Abstract: The present invention provides an improved stacking and retrieving warehouse system that eliminates the use of expensive pallets. A storage and retrieval machine moves along floor tracks and top guide tubes between the racks in a warehouse. A carriage platform moves vertically along vertical masts of the storage and retrieval machine until it is aligned with the rack to be entered. Rails within the carriage align with rails within the racks, allowing the wheels of the rack entry vehicle to pass from the storage and retrieval machine into the racks. Vertical arms suspended from a lifting/lowering horizontal support member pack up goods stored on a pedestal within the racks. The good are picked up from the racks by the vertical arms of the rack entry vehicle and deposited on a pedestal within the carriage. The storage and retrieval machine transports the goods to a location to be deposited, stored, retrieved or unloaded.

Abstract: An automated storage facility includes a storage and retrieval system and a floor inventory management system. The storage and retrieval system uniquely palletizes bossies and stores palletized bossies and palletized stacks of cases together in the same storage and retrieval system. The system provides order picking of stacked cases for movement out of the storage retrieval system into an accumulator, and retrieving bossie carts from the storage and retrieval system while concurrently receiving and storing new pallets of stacked cases and new pallets with loaded bossies. It provides acceptance of loaded bossie cart-bearing pallets and discharging of loaded bossie cart pallets at one level while storing the pallets with the bossie carts throughout the storage system. Pallets with stacks of cases are delivered to order pick lanes for picking stacks from the pallets, while case stacks on conveyors are accumulated on pallets and accepted for storage on another level.