In one aspect, a warehousing apparatus comprises: a temporary storage layer board, with the temporary storage layer board being used for providing a temporary storage station; a plurality of shelves, with each shelf comprising at least one storage layer board and a plurality of stand columns arranged at intervals in the horizontal direction, the storage layer board being spaced apart from the temporary storage layer board in the vertical direction by means of the stand column, and the storage layer board being used for providing a storage position; a first robot passage for a first robot to travel in, with the first robot being used for storing goods on and taking goods to the temporary storage layer board and a second robot passage for a second robot to travel in, with the second robot being used for carrying the goods between the temporary storage layer board and the storage layer board. The warehousing apparatus along with related systems and control methods can improve the efficiency of goods entering and exiting a warehouse.

A transfer driver includes a transfer drive transmission mechanism drivingly coupled to a contact section, and a transfer drive source configured to drive the transfer drive transmission mechanism. A guide driver includes a guide drive transmission mechanism drivingly coupled to a pair of guide sections, and a guide drive source configured to drive the guide drive transmission mechanism. The transfer drive source and the guide drive source are disposed on a transfer-direction scooping side relative to a holder, and the transfer drive transmission mechanism and the guide drive transmission mechanism intersect each other in a vertical view at an intersection portion, and are adjacent to each other in a vertical direction at the intersection portion.

A transfer device includes: a pusher configured to push a container during a delivery operation; a lockable portion lockable to the container during a pick-up operation; a transfer drive unit configured to cause the pusher and the lockable portion to reciprocate in the transfer direction; and a lock drive unit configured to drive the lockable portion separately from the pusher and causes the lockable portion to change in orientation. The transfer device performs a delivery operation by moving, toward a delivery side in the transfer direction, the pusher in contact with a container rear face portion with use of the transfer drive unit, and performs a pick-up operation by moving the lockable portion in the locking orientation toward a pick-up side in the transfer direction with use of the transfer drive unit.

An inventory management system includes pick stations, automated vehicles having an onboard power source, a first drive system configured to horizontally displace the vehicle, a second drive system configured to vertically displace the vehicle along a guide system, and a platform for supporting an item during displacement of the vehicle. A first plurality of storage locations store inventory items at a first zone of vehicle operation and a second plurality of storage areas store inventory items at a second zone of vehicle operation. A first pick station is closer to the first storage locations than to the second storage locations, Vehicles are configured to transfer a selected item from one of the second plurality of storage locations to the first pick station or to transfer the selected item from the second plurality of storage locations to the first plurality of storage locations.

A control unit causes a transfer machine to execute a first article take-out operation by moving a locking part to a depth-direction near side with the locking part locked to a rear surface portion of a first article; and a second article position adjustment operation of moving the locking part disposed between the first article and a second article in the depth direction toward a far side to a position corresponding to a front surface portion of the second article located at a second article proper position, and the control unit is configured to, after the locking part has been disposed between the first article and the second article during execution of the first article take-out operation using the transfer machine, cause the transfer machine to execute the second article position adjustment operation, and to complete the first article take-out operation upon completion of the second article position adjustment operation.

Platform assembly for use with sorting articles comprises platforms connected to each other to form at least one level surface for transit thereabout by a plurality of vehicles. Each platform defines a first orientation in which the platform is in a retracted position and a second orientation in which the platform is in an extended position with a horizontal disposition. Each platform includes a first panel comprising a plurality of markers thereon, the markers forming a grid on the first panel for transit thereabout by the plurality of vehicles. Each marker includes a magnetic signature for determining an orientation of the marker. A container is positioned about at least one of the plurality of markers. In operation, the vehicle is directed by a control system to deposit an article carried thereon into a container associated with a marker based on the location and orientation of the marker.

A loading or unloading apparatus configured to convey goods to a transport robot or unload goods on the transport robot. The loading or unloading apparatus includes an upright frame, a plurality of goods loading or unloading assemblies and a second driving structure. The upright frame is extending along a vertical direction. The plurality of goods loading or unloading assemblies are arranged on the upright frame at intervals along the vertical direction and capable of separately conveying, at different heights, the goods to the transport robot or unloading the goods on the transport robot. The second driving structure is configured to drive the upright frame to approach or move away from the transport robot along a loading or unloading direction, such that the plurality of goods loading or unloading assemblies convey the goods to the transport robot or unload the goods on the transport robot.

A handling robot used in a field of warehouse logistics comprises a mobile chassis, and a storage shelf. The storage shelf is mounted to the mobile chassis and comprises a plurality of layered plate components distributed at different heights. The handling robot further comprises a handling device configured to transport a material to a layered plate of the plurality of layered plate components, and a lift component configured to drive the handling device to lift relative to the storage shelf.

An automated storage and retrieval system includes a storage grid configured to store a plurality of storage containers in vertical stacks, a plurality of remotely operated vehicles, and a rail system including rails and tracks onto which the plurality of remotely operated vehicle operates. The automated storage and retrieval system includes a first area and a second area. The first area is linked to the second area for passage of one or more of the plurality of remotely operated vehicles by a vehicle pen. The vehicle pen includes an entry barrier and an exit barrier to regulate the passage of the of one or more vehicles between the first and second area. The entry and exit barriers are moveable between an open position in which passage of the one or more of the vehicles is allowed, and a closed position in which passage of the one or more vehicles is restricted. The entry and exit barriers are regulated such that the entrance barrier can be opened only when the exit barrier is closed, and vice versa.

A fulfillment system is provided and includes a perishable drug filling system and a non-perishable drug filling system. A shipping station is provided for delivering the coolers and the boxes to at least one delivery service. A conveyor is configured to move the boxes and the coolers from the drug filling systems to the shipping station. A decision station is located along the conveyor and is configured to determine if a container on the conveyor is a cooler or a box. The conveyor is configured to direct the coolers to a shrink wrap station and to direct the boxes to the shipping station while bypassing the shrink wrap station. The shrink wrap station is configured to apply a wrapper around the cooler and apply heat to the wrapper to shrink the wrapper around the cooler with the wrapper having a transparent section over a label on the cooler.