Storage and retrieval system
First Claim
1. An automated case unit storage system for handling case units that are adapted for being palletized for shipping to or from a storage facility, the automated case unit storage system comprising:
- a multilevel array of storage spaces arrayed on multiple levels and in multiple rows at each level, each storage space of the array being capable of holding an uncontained case unit therein;
a continuous loop vertical lift having a lift support configured for holding and lifting the uncontained case unit to the levels of the array, the continuous loop vertical lift moving the lift support substantially continuously at a substantially constant rate; and
a transport cart with an effector capable of holding the uncontained case unit thereon, the cart being movable through the array on at least one of the levels to effect transfer of the uncontained case unit from the lift support to the storage spaces;
wherein the continuous loop vertical lift and transport cart are arranged so that the uncontained case on the lift support can be transferred by the transport cart with one pick to each storage space on the at least one level of the array with the continuous loop vertical lift moving the lift support at the substantially constant rate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A storage and retrieval system including a vertical array of storage levels, each storage level having, picking aisles, storage locations, disposed within the picking aisles, and at least one transfer deck providing access to the picking aisles, 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 located on each storage level for transporting the uncontained case units between respective storage locations and the multilevel vertical conveyor system, and a controller configured to create a primary access path through the transfer decks and picking aisles to a predetermined one of the storage locations and at least one secondary access path to the predetermined one of the storage locations when the primary path is impassible.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. An automated case unit storage system for handling 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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a multilevel array of storage spaces arrayed on multiple levels and in multiple rows at each level, each storage space of the array being capable of holding an uncontained case unit therein; a continuous loop vertical lift having a lift support configured for holding and lifting the uncontained case unit to the levels of the array, the continuous loop vertical lift moving the lift support substantially continuously at a substantially constant rate; and a transport cart with an effector capable of holding the uncontained case unit thereon, the cart being movable through the array on at least one of the levels to effect transfer of the uncontained case unit from the lift support to the storage spaces; wherein the continuous loop vertical lift and transport cart are arranged so that the uncontained case on the lift support can be transferred by the transport cart with one pick to each storage space on the at least one level of the array with the continuous loop vertical lift moving the lift support at the substantially constant rate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An automated case unit storage system for handling 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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a multilevel array of storage spaces arrayed on multiple levels and in multiple rows at each level, each storage space of the array being capable of holding an uncontained case unit therein; at least one continuous loop vertical lift having a lift support configured for holding and lifting the uncontained case unit to the levels of the array, the continuous loop vertical lift moving , the lift support substantially continuously at a substantially constant rate; and a transport cart with an effector capable of holding the uncontained case unit thereon, the cart being movable through the array on at least one of the levels to effect transfer of the uncontained case unit from a respective one of the storage spaces to the at least one continuous loop vertical lift; wherein each storage space and transport cart are arranged so that the uncontained case in a respective storage space can be transferred by the transport cart with one pick to each of the at least one continuous loop vertical lift on the at least one level of the array with the at least one continuous loop vertical lift moving the lift support at the substantially constant rate. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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Specification