Abstract: A carriage for transport of a load, for example a load pallet, along a rail pair in a so-called deep racking store, has a carrier arrangement which, in a deactivated transport position, passes under a load resting on the rail pair. The carrier arrangement is disposed, in an activated lifting position, to carry the load from beneath so that it is free of the rail pair. The carriage has a supporting frame or chassis provided with at least four wheels. The carrier arrangement is rigidly connected to the frame or chassis and each wheel is journalled in an associated arm. The arm is pivotally journalled in the frame so as to be able to raise and lower the wheel in relation to the frame. The arm is operated by an operating device.

Abstract: An electronic cabinet includes a base, and an electronic cabinet frame which extends vertically from the base. The electronic cabinet frame is configured to support electronic circuitry. The electronic cabinet further includes a power supply positioning assembly having (i) a mounting mechanism mounted to the electronic cabinet frame, (ii) a carrier which is configured to carry at least one power supply and move along a vertical axis within the electronic cabinet frame while carrying the power supply, and (iii) control linkage which is configured to guide movement of the carrier while the carrier carries the power supply and while the carrier moves along the vertical axis.

Abstract: A pipe handling apparatus for raising and lowering pipe to and from a raised derrick work floor. The apparatus comprises a longitudinally-extending base, with a longitudinally-extending cavity therein. An elongate, longitudinally-extending boom member is provided, which is adapted for raising out of and nestable positioning in such cavity. The boom member has a longitudinally-extending trough therein on an upperside surface thereof, adapted to receive at least one section of pipe. At least one arm member is coupled to the boom member for raising a proximal end of such boom member. A carriage member, slidably coupled to the boom member, is moveable longitudinally along the boom in the trough. The carriage member is adapted to engage and slidably transport one end of the pipe along the trough. Motive means are provided to permit powered movement of the carriage member along the boom.

Abstract: An element handling system utilizes an element retrieval device and a decoder. The element retrieval device is configured to retrieve and transport a movable element in response to control data. The decoder is coupled to the element retrieval device. The decoder is configured to filter a combined power and control signal to recover an encoded control signal. The decoder is further configured to decode the control signal to recover the control data.

Abstract: In a storage and handling installation for paper rolls for a printing facility, a storage structure is provided with two parallel storage racks separated by an aisle. The first storage rack provides a series of floor strips interrupted by load stations as well as shelves, each shelf being situated above one of the floor strips. Floor strips and shelves each provide a plurality of storage locations for taking up paper rolls side by side with their axes horizontally oriented transversely to the aisle. The load stations can each take up a wagon transferable to a reelstand via a straight rail section. A storage and retrieval device is movable along the aisle and comprises a vertically movable platform with a support transversely extendable into the storage locations and load stations for taking up or deposing a single paper roll.

Abstract: The invention provides a palletless loading structure for a storage system which comprises a plurality of storage forks including a first support beam and a plurality of storage fork bars mounted in regular interval to cross the first support beam at a right angle; a stacker crane and a including a plurality of transporting fork bars horizontally arranged in a regular interval to be alternatively positioned between the storage fork bars and a third support beam supporting the lower middle portion of the transporting fork bar, wherein any one height of the storage fork bar transporting fork bar is set to be relatively higher than the other one, and the fork bar of a relatively lower height includes a projecting tap mounted on the lower portion thereof, the projecting tap being mounted on the supporting beam.

Abstract: For bay type structures of semiconductor wafer transport systems, a configuration includes interbay rail tracks and intrabay rail tracks mounted on each other, vehicles of the interbay system and carrier transfer cars of the intrabay system moving freely bi-directional inside the bay area without obstructing each other. The carrier transfer car is configured such that a wafer carrier can be directly loaded from the vehicle to the load port of a processing machine. The configuration simplifies and accelerates the transfer and enhances the flexibility of vehicles in wafer transport.

