System for unloading items

摘要

A system for unloading inventory items includes an inventory holder, an unloading station, and a mobile drive unit. The inventory holder stores inventory items. The unloading station includes a barrier that is operable to prevent inventory items from moving past the barrier as the inventory holder moves past the barrier. The mobile drive unit is operable to move the inventory holder toward the unloading station and to move the inventory holder past the barrier.

主权项

1. A system for unloading inventory items, comprising:
an inventory holder operable to store an inventory item; an unloading station comprising a barrier, the barrier operable to prevent inventory items from moving past the barrier as the inventory holder moves past the barrier; and a mobile drive unit operable to:
move the inventory holder in a first direction toward the unloading station until a center of gravity of the mobile drive unit passes beneath at least a portion of a deposit surface; andchange movement from the first direction to movement in a second direction such that the mobile drive unit moves the inventory holder past the barrier through an opening formed by at least two vertical portions of the barrier; and wherein the barrier is operable to prevent inventory items from moving past the barrier by dislodging inventory items from the inventory holder as the mobile drive unit moves the inventory holder past the barrier; and wherein the deposit surface is operable to receive inventory items dislodged from the inventory holder by the barrier.