Abstract: A grow tray including a perimeter wall and a base. The base includes an irrigation opening extending through the base for allowing fluid to enter and leave the grow tray. The base is couplable to a conduit to allow fluid communication between the conduit and the base via the irrigation opening.

Abstract: A grid framework structure, configured to support one or more load handling devices, includes: a first set of grid members extending in a first direction and a second set of grid members extending in a second direction, to form a grid structure having grid cells. A plurality of vertical uprights create a storage space for storing containers in a stack such that load handling devices operative on the grid structure can lift containers through a grid cell from a stack below the grid structure. The vertical uprights are arranged such that a section of the grid structure including four adjoined grid cells is supported by five or fewer vertical uprights.

Abstract: A storage system and a load handling device for lifting and moving containers stacked in the storage system are described. The storage system includes a plurality of rails arranged in a grid pattern above the stacks of containers. The grid pattern has a plurality of grid spaces and each stack is located within a footprint of a single grid space. The load handling device can move laterally on the rails above the stacks and includes a container receiving space located above the rails in use and a lifting device arranged to lift a container from a stack into the container receiving space. The load handling device also includes a mechanism for enabling lateral movement of the device in one of two transverse directions by enabling either a first or second set of wheels to selectively engage the first or second set of rails.

Abstract: A load handling device is disclosed for retrieving, transporting, and delivering containers in a storage system having a grid structure formed of two substantially perpendicular sets of rails or tracks located above stacks of containers. An exemplary load handling device can include a wheel assembly, a container receiving space, and a plurality of vehicle modules. The wheel assembly can include a first set of wheels to guide movement of the load handing device in a first direction and a second set of wheels to guide movement of the load handing device in a second direction. Each of the vehicle modules can include a container lifting means arranged to lift a container into the container receiving space and each of the vehicle modules can be moveable to adjust the spacing of the containers in the load handling device.

Abstract: An object handling and retrieving system and method are described. A storage system is described suitable for storing multiple product lines in an automated warehouse environment. The storage system includes a plurality of load handling devices disposed above a frame and independently moveable to access different stacks. The load handling device can retrieve and transport a target container to a sequencing and temporary storage portion having a sorting frame for taking delivery of the target container and moving it to an output port of the sorting frame.

Abstract: A fire extinguishing robotic service device is described for use on a robotic picking system grid. The fire extinguishing robotic service device is capable of driving to any location on the grid in order to extinguish a fire. The service device may also be provided with a camera or a sensor to locate the fire.

Abstract: A system for guiding the movement of one or more load handling devices in operation includes: a) a first set of parallel tracks and a second set of parallel tracks, the first and second sets of parallel tracks sharing a common track, each track of the first and second set of parallel tracks providing a track surface; and b) a first load handling device and a second load handling device, each having a wheel assembly engaging with the track surface and with the track surface of the common track; wherein each track of the first and second sets of parallel tracks include only two guide surfaces extending from the track surface for guiding the first and second load handing devices along their respective first and second sets of parallel tracks.

Abstract: A track for a grid framework structure configured to guide a load handling device operative to move one or more containers, the rid framework structure including a plurality of grid members converging or intersecting at nodes in a grid pattern to form a grid structure 40 including a plurality of grid cells. The track comprising a plurality of track sections mountable to the grid structure to form a track surface upon which the load handling devices may move on the grid structure, wherein each track section of the plurality of track sections is formed as a unitary body so as to provide a track surface extending in transverse directions.

Abstract: A storage system is described where goods are stored in containers and the containers are stored in stacks. Above the stacks runs a grid network of tracks on which load handling devices run. The load handling devices take containers from the stacks and deposit then at alternative locations in the stacks or deposit then at stations where goods may be picked out. Each container may be provided with connectors having a push fit male connector located at a top edge of the container and a female connector at a bottom edge of the container. Adjacent containers in a stack can be linked by routing means, which form moldings on each container. The connectors can also have spring-loaded contacts. The provision of these services within individual containers rather than across the system as a whole, allows for flexibility in storage whilst reducing cost and inefficiency.

Abstract: A load handling device is disclosed for retrieving, transporting, and delivering containers in a storage system having a grid structure formed of two substantially perpendicular sets of rails or tracks located above stacks of containers. An exemplary load handling device can include a wheel assembly, a container receiving space, and a plurality of vehicle modules. The wheel assembly can include a first set of wheels to guide movement of the load handing device in a first direction and a second set of wheels to guide movement of the load handing device in a second direction. Each of the vehicle modules can include a container lifting means arranged to lift a container into the container receiving space and each of the vehicle modules can be moveable to adjust the spacing of the containers in the load handling device.

