Automatic storage and retrieval system
First Claim
1. A method for automatically transferring a plurality of items between a first location and a second location utilizing a system including caddy means for receiving said plurality of items, said caddy means including a plurality of substantially vertically oriented shelves, said caddy means being affixed to dolly means for carrying said caddy means between said first location and said second location, said dolly means including locomotion means and locomotion control means for moving said dolly means, item handler means affixed to said dolly means for transferring said plurality of items between said caddy means and said first location, said item handler means including first elevator means and first elevator control means for positioning said item handler means at a selected elevation, caddy loader means for simultaneously loading said plurality of items on said caddy means, said caddy loading means including a plurality of substantially vertically oriented shelves matching said orientation of said shelves of said caddy means, second elevator means and second elevator control means for adjusting the elevation of said caddy loader means, item pusher means for simultaneously pushing said items off from said caddy loader shelves to said caddy means shelves, and control means for managing and controlling said system, said method comprising the steps of:
- A. transferring said plurality of items from said first location to said caddy means;
B. carrying said caddy means on said dolly means proximate to said second location;
C. performing a selectable sequence of transfers of said items between said caddy means and said second location with said item handler means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for storing and retrieving items to and from a storage receptacle which includes a track riding dolly carrying a robotic item handler for inserting and extracting items to and from storage. The dolly also carries a multishelved caddy for receiving a plurality of items thereon. The item handler has the capacity to access each of the shelves of the caddy and may execute, under computer control, a selected sequence of item transfers between the caddy and storage during a single passage of the dolly from an on/off load point past the storage receptacle. A multishelved caddy loader queues a plurality of items received from an on-load device independently of the caddy, via vertical repositioning, and performs a bulk transfer of the queued items to the caddy when the caddy is available. A mass offloader device permits the bulk transfer of a plurality of items from the caddy to an offload receiver. A unit offloader sequentially offloads the offload receiver, via vertical repositioning of the offload receiver, onto an offload surface independently of the caddy.
86 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method for automatically transferring a plurality of items between a first location and a second location utilizing a system including caddy means for receiving said plurality of items, said caddy means including a plurality of substantially vertically oriented shelves, said caddy means being affixed to dolly means for carrying said caddy means between said first location and said second location, said dolly means including locomotion means and locomotion control means for moving said dolly means, item handler means affixed to said dolly means for transferring said plurality of items between said caddy means and said first location, said item handler means including first elevator means and first elevator control means for positioning said item handler means at a selected elevation, caddy loader means for simultaneously loading said plurality of items on said caddy means, said caddy loading means including a plurality of substantially vertically oriented shelves matching said orientation of said shelves of said caddy means, second elevator means and second elevator control means for adjusting the elevation of said caddy loader means, item pusher means for simultaneously pushing said items off from said caddy loader shelves to said caddy means shelves, and control means for managing and controlling said system, said method comprising the steps of:
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A. transferring said plurality of items from said first location to said caddy means; B. carrying said caddy means on said dolly means proximate to said second location; C. performing a selectable sequence of transfers of said items between said caddy means and said second location with said item handler means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification