Abstract: A storage system having multiple storage sections, each configured for storing containers arranged in multiple rows at various horizontal levels with respect to ground. Multiple lifting transportation devices are configured for moving in a first horizontal direction along pairs of first rails arranged at predetermined horizontal levels in passages between the storage sections so as to take containers stored in the adjacent storage sections and place them to a selected row of the adjacent storage sections. At least one container carriage is configured for moving in a second horizontal direction substantially perpendicular to the first horizontal direction so as to take the containers placed in the selected row and move them in the second horizontal direction.

Abstract: A storage system having multiple storage sections, each configured for storing containers arranged in multiple rows at various horizontal levels with respect to ground. Multiple lifting transportation devices are configured for moving in a first horizontal direction along pairs of first rails arranged at predetermined horizontal levels in passages between the storage sections so as to take containers stored in the adjacent storage sections and place them to a selected row of the adjacent storage sections. At least one container carriage is configured for moving in a second horizontal direction substantially perpendicular to the first horizontal direction so as to take the containers placed in the selected row and move them in the second horizontal direction.

Abstract: A storage system having multiple storage sections, each configured for storing containers in storage cells arranged in multiple rows at various horizontal levels with respect to ground. Multiple sets of lifting transportation devices are configured for moving in a first horizontal direction along pairs of rails arranged at respective first predetermined horizontal levels in passages between adjacent storage sections. Multiple container carriages corresponding to respective sets of the lifting transportation devices are configured for moving in a second horizontal direction substantially perpendicular to the first horizontal direction. A lifting sequencer is configured for moving in a vertical direction to receive containers from the multiple container carriages and provide a sequence of containers arranged in a predetermined order.

Abstract: A storage system having multiple storage sections, each configured for storing containers in storage cells arranged in multiple rows at various horizontal levels with respect to ground. Multiple sets of lifting transportation devices are configured for moving in a first horizontal direction along pairs of rails arranged at respective first predetermined horizontal levels in passages between adjacent storage sections. Multiple container carriages corresponding to respective sets of the lifting transportation devices are configured for moving in a second horizontal direction substantially perpendicular to the first horizontal direction. A lifting sequencer is configured for moving in a vertical direction to receive containers from the multiple container carriages and provide a sequence of containers arranged in a predetermined order.

Abstract: An order picking system having a system for transferring an article from a source container to a reception container. A article holder is configured for taking the article from the source container and placing the article into the reception container. A protection case is movable between a source position above the source container and a reception position above the reception container. A gate is configured to provide an opening in a bottom portion of the protection case when the gate is in an open state, and to close the opening when the gate is in a closed state. The protection case is configured for moving from the source position to the reception position when the article holder transfers the article from the source container to the reception container. The article holder is configured to hold the article above the bottom portion of the protection case when the article holder is moved from the source container to the reception container.

Abstract: A storage system having at least first, second and third storage sections, each configured for storing containers in multiple storage cells arranged in multiple rows at various horizontal levels with respect to ground. Storage cells in each row are arranged in multiple parallel lines extending in a first horizontal direction. Container carriages are moved in the first horizontal direction along parallel paths corresponding to the lines of the storage cells. The container carriage having a frame and a board for carrying containers is configured to position the board at different horizontal levels with respect to the frame. The container carriage is enabled to load containers onto its board in a desired sequence by taking a selected container from a storage cell in one row of the storage section when the board is positioned at one horizontal level, and placing the selected container to a storage sell in another row when the board is positioned at another horizontal level.

Abstract: An order picking system enables a picker at a picking position to collect orders from multiple containers. A container feeding mechanism moves containers along a feeding line to and from the picking position in multiple container holders positioned in first and second rows at different horizontal levels with respect to ground. The container feeding mechanism is configured for simultaneously moving the container holders in the first row to the picking position and the container holders in the second row from the picking position. Multiple container carriages are moved along multiple parallel tracks in a direction substantially perpendicular to the feeding line so as to carry containers to and from the container feeding mechanism.

Abstract: A storage system having first and second storage sections, each configured for storing containers arranged in multiple rows at various horizontal levels with respect to ground. A group of transportation devices is configured for moving in a horizontal direction along corresponding pairs of rails arranged at multiple horizontal levels in a passage between the first storage section and the second storage section so as to have access to the containers arranged in both the first and second storage sections. Each transportation device movable along a corresponding pair of rails is configured to include a container access mechanism movable up and down with respect to the corresponding pair of rails so as to handle one or more containers stored in a row above and below the corresponding pair of rails.

Abstract: A retail facility for enabling customers to pick up products including perishable items has a storage system for storing containers arranged in multiple rows at various horizontal levels with respect to ground. The storage system includes a first storage section for storing containers with products at a first temperature and a second storage section for storing containers with products at a second temperature higher than the first temperature. The first storage section is covered with a first thermal insulating cover. A transportation device is configured for moving along one or more horizontal rails arranged above the first storage section. The rails are supported by vertical support elements arranged outside of the first thermal insulating cover. The transportation device is configured for taking one or more containers stored in the storage system and delivering the containers to a selected destination.

Abstract: A storage system having multiple storage sections, each configured for storing containers arranged in multiple rows at various horizontal levels with respect to ground. Multiple lifting transportation devices are configured for moving in a first horizontal direction along pairs of first rails arranged at predetermined horizontal levels in passages between the storage sections so as to take containers stored in the adjacent storage sections and place them to a selected row of the adjacent storage sections. At least one container carriage is configured for moving in a second horizontal direction substantially perpendicular to the first horizontal direction so as to take the containers placed in the selected row and move them in the second horizontal direction.

