Abstract: A method of using a multi-access storage system including inserting and extracting containers from a conveyor in continuous motion.

Abstract: A storage system for storage and retrieval of material goods, providing inserter and extractor assemblies for inserting and extracting containers onto and from, respectively, a storage carousel while the carousel remains in continuous motion.

Abstract: A vertical conveyor is disclosed having a frame with a first and second vertical frame section spaced apart but supportingly connected to each other. Load supports having first and second ends are conveyed around a looped path. Each load support is movably mounted at the first and second ends to first and second frame sections. A pickup chain assembly has a pickup drive chain, an upper drive sprocket driven by the motor wherein a substantial amount of the load exerted by the supports against the pickup chain assembly is imported against the upper drive sprocket. An idler sprocket is aligned below the drive sprocket and has a smaller diameter than the drive sprocket. The pickup drive chains include a plurality of pickups pivotally mounted thereto which engage transverse axles mounted at the end of compression links of a compression chain assembly. The load supports are mounted on the compression chain assembly.

Abstract: A storage system for the storage and retrieval of material goods, having an inserter assembly for inserting containers onto a storage carousel while the carousel remains in continuous motion.

Abstract: A storage system for storage and retrieval of material goods, including a lift having a vertically traveling endless lop and inserter assemblies for inserting containers onto a storage carousel while the carousel remains in continuous motion.

Abstract: A control system for a storage system wherein containers may be extracted from and inserted on the carousel while the carousel remains in continuous motion.

Abstract: A storage system for storage and retrieval of material goods, including an extractor assembly for extracting containers from the storage carousel while the carousel remains in continuous motion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automated integrated work station for handling goods within distribution and production environments. In one of the preferred embodiments the work station is specifically adapted for consolidating goods.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to automated distribution systems for storing and retrieving goods. More particularly, the invention relates to a rotatable storage carousel and supporting mechanisms for inserting and extracting containers from the carousel while it remains in continuous motion. The delivery system is designed to deliver goods at rates which exceed the demand of today's production and warehousing facilities.

Abstract: A storage facility is provided for integration with a material distribution facility that includes as storage carousel for receiving and storing containers adapted to carry material goods. The carousel includes a multiplicity of connecting rack arrays arranged in side-by-side fashion. Each of the rack arrays includes a plurality of vertically spaced container racks for supporting selected containers, with the container racks from various rack arrays being arranged in a plurality of tiers. The carousel is adapted to rotate about a continuous track. Insertion and extraction assemblies are provided for each carousel tier that are adapted to load and unload containers from the various racks while the carousel remains in continuous motion. A novel lift arrangement is provided for carrying containers between a conveyor network and the various inserter and extractor assemblies. In an alternative aspects of the invention, a novel control system for a storage facility is described as well.

Abstract: A device for moving objects about the inside of a closed container includes a grasping mechanism for grasping and releasing objects and an operating mechanism for operating the grasping mechanism and for moving the grasping mechanism about the inside of the container. The operating mechanism includes a pair of arm bodies each of which slidably move through a wall in the container along a linear pathway. As a result of the linear movement of the arm bodies, close tolerance seals can be used to seal the opening sufficiently to allow sliding movement without significantly disturbing the atomspheric and temperature conditions in the container. At least one of the arm bodies is composed of a pair of arm body portions, each portion having a surface slidable with respect to the other portion. The outer ends of the arm bodies positioned outside of the container are suitably coupled to a driver for moving the arm bodies along a linear pathway.