Patent Description:
The disclosure herein generally relates to object manipulation, and, more particularly, to an apparatus for organized loading, and unloading of objects in an environment.

Loading of objects in large containers or constrained environments is a challenging task. Conventionally, there have been truck loading and unloading equipment made available. However, such equipment can only perform one type of operation either loading or unloading. In other words, the equipment lacks capabilities of doing both loading and unloading operations. Additionally, these loading and unloading operations performed by individual equipment involve single object handling at a given instance and fail to handle multiple objects at a time. This leads to additional cost and labor time, and dependency on other infrastructure constraints Such a loading and unloading equipment is for example disclosed in <CIT> comprising in particular a destacking mechanism, a conveying mechanism comprising a bridge conveyor with a placement actuator and a roller conveyor having wheels on a plurality of caster wheels legs, an AGV provided with a loading and unloading platform and a gripping and conveying system comprising a split belt conveyor and a plurality of suction panels mounted on a lift mechanism.

Embodiments of the present disclosure present technological improvements as solutions to one or more of the above-mentioned technical problems recognized by the inventors in conventional systems.

For example, in one aspect, there is provided an apparatus for organized loading, and unloading of objects. The apparatus comprises a loading and unloading platform (LUP); a multi-panel object holding and conveying platform (MPOHCP) connected to the LUP; a first roller conveyor (FRC) and a second roller conveyor (SRC) mounted on the LUP, each of the FRC and the SRC comprises a first end (front) and a second end (rear), wherein the second end of the FRC is connected to the first end of the SRC, and wherein each of the FRC and the SRC comprises of a plurality of wheels on a plurality of caster wheel legs respectively; a drive mechanism connected to the LUP and the MPOHCP, wherein the drive mechanism is configured to rotate the MPOHCP from a first direction (vertical) to a second direction (horizontal); a Unit Drive System (UDS) configured to move the LUP and the MPOHCP in one or more directions based on at least one of a first operation and a second operation being performed by the apparatus; a first m-axis collaborative manipulator (FMACM) and a second m-axis collaborative manipulator (SMACM) mounted on the FRC and the SRC, respectively; a bridge conveyor (BC) connected to the first end of the FRC; a placement actuator configured to lift and lower the BC; one or more object gripping and conveying systems (OGCS), wherein each of the OGCS comprises a split belt conveyor (SBC), and wherein the SBC is operated by a drum motor and lifted and lowered by a split belt lift mechanism (SLM); one or more object gripping systems (OGS) mounted on the one or more OGCS respectively, wherein the each of the OGS comprises a plurality of suction panels; one or more vacuum generators configured to generate vacuum for the plurality of suction panels; and an object gripping panel lift mechanism (OGPLM) configured to lift or lower the plurality of suction panels for performing at least one of the first operation (loading) and the second operation (unloading) of one or more objects from a first zone to a second zone.

In an embodiment, during the first operation and the second operation a last caster wheeled legs of the SRC is configured in a first position (locked position) and remaining caster wheel legs of the SRC and the one or more caster wheel legs of the FRC are configured in a second position (unlocked position).

In an embodiment, the drive mechanism comprises: a first link comprising a first joint, a second joint, and a third joint, wherein the first joint is connected to a specific location of the MPOHCP and the third joint is connected to a pivot mounted on the LUP; a second link comprising a first end and second end, wherein the first end of the second link is connected to the first link via the second joint and the second end of the second link is connected to a crank that is driven by a motor comprising a brake and an encoder, wherein the motor is mounted on the LUP.

In an embodiment, the first m-axis collaborative manipulator (FMACM) is mounted on the first end of the FRC, and the second m-axis collaborative manipulator (SMACM) is mounted on the second end of the SRC, respectively.

In an embodiment, wherein during the first operation (loading), the drive mechanism is configured to rotate the MPOHCP to a third direction (CW), the BC, the FRC and the SRC are configured to rotate in a fourth direction (CCW) to convey one or more objects on the MPOHCP, the placement actuator is configured to (i) lower the BC and (ii) connect at least one end (front end) of the FRC, wherein a drum motor is configured to rotate the one or more rollers of the BC in the fourth direction (CCW), and wherein one or more motors connected to the FRC and the SRC respectively are configured to rotate one or more associated rollers in the fourth direction (CCW) to enable placement of the one or more objects on the MPOHCP, the SMACM is configured to pick and place the one or more objects from an initial position on to the SRC, wherein the one or more objects are uniformly distributed by the FMACM based on a size of the one or more objects and space available on the MPOHCP, the drive mechanism is configured to (i) rotate the MPOHCP in the fourth direction (CCW), and (ii) release vacuum for stacking the one or more objects, wherein the one or more objects are pushed by a push mechanism, and the drive mechanism is configured to rotate the MPOHCP in the third direction (CW), and the UDS is configured to move the apparatus to a specific direction for a subsequent operation.

In an embodiment, during the second operation (unloading), the plurality of suction panels is positioned using the OGPLM based on the distance of one or more objects from the plurality of suction panels for gripping the one or more objects, the distance of the one or more objects being determined by a vision system, the SLM (Split belt Lift Mechanism) is in the lower position to allow suction cups of all the plurality of suction panels to grip the objects, the MPOHCP is configured to move forward for stabilization of remaining objects, by an Unit drive system (UDS), the drive mechanism is configured to rotate the MPOHCP in the third direction (CW) for placement of the one or more objects from the second zone to the first zone, the OGPLM lowers the one or more objects on the MPOHCP to a default level in line to transfer to the BC, the SLM (Split belt Lift Mechanism) is configured to lift all the SBC to the default level in line with the BC, the plurality of suction panels releases vacuum to enable resting of the one or more objects on the SBC; the SBC, BC, the FRC and the SRC are configured to rotate in a third direction (CW), if any one or more objects are cluttered the FMACM detects such objects and will place appropriately on FRC, else the one or more objects are conveyed from the SBC to BC towards the FRC and the SRC, the SMACM is configured to pick the one or more objects from the SRC for placement in desired location, and the UDS is configured to move the apparatus to a specific direction for a subsequent operation.

The apparatus further comprises a platform hinged to the LUP.

In an embodiment, during transportation of the apparatus, the platform is configured as a stopper.

In an embodiment, during a setting up of the apparatus, the platform is configured at a specific angle to disembark the FRC and the SRC.

The apparatus further comprises a jack system that is connected underneath the UDS.

In an embodiment, the jack system is configured to level the apparatus with reference to a ground surface and lift the apparatus to a desired position.

While examples and features of disclosed principles are described herein, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to <FIG>, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments and these embodiments are described in the context of the following exemplary system.

Reference numerals of one or more components of the apparatus as depicted in the <FIG> are provided in Table <NUM> below for ease of description:.

<FIG> depicts an exemplary apparatus <NUM> for organized loading and unloading of objects. The apparatus <NUM> comprises a loading and unloading platform (LUP) <NUM>. The LUP <NUM> serves as a base platform on which other components of the apparatus <NUM> are mounted, attached, or carried. The LUP <NUM> also houses FRC 106A the SRC 106B during transport. During one or more operations being carried as intended, the LUP <NUM> is moved in and out of an environment (e.g., a constrained environment such as a truck container, and the like) by a driving system associated with the apparatus <NUM>.