Abstract: A fire extinguishing robotic service device is described for use with a robotic picking system grid. The fire extinguishing robotic service device is configured for driving to any location on the grid in order to extinguish a fire. The service device may also be provided with a camera sensor to locate the fire.

Abstract: A storage system is disclosed where goods can be stored in containers and the containers are stored in stacks. Above the stacks runs a grid network of rails (e.g., tracks) on which load handling devices can run. To take containers from the stacks and deposit then at alternative locations in the stacks or deposit then at stations where goods may be picked. The framework may be provided with one or more of the following exemplary services: power, power control, heating, lighting, cooling, sensors, and data logging devices. The provision of these services within the framework rather than across the system as a whole, can allow for flexibility in storage whilst reducing cost and inefficiency.

Abstract: A storage system is disclosed where goods can be stored in containers and the containers are stored in stacks. Above the stacks runs a grid network of rails (e.g., tracks) on which load handling devices can run. To take containers from the stacks and deposit then at alternative locations in the stacks or deposit then at stations where goods may be picked. The framework may be provided with one or more of the following exemplary services: power, power control, heating, lighting, cooling, sensors, and data logging devices. The provision of these services within the framework rather than across the system as a whole, can allow for flexibility in storage whilst reducing cost and inefficiency.

Abstract: A load handling device is disclosed for retrieving, transporting, and delivering containers in a storage system having a grid structure formed of two substantially perpendicular sets of rails or tracks located above stacks of containers. An exemplary load handling device can include a wheel assembly, a container receiving space, and a plurality of vehicle modules. The wheel assembly can include a first set of wheels to guide movement of the load handing device in a first direction and a second set of wheels to guide movement of the load handing device in a second direction. Each of the vehicle modules can include a container lifting means arranged to lift a container into the container receiving space and each of the vehicle modules can be moveable to adjust the spacing of the containers in the load handling device.

Abstract: A load handling device is disclosed for use in a storage system in which goods are stored in stackable containers within a framework. An exemplary load handling device can include a container-receiving space into which a plurality of containers can be lifted. The container-receiving space can be arranged beneath a corresponding number of vehicle modules as containers to be lifted, and components such as power components, control components, drive components and lifting components are housed.

Abstract: A storage system is described where goods are stored in containers (10) and the containers (10) are stored in stacks. Above the stacks runs a grid network of tracks on which load handling devices run. The containers (10) may be provided with one or more of the following services: power, power control, heating, lighting, cooling, sensing means, and data logging means. The provision of these services within individual containers rather than across the system as a whole, allows for flexibility in storage whilst reducing cost and inefficiency.

Abstract: A storage system is described where goods are stored in containers and the containers are stored in stacks. Above the stacks runs a grid network of tracks on which load handling devices run. The load handling devices take containers from the stacks and deposit then at alternative locations in the stacks or deposit then at stations where goods may be picked out. Each container may be provided with connectors having a push fit male connector located at a top edge of the container and a female connector at a bottom edge of the container. Adjacent containers in a stack can be linked by routing means, which form moldings on each container. The connectors can also have spring-loaded contacts. The provision of these services within individual containers rather than across the system as a whole, allows for flexibility in storage whilst reducing cost and inefficiency.

Abstract: A storage system includes a plurality of rails or tracks arranged in a grid pattern above the stacks of containers. The grid pattern includes a plurality of grid spaces and each stack is located within a footprint of only a single grid space. A load handling device is configured to move laterally on the rails or tracks above the stacks. The load handling device includes a container receiving space located above the rails or tracks in use and a lifting device arranged to lift a container from a stack into the container receiving space. The load handling device includes a mechanism for enabling lateral movement of the device in one of two transverse directions by enabling either a first or second set of wheels to selectively engage the first or second set of rails or tracks.

Abstract: A storage system and a load handling device for lifting and moving containers stacked in the storage system are described. The storage system includes a plurality of rails arranged in a grid pattern above the stacks of containers. The grid pattern has a plurality of grid spaces and each stack is located within a footprint of a single grid space. The load handling device can move laterally on the rails above the stacks and includes a container receiving space located above the rails in use and a lifting device arranged to lift a container from a stack into the container receiving space. The load handling device also includes a mechanism for enabling lateral movement of the device in one of two transverse directions by enabling either a first or second set of wheels to selectively engage the first or second set of rails.

Abstract: A system and method for handling shipping containers is described. The container handling system comprises a crane, the crane comprising crane load handling devices. The container handling system further comprises conveyance means, the conveyance means further comprising transversal load handling devices. The system further comprises storage and sortation means for storing the containers in a series of stacks disposed beneath a grid, the grid comprising a series of load handling devices operable thereon. The crane load handling device removes a container from a ship, transports it to transversal load handling means operable on a conveyor. The container is moved on the conveyor to a transfer point where it is collected by a robotic load handling device for transport to the storage and sortation area.