With Control System Responsive To Changeable Operating Instructions Patents (Class 414/273)
  • Patent number: 9725241
    Abstract: It is disclosed a storage and picking system for storing and picking of articles in accordance with a picking order into order containers comprising: a storage zone; a working zone; at least one picking-work station; and a plurality of storage and retrieval devices, wherein each of the storage and retrieval devices comprises: a load-handling device; a vertical mast along which the load-handling device is supported vertically movable, preferably exclusively; and a ground-near travelling unit, wherein the travelling unit is connected to the mast; and a controlling device being integrated into the travelling unit; wherein the travelling unit is dimensioned such that and wherein the mast is arranged such that the storage and retrieval device can travel, for purpose of storing or retrieving, in the travelling direction beneath one of the racks while an other storage and retrieval device can pass the storage and retrieval device in the rack aisle; an wherein the storage and retrieval device can travel autonomously
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignees: SSI Schäfer Noell GmbH Lager- und Systemtechnik, MOTUM
    Inventors: Henricus Swinkels, Pieter van Caesbroeck
  • Patent number: 9715671
    Abstract: A system for managing medications facilitates documentation of medication returned from remote dispensing units to a central storage location such as a pharmacy vault. The system may be especially useful in facilitating the tracking of controlled substances. The system receives an indication that a medication previously removed from the remote dispensing units has been designated for return to the medication management system. The system computes an estimated return amount of the medication, and causes a queued return list to be displayed at the central storage location. The system can accommodate multiple remote dispensing devices and multiple medications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Omnicell, Inc.
    Inventors: John Vahlberg, Mike Dougan
  • Patent number: 9676551
    Abstract: An autonomous transport robot for transporting a payload, the autonomous transport robot includes a payload bed having at least one reference datum surface and at least one payload justification device, the at least one payload justification device being configured to position a payload on the payload bed in substantial contact with the at least one reference datum surface to place the payload in a predetermined position on the payload bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Symbotic, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen C. Toebes, Robert Sullivan, Forrest Buzan
  • Patent number: 9643779
    Abstract: An article management system includes a transport robot and a rack robot. The transport robot has an input interface that receives a transport request from a user, the transport request having a first request to transport a first article stored in the rack robot to the user, a first communication circuit that transmits the first request to the rack robot, and a movement that causes the transport robot to move toward the rack robot. The rack robot has a second communication circuit that receives the first request, and a conveyor that moves the first article on the first request between the rack robot and the transport robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventor: Kazunori Yamada
  • Patent number: 9600798
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for an automated materials handling facility. The automated materials handling facility uses a series of automated devices, such as automated guidance vehicles, mobile drive units, robotic arms, automated sorters, etc., to facilitate item receive, stow, pick, shipping and other aspects of materials handling. The automated devices are controlled by a materials handling control system that sends instructions to the various devices to coordinate operation of those devices and to coordinate flow of items through the materials handling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Stuart Battles, Jayson Michael Jochim, Martin Peter Aalund, Ned Lecky, Samuel Gardner Garrett, Paul Roy Raines, Jr., Kaushik Mani, Yan Yan, David Henry Clark, John Tan
  • Patent number: 9577765
    Abstract: A main controller controls carry in operations and carry out operations of articles to or from an article storage rack using article transport devices by causing a control command to be transmitted from a first optical communication device that is associated with each article transport device to a second optical communication device provided to each article transport device. The main controller is configured to perform a temporally-divided light-emission control in which a plurality of the first optical communication devices are caused to emit light in a temporally divided manner such that there is only one first optical communication device that emits light in any one time period among the first optical communication devices that are located close to one another in the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Koide, Yasuhiro Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9561905