The apparatus <NUM> further comprises a multi-panel object holding and conveying platform (MPOHCP) <NUM> connected to the LUP <NUM>. The MPOHCP <NUM> is attached to the LUP <NUM> by a drive mechanism <NUM>. The drive mechanism <NUM> is configured to rotate the MPOHCP from a first direction (e.g., a vertical direction) to a second direction (e.g., a horizontal direction). <FIG> illustrates the apparatus <NUM> with the drive mechanism <NUM> comprised therein, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the present disclosure, the drive mechanism <NUM> is a multi-bar mechanism (e.g., <NUM>-bar mechanism) and is further configured to rotate MPOHCP from vertical to horizontal direction as mentioned above. The drive mechanism <NUM> comprises a first link <NUM> comprising a first joint <NUM>, a second joint <NUM>, and a third joint <NUM>. The first joint <NUM> is connected to a specific location of the MPOHCP <NUM>, and the third joint <NUM> is connected to a pivot mounted on the LUP <NUM>. The drive mechanism <NUM> further comprises a second link <NUM> comprising a first end and second end. The first end of the second link <NUM> is connected to the first link <NUM> via the second joint <NUM> and the second end of the second link <NUM> is connected to a crank that is driven by a motor comprising a brake and an encoder. The motor is mounted on the LUP <NUM>. In other words, the three links configuration constitute a tertiary link (also referred as output link) with two of its links attached to the rear of the MPOHCP <NUM> and one fixed to the pivot mounted on the LUP <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates various components (e.g., links and joints) of the drive mechanism <NUM> of the apparatus of <FIG>, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The apparatus <NUM> further comprises a first roller conveyor (FRC) 106A and a second roller conveyor (SRC) 106B. The FRC 106A and the SRC 106B are mounted on the LUP <NUM>. Each of the FRC 106A and the SRC 106B comprises a first end (e.g., a front end) and a second end (e.g., a rear end). The first end of the FRC 106A is connected to the BC <NUM> and the second end of the FRC 106A is connected to the first end of the SRC 106B. Each of the FRC 106A and the SRC 106B comprises of a plurality of wheels 108A-N on a plurality of caster wheel legs 110A-N respectively. The plurality of wheels 108A-N and the plurality of caster wheel legs 110A-N respectively are depicted in <FIG>. More specifically, <FIG> illustrates the apparatus <NUM> comprising the drive mechanism <NUM>, the plurality of wheels 108A-N on the plurality of caster wheel legs 110A-N respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The FRC 106A is a flexible roller conveyor and may include/comprise a plurality of rollers on the conveyor. The FRC 106A can compress to around 'x' meter and expand up to 'y' meter. The values of 'x' and 'y' may be either identical or different from each other. For instance, if values of 'x' and 'y' are <NUM> and <NUM> meters respectively, the in such scenarios, the FRC 106A may compress to <NUM> meters and expand up to <NUM> meters accordingly. The rollers on the FRC 106A can rotate in either direction (e.g., clockwise (CW) or counterclockwise (CCW) directions) based on the one or more operations being performed (e.g., loading and/or unloading operations). The FRC 106A moves on certain pairs of caster wheels (for e.g., <NUM> pairs) which can be locked. Similarly, the SRC 106B is also configured as mentioned above with rollers and has similarly capabilities to compress and/or expand as that of the FRC 106A. Both the FRC 106A and the SRC 106B are configured/operated by the apparatus <NUM> for object movement from a first location (e.g., one location) to a second location (e.g., another location) In one scenario, the object movement may happen within a constrained environment. In other scenarios, the object movement may happen from the constrained environment (e.g., say first location) to a bay (e.g., second location), or vice-versa.

The apparatus <NUM> further comprises a unit drive system (UDS) <NUM>. The UDS <NUM> moves the LUP <NUM> and the MPOHCP <NUM> in one or more directions based on a first operation, and/or a second operation respectively being performed by the apparatus <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the apparatus <NUM> with the unit drive system <NUM>, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The apparatus <NUM> further comprises a first m-axis collaborative manipulator (FMACM) 116A and a second m-axis collaborative manipulator (SMACM) 116B mounted on the FRC 106A and the SRC 106B, respectively. The first m-axis collaborative manipulator (FMACM) 116A and the second m-axis collaborative manipulator (SMACM) 116B are a <NUM>-axis collaborative manipulator (e.g., a robot, a cobot, and the like), in an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates the apparatus <NUM> with the first m-axis collaborative manipulator (FMACM) 116A and the second m-axis collaborative manipulator (SMACM) 116B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The first m-axis collaborative manipulator is mounted at the front end of FRC 106A wherein the front end of FRC 106A is connected to a bridge conveyor (BC) <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates at least a portion of the apparatus <NUM> depicting the bridge conveyor <NUM> and a plurality of suction panels, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As mentioned above the bridge conveyor is connected to the FRC 106A. The front end of the SRC 106B is connected to FRC 106A and at the rear end of the second m-axis collaborative manipulator (SMACM) 116B is fixed. During an operation the last pair of legs are locked. More specifically, during the first operation and the second operation a last caster wheel leg of the SRC 106B is configured in a first position (e.g., a locked position) and remaining caster wheel legs of the SRC 106B and the one or more caster wheel legs of the FRC 106A are configured in a second position (e.g., an unlocked position).

