Abstract: A storage system is disclosed which includes a series of fire detection, suppression and extinguishing capability. The system can include containers formed as structural composites. The containers can have multiple portions of a structural or storage nature. The system can use the containers and the system itself to reduce a likelihood of fire spreading through large grid based systems.

Abstract: A storage system for storing product items includes a grid structure and a number of first storage bins configured to be stored in vertical stacks in the grid structure. Each first storage bin is configured to contain at least one product item. A vehicle is arranged to move horizontally at the top level of the grid structure, and further arranged to pick up, carry, and place the first storage bins at desired locations within the grid structure. The storage system further includes a robot device that includes a movable arm with a picking mechanism in one end thereof. The robot device is configured to move a storage item between a first location and a second location by means of its picking mechanism. The first location is the location of a first storage bin stored in the storage grid.

Abstract: A substrate processing system includes: a loading/unloading part into/from which a cassette that accommodates a plurality of substrates is loaded/unloaded; a batch-type processing part configured to collectively process a lot including the plurality of substrates; a single-substrate-type processing part configured to the plurality of substrates of the lot one by one; and an interface part configured to deliver the plurality of substrates between the batch-type processing part and the single-substrate-type processing part, wherein the loading/unloading part, the single-substrate-type processing part, the interface part, and the batch-type processing part are arranged in this order, and wherein the interface part comprises a lot formation part configured to form the lot, and a transfer part configured to transfer the plurality of substrates from the single-substrate-type processing part to the lot formation part, and configured to transfer the plurality of substrates from the batch-type processing part to the s

Abstract: A method of operating a bin storage system includes a plurality of storage columns for storage of a plurality of vertically-stacked storage bins and a plurality of robot vehicles for transporting storage bins. A plurality of supporting rails are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix at the top of the columns. The supporting rails are arranged in a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The method includes positioning a cavity displaying a downwardly facing opening for the storage bin of one of the plurality of robot vehicles such that the cavity is aligned with one of the storage columns to permit the cavity to receive a storage bin from the storage columns, receiving a storage bin from the storage column into the cavity, and moving the robot vehicle along the bin storage system, using a plurality of wheels attached to the robot vehicle. A first set of wheels is arranged to allow the robot vehicle to travel in the first direction along the supporting rails.

Abstract: An order fulfillment system is disclosed including a multi-level tote storage structure, one or more autonomous mobile robots configured to pick, transport and place one or more tote; one or more workstations configured to accommodate a picker that transports one or more eaches from a tote on one of the autonomous mobile robots to a “put” location, wherein the autonomous mobile robots are configured to move from level to level in the order fulfillment apparatus.

Abstract: A robotic picking device for picking items from a containerised storage system wherein items are stored in storage bins in stacks within a framework having a grid system disposed above the stacks of bins. Robotic picking devices are disposed on the grid, the devices acting to pick containers from the stacks of bins. The storage system is provided with at least one picking device for picking items from bins and depositing them directly in delivery containers DT.

Abstract: A parcel terminal system comprising one or more modules and a method are provided to allow fast loading of parcels on storage space of a parcel terminal.

Abstract: A method of operating a bin storage system including a plurality of storage columns for the storage of a plurality of vertically-stacked storage bins, and a plurality of robot vehicles for transporting storage bins, the method includes: positioning a cavity of one of the plurality of robot vehicles such that it is aligned with one of the storage columns, receiving a storage bin from the storage column into the cavity, and moving the robot vehicle along the bin storage system, using a plurality of rolling members attached to the vehicle body about the cavity that are arranged for travelling in a first direction and a perpendicular second direction along the bin storage system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automated storage system, comprising a three-dimensional storage structure and plurality of remotely controlled robot vehicles. The three-dimensional storage structures comprises a plurality of pillars which are positioned with internal distances and in a rectangular arrangement, wherein the rectangular arrangement of the pillars define storage columns for the storage of a plurality of vertically-stacked storage bins, supporting rails arranged in a two-dimensional matrix on the pillars, said supporting rails arranged in a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the supporting rails defining openings for the storage columns.

Abstract: An Automated Guided Robot (AGV) system designed for carrying, storing and retrieving inventory items to and from storage shelves. The AGV (100) can move between warehouse shelves and reach to the inside of a shelf without turning. The AGV (100) is equipped with a material handling device (130). The material handling device (130) comprises a lateral device that is configured to move in a lateral direction either to the right side or to the left side. The movement of the lateral device can be either rotational or translational. The material handling device (130) further comprises a retractable device that retracts or extends in a direction perpendicular to the lateral direction. The retractable device allows the material handling device (130) to extend into the storage shelf to fetch or place an inventory item.