Abstract: A system for maneuvering and hanging articles on rails. The system is operable to select one or more hanging articles, disengage their hooks from the rails, reposition them, and re-hang them in a new position on the rails. The system includes a cart for lateral movement upon a set of rails, the cart having wings for lifting hanging articles off the rails and setting hanging articles onto the rails. The cart has a lifting mechanism, which can be lowered so as to drop hanging articles down to a work area or to raise the hanging articles for placement upon the rails. The system may be employed in a greenhouse for moving hanging baskets of plants.

Abstract: The invention relates to a load-bearing frame (18) for a conveyor device, in particular a shelf-stacking device (1), with a support frame (19) which can be secured on a lift (17) of the conveyor device and, disposed on it, mutually parallel support mechanisms with displaceable telescopic support arms for receiving a storage unit such as a pallet (6), box, etc., and a conveyor system forming a conveying direction extends parallel with a displacement direction of the support mechanisms (21). The conveyor system consists of conveyor mechanisms (27) with two linear conveyors (26) arranged in pairs, disposed symmetrically by reference to a mid-plane (31) and extending between the support mechanisms (21) perpendicular to the standing surface (8) of the shelf-stacking device (1), forming a conveyor direction parallel with a displacement direction of the support mechanisms (21).

Abstract: An apparatus conveying apparatus includes a lower frame (2) that runs along a running rail (1), a platform (3) provided with a fork device (5) that transfers an article (F), and a longitudinal pair of raising and lowering masts connected perpendicularly to the lower frame (2) to guide and support the platform (3) so that the platform can freely ascend and descend. The lower frame (2) and the raising and lowering masts (4) are each formed of a square cylinder. A lower end of the cylinder forming each of the raising and lowering masts (4) is connected to a longitudinal side of the cylinder forming the lower frame (2).

Abstract: An article conveying apparatus includes a lower frame that runs along a running rail, a platform provided with a fork device that transfers articles, a pair of front and rear raising and lowering masts connected to the lower frame and extending vertically to guide and support the platform to be able to rise and lower, and a pair of raising and lowering chains each having one end connected to an upper part of a corresponding one of the longitudinally opposite sides of the platform to supportingly suspend the platform. The chains are each guided from the upper part of the corresponding one of the longitudinally opposite sides of the platform to the vicinity of a central portion of the lower frame via a winding sprocket that feeds and winds the chains. The other end of each chain is connected to the vicinity of the center of the platform.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting and an apparatus for conveying microplates between two locations are provided. The transport includes a pair of rails, a microplate transport carriage for moving along the rails, a rotary platter for loading and unloading microplates on the carriage, a controller for generating signals for controlling the position of the carriage on the rails and the rotation of the platter on the carriage, and a servo for moving the carriage or rotating the platter in response to a control signal. The transport moves microplates along the rails in accord with any of several methods for performing different tasks. The conveyor includes an extendable support frame, a pair of oppositely disposed tensioning elements arranged within the frame, a conveyor belt which wound around the elements and extends as the support frame is extended, and a motor for driving the conveyor belt.

Abstract: An automatic transporting system and a method for operating the same. The automatic transporting system includes a main track, a plurality of transport vehicles, a loading and unloading track, a stocker, a rapid track and an emergency track. The plurality of transport vehicles move on the main track. The loading and unloading track has a first entrance and a first exit. The first entrance and first exit are connected to the main track. The stocker is disposed beside the loading and unloading track. The transport vehicles enter the loading and unloading track and stop at the stocker to load and unload a material. The rapid track has a second entrance and a second exit. The second entrance and second exit are connected to the main track. The emergency track is connected to the main track. The transport vehicles leave the main track via the emergency track.

Abstract: A data storage library and method of operation are disclosed wherein access at least to part of at least one robotic mechanism from the data storage library's exterior is permitted. Access is accomplished through a service port in the library's housing. Access to the storage cells, and thus the data cartridges sitting therein, from the library's exterior is blocked. Blocking access to the storage cells may be provided by a geometry of the service port itself, or by a combination of a door and the robotic mechanism being serviced filling the opening created by the service port. For robotic mechanisms operating on a track, part of the track may be routed through the service port to bring the robotic mechanisms to the exterior of the library for maintenance purposes.