    Abstract: An autonomous transport vehicle including a frame having a longitudinal axis extending from a front of the frame to a back of the frame, at least one first guide member mounted on one side of the frame and having a first guide member frame of reference, and at least one second guide member mounted to an opposite side of the frame than the at least one first guide member and having a second guide member frame of reference, wherein the first and second guide members are asymmetrically compliant guide members so that a stiffness of the at least one first guide member in response to a force in a predetermined direction relative to the first guide member frame of reference is different than a stiffness of the at least second guide member in response to the force in the predetermined direction relative to the second guide member frame of reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: SYMBOTIC, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen C. Toebes, Justin Holwell
  • Patent number: 9536767
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a material handling method of performing by means of an automatic mechanical material handling equipment controlled by a control system at least a first and a second access task for accessing respectively at least a first and at least a second article stored in a material handling storage system, the first and second access tasks having been assigned a first and a second execution priority respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: SAP SE
    Inventors: Tobias Adler, Oliver Radmann
  • Patent number: 9495656
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a material handling method of performing by means of an automatic mechanical material handling equipment controlled by a control system at least a first and a second access task for accessing respectively at least a first and at least a second article stored in a material handling storage system, the first and second access tasks having been assigned a first and a second execution priority respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: SAP SE
    Inventors: Tobias Adler, Oliver Radmann
  • Patent number: 9486926
    Abstract: Systems and computer-implemented methods are provided for automatically picking up items or products in a materials handling facility. In one embodiment, a system includes a first sensor; a conveyor; a robotic hand including multiple digits, each digit having one or more suction cups attached thereto; a memory; and one or more processors, which are all coupled together. The memory includes program instructions executable by the one or more processors to implement a pick process component configured to: (i) receive sensed information of an item or product delivered on the conveyor from the first sensor; (ii) generate a pick plan comprising processor-executable instructions to control the robotic hand to pick up the item or product; and (iii) control the robotic hand to pick up the item or product from the conveyor by executing the generated pick plan, while selectively activating the one or more suction cups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Yasushi Kawano
  • Patent number: 9483790
    Abstract: A robobox may automate all of the functions of a retail store, combining the best of online and traditional retail in a platform that costs significantly less to operate than a brick and mortar store while providing greater availability, a more predictable experience, and instant gratification to the shopper. Customers may use a touch screen interface to choose products from an inventory of the robobox. They may also place orders in advance through the web or with mobile devices. As soon as an order is completed and the payment has been collected electronically, the inner workings of the robobox pick the items in the order and may deliver it to the customer on-site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Inventors: Vincent Lincoln Marshall, Eric Shepard Gocke, Michael William Tieff, II
  • Patent number: 9481517
    Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes a first independently operable section having a first number of predetermined storage and retrieval transactions, and a second independently operable section in communication with the first independently operable section and having a second number of predetermined storage and retrieval transactions. The first and second independently operable sections are configured to provide a respective number of predetermined storage and retrieval transactions so that the first number of predetermined storage and retrieval transactions substantially matches the second number of predetermined storage and retrieval transactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Symbotic, LLC
    Inventors: Larry Sweet, Kil D. Kwak, Kirill Pankratov, Russell G. Barbour, William Johnson, Juergen D. Conrad, Juergen Baumbach, Ronald Kyslinger
  • Patent number: 9472043
    Abstract: Systems and methods for users of an automated retail store, vending unit, digital signage or interactive retail display (self-service units) to interact with such display/unit, collectively referred to in this text as a machine, directly and/or simultaneously using a one or more mobile devices. In addition, system and methods are provided that can recognize registered users within a set proximity to the machine and broadcast messages and notifications such as machine information, inventory information, rewards, discounts and free products, all of which could be tailored to the specific user based on understanding gathered through analysis of prior interactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: UTIQUE, INC.
