loaded in the container, such as from information contained in a packing list. 
     When an item does not cause the first member  804  to move about the first pivot  806 , such as a relatively light item, the item may continue to travel (slide, roll, etc.) onto the second member  808 . The item may come to rest at a location supported by the second member  808 . At a predetermined time, or other time, the second member  808  may move about the second pivot  810  from a first position  824  shown in  FIG. 8C  to a second position  826  shown in  FIG. 8D , causing lighter items to be deposited in the container  104  possibly on top of heavier items previously deposited into the container  104 . The movement of the second member  808  may be restricted by a second stopper  828 . The second member  808  may be controllably moved by a mechanism  830  between the first and second positions or from the first position  824  to the second position  826 . The mechanism  830  may be an actuator, a biasing device, a solenoid, and/or other similar devices that cause movement of the second member  808 . For example, the second member  808  may be biased in the first position  824  by a biasing device that imparts enough force against the second member  808  to maintain the second member  808  in the first location  824 , but not enough force to support the second member  808  loaded with any item on top of the second member  808  that exerts a force on the second member  808 . Thus, the biasing device may be used to return the second member  808  from the second position  826  to the first position  824  when the second member  808  is not subject to other forces, such as a force resulting from weight of an item on top of the second member  808 . A second inhibitor  832 , such as an electromagnet, located near or at an end of the second member  808  proximate to the structure  812 , may be to selectively maintain the second member  808  in the first position  824  from emptying items into the contain  104  until desired, such as when all of the heavy items have been deposited into the container  104  and/or when the container is ready to be removed for shipping purposes or other purposes. For example, the second inhibitor  832  be operate as a switch, which when triggered or activated (e.g., electromagnet turned off, etc.), allows the second member  808  to move to the second position  826  to deposit items into the container  104  as shown in  FIG. 8D . As another example, movement of the container may trigger activation of the second inhibitor  832  to release the second member  808  to move to the second position  826  to deposit items into the container  104 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 8A , the first member  804  may be coupled to one or more devices that prevent subsequently conveyed items (e.g., following items) from being deposited into the container  104  with another item that overcomes the predetermined weight (force) that moves the first member  804  to the second position  816 . A blocking structure  834  may block the subsequently conveyed item from moving along the first member  804  when the first member is at the second position  816  or between the second position  816  and the first position  814  (as shown in  FIG. 8B ). For example, the blocking structure  834  may be move upwards and be exposed above the item conveyer  102  when the first member  804  moves toward the second position  816 , thereby preventing the subsequently conveyed item from entering the first member  804  until the first member  804  returns to the first position  814 . 
     In some embodiments, a switch  836  may be situated between the item conveyer  102  and the first member  804 . The switch  836  may, when disengaged (open), may cause the item conveyer  102  to stop, at least temporarily. The switch  836  may be opened by movement of the first member  804  from the first position  814  to the second position  816 . Thus, when the switch  836  is present, the item conveyer  102  may move items when the first member  804  is in the first position  814 , but not when the first member  804  is in the second position  816  or possibly not when the first member  804  is between the first position  814  and the second position  816 . 
       FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram of an illustrative computing architecture  900  to control at least some of the item sortation and protection apparatuses disclosed herein. The computing architecture  900  may be implemented in a distributed or non-distributed computing environment by computing device(s)  902 . 
     The computing architecture  900  may include one or more processors  904  and one or more computer readable media  906  that stores various modules, applications, programs, or other data. The computer-readable media  906  may include instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors  904 , cause the processors to perform at least some of the operations described herein. 
     Embodiments may be provided as a computer program product including a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions (in compressed or uncompressed form) that may be used to program a computer (or other electronic apparatus) to perform processes or methods described herein. The machine-readable storage medium may include, but is not limited to, hard drives, floppy diskettes, optical disks, CD-ROMs, DVDs, read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), EPROMs, EEPROMs, flash memory, magnetic or optical cards, solid-state memory apparatuses, or other types of media/machine-readable medium suitable for storing electronic instructions. Further, embodiments may also be provided as a computer program product including a transitory machine-readable signal (in compressed or uncompressed form). Examples of machine-readable signals, whether modulated using a carrier or not, include, but are not limited to, signals that a computer system or machine hosting or running a computer program can be configured to access, including signals downloaded through the Internet or other networks. 
     The computing architecture  900  may include one or more sensors  908  and/or interfaces to communicate with sensors and a data store  910 , which may store item information, such as an item identifier associated with physical properties of items, and so forth. The sensors  908  may include the optical sensor  302 , the image sensor  308 , and/or other sensors described herein or usable to assist the operations described herein. 
     In some embodiments, the computer-readable media  906  may store an item volume module  912 , a container level controller  914 , and a conveyer controller  916 , each described in turn. The components may be stored together or in a distributed arrangement. 
     The item volume module  912  may calculate a volume of an item using information retrieved from the data store  910 . For example, an item may be scanned or otherwise imaged by the image sensor  308  to obtain an item identifier. The item identifier may be used to retrieve physical property information about the item from the data store  910 , which may be used by the item volume module  912  to determine a volume or other information (e.g., height, weight, fragility, etc.) about the item to influence inflation of the bladder  114  and/or movement of the support platform  404  or base  604  as discussed above. 
     The level controller  914  may control an inflation of the bladder  114  and/or movement of the support platform  404  or base  604  as discussed above based on input from the item volume module and/or from other inputs, such as from signals from the optical sensor  302 . 
     The conveyer controller  916  may control conveyance of the item conveyer  102 , the container conveyer  204 , and/or the receiving conveyer  504 . For example, the conveyer controller  916  may stop the item conveyer  102  when items in the container rise above the container upper surface  122  as detected by the optical sensor  302 , among other possible controls of the conveyers described herein. 
     Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the claims.