Various embodiments are directed to a shuttle configured for use in an AS/RS. In various embodiments, the shuttle comprises: a first load arm and a second load arm configured to retractably extend away from a shuttle body in parallel directions, the first and second load arms each being extendable between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration; a load bed including a load area configured to receive the object; and a retractable mechanical finger provided at a distal portion of the first load arm and configured to facilitate handling of the object, the mechanical finger being hingedly connected to the first load arm using a one-way hinge component that defines a portion of the range of rotational movement of the mechanical finger relative to the first load arm and comprising a spring element that facilitates rotational movement of the finger between an expanded finger position and a retracted finger position.

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.

An unloading arrangement, an unloading station, and a method of unloading an item (5) from a storage container (6), comprising: a delivery vehicle (30); a storage container (6) carried by the delivery vehicle (30); and an unloading station (10) for unloading an item (5) from the storage container (6) while it is being carried by the delivery vehicle (30) in an automatic storage and retrieval system (1), the unloading station (10) comprising: an unloading device (40); and a destination conveyor (60) configured to convey the item (5) to a target destination (TD), wherein the unloading device (40) is configured to move the item (5) through a side opening of the storage container (6) to the destination conveyor (60).

An emergency stop device for a shuttle moveable in a horizontal plane on two elongated rails arranged in parallel includes at least one pressure biased locking shoulder displaceable in a horizontal plane, and at least one stabilizing wheel arranged together with the locking shoulder in a holder and protruding outside the locking shoulder, wherein the stabilizing wheel is rotatable in a horizontal plane. The locking shoulder and the stabilizing wheel together have an extension such that they together can be received, at least partially in a hole provided in a substantially vertical web of the rails at an end portion of the rail, when biased by the pressure bias. A frictional coupling is arranged between the shuttle and holder and allows limited movement of the shuttle in the horizontal plane after the locking shoulder has reached a locked position vis-à-vis the rails. Further, a stockroom system includes a plurality of pairs of parallel, elongated rails, arranged in a horizontal plane, and a shuttle movable on a pair of rails, and along the rails, wherein each rail is designed with a substantially vertical web and at least one protruding horizontal portion for bearing of load, the at least one protruding horizontal portion protruding from the substantially vertical web, wherein the stockroom system comprises an emergency stop device according to the above.

The present invention relates to a stacker crane (2) for transporting, inserting and picking containers of biological material test tubes in/from locations (3) of a plurality of shelves (4) of a warehouse (1) for storing containers of biological material test tubes. The stacker crane (2) is able to move the containers of biological material test tubes in the three Cartesian directions x, y and z, so as to reach the locations (3), wherein the stacker (2) comprises a first carriage (21) and a second carriage (22) able to slide independently of, and to be released from, the first carriage (21) in direction y.

In a method for conveying laden or unladen load carriers, the load carriers are conveyed by a first conveying system and a second conveying system which differ from one another in conveying terms. At least one load carrier is picked up and conveyed, at least temporarily, by in each case one conveying device of the first conveying system independently of the second conveying system. The second conveying system at least temporarily conveys a conveying device or an assembly which is formed by a conveying device and at least one load carrier brought together with the latter. A unit for this purpose is also specified.

A storage and retrieval device storing and retrieving stored goods in and from rack compartments with shelf surfaces storing the stored goods and load-transferring rack guides extending in storing and retrieving direction. A receiving head has a lifting device for the stored goods and a load-bearing apparatus displaceable along the rack compartments. A conveyer moves the receiving head along the rack guides and has at least one shear-resistant traction apparatus that engages the receiving head and can be pushed out into one of the rack guides. The lifting device of the receiving head can be moved under the stored goods and has at least one lifting bar extending in the direction of the rack guides and is adjustable in height by deflecting gears distributed over the length of lifting bar that are acted upon in the direction of the rack guides.

A storage setup and method for robotic delivery and retrieval of crates from shelving blocks are disclosed. At least one shelving block in the setup comprises non-uniformly spaced apart storage surfaces. The storage surfaces are accessible to lift-robots. A computerized control system is configured to differentiate between storage locations based on which crate sizes from at least two different ranges of crate sizes a storage location can store. The storage may be automatically optimized by routing robots to store crates in storage locations sized in correlation with the size of the crate to be stored.

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 store for storing parcels has a main aisle and storage aisles arranged transversely to the main aisle and provided with storage places for the parcels. Beams arranged parallel to the main aisle and fastened to supports bear at least some of the weight forces acting in the storage aisles. A transport unit for transporting parcels is arranged in the main aisle. The transport unit has a first transport mechanism moving along the main aisle and a second transport mechanism that transfers parcels from the transport unit into a storage aisle, takes up parcels from a storage aisle and delivers them to the transport unit. The second transport mechanism has a slide movable transversely to the main aisle. The slide forms a rest for parcels during transfer and take-up. A tiltable platform that supports the slide is provided with a tilt mechanism that tilts the platform relative to the transport unit.