A storage arrangement having multiple storage racks, a storage buffer device for interim buffering of a load during storage, a retrieval buffer device for interim buffering of a load during retrieval, and storage and retrieval devices for servicing the storage places of the storage racks is provided. The storage arrangement additionally comprises a storage vertical conveying device having multiple storage transport platforms and a retrieval vertical conveying device having multiple retrieval transport platforms. A storage conveying system is connected to the storage vertical conveying device, and a retrieval conveying system is connected to the retrieval vertical conveying device. A control system ensures that the storage transport platforms and the retrieval transport platforms are moved independently of one another. In addition, an order-picking system with a storage arrangement of the above-mentioned type and a method for operating the storage arrangement are provided.

A storage arrangement has multiple storage racks, a storage buffer device for interim buffering of a load during storage, a retrieval buffer device for interim buffering of a load during retrieval, and storage and retrieval devices for servicing the storage places of the storage racks is provided. The storage arrangement additionally includes a storage vertical conveying device having multiple storage transport platforms and a retrieval vertical conveying device having multiple retrieval transport platforms. A storage conveying system is connected to the storage vertical conveying device, and a retrieval conveying system is connected to the retrieval vertical conveying device. A control system ensures that the storage transport platforms and the retrieval transport platforms are moved independently of one another. In addition, an order-picking system has a storage arrangement of the above-mentioned type and a method operates the storage arrangement.

A storage arrangement has multiple storage racks, a storage buffer device for interim buffering of a load during storage, a retrieval buffer device for interim buffering of a load during retrieval, and storage and retrieval devices for servicing the storage places of the storage racks is provided. The storage arrangement additionally includes a storage vertical conveying device having multiple storage transport platforms and a retrieval vertical conveying device having multiple retrieval transport platforms. A storage conveying system is connected to the storage vertical conveying device, and a retrieval conveying system is connected to the retrieval vertical conveying device. A control system ensures that the storage transport platforms and the retrieval transport platforms are moved independently of one another. In addition, an order-picking system has a storage arrangement of the above-mentioned type and a method operates the storage arrangement.

A method of manipulating boxes includes receiving a minimum box size for a plurality of boxes varying in size located in a walled container. The method also includes dividing a grip area of a gripper into a plurality of zones. The method further includes locating a set of candidate boxes based on an image from a visual sensor. For each zone, the method additionally includes, determining an overlap of a respective zone with one or more neighboring boxes to the set of candidate boxes. The method also includes determining a grasp pose for a target candidate box that avoids one or more walls of the walled container. The method further includes executing the grasp pose to lift the target candidate box by the gripper where the gripper activates each zone of the plurality of zones that does not overlap a respective neighboring box to the target candidate box.

A method of manipulating boxes includes receiving a minimum box size for a plurality of boxes varying in size located in a walled container. The method also includes dividing a grip area of a gripper into a plurality of zones. The method further includes locating a set of candidate boxes based on an image from a visual sensor. For each zone, the method additionally includes, determining an overlap of a respective zone with one or more neighboring boxes to the set of candidate boxes. The method also includes determining a grasp pose for a target candidate box that avoids one or more walls of the walled container. The method further includes executing the grasp pose to lift the target candidate box by the gripper where the gripper activates each zone of the plurality of zones that does not overlap a respective neighboring box to the target candidate box.

In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises an inverter assembly comprising a base plate to interface with a bottom of an upright gas tank; a rotatable shaft; and at least one swing arm coupled to the base plate and the rotatable shaft; wherein the inverter assembly is to pivot about a horizontal axis to swing the base plate and a bottom side of an upright gas tank placed thereon in an upward arc responsive to rotation of the rotatable shaft.

In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises an inverter assembly comprising a base plate to interface with a bottom of an upright gas tank; a rotatable shaft; and at least one swing arm coupled to the base plate and the rotatable shaft; wherein the inverter assembly is to pivot about a horizontal axis to swing the base plate and a bottom side of an upright gas tank placed thereon in an upward arc responsive to rotation of the rotatable shaft.

A high density horticulture growing system comprises a plurality of containers in which crops are grown and one or more elevator devices to automatically move the containers between vertically spaced levels of one or more modular racks. Each elevator device comprises a carrier to transport the containers between the vertically spaced levels and a ram to push the containers from the carrier onto one or more longitudinal supports at the vertically spaced levels. A first conveying device moves containers at least horizontally from a crop planting area to each rack and a second conveying device moves containers at least horizontally from each rack to a crop storage area. One or more processors control movement of the containers, watering of the crops, temperature, lighting and other parameters of the system. A plurality of the high density horticulture growing systems are in communication with a centralised data monitoring and collection system for the transmission and reception of data relating to the growing of crops.

A transfer device comprising an automatic opening unit of a box cover, the transfer device includes: a barcode reader for reading a barcode attached to a box accommodating a bobbin and having a cover; a conveyor unit for placing the box; a centering unit; a fork unit for chucking the cover of the box; a traveling drive unit; and a control unit. The control unit controls Z-axis centering of the fork unit in conjunction with the barcode reader and the distance sensor, X-axis centering of the fork unit in conjunction with the box detection sensor, and Z-axis elevation and Y-axis movement of the fork unit, respectively, to automatically control opening of the cover.

A transfer device comprising an automatic opening unit of a box cover, the transfer device includes: a barcode reader for reading a barcode attached to a box accommodating a bobbin and having a cover; a conveyor unit for placing the box; a centering unit; a fork unit for chucking the cover of the box; a traveling drive unit; and a control unit. The control unit controls Z-axis centering of the fork unit in conjunction with the barcode reader and the distance sensor, X-axis centering of the fork unit in conjunction with the box detection sensor, and Z-axis elevation and Y-axis movement of the fork unit, respectively, to automatically control opening of the cover.