A container accessing station which has been configured to offer multiple access points where access to each access point may be permitted through an upper working surface of the container accessing station to an underlying container that has been delivered to the access point. The working surface is provided by one or more working surface sections, each working surface section having a common attachment configuration to allow either an access panel or a blanking-off panel to be fitted as part of the container accessing station at any of the multiple access points.

An automated storage and retrieval system includes a storage grid for storage of storage containers and a delivery system for transport of said storage containers between a delivery port of the storage grid and an access point of the delivery system. The access point is adapted for handling of items held in the storage containers by a robotic operator or human operator. The delivery system includes a delivery rail system including at least a first set of parallel rails arranged in a horizontal plane (P1) and extending in a first direction (X), and at least a second set of parallel rails arranged in the horizontal plane (P1) and extending in a second direction (Y) which is orthogonal to the first direction (X), the first and second sets of rails together defining a delivery grid of delivery grid cells, the access point, and a remotely operated delivery vehicle comprising a motorized vehicle body and a container carrier provided above the motorized vehicle body for carrying a storage container of the storage containers. The delivery vehicle is moveable on the delivery grid of the delivery rail system. The delivery grid provides one or more delivery grid cells for the remotely operated delivery vehicle at the access point as well as a plurality of delivery grid cells adjacent the one or more delivery grid cells of the access point, such that there is more than one path to and/or from the access point for the remotely operated delivery vehicle via the plurality of delivery grid cells. The remotely operated delivery vehicle is arranged to transport the storage container from the delivery port of the storage grid across the delivery grid to the access point and return the storage container to the delivery port for storage within the storage grid. The access point is provided in a container accessing station, said station being arranged for separating the robotic or human operator from the delivery rail system and the remotely operated delivery vehicle. The container accessing station comprises a cabinet comprising walls and a top cover supported thereon, wherein the items held in the storage container carried by a remotely operated delivery vehicle at the access point is reachable through an opening in the top cover.

An automated storage and retrieval system includes a storage grid for storage of storage containers and a delivery system for transport of said storage containers between a delivery port of the storage grid and an access point of the delivery system. The access point is adapted for handling of items held in the storage containers by a robotic operator or human operator. The delivery system includes a delivery rail system including at least a first set of parallel rails arranged in a horizontal plane (P1) and extending in a first direction (X), and at least a second set of parallel rails arranged in the horizontal plane (P1) and extending in a second direction (Y) which is orthogonal to the first direction (X), the first and second sets of rails together defining a delivery grid of delivery grid cells, the access point, and a remotely operated delivery vehicle comprising a motorized vehicle body and a container carrier provided above the motorized vehicle body for carrying a storage container of the storage containers. The delivery vehicle is moveable on the delivery grid of the delivery rail system. The delivery grid provides one or more delivery grid cells for the remotely operated delivery vehicle at the access point as well as a plurality of delivery grid cells adjacent the one or more delivery grid cells of the access point, such that there is more than one path to and/or from the access point for the remotely operated delivery vehicle via the plurality of delivery grid cells. The remotely operated delivery vehicle is arranged to transport the storage container from the delivery port of the storage grid across the delivery grid to the access point and return the storage container to the delivery port for storage within the storage grid. The access point is provided in a container accessing station, said station being arranged for separating the robotic or human operator from the delivery rail system and the remotely operated delivery vehicle. The container accessing station comprises a cabinet comprising walls and a top cover supported thereon, wherein the items held in the storage container carried by a remotely operated delivery vehicle at the access point is reachable through an opening in the top cover.

A remotely operated delivery vehicle for transport of a storage container between an automated storage and retrieval grid, which is configured to store a plurality of stacks of storage containers, and an access station for handling of the storage container by at least one of a robotic operator and human operator. The remotely operated delivery vehicle comprises a vehicle body comprising a motor for driving a plurality of rolling devices for moving the remotely operated delivery vehicle in a horizontal plane; a control unit for controlling the remotely operated delivery vehicle; and a container carrier provided above the motorized vehicle body for carrying a storage container. The remotely operated delivery vehicle comprises a safety device which transmits a signal to the control unit such that it performs an action of operating the remotely operated delivery vehicle, in the event that a collision is detected. The collision is caused by a force acting on the remotely operated delivery vehicle and is detected by a collision mechanism of the safety device and the collision mechanism is a container carrier displacement device arranged such that it trips the safety device upon displacement of the container carrier relative to the motorized vehicle body, which first position is the undisplaced position and the second position is the displaced position.

