Abstract: A delivery vehicle operates on a two-dimensional rail system with rails extending in a first direction and a second direction. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The delivery vehicle includes a vehicle body; two sets of wheels connected to the vehicle body for engagement with the underlying rail system and for moving the delivery vehicle in the first and second directions; a container carrier for supporting a container from below, wherein the container carrier comprises a first conveyor; a conveyor drive shaft for driving the first conveyor; and at least one drive coupling. The at least one drive coupling includes a connection interface accessible from an outer side portion of the vehicle body. The drive coupling is rotatably connected to a motor drive shaft such that when the motor drive shaft is rotated the drive coupling and the connection interface are rotated.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes an isolating housing having walls and a roof, one or more openable and closable housing openings or hatches arranged in the roof of the isolating housing, a rail system arranged above the roof, a storage tower arranged inside the isolating housing, and an automated control system. The isolating housing is arranged to isolate goods stored within the isolating housing from an outside environment. The goods are stored in storage containers. One or more wheeled container handling vehicles may travel upon the rail system. The container handling vehicles include a lifting device for lifting and lowering containers. The rail system is at least arranged such that a container handling vehicle may be positioned with its lifting device positioned above a hatch. The storage tower is accessible to the container handling vehicle or vehicles though a hatch.

Abstract: Storage containers may be stored a storage system including a framework structure. A robotic consolidation station for use in the storage system includes a first conveyor pathway for transfer of storage containers accommodating items to be picked, a second conveyor pathway for transfer of storage containers in which items are to be consolidated or have been consolidated, and a robotic picking arm arranged to reach the first conveyor pathway and the second conveyor pathway. Each of the first conveyor pathway and the second conveyor pathway includes a first end and a second end. Each first end may be operatively connected to a container outlet of the framework structure for transfer of storage containers from the framework structure and each second end may be operatively connected to a container inlet of the framework structure for transfer of storage containers into the framework structure. The first conveyor pathway includes a picking section. The second conveyor pathway includes a consolidation section.

Abstract: A lift system for an automated storage system of the type where storage containers are stacked in storage columns arranged in a grid, and where automated container handling vehicles retrieve and replace containers from a top level of the grid. The lift system has a platform vertically movable adjacent to a face of the grid, arranged for receiving and transporting one or more containers. A dedicated mechanical device is arranged for grabbing, lifting and moving the storage containers from a staging area at the top of the grid and placing containers on the platform and vice versa.

Abstract: A storage tower for storing storage containers includes a vertically extending supporting structure having a vertical axis, and m horizontally oriented container supports arranged along the vertical axis of the supporting structure and supported by container supporting frameworks to provide different levels where storage containers can be stored. The container supports are distributed at vertical intervals and m is a positive integer of 2 or more. Each container support is rotationally connected to the support structure and configured to support at least one storage container. Each level of the l container supports that are arranged above the remaining levels of m?l container supports each displays at least one opening having a size being at least a maximum horizontal cross section of the storage containers to be stored, l being a positive integer of 1 to m?1.

Abstract: A height-adjustable storage container includes a lower container frame and an upper container frame. The lower container frame includes a base and four lower walls extending from the base. The upper container frame includes four upper walls. Each of the upper walls at least partially overlaps a respective one of the four lower walls. The storage container includes a connection structure for connecting the lower container frame and the upper container frame together, and which allows the relative positioning of the lower container frame and the upper container frame to be adjusted to change the height of the height-adjustable storage container.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes at least one relay module for relaying storage containers between a port column and an access station. The relay module is arranged below a port column. The relay module includes a port station, a first conveyor, a second conveyor, each arranged at a side of the port station, and a lateral displacement device. The port station arranged at a lower end of the port column receives storage containers dropped off from and to be picked up through the port column. The first conveyor is adapted to transport storage containers to an access station. The second conveyor is adapted for transporting storage containers from the access station. The lateral displacement device is coupled to the port station and is arranged to transport storage containers between the port station and the first conveyor, and between the second conveyor and the port station.

Abstract: A vehicle tilting device for tilting a delivery vehicle for increasing access to items from a storage container transported on the delivery vehicle. The vehicle tilting device comprises a base structure and a tiltable platform connected to the base structure, wherein the tiltable platform comprises guiding features adapted to guide the delivery vehicle onto the tiltable platform. The tiltable platform is arranged to be connected to a delivery grid cell of a delivery rail system such that that there is a path to and/or from the tiltable platform for the delivery vehicle via the delivery grid cell. The invention is also related to an access station, a delivery system and a method of accessing a storage container.

Abstract: An automatic storage and retrieval system includes: a delivery vehicle; a storage container carried by the delivery vehicle; and an unloading station for unloading an item from the storage container while it is being carried by the delivery vehicle. The unloading station includes: an unloading device; and a destination conveyor configured to convey the item to a target destination, wherein the unloading device is configured to move the item through a side opening of the storage container to the destination conveyor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to automated storage and retrieval system comprising: a track system comprising a first set of parallel tracks arranged in a horizontal plane and extending in a first direction, and a second set of parallel tracks arranged in the horizontal plane and extending in a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction, which first and second sets of tracks form a grid pattern in the horizontal plane comprising a plurality of adjacent grid cells, each comprising a grid opening defined by a pair of adjacent tracks of the first set of tracks and a pair of adjacent tracks of the second set of tracks; a plurality of stacks of storage containers arranged in storage columns located beneath the track system, wherein each storage column is located vertically below a grid opening; a plurality of container handling vehicles for lifting and moving storage containers stacked in the stacks, the container handling vehicles being configured to move laterally on the track system above the s

Abstract: The invention relates to a container arrangement comprising a plurality of connected containers, each for storing an automated storage and retrieval system. A coupling arrangement connects and aligns connected containers side-by-side. The containers may be intermodal containers. The invention also relates to a method for providing such an arrangement.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes a framework structure and a delivery system. The framework structure includes upright members, horizontal members, and a storage volume comprising storage columns and port columns arranged in rows between the upright members and the horizontal members. A rail system is arranged across the top of framework structure. The 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, and access openings to the columns, the container handling vehicles being operable to raise a storage container from the storage columns, and transport the storage container above the storage columns to the port column, and lower the storage container into the port column.

