The present invention relates to an automated grid based storage and retrieval system (1), comprising a plurality of storage containers (106; 20) for storing product items (8) therein; and a storage grid (4) in which the storage containers (106; 20) are stacked vertically in stacks (7) arranged beneath openings of a grid-based rail system (8) to provide storage columns (5) of a storage volume (V). The storage volume (V) comprises a flow path (FP) extending through a plurality of the stacks (7), wherein the flow path (FP) is formed by spacers (40) positioned within the stacks (7), the spacers (40) being configured to allow a fluid to flow through the 10 spacer (40), each spacer (40) being stacked at a predetermined level (z) between storage containers (106; 20) in a stack (7) and adjacent another of the spacers (40) in a neighboring stack (7) to provide adjacent sections of the flow path (FP). The present invention also relates to a method of storing storage containers in storage columns (5) of an automated grid based storage and retrieval system (1).

A method of storing one or more goods is disclosed herein. The method may comprise providing one or more fire resistant storage containers. Each of the one or more storage containers may be constructed of an intumescent plastic material and include at least four sides defining a storage container interior. The method may further comprise receiving the one or more goods at least partially within the storage container interior of the one or more storage containers and arranging the one or more storage containers on a storage structure. Each storage container may be configured to resist the spread of fire therefrom.

A lockhopper for the safe handling of hot solids preferably includes an outer vessel and an inner vessel positioned within the outer vessel to form an annulus volume between an exterior of the inner vessel and an interior of the outer vessel. Insulation and/or a gas gap are preferably positioned within the annulus volume.

An automated storage and retrieval system includes a rail system for guiding a plurality of container handling vehicles. The rail system includes a first set of parallel rails arranged in a horizontal plane and extending in a first direction, and a second set of parallel rails arranged in the horizontal plane and extending in a second direction, which is orthogonal to the first direction. The first and second sets of rails form a grid pattern in the horizontal plane including a plurality of adjacent grid cells. Each grid cell includes a grid opening defined by a pair of neighboring rails of the first set of rails and a pair of neighboring rails of the second set of rails. The automated storage and retrieval system includes a storage volume beneath the rail system. The storage volume includes storage columns for storing storage containers and the container handling vehicles are operable to retrieve a storage container from a stack of storage containers within the storage volume. A method of providing an operator access to a target storage position in the automated storage and retrieval system includes operating a master control system to allocate and instruct at least one container handling vehicle to remove storage containers along a first path between a position at a side edge or a top surface of the storage volume and the target storage position such that an operator can access the target storage position through the first path when the at least one container handling vehicle has removed the storage containers along the first path.

A fireproof shutter includes a frame having an opening through which a transport rail for movement of a transport vehicle passes, the opening being divided into an upper opening and a lower opening based on the transport rail, an upper door mounted on the frame and configured to open and close the upper opening, and a lower door mounted on the frame and configured to open and close the lower opening.

A glassware manufacturing system, waste handling system, and method are disclosed. The glassware manufacturing system, in accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, comprises an architectural installation having a forming floor and no basement beneath the forming floor; a glassware forming machine carried on the forming floor; a molten glass feeder configured to provide molten glass to the glassware forming machine; and a glassware manufacturing waste handling system including a sump pit in the forming floor, and a waste liquid trench substantially surrounding the glassware forming machine and flowing to the sump pit. Also, a cullet material handler and/or a molten waste glass sluice may be configured to receive molten glass and unused molten glass streams from the molten glass feeder and hot glassware rejects from the glassware forming machine.

A backstop bracket which can be removably secured to a support member of a pallet rack limits the distance a load can travel along the pallet rack. When installed on the support member of the pallet rack, the bracket allows for uniform pallet placement on the pallet rack and maintains a predetermined distance between the load on the pallet rack and an adjacent structure, for example, another pallet rack, a wall or a column, to define a vertical flue space for air circulation and fire prevention purposes. The bracket is preferably formed of steel or other suitable metal or, in the alternative, can comprise an elastomeric material including a high impact plastic.

A storage facility includes a storage space, a container handling vehicle, a first upper vehicle support, a first lower vehicle support, a container delivery vehicle, a transit space, and a first separation wall. The storage space encloses a storage and retrieval system including a storage grid configured to store a plurality of storage containers in vertical stacks. The first upper vehicle support extends in an upper horizontal plane above the storage grid. The container handling vehicle is configured: to transport at least one of the plurality of storage containers by a wheel arrangement between at least two locations on the first upper vehicle support; and to vertically displace the at least one storage container by a lifting device. The first lower vehicle support extends in a lower horizontal plane below the first upper vehicle support. The container delivery vehicle operates within a lower section of the storage space above the first lower vehicle support. The container delivery vehicle is configured to receive the at least one storage container from the container handling vehicle and to transport the at least one storage container between at least two locations on the first lower vehicle support by a wheel arrangement. The transit space includes a second lower vehicle support extending in the lower horizontal plane and arranged relative to the first lower vehicle support such that the container delivery vehicle may move between the lower section of the storage space and a lower section of the transit space. The first separation wall separates the storage space and the transit space. The first separation wall includes: a first lower opening sized and positioned to allow the container delivery vehicle to pass through between the lower section of the storage space and the lower section of the transit space; and a first lower closable gate configured to open and close the first lower opening.

A glassware manufacturing system, waste handling system, and method are disclosed. The glassware manufacturing system, in accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, comprises an architectural installation having a forming floor and no basement beneath the forming floor; a glassware forming machine carried on the forming floor; a molten glass feeder configured to provide molten glass to the glassware forming machine; and a glassware manufacturing waste handling system including a sump pit in the forming floor; and a waste liquid trench substantially surrounding the glassware forming machine and flowing to the sump pit. Also, a cullet material handler and/or a molten waste glass sluice may be configured to receive molten glass and unused molten glass streams from the molten glass feeder and hot glassware rejects from the glassware forming machine.

A dross transportation conveyor includes a group of transportation plates, a first temperature rise restraining surface, and a second temperature rise restraining surface. The transportation plates include a first transportation plate and a second transportation plate. The first transportation plate extends in a first direction. The second transportation plate is disposed to be adjacent to the first transportation plate and extends in the first direction. The transportation plates transport dross generated by irradiation of a laser beam on a workpiece. The first temperature rise restraining surface covers at least a part of the first transportation plate to restrain a temperature rise of the first transportation plate due to energy of the laser beam. The second temperature rise restraining surface covers at least a part of the second transportation plate to restrain a temperature rise of the second transportation plate due to the energy of the laser beam.