The apparatus <NUM> further comprises a placement actuator <NUM>. The placement actuator <NUM> is configured to lift and lower the BC <NUM>. The placement actuator <NUM> may also be referred as BC placement actuator and interchangeably used herein. The placement actuator is an electromechanical actuator wherein the stroke of the actuator is 'p' mm (e.g., say <NUM>). The placement actuator <NUM> is fixed to a frame of the BC <NUM> (also referred as BC frame) that is mounted on the LUP <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the apparatus <NUM> depicting the placement actuator <NUM>, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> further depicts a jack system that is connected underneath the UDS <NUM>. The jack system is configured to level the apparatus <NUM> with reference to a ground surface and lift the apparatus to a desired position. In other words, in the present disclosure, the jack system is an electric jack that each of which can take on "x tonnes (e.g., where x is <NUM> tonnes (or tons or also referred as <NUM> kilograms)) of load". This is attached below the UDS <NUM> and is always in collapsed condition. During an initial set up process, if there is a need for levelling, the jack system is electrically operated (via mains supply or requisite battery power as applicable) for touching the ground surface and thereby starts lifting the apparatus <NUM>. Once necessary setting up is done and before the start of one or more operations, the jack system is again collapsed back to its original configuration.

The apparatus <NUM> further comprises one or more object gripping and conveying systems (OGCS) <NUM> (refer <FIG>). <FIG> illustrates a portion of the apparatus <NUM> depicting the OGCS 122A-N, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Each of the OGCS 122A-N comprises a split belt conveyor (SBC) <NUM>. The SBC <NUM> is operated by a drum motor and lifted and lowered by a split belt lift mechanism (SLM) <NUM>.

The apparatus <NUM> further comprises one or more object gripping systems (OGS) <NUM>. Each of the one or more OGSs <NUM> is mounted on the one or more OGCS 122A-N respectively. Each of the OGSs <NUM> comprises the plurality of suction panels 128A-N (refer <FIG>). <FIG> illustrates a portion of the apparatus <NUM> depicting the one or more object gripping systems (OGS) <NUM>, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The apparatus <NUM> further comprises one or more vacuum generators <NUM> that are configured to generate vacuum for the plurality of suction panels 128A-N. <FIG> illustrates a portion of the apparatus <NUM> depicting the one or more vacuum generators <NUM>, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The one or more vacuum generators <NUM> generate enough vacuum for all the suction panels in the plurality of OGSs <NUM>. The generated vacuum is distributed through one or more main lines (e.g., <NUM> main lines in the present disclosure). There are <NUM> such vacuum generators (not shown in FIGS. ) for the entire apparatus <NUM>.

As mentioned above, the OGS <NUM> is mounted on the OGCS 128A-N. The OGS <NUM> has array of suction cups of different shapes (also referred as plurality of suction panels comprising suction cups). The suction cups are operated by the vacuum generator. The apparatus <NUM> further comprises an object gripping panel lift mechanism <NUM> configured to lift or lower the plurality of suction panels (128A-N) for performing at least one of the first operation (e.g., loading operation) and the second operation (e.g., unloading operation) of one or more objects from a first zone (e.g., first location) to a second zone (e.g., second location).

The apparatus <NUM> comprises the SLM <NUM> that is configured to lift or lower the SBC <NUM>. This is electrically actuated. It is mounted on top of object gripping panel lift mechanism <NUM> (refer <FIG>) and can lift the SBC <NUM> from below or lower. During unloading, before the OGS <NUM> releases the vacuum the SLM <NUM> lifts and all the material/objects lie over the SBC <NUM>. Now object gripping panel lift mechanism <NUM> lowers to the default level in line with the BC, the SBC <NUM> along with object(s) now start conveying for unloading. During loading, the SLM is in lifted condition and allows the objects to get filled over the object gripping panel lift mechanism <NUM>. Before the MPOHCP <NUM> starts to rotate to vertical position, the SLM lowers and OGS <NUM> to grip the objects placed over it. Further, each OGCS 122A-N comprises one or more vision cameras <NUM> (e.g., refer <FIG>), and the like. <FIG> illustrates a portion of the apparatus depicting the object gripping and conveying system (OGCS) having the vision camera <NUM>, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The one or more vision cameras <NUM> (also referred as vision system and interchangeably used herein) are used to find distance from the OGS <NUM> to objects which are loaded on/within an environment (e.g., container). The vision cameras <NUM> pass the command to adjust the height of object gripping panel lift mechanism <NUM> on which the vision cameras <NUM> are mounted.

