Method and apparatus for storing or retrieving items
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A material handling system, comprising:
- a storage and retrieval system, comprising;
a plurality of storage locations for storing items;
a displaceable storage and retrieval device movable between the plurality of storage locations and operable to retrieve an item from one of the storage locations and move the item to a transfer location;
a picking system operable to transport an item to and from the transfer location, wherein the picking system comprises;
a plurality of picking vehicles for transporting items;
a picking track for guiding the picking vehicles, wherein the track comprises a loop;
an input/output station along the picking track configured so that an item can be removed from one of the picking vehicles;
wherein the picking track is configured so that the picking vehicles are operable to circulate around the loop between the input/output station and the transfer location;
wherein each picking vehicle comprises a drive system for driving the vehicle around the picking track and a motor for driving the drive system;
wherein the picking system is configured to control operation of the picking vehicles so that the picking vehicles are driven along the picking track to an area adjacent the transfer location to transfer items between the picking vehicle and the storage and retrieval system at the transfer location;
wherein the picking system is configured to control operation of the picking vehicles so that the picking vehicles are driven from the transfer location to the input/output station to allow removal of items from the picking vehicle; and
wherein the storage and retrieval system is configured to impede displacement of the displaceable storage and retrieval device into the picking track.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for storing and retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. A storage and retrieval system stores and retrieves items as needed and transfer items from storage locations to transfer locations. A separate picking system conveys the items from the transfer locations to a picking station or an input out station so that the item can be selected.
23 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A material handling system, comprising:
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a storage and retrieval system, comprising; a plurality of storage locations for storing items; a displaceable storage and retrieval device movable between the plurality of storage locations and operable to retrieve an item from one of the storage locations and move the item to a transfer location; a picking system operable to transport an item to and from the transfer location, wherein the picking system comprises; a plurality of picking vehicles for transporting items; a picking track for guiding the picking vehicles, wherein the track comprises a loop; an input/output station along the picking track configured so that an item can be removed from one of the picking vehicles; wherein the picking track is configured so that the picking vehicles are operable to circulate around the loop between the input/output station and the transfer location; wherein each picking vehicle comprises a drive system for driving the vehicle around the picking track and a motor for driving the drive system; wherein the picking system is configured to control operation of the picking vehicles so that the picking vehicles are driven along the picking track to an area adjacent the transfer location to transfer items between the picking vehicle and the storage and retrieval system at the transfer location; wherein the picking system is configured to control operation of the picking vehicles so that the picking vehicles are driven from the transfer location to the input/output station to allow removal of items from the picking vehicle; and wherein the storage and retrieval system is configured to impede displacement of the displaceable storage and retrieval device into the picking track. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A material handling system, comprising:
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a storage and retrieval system, comprising; a plurality of storage locations for storing items; a plurality of independently operable displaceable storage and retrieval vehicles operable to retrieve an item from one of the storage locations and convey the item to a transfer location; an input/output system operable to transfer items to and from the transfer location, wherein the input/output system comprises; a plurality of picking vehicles for transporting items; a picking track for guiding the picking vehicles, wherein the track comprises a loop; an input/output station along the track configured to facilitate removal of an item from one of the delivery vehicles; wherein the picking vehicles circulate around the loop between the input/output station and the transfer location; wherein the picking vehicles are configured differently than the displaceable storage and retrieval vehicles and a stop impedes displacement of the storage and retrieval vehicles into the picking track. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification