Device for temporarily storing plate-shaped workpieces (W.sub.i) having a receiving magazine (1) for the plate-shaped workpieces (W.sub.i), which magazine is formed by storage compartments arranged one above the other, for which it is proposed that the storage compartments have storage surfaces (7) which can each be extended in a first horizontal direction into a storage region and in a second horizontal direction into a removal region and can be retracted into the receiving magazine (1), wherein a receiving device (2) with a receiver (6) for the plate-shaped workpieces (W.sub.i) is arranged in each case in the storage and removal region, which receiving device (2) is movable in the storage or removal region in a plane parallel to the storage surface (7) and in a direction perpendicular to the storage surface (7), and a control and storage unit (9) is provided for controlling the storage and removal movement of the receiver (6) and the movement of the storage surfaces (7) and for storing the storage location of plate-shaped workpieces (W.sub.i) on the storage surfaces (7).

A modular air handler is adapted for installation in a racking assembly behind palletized product. The air handler operates to move air through the adjacent layers of palletized product upon placement of the palletized product in the adjacent space. The air handler can be deactivated in order to prevent unnecessary air flow when no palletized product is present in the adjacent space. A number of the modular air handlers may be provided for a racking assembly, such that individual pallet bays may be activated or deactivated as palletized product is deposited or withdrawn from the various pallet bays of the rack.

A modular air handler is adapted for installation in a racking assembly behind palletized product. The air handler operates to move air through the adjacent layers of palletized product upon placement of the palletized product in the adjacent space. The air handler can be deactivated in order to prevent unnecessary air flow when no palletized product is present in the adjacent space. A number of the modular air handlers may be provided for a racking assembly, such that individual pallet bays may be activated or deactivated as palletized product is deposited or withdrawn from the various pallet bays of the rack.

A storage shelf includes a body frame and a shelf plate attached to the body frame with an elastic body therebetween, the storage shelf storing thereon a FOUP including a contained object. The storage shelf includes a feed nozzle on the shelf plate to feed gas to the FOUP, and a feed tube with one end communicating with the feed nozzle and the other end communicating with a main tube connected to a feed source of the gas to be fed to the FOUP, the main tube being supported by the body frame. The feed tube has a flexible portion having flexibility at least partially between the one end and the other end.

A storage shelf includes a body frame and a shelf plate attached to the body frame with an elastic body therebetween, the storage shelf storing thereon a FOUP including a contained object. The storage shelf includes a feed nozzle on the shelf plate to feed gas to the FOUP, and a feed tube with one end communicating with the feed nozzle and the other end communicating with a main tube connected to a feed source of the gas to be fed to the FOUP, the main tube being supported by the body frame. The feed tube has a flexible portion having flexibility at least partially between the one end and the other end.

A rack for automated warehouses includes: a plurality of first support posts arranged on an installation surface along a first horizontal direction; a plurality of second support posts arranged on the installation surface along the first horizontal direction; a plurality of beam members laid over between the first support posts and the second support posts; a plurality of upper intermediate posts disposed on upper sides of the beam members and connected to the beam members; and a plurality of lower intermediate posts disposed between the installation surface and the beam members and connected to the beam members. The lower intermediate posts include a plurality of first lower intermediate posts disposed in series along the first horizontal direction. The first lower intermediate posts are disposed such that the distance to the first support posts is greater than the distance to the second support posts.

A rack for automated warehouses includes: a plurality of first support posts arranged on an installation surface along a first horizontal direction; a plurality of second support posts arranged on the installation surface along the first horizontal direction; a plurality of beam members laid over between the first support posts and the second support posts; a plurality of upper intermediate posts disposed on upper sides of the beam members and connected to the beam members; and a plurality of lower intermediate posts disposed between the installation surface and the beam members and connected to the beam members. The lower intermediate posts include a plurality of first lower intermediate posts disposed in series along the first horizontal direction. The first lower intermediate posts are disposed such that the distance to the first support posts is greater than the distance to the second support posts.

A rack corresponding a vehicle having matching connectors: a plurality of modular shelves having two longitudinal sides, the modular shelves are configured to be mounted one on top of the other, wherein each modular shelf of the plurality of modular shelves comprising: a frame having a plurality of struts configured for mounting a modular shelf one on top of the other, and wherein at least a portion of the struts have bottom with fittings that comply with the matching connectors a guardrail on each longitudinal side of the frame wherein at least one of the guardrails is capable of moving between an upright position and a horizontal position. a drawer capable of moving on top of the frame through at least one of the longitudinal sides of the modular shelf.

A rack corresponding a vehicle having matching connectors: a plurality of modular shelves having two longitudinal sides, the modular shelves are configured to be mounted one on top of the other, wherein each modular shelf of the plurality of modular shelves comprising: a frame having a plurality of struts configured for mounting a modular shelf one on top of the other, and wherein at least a portion of the struts have bottom with fittings that comply with the matching connectors a guardrail on each longitudinal side of the frame wherein at least one of the guardrails is capable of moving between an upright position and a horizontal position. a drawer capable of moving on top of the frame through at least one of the longitudinal sides of the modular shelf.

Embodiments provide shelves, bracket systems, automated picker robots, totes, and other features that may be used with delivery vehicle configurations that have automated cargo areas. A delivery vehicle may include a picking robot that selectively retrieves packages for delivery without requiring substantial human intervention for locating those packages. The cargo area of the delivery vehicle may further comprise a plurality of customizable shelving units that generate custom-sized shelves for packages. The shelves may include a plurality of individually movable shelf brackets having retaining members that pivot between an extended and retracted position to hold the package in place and to enable the picking robot to retrieve the package from the shelf. Another embodiment provides for a tote having a drive mechanism to hold letters so that a letter may be automatically retrieved from the cargo arear and provided at a delivery location.