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.

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 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.

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.

A processing system for processing objects using a programmable motion device is disclosed. The processing system a perception unit for perceiving identifying indicia representative of an identity of an object associated with an input conveyance system, and an acquisition system for acquiring the object from a plurality of objects at an input area using an end effector of the programmable motion device, wherein the programmable motion device is adapted for assisting in the delivery of the object to an identified processing location. The identified processing location being associated with the identifying indicia and said identified processing location being provided as one of a plurality of processing locations. The processing system also includes a delivery system for receiving the object in a carrier and for delivering the object toward the identified processing location.

A storage, retrieval and processing system is disclosed for processing objects. The system includes a plurality of bins including objects to be distributed by the processing system, said plurality of bins being provided in at least a partially generally circular arrangement, a programmable motion device that includes an end effector for grasping and moving any of the objects, said programmable motion device being capable of reaching any of the objects within the plurality of bins, and a plurality of destination containers for receiving any of the objects from the plurality of bins, said plurality of destination containers being provided in a region that is generally within the at least partially generally circular arrangement of the plurality of bins.

A control device according to an embodiment includes a communication unit and a processor. The communication unit is configured to communicate with a transport vehicle and a host server, the transport vehicle being configured to move a movable shelf storing an article. The processor is configured to acquire from the host server, by the communication unit, a removal instruction indicating an article to be removed; specify, based on the removal instruction, the movable shelf having a plurality of shelves for storing the article and a shelf height at which the article is stored on the movable shelf; and switch between moving, by the transport vehicle, the specified movable shelf to a first position and a second position suitable for removing an article from a second shelf higher than the first shelf, based on the specified height.

A control device according to an embodiment includes a communication unit and a processor. The communication unit is configured to communicate with a transport vehicle and a host server, the transport vehicle being configured to move a movable shelf storing an article. The processor is configured to acquire from the host server, by the communication unit, a removal instruction indicating an article to be removed; specify, based on the removal instruction, the movable shelf having a plurality of shelves for storing the article and a shelf height at which the article is stored on the movable shelf; and switch between moving, by the transport vehicle, the specified movable shelf to a first position and a second position suitable for removing an article from a second shelf higher than the first shelf, based on the specified height.

In a recent article storage apparatus, it is required to be able to open and close the opening of a container by a simple operation while reducing the number of parts of the article storage apparatus.

An article storage apparatus includes a storage rack (12) on which a container (24) having an opening is set, and a lid (28) provided at a separate member from the container, and reciprocable between a closed position where the lid (28) closes the opening of the container (24) arranged at a predetermined position on the storage rack (12) and an open position where the lid (28) is retracted from the closed position to open the opening. Thereby, for example, when a plurality of containers (24) are sequentially arranged on the storage rack (12), the containers (24) can be opened and closed by a simple operation using a common lid (28).