STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A storage and retrieval system comprising:
- a vertical array of storage levels, each storage level having storage locations;
a multilevel vertical conveyor system configured to transport the uncontained case units to and from the vertical array of storage levels, each storage level being configured to receive uncontained case units from the multilevel vertical conveyor system;
at least one autonomous transport confined to each storage level, the at least one autonomous transport being configured to transport the uncontained case units between respective storage locations and the multilevel vertical conveyor system; and
a controller configured to effect operation of the multilevel vertical conveyor system and at least one autonomous transport for assembling orders of uncontained case units of different types without moving bundles of the same uncontained case unit type throughout the storage and retrieval system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A storage and retrieval system including a vertical array of storage levels, each storage level having storage locations, a multilevel vertical conveyor system configured to transport the uncontained case units to and from the vertical array of storage levels, each storage level being configured to receive uncontained case units from the multilevel vertical conveyor system, at least one autonomous transport confined to each storage level, the at least one autonomous transport being configured to transport the uncontained case units between respective storage locations and the multilevel vertical conveyor system, and a controller configured to effect operation of the multilevel vertical conveyor system and at least one autonomous transport for assembling orders of uncontained case units of different types without moving bundles of the same uncontained case unit type throughout the storage and retrieval system.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A storage and retrieval system comprising:
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a vertical array of storage levels, each storage level having storage locations; a multilevel vertical conveyor system configured to transport the uncontained case units to and from the vertical array of storage levels, each storage level being configured to receive uncontained case units from the multilevel vertical conveyor system; at least one autonomous transport confined to each storage level, the at least one autonomous transport being configured to transport the uncontained case units between respective storage locations and the multilevel vertical conveyor system; and a controller configured to effect operation of the multilevel vertical conveyor system and at least one autonomous transport for assembling orders of uncontained case units of different types without moving bundles of the same uncontained case unit type throughout the storage and retrieval system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An automated case unit storage system for handling uncontained case units that are adapted for being palletized for shipping to or from a storage facility, the automated case unit storage system comprising:
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an array of multilevel storage rack modules having storage areas separated by picking aisles; multiple levels of stacked tiers, each tier providing access to one level of the array of multilevel storage rack modules and including at least one transfer deck and the picking aisles; at least one input conveyor connected to at least one of the multiple levels of stacked tiers, the at least one input conveyor being configured for allowing input of the uncontained case units into the array of multilevel storage rack modules; at least one output conveyor connected to at least one of the multiple levels of stacked tiers, each of the at least one output conveyor being configured for allowing output of the uncontained case units from the array of multilevel storage rack modules; and at least one autonomous transport vehicle located on of the at least one of the multiple levels of stacked tiers, the at least one autonomous transport vehicle being configured to traverse at least one transfer deck and picking aisles of at least one of the multiple levels of stacked tiers to transport at least one uncontained case unit between a predetermined storage rack module and one of the input and output conveyors, where the at least one autonomous transport vehicle is capable of accessing each storage area. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for automatically handling uncontained case units that are adapted for being palletized for shipping to or from a storage facility, the method comprising:
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providing an array of multilevel storage rack modules having storage areas separated by picking aisles; providing multiple levels of stacked tiers, at least one tier providing access to one level of the array of multilevel storage rack modules and including at least one transfer deck and the picking aisles; inputting the uncontained case units into the array of multilevel storage rack modules with at least one input conveyor commonly connected to at least one of the multiple levels of stacked tiers; outputting the uncontained case units from the array of multilevel storage rack modules with at least one output conveyor commonly connected to at least one of the multiple levels of stacked tiers; and transporting at least one uncontained case unit between a predetermined storage rack module and one of the input and output conveyors with at least one autonomous transport vehicle confined to the respective level, the at least one autonomous transport vehicle being configured to traverse the at least one transfer deck and the picking aisles for transporting the at least one uncontained case unit.
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Specification