Abstract: A storage system having first and second storage sections, each configured for storing containers arranged in multiple rows at various horizontal levels with respect to ground. A group of transportation devices is configured for moving in a horizontal direction along corresponding pairs of rails arranged at multiple horizontal levels in a passage between the first storage section and the second storage section so as to have access to the containers arranged in both the first and second storage sections. Each transportation device movable along a corresponding pair of rails is configured to include a container access mechanism movable up and down with respect to the corresponding pair of rails so as to handle one or more containers stored in a row above and below the corresponding pair of rails.

Abstract: An order picking system includes a storage system for storing containers arranged in multiple rows at various horizontal levels with respect to ground, the containers including source containers with goods stored in the storage system and reception containers to be filled with the ordered goods. At least one mobile picking unit may be moved in a horizontal direction along an upper level of the storage system, the picking unit is configured for taking ordered goods from the source containers arranged at the upper level and placing the ordered goods into the reception containers for delivery to the customers. At least one transportation unit may be moved along a lower level of the storage system arranged lower than the upper level. The transportation unit is configured for taking the containers from levels of the storage system lower than the upper level, and delivering the containers to the upper level.

Abstract: An order picking system having a system for transferring an article from a source container to a reception container. A article holder is configured for taking the article from the source container and placing the article into the reception container. A protection case is movable between a source position above the source container and a reception position above the reception container. A gate is configured to provide an opening in a bottom portion of the protection case when the gate is in an open state, and to close the opening when the gate is in a closed state. The protection case is configured for moving from the source position to the reception position when the article holder transfers the article from the source container to the reception container. The article holder is configured to hold the article above the bottom portion of the protection case when the article holder is moved from the source container to the reception container.

Abstract: A robotic device movable in a vertical direction between rails arranged in multiple rows at various levels with respect to ground. The robotic device has a frame, wheels coupled to the frame for moving the frame along the rails, and a movable platform provided on the frame. The platform is configured for moving the frame in a vertical direction between first rails and second rails arranged above the first rails, and for placing onto the robotic device first and second loads arranged at different levels with respect to the ground.

Abstract: A robotic device movable in a vertical direction between rails arranged in multiple rows at various levels with respect to ground. The robotic device has a frame, wheels coupled to the frame for moving the frame along the rails, and a movable platform provided on the frame. The platform is configured for moving the frame in a vertical direction between first rails and second rails arranged above the first rails, and for placing onto the robotic device first and second loads arranged at different levels with respect to the ground.

Abstract: A robotic device movable in first, second and third mutually perpendicular directions along rails arranged in multiple rows, where the rails in a row are arranged along the first and second mutually perpendicular directions, and the multiple rows are arranged along the third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions. The robotic device has a frame, wheels coupled to the frame for moving the frame along the rails in the first and second directions, and support handles for lifting the frame in the third direction from first rails arranged in a first row of the rails to second rails arranged in a second row of the rails. The support handles are configured for providing engagement with the second rails so as to lift the robotic device in the third direction from the first rails to the second rails.

Abstract: A robotic device for carrying loads is movable in a vertical direction between rails arranged in multiple rows at various levels with respect to ground. The robotic device has a frame, wheels coupled to the frame for moving the frame along the rails, and a platform provided on the frame to carry a first load when the frame is moved in a vertical direction between first rails and second rails arranged above the first rails. Movable carriages are configured for being moved in the vertical direction at distance greater than a distance between the first rails and the second rails. A lifting mechanism moves the carriages in the vertical direction with respect to the frame. Support handles are arranged on the movable carriages and configured for providing engagement with the first or second rails to raise the frame above the respective rails to a level sufficient to disengage the wheels from the respective rails.

Abstract: A robotic device movable in a vertical direction and in prescribed horizontal directions along rails arranged in the prescribed horizontal directions in multiple rows provided at various levels with respect to ground. The robotic device has a frame, wheels coupled to the frame and configured for moving the frame along the rails, and support handles for lifting the frame in the vertical direction from first rails arranged in a first row of the rails to second rails arranged in a second row of the rails. The support handles are configured for providing engagement with the second rails to lift the robotic device in the vertical direction, and for turning the frame into a desired horizontal direction by pushing against the second rails on an intersection between the second rails and third rails arranged in the same row as the second rails.

Abstract: A robotic device movable in a vertical direction and in prescribed horizontal directions along rails arranged in the prescribed horizontal directions in multiple rows provided at various levels with respect to ground. The robotic device has a frame, wheels coupled to the frame and configured for moving the frame along the rails, and support handles for lifting the frame in the vertical direction from first rails arranged in a first row of the rails to second rails arranged in a second row of the rails. The support handles are configured for providing engagement with the second rails to lift the robotic device in the vertical direction, and for turning the frame into a desired horizontal direction by pushing against the second rails on an intersection between the second rails and third rails arranged in the same row as the second rails.

Abstract: A robotic device movable in first, second and third mutually perpendicular directions along rails arranged in multiple rows, where the rails in a row are arranged along the first and second mutually perpendicular directions, and the multiple rows are arranged along the third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions. The robotic device has a frame, wheels coupled to the frame for moving the frame along the rails in the first and second directions, and support handles for lifting the frame in the third direction from first rails arranged in a first row of the rails to second rails arranged in a second row of the rails. The support handles are configured for providing engagement with the second rails so as to lift the robotic device in the third direction from the first rails to the second rails.