A remotely operated delivery vehicle for transport of a storage container between an automated storage and retrieval grid, which is configured to store a plurality of stacks of storage containers, and an access station for handling of the storage container by at least one of a robotic operator and human operator. The remotely operated delivery vehicle comprises a vehicle body comprising a motor for driving a plurality of rolling devices for moving the remotely operated delivery vehicle in a horizontal plane; a control unit for controlling the remotely operated delivery vehicle; and a container carrier provided above the motorized vehicle body for carrying a storage container. The remotely operated delivery vehicle comprises a safety device which transmits a signal to the control unit such that it performs an action of operating the remotely operated delivery vehicle, in the event that a collision is detected. The collision is caused by a force acting on the remotely operated delivery vehicle and is detected by a collision mechanism of the safety device and the collision mechanism is a container carrier displacement device arranged such that it trips the safety device upon displacement of the container carrier relative to the motorized vehicle body, which first position is the undisplaced position and the second position is the displaced position.

The present invention provides a storage system comprising a storage grid structure and multiple container handling vehicles. The storage grid structure comprises vertical column profiles defining multiple storage columns and horizontal rails that the container handling vehicles move upon. The container handling vehicles are able to retrieve storage containers from, and store storage containers in, the storage columns, and transport the storage containers. The transfer section is arranged at a level below the rails and extends from an external side of the storage grid structure to a position below the at least one transfer column and comprises at least a section of the transfer floor. Each of the container transfer vehicles comprises a container carrier for carrying a storage container and a wheel arrangement for moving the container transfer vehicle in at least two perpendicular directions on the transfer floor.

The present invention provides a storage system comprising a storage grid structure and multiple container handling vehicles. The storage grid structure comprises vertical column profiles defining multiple storage columns and horizontal rails that the container handling vehicles move upon. The container handling vehicles are able to retrieve storage containers from, and store storage containers in, the storage columns, and transport the storage containers. The transfer section is arranged at a level below the rails and extends from an external side of the storage grid structure to a position below the at least one transfer column and comprises at least a section of the transfer floor. Each of the container transfer vehicles comprises a container carrier for carrying a storage container and a wheel arrangement for moving the container transfer vehicle in at least two perpendicular directions on the transfer floor.

A container accessing station is disclosed for use in an automated storage and retrieval grid. The station includes an access opening to allow human or robotic access to the contents of a storage container, a base opening, and a lifting device. The lifting device is configured to retrieve the storage container from a first level below the base opening, lift it through the base opening, and position it at a second level for access via the access opening. The lifting device comprises a lifting frame for releasable connection to the storage container and a lift mechanism designed to move the lifting frame between the first and second levels.

A container accessing station is disclosed for use in an automated storage and retrieval grid. The station includes an access opening to allow human or robotic access to the contents of a storage container, a base opening, and a lifting device. The lifting device is configured to retrieve the storage container from a first level below the base opening, lift it through the base opening, and position it at a second level for access via the access opening. The lifting device comprises a lifting frame for releasable connection to the storage container and a lift mechanism designed to move the lifting frame between the first and second levels.

A sand storage and conveying apparatus is provided. The sand storage and conveying apparatus includes: a sand storage device, at least two first conveying devices and a lifting device. The sand storage device includes at least two sand storage tanks arranged along a first direction; the at least two first conveying devices are arranged along the first direction and configured to convey sand to the at least two sand storage tanks, respectively; the lifting device includes a supporting frame and at least two lifting members connected onto the supporting frame, the at least two lifting members are arranged along the first direction, and each of the at least two lifting members is configured to lift a container with sand and put the container with sand into at least one of the first conveying devices.