Abstract: An automated storage library structure, a structure of at least one robot operating within the automated storage library, and a method of connecting the robot to test equipment to facilitate testing. The robot is operative to move about the automated storage library on a guide structure. The test equipment is disposed in a diagnostics center associated with the automated storage library. Communication between the robot and the diagnostics center is provided through a main connector, disposed adjacent to the guide structure at a predetermined position and electrically connected to the diagnostics center, and a test connector mounted on the robot's chassis and electrically connected to the robot's electronics. A second robot may be used to support testing of a sick robot.

Abstract: A data storage library and method of operation are disclosed wherein access at least to part of at least one robotic mechanism from the data storage library's exterior is permitted. Access is accomplished through a service port in the library's housing. Access to the storage cells, and thus the data cartridges sitting therein, from the library's exterior is blocked. Blocking access to the storage cells may be provided by a geometry of the service port itself, or by a combination of a door and the robotic mechanism being serviced filling the opening created by the service port. For robotic mechanisms operating on a track, part of the track may be routed through the service port to bring the robotic mechanisms to the exterior of the library for maintenance purposes.

Abstract: An apparatus for random access storage and retrieval of a plurality of microplates is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of microplate racks arranged in a stack. Each of the racks is mechanically engaged with a plurality of support columns and each of the columns has a plurality of locking devices corresponding to the plurality of racks. The apparatus also includes a lift, coupled to the support columns, for moving the stack or a portion thereof, and a controller, coupled to the lift and the locking devices. The controller is responsive to a signal to access a desired rack or microplate to cause actuation of one or more of the locking devices corresponding to the rack adjacent to the desired rack or microplate, followed by actuation of the lift, thereby moving a portion of the stack a sufficient distance to allow access to the desired rack or microplate.

Abstract: An automated warehouse system for a building has elevators for automatically accepting incoming material on pallets. A rotating forklift mounted inside the elevator extends its forks to reach out and bring in the pallets. Once inside, the rotating forklift spins around to face inside warehouse doors. When the elevator car arrives at a designated level, the rotating forklift deposits the material on the pallet on a temporary shelf just outside the elevator. Each level has an aisle cart that moves along an aisleway for both a loading elevator and an unloading elevator. Each aisleway is intersected by several row rails that are right angles to the aisleway. The aisle cart carries a battery powered row cart that can run back and forth along the rows. The aisle cart is positioned at the appropriate row along the aisleway, and the row cart carries, deposits, and picks up material on pallets. Storage positions are provided along each row, front to rear.

Abstract: A magazine with removable inclined frames comprising a plurality of inclined frames arranged side by side in a parking area, each frame having, at its base, a carriage-like structure which carries the inclined frame so that it is mounted on, and slideable in, a pair of rails dedicated thereto in the parking area. A transfer structure is provided to the side of the parking area and comprises a shuttle to receive one or more carriages and to convey the carriage at right angles to the plane of arrangement of the frame. A motor is provided for producing the translational motion of the carriages on the shuttle, and additional motors are provided for producing the translational motion of the shuttle parallel to the parking area of the set of frames.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus conveys articles used for manufacturing semiconductor devices. The conveying apparatus has a conveying rail section that includes a first rail providing a first conveying route, a second rail providing a second conveying route, and an intermediate rail structure interconnecting the first and second rails. Respective vehicles are fitted to the first and second rails so as to convey articles as supported atop the first rail or as suspended from the second rail, respectively. The conveying apparatus can be readily installed in the bay of an automatic manufacturing system, e.g., of a type for processing wafers having a diameter of 300 mm. In this case, the conveying route of the articles is unified, and space is saved, as well.