Abstract: A container-handling vehicle for picking up storage containers from a three-dimensional grid of an underlying storage system includes a first set of wheels arranged at opposite sides of a vehicle body, for moving the vehicle along a first direction on the grid; a second set of wheels arranged at opposite sides of the vehicle body, for moving the vehicle along a second direction on the grid, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction; and the first set of wheels displaceable in a vertical direction between a first position, wherein the first set of wheels allow movement of the vehicle along the first direction, and a second position, wherein the second set of wheels allow movement of the vehicle along the second direction.

Abstract: A system performs measurements in storage containers for storing items. The storage containers are stored in an automated storage system including a framework structure forming a three-dimensional storage grid structure for storing the storage containers. The grid structure forms vertical storage columns each having a horizontal area defined by the size of an access opening of the vertical storage columns. A rail system is arranged on the framework structure defining the circumference of each access opening on top of each storage column. The rail system provides available routes for container handling vehicles handling and transferring the storage containers to and from the storage columns. The system further includes a testing station, accessible to a container handling vehicle via the rail system, with measuring equipment for measuring atmospheric conditions and for performing measurements in said storage container. The testing station is configured to communicate measurement data to a computer system.

Abstract: A storage system includes a storage grid structure having a top rail grid upon which container handling vehicles work to store and retrieve storage containers in and from storage columns beneath the top rail grid. The storage system includes multiple transfer rails forming a horizontal transfer rail grid arranged at a level below the top rail grid. At least one transport vehicle operates on the transfer rail grid. The storage system includes a picking/stocking station for picking/stocking items between a storage container and a packaging box, and an unloading/loading assembly for unloading/loading packaging boxes containing such items. The transport vehicle is arranged to move upon the transfer rail grid in two perpendicular directions and comprises a carrier platform. The transfer rail grid is arranged to allow access for the transport vehicle to transport one or more packaging boxes at a time between the picking/stocking station and the unloading/loading assembly.

Abstract: A system for performing measurements in storage containers for storing items includes a framework structure. The storage containers are stored in an automated storage system. The framework structure forms a three-dimensional storage grid structure for storing the storage containers. The grid structure forms vertical storage columns each having a horizontal area defined by the size of an access opening to the vertical storage columns between rails of a rail system. The rail system is arranged on top of the framework structure. The rail system provides available routes for container handling vehicles handling and transferring the storage containers to and from the storage columns. Each vehicle includes a vehicle controller communicating with a central computer system controlling the operation of the storage system.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes a framework structure constructed of a plurality of upright members connected by horizontal members to define a storage grid of storage columns, within which storage columns may be stacked a plurality of storage containers. The framework structure has a rail system arranged at the upper level of the framework structure, with parallel rails in a first direction and parallel rails in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, upon which rails a plurality of wheeled container handling vehicles travel. The container handling vehicles are equipped with a gripping and lifting device for removing storage containers from the storage columns and replacing the storage containers in the storage columns. The upright members of the framework structure have corner sections directed towards an interior of a particular storage column. The corner sections include two vertically elongated, perpendicular corner guiding plates.

Abstract: A measuring system for monitoring atmospheric conditions in an automated storage and retrieval system including a framework structure. The framework structure forms a three-dimensional storage grid structure for storing storage containers for storing items. The grid structure forms vertical storage columns each having a horizontal area defined by the size of an access opening of the vertical storage columns. A rail system is arranged on the framework structure defining the circumference of each access opening on top of each storage column. The rail system provides available routes for container handling vehicles handling and transferring the storage containers to and from the storage columns. The at least one container handling vehicle has at least one rechargeable power source. A container handling platform has a first set of grippers for handling the storage containers. The measuring system includes at least one box-shaped measuring unit of the same size and features as a storage container.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes: a storage grid having storage columns arranged in rows, in which storage containers are stacked one on top of another; a rail system having 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 orthogonal to the first direction, which first and second sets of rails form a grid pattern in the horizontal plane having a plurality of adjacent grid cells; at least one container handling vehicle configured to move on the rail system, including a wheel arrangement configured to guide the at least one storage container vehicle along the rail system in at least one of the first direction and the second direction; and a service vehicle for movement on the rail system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a storage system comprising a storage grid comprising vertical column profiles defining a plurality of grid columns, the grid columns comprise storage columns, in which storage containers can be stored one on top of another in vertical stacks, the storage grid comprising at least one rail grid at the upper ends of the column profiles, a first container handling vehicle and a second container handling vehicle, the first and the second container handling vehicles each comprising at least one wheel base unit (2) and a first container handling module (13) or a second container handling module (12 or 14), respectively, connected to the wheel base unit 82), each wheel base unit (2) having a wheel arrangement for movement of the wheel base unit in two perpendicular directions upon a rail grid of the storage system, and a horizontal periphery fitting within the horizontal area defined by a grid cell of the rail grid such that wheel base units may pass each other on any adjacent grid cel