    Inventors: Darrell Scott Mockus, Mara Clair Segal
  • Patent number: 9457967
    Abstract: An improved pharmaceutical vial processing system and method groups vials on an automated dispensing line according to diverting needs. The improved pharmaceutical vial processing system and method allows vials to travel in close groups. A diversion algorithm determines when gaps between vials are needed to reduce the likelihood that a mechanical diverting device engages the wrong vial to a new location on the dispensing line. The diversion algorithm identifies each vial that needs to be diverted to a target location and employs a “neighbor analysis” to determine whether a gap between neighboring vials is needed before a vial destined for the target station encounters a diverter. Vials that are destined for locations beyond the target station remain grouped. Vials that are behind a vial destined for the target station are held to introduce a gap between the vial destined for the target station and the remaining vials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Humana Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Mahar, Atin Kapadia
  • Patent number: 9452886
    Abstract: Method for providing transport units from a storage facility on at least one removal line, wherein the transport units are stored in a plurality of storage racks and storage rack levels, wherein interior storage racks are arranged in pairs adjoining one another and have a storage aisle on each side of the pair. At least one storage line and at least one removal line is provided. The transport units are placed into storage in, and removed from storage from, the storage rack via a storage and removal apparatus for each access aisle. For each access aisle, a storage and removal apparatus is provided. At least one removal lift is used to transfer the transport units to the removal line connected downstream thereof. A direct exchange of transport units takes place between two adjoining storage racks from one access aisle to an adjacent access aisle via transverse conveyance locations in the storage racks. The storage and removal apparatus moves the transport units in the transverse conveyance locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: DEMATIC SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventor: Shin Yamashita
  • Patent number: 9446899
    Abstract: A transferring apparatus includes a plurality of side-arm transfer units each provided with a pair of side arms each of which is capable of stretching toward and retracting from both sides of an object to be conveyed. The side-arm transfer units are arranged side by side in a left-and-right direction that is orthogonal to a stretching-and-retracting direction of the side arms. The side arms each include pinion gears, a rack gear, and a motor that drives the pinion gears. The motors positioned between the side-arm transfer units are connected to the pinion gears whose positions in the stretching-and-retracting direction are different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: MURATA MACHINERY, LTD.
    Inventor: Fumie Yamada
  • Patent number: 9429930
    Abstract: An order-picking station for manual picking of articles from storage containers into at least one order container in accordance with a picking order is disclosed, which may consist of a plurality of different articles, comprising: a rack having a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side being arranged oppositely to the first longitudinal rack side; a plurality of channels comprising feeding channels and at least one discharging channel, wherein each of the feeding channels comprises a transfer end and a provision end; a supply device configured for transporting the storage containers from a warehouse to the transfer ends of the feeding channels, and for transferring the storage containers to the transfer ends, wherein each of the transfer ends is arranged and configured such that the storage containers are transferable in an automated manner by the supply device; a material-flow control device, wherein the material-flow control device is configured to control a material flow of the storage conta
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: SSI SCHÄFER PEEM GMBH
    Inventor: Max Winkler
  • Patent number: 9409709
    Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes an autonomous rover and a multilevel rack structure. The multilevel rack structure includes columns connected by rail beams transversely spanning between the columns. The rail beams define storage and transport levels and provide riding surfaces for the autonomous rover. The rail beams include integral fatigue resistant rover location apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Symbotic, LLC
    Inventors: John F. Keating, Lawrence A. Margagliano, Thomas G. Perry, William Johnson, Jr., Todd E. Kepple
  • Patent number: 9340355
    Abstract: Storage device for storing and/or retrieving articles from storage, includes a frame having a first series of mutually parallel elongated storage sections, preferably positioned in a column set-up, that extend between a first end and a second end of the frame; a number of holders for the articles; storage sections being provided with holder supports, wherein at the first and second ends of the frame, first and second platforms, respectively, have been arranged for accommodating at least one holder; and first movement elements for moving the platforms, from one storage section to another; second movement elements for horizontally moving at least one holder from the first platform at the first end of the frame to the holder supports of a selected storage section while moving one or more holders from the selected storage section to the second platform at the second end of the frame, and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: I-COLLECTOR HOLDING B.V.
    Inventor: Hugo Victor De Vries
  • Patent number: 9315279
    Abstract: A container for transporting luggage items in an airport sorting system using a conveyor system for conveying the luggage items, includes a bottom region for coupling to a conveying unit of the conveyor system and a transporting region supported by the bottom region and receiving a luggage item to be transported. The bottom and transporting regions are each produced from x-ray transparent or radiolucent material. In order to provide a container which can be produced with low expenditure, is robust with regard to transport processes and is as homogeneous as possible with regard to being x-ray transparent or radiolucent, the bottom and transporting regions are formed from a basic body produced in one piece and from an x-ray transparent or radiolucent material and the basic body is formed from a foam perform or molded part. A sorting system for airport luggage items is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: David Delaney, Balthazar-Simon Ten Berge
  • Patent number: 9315323
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for fulfilling orders with a system having an automated warehouse that is adapted to store a plurality of inventory receptacles. The automated warehouse includes a plurality of vehicles that are adapted to storing inventory receptacles and retrieving inventory receptacles and an outbound device that is adapted to exchanging inventory receptacles between a pick station and the vehicles. Orders of items are received with an order queue. Orders are disbursed from the order queue to a vehicle queue associated with each vehicle. Inventory receptacles are retrieved with the vehicles having items for at least one of the orders. The inventory receptacles are retrieved according to the vehicle queue for that vehicle. Inventory receptacles are deposited by the vehicles to an outbound queue associated with the outbound device and forwarded from the outbound device to the pick station according to the requirements of the pick station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Dematic Corp.
    Inventor: Martin E. Schubilske
  • Patent number: 9311767
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for product storage and methods of categorizing, storing, and delivering products to end users via the system, the system's components including a processor, a “smart shelving” device, boxes for insertion into and utilization by the “smart shelving” device, and ID readers. Through the present invention, products are able to be securely and more certainly delivered to the proper recipient of the products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Wallace Woon-Fong Leung, King-Lun Kwok, Mau-Wah Chan, So-Lam Sze
  • Patent number: 9254959
    Abstract: A storage rack has a plurality of supporting brackets arranged one above the other for supporting storage product carriers conveyable by means of an automatic filling and withdrawal apparatus, and at least one filling and withdrawal opening for inserting and removing the storage product carriers. At a top side of the filling and withdrawal opening, an indicating means is arranged for indicating storage locations of a storage product in the storage product carrier, wherein the indicating means has a plurality of discrete lighting elements. The lighting elements are arranged in a two-dimensional grid in such a way that a light beam of the lighting elements is essentially vertically directed onto a storage surface of the storage product carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Hänel & Co.
    Inventor: Peter Janton
  • Patent number: 9150231
    Abstract: A maintenance and retrieval cart is provided for use with a push back storage rack having a plurality of nested trays riding on a pair of inclined rails. The maintenance and retrieval cart comprises a base with a safety rail secured thereto. The base is supported on an undercarriage which facilitates movement along the inclined rails. A drive mechanism is operatively connected to move the cart along the inclined rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Ideal Warehouse Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard De Jong, Jerry Michilsen, John Pollock
  • Patent number: 9056718
    Abstract: A transfer device transfers an object stored on one of a plurality of shelf plates of a shelf. The transfer device includes two pillars vertically standing in front of the shelf, an upper rail attached to upper front surfaces of the two pillars so as to tie the two pillars together, a vertical rail provided in a plane including the two pillars and slidably connected to a side surface of the upper rail, a lower rail provided under the vertical rail, attached to lower portions of the two pillars, and connected to the vertical rail in a manner which allows the vertical rail to slide, and a holding unit slidably connected to a side surface of the vertical rail and arranged to detachably hold the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhisa Ito
  • Publication number: 20150117992
