Abstract: A container handling vehicle picks up storage containers from a three-dimensional grid of an underlying storage system. The container handling vehicle includes a vehicle module part (P1); and a container lifting part. The vehicle module part (P1) includes a first set of wheels for moving the container handling vehicle in a first direction (X) and a second set of wheels for moving the container handling vehicle in a second direction (Y). The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The container lifting part extends sideways as a cantilever from the vehicle module part (P1) and includes a hoist frame (P2) with an opening (OSP) defining an access perimeter; a hoist mechanism carried by the hoist frame (P2); a plurality of lifting bands connected to the hoist mechanism and guided by the hoist frame (P2); and a lifting frame for releasable connection to a storage container, the lifting frame being suspended in a horizontal orientation from the hoist frame (P2) by the plurality of lifting bands.

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: A container handling vehicle for an automated storage and retrieval system includes a three-dimensional grid having multiple storage columns, in which containers are stored one on top of another in vertical stacks. The container handling vehicle is arrangeable above a top level of the grid for retrieving a container from, and storing a container in, at least some of the storage columns, and/or for transporting a container horizontally across the top level of the grid. The container handling vehicle has a lifting device including a lifting frame for releasable connection to a container, and lifting bands arranged to lower and raise the lifting frame relative to the storage columns. The lifting device includes a container centring device arranged to extend around portions of the lifting frame. The container centring device having a lower open end including at least one edge element for interaction with a peripheral part of the upper end of a storage column.

Abstract: A storage container for storing product items in an automated storage and retrieval system includes a base; two first parallel side walls; two second parallel side walls perpendicular to the two first parallel side walls; a top opening; and two side openings. The two side openings allow one or more items to be unloaded from the storage container or loaded into the storage container through one of the side openings at an unloading station or at a loading station. The storage container is provided with a restraint which is arranged to restrain movement of the one or more items from exiting through one of the side openings during transportation of the storage container to the unloading or loading station.

Abstract: A station for providing access to contents in a storage container of an automated storage and retrieval system comprising:—an access barrier comprising an opening, and a plurality of covers, wherein each cover is arranged to be selectively deployed to close off a respective portion of the opening;—a loading mechanism arranged to receive the storage container and move it to the opening of the access barrier; and—a housing which is able to prevent access to the opening of the access barrier; wherein the station (10) is arranged to transition between;—a loading configuration in which access to the opening of the access barrier is prevented by the housing, and—an access configuration in which the opening of the access barrier is presented to thereby enable access to contents of the storage container through the opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mobile storage system having a mobile container with an automated storage and retrieval system arranged inside. The automated storage and retrieval system has a storage grid structure having vertical members defining multiple columns, such as storage columns for storing storage bins on top of each other in vertical stacks. The vertical members are interconnected at their upper ends by a first rail system arranged to guide at least one bin handling vehicle thereon. The bin handling vehicle is configured to raise storage bins from, and lower storage bins into, the storage columns, and to transport the storage bins above the storage columns. The invention also relates to a method for providing such a system. The invention also relates to a mobile storage system having a plurality of mobile containers connected together and a method for providing such a system.

Abstract: A method for storing product items in storage bins in a storage system includes a bin storing grid in which storage bins are stored above each other in columns. The method includes: inserting product items to or retrieving product items from the respective storage bins at a port; determining a weight for each storage bin after one or more product items have been inserted to or retrieved from the storage bin; determining a storage position for the storage bin in the bin storing grid based on the weight; and transporting the storage bin from the port to the determined storage position by means of a vehicle and a bin lift device provided on each vehicle.

Abstract: A system for storing and transporting storage containers includes an automated storage and retrieval grid including vertical members defining multiple storage columns for storing storage containers on top of each other in vertical stacks. The vertical members are interconnected at their upper ends by a container handling vehicle rail system arranged to guide at least one container handling vehicle being configured to raise storage containers from, and lower storage containers into, the storage columns, and to transport the storage containers above the storage columns.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system comprising a three-dimensional grid (4) comprising a plurality of storage columns (5) in which storage containers are stored one on top of another in vertical stacks, and at least one port (28, 29) through which the storage containers can be transferred out of and/or into the grid; and a plurality of container handling vehicles (9) which are operated laterally on the grid for retrieving storage containers from and storing storage containers in the storage columns, and for transporting the storage containers laterally across the grid.

Abstract: The invention concerns an access station (3) for picking storage containers (106), comprising: •—a picking zone (4), •—at least one conveyor (8,9,21,22) arranged to transport storage containers (106) from an entry position (6) through said picking zone (4) and to an exit position (7), wherein the access station (3) comprises: •—at least one tilting device (13) arranged to tilt a storage container (106) at least in the picking zone (4). The invention further relates to a method for operating such an access station and an automated storage and retrieval system comprising such an access station.

