Block storage arrangement and method. The block storage arrangement includes at least one container receiving space; a loading space below, in a direction of gravity, the at least one container receiving space; at least one loading vehicle, which can be moved in the loading space to a position below the at least one container receiving space, having a lifting device; and a container detecting device arranged at an upper end, in the direction of gravity, of the at least one container receiving space. A lifting movement of the lifting device is interrupted when the container detecting device detects a container passing the container detecting device.

Method for operating a block storage arrangement and a block storage arrangement that has multiple container stacking chambers, a loading chamber arranged below the container stacking chambers, and at least one loading vehicle, which includes a travel drive and a lifting drive, that is movable in the loading chamber. The method includes positioning, via the travel drive, the at least one loading vehicle below a preselected container stacking chamber; via the lifting drive, one of storing a container in the container stacking chamber from below or removing a container downwardly from the container stacking chamber; and prior to a person gaining access to at least the loading chamber, placing the block storage arrangement into a secure state by inactivating at least the lifting drive of the loading vehicle.

A load handling device is disclosed for lifting and moving storage containers stacked in a grid framework structure having first and second sets of parallel rails or tracks. The load handling device includes a body mounted on first and second sets of wheels arranged to engage with the tracks. The wheels have spokes connecting a rim to a hub, and wherein the wheel is at least partially resiliently deformable, wherein the wheel rim and wheel hub are made from a rigid material relative to the spoke material, and wherein the wheel includes two or more layers.

A storage system is disclosed where goods can be stored in containers and the containers are stored in stacks. Above the stacks runs a grid network of rails (e.g., tracks) on which load handling devices can run. To take containers from the stacks and deposit then at alternative locations in the stacks or deposit then at stations where goods may be picked. The framework may be provided with one or more of the following exemplary services: power, power control, heating, lighting, cooling, sensors, and data logging devices. The provision of these services within the framework rather than across the system as a whole, can allow for flexibility in storage whilst reducing cost and inefficiency.

Various embodiments are directed to conveyor apparatuses and methods of using the same. In various embodiments, a conveyor apparatus comprises a conveyor frame including a plurality of opposing sidewalls extending in a length direction and a bottom panel comprising a hinged configuration relative to the opposing sidewalls such that the bottom panel is configured for movement throughout a range of rotational motion between a closed position and an open position; and a bottom panel positioning assembly comprising: a mounting bracket secured to one of the opposing sidewalls; a positioning element slidably engaged relative to the mounting bracket and configurable between a nominal position and an engaged position; and a retention element configured to bias the positioning element towards the nominal position; wherein the bottom panel positioning assembly is configured to facilitate selective arrangement of the bottom panel based at least in part on an arrangement of the positioning element.

A towable conveyor for transporting and elevating articles and a method and system for towing a conveyor and conveying articles up inclines is provided. The conveyor system has an elevating carriage and a plurality of support elements for conveying articles up the conveyor. Specifically, the towable conveyor system comprises a conveyor having a support frame, a plurality of support elements, a drive end with a motor, and an idle end; an elevating carriage having a first end interconnected to the support frame of the conveyor, a second with two or more wheels, and a support member extending upwardly from the elevating carriage; a cable system for raising the conveyor into a position of use and for lowering the conveyor into a towing position; one or more locking mechanisms; and a hitch for connecting the conveyor to a rear end of a towing vehicle.

A rip detection system for a conveyor belt comprises at least one antenna and at least one sensing system. The at least one antenna comprises one or more continuous loops formed from at least a conductive fiber material. The at least one sensing system may include a transmitter, a receiver, a controller, and a power source. The at least one sensing system is configured to sense a conductivity of the at least one antenna. Based upon the sensed conductivity of the at least one antenna, the rip detection system determines a state of the conveyor belt.

A grid framework structure includes a first set of parallel rails or tracks and a second set of parallel rails or tracks extending substantially perpendicularly to the first set of rails or tracks in a substantially horizontal plane to form a grid pattern. The grid is supported by a set of uprights to form a plurality of vertical storage locations beneath the grid for containers to be stacked between and be guided by the uprights in a vertical direction. A load handling device includes a body mounted on a first set of wheels and a second set of wheels arranged to engage with the tracks. A gripper assembly is provided for latching to a storage container via a deformable flexure mechanism movable between a locked configuration and a release configuration.

An automated warehouse has a main path, secondary paths, a main vehicle movable along the main path, one or more auxiliary vehicles movable along the secondary paths, and an access point. On each vehicle a wireless device receiving and sending wireless signals and a control unit associated with safety modules including a safety-certified watchdog timer and a counter are installed. The wireless devices send check signals containing the value of the counter of the respective vehicle to the access point, which sends signals in response to received check signals When a response signal is received from a wireless device, the respective counter is incremented and the associated watchdog timer starts to measure time when the value of the counter differs from the value received via check signals. Each control unit de-energizes the respective vehicle when a time longer than a predetermined time is detected via the watchdog timer.

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.