Abstract: A storage system particularly for storing biological materials such as blood, stem cells, and DNA includes a storage unit having at least three vertical sides, at least two of the three vertical sides each being provided with a plurality of individually accessible storage receptacles. A plurality of boxes or cassettes are removably disposed in respective ones of the storage receptacles. At least one robot mechanism is movable along a track section or path extending to the two vertical sides of the unit, the robot mechanism having a robotic arm for accessing the storage receptacles. A computer is operatively connected to the robot mechanism for controlling movement and access operations thereof and for registering the contents of the storage receptacles. Where the storage unit is disposed in a room, additional storage receptacles may be disposed in a rectangular array inside a wall of the room.

Abstract: A storage shelf system for hanging goods, for example, a storage system for articles of clothing hanging on clothes hangers, essentially includes a hanging conveyor of the power-and-free type with trolleys traveling on rails, a storage unit, operating devices for loading and unloading the high shelf storage system, and storage rods for receiving the goods during transport and storage thereof, wherein the trolleys, the operating devices, and the high shelf storage system are equipped with supports and corresponding securing devices, such as locking pawls, locking bolts and the like, for securing the storage rods in a positively engaging manner.

Abstract: A multi-set robot is provided that includes a first robot set having a first motor coupled to a first rotatable member that is rotatable about an axis; a second motor coupled to a second rotatable member that is rotatable about the axis; a first plurality of blades vertically spaced from one another; and a first linkage adapted to enable coordinated movement of the blades on rotation of the first and second rotatable members. The robot also includes a second robot set positioned above the first robot set having a third motor coupled to a third rotatable member that is rotatable about the axis; a fourth motor coupled to a fourth rotatable member that is rotatable about the axis; a second plurality of blades vertically spaced from one another; and a second linkage adapted to enable coordinated movement of the blades on rotation of the third and fourth rotatable members. Other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A data storage library and method of operation are disclosed wherein access at least to part of at least one robotic mechanism from the data storage library's exterior is permitted. Access is accomplished through a service port in the library's housing. Access to the storage cells, and thus the data cartridges sitting therein, from the library's exterior is blocked. Blocking access to the storage cells may be provided by a geometry of the service port itself, or by a combination of a door and the robotic mechanism being serviced filling the opening created by the service port. For robotic mechanisms operating on a track, part of the track may be routed through the service port to bring the robotic mechanisms to the exterior of the library for maintenance purposes.

Abstract: A method and system for sharing robotic mechanisms between physically remote storage libraries in an automated storage library system includes routing robotic mechanism guide structures between the storage libraries. The guide structures run through robotic mechanism transfer ports located on the sides of the housing enclosures of the storage libraries. A robotic mechanism within an first storage library moves through the transfer port of the enclosure of the first storage library onto the guide structure. The robotic mechanism then moves out of the enclosure of the first storage library along the guide structure towards a second storage library. The robotic mechanism then moves along the guide structure through the transfer port of the enclosure of the second storage library and into the second storage library for performing operations such as accessing media objects within the second storage library.

Abstract: An autonomous remote controlled vehicle for use in the automation of an existing refrigerated flow through storage facility food processing application. The remote vehicle is specifically designed to operate within a network of centrally controlled remote vehicles that are adapted to receive selectable items from production and temporarily store them for later retrieval. The system is adapted to minimize travel time for the remote vehicle and optimize cycle time. The system is specifically adapted to handle cardboard shipping boxes containing meat products.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for storing spools 3, especially filament spools, comprising several spool carriers 2. According to the invention, the spools 3 are stored with an upright spool axis 6 in a shelf storage unit 1 with horizontal shelf compartments 17 for receiving individually movable spool carriers.

Abstract: A data storage library and method of operation are disclosed wherein access at least to part of at least one robotic mechanism from the data storage library's exterior is permitted. Access is accomplished through a service port in the library's housing. Access to the storage cells, and thus the data cartridges sitting therein, from the library's exterior is blocked. Blocking access to the storage cells may be provided by a geometry of the service port itself, or by a combination of a door and the robotic mechanism being serviced filling the opening created by the service port. For robotic mechanisms operating on a track, part of the track may be routed through the service port to bring the robotic mechanisms to the exterior of the library for maintenance purposes.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing semiconductor wafers has an automatic robot for independently and simultaneously handling two wafers (W) at the same time on two separate transfer planes.