    Abstract: A library device includes cell units which include a plurality of cells each configured to hold a cartridge, the cell units being loaded in a rack in a state where the cell units are arranged at least along a width direction of the rack to be capable of sliding out of the rack, and a robot adjacent to the rack holding the cell units. The robot includes a first mechanism of moving the robot at least along the width direction, a second mechanism of pulling out or loading the cell units from or into the rack, and a third mechanism of unloading or loading the cartridge from or into one of the cells while the cell unit is pulled out, and loading or unloading the cartridge into or from a drive operating the cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: MAKOTO NAGASAWA
  • Patent number: 9020632
    Abstract: A material handling systems provides efficient storage, retrieval and sortation of articles, utilizing a plurality of carts capable of traveling under storage areas with a three dimensional warehouse system and on multiple levels. The carts may convey items from storage to a goods to operator user interface. The carts may function as decoupled sortation units capable of providing sortation at multiple mobile sortation locations, providing vertical sortation. Carts may include conveying surfaces, and sort articles from between carts. Carts may transport more than one article and a plurality of carts may transport a single article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Intelligrated Headquarters, LLC
    Inventor: John R. Naylor
  • Publication number: 20150096682
    Abstract: In a chemical liquid container replacement device D2 configured to replace a chemical liquid container 50, multiple chemical liquid containers 50 respectively connected to base end sides of chemical liquid supply paths configured to supply chemical liquids, and a nozzle attachment/detachment device 61 is configured to attach/detach the base end side of the chemical liquid supply path with respect to the chemical liquid container 50 of a container arrangement section 60. A loading/unloading port 62 loads a new chemical liquid container 50 for performing a liquid process on a substrate W and unloads a completely used chemical liquid container 50. A container transfer device 7 unloads the completely used chemical liquid container 50 from the container arrangement section 60 toward the loading/unloading port 62 and loads the new chemical liquid containers 50 from the loading/unloading port 62 toward the container arrangement section 60.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventor: Tsunenaga Nakashima
  • Publication number: 20150098774
    Abstract: A system and method for surface mount assembly of PCBs, using an automated pick-and-place machine into which component tapes on reels are fed, uses component tape reels each of which has been pre-threaded into its appropriate tape guide and been stored as a reel/tape guide packet in an automated SMD storage tower, from which appropriate packets are retrieved for coupling to the pick-and-place machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: MICRONIC MYDATA AB
    Inventor: Nils Jacobsson
  • Patent number: 9002506
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments that may facilitate items being retrieved from a storage location. A robotic drive unit transports a carrier storage unit to be proximate to a target storage unit that comprises a container in which an item is located. The robotic drive unit aligns a receptacle in the carrier storage unit with the container in the target storage unit. The container is transferred from the target storage unit to the carrier storage unit. The robotic drive unit transports the carrier storage unit with the container to a destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rishabh Agarwal, Venkataramanan Subramanian, Mustafa Mustansir Hussain, Ahmed Shareef, Vikas Vishwanatham
  • Patent number: 8998554
    Abstract: A multilevel vertical conveyor system for transporting uncontained case units to and from a multilevel storage structure having an array of vertically stacked storage levels is provided and includes a frame having platform guide members, a drive member connected to the frame, and support platforms coupled to the drive member. The drive member is configured to move the support platforms relative to the frame in a substantially continuous vertical loop, each of the support platforms being configured to support multiple uncontained case units where each of the multiple uncontained case units is disposed at a respective predetermined area of a respective support platform, the support platforms have support members that are guided by guide members substantially throughout a path of the substantially continuous vertical loop, where the support members are guided in three point contact by the guide members substantially throughout the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Symbotic LLC
    Inventors: Stephen C. Toebes, Robert Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20150071743
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for selecting and combining items in an outbound container through the use of autonomous vehicles, each of which includes means for automatically loading and unloading a payload, to perform both transfer and transport functions in moving containers of items within a workspace via a network of roadways. Under computer control, said autonomous vehicles transfer and transport case containers of item units between incoming receiving stations, intermediate storage locations, and outgoing order-assembly stations where entire containers or individual item units are combined in the outbound container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: John G. Lert, JR.
