A storage network includes a plurality of storage systems. Each storage system includes a storage grid structure, having at least one transfer column and a horizontal top rail grid upon which the container handling vehicle moves in two perpendicular directions, and at least one container handling vehicle. The storage system includes at least one container transfer vehicle and transfer rails forming a transfer rail grid upon which the container transfer vehicle moves in at least one horizontal direction. The container transfer vehicle includes a container carrier for carrying a storage container and a wheel arrangement for moving the container transfer vehicle in two perpendicular directions upon the transfer rail grid. The at least one transfer column extends from the top rail grid to the transfer section, such that a storage container may be transferred between the top rail grid and the container carrier of the container transfer vehicle.

A container accessing station for accessing a storage container of an automated storage and retrieval grid. The container accessing station comprising: an access opening through which a human and/or robot may access contents of the storage container; a base opening; and a lifting device arranged to retrieve the storage container from a first level beneath the base opening and lift it up through the base opening to a second level so that the storage container may be accessed through the access opening.

The invention is also directed to a container accessing system and a method thereof.

A container accessing station for accessing a storage container of an automated storage and retrieval grid. The container accessing station comprising: an access opening through which a human and/or robot may access contents of the storage container; a base opening; and a lifting device arranged to retrieve the storage container from a first level beneath the base opening and lift it up through the base opening to a second level so that the storage container may be accessed through the access opening.

The invention is also directed to a container accessing system and a method thereof.

A method for handling malfunctioning vehicles (240,340) on a rail system (108,308) constituting part of a storage and retrieval system (1) configured to store a plurality of stacks (107) of storage containers (106), wherein the storage and retrieval system (1) comprisesa plurality of remotely operated vehicles (230,330,240,340,250,350) configured to move laterally on the rail system (108,308) anda control system (109) for monitoring and controlling wirelessly movements of the plurality of vehicles (230,330,240,340,250,350), the control system (109) forms by wireless data communication at least the following steps: A. registering an anomaly in an operational condition of a vehicle (this 240,340) on the rail system (108,308), B. registering the vehicle with the anomalous operational condition as a malfunctioning vehicle (240,340), C. bringing the malfunctioning vehicle (240,340) to a halt, D. registering a halt position of the malfunctioning vehicle (240,340) relative to the supporting rail system (108,308), E. setting up a two-dimensional shutdown zone (225) within the rail system (108,308) into which the malfunctioning vehicle (240,340) is halted and F. updating movement pattern of the plurality of remotely operated vehicles (230,330, 250,350) outside the two-dimensional shutdown zone (225) such that entrance into the two-dimensional shutdown zone (225) is avoided.

A method for handling malfunctioning vehicles (240,340) on a rail system (108,308) constituting part of a storage and retrieval system (1) configured to store a plurality of stacks (107) of storage containers (106), wherein the storage and retrieval system (1) comprisesa plurality of remotely operated vehicles (230,330,240,340,250,350) configured to move laterally on the rail system (108,308) anda control system (109) for monitoring and controlling wirelessly movements of the plurality of vehicles (230,330,240,340,250,350), the control system (109) forms by wireless data communication at least the following steps: A. registering an anomaly in an operational condition of a vehicle (this 240,340) on the rail system (108,308), B. registering the vehicle with the anomalous operational condition as a malfunctioning vehicle (240,340), C. bringing the malfunctioning vehicle (240,340) to a halt, D. registering a halt position of the malfunctioning vehicle (240,340) relative to the supporting rail system (108,308), E. setting up a two-dimensional shutdown zone (225) within the rail system (108,308) into which the malfunctioning vehicle (240,340) is halted and F. updating movement pattern of the plurality of remotely operated vehicles (230,330, 250,350) outside the two-dimensional shutdown zone (225) such that entrance into the two-dimensional shutdown zone (225) is avoided.

Embodiments of a system and method for shingulating, singulating, and synchronizing articles in an article feeder system are disclosed. The article feeder system may include a shingulating device configured to receive a stack of articles and to produce a positively lapped stack of articles, a plurality of picking devices configured to pick one or more articles from the positively lapped stack of articles and to produce one or more singulated articles, and one or more synchronization devices configured to deliver the one or more singulated articles to one or more sorter windows.

Embodiments of a system and method for shingulating, singulating, and synchronizing articles in an article feeder system are disclosed. The article feeder system may include a shingulating device configured to receive a stack of articles and to produce a positively lapped stack of articles, a plurality of picking devices configured to pick one or more articles from the positively lapped stack of articles and to produce one or more singulated articles, and one or more synchronization devices configured to deliver the one or more singulated articles to one or more sorter windows.

A passenger security control installation (10) includes a set of transfer trays and a conveying and control path (14) having a receiving end (16) and a security end (18). The installation includes a return conveying path extending beneath the tray conveying and control path (14). The installation includes a plurality of juxtaposed and mechanically independent modules (22), and each one of the modules (22) includes a U-shaped cradle part (24) that defines a cradle median plane and further includes an upper gang of motorized rollers (36) installed above a lower gang of motorized rollers (40) inside the U-shaped cradle (24), along a direction substantially perpendicular to the cradle median plane.

A passenger security control installation (10) includes a set of transfer trays and a conveying and control path (14) having a receiving end (16) and a security end (18). The installation includes a return conveying path extending beneath the tray conveying and control path (14). The installation includes a plurality of juxtaposed and mechanically independent modules (22), and each one of the modules (22) includes a U-shaped cradle part (24) that defines a cradle median plane and further includes an upper gang of motorized rollers (36) installed above a lower gang of motorized rollers (40) inside the U-shaped cradle (24), along a direction substantially perpendicular to the cradle median plane.

A method for handling malfunctioning vehicles on a rail system constituting part of a storage and retrieval system includes storing a plurality of stacks of storage containers and a control system. The storage and retrieval system includes a plurality of remotely operated vehicles configured to move laterally on the rail system. The method includes wirelessly monitoring and controlling, via the control system, movements of the plurality of vehicles. The method includes forming the control system by wireless data communication including: registering an anomaly in an operational condition of a vehicle on the rail system; registering the vehicle with the anomalous operational condition as a malfunctioning vehicle; bringing the malfunctioning vehicle to a halt; registering a halt position of the malfunctioning vehicle relative to the rail system; setting up a two-dimensional shutdown zone within the rail system into which the malfunctioning vehicle is halted; and updating movement pattern of the plurality of remotely operated vehicles outside the two-dimensional shutdown zone such that entrance into the two-dimensional shutdown zone is avoided.