Abstract: Each of the lower cart 4 and the upper cart 5 of the stacker crane 2 are loaded with running motors 8, 9, and are synchronized with one another and are ran. The elevating platform 18 is elevated and descended by employing the mast 10 between the carts 4, 5. The mast 10 is attached to the lower cart 4 in the running direction, freely swinging, and is attached to the upper cart 5, freely swinging in the running direction and freely shifting in the lower direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for improving the reliability of a course generator of a moving body and the efficiency of the moving body. When the tangent (53) of a scheduled course (50) at its branch point (PS) is in parallel with a line segment (54) coincident with the traveling direction of the moving body (20) at the end point (PL) of a branch course (52), the branch course (52) is generated from a cubic curve having one extreme coincident with the branch point (PS), and the tangent of the cubic curve at this extreme coincides with the tangent (53) of the scheduled course (50) at the branch point (PS). The other extreme of the cubic curve coincides with the end point (PL) of the branch course (52), and the tangent of the curve at this extreme coincides with a line segment (54) which in turn coincides with an end point traveling direction of the moving body. A ground monitor station (40) guides and travels the moving body (20) along a modification of the branch course.

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: A robotic guidance mechanism for transporting storage media cartridges along linear and curved routes within a data storage library. The guidance mechanism includes a robotic assembly operating on a guide rail. Two guides of the robotic assembly move in two guide paths in the guide rail to route and orient the robotic assembly in a plane defined by the guide rail. A third guide of the robotic assembly engages a guide surface on the guide rail to prevent the robotic assembly from rotating out of the guide rail plane. A picker assembly is provided in the robotic assembly to handle one of the storage media cartridges.

Abstract: A cellular depot including a plurality of cells facing onto a corridor through which runs at least one motor-driven car to convey loads between the cells. The car includes a trolley which is motor-driven to move between the car and the inside of a cell and transfer a load stored or to be stored to and from the car and cell. The trolley includes a hydraulic drive connected, for their power supply, to an independent source of fluid under pressure, which is automatically recharged when the trolley is accommodated on the car.

Abstract: An automatic parking apparatus includes an automatic parking mechanism and a parking space identifying device. An upper plate of the automatic parking mechanism lifts up the chassis of a car. A control device on a baseplate of the mechanism keeps the mechanism moving along a straight line based on the input parking data and the data obtained by transceivers, a linear module, and the parking space identifying device. At the same time, available parking spaces may be detected so that cars may be placed correctly. The parking data are recorded, which makes it convenient to fetch the cars later on.

Abstract: A mobile WIP parts tracking system useful in semi-conductor fabrication operations, includes an identifying tag fixed to each of a plurality of parts containers, and a tag reader mounted on the head of a robotic carrier which delivers the containers to and removes the containers from any or a plurality of storage bin containers within a storage facility. A control system coordinates the movements of the robotic carrier and received information from the tag reader in order to provide positive, continuous tracking of the storage bin location of each of the containers within the facility. In addition to generating continuous tracking information, the robotic carrier may be used to scan each of the storage bin locations in order to search for a desired container.

Abstract: An automated storage system for receiving, storing and returning dairy cases stored without pallets. Specifically, the automated storage system comprises an article transporter which includes a shuttle that deposits and retrieves dairy cases stored in storage lanes of a storage rack and a rail system for supporting the shuttle and dairy cases stored thereon. One or more shuttles may be used in the automated storage and retrieval system and are coupled via a shuttle bridge. The rail system includes two or more outer support rails and two or more inner support rails for supporting the shuttle and dairy cases. The rail system also supports normal Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) pallets or other special slave pallets. The bottom flange of the rail system has a "drip pan" style to contain leakage from the dairy cases. This "drip pan" design allows personnel to walk inside the storage lanes safely.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval machine comprises a base, a carriage, and a control system. The control system is used to control the movement of the carriage in the vertical direction and/or the movement of the base in the horizontal direction. The control system includes at least one encoder and at least one optical distance meter. The encoder provides relative position information during a middle portion of the SRM trajectory, i.e., during the implementation of a feedback control scheme. The optical distance meter provides absolute position information to the control system at an endpoint of the SRM trajectory, i.e., to verify that the SRM has in fact reached its destination. If the control system controls both the movement of the carriage and the movement of the base, then two encoders and two optical distance meters are used.