  • Publication number: 20150050106
    Abstract: A storage library is described that includes a shelf system adapted to support a number of tape cartridges. The storage library further includes a tape drive adapted to read and write data to and from tape cartridges. The storage library further possesses a temporary repository near the tape drive that is adapted to facilitate an exchange of a first tape cartridge intended to be loaded in the tape drive with a second tape cartridge ready to be removed from the tape drive with a single tape picker device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Spectra Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Nathan Christopher Thompson, Matthew Thomas Starr
  • Patent number: 8954188
    Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system including a storage structure with storage racks having a seating surface configured to support case units where a position of each case unit is non-deterministic for each storage location on the storage racks, each case unit has a predetermined storage position and a controller is configured to determine the predetermined storage position, a picking aisle configured to provide access to the case units within the storage structure, and a seismic disturbance restorative system including seismic disturbance motions sensors disposed on the storage racks, a seismic disturbance control module in communication with the seismic disturbance sensors and configured to identify a seismic disturbance, and an automated case mapper configured to traverse the picking aisle, the automated case mapper being in communication with and initialized by the seismic disturbance control module to identify a seated position of at least one case unit within the storage structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Symbotic, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Sullivan, Stephen C. Toebes
  • Publication number: 20140301810
    Abstract: It is disclosed a warehouse system comprising: a control device; a plurality of racks defining a plurality of rack aisles therebetween, wherein each of the rack aisles comprises an access and is secured against unauthorized entry by an operator by means of the access, which is locked and unlocked by means of an access key, wherein a first sensor monitors, whether the access is closed or open, and transmits corresponding status signals to the control device; a plurality of rack serving units, wherein in each of the rack aisles at least respectively one rack serving unit can travel in an automated manner at least along a longitudinal direction of the rack aisle and wherein each of the rack serving units comprises at least one load handling device or shuttle, which can be extracted and retracted on both sides along a transverse direction, for storing and retrieving storage goods in an automatic mode in and from each of the racks in an automated manner, the racks being arranged directly adjacent to the respective
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: SSI Schaefer Noell GmbH Lager- und Systemtechnik
    Inventor: Rainer Steinbach
  • Patent number: 8851818
    Abstract: An automatic warehouse includes a rack including vertically arranged shelves and traveling vehicles each of which is provided to a corresponding one of the shelves. The automatic warehouse includes stations receiving an article to be stored on and an article unloaded from the rack, elevators each mediating traffic of articles between the corresponding station and at least one of the traveling vehicles, and a shelf assigning unit assigning, to each of the stations, one or more of the shelves to which the station has priority of use over the rest of the stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20140271063
    Abstract: A storage and retrieval system including a vertical array of storage levels, each storage level having storage locations, 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 confined to each storage level, the at least one autonomous transport being configured to transport the uncontained case units between respective storage locations and the multilevel vertical conveyor system, and a controller configured to effect operation of the multilevel vertical conveyor system and at least one autonomous transport for assembling orders of uncontained case units of different types without moving bundles of the same uncontained case unit type throughout the storage and retrieval system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Symbotic, LLC
    Inventors: John Lert, Stephen C. Toebes, Robert Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20140255132
    Abstract: A storage and distribution device and method based on an arrangement whereby the largest sides of boxed products are in contact with one another are disclosed. The device includes a storage device, a blind door and a restocking manipulator. The blind door is disposed at the front of the storage device, and the restocking manipulator is disposed at the rear of the storage device. The storage device includes a plurality of storage units. Each of the storage units includes a matrix storage rack provided with a plurality of storage passages in a matrix arrangement. Each of the storage passages includes two baffle plates having brushes and a bottom plate. A discharge control device is disposed at the front of a discharge end of each storage passage. A spiral spring driver is further disposed on each storage passage. The driver is driven by a spiral spring energy-storage device to move stored items towards the discharge end of the passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Zhonglin Gong, Zhiqiang Chen
  • Patent number: 8807234
