A storage system is described where goods are stored in containers and the containers are stored in stacks. Above the stacks runs a grid network of tracks on which load handling devices run. The load handling devices take containers from the stacks and deposit then at alternative locations in the stacks or deposit then at stations where goods may be picked out. The framework may be provided with one or more of the following services: power, power control, heating, lighting, cooling, sensing, and data logging. A method of partitioning the storage system prevents the spread of fire or prevent damage caused by sprinkler activation.

A modular building system or storage system can include a number of stacks of container, each stack being positioned within a frame structure having uprights and a horizontal grid disposed above the stacks. The grid can include substantially perpendicular rails on which load handling devices can run. Containers having functions associated with a number of residential or commercial uses are moved in to and out of the stacks by the robotic handling devices running on the grid. The containers disposed in the stacks are selected by function on demand by a user, the building being reconfigurable to take into account required uses.

A modular multi-container housing structure connector for containers, which each have sides including a roof, a floor, and four lateral sides, includes a connector frame comprising vertical and horizontal struts shaped to connect to at least one of the sides of two adjacent containers and at least one interlock configured to secure the connector frame to the side of one container. The at least one interlock may be a plurality of interlocks. The connector frame may comprise two vertical struts and two horizontal struts each shaped and configured to connect to a respective edge of an adjacent side of two adjacent containers and, responsive to the connector frame being connected to two adjacent sides of two adjacent containers by the plurality of interlocks, the connector frame and interlocks form a container-to-connector frame-to-container connection to establish a weather-tight housing structure with the two or multiple connected containers.

A system and method for handling shipping containers is described. The container handling system comprises a crane, the crane comprising crane load handling devices. The container handling system further comprises conveyance means, the conveyance means further comprising transversal load handling devices. The system further comprises storage and sortation means for storing the containers in a series of stacks disposed beneath a grid, the grid comprising a series of load handling devices operable thereon. The crane load handling device removes a container from a ship, transports it to transversal load handling means operable on a conveyor. The container is moved on the conveyor to a transfer point where it is collected by a robotic load handling device for transport to the storage and sortation area.

An exoskeleton supported portable storage unit is provided. The exoskeleton may be metal sheet panels adapted to reinforce a lightweight non-self-supporting frame/substructure, thereby providing structural integrity to the overall structure while maintaining an overall lightweight, portable storage unit.

The present invention is a method for accessing a model of a building; selecting a foundation; isolating a plurality of wall panels, wherein the wall panels are comprised of a set of members; selecting a group of the set of members which interface with the foundation, wherein the interface is identified as a connection between a wall member and the foundation; detecting an interface type between the foundation and the wall member, wherein each interface has a predetermined set of requirements; calculating a set of actual values associated with the interface type; comparing the set of actual values with a set of required values and determining the delta of the actual values and the required values; and identifying each interface where the delta is outside a predetermined range.

Disclosed herewith a modular integrated building and a construction method thereof. The building comprises multiple prefabricated room units (1). A bottom of a load-bearing structure of the prefabricated room unit (1) is provided with a semi-prefabricated connecting port (2). Reinforcing bars arranged at a top of the prefabricated room unit (1) of a next floor are inserted in the connecting port (2) and thus connected with reinforcing bars arranged therein, so that the prefabricated room units (1) of two adjacent floors are connected with each other through in-situ casting concrete in the connecting port (2). A cast-in-situ concrete interlayer (3) is arranged on a top plate (11) of the prefabricated room unit (1) of a next floor, for connecting adjacent prefabricated room units (1) of a same floor together.

A computer system of a finishing center, such as a mobile finishing center, includes a tool that allows a customer to preview or create new designs for apparel before purchase and before laser finishing. Software and lasers are used in finishing apparel to produce a desired wear pattern or other design. Based on a laser input file with a pattern, a laser will burn or ablate the pattern onto apparel. With the tool, the customer will be able to preview, create, make changes, and view images of a design, in real time, before purchase and burning or ablation by a laser. Input to the tool can include fabric template images, laser input files, and damage input. In an implementation, the customer or another user can also move, rotate, scale, and warp the image input.

Methods and apparatus facilitate the construction of a building using prefabricated building units, each having a horizontal upper exterior surface and a plurality of vertical wall surfaces, wherein at least some of the prefabricated building units have at least one hollow column formwork structure. The prefabricated building units are lowered onto a pre-existing base at a construction site. A first story of the building is created by arranging a plurality of the prefabricated building units adjacent to each other on the base. Structural bearing material is applied to fill the hollow column formwork structures to create structural columns connected to the structural deck. Structural bearing material is applied to the horizontal upper exterior surfaces of the adjacent prefabricated building units to create a single structural deck over the prefabricated building units.

In general, one aspect disclosed features a concrete-fillable prefabricated cartridge for constructing a structural concrete building, the concrete-fillable prefabricated cartridge comprising: an inner wall frame; a removable form attached to an outer portion of the inner wall frame such that liquid concrete may be poured into a cavity defined by the inner wall frame and the removable form; and one or more reinforcement bars disposed within the concrete-fillable form.