Abstract: A spool feeding method comprising transferring a spool box having a plurality of spools with a cord wound on each of them, the spools being arranged with the axial direction of the spools vertical, to a spool takeout position, loading the spools onto a holding device from the spool box so as to change the axial direction of the spools from vertical to horizontal, and carrying the spools over to a creel stand and setting the spools on creel shafts on the creel stand. A spool feeder including at least one transfer mechanism for transferring a spool box to a spool takeout position, at least one loading mechanism for loading spools from the spool box onto a holding device at the takeout position, at least one moving mechanism capable of moving between a receiving position and the creel stand and a setting device for setting the spools held by the holding device to creel shafts laterally set on the creel stand.

Abstract: A method of mapping a warehouse rack structure having a plurality of racks comprises the steps of creating a logical matrix and updating the logical matrix. The updating step further includes the steps of causing a moveable device to travel to a first one of the plurality of racks, and producing a first machine-readable distance measurement output. The machine-readable distance measurement output is produced using a first sensor and represents a distance between the first sensor and a first position on the warehouse rack structure. A system for mapping a warehouse rack structure comprises a storage and retrieval machine; a rack structure; a logical matrix; and a computer. The storage and retrieval machine has first and second ultrasonic sensors mounted thereon. The rack structure includes a plurality of racks. The logical matrix stores horizontal position information and vertical position information for each of the plurality of racks.

Abstract: An automated warehouse system a plurality of car passages, and a plurality of transport units, each disposed in a car passage containing parallel rails with vertical webbings, each of the transport units have a car, wheels for running on the rails, a drive for moving the car on the rails, the drive having a linear motor body attached to the car and facing a secondary conductor secured to a rail, a power supplying system for the drive, mounted from one side of the car, and having two parallel induction wires secured to and along a rail, at least one induction coil attached to the car and disposed between the induction wires, the warehouse system further includes the induction wires of each of the transport units being connected in series to one or more common panels.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for handling and storing marine containers transports containers from below using a shuttle that is movable sideways from an elevating cradle in an elevating transfer vehicle. The shuttle has four lifting devices that engage ISO fittings in the container from below. The shuttle can lift a container and travel into a bay of a large storage rack. The lifting devices then lower the container onto supporting brackets that share the ISO fitting with the lifting devices. The shuttle can move the containers within the storage rack, or to a portal where it can be temporarily stored or picked up immediately by a ground vehicle. The system also includes a dock crane buffer and an automated guided vehicle system.

Abstract: An output sheets collection, separation and distribution system for printed sheets outputted from a shared centralized printer to which plural remote users electronically send respective print jobs from a plurality of separate user sites remote from said centralized printer location. A mobile vehicular mailboxing module is docked with the printer to collect the print jobs stacked in plural user-assigned mailbox bins by an internal sheet feeding and distribution system. The mobile mailbox module is then undocked and automatically sequentially driven to the separate remote user sites and distributes the respective print jobs to the respective users at those sites, or other designated sites, stopping only at those sites for which the moving mailboxing module contains designated print jobs in one or more bins.

Abstract: A cableless elevator system for very high buildings includes several vertical travel shafts with apparatus at the floors for horizontal travel of the elevator cars between shafts. Several cars can move in the same shaft at the same time. Vertically extending shaft wall strips positioned between the shafts have horizontal guide channels and vertical rolling tracks formed therein. During vertical travel, upper and lower guide rollers on the cars engage the rolling tracks and the cars are moved by a combination of a linear drive and a friction drive. The friction drive utilizes battery powered electrical motors to drive the lower guide rollers. The linear drive has linear motor stators attached to the shaft rear wall and permanent magnets on the cars. During horizontal movement, the upper and lower guide rollers engage the horizontal guide channels and the lower rollers move the car.