The apparatus <NUM> further comprises a platform <NUM> (refer <FIG>) hinged to the LUP <NUM>. During transportation of the apparatus <NUM>, the platform <NUM> is configured as a stopper. And during a setting up of the apparatus <NUM>, the platform <NUM> is configured at a specific angle (e.g., inclined angle) to disembark the FRC 106A and the SRC 106B. Each OGCS platform contains array of suction devices OGS <NUM>, the SBC <NUM>, and the SLM <NUM> for lifting the SBC <NUM>, wherein all of these mounted on scissor mechanism (e.g., object gripping panel lift mechanism <NUM>). Each panel has vacuum inlet and distribution system for distribution of vacuum to desired components of the apparatus <NUM>. Some panels also house vision cameras/vision system. The MPOHCP <NUM> is used to grip object and convey into and out of the container. The MPOHCP <NUM> is made to rotate from vertical to horizontal positions by the <NUM>-bar linkage system (the drive mechanism).

<FIG> illustrate a scenario depicting configuration of the apparatus <NUM> during transportation in a vehicle/container, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

<FIG> illustrates a scenario depicting a position of the apparatus <NUM> at loading and/or unloading bay, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

<FIG> illustrates a scenario depicting a position of the apparatus <NUM> during setting up loading and/or unloading bay, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the present disclosure, the apparatus <NUM> setting up process includes the following steps. At first, a container carrying the apparatus <NUM> arrives the loading/unloading bay. The apparatus <NUM> is positioned at loading/unloading bay. The platform <NUM> is in closed/locked condition and is further lowered to an inclined plane for disembarking the FRC 106A and the SRC 106B from the LUP <NUM>. The BC is connected to the front end of the FRC 106A and the rear end of the FRC is connected to the front end of the SRC 106B. The last castor wheel legs of SRC 106B remain in locked condition and all other caster wheels of the FRC and the SRC are unlocked.

<FIG> illustrates a scenario depicting a series of steps performed by the apparatus <NUM> during a first operation (loading operation), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The first operation is a loading operation. During the first operation (e.g., loading operation), the drive mechanism rotates the MPOHCP to a third direction (CW). Similarly, the BC, the FRC and the SRC rotate in a fourth direction (CCW) to convey one or more objects on the MPOHCP <NUM>. The placement actuator (i) lowers the BC and (ii) connects at least one end (front end) of the FRC, wherein a drum motor is configured to rotate the one or more rollers of the BC in the fourth direction (CCW). One or more motors connected to the FRC and the SRC respectively are configured to rotate one or more associated rollers in the fourth direction (CCW) to enable placement of the one or more objects on the MPOHCP <NUM>. In other words, the one or more motors connected to the FRC and the SRC enable rotation of rollers of the FRC and the SRC in the fourth direction. Further, the SMACM picks and places the one or more objects from an initial position on to the SRC. This ensures that the one or more objects are uniformly distributed by the FMACM based on a size of the one or more objects and space available on the MPOHCP <NUM>. The drive mechanism then (i) rotates the MPOHCP <NUM> in the fourth direction (CCW), and (ii) releases vacuum for stacking the one or more objects, wherein the one or more objects are pushed by a push mechanism (not shown in FIGS. ) The drive mechanism then rotates the MPOHCP <NUM> in the third direction (CW), and the UDS <NUM> is configured to move the apparatus <NUM> to a specific direction for a subsequent operation.