    Abstract: An automated storage system is presented, in which a stacker crane can properly operate even in a high temperature environment, while simplifying the construction of the system facility. The automated storage system includes articles storage racks having a plurality of storage spaces for storing articles; a stacker crane 3 which freely travels along the travelling path, and a ground controller H which is on the ground side to control the operation of the stacker crane, and a fire fighting nozzles 26 on the platform 20. The article storage racks and the stacker crane are located in a high temperature environmental space Z2, while the extinguishant supply source 27 and the ground side controller are in a normal temperature environmental space Z1. A control line 31 is established from the ground side controller and the stacker crane, and a fire fighting hose 30 is from the extinguishant supply source to the fire fighting nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masashi Ariizumi
  • Publication number: 20140212248
    Abstract: Disclosed is a tube sorter comprising: a transporting section configured to transport a sample rack; a storage arranged at a higher level than the transporting section, capable of storing a plurality of sample tubes; a lifting section configured to lift up the sample rack transported by the rack transporting section; and a sample tube transferring section configured to remove a sample tube from the sample rack lifted up by the lifting section and set the removed sample tube in the storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: SYSMEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kei TAKAI, Nobuyoshi YAMAKAWA, Hiroo TATSUTANI, Yuji TAKANO
  • Patent number: 8784034
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for selecting and combining items in an outbound container through the use of autonomous vehicles, each of which includes means for automatically loading and unloading a payload, to perform both transfer and transport functions in moving containers of items within a workspace via a network of roadways. Under computer control, said autonomous vehicles transfer and transport case containers of item units between incoming receiving stations, intermediate storage locations, and outgoing order-assembly stations where entire containers or individual item units are combined in the outbound container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Symbotic Systems, LLC
    Inventor: John G. Lert, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140193225
    Abstract: A modular system for storage of cargo units in a designated space. The modular system includes: a plurality of interconnected active cell units, each cell unit including a cell transporting mechanism with at least one active shuttle unit moveable between the plurality of cell units. Each shuttle unit includes a shuttle transporting mechanism adapted to transport at least one pallet of the plurality of pallets to and from one of the plurality of cell units and also to and from at least one shuttle unit. The system also includes a central controller adapted to control the operation of the cell and the shuttle transporting mechanisms, the operation of which is performed in an independent manner via the central controller such that a construction of any arrangement of the cell units is performed to effectively exploit a designated space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Inventors: Ilia KHARKOVER, Yakov MONASTYRSKY
  • Publication number: 20140178161
    Abstract: A system for commissioning articles stored on source pallets in a pallet warehouse has a supply-conveyor line for supplying source pallets from the pallet warehouse to commissioning work stations having packing stations. Customer orders are assigned to a packing station. At the packing station a customer-transporting means is provided for picking up the articles to be directly commissioned from the source pallets. An outlet conveying line removes source pallets that are no longer needed from the commissioning work station back into the pallet warehouse or to another commissioning work station. An article arrival conveying line conveys the source pallets from an article arrival to the pallet warehouse. Automated guided vehicles are provided for conveying the source pallets along the article arrival conveying line, the supply-conveyor line and/or the outlet conveying line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Mossburger Logistics Network & Development KG
    Inventors: Michael MOOSBURGER, Martin Gleiss
  • Patent number: 8707658
    Abstract: A method and a work station for order-picking and simultaneously packing articles onto a shipping support includes at least one rack which is divided into at least one rack plane respectively comprising a plurality of rack positions for storing load supports, wherein the articles to be picked are stored preferably in or on the load supports in rack positions; at least one vertical lift unit arranged adjacent to a longitudinal side of the rack and being adapted to retrieve load supports from such rack positions being adjacent to the lift unit; and at least a packing station, which is arranged within an immediate area of the lift unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: SSI Schafer Noell GmbH Lager- und Systemtechnik
    Inventor: Gerhard Schäfer
  • Patent number: 8690509
