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 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 warehouse storage and retrieval system including an array of multilevel storage racks having at least one transfer deck, picking isles and storage areas disposed along picking isles, the storage areas being configured to hold differing loads, and a controller including a management module configured to variably size the storage areas of the array of multilevel storage rack modules and assign each of the variably sized storage areas to a corresponding one of the differing loads, wherein the storage and retrieval system is arranged to transport the differing loads for placement in the variably sized storage areas assigned by the controller.

In general, the subject matter described in this disclosure can be embodied in a multi-level pallet-conveying system for a storage facility. The conveying system includes a first-level conveying system, a first-level into-storage conveying lane adapted to receive pallets from the first-level conveying system and provide such pallets to a first-level station of a storage lifting system, and a first-level from-storage conveying lane adapted to receive pallets from the first-level station of the storage lifting system and provide such pallets to the first-level conveying system. The conveying system also includes a second-level conveying system, a second-level into-storage conveying lane adapted to receive pallets from the second-level conveying system and provide such pallets to a second-level station of the storage lifting system, and a second-level from-storage conveying lane adapted to receive pallets from the second-level station of the storage lifting system and provide such pallets to the second-level conveying system.

A lift structure of a rack storage system including a pair of vertical post, a pair of guide rail portions stacked one on top of the other, a mounting brace, and a mounting platform attached to the pair of vertical post. The mounting brace includes an adjustment mechanism to adjust an alignment between the pair of guide rail portions fastened together by a clamping plate. A load handling station is secured to the mounting platform to support loads transported to and from the rack storage system, wherein the load handling station is located by locating a position of the mounting platform.

An automated storage and retrieval system includes a framework structure having a plurality of internal and peripheral upright members arranged to define a storage grid including multiple storage columns for storing storage containers on top of each other in vertical stacks. The upright members are interconnected at their upper ends by a rail system arranged to guide at least one container handling vehicle thereon. The container handling vehicle is configured to raise storage containers from, and lower storage containers into the storage columns and to transport the storage containers horizontally above the storage columns. The peripheral upright members of the framework structure define a horizontal periphery of the framework structure. A vehicle elevator includes a vertically extending support, a platform, and a lift mechanism. The platform includes a horizontally extending structure arranged to carry the container handling vehicle and a connection device moveably attaching the platform to the vertically extending support. The lift mechanism is arranged to move the platform between a first lift stop position, which establishes access between the platform and the rail system, and a second lift stop position arranged within an accessing area such that a human operator/service personnel and/or robot can perform in-situ maintenance on the container handling vehicle while the container handling vehicle is arranged on the platform. The first and second lift stop positions are arranged vertically offset.

An automated storage and retrieval system includes a grid-based rail structure and a plurality of remotely operated vehicles arranged to operate on the grid-based rail structure. The automated storage and retrieval system includes a locking device arranged in a zone of the grid-based rail structure where a human and/or a robotic operator is permitted to interact with the remotely operated vehicle or contents of a storage container that the remotely operated vehicle is carrying. The locking device is arranged to lock the remotely operated vehicle against accidental displacement prior to interaction with the human and/or robotic operator, and wherein the locking device being arranged to unlock the remotely operated vehicle once interaction with the human and/or robotic operator is no longer required.

A storage, retrieval and processing system for processing objects includes: a plurality of bins including objects to be distributed, said plurality of bins being provided on an input conveyance system; a programmable motion device that includes an end effector for grasping and moving any of the objects, a perception system for providing perception data regarding a selected object that is presented to the perception system by the programmable motion device, and a routing conveyance system for receiving the selected object, and for moving the selected object in each of horizontal and vertical directions toward a selected destination container responsive to the perception data, the routing conveyance system including at least one object conveyor for urging the selected object toward the selected destination container in a third direction that is generally orthogonal to the horizontal and vertical directions.

The invention relates to warehouse technology, and specifically, to systems of automatic storage, sorting, assembly and delivery of goods. The invention can be used in various automated storage facilities, remote sales systems, as well as automated retail stores. An automatic system comprises a plurality of places arranged in rows in two horizontal directions, perpendicular to each other, and serving to accommodate boxes for storing materials in vertical stacks. A transport network comprises first rail tracks arranged above the stacks of boxes and intended for the movement of mobile actuating devices along them, as well as second rail tracks arranged perpendicular to the first rail tracks and located below the latter for the movement of mobile transporting devices along them. The mobile transporting devices are intended for moving boxes placed onboard along the second rail tracks. The mobile actuating devices are provided with a transfer unit intended for removing/placing one upper box from the storage place or one box from the mobile transporting device onto a transporting platform intended for accommodating materials during the movement of the mobile actuating device, and a gripper intended for retrieving/placing material from/into a box. The transport network is organized in such a way that a window is arranged above each stack of boxes, allowing to retrieve the upper boxes from the stack through such window from above, and another window is arranged above each of the second rail tracks, allowing to retrieve the boxes located on the mobile transporting device through such window from above.