Abstract: A maintenance elevator 40 is employed in the case of an emergency situation such as a failure of the carriage 16 or in carrying out regular maintenance and checkup operations. An operator can get on the maintenance elevator 40 brought to a stop at its lowermost position. The maintenance elevator 40 is moved upward along a post 12 and is brought to a stop at any position in which, for example, a gangway 57 formed integrally with the elevator 40 is opposed to the carriage 16. Movement of the operator between the maintenance elevator 40 and the carriage 16 can be done by utilizing the gangway 57. Transfer from the maintenance elevator to the carriage and vice versa can be always made in an easy and safe manner by using the gangway. Provision of all the gangways at the maintenance elevator side realizes weight reduction at the carriage side, good energy saving, and cost reduction.

Abstract: An article transport system includes a plurality of article loading and unloading stations, at least one carriage for running between the stations to transport articles therebetween, and a base station installed on the ground to provide the carriage with running instructions at an article transport request received from one of the stations. Each of the base station, loading and unloading stations and carriage includes a radio communication unit. Article transport requests and running instructions are transmitted by radio communication.

Abstract: For the storing of paper rolls in high-shelf system stores and for the gunce of paper roll transporting cars, tracks disposed in pairs are provided which, for the accommodation of great weights, possess an approximately U-shaped cross-sectional configuration with a lower chord, an upper chord (180) and a web interconnecting both chords, which, proceeding devoid of any bends linearily and, with the aid of connections (183), is connected to a plurality of vertical supporting girders (184) disposed at a distance from each other and connected to the crossgirder (12) of the framework structure of the store, wherein the lower chord is formed by a leg (187) with a horizontally proceeding section forming the support for the paper roll transporting car and a section adjoining the latter which proceeds vertically and parallelly to the web, wherein the horizontal leg section is supported on and the vertical leg is supported against an angle section (188) connected to the vertical supporting girder (184) and the crossgir

Abstract: A fully automated and computerized conveyor based manufacturing line architecture (15) is provided for the storage, handling and transportation of articles by processing equipment (500). The articles are stored in a pressurized sealable transportable container (100) which are transported by the conveyor (401-1). A gas supply (700-1) and delivery system (702-1) cooperate with a dispatching apparatus with a gas distribution system (300-1) to feed compressed ultra pure neutral gas to the containers. A pressurized interface apparatus (201-1) is adapted to receive the containers and transfer the articles enclosed therein to the processing equipment. The convenyor, dispatching apparatus, gas supply, interface and processing equipment are all computer controlled.

Abstract: An automated system for storing and retrieving objects from multiple object categories. A plurality of storage rack assemblies is included. Each storage rack assembly has a plurality of slots sized for storing objects. A storage transport is movable alongside each respective storage rack assembly for positioning adjacent any slot. A plurality of horizontal tracks are arranged to be perpendicular to the storage rack assemblies. Each storage rack assembly has an end adjacent the tracks. A runner transport is coupled to and movable on each track for receiving one of the objects from, or providing one of the objects to a storage transport. Two conveyor rack assemblies are located at opposite ends of the tracks, aligned perpendicularly to the track. Conveyor transports are adjacent the conveyor rack assemblies for transferring objects between the conveyor rack assembly and the runner transports.

Abstract: Automated stores comprising a plurality of superimposed levels (1a, 1b, 1c. .), subdivided into parallel corridors (2a, 2b, 2c. .) on either side of which are arranged rows of racks or cells forming storage zones (3) for the products which are handled by means of autonomous trucks (4) brought to a predetermined level by at least one lift unit (5). Each storage level (1a, 1b, 1c. .) includes a set of rails forming a plurality of networks (6) pointing along the longitudinal X axis of the stores inside each inter-column space (2a, 2b, 2c) and one network (7) pointing along the transverse Y axis perpendicular to and at the end of the inter-column spaces. The autonomous trucks (4) include two-way forks on which the product to be handled rests.