Patent Description:
Containers such as Unit Load Devices (ULDs) are used to transport packages or cargo in a warehouse or to an aircraft. Each of the containers hold a plurality of packages to be transported from one location to another. In some cases, each of the containers can be provided with wheels so that the containers can be rolled in and out of a loading or an unloading area in the warehouse. Further, there can be significant transportation costs and efforts associated with the conveyance of each of the containers holding the plurality of packages. Thus, manually loading and unloading containers leads to errors, mismanagement of overall workflow, and increased costs.

Japanese Patent Application publication <CIT> discloses a device according to the preamble of claim <NUM> and relates to a fruit and vegetable supply device, including a holding body for placing a container, a holding body rotating means for rotating the holding body, an opening and closing lid capable of opening and closing an upper surface opening part of a container mounted on the holding body, and an opening and closing lid rotating means for rotating the opening and closing lid.

The invention is defined by the device according to claim <NUM> and by the method according to claim <NUM>.

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the subject disclosure are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

One or more embodiments are now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various embodiments. It is evident, however, that the various embodiments can be practiced without these specific details.

Various embodiments disclosed herein provide for a container unloader which can receive a container, wherein the container comprises one or more packages and an opening through which the one or more packages can be released. The container unloader comprises a platform to receive the container, a front panel, and an actuator. The platform configured to receive the container can be placed at a first angle with respect to a ground surface. Further, the platform configured to receive the container can be moved to a second angle with respect to the ground surface, wherein the second angle can be greater than the first angle. The front panel of the container unloader can be configured to move between a raised orientation and a lowered orientation with respect to the platform. In the raised orientation, the front panel of the container unloader can be orthogonal with respect to the platform. In the lowered orientation, the front panel and the platform can form a continuous surface. The actuator of the container unloader can be configured to pivot the platform from the first angle to the second angle, wherein the one or more packages lean against a surface of the front panel when the front panel is in the raised orientation and the platform is at the second angle, and wherein the one or more packages are released onto a surface of a conveyor when the front panel is in the lowered orientation and the platform is at the second angle. The use of a container unloader can eliminate the need for manual labor to load and unload the container comprising the one or more packages, thus reducing effort and cost related to container transportation and manual efforts.

The container unloader comprises a rotary joint. The rotary joint is configured to be positioned between the platform of the container unloader and a surface of the container. The rotary joint is configured to rotate the container with respect to the front panel. In some other embodiments, the rotary joint is configured to rotate the container around a rotational axis that is normal with respect to the platform.

In some embodiments, the rotary joint can comprise a rotating plate and a cylindrical rod attached to the rotating plate, wherein the rotating plate is configured to be placed between the platform of the container unloader and the surface of the container. The platform can comprise a hollow portion to engage the cylindrical rod such that the cylindrical rod can be configured to be rotated to control the rotating plate. In some embodiments, movement of the cylindrical rod can be controlled using a motor. The rotating plate can be configured to rotate such that the one or more packages in the container are released through the opening of the container.

In some embodiments, the container can be rotated when the front panel is in the raised orientation with respect to the platform. In some other embodiments, the container can be rotated when the front panel is in the lowered orientation with respect to the platform. In yet some other embodiments, the rotary joint can comprise any suitable material, such as any other metal or composite material.

In some embodiments, the front panel of the container unloader can comprise of at least one or more of a first side panel and a second side panel, wherein the first side panel and the second side panel can be configured to be placed in an upright position with respect to a surface of the front panel.

In some embodiments, the front panel can comprise any suitable material, such as any other metal, core material, composite material, or a laminate material.

In some embodiments, the container comprising the one or more packages can further comprise a frame, wherein the frame can form a primary structure of the container. In some other embodiments, a first side panel and a second side panel can be attached to the frame of the container. In yet some other embodiments, a top panel, a bottom panel, and a back panel can also be attached to the frame of the container. In yet some other embodiments, one or more front panels can be attached to the frame to create the opening through which the one or more packages can be released from the container.

In some embodiments, at least one or more of the container and the frame can comprise any suitable material, such as any metal, core material, composite material, laminate material. In some other embodiments, the container can be covered with at least one of a plastic sheet, aluminum sheets, fabric-reinforced tarpaulin sheets, or sheets of any other material.

