Automated handling and manipulation of packages and packages specially adapted therefor

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for handling and manipulating packages in automated or semi-automated fashion and packages adapted for the same. The systems may include package-holding devices, package-manipulating devices, and package-detection components for locating packages or portions thereof in a three-dimensional space. The packages may include features that enable automated or semi-automated handling and manipulation thereof, such as different types of opening/closing mechanisms with different geometric structures that allow for holding, shifting, and manipulating the packages and/or portions thereof with the package-manipulating devices. The packages additionally or alternatively may include mechanical fasteners, magnets, and/or spring-biased opening/closing mechanisms for keeping the packages closed prior to manipulation thereof. Such packages and systems may be used in a logistics network to the increase speed, accuracy, and efficiency of processing packages having, at least in part, a non-fixed geometry.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A package, comprising:
 a storage compartment;   a first geometric structure coupled to the storage compartment at a first location;   a second geometric structure coupled to the storage compartment at a second location; and   an opening/closing mechanism configured for manipulation by an automated package-handling system, wherein:
 the first geometric structure is at least one of identifiable or locatable by a detection component of the automated package-handling system and can be engaged by a first package-engaging structure of the automated package-handling system based on a location of the first geometric structure in a three-dimensional space as at least one of identified or located by the detection component, 
 the second geometric structure is at least one of identifiable or locatable by the detection component and can be engaged by a second package-engaging structure of the automated package-handling system based on a location of the second geometric structure in the three-dimensional space as at least one of identified or located by the detection component, and 
 the opening/closing mechanism is at least one of identifiable or locatable by the detection component and can be engaged by a third package-engaging structure of the automated package-handling system based on a location of the opening/closing mechanism in the three-dimensional space as at least one of identified or located by the detection component. 
   
     
     
         2 . The packaging of  claim 1 , wherein the opening/closing mechanism comprises a third geometric structure that operates along a first interlocking member that forms a first side with a first securing element and a second interlocking member that forms a second side with a second securing element. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein each of the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member is disposed or integrally formed along an inner surface of the storage compartment, and both the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member are operable to at least one of interlock, interdigitate, or detachably couple to each other. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first geometric structure, the second geometric structure, and the opening/closing mechanism comprise a characteristic that is at least one of identifiable or locatable by the detection component. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 4 , wherein the characteristic comprises at least one of machine-identifiable indicia, a near-field communication signal, or a radio frequency identification tag. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the opening/closing mechanism is aligned, at least partially, with an axis along which a force is exerted to open or close the package. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the opening/closing mechanism comprises a first securing element and a second securing element that comprise a male/female coupling. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the opening/closing mechanism comprises a first securing element and a second securing element that comprise a latching mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . A package, comprising:
 a storage compartment;   a first geometric structure coupled to the storage compartment at a first location;   a second geometric structure coupled to the storage compartment at a second location; and   an opening/closing mechanism configured for manipulation by an automated package-handling system, wherein:
 wherein the first geometric structure, the second geometric structure, and the opening/closing mechanism are at least one of identifiable or locatable by a detection component of the automated package-handling system using image analysis in a three-dimensional space in which the automated package-handling system operates. 
   
     
     
         10 . The packaging of  claim 9 , wherein the opening/closing mechanism comprises a third geometric structure that operates along a first interlocking member that forms a first side with a first securing element and a second interlocking member that forms a second side with a second securing element. 
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein each of the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member is disposed or integrally formed along an inner surface of the storage compartment, and both the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member are operable to at least one of interlock, interdigitate, or detachably couple to each other. 
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 9 , wherein the first geometric structure, the second geometric structure, and the opening/closing mechanism comprise a characteristic that is identifiable by the detection component. 
     
     
         13 . The package of  claim 9 , wherein at least a portion of the opening/closing mechanism is aligned, at least partially, with an axis along which a force is exerted to open or close the package. 
     
     
         14 . The package of  claim 9 , wherein the opening/closing mechanism comprises a first securing element and a second securing element that comprise a male/female coupling. 
     
     
         15 . The package of  claim 9 , wherein the opening/closing mechanism comprises a first securing element and a second securing element that comprise a latching mechanism. 
     
     
         16 . The package of  claim 9 , wherein the package comprises a bag, the storage compartment is formed at least partially of a pliable material, and the first geometric structure and the second geometric structure each have a higher degree of rigidity than the pliable material. 
     
     
         17 . A package, comprising:
 a storage compartment;   a first securing structure coupled to the storage compartment at a first location;   a second securing structure coupled to the storage compartment at a second location; and   an opening/closing mechanism configured for manipulation by an automated package-handling system, wherein:
 the first securing structure is at least one of identifiable or locatable by a detection component of the automated package-handling system and can be engaged by a first package-engaging structure of the automated package-handling system based on a location of the first securing structure in a three-dimensional space as at least one of identified or located by the detection component, 
 the second securing structure is at least one of identifiable or locatable by the detection component and can be engaged by a second package-engaging structure of the automated package-handling system based on a location of the second securing structure in the three-dimensional space as at least one of identified or located by the detection component, and 
 the opening/closing mechanism is at least one of identifiable or locatable by the detection component and can be engaged by a third package-engaging structure of the automated package-handling system based on a location of the opening/closing mechanism in the three-dimensional space as at least one of identified or located by the detection component. 
   
     
     
         18 . The packaging of  claim 17 , wherein the opening/closing mechanism comprises a third securing structure that operates along a first interlocking member that forms a first side with a first securing element and a second interlocking member that forms a second side with a second securing element. 
     
     
         19 . The package of  claim 18 , wherein each of the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member is disposed or integrally formed along an inner surface of the storage compartment, and both the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member are operable to at least one of interlock, interdigitate, or detachably couple to each other. 
     
     
         20 . The package of  claim 17 , wherein the first securing structure, the second securing structure, and the opening/closing mechanism comprise at least one of machine-identifiable indicia, a near-field communication signal, or a radio frequency identification tag that is at least one of identifiable or locatable by the detection component.