Container storage and dispensing apparatus with adjustable container position

• US 20050045574A1
• Filed: 09/03/2003
• Published: 03/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: System Logistics Corporation
• Original Assignee: Vertique Incorporated (Krones)
• Inventors: Stingel, Frederick J. III, Stingel, Jeffrey W., Stingel, Frederick J. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 7,401,709 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 211/119.3
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 11/086 for articles

Abstract

An adjustable positioning apparatus for positioning containers on a shelf tray assembly of a vertically accumulating storage and retrieval apparatus has a container abutting portion and engagement structure for securing the container abutting portion on a portion of the shelf tray assembly so as to position the container on the shelf tray. A vertically accumulating storage and retrieval apparatus having adjustable container positioning structure is also disclosed.

Claims

1. An apparatus for positioning a container on a shelf tray of a shelf tray assembly of a vertically accumulating storage and retrieval apparatus, said shelf tray having front and rear portions, said apparatus comprising:

a container abutting portion; and

engagement structure for securing said container abutting portion over said rear portion of said shelf so as to stop and position said container on said shelf tray.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said engagement structure is adjustable, whereby the position of said container abutting portion is adjustable.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said engagement structure comprises elongated engagement members connected to said container abutting portion, said elongated engagement members having a plurality of spaced apart engagement positions for engaging a portion of said shelf assembly.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said engagement positions comprise grooves for receiving a portion of said shelf tray assembly.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said grooves are dimensioned to receive a cross-bar of said shelf tray assembly.

6. A vertically accumulating storage and retrieval apparatus, comprising a first plurality of substantially vertically spaced shelf assemblies supported by support structure and a second plurality of substantially vertically spaced shelf assemblies supported by support structure;

each of said shelf assemblies comprising;

a shelf tray for receiving, storing, and discharging containers, the shelves of the first plurality of shelf assemblies being substantially staggered vertically relative to the shelves of the second plurality of shelf assemblies, with the free ends of each plurality of shelf assemblies facing the free ends of the other plurality of shelf assemblies, each shelf being mounted to its respective vertical support for pivotal movement between an upwardly tilted receiving position and a downwardly tilted discharge position;

biasing structure adapted to urge the shelf to the receiving position;

a transfer control operatively connected to the shelf and having a lock position retaining the shelf in the receiving position when a shelf of a next lower shelf assembly is not prepared to receive a container, and a release position allowing the shelf to move to the discharge position under the weight of a container disposed on said shelf when the shelf of the next lower shelf assembly is prepared to receive a container;

a transfer control linkage operatively connected between the transfer control and the next lower shelf assembly for transitioning the transfer control to the release position when the next lower shelf is prepared to receive a container; and

adjustable container positioning structure attached to said shelf assembly for positioning said containers on said shelf assembly at a plurality of different positions.