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: The invention relates to an expansion joint (10) for connecting regions of a rail-based grid storage system (50, 50?, 50?; 104, 104?, 104?), the expansion joint (10) comprising: a first rail element (12) and a second rail element (11), the rail elements (12, 11) being elongate and configured to slide relative to one another in a longitudinal direction in a junction area where they overlap, the expansion joint (10) having a profiled upper surface that defines one or more tracks (27?, 27?) for supporting container handling vehicles (200, 300, 400), the tracks (27?, 27?) extending from the first rail element (12) through the junction area to the second rail element (11), wherein in the junction area, each rail element (11, 12) provides a portion of the or each track (27?, 27?) of the profiled upper surface so that there is a transition extending along the expansion joint (10) from the first rail element (12) to the second rail element (10) for the or each track (27?, 27?).

Abstract: A remotely operated vehicle for picking up storage bins from an underlying storage system includes a vehicle lifting device for lifting the storage bin from the underlying storage system, a first vehicle rolling assembly including a first rolling set and a second rolling set arranged at opposite sides of a vehicle frame, allowing movement of the vehicle along a first direction (X) on the underlying storage system during use, a second vehicle rolling assembly including a first rolling set and a second rolling set arranged at opposite sides of the vehicle frame, allowing movement of the vehicle along a second direction (Y) on the underlying storage system during use, the second direction (Y) being perpendicular to the first direction (X), and a rolling set displacement assembly arranged to move the first vehicle rolling assembly in a vertical direction (Z) between a first position and a second position. The first vehicle rolling assembly allows movement of the vehicle along the first direction (X).

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 for moving the vehicle along an X direction on a rail system of the grid; and a second set of wheels for moving the vehicle along a Y direction on the rail system of the grid. The Y direction is perpendicular to the X direction. The container handling vehicle includes a vehicle body having a vehicle body footprint defined by horizontal peripheries in the X and Y directions of the vehicle body. The vehicle body includes a first section and a second section. The first section has a first footprint and the second section has a second footprint. The first and second footprints are defined by horizontal peripheries in the X and Y directions of the first and second sections respectively.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes a grid-based rail structure and a plurality of remotely operated vehicles arranged to operate on the grid-based rail structure. The automated storage and retrieval system includes a locking device arranged in a zone of the grid-based rail structure where a human and/or a robotic operator is permitted to interact with the remotely operated vehicle or contents of a storage container that the remotely operated vehicle is carrying. The locking device is arranged to lock the remotely operated vehicle against accidental displacement prior to interaction with the human and/or robotic operator, and wherein the locking device being arranged to unlock the remotely operated vehicle once interaction with the human and/or robotic operator is no longer required.

Abstract: A vehicle operated cleaning bin for cleaning a storage grid of a storage system, wherein the cleaning bin includes a connector for attaching the cleaning bin to a lifting device of a remotely operating vehicle being configured to vertically convey the cleaning bin inside a column of the storage grid by aid of the lifting device, and a plurality of cleaners for removing foreign debris from the storage grid. The plurality of cleaners are arranged on at least one lateral wall of the cleaning bin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a storage system (1) comprising a storage grid structure (104) having a top rail grid upon which container handling vehicles (200,300) work to store and retrieve storage containers (106) in and from storage columns (105) beneath the top rail grid, wherein the storage system comprises multiple transfer rails (110?,111?) forming a horizontal transfer rail grid (5) arranged at a level below the top rail grid, at least one transport vehicle (19) operating on the transfer rail grid, a picking/stocking station (8) for picking/stocking items between a storage container (106) and a packaging box (24), and an unloading/loading assembly (23) for unloading/loading packaging boxes containing such items, the transport vehicle (19) is arranged to move upon the transfer rail grid (5) in two perpendicular directions and comprises a carrier platform (20), wherein the transfer rail grid is arranged to allow access for the transport vehicle (19) to transport one or more packaging boxes at a time b

Abstract: The present invention provides a storage system (1) comprising a storage grid structure (104) and multiple container handling vehicles (200,300), the storage grid structure comprises vertical column profiles (102) defining multiple storage columns (105), in which storage containers (106) can be stored one on top of another in vertical stacks (107), and at least one transfer column (119,120), the column profiles are interconnected at their upper ends by top rails (110,111) forming a horizontal top rail grid (108) upon which the container handling vehicles (200,300) may move in two perpendicular directions, the container handling vehicles are able to retrieve storage containers (106) from, and store storage containers in, the storage columns (105), and transport the storage containers on the storage grid structure, wherein the storage grid structure (104) comprises at least one horizontal transfer section (2); and the storage system comprises multiple container transfer vehicles (6) and transfer rails (110?,111

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 for moving the vehicle along an X direction on a rail system of the grid; and a second set of wheels for moving the vehicle along a Y direction on the rail system of the grid. The Y direction is perpendicular to the X direction. The container handling vehicle includes vehicle body including sides. The vehicle body has a vehicle body footprint defined by horizontal peripheries in the X and Y directions of the vehicle body and includes a first section and a second section. The first section has a first footprint and the second section has a second footprint. The first and second footprints are defined by horizontal peripheries in the X and Y directions of the first and second sections respectively.