In some embodiments, the container unloader can comprise a roller bed to receive the container, wherein the roller bed can be configured to be placed on the platform of the container unloader.

In some embodiments, the container unloader can receive the container from a robotic device. The robotic device from which the container unloader receives the container can be at least one or more of an automated guided vehicle (AGV) and an autonomous mobile robot (AMR).

In some embodiments, the container unloader can receive the container from an operator driven vehicle. The operator driven vehicle from which the container unloader receives the container can be a fork-lift truck.

In some embodiments, the container can be latched to a surface of the platform of the container unloader using a locking mechanism. In yet some other embodiments, the locking mechanism used to latch the container to the surface of the platform can be at least one or more latches.

In some embodiments, the platform of the container unloader can comprise any suitable material, such as any metal, hard plastic, core material, laminate material, composite material.

In some embodiments, shape and dimension of the container can be such that the container can be placed in a fuselage of an aircraft. In some other embodiments, the container can comprise at least one of aircraft luggage, cargo, mail, or any other type of freight which can be unloaded from the aircraft. In some embodiments, the container can be configured to have one or more shelves in the container to place the one or more packages on.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary perspective view of a container unloader <NUM>, according to one or more embodiments described herein. The container unloader <NUM> can further comprise a platform <NUM> and a front panel <NUM>. The platform <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM> can receive a container <NUM> comprising a package. In some embodiments, the container <NUM> can comprise an opening in a front surface of the container <NUM> such that the package can be released from the container <NUM> through the opening in the front surface of the container <NUM>. In some other embodiments, the opening in the front surface of the container <NUM> can comprise at least one of a rectangular shape, a circular shape, or any other geometrical shape.

The container <NUM> can be transported to the platform <NUM> using a robotic device, such as <NUM> and <NUM>. In some embodiments, the robotic device, such as <NUM> and <NUM> can be at least one of an automated guided vehicle (AGV) and an autonomous mobile robot (AMR). In some embodiments, the robotic device, such as <NUM> and <NUM> can comprise a first roller bed such as <NUM> to receive the container <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the robotic devices <NUM> and <NUM> can be similar to each other in shape and dimension. In some other embodiments, the robotic devices <NUM> and <NUM> can be different from each other in shape and dimension.

In some other embodiments, the platform <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM> can further comprise a second roller bed <NUM> to receive the container <NUM> from the robotic device <NUM>. The platform <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM> can be moved from a first angle to a second angle that is greater than the first angle using an actuator <NUM>. In some embodiments, the actuator <NUM> can move the platform <NUM> from the first angle to the second angle such that at the second angle, the container <NUM> is at an elevated height from a ground surface. The actuator <NUM> can further be placed on a base <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM>. In some embodiments, the actuator <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM> can be at least one of a hydraulic actuator, an electric actuator, a lead screw, a belt-driven actuator, or any other type of lift actuator. In some other embodiments, the actuator <NUM> can be a telescopic actuator.

Further, the front panel <NUM> can be configured to pivot between a raised orientation and a lowered orientation. When the front panel <NUM> is in the raised orientation, the front panel <NUM> can be orthogonal with respect to the platform <NUM>. When the front panel <NUM> is in the lowered orientation, the front panel <NUM> and the platform <NUM> can form a continuous surface. In some embodiments, a drive system such as <NUM> can be used to control movement of the front panel <NUM> from the raised orientation to the lowered orientation. The drive system <NUM> can be a motor-driven system, a hydraulic system, or any other drive system. In some embodiments, the drive system <NUM> can comprise an actuator that can move the front panel <NUM> from the raised orientation to the lowered orientation and vice versa. In some other embodiments, the drive system <NUM> can control the front panel <NUM> such that the front panel <NUM> can be lowered up to a desired angle with respect to the platform <NUM>.

In some embodiments, when the actuator <NUM> moves the platform <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM> from the first angle to the second angle and the front panel <NUM> is in the raised orientation, the package in the container <NUM> can fall through the opening in the front surface of the container <NUM> and lean against a surface of the front panel <NUM>. In some embodiments, the surface of the front panel <NUM> against which the package of the container <NUM> can lean can be at least one of a corrugated surface or a smooth surface. Further, when the front panel <NUM> is pivoted to move from the raised orientation to the lowered orientation, the package in the container <NUM> can be released onto a surface of a conveyor <NUM>. In some embodiments, the conveyor <NUM> can be independent from the platform <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM>. In some other embodiments, the conveyor <NUM> can be attached to the platform <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM> using an attachment means, such as one or more hinges, which can generate a pivoting movement of the platform <NUM> with respect to the conveyor <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the front panel <NUM> can further comprise a first side panel <NUM> and a second side panel <NUM>. The first side panel <NUM> and the second side panel <NUM> can be configured to be placed in an upright position with respect to the platform <NUM> to ensure that the package from the container <NUM> released onto the surface of the conveyor <NUM> does not fall from one or more edge surfaces of the front panel <NUM> on the ground surface.

In some embodiments, the container <NUM> can comprise any shape and size such that the container <NUM> can fit into a cargo area of an aircraft. In some other embodiments, a sensing module, such as a camera, can be used to detect whether the container <NUM> comprises the package. In yet some other embodiments, the sensing module can be used to detect whether the package has been released from the container <NUM> onto the surface of the conveyor <NUM>.

In embodiments, a rotary joint <NUM> is placed between the container <NUM> and a surface of the platform <NUM> on which the container <NUM> is placed. The rotary joint <NUM> can be used to rotate the container <NUM> around a rotational axis that is normal to one or more of the platform <NUM> and the front panel <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM>. In some embodiments, a motor <NUM> can be used to control the rotation of the rotary joint <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the rotary j oint <NUM> can be configured to rotate the container <NUM> when the front panel <NUM> is in the raised orientation. The front panel <NUM> can be placed at a first offset distance from the container <NUM> such that the container <NUM> can rotate around the rotational axis that is normal to the platform <NUM>. In some other embodiments, the rotary joint <NUM> can be configured to rotate the container <NUM> when the front panel <NUM> is in the lowered orientation to release the package in the container <NUM>.

In some embodiments, when the container <NUM> is transported from the first roller bed <NUM> of the robotic device <NUM> to the second roller bed <NUM> of the platform <NUM>, a locking mechanism can be used to latch the container <NUM> to a surface of the second roller bed <NUM>. In some embodiments, one or more latches such as <NUM> can be used to latch the container <NUM> into position on the second roller bed <NUM>. In response to the latches such as <NUM> latching the container <NUM> into position on the second roller bed <NUM>, the actuator <NUM> can lift a combination of the platform <NUM>, the second roller bed <NUM>, and the container <NUM> to the elevated height from the ground surface. The front panel <NUM> can then be configured to move from the raised orientation to the lowered orientation to release the package in the container <NUM> onto the surface of the conveyor <NUM> through the opening in the front surface of the container <NUM>.

In some embodiments, when the container <NUM> is placed on the second roller bed <NUM> of the platform <NUM>, the container <NUM> and the second roller bed <NUM> can rotate around the rotational axis that is normal to the platform <NUM> using the rotary joint <NUM>. The rotary joint <NUM> can be positioned between the platform <NUM> and the second roller bed <NUM> such that at least one or more of the second roller bed <NUM> and the container <NUM> rotate with respect to the front panel <NUM>. In some embodiments, the rotary joint <NUM> can be configured to rotate up to <NUM> degrees around the rotational axis. In some other embodiments, the rotary joint <NUM> can be configured to rotate up to any other degree around the rotational axis. One or more packages stuck in one or more portions of the container <NUM> can be dislodged due to the rotation of the container <NUM> using the rotary joint <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary perspective view of a warehouse environment <NUM> comprising a plurality of containers to be unloaded, according to one or more embodiments described herein. The warehouse environment <NUM> can further comprise robotic devices, such as <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, wherein the robotic devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can each comprise a roller-bed on which containers such as <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can be placed. The containers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can comprise one or more packages. The container <NUM> of the containers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can be placed in an elevated position using an actuator <NUM> to release the one or more packages in the container <NUM> on a surface of conveyors such as <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> can be a part of container unloaders such as <NUM>, wherein the actuator <NUM> can be used to elevate the containers such as <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> to a first height at a back end surface of the containers such as <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> with respect to a ground surface, wherein the containers such as <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can comprise at least a front end surface and the back end surface. The containers such as <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can be configured to be elevated to the first height such that the back end surface of the containers such as <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can be placed at an upward position with respect to conveyors such as <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The container unloaders such as <NUM> can comprise a front panel such as <NUM>. The front panel <NUM> can further be configured to be moved in a raised orientation and a lowered orientation with respect to the conveyors such as <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. When the containers such as <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are not elevated, the front panel such as <NUM> can be placed in the raised orientation. When the containers such as <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are elevated (illustrated by the container <NUM> in <FIG>), the front panel such as <NUM> can be placed in the lowered position such that the one or more packages in the containers such as <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can be released on the conveyors such as <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The conveyors such as <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can be at least one or more of a belt-conveyor module or a roller-bed module. The conveyors <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can further be attached to a common conveyor <NUM>. The common conveyor <NUM> can receive the one or more packages from the conveyors such as <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the conveyors such as <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can be similar to each other in shape and dimension. In some other embodiments, the conveyors such as <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can be different from each other in shape and dimension.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary perspective view of a warehouse environment <NUM> comprising a plurality of container unloaders such as <NUM> and <NUM>, wherein the plurality of container unloaders such as <NUM> and <NUM> can comprise a plurality of front panels such as <NUM> and <NUM> respectively, connected to a continuous conveyor <NUM>, according to one or more embodiments described herein. The warehouse environment <NUM> further comprises robotic devices such as <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> that can transport containers such as <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The containers such as <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can further comprise one or more packages. The containers such as <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can comprise an opening in a front surface of the containers such as <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> to release the one or more packages. The containers such as <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can further be placed at a first angle with respect to a ground surface (as illustrated by the containers <NUM> and <NUM> in the figure), or at a second angle with respect to the ground surface, (as illustrated by the container <NUM> in the figure).