The above loading operation is better understood by way of following description: the drive mechanism rotates the MPOHCP <NUM> by <NUM> deg CW. The BC <NUM>, the FRC 106A and SRC 106B rotate in CCW to convey objects on to MPOHCP <NUM>. The SLM <NUM> is in lifted condition so that the SBC <NUM> in level with the BC <NUM>, and all associated belts/rollers/conveyors rotate in CCW to allow objects to get conveyed on to MPOHCP <NUM>. The SLM <NUM> is now lowered and the suction cups of all the relevant suction panels 128A-N of the OGCS 122A-N grips the objects. The SMACM picks and places the objects from pallets/containers on to SRC. The objects are uniformly distributed by FMACM, by diverting based on the size and space available, till MPOHCP <NUM> is full. The UDS <NUM> moves the apparatus <NUM> with objects into the inner most layer of the container wherein the UDS <NUM> rotates the MPOHCP <NUM> by <NUM> deg CCW. Each of the OGS <NUM> then releases the vacuum, and the objects are now free for stack up in the inner most layer. The OGPLM <NUM> then actuates the object gripping panel lift mechanism (OGPLM) <NUM> to push the object stack firmly. The drive mechanism now rotates the MPOHCP <NUM> by <NUM> deg CW. The UDS <NUM> moves back the apparatus <NUM> by one step for the next layer filling. The above steps are repeated from the inner most layer till the container is filled optimally with high fill volume.

<FIG> illustrates a scenario depicting a series of steps performed by the apparatus <NUM> during a second operation (unloading operation), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The second operation is an unloading operation. For unloading operation (during the second operation), based on the vision input from the vision cameras, the plurality of suction panels is positioned using the OGPLM <NUM> based on the distance of one or more objects from the plurality of suction panels for gripping the one or more objects, wherein the distance of the one or more objects is being determined by the one or more vision cameras forming a vision system. All the objects on the outermost layer are gripped in by the plurality of suction panels 128A-N. The SLM <NUM> will be in lowered position (default) exposing the suction cups of the suction panels 128A-N. The MPOHCP <NUM> is configured to move forward by the UDS <NUM> to stabilize next layer of objects. The drive mechanism is configured to rotate in the third direction (CW) for placement of the one or more objects from the second zone to the first zone, the SLM <NUM> now lifts the OGS <NUM> and the plurality of suction panels 128A-N releases vacuum to enable resting of the one or more objects on the SBC <NUM>. The OGPLM <NUM> is configured to lower the SBC <NUM> to a default position which is in line with BC <NUM>, if any one or more objects are cluttered the FMACM detects such objects and places appropriately on the FRC 106A thus ensuring the objects are organized in a specific manner, else the one or more objects are conveyed from the SBC <NUM> to the BC <NUM> towards the FRC 106A and the SRC 106B. The SMACM 116B is configured to pick the one or more objects from the SRC 106B for placement in desired location (or constrained space/open area/container, etc.) wherein the objects are organized in the required manner, and the UDS <NUM> is configured to move the apparatus to a specific direction for a subsequent operation.

The above unloading operation is better understood by way of following description: At first, based on the vision input the suction panels are positioned individually using OGPLM <NUM> with respect to the distance of objects from the OGS <NUM>. All the objects are then gripped in bulk by the suction panels, while the SLM <NUM> is in lowered position, exposing the suction cups of the panels 128A-N. The MPOHCP <NUM> is then pushed slightly forward by the UDS <NUM> to stabilize the next layer. The drive mechanism <NUM> rotates MPOHCP <NUM> by <NUM> degrees clockwise so that gripped objects are ready for getting conveyed out. The SLM <NUM> now lifts and the OGS <NUM> releases vacuum, so all the objects now rest on the SBC <NUM>. The SBC <NUM> rotates in clockwise and all the objects over the SBC belts convey them towards the BC <NUM> and are made to converge towards the FRC 106A. Any misplaced object is gripped and placed properly by FMACM 116A and are conveyed from the FRC 106A to the SRC 106B. At the end of SRC 106B the SMACM 116B picks the objects and places either on pallet or container in the required pattern. After the first layer is unloaded, the MPOHCP <NUM> is rotated CW by <NUM> degrees and the apparatus <NUM> is moved to the next layer by the UDS <NUM> thus ensuring the objects are unloaded and organized in a specific manner in a given environment (or constrained space/open area/container, etc.). The above steps are repeated from the first layer till inner most portion of the container.

