A service platform, container handling carrier and method of arranging electrical drive control elements. The platform (8) comprises one or more mounting space between a top and bottom surfaces (15, 19). The mounting spaces may receive electrical components (29).

A receptacle delivery system includes a carriage configured to move from a first to a second location of an instrument. The carriage may be configured to removably support a receptacle and may include a receptacle clamping mechanism. The receptacle mechanism may be configured to apply a clamping force to the receptacle as the carriage moves from the first to the second location and release the clamping force as the carriage moves from the second to the first location.

A system for forming retained container groups from an arrayed container group (ACG) via application of an adapted retainer blank to the ACG is generally provided. The system is advantageously characterized by a container conveyance apparatus for conveying arrayed container groups, a supply of retainer blanks from which retainer blanks are dispensable, and a processing station characterized by a segment of the container conveyance apparatus, a die block, for receipt of a dispensed retainer blank from the supply of retainer blanks, and a robotic arm equipped with an end of arm tool (EOAT). The robotic arm is operable so as to selectively position the EOAT within the processing station, the EOAT positionable for urged engagement of a dispensed retainer blank received upon the die block so as to form and secure an adapted retainer blank, the robotic arm thereafter positionable to register the secured adapted retainer blank with a conveyed ACG conveyed on the segment of the container conveyance apparatus of the processing station, the robotic arm further positionable to apply the secured adapted retainer blank to the registered conveyed ACG to thereby form at least two retained container group packs from the registered conveyed ACG.

A vehicle tilting device for tilting a delivery vehicle for increasing access to items from a storage container transported on the delivery vehicle. The vehicle tilting device comprises a base structure and a tiltable platform connected to the base structure, wherein the tiltable platform comprises guiding features adapted to guide the delivery vehicle onto the tiltable platform. The tiltable platform is arranged to be connected to a delivery grid cell of a delivery rail system such that that there is a path to and/or from the tiltable platform for the delivery vehicle via the delivery grid cell. The invention is also related to an access station, a delivery system and a method of accessing a storage container.

A load handling device for lifting and moving one or more containers stacked in a storage system with a grid framework structure supporting a plurality of tracks arranged in a grid pattern, the load handling device comprising: A) a driving mechanism; and B) a vehicle body having a footprint that occupies a single grid cell in the storage system, the vehicle body housing including: i) a rechargeable power source; ii) a first space configured for accommodating a container and the rechargeable power source is housed in a second space; and iii) a lifting device to releasably grip a container and lift the container from the stack into the first space, wherein the rechargeable power source is arranged above the first space such that the centre of mass of the load handling device is in the second space.

A container terminal operation method for a container terminal including a storage area in which a storage block is vertically arranged, wherein: a container conveying vehicle orbits through the storage block, apron, etc.; a container is handed over between the container conveying vehicle and the storage block on a lateral side thereof in a longitudinal direction; a handover area for handover of the container between the container conveying vehicle and an external vehicle, is defined in an area closer to a land than a land-side end; an external traveling lane is defined for the external vehicle; and the handover of the container in the handover area is carried out in a state where the container conveying vehicle and the external vehicle are both directed in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the storage block.

A system is provided comprising a carton conveyor and a bypass carton accumulator adjacent to, and interfaced with, the carton conveyor. The bypass carton accumulator may comprise: a carton pick apparatus comprising a carton pick head; at least one stop device comprising a stopper movable between a first and a second position; and a storage apparatus. When in the first position, the stopper does not interfere with the flow of cartons along the conveyor and when in the second position, the stopper engages with a carton to stop a flow of cartons along the conveyor. The carton pick apparatus may be configured to pick up via the carton pick head a set of cartons from a pick-up zone of the carton conveyor after the stopper has moved to its second position and place the set of cartons in the storage apparatus.

A container handling method employing dense storage comprises: when at least one blocking container blocking removal of a target container is stored on storage shelf, container fetching mechanism of a robot fetching at least one blocking container from storage shelf, and temporarily storing same on buffer mechanism of robot; and container fetching mechanism of robot fetching target container from storage shelf, storing same on buffer mechanism of robot, fetching at least one blocking container from buffer mechanism of robot, and placing same at an original storage position thereof, an original storage position of target container, or other vacant storage positions on storage shelf; when buffer mechanism of robot is full due to at least one blocking container, container fetching mechanism of robot fetching target container from storage shelf, and keeping same on container fetching mechanism of robot.

An earthquake restraint grid framework structure includes a grid framework structure for supporting a load handling device operative to move one or more containers in a stack. The grid framework structure includes intersecting grid members arranged to form a grid having plural f substantially rectangular frames in a horizontal plane, each of the substantially rectangular frames constituting a grid cell. The grid is supported by plural upright columns at each of the intersections of grid members to form a plurality of vertical storage locations for containers to be stacked between the upright columns and be guided in a vertical direction through the substantially rectangular frames. An exoskeleton includes plural vertical frame columns braced by at least one bracing member, the grid being further supported by the exoskeleton to form a seismic restraint system (SFRS).

Storage containers may be stored a storage system including a framework structure. A robotic consolidation station for use in the storage system includes a first conveyor pathway for transfer of storage containers accommodating items to be picked, a second conveyor pathway for transfer of storage containers in which items are to be consolidated or have been consolidated, and a robotic picking arm arranged to reach the first conveyor pathway and the second conveyor pathway. Each of the first conveyor pathway and the second conveyor pathway includes a first end and a second end. Each first end may be operatively connected to a container outlet of the framework structure for transfer of storage containers from the framework structure and each second end may be operatively connected to a container inlet of the framework structure for transfer of storage containers into the framework structure. The first conveyor pathway includes a picking section. The second conveyor pathway includes a consolidation section. The robotic picking arm is arranged such that items may be picked from a first storage container arranged upon the picking section by use of the robotic picking arm and transferred to a second storage container arranged upon the consolidation section by use of the robotic picking arm. The first conveyor pathway is independently operable of the consolidation section and arranged such that a first storage container may be transferred from a container outlet to a container inlet via the picking section while a second storage container is arranged upon the consolidation section.