The container unloaders such as <NUM> and <NUM> can further comprise front panels such as <NUM> and <NUM> respectively. As illustrated in the figure, the front panel <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM> can be in a raised orientation when the container <NUM> is at the first angle with respect to the ground surface. Further, as illustrated in the figure, the front panel <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM> can be in a lowered orientation when the container <NUM> is at the second angle with respect to the ground surface. When the container <NUM> is at the second angle with respect to the ground surface and the front panel <NUM> is in the lowered orientation, the one or more packages in the container <NUM> can be released on a platform <NUM> of a plurality of platforms such as <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, wherein the container unloaders such as <NUM> and <NUM> can further be connected to the plurality of platforms such as <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

The plurality of platforms such as <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can be connected to the continuous conveyor <NUM> such that the one or more packages released on the platform <NUM> of the plurality of platforms such as <NUM>, <NUM> can be transported on the continuous conveyor <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary perspective view of the warehouse environment <NUM> comprising the plurality of container unloaders such as <NUM> and <NUM>, wherein the plurality of container unloaders <NUM> and <NUM> can comprise the plurality of front panels such as <NUM> and <NUM> respectively, connected to the plurality of conveyors such as <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, according to one or more embodiments described herein. In some embodiments, the plurality of conveyors such as <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can be at least one or more of a belt conveyor, a roller conveyor, or any other type of conveyor. In some other embodiments, the plurality of conveyors such as <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can comprise a first side panel such as <NUM> and a second side panel such as <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary perspective view of a warehouse environment <NUM> comprising a container unloader <NUM> in a horizontal position with respect to a front panel <NUM> attached to the container unloader <NUM>, wherein the front panel <NUM> is in a raised orientation, according to one or more embodiments described herein.

The warehouse environment <NUM> can further comprise a device <NUM> to transport a container <NUM> to the container unloader <NUM>. The container unloader <NUM> can further comprise a platform <NUM> and the front panel <NUM>. The platform <NUM> can receive the container <NUM> being transported by the device <NUM>. In some embodiments, the container unloader <NUM> can further comprise a roller bed on which the container <NUM> can be placed. The front panel <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM> can be in a raised orientation when the container <NUM> is at a first angle with respect to a ground surface. When the front panel <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM> is in the raised orientation, the front panel <NUM> can be orthogonal with respect to the platform <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the first angle at which the container <NUM> is placed with respect to the ground surface can be a zero-degree angle in which the container <NUM> can be placed in a horizontal position with respect to the ground surface.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the container <NUM> can comprise one or more packages such as <NUM> which can be released from the container <NUM> through an opening in a front face of the container <NUM> to a conveyor <NUM>, wherein the front face of the container <NUM> can face the front panel <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM>. In some embodiments, the front panel <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM> can further comprise a first side panel <NUM> and a second side panel <NUM>, wherein front panel <NUM>, the first side panel <NUM> and the second side panel <NUM> can be in an upright position with respect to a platform <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the device <NUM> from which the container unloader <NUM> receives the container <NUM> can be a robotic device such as an automated guided vehicle (AGV) or an autonomous mobile robot (AMR). In some other embodiments, the device <NUM> can be a fork-lift truck.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary perspective view of the container unloader <NUM> in an inclined position with respect to the front panel <NUM> attached to the container unloader <NUM>, wherein the container unloader <NUM> is in the raised orientation, according to one or more embodiments described herein.

