Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system comprising an arrangement and system for the disposal of and/or recycling of trash, such as packaging materials, recyclable materials or other refuse The container handling vehicles of the system transport trash in a trash container from an access station, along the rail system of the storage system, to a trash port which has means for emptying the trash and advantageously diverting the trash to an appropriate receptacle.

Abstract: An access station, which is for presentation of a storage container from an automated storage and retrieval system to a picker, has a receiving area for receiving storage containers, forward of the receiving area a picking position for picking products from the storage container. The access station includes a guiding frame, a primary carriage, and a secondary carriage. The guiding frame is arranged in a horizontal plane and extends between the picking position and the receiving area. The primary carriage, which is for transporting a storage container, includes a primary carriage base, a primary carriage displacement motor, a first storage container support, and a transfer device. The primary carriage base is movable along the guiding frame. The primary carriage displacement motor is configured to move the primary carriage along the guiding frame. The first storage container support is connected to the primary carriage base.

Abstract: A bracing arrangement is for a framework structure of an automated storage and retrieval system. The framework structure includes a rail system arranged at an upper level of the framework structure. The rail system includes a first set of parallel rails arranged in a horizontal plane and extending in a first direction, and a second set of parallel rails arranged in the horizontal plane and extending in a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction, which first and second sets of rails form a grid pattern in the horizontal plane including a plurality of adjacent grid cells. Each grid cell includes a grid opening defined by a pair of neighboring rails of the first set of rails and a pair of neighboring rails of the second set of rails. The framework structure provides a plurality of storage columns.

Abstract: An automated grid-based storage and retrieval system includes a framework structure, storage containers, a vehicle, and a control system. The structure includes upright members and a rail system of a grid of horizontal rails at upper ends of members and defines a storage volume of adjacent storage columns below the rails. The grid defines grid positions. The containers are stacked in the columns. The vehicle includes a lifting device that can be lowered. The control system records, for each position, a coordinate and the level of containers of that position. A method includes, for a grid position, determining a level of containers in the stack by lowering the lifting device of a first vehicle until detecting a container at a vertical position and determining a grid position of the first vehicle by matching the vertical position with a record of a position of the same level of containers.

Abstract: An access station for an automated storage and retrieval system includes a frame structure; a drawer arranged in the frame structure and including a compartment for accommodating a goods holder; and a blocker operational with the drawer for providing a safety zone above the receiving position. The drawer is movable between a receiving position for receiving the goods holder from above where the drawer is retracted into the frame structure for preventing a user from accessing the compartment, and a picking position for presenting the goods holder to a user. The blocker is configured to block movement of the drawer located in the receiving position when an object is located in the safety zone. The blocker is configured to block movement of the object into the safety zone when the drawer is at least partly located outside the receiving position.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes a two-dimensional rail system including a first set of parallel rails arranged to guide movement of container handling vehicles in a first direction across the top of a framework structure, and a second set of parallel rails arranged perpendicular to the first set of rails to guide movement of the container handling vehicles in a second direction across the top of the framework structure which is perpendicular to the first direction. A number of container handling vehicles operate on the rail system for storing and retrieving goods holders in the automated storage and retrieval system. The framework structure includes a transfer column and an adjustable blocker. The transfer column includes a side opening for a goods holder to pass through. The adjustable blocker is for obstructing the side opening. The blocker includes a guiding surface for guiding a lifting device of the container handling vehicle vertically in the transfer column past the side opening.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an access station. The access station comprises an access module comprising a frame defining a drawer compartment provided within the frame and a drawer comprising a drawer base and a drawer front, wherein the drawer is movably connected to the frame. The drawer actuator is moving the drawer relative to the frame between a presentation position in which the drawer protrudes from the drawer compartment and a retracted position in which the drawer is retracted within the drawer compartment. The access module comprises a horizontal lower guide for supporting the drawer front. The drawer actuator comprises a front wheel and a motor for rotating the front wheel. The front wheel is connected to the drawer. The front wheel is configured to nm on the horizontal lower guide to move the drawer between the presentation position and the retracted position.

Abstract: A two-dimensional rail system includes a first set of parallel rails arranged to guide movement of container handling vehicles in a first direction across the top of a frame structure, and a second set of parallel rails arranged perpendicular to the first set of rails to guide movement of the container handling vehicles in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction. The first and second sets of parallel rails form a grid which divides the rail system into a plurality of grid cells. A container handling vehicle for operation on the two-dimensional rail system includes a base, a support structure, a container, and a support surface. The base includes moving guides for the container handling vehicle along the rail system in the first direction and the second direction respectively. The support structure is provided on the base and extends from a lower section at the base to an upper section.

Abstract: System for weighing containers in a rotatable container carousel rotating about a central axis and comprising a central hub with at least one carousel arm attached at one end to the central hub and at the other end attached to a container handling mechanism, at a radial distance between the central axis of the rotatable container carousel, allowing rotation from at least a container loading position and a container accessing position, wherein the container handling mechanism comprising a container holding tray mounted on top of the support structure which is attached to at least one wheel resting on a base and wherein the carousel arm can rotate around an axis going through the center of each attachment point of the carousel arm to the central hub and the container handling mechanism, and that when the carousel arm with the container handling mechanism comprising a container holding tray mounted on top of the support structure which is attached to at least one wheel is in the container accessing position, the

Abstract: An automated picking system and method for picking to and from containers in an automated storage and retrieval system wherein the automated storage and retrieval system comprises a rail system comprising a first set of parallel rails arranged to guide movement of a container handling vehicle in a first direction across a frame structure, and a second set of parallel rails arranged perpendicular to the first set of rails to guide movement of the container handling vehicle in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction, the first and second sets of parallel rails dividing the rail system into a plurality of grid cells having access openings, for storing storage containers in which items can be stored, and that the automated picking system comprises an automated picking arm situated in the access opening of a grid cell that is configured to pick items to and from containers situated in adjacent grid cells, and a conveyor system which is situated in columns of the adjacent grid cells to the

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a service vehicle. In some embodiments, the service vehicle comprises a platform configured to service a container handling vehicle while the service vehicle is on a grid-based rail system of a storage grid of an automated storage system for storing storage containers, and one or more wheel modules, each wheel module configured to move the service vehicle along the grid-based rail system, wherein the platform is mounted on the one or more wheel modules and comprises an enclosure having at least one opening.

