An inventory handling station assembly for a storage and retrieval system is disclosed. A grid framework structure includes a plurality of upright columns for one or more containers to be stacked, the plurality of upright columns being interconnected at their top ends by grid members which support first and second sets of tracks for a load handling device to move containers on the grid framework structure. A supply zone includes at least one vertical chute. A buffer zone vertically accumulates containers and includes at least one bin lift device. An access station is intermediate of the supply zone. A conveyor system conveys containers 10 from the supply zone to the buffer zone via the access station.

Automated warehouse for storing articles, equipped with an apparatus (20) for loading and unloading the articles. The loading and unloading apparatus (20) comprises at least one mobile transport device (22) able to be displaced between a station (23) for feeding and withdrawing articles, and a loading and unloading sector (200) of the loading and unloading apparatus (20).

An access station for a storage system includes at least one container holder arranged to rotate about an axis of rotation. The axis of rotation is inclined at a first angle relative to a vertical. The container holder is arranged to accommodate a storage container and is configured such that a centreline of the storage container when supported by the container holder is inclined at a second angle relative to the axis of rotation. The container holder may rotate between a first position, where the centreline of an accommodated storage container is vertical, and a second position being opposite the first position relative to the axis of rotation. The centreline of an accommodated storage container is inclined at a third angle relative to the vertical. The third angle is equal to the sum of the first angle and the second angle.

An automatic storage and retrieval system includes: a delivery vehicle; a storage container carried by the delivery vehicle; and an unloading station for unloading an item from the storage container while it is being carried by the delivery vehicle. The unloading station includes: an unloading device; and a destination conveyor configured to convey the item to a target destination, wherein the unloading device is configured to move the item through a side opening of the storage container to the destination conveyor.

An automated storage and retrieval system includes a framework structure having a plurality of internal and peripheral upright members arranged to define a storage grid including multiple storage columns for storing storage containers on top of each other in vertical stacks. The upright members are interconnected at their upper ends by a rail system arranged to guide at least one container handling vehicle thereon. The container handling vehicle is configured to raise storage containers from, and lower storage containers into the storage columns and to transport the storage containers horizontally above the storage columns. The peripheral upright members of the framework structure define a horizontal periphery of the framework structure. A vehicle elevator includes a vertically extending support, a platform, and a lift mechanism. The platform includes a horizontally extending structure arranged to carry the container handling vehicle and a connection device moveably attaching the platform to the vertically extending support. The lift mechanism is arranged to move the platform between a first lift stop position, which establishes access between the platform and the rail system, and a second lift stop position arranged within an accessing area such that a human operator/service personnel and/or robot can perform in-situ maintenance on the container handling vehicle while the container handling vehicle is arranged on the platform. The first and second lift stop positions are arranged vertically offset.

An automated storage and retrieval system for storing product items includes a framework structure with upright members and horizontal members and a storage volume including storage columns between the members. The framework structure includes a rail system arranged above the members. The automated storage and retrieval system further includes storage containers in which the product items are stored and container handling vehicles moving along the rail system for transporting the storage containers. The storage containers are stackable in stacks within the storage columns. The rail system includes rails and each rail includes tracks. Adjacent tracks of at least one rail of the rail system are separated by a ventilation slot extending in a vertical plane between two adjacent storage columns.

An automated storage and retrieval system includes a grid-based rail structure and a plurality of remotely operated vehicles arranged to operate on the grid-based rail structure. The automated storage and retrieval system includes a locking device arranged in a zone of the grid-based rail structure where a human and/or a robotic operator is permitted to interact with the remotely operated vehicle or contents of a storage container that the remotely operated vehicle is carrying. The locking device is arranged to lock the remotely operated vehicle against accidental displacement prior to interaction with the human and/or robotic operator, and wherein the locking device being arranged to unlock the remotely operated vehicle once interaction with the human and/or robotic operator is no longer required.

A sorting system and a method for sorting piece goods provide for conveying the piece goods to be sorted on a delivery level to a delivery point and delivering them there into or onto a receiving device moving on a collection level receiving the piece goods. The collection level is disposed below the delivery level. The receiving device travels over an individually determined route on the collection level.

A rescue system for retrieving a malfunctioning vehicle from a rail system of an automated storage and retrieval system includes a first rescue vehicle and a second rescue vehicle. The rail system includes a plurality of rails with tracks extending in an X-direction and a plurality of rails with tracks extending in a Y-direction perpendicular to the X-direction, and a plurality of remotely operated vehicles configured to move in the X and Y-directions on the tracks of the rail system. The first rescue vehicle is configured to run on the tracks of the rail system. The first rescue vehicle is provided with a lifting device on one side of the vehicle, which faces for engagement in a first X-direction. The second rescue vehicle is configured to run on the tracks of the rail system. The second rescue vehicle is provided with a lifting device on an opposite side of the vehicle, which faces for engagement in a second X-direction opposite to the first X-direction. The first and second rescue vehicles are configured to work in tandem so that when one of the plurality of remotely operated vehicles malfunctions, the first and second rescue vehicles can position themselves on the rail system on opposite sides of the malfunctioning vehicle to engage their respective lifting devices with the opposite sides of the malfunctioning vehicle. The first and second rescue vehicles operate their lifting devices simultaneously so as to lift the malfunctioning vehicle off the rail system and transport the malfunctioning vehicle.

A method, system, and computer program for controlling operation of an automated storage and retrieval system during rebuilding a physical design. The method includes a planning and designing phase that establish a new design. Storage columns with a rail system that is affected by the rebuilding are excluded from a selection of available routes for container handling vehicles operating on the storage system. In a relocation phase, storage containers located in excluded storage columns are relocated to other storage columns. In a rerouting phase, traffic flow of container handling vehicles are rerouted according to available routes. A master controller is instructed to control the vehicles according to the available routes. In a rebuilding phase, the storage system is rebuilt according to the new physical design. In a final routing phase, the routing planner controls traffic flow of the vehicles according to available routes on the rail system of the rebuilt physical design.