The apparatus <NUM> further comprises a programmable logic controller (PLC) comprised therein (not shown in FIGS. The PLC is configured to send, receive and command one or more controls required for performing the one or more operations (e.g., loading, unloading, and setting up the apparatus <NUM>). The apparatus <NUM> may be further equipped with one or more I/O communication interfaces (as known in the art interfaces) for a human machine interface (HMI) that is configured to enable receiving one or more inputs from one or more users (e.g., operators) for performing the operations described above. The PLC may be further operatively connected with one or more processing units (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)) to process inputs and produce required outputs (e.g., commands to perform loading operation, unloading operation, setting up the apparatus, and the like). The PLC is further configured with a safety logic to enable safety precautions during normal, abnormal, and one or more emergencies being identified. Safety precautions may include, for example, but are not limited to, overriding the existing instructions (e.g., during loading, unloading, setting up of the apparatus if anomaly or some unavoidable incidents occurs) with new set of instructions such as turn off/shut down of the apparatus <NUM>). Alternatively, a physical emergency button (configured to the apparatus - not shown in FIGS. ) may be pressed/pushed/operated. All the instructions may be processed by the PLC and a memory (for temporary/permanent storing of information associated with the operations) comprised in the apparatus and/or the PLC (not shown in FIGS.

Most conventional equipment manipulating object have been huge with rotatable pivot platforms, multiple roller conveyors, telescopic boom conveyors, hydraulic cranes, etc. These systems tend to have higher lifecycle cost due to their size and bill of materials (BoM) count and are further limited to handle either loading or unloading and lack to perform both the operations. Present disclosure provides the apparatus <NUM> and for organized loading and unloading of objects. The apparatus <NUM> addresses the issue of single equipment for both loading, unloading, and further automatically organizes the objects in bulk when the objects are cluttered thus ensuring safety, without damages. The objects are placed optimally while being unloaded onto pallets or other carriers. While loading into a container or in any environment, including open area/space, the objects are loaded to a greater fill volume (e.g., say allocated or designated area). These operations of multiple objects handling in one go are enabled to various components of the apparatus <NUM> such as belt conveyors (or bridge conveyors, rollers of the conveyors, manipulators (e.g., say robotic arm or any other object handling component), vacuum generators for providing vacuum to suction cups of the suction panels that enable object gripping and conveying platforms, and object gripping systems to grip bulk/multiple objects at a given time instance and place in desired location(s).

Claim 1:
An apparatus (<NUM>) for organized loading, and unloading of a plurality of objects comprising:
a loading and unloading platform (LUP) (<NUM>);
a multi-panel object holding and conveying platform (MPOHCP) (<NUM>) connected to the LUP (<NUM>);
a first roller conveyor (FRC) (106A) and a second roller conveyor (SRC) (106B) mounted on the LUP, each of the FRC (106A) and the SRC (106B) comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of the FRC (106A) is connected to the first end of the SRC (106B), and wherein each of the FRC (106A) and the SRC (106B) comprises of a plurality of wheels (108A-N) on a plurality of caster wheel legs (110A-N) respectively;
a drive mechanism (<NUM>) connected to the LUP (<NUM>) and the MPOHCP (<NUM>), wherein the drive mechanism (<NUM>) is configured to rotate the MPOHCP (<NUM>) from a first direction to a second direction;
a Unit Drive System (UDS) (<NUM>) configured to move the LUP (<NUM>) and the MPOHCP (<NUM>) in one or more directions based on at least one of a first operation and a second operation being performed by the apparatus (<NUM>);
a first m-axis collaborative manipulator (FMACM) (116A) and a second m-axis collaborative manipulator (SMACM) (116B) mounted on the FRC (106A) and the SRC (106B), respectively;
a bridge conveyor (BC) (<NUM>) connected to the first end of the FRC (106A);
a placement actuator (<NUM>) configured to lift and lower the BC (<NUM>);
one or more object gripping and conveying systems (OGCS) (122A-N), wherein each of the OGCS (122A-N) comprises a split belt conveyor (SBC) (<NUM>), and wherein the SBC (<NUM>) is operated by a drum motor and lifted and lowered by a split belt lift mechanism (SLM) (<NUM>);
one or more object gripping systems (OGS) (<NUM>) mounted on the one or more OGCS (122A-N) respectively, wherein the each of the one or more OGSs (<NUM>) comprises a plurality of suction panels (128A-N);
one or more vacuum generators (<NUM>) configured to generate vacuum for the plurality of suction panels (128A-N); and
an object gripping panel lift mechanism (OGPLM) (<NUM>) configured to lift or lower the plurality of suction panels (128A-N) for performing at least one of the first operation and the second operation of one or more objects from a first zone to a second zone.