Abstract: It is disclosed a clamp for anchoring a safety harness to a rail system, wherein the rail system comprises: —a first set of parallel rails arranged in a horizontal plane and extending in a first direction, and—a second set of parallel rails arranged in the horizontal plane and extending in a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction, wherein the first and second sets of rails form a grid pattern in the horizontal plane, the grid pattern comprising a plurality of openings, each opening being defined by a pair of neighboring rails of the first set of rails, a pair of neighboring rails of the second set of rails, and four junctions where each rail of the first set of rails meets one of the rails of the second set of rails, wherein the clamp comprises: —an attachment point for a safety harness, —a first jaw, and—a second jaw, wherein the clamp is operable between clamped and released configurations to pivot the jaws relative to each other and thereby adjust a jaw gap between distal ends of the j

Abstract: An access station, which is for presentation of a storage container from an automated storage and retrieval system to an operator at the access station, includes an access module, a drawer, and a first actuator. The access module includes a frame defining a drawer compartment provided within the frame and a front opening for allowing presentation of the storage container. The drawer includes a drawer base and a drawer front. The drawer is movably connected to the frame. The drawer base includes a support on which the storage container can be supported. The first actuator is for moving the drawer relative to the frame between a presentation position in which the drawer is protruding through the front opening of the frame and a retracted position in which the drawer is retracted within the drawer compartment. The access station includes a safety mechanism located above the front opening. The safety mechanism includes a cover, a safety plate, and a safety sensor. The cover is secured to the frame.

Abstract: A sensor station for an automated vehicle operating in an automated storage and retrieval system, in the form of a walled enclosure or supports into or under which the vehicle may drive. The enclosure or supports have connection points for the attachment of sensors and/or one or more compartments for the insertion of modules containing sensors. The station is mountable at a position on rail system of the storage system that minimizes interference with the operation of other vehicles in the automated storage and retrieval system. Data collected by the sensors is used in a method for predicting malfunctions, by comparing the collected data to baseline values and/or historical maintenance data.

Abstract: A storage container assembly includes a storage container, a delivery container, and a holder. The storage container includes a base and four walls extending up from edges of the base, thereby defining a top opening of the storage container. The delivery container includes a base and four walls extending up from edges of the base. The holder for the delivery container is telescopically retained within the storage container and extendable from the opening of the storage container. The holder has a side-access opening, which is revealed on extension of the holder from the storage container. The delivery container can be guided into and out from the side-access opening of the holder and the delivery container can be slidably retained within the holder for storage within the storage container.

Abstract: A remotely operated vehicle for transporting a storage container on a rail system of an automated storage and retrieval system. The vehicle includes a first set of drivers for moving the vehicle along a first direction on the rail system and a second set of drivers for moving the vehicle along a second direction on the rail system, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction. The vehicle further includes a storage container support for carrying the storage container, which is moveably between a first position and a second position. The storage container support is configured to support the storage container from below.

Abstract: A method for stocking goods into an automated storage and retrieval system, where goods are packed into one or more storage containers (106). The stocked containers (106) are thereafter transported to the storage system (104).

Abstract: An access station for a storage system includes at least one container holder arranged to rotate about an axis of rotation. The axis of rotation is inclined at a first angle relative to a vertical. The container holder is arranged to accommodate a storage container and is configured such that a centreline of the storage container when supported by the container holder is inclined at a second angle relative to the axis of rotation. The container holder may rotate between a first position, where the centreline of an accommodated storage container is vertical, and a second position being opposite the first position relative to the axis of rotation. The centreline of an accommodated storage container is inclined at a third angle relative to the vertical. The third angle is equal to the sum of the first angle and the second angle.

Abstract: A two-dimensional rail system includes a first set of parallel rails arranged to guide movement of container handling vehicles in a first direction across the top of the frame structure, and a second set of parallel rails arranged perpendicular to the first set of rails to guide movement of the container handling vehicles in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction. The first and second sets of parallel rails dividing the rail system into a plurality of grid cells. A container handling vehicle for operation on the rail system includes a wheel base unit including sets of wheels for guiding the container handling vehicle along the rail system in the first and second directions; a body unit; and a lifting device. The body unit includes: a lower section which is provided on the wheel base unit; a support section extending vertically from the lower section; and a cantilever section extending horizontally from the support section.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes a framework structure having a plurality of internal and peripheral upright members arranged to define a storage grid including multiple storage columns for storing storage containers on top of each other in vertical stacks. The upright members are interconnected at their upper ends by a rail system arranged to guide at least one container handling vehicle thereon. The container handling vehicle is configured to raise storage containers from, and lower storage containers into the storage columns and to transport the storage containers horizontally above the storage columns. The peripheral upright members of the framework structure define a horizontal periphery of the framework structure. A vehicle elevator includes a vertically extending support, a platform, and a lift mechanism.