A maintenance access system for a storage and retrieval system having a storage and retrieval space and automated transport vehicles disposed in the space. The system includes at least one maintenance access control unit associated with a portion of the space, at least one barrier in the space and defining a boundary of the portion of the space and configured to substantially prevent the passage of the vehicles past the at least one barrier, and a controller connected to the control unit, the controller being configured to receive a signal from the at least one control unit for isolating the portion of the space associated with the at least one control unit, where the controller in response to the signal closes the at least one barrier isolating the portion of the space and effects the removal from or shutting down of vehicles within the portion of the space.

A maintenance access system for a storage and retrieval system having a storage and retrieval space and automated transport vehicles disposed in the space. The system includes at least one maintenance access control unit associated with a portion of the space, at least one barrier in the space and defining a boundary of the portion of the space and configured to substantially prevent the passage of the vehicles past the at least one barrier, and a controller connected to the control unit, the controller being configured to receive a signal from the at least one control unit for isolating the portion of the space associated with the at least one control unit, were the controller in response to the signal closes the at least one barrier isolating the portion of the space and effects the removal from or shutting down of vehicles within the portion of the space.

A maintenance access system for a storage and retrieval system having a storage and retrieval space and automated transport vehicles disposed in the space. The system includes at least one maintenance access control unit associated with a portion of the space, at least one barrier in the space and defining a boundary of the portion of the space and configured to substantially prevent the passage of the vehicles past the at least one barrier, and a controller connected to the control unit, the controller being configured to receive a signal from the at least one control unit for isolating the portion of the space associated with the at least one control unit, where the controller in response to the signal closes the at least one barrier isolating the portion of the space and effects the removal from or shutting down of vehicles within the portion of the space.

A material handling device (1), including: a conveying mechanism (10), the conveying mechanism comprising a first conveying platform (11) and a second conveying platform (12) that are coplanar and arranged side by side, the first conveying platform being provided with a feeding position (101), the second conveying platform being provided with a discharging position (102), the conveying speed of the second conveying platform being greater than the conveying speed of the first conveying platform; and a screening mechanism provided between the feeding position and the discharging position. The material handling device provided in the present application conveys workpieces by means of the first conveying platform and second conveying platform that are coplanar and arranged side by side.

An apparatus that substantially improves the stack quality of delivery items in a delivery item sorting machine by ensuring uniformity of the orientation of the delivery items. The apparatus accommodates toolless installation in the delivery item sorting machine and economical manufacturing options. The apparatus substantially prevents delivery item disorientation and undesired departure of delivery items from the sorting machine. The apparatus reduces operator safety concerns, and increases the net speed of delivery item processing.

Examples provide a hanger guide for diverting items having a hanger hook away from dividers on a sloped surface of a sorting machine as the hooked items move through a channel defined by one or more of the dividers. The hanger guide includes a diameter greater than the diameter of a hook on the hooked items preventing the hook from catching on the hanger guide. The hanger guide substantially covers a leading edge of a divider on which the hanger guide is attached preventing a hook from catching on any uncovered portion of the leading edge. The hanger guide is removably attached to the divider via one or more fasteners. When a hook comes into contact with the hanger guide, the hook slides off the hanger guide and proceeds through the channel to the end of the sloped surface unimpeded.

An apparatus that substantially improves the stack quality of delivery items in a delivery item sorting machine by ensuring uniformity of the orientation of the delivery items. The apparatus may accommodate toolless installation in the delivery item sorting machine and economical manufacturing options. The apparatus substantially prevents delivery item disorientation and undesired departure of delivery items from the sorting machine by increasing the height of a portion of the sorting bin's side or backstop. The apparatus reduces operator safety concerns, and increases the net speed of delivery item processing.