Disclosed is a refrigerator having a first storage chamber, a second storage chamber located below the first storage chamber, an ice maker configured to make ice pieces, an ice bucket configured to store the ice pieces made in the ice maker and a middle wall partitioning inside space of the refrigerator into the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber and including a base portion and a stepped portion located higher than the base portion to form ice-making space, wherein at least one portion of the ice maker and at least one portion of the ice bucket are accommodated in the ice-making space. With this structure, the space for actual use of the first storage chamber can be increased.

Disclosed is a refrigerator having a first storage chamber, a second storage chamber located below the first storage chamber, an ice maker configured to make ice pieces, an ice bucket configured to store the ice pieces made in the ice maker and a middle wall partitioning inside space of the refrigerator into the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber and including a base portion and a stepped portion located higher than the base portion to form ice-making space, wherein at least one portion of the ice maker and at least one portion of the ice bucket are accommodated in the ice-making space. With this structure, the space for actual use of the first storage chamber can be increased.

A cooled storage system comprises a grid structure of storage cells, where each cell is arranged to accommodate a vertical stack of storage bins and having a top level, at least one remotely operated vehicle arranged to move at the top level of the grid structure and receive a bin from a storage cell at the top level of the grid structure, where there is provided thermal insulation between at least a section of the grid structure and the remotely operated vehicle, and said section of the grid structure has a temperature that is lower than the temperature of the remotely operated vehicle.

A cooled storage system comprises a grid structure of storage cells, where each cell is arranged to accommodate a vertical stack of storage bins and having a top level, at least one remotely operated vehicle arranged to move at the top level of the grid structure and receive a bin from a storage cell at the top level of the grid structure, where there is provided thermal insulation between at least a section of the grid structure and the remotely operated vehicle, and said section of the grid structure has a temperature that is lower than the temperature of the remotely operated vehicle.

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.

A thermal storage container is coupled to a pump for circulating cooled liquid from the thermal storage container in at least one of two circuits. One circuit includes a heat exchanger coupled to the fresh food evaporator for assisting in cooling the fresh food section of the refrigerator or for chilling the liquid. Another circuit includes a sub-cooler between the condenser and the evaporator for cooling the output from the condenser before entering the evaporator, herby increasing the efficiency of the system. A three-way valve is coupled from the output pump to couple the stored coolant selectively to one or the other or both of the coolant circuits.

A thermal storage container is coupled to a pump for circulating cooled liquid from the thermal storage container in at least one of two circuits. One circuit includes a heat exchanger coupled to the fresh food evaporator for assisting in cooling the fresh food section of the refrigerator or for chilling the liquid. Another circuit includes a sub-cooler between the condenser and the evaporator for cooling the output from the condenser before entering the evaporator, herby increasing the efficiency of the system. A three-way valve is coupled from the output pump to couple the stored coolant selectively to one or the other or both of the coolant circuits.

The storage device is adapted to store a plurality of objects, such as sample tube holders, at several low temperatures, e.g., at 80 C. and at 110 C. The storage device includes a storage chamber with a plurality of storage cassettes arranged in its bottom section. A cassette lift in its top section can be used to lift individual storage cassettes up and to move them to an access opening, where the contents of the storage cassette can be accessed. The bottom section is divided into several, concentric storage zones, with the innermost, first storage zone being colder than the outer, second storage zone. A first insulating wall separates the two storage zones. This design reduces the thermal losses of the storage device. A refrigerant circuit with a non-inflammable cryo-liquid is provided for carrying off heat from the first storage zone.

The storage device is adapted to store a plurality of objects, such as sample tube holders, at several low temperatures, e.g., at 80 C. and at 110 C. The storage device includes a storage chamber with a plurality of storage cassettes arranged in its bottom section. A cassette lift in its top section can be used to lift individual storage cassettes up and to move them to an access opening, where the contents of the storage cassette can be accessed. The bottom section is divided into several, concentric storage zones, with the innermost, first storage zone being colder than the outer, second storage zone. A first insulating wall separates the two storage zones. This design reduces the thermal losses of the storage device. A refrigerant circuit with a non-inflammable cryo-liquid is provided for carrying off heat from the first storage zone.

There are disclosed a picking method (100) as well as an automated storage system (12) including a high-temperature zone and a low-temperature zone. The storage system comprises: at least one rack (30) including several rack levels (36) on top of each other and an aisle (32) laterally adjacent to the rack (30); a plurality of shuttle (50) in the aisle for storing and retrieving storage goods (70) in and from storage locations (42) of the at least one rack (30) and for horizontally transporting the storage goods (70); a stationary lifter (16) for vertically transporting the storage goods (70); and a tub (34) defining the low-temperature zone (52); wherein, in a height region of at least one of the rack levels (36), the tub (34): encloses, in a circumferentially closed manner, a group of contiguous storage locations (42) and the lifter (16); encloses closed downwards the group of contiguous storage locations (42); encloses closed, or closable, downwards the lifter (16); and is open upwards.