Automated storage and retrieval system and methods
First Claim
1. A method for operating an automated storage and retrieval system having a rack structure for defining first and second arrays of storage locations separated by an aisle, each storage location of the first and second arrays being accessible from the aisle and defining a first region proximal to the aisle and a second region distal to the aisle, comprising the steps of:
- transferring a first item storage container from the aisle to the first region of the first storage location,positioning a second item storage container in the aisle proximate the first item storage container;
interlocking the second item storage container to the first item storage container by engaging a releasable coupling structure extending there between;
applying, in a first direction transverse to the aisle, a force to the second item storage container sufficient in magnitude and duration to cause the first item storage container to occupy the second region of the first storage location and the second item storage container to occupy the first region of the first storage location, whereby the first and second item storage containers remain interlocked while in the first storage location;
transferring the second item storage container to a second storage location accessible from the aisle, wherein the step of moving the second container comprises the steps of;
removing the second item storage container from the first storage location, wherein the step of removing the second item storage container displaces the first item storage container into the first region of the first storage location;
releasably coupling the second item storage container with a third item storage container in the second storage location;
displacing the second item storage container into the second storage location, wherein the step of displacing the second item storage container displaces the third item storage location from a first portion of the second storage location to a second portion of the second storage location.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for operating an automated storage and retrieval system includes transferring a first item storage container from an aisle to a first region of a first storage location, positioning a second item storage container in the aisle proximate the first item storage container, interlocking the second item storage container to the first item storage container by engaging a releasable coupling structure extending there between, and applying, in a first direction transverse to the aisle, a force to the second item storage container sufficient in magnitude and duration to cause the first item storage container to occupy the second region of the first storage location and the second item storage container to occupy the first region of the first storage location, whereby the first and second item storage containers remain interlocked while in the first storage location.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method for operating an automated storage and retrieval system having a rack structure for defining first and second arrays of storage locations separated by an aisle, each storage location of the first and second arrays being accessible from the aisle and defining a first region proximal to the aisle and a second region distal to the aisle, comprising the steps of:
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transferring a first item storage container from the aisle to the first region of the first storage location, positioning a second item storage container in the aisle proximate the first item storage container; interlocking the second item storage container to the first item storage container by engaging a releasable coupling structure extending there between; applying, in a first direction transverse to the aisle, a force to the second item storage container sufficient in magnitude and duration to cause the first item storage container to occupy the second region of the first storage location and the second item storage container to occupy the first region of the first storage location, whereby the first and second item storage containers remain interlocked while in the first storage location; transferring the second item storage container to a second storage location accessible from the aisle, wherein the step of moving the second container comprises the steps of; removing the second item storage container from the first storage location, wherein the step of removing the second item storage container displaces the first item storage container into the first region of the first storage location; releasably coupling the second item storage container with a third item storage container in the second storage location; displacing the second item storage container into the second storage location, wherein the step of displacing the second item storage container displaces the third item storage location from a first portion of the second storage location to a second portion of the second storage location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for operating an automated storage and retrieval system having a rack structure for defining a plurality of arrays of storage locations, wherein each array of storage locations is separated from an adjacent array by a corresponding aisle and wherein each storage location is accessible from at least one aisle, the method comprising the steps of:
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transferring a first item storage container from a first aisle to a first region of a first storage location, positioning a second item storage container in the first aisle proximate the first item storage container; releasably coupling the second item storage container to the first item storage container; applying a force to the second item storage container sufficient in magnitude and duration to cause the first item storage container to occupy a second region of the first storage location behind the first region and the second item storage container to occupy the first region of the first storage location; and transferring the second item storage container to a new destination following decoupling of the second item storage container from the first item storage container; wherein the new destination is a second storage location accessible from the first aisle and a second aisle. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for storing and retrieving containers from a plurality of storage locations, comprising the steps of:
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driving a first vehicle with a first storage container along a transport path among a plurality of storage locations separated from one another horizontally and vertically; unloading the first storage container from the first vehicle into a first of the storage locations; releasably connecting the first storage container with a second storage container in the first storage location; displacing the first vehicle away from the first storage location after the step of unloading; and loading the first storage container onto a second vehicle after the step of releasably connecting the first storage container and the second storage container, wherein during the step of loading the first storage container pulls the second storage container toward the second vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method for operating an automated storage and retrieval system having a rack structure for defining a first group of storage locations in a first column and a second group of storage locations in a second column so that an aisle is formed between the first column and the second column, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
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storing first and second containers in a first storage location in the first column so that the second container is adjacent the aisle and the first and second containers are releasably connected; removing the second container from the first storage location, wherein the step of removing the second container displaces the first container toward the aisle; disconnecting the second container from the first container; conveying the second container within the aisle toward a second storage location in the first or second column after the step of removing the second container; releasably connecting the second container with a third container in the second storage location; and displacing the second container into the second storage location thereby displacing the third container in the second storage location away from the aisle. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
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Specification