Abstract: A robotic picking device for picking items from a containerised storage system wherein items are stored in storage bins in stacks within a framework having a grid system disposed above the stacks of bins. Robotic picking devices are disposed on the grid, the devices acting to pick containers from the stacks of bins. The storage system is provided with at least one picking device for picking items from bins and depositing them directly in delivery containers DT.

Abstract: A storage system for storing product items includes a grid structure and a number of first storage bins configured to be stored in vertical stacks in the grid structure. Each first storage bin is configured to contain at least one product item. A vehicle is arranged to move horizontally at the top level of the grid structure, and further arranged to pick up, carry, and place the first storage bins at desired locations within the grid structure. The storage system further includes a robot device that includes a movable arm with a picking mechanism in one end thereof. The robot device is configured to move a storage item between a first location and a second location by means of its picking mechanism. The first location is the location of a first storage bin stored in the storage grid.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system comprising an automated storage and retrieval grid and a delivery system. The automated storage and retrieval grid includes a container handling vehicle rail system for guiding a plurality of container handling vehicles and a delivery column adapted for transport of a storage container arranged in a stack of storage containers beneath the container handling vehicle rail system between a container handling vehicle and a delivery port situated at a lower end of the delivery column. The container handling vehicle rail system includes a first set of parallel rails arranged in a horizontal plane and extending in a first direction, and a second set of parallel rails arranged in the horizontal plane and extending in a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction, which first and second sets of rails form a grid pattern in the horizontal plane including a plurality of adjacent container handling vehicle grid cells.

Abstract: A handling robot used in a field of warehouse logistics comprises a mobile chassis, and a storage shelf. The storage shelf is mounted to the mobile chassis and comprises a plurality of layered plate components distributed at different heights. The handling robot further comprises a handling device configured to transport a material to a layered plate of the plurality of layered plate components, and a lift component configured to drive the handling device to lift relative to the storage shelf.

Abstract: A substrate treating apparatus includes the following elements: an indexer block including indexer robots provided for respective carrier receivers and disposed in horizontally fixed positions, each of the indexer robots having arms for taking substrates out of a carrier and loading the substrates into the carrier on the carrier receiver; a bridge block disposed adjacent the indexer block; and a treating block including a plurality of stacked stories each having at least one treating unit. The bridge block includes a buffer, a pass having a plurality of tables covering a range from a bottom story to a top story of the plurality of stories, and two bridge robots each having an arm for transferring the substrates to and from the pass.

Abstract: The disclosed is a vehicle for the autonomous transport of an object to a destination, having a loading bed for receiving the object, a side wall extending longitudinally around the loading bed and bounding a usable area of the loading bed, and a controller, wherein the loading bed is designed to alter the usable area, and the controller is designed to navigate the vehicle to the destination along a route that takes the alteration in the usable area into consideration.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an inventory storage module has first and second conveyor segments that are vertically spaced from one another and third and fourth conveyor segments that connect the first and second conveyor segments to define a movement path that is elongate along a longitudinal direction. The module has a plurality of container carriers that are supported by the first to fourth conveyor segments. Each container carrier supports at least one inventory storage container that can support at least one inventory item therein. The module has at least one movement system that can push the container carriers along the first and second conveyor segments along the longitudinal direction between the first and second module ends. The storage module can translate inventory storage containers around the movement path until a desired one of the inventory storage containers is presented at one of the first and second module ends.

Abstract: A picking device and method for increasing the through-put of picking an order from a storage container into an order container. The picking device includes a mobile platform capable to travel along a guide rail and a robotic gripping arm. The mobile platform includes a receiving location for each of a storage container and an order container, which are both reachable by the robotic gripping arm. The robotic gripping arm is actuated by a platform-supported image acquisition and evaluation unit and by a platform-supported controller.

Abstract: An overhead transport vehicle includes a traveling body that travels on a track on a ceiling of a facility, an upper mast attached to a lower side of the traveling body and including an upper guide, an elevation platform on which an article is placed, and which is guided by the upper guide to ascend or descend along the upper mast, and a lift driver that is provided on the traveling body or on the elevation platform and that drives the elevation platform to ascend or descend. A lower mast is connected to the lower end of the upper mast via a connector in a freely detachable manner and includes a lower guide extending to the upper guide. The elevation platform is able to be lowered along the lower mast from the upper mast by the lift driver.

