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.

There is huge demand for automation in manufacturing, logistics, postal, distribution centers, ecommerce, retail. Typical scissor lift designs can carry large payload but are larger in size. There is a need for a compact fork with more payload carrying capacity. The dual side actuated scissor fork type lift unit is provided. The dual side actuated scissor fork type lift unit includes a top plate, a bottom plate, one or more linear motion (LM) blocks mounted on one or more linear guides, one or more mounting blocks mounted on the one or more LM blocks, and slot on a first end of at least one actuation link is connected to the bottom plate through a pin. The one or more LM blocks is free to slide on the one or more linear guides. The one or more mounting blocks moves along with a motion of the one or more LM blocks.

There is huge demand for automation in manufacturing, logistics, postal, distribution centers, ecommerce, retail. Typical scissor lift designs can carry large payload but are larger in size. There is a need for a compact fork with more payload carrying capacity. The dual side actuated scissor fork type lift unit is provided. The dual side actuated scissor fork type lift unit includes a top plate, a bottom plate, one or more linear motion (LM) blocks mounted on one or more linear guides, one or more mounting blocks mounted on the one or more LM blocks, and slot on a first end of at least one actuation link is connected to the bottom plate through a pin. The one or more LM blocks is free to slide on the one or more linear guides. The one or more mounting blocks moves along with a motion of the one or more LM blocks.

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.

Reusable, flexible, lightweight, low cost flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs) for the delivery of granular proppant material for fracing that will allow the transport of higher weights of proppant, such as sand, per truck load. The invention includes a container made of a high strength, flexible material with a top opening for loading and deploying the proppant. The container can be lifted and deployed with a fork truck or crane. Alternatively, proprietary deployment systems, such as a conveyor system, can be used to quickly and efficiently deploy the proppant from the container at a desired site.

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.

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.

When an article is delivered between a first electric conveyor of an automated guided vehicle and a second electric conveyor of a storage section, a first communication module of the automated guided vehicle and a second communication module of the storage section exchange signals, power supply to the first electric conveyor is shut off in response to a first emergency stop switch of the automated guided vehicle, a first signal from the first communication module changes, and power supply to the second electric conveyor is shut off in response to a change in the first signal, and the power supply to the second electric conveyor is shut off in response to a second emergency stop switch of the storage section, a second signal from the second communication module changes, and the power supply to the second electric conveyor is shut off in response to the second signal.

When an article is delivered between a first electric conveyor of an automated guided vehicle and a second electric conveyor of a storage section, a first communication module of the automated guided vehicle and a second communication module of the storage section exchange signals, power supply to the first electric conveyor is shut off in response to a first emergency stop switch of the automated guided vehicle, a first signal from the first communication module changes, and power supply to the second electric conveyor is shut off in response to a change in the first signal, and the power supply to the second electric conveyor is shut off in response to a second emergency stop switch of the storage section, a second signal from the second communication module changes, and the power supply to the second electric conveyor is shut off in response to the second signal.