Abstract: The present invention consists of a Hewlett-Packard Unix-based server, client PCs, client RF (radio-frequency) terminals, and various other peripherals, running warehouse management software developed specifically for high-volume bakeries. Personnel, which include auditors, parkers, checkers, shippers and receivers, are equipped with real-time hand-held RF data terminals. The terminals display information, accept keyed entries, and scan bar codes on production lines, racks, warehouse and truck locations, trucks and products. The system has one server and multiple PC's associated with multiple production lines. The PC's provide information of product made, batch sequences, expected count, current count and batch complete. The auditor supplies racks to the production line and identifies planned racks, marks and places them for movement by the parkers to the shippers.

Abstract: A basket storage and retrieval apparatus and method has spaced parallel rows of storage racks with multiple horizontal tiers having aisles between the storage racks. Guides are connected to the aisle and a stacker retriever is connected to the guides. The stacker retriever has at least one vertical member. A carriage is mounted on the vertical member for moving up and down the vertical member and for aligning with storage rack tiers on opposite sides of the aisle. Carriers are mounted on the carriage for moving into horizontal tiers and for lowering baskets within the tiers for resting on the tiers and raising baskets from the tiers for moving the raised baskets toward the carriage. A robotic input lane extends through the storage racks. A robotic output lane extends through the storage racks. An input transfer conveyor is connected to the robotic input lane and an output transfer conveyor is connected to the robotic output lane.

Abstract: A power rail is mounted on the face of storage system support columns. The power from the rail is transmitted to the equipment using a right angle, low clearance power rail trolley. The towing device is mounted to the side of the moving equipment. The device incorporates a new low profile trolley and towing arm attachment to permit mounting inches from the floor surface. The towing device includes a pair of pin engagement guide fingers that provide tolerance for traveling misalignments between the moving equipment and the stationary power rail. When an obstruction is encountered, power to drive the traveling stacker-retriever is cut off. The trolley engagement unit is mounted on a lateral swivel arm, the towing arm. The swivel arm mount has a mechanical overload spring pin detent. If a mechanical overload is detected, the swivel arm disengages from the spring pin detent, causing a limit switch to signal an emergency stop condition to disconnect motive power and to stop the moving equipment.

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

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