Abstract: A maintenance access system for a storage and retrieval system having a storage and retrieval space and automated transport vehicles disposed in the space. The system includes at least one maintenance access control unit associated with a portion of the space, at least one barrier in the space and defining a boundary of the portion of the space and configured to substantially prevent the passage of the vehicles past the at least one barrier, and a controller connected to the control unit, the controller being configured to receive a signal from the at least one control unit for isolating the portion of the space associated with the at least one control unit, where the controller in response to the signal closes the at least one barrier isolating the portion of the space and effects the removal from or shutting down of vehicles within the portion of the space.

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 or tracks arranged in a grid pattern above the stacks of containers. The grid pattern can include a plurality of grid spaces and each stack is located within a footprint of only a single grid space. The 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 has a footprint that, in use, occupies only a single grid space in the storage system.

Abstract: Item storage systems can be used to sort and store items within an inventory system. The item storage system can include platforms for moving the items about the exterior of a storage structure. The platforms may move the items along a height of the storage structure and include an item movement device and item translation device. The item movement device may move items into and out of the storage structure and the item translation device may move items along the length of the platform.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a pass-through machine (1), in particular a pass-through machine which is provided for use in the manufacture of furniture and components, and to a pass-through machine. In the method, a supplied workpiece (W) is first detected and/or identified using a workpiece detection device (20); handling information (HI) is then output using an information device (30) on the basis of the detected information of the workpiece detection device (20); whereupon an operator of the pass-through machine (1) carries out a handling process on or with the workpiece (W) according to the output handling information (HI); and the handled workpiece (W) is then supplied to a machining device (50) of the pass-through machine (1) using a supply device (80).

Abstract: A maintenance access system for a storage and retrieval system having a storage and retrieval space and automated transport vehicles disposed in the space. The system includes at least one maintenance access control unit associated with a portion of the space, at least one barrier in the space and defining a boundary of the portion of the space and configured to substantially prevent the passage of the vehicles past the at least one barrier, and a controller connected to the control unit, the controller being configured to receive a signal from the at least one control unit for isolating the portion of the space associated with the at least one control unit, where the controller in response to the signal closes the at least one barrier isolating the portion of the space and effects the removal from or shutting down of vehicles within the portion of the space.

Abstract: A honeycomb storage system with at least one shelf unit, including a plurality of storage units arranged side-by-side and overtop of each other, accessible from an operating side, for receiving cartridges. The storage units are embodied such that the cartridges can be removed horizontally at the operating side in the longitudinal direction and can be inserted therein. A shelf operating device is arranged at an operating side and a commissioning device is arranged on a front side of the shelf opposite the operating side. The commissioning device is allocated to a plurality of storage units used as marshaling storage units, which are embodied such that cartridges located therein can also be removed at the front of the shelf. The commissioning device has several commissioning sites for placing cartridges as well as a commissioning cart that can move along the front of the shelf perpendicular in reference to the cartridges. This cart is embodied such that it can approach all commissioning sites.

Abstract: A plurality of transport controls selectively performed by a transport control device include a second transport control performed on a selected one of a first article transport device and a second article transport device as a target article transport device such that the target article transport device is moved only in a first path portion to transport articles when the target article transport device is the first article transport device, and that the target article transport device is moved only in a second path portion to transport the articles when the target article transport device is the second article transport device.

Abstract: A shelf warehouse comprises a loading/unloading station, at least one shelf and a shelf storage and retrieval system that can be moved between the loading/unloading station and the shelf. The shelf storage and retrieval system has a load receiving device with a transfer device that can be moved along a transfer direction to transfer clothes rails and with a plurality of vertically movable lifting mechanisms arranged on the transfer device for lifting a respective clothes rail from below.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system for storing and picking a pallet and a case includes: a storage rack; a storage rack with a built-in conveyor that includes a configuration of the storage rack and a conveyor for unloading the case, wherein the conveyor is inserted through the storage rack with a built-in conveyor at a predetermined level; a travel lane; a pallet crane traveling on the travel lane to store or pick the pallet onto or from each shelf board; and a case picking crane traveling on a travel lane identical to the travel lane that lets the pallet crane travel, wherein the case picking crane is provided with two independent transfer units capable of moving on and down and each transfer unit picks one piece of the case placed on the shelf board.