    Abstract: An article storage facility includes a storage rack that includes a plurality of storage units that store articles; a first article transport that includes a first vertically movable body guided by a first vertical guide and a first transit body configured to move along a path defined along the storage rack, the first vertical guide being provided in the first article transport so as to be positioned on one side of a lateral direction of the path; and a second article transport that includes a second vertically movable body guided by a second vertical guide and a second transit body configured to move along the path, the second vertical guide being provided in the second article transport so as to be positioned on the other lateral side of the path. The first transit body and the second transit body are configured so as to be able to pass each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazushi Tsujimoto, Yuichi Ueda, Takashi Fujita
  • Publication number: 20140086714
    Abstract: A dynamically automated warehousing system including a three-dimensional storage volume having a plurality of horizontal storage levels which are vertically offset from each other, each level defining a grid of mutually adjacent palletized load storage/travel locations, at least some of the storage/travel locations being accessible from multiple directions, a three-dimensional palletized load storage/travel controller operative to dynamically control placement of palletized loads to and removal of palletized loads from palletized load storage locations and being operative to changeably designate a first plurality of the storage/travel locations as palletized load storage locations and a second plurality of the storage/travel locations as palletized load travel locations at a first time, and at a second time to designate a third plurality, different from the first plurality, of the storage/travel locations as palletized load storage locations and a fourth plurality, different from the second plurality, of the
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventor: Ohad MALIK
  • Patent number: 8682471
    Abstract: A storage library is described that includes a tape magazine that possesses at least one spare slot and a number of other addressable slots that each contains a tape cartridge. Each addressable slot is mapped and made known to a host when the host is linked to the storage library. One of the addressable slots contains a tape cartridge that prior to being mapped as an addressable slot was formerly a spare slot unmapped to the host and the current spare slot was formerly mapped as an addressable slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Spectra Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Thomas Starr, Nathan Christopher Thompson, Mark Lorin Lantry, Daniel Spencer Zmolek
  • Patent number: 8651790
    Abstract: A system and method for the safe storage of items wherein a storage structure is provided having a first section in which storage units are stored in vertically oriented cells with each storage unit being stacked one upon another and wherein at least one transfer vehicle is provided for selectively engaging and conveying the storage units along an overhead grid track system between the first section and a second section wherein the at least one transfer vehicle may be used to either lift or lower a storage unit and move the storage unit to and from a storage position in one of the vertical storage cells of the first section of the storage structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventors: Charles E. Benedict, Brian G. Pfeifer, Christian A. Yates, Scott K. Bladen, Richard E. Lackinger, James R. Dobbs
  • Publication number: 20140037404
    Abstract: Described herein is a package delivery kiosk (PDK) including an integrated robotic package lifting assembly and shelving system. The system includes a PDK, associated front end and back end package delivery management systems, including portals for the consumer, retailer, common carrier, sender, and recipient, a package inventory management system, integrated retailer access, and a real and automated retailer bidding system. The shelving system has shelves with receiving apertures and dividers configured to fit into the receiving apertures, where the dividers each have a receiving slot. A package retrieving apparatus includes a base, a vertical support interconnected with the base, and a package picker module. The package picker module is oriented to move up and down on the vertical support. The package picker module includes grippers configured to surround and grip the object. A kiosk includes a kiosk body having a package delivery slot and an interface slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: FLEXTRONICS AP, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen H. Hancock, Norman B. Desrosiers, Eric Fiest, John Rupert
  • Publication number: 20140037405
    Abstract: A warehouse system including a temporary storage device and a stacking crane is disclosed. The stacking crane includes a rack and a goods support. The rack includes three sensors. The temporary storage device includes a lifted support and a roller support. The goods support, the lifted support and the roller support may be lifted vertically between its high level and low level. The temporary storage device includes three reflective plates arranged according. to the locations of the third high level of the roller support, the second high level of the lifted support and the lifted support. In addition, three sensors are configured to sense the three reflective plate and determines if the stacking crane has to be shut down according to the sensing results. The warehouse system is capable of preventing the stacking crane from crash accidents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Xiande Li, Chunhao Wu, Kunhsien Lin, Minghu Qi, Zhenghong Chen, Yongqiang Wang, Weibing Yang, Zhenghua Guo, Yunshao Jiang, Zhiyou Shu