A storage device (1′) for storing transport units (3′) includes a number of transport units (3′), a number of storage lines (12a′-12g′) which are configured to store transport units (3′), a feeding line (11′) which is connected by a respective first switch point (111′) to the storage lines (12a′-12g′), a measuring device (15′) which is arranged on the feeding line (11′) and which is configured to determine a respective extent of a transport unit (3′), and a controller (16′) which is connected to the measuring device (15′) and to the first switch pointes (111′) and which is configured to select a storage line (12a′-12g′) for storing the transport unit (3′) on the basis of the extent of the transport unit (3′) determined by the measuring device (15′).

An inventory handling station assembly for a storage and retrieval system is disclosed. A grid framework structure includes a plurality of upright columns for one or more containers to be stacked, the plurality of upright columns being interconnected at their top ends by grid members which support first and second sets of tracks for a load handling device to move containers on the grid framework structure. A supply zone includes at least one vertical chute. A buffer zone vertically accumulates containers and includes at least one bin lift device. An access station is intermediate of the supply zone. A conveyor system conveys containers 10 from the supply zone to the buffer zone via the access station.

Automated warehouse for storing articles, equipped with an apparatus (20) for loading and unloading the articles. The loading and unloading apparatus (20) comprises at least one mobile transport device (22) able to be displaced between a station (23) for feeding and withdrawing articles, and a loading and unloading sector (200) of the loading and unloading apparatus (20).

An access station for a storage system includes at least one container holder arranged to rotate about an axis of rotation. The axis of rotation is inclined at a first angle relative to a vertical. The container holder is arranged to accommodate a storage container and is configured such that a centreline of the storage container when supported by the container holder is inclined at a second angle relative to the axis of rotation. The container holder may rotate between a first position, where the centreline of an accommodated storage container is vertical, and a second position being opposite the first position relative to the axis of rotation. The centreline of an accommodated storage container is inclined at a third angle relative to the vertical. The third angle is equal to the sum of the first angle and the second angle.

A system for allocating jobs and/or targets to robots in an automated storage and retrieval system includes a plurality of robots and a framework structure forming a three-dimensional storage grid structure for storing storage containers. The framework structure includes a rail system. The rail system provides available routes for the robots handling and transferring the storage containers to and from the storage columns. At least one robot includes a first set of wheels configured to move the robot along a first horizontal direction of the grid-based rail system and a second set of wheels configured to move the robot along a second horizontal direction of the grid-based rail system. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The movement of the robots is controlled by a central computer system including a warehouse management system that includes a router and an assigner. The router decides which routes the robots travel and the assigner has control over which jobs are to be done and which targets to reach. The assigner is configured to create a list of job options of jobs to be done and a list of target options of targets to be reached by each robot, which lists of job options and target options are made accessible to the router. The router is configured to decide which job and target to be assigned to the robot using a multi-position search algorithm. The decision is based on the location of the robot in question and the route it has to travel to reach the job and the target.

A tray shuttle and a tray conveyor using the tray shuttle to route magnetic conveyor trays from one conveyor section to another. The trays and the shuttles are propelled by linear-motor stators that produce electromagnetic flux waves that interact with the magnetic fields of permanent-magnet arrays in movers in each tray. Each shuttle has a main holder mover and one or more other movers connected to a linkage that operates one or more pushers that push trays off a tray holder on the shuttles.

A device for a shelf system for load carriers for securing a shuttle before leaving its running rail at the end of an aisle of the shelf system, wherein the device comprises a retaining element, the retaining element having a flexible element. A shelf system and a shuttle are also provided.

An automatic storage and retrieval system includes: a delivery vehicle; a storage container carried by the delivery vehicle; and an unloading station for unloading an item from the storage container while it is being carried by the delivery vehicle. The unloading station includes: an unloading device; and a destination conveyor configured to convey the item to a target destination, wherein the unloading device is configured to move the item through a side opening of the storage container to the destination conveyor.

A warehousing apparatus including a temporary storage layer board used for providing a temporary storage station, and a plurality of shelves with each shelf including at least one storage layer board and a plurality of stand columns arranged at intervals in a horizontal direction. The storage layer board is spaced apart from the temporary storage layer board in a vertical direction by means of a stand column, and the storage layer board is used for providing a storage position, a first robot passage in which a first robot travels and a second robot passage in which a second robot travels.

A warehousing apparatus including a temporary storage layer board used for providing a temporary storage station, and a plurality of shelves with each shelf including at least one storage layer board and a plurality of stand columns arranged at intervals in a horizontal direction. The storage layer board is spaced apart from the temporary storage layer board in a vertical direction by means of a stand column, and the storage layer board is used for providing a storage position, a first robot passage in which a first robot travels and a second robot passage in which a second robot travels.