A robot performs an appropriate operation in accordance with a position control, whereby an operation is carried out to pass a hook as a second engagement member through a hooking hole as a first engagement member. Thereafter, the robot is switched to a servo float control, and receives a command to raise the hook relatively with respect to the hooking hole. An amount of rising of the hook is compared with a maximum allowable amount of rising (threshold value) of the hook.

A storage system includes a framework structure, at least one container lift device, and a plurality of storage containers. The framework structure includes multiple storage columns, in which the storage containers are stored on top of one another in vertical stacks. The container lift device includes a lifting frame for releasable connection to one of the storage containers when the lifting frame is lowered into one of the storage columns to retrieve said storage container. An outer periphery of each storage container includes a vertical guiding pin recess at each of four container corners. A vertical guiding pin is provided at each of four frame corners of the lifting frame. A lower part of at least two of the guiding pins have a container support portion including a container support surface.

A container-handling vehicle for picking up storage containers from a three-dimensional grid of an underlying storage system includes a vehicle body and at least one lifting device with a lifting frame with gripper elements for releasable connection to a storage container, and a transmitter for communicating instructions for controlling the gripper elements. The lifting frame includes a first rechargeable power supply for supplying energy to the gripper elements. The container handling vehicle has at least one second rechargeable power supply configured to charging the first rechargeable power supply when the lifting frame is in a top most position. The at least one second rechargeable power supply is connected to at least one upper charger connector and the first rechargeable power supply is connected to at least one lower charger connector. The at least one lower charger connector is attached to the upper side of the horizontal lifting frame and is connected to the first rechargeable power supply.

Telescopic pick-up (100) for picking-up and moving a container (4, 34) in a high-bay warehouse (1), preferably a transshipment facility of a sea port or inland port, with at least one displaceable telescopic arm (120) at which a pick-up (130) for holding the container (4, 34) by way of a support (140) is mounted, wherein the support (140) supports the pick-up (130) to be movable along at least one direction.

A transport device includes a large-article drive portion that moves each of a pair of large-article supporting portions between a large-article supporting position and a large-article retracted position, and a small-article drive portion that moves each of a pair of small-article supporting portions between a small-article supporting position and a small-article retracted position. The small-article retracted position is set at a height at which the pair of small-article supporting portions are located above a supported portion supported by the pair of large-article supporting portions, and the pair of small-article supporting portions are provided between the pair of large-article supporting portions in a lateral width direction.

The present invention provides a lid (400) for an open container (100, 13.10), a lid lifting system (13.100), a tippler (13.200) with the improved lid lifting system (13.100) and a method of lifting a container. The lid and lifting arrangement includes an apertured receiving formation (401) on an upper side of a lid (100) to receive a lift member (13.40). The lift member (13.40) can do one or more than one of the following: engaging the formation (401) will unlock a locking mechanism (13.42,458) holding the lid (400) to a container (100); or allow the lift member (13.40) to be rotated to thereby unlock the locking mechanism (13.42, 458) which locks the lid (400) to the container (100), while simultaneously locking the lift member (13.40, 458) to the lid (400). A lifting device which is able to perform such actions is also disclosed, and a method to operate the lifting device.

A lifting device for lifting a container engages fittings at the corners, and a mechanism which releasably engages a lid of the container such that it can be lifted while the container is being lifted. said device, including a second lifting means which operates to releasably engage a lid associated with said container, wherein the lid can be lifted from the container while thed container is being lifted. The lid and lifting arrangement includes an apertured receiving formation on an upper side of a lid to receive a lift member which can engage the formation and unlock a locking mechanism holding the lid to a container. The lift member can also be rotated to unlock the locking mechanism which locks the lid to the container while simultaneously locking the lift member to the lid.

A container handling vehicle for picking up storage containers from a three-dimensional grid of an underlying storage system includes a vehicle body and at least one lifting device with a lifting frame with gripper elements for releasable connection to a storage container, and a transmitter for communicating instructions for controlling the gripper elements. The lifting frame includes a first rechargeable power supply for supplying energy to the gripper elements. The container handling vehicle has at least one second rechargeable power supply configures to charge the first rechargeable power supply when the lifting frame is in a top most position. The at least one second 10 rechargeable power supply is connected to at least one upper charger connector and the first rechargeable power supply is connected to at least one lower charger connector. The at least one lower charger connector is attached to the upper side of the lifting frame and is connected to the first rechargeable power supply.

This application describes fabric storage totes, as well as techniques for use of fabric totes in an infrastructure that uses mechanical systems to transport the fabric totes and/or access inventory items in the fabric totes. The fabric totes may include a fabric base and side walls, with a hardened material support structure. Additionally, the fabric totes may include two handles made of a substantially hard material. The fabric totes may be accessed and transported, manually and/or mechanically, via interaction with the handles.

A securing lock for a cargo support apparatus includes one or more first locking interfaces. The one or more first locking interfaces include a tooth assembly including one or more teeth, and a jaws assembly including one or more jaws. The one or more teeth are configured to be engaged by one or more other jaws of a second locking interface of at least one other container to secure the container to the at least one other container. The one or more jaws are configured to engage one or more other teeth of the second locking interface of the at least one other container to secure the container to the at least one other container.