Lift interface for storage and retrieval systems
First Claim
1. A transport system for a storage and retrieval system having an array of storage levels, each storage level having respective storage areas, the transport system comprising:
- a continuously moving vertical loop conveyor having a frame and support shelves movably coupled to the frame, each support shelf being configured to hold one or more uncontained case units in predetermined areas of the support shelf; and
transfer vehicles disposed on respective ones of the storage levels, the continuously moving vertical loop conveyor having a conveyor to transfer vehicle interface configured to transfer the uncontained case units substantially directly between each support shelf and the transfer vehicles for transport to the storage areas in substantially one transfer vehicle picking operation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A transport system for a storage and retrieval system having an array of storage levels, each storage level having respective storage areas, the transport system including a vertical conveyor having a frame and support shelves movably coupled to the frame, each support shelf being configured to hold one or more uncontained case units in predetermined areas of the support shelf, and transfer vehicles disposed on respective ones of the storage levels, the vertical conveyor having a conveyor to transfer vehicle interface configured to transfer the uncontained case units substantially directly between the support shelves and the transfer vehicles for transport to the storage areas in substantially one transfer vehicle picking operation.
139 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A transport system for a storage and retrieval system having an array of storage levels, each storage level having respective storage areas, the transport system comprising:
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a continuously moving vertical loop conveyor having a frame and support shelves movably coupled to the frame, each support shelf being configured to hold one or more uncontained case units in predetermined areas of the support shelf; and transfer vehicles disposed on respective ones of the storage levels, the continuously moving vertical loop conveyor having a conveyor to transfer vehicle interface configured to transfer the uncontained case units substantially directly between each support shelf and the transfer vehicles for transport to the storage areas in substantially one transfer vehicle picking operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An automated case unit storage system for handling case units that are adapted for being palletized for shipping to and from a warehouse, the automated case unit storage system comprising:
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a multilevel array of storage spaces arrayed on multiple static 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 vertical lift having a lift support configured for holding and lifting the uncontained case unit to the levels of the array, the continuous vertical lift substantially continuously moving the lift support at a substantially constant speed; and an input for inputting the uncontained case units onto the lift support of the continuous vertical lift; an output for outputting the uncontained case units from the lift support of the continuous vertical lift wherein the continuous vertical lift is configured so that outputted uncontained case units from the continuous vertical lift are disposed in a predetermined order that is independent from an order sequence in which the uncontained cases are input to the continuous vertical lift. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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Specification