The platform <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM> can be configured to move from the first angle to a second angle using an actuator, wherein the second angle is greater than the first angle. When the platform <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM> is at the first angle, the platform <NUM> can be horizontal with respect to the ground surface. When the platform <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM> is at the second angle, the actuator can be configured to raise the platform <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM> such that the container <NUM> can be placed at an elevated height with respect to the ground surface.

As illustrated in <FIG>, when the container unloader <NUM> is placed in the inclined position, the one or more packages such as <NUM> can move out from the container <NUM> and lean against a surface of the front panel <NUM>. The first side panel <NUM> and the second side panel <NUM> of the front panel <NUM> can be used to ensure that the one or more packages such as <NUM> do not fall over from one or more edge surfaces of the front panel <NUM> on the ground surface.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary perspective view of the container unloader <NUM> in an inclined position with respect to the front panel <NUM> attached to the container unloader <NUM>, wherein the front panel <NUM> is in a lowered orientation, according to one or more embodiments described herein. As illustrated in <FIG>, when the front panel <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM> is in the lowered orientation, the one or more packages <NUM> in the container <NUM> can be released from the surface of the front panel <NUM> to a surface of the conveyor <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary perspective view of rotation of a container <NUM> placed on a container unloader <NUM> with respect to a front panel <NUM> and a platform <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM> in a warehouse environment <NUM>, wherein the front panel <NUM> is in a raised orientation, according to one or more embodiments described herein. The container <NUM> can comprise one or more packages. In some embodiments, the front panel <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM> can be moved between the raised orientation and a lowered orientation (shown in <FIG>) using a drive system, wherein the drive system can be at least one or more of a motor drive system, a hydraulic drive system, or any other actuator-based drive system. In some other embodiments, the front panel <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM> can further comprise a first side panel <NUM> and a second side panel <NUM>.

In some embodiments, a front face of the container <NUM> which faces the front panel <NUM> can comprise a square opening <NUM>. Further, the front face of the container <NUM> can comprise a first side panel <NUM> and a second side panel <NUM>. The square opening <NUM> can be used to transport the one or more packages in the container <NUM> to a surface of the front panel <NUM>, wherein the front panel <NUM> can be in a raised orientation.

In some embodiments, the container <NUM> can be latched on a roller bed surface on the platform <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM> using one or more latches, such that the container <NUM> is locked in a position on the platform <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the container <NUM> can rotate in an anti-clockwise direction around a rotational axis X which is normal to the front panel <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM>. In some embodiments, the container <NUM> can be configured to be placed on the platform <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM> at an offset distance from the front panel <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM>. The offset distance between the container <NUM> and the front panel <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM> can be determined as a minimum distance at which the container <NUM> can rotate around the rotational axis X which is normal to the front panel <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary perspective view of rotation of the container unloader <NUM> on which the container <NUM> is placed, with respect to the front panel <NUM> connected to the container unloader <NUM>, wherein the front panel <NUM> is in a lowered orientation, according to one or more embodiments described herein. In some embodiments, the container <NUM> can rotate in the anti-clockwise direction around the rotational axis X which is normal to the front panel <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM> (as illustrated in the figure). In some other embodiments, the container <NUM> can rotate in a clockwise direction around the rotational axis X which is normal to the front panel <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary perspective side view of rotation of the container unloader <NUM> on which the container <NUM> is placed, with respect to the front panel <NUM> connected to the container unloader <NUM>, wherein the front panel <NUM> is in the lowered orientation, according to one or more embodiments described herein. As illustrated in <FIG>, a combination of the container unloader <NUM> and the container <NUM> which is placed on the container unloader <NUM> can rotate in the clockwise direction around the rotational axis X, wherein the rotational axis X is normal with respect to the front panel <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary perspective top view of rotation of the container unloader <NUM> on which the container <NUM> is placed, with respect to the front panel <NUM> connected to the container unloader <NUM>, wherein the front panel <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM> is in the lowered orientation, according to one or more embodiments described herein. The container <NUM> can be latched in position on the container unloader <NUM> using one or more latches such as <NUM> and <NUM>. The container unloader <NUM> can further comprise of the platform <NUM> on which the container <NUM> is placed.

In some embodiments, the platform <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM> can be moved from a first angle to a second angle using an actuator <NUM>, wherein the second angle is greater than the first angle. When the actuator <NUM> has moved the platform <NUM> from the first angle to the second angle, the container <NUM> can rotate in the clockwise direction or the anti-clockwise direction around the rotational axis X.

In some embodiments, the container <NUM> can be placed on a roller bed on the platform <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM>, such that a combination of the container <NUM> and the roller bed can rotate with respect to the platform <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM>. In some embodiments, the front panel <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM> can comprise a first side panel <NUM> and a second side panel <NUM>. In some other embodiments, the platform <NUM> of the container unloader <NUM> can be connected to a conveyor <NUM>, wherein the conveyor <NUM> can further comprise a pair of side panels, such as <NUM> and <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example flowchart <NUM> representing a method of releasing a package onto a conveyor using the container unloader, in accordance with some example embodiments described herein.

The method starts at step <NUM>. At step <NUM>, a container can be received on a platform of a device, wherein the container can comprise an item. Further, the platform can be placed at a first angle with respect to a ground surface when the platform of the device receives the container.

At step <NUM>, a front panel of the device can be moved between a raised orientation and a lowered orientation, such that the front panel of the device can be in the raised orientation when the front panel is orthogonal with respect to the platform of the device, and the front panel of the device can be in the lowered orientation when the front panel and the platform of the device form a continuous surface.

At step <NUM>, the platform of the device can be pivoted from the first angle to a second angle with respect to the ground surface, wherein the second angle can be greater than the first angle.

In response to the platform of the device being pivoted from the first angle to a second angle with respect to the ground surface, the container can be rotated around a rotational axis which is normal with respect to the platform of the device such that the item in the container can be configured to lean against a surface of the front panel of the device when the front panel of the container is in the raised orientation, as is disclosed in step <NUM>.

In an alternate embodiment, the container can be rotated around a rotational axis which is normal with respect to the platform of the device such that the item in the container can be configured to lean against a surface of the front panel of the device when the front panel of the container is in the lowered orientation, as is disclosed in step <NUM>.

The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, the term "or" is intended to mean an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or". That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, "X employs A or B" is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. In addition, the articles "a" and "an" as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean "one or more" unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form.

In addition, while a particular feature may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms "includes" and "including" and variants thereof are used in either the detailed description or the claims, these terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising.

Claim 1:
A device (<NUM>) comprising:
a platform (<NUM>) to receive a container (<NUM>), wherein the container (<NUM>) comprises a package and wherein the platform (<NUM>) is at a first angle with respect to a ground surface when the platform (<NUM>) receives the container (<NUM>);
a front panel (<NUM>) configured to move between a raised orientation and a lowered orientation with respect to the platform (<NUM>), wherein in response to the front panel (<NUM>) being in the raised orientation, the front panel (<NUM>) is orthogonal with respect to the platform (<NUM>), and in response to the front panel (<NUM>) being in the lowered orientation, the front panel (<NUM>) and the platform (<NUM>) form a continuous surface; and
an actuator (<NUM>) connected to the platform (<NUM>), wherein the actuator (<NUM>) is configured to pivot the platform (<NUM>) from the first angle to a second angle with respect to the ground surface that is larger than the first angle, wherein,
the package leans against a surface of the front panel (<NUM>) when the front panel (<NUM>) is in the raised orientation and the platform (<NUM>) is at the second angle; and
the package is released onto a surface of a conveyor (<NUM>) when the front panel (<NUM>) is in the lowered orientation and the platform (<NUM>) is at the second angle,
characterized in the device (<NUM>) comprising:
a rotary joint (<NUM>) positioned between the platform (<NUM>) and the container (<NUM>) and configured to rotate the container (<NUM>) with respect to the front panel (<NUM>).