A multiple temperature automated storage system includes a rack with multiple levels of shelves defining item storage positions, an aisle at each level, and a plurality of shuttles adapted to operate in the aisles for storing items to and retrieving items from the storage positions. A thermally insulated enclosure encloses some of the levels of the rack to define a low temperature zone with the remaining levels of the rack defining a higher temperature zone. A method of storing items at two different temperatures in a common automated storage system includes having a first portion of the automated storage system enclosed in a thermally insulated enclosure and a second portion of the automated storage system outside of the thermally insulated enclosure. A lift is provided in the second portion for supplying items to and retrieving items from both of the first and second portions, without entering the first portion.

An apparatus includes a flash tank, a load, a first compressor, a coil, a first pipe, and a second compressor. The flash tank stores a refrigerant. The load uses the refrigerant from the flash tank to cool a space proximate the load. The first compressor compresses the refrigerant from the load. The coil within the flash tank receives the refrigerant from the first compressor such that the received refrigerant is within the coil. The refrigerant stored within the flash tank cools the refrigerant within the coil. The first pipe is within the flash tank. The first pipe directs the refrigerant from within the coil out of the flash tank. The second compressor compresses the refrigerant directed out of the flash tank.

An apparatus includes a flash tank, a load, a first compressor, a coil, a first pipe, and a second compressor. The flash tank stores a refrigerant. The load uses the refrigerant from the flash tank to cool a space proximate the load. The first compressor compresses the refrigerant from the load. The coil within the flash tank receives the refrigerant from the first compressor such that the received refrigerant is within the coil. The refrigerant stored within the flash tank cools the refrigerant within the coil. The first pipe is within the flash tank. The first pipe directs the refrigerant from within the coil out of the flash tank. The second compressor compresses the refrigerant directed out of the flash tank.

An automated warehouse has a plurality of loading units designed to carry respective articles accommodated in respective storage stations and transferred by a movement device to at least one picking/depositing station, which can be accessed, at least under given operating conditions, in order to retrieve/deposit the articles. At least two loading units are provided with respective refrigerators which communicate with a remote control device to send operating data and/or receive command signals. The loading units transporting the refrigerators are distinct from the latter, are powered to be supplied by an electrical network of the warehouse when they are arranged in corresponding storage stations, and are electrically connected to the respective refrigerators.

An automated warehouse has a plurality of loading units designed to carry respective articles accommodated in respective storage stations and transferred by a movement device to at least one picking/depositing station, which can be accessed, at least under given operating conditions, in order to retrieve/deposit the articles. At least two loading units are provided with respective refrigerators which communicate with a remote control device to send operating data and/or receive command signals. The loading units transporting the refrigerators are distinct from the latter, are powered to be supplied by an electrical network of the warehouse when they are arranged in corresponding storage stations, and are electrically connected to the respective refrigerators.

Disclosed herein are a refrigeration cycle device and three-way flow rate control valve. In a refrigeration cycle device including a compressor, first and second coolers configured to cool first and second storage compartments at least, respectively, and a mixer configured to mix refrigerants that have passed through the first and second coolers, a refrigerant flow path is switched so that refrigerants of first and second flow rates are circulated to the first and second coolers, respectively, while the first and second storage compartments are being cooled, and a refrigerant flow path is switched so that a refrigerant of a specific flow rate, which is smaller than a first flow rate but is not zero, is circulated to the first cooler after cooling of the first storage compartment is completed.

Disclosed herein are a refrigeration cycle device and three-way flow rate control valve. In a refrigeration cycle device including a compressor, first and second coolers configured to cool first and second storage compartments at least, respectively, and a mixer configured to mix refrigerants that have passed through the first and second coolers, a refrigerant flow path is switched so that refrigerants of first and second flow rates are circulated to the first and second coolers, respectively, while the first and second storage compartments are being cooled, and a refrigerant flow path is switched so that a refrigerant of a specific flow rate, which is smaller than a first flow rate but is not zero, is circulated to the first cooler after cooling of the first storage compartment is completed.

A system for secure delivery or collection of goods includes at least one lockable storage space, in which the temperature of the at least one storage space is independently controllable to provide any one of: ambient temperature; or chilled temperature; or frozen temperature on an as needed basis. Access to the storage space may be remotely programmable. A controller may be configured to set a temperature set point for the storage space based upon goods in a customer order that will be stored in the storage space.

A system for secure delivery or collection of goods includes at least one lockable storage space, in which the temperature of the at least one storage space is independently controllable to provide any one of: ambient temperature; or chilled temperature; or frozen temperature on an as needed basis. Access to the storage space may be remotely programmable. A controller may be configured to set a temperature set point for the storage space based upon goods in a customer order that will be stored in the storage space.

An automated order fulfillment system is disclosed having different temperature zones and robots and containers capable of and/or configured to work in these different temperature zones.