Abstract: A system includes storage shelves and display shelves at a retail facility. The system also includes a management module operable to determine to replenish a display shelf with an inventory item stored by a storage shelf. The management module is also operable to coordinate movement of mobile drive units to replenish the display shelf with the inventory item at an inventory restocking station. The system also includes a first mobile drive unit and a second mobile drive unit. The first mobile drive unit is operable to receive first instructions from the management module to transport the display shelf to the inventory restocking station. The second mobile drive unit is operable to receive second instructions from the management module to transport the storage shelf to the inventory restocking station. At the inventory restocking station, the display shelf receives the inventory item.

Abstract: An automated storage system for storing a plurality of objects in storage locations, the automated storage system comprising a master control computer, a guidance network, a plurality of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) each having an onboard microprocessor for providing a position of each AGV relative to the guidance network to the master control computer and a receiver for receiving control commands from the master control computer, and a plurality of trays for engagement with the plurality of AGVs for transportation and storage of the objects.

Abstract: A method of controlling the management of annular anchoring structures in a process and a plant for building tires for vehicle wheels, includes: a) feeding pairs of first annular anchoring structures from a first storage region to a bead-forming machine; b) loading a plurality of second annular anchoring structures into a second storage region; c) carrying the second annular anchoring structures from the second storage region to the first storage region; and d) feeding pairs of second annular anchoring structures from the first storage region to the bead-forming machine. The method includes the sequential cyclic repetition of the above actions.

Abstract: An automated guided vehicle (AGV) adapted to follow a guide wire or the like, the AGV comprising at least one antenna in communication with a master control system and having a programmable microprocessor that enables the AGV to dynamically assume a linear, angular or skewed offset position relative to the guide wire or the like in accordance with instructions provided by the control system.

Abstract: A device for handling and/or transporting work rolls and/or support rolls of a roll stand, by which the work rolls and/or support rolls can be brought from the roll stand into a roll workshop by a locomotive movable on a track. In order to be able to handle and transport different rolls using just one locomotive, without complicated coupling mechanisms, at least two tracks disposed at different heights are provided, on which a roll can be moved by the locomotive, and a lifting table is available, which is intended and suitable for raising or lowering the locomotive to one of the at least two different heights in order to bring it onto the respective track.

Abstract: An order picking system includes a storage system for storing containers arranged in multiple rows at various horizontal levels with respect to ground, the containers including source containers with goods stored in the storage system and reception containers to be filled with the ordered goods. At least one mobile picking unit may be moved in a horizontal direction along an upper level of the storage system, the picking unit is configured for taking ordered goods from the source containers arranged at the upper level and placing the ordered goods into the reception containers for delivery to the customers. At least one transportation unit may be moved along a lower level of the storage system arranged lower than the upper level. The transportation unit is configured for taking the containers from levels of the storage system lower than the upper level, and delivering the containers to the upper level.

Abstract: A rack-serving unit for storing boxes having an open box bottom, including a load pick-up device and at least one substantially horizontally telescopic article transport gripper including at least one rest for the articles for gripping under an article, is provided with a single telescopic gripper pin serving as article transport gripper and having a rest for the articles for gripping under the article in a just unstable position and at least one telescopic flank and/or a telescopic hold-down device for setting a stable transport position of the gripped article. In an order-picking warehouse equipped with said rack-serving unit having storing boxes with bottoms which are open in the center thereof, the telescopic gripper pin includes a rest for the articles of a width which is transverse to the telescoping direction for supporting the article in a just unstable position on the rest for the articles and the box bottom opening being just slightly broader than the width.

Abstract: A robotic automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) mixed pallet build system includes a rack that includes two or more verticals levels upon which items are stored. The system includes a three-dimensional robotic AS/RS that includes a carriage, robot arm, vertical lift, and horizontal propulsion system. The items from the rack are loaded upon the carriage to create a pallet. The robot arm is configured to stack the items from the racks onto the pallet. The vertical lift is configured to move the carriage vertically between the vertical levels of the racks. The horizontal propulsion system is configured to move the carriage horizontally along the rack so that the carriage is able to service the entire length of the rack. The three-dimensional robotic AS/RS also includes a stretch wrapper that progressively secures the layers of items on the pallet to prevent the items from falling off the pallet.

Abstract: An automatic warehouse includes a rack including vertically arranged shelves and traveling vehicles each of which is provided to a corresponding one of the shelves. The automatic warehouse includes stations receiving an article to be stored on and an article unloaded from the rack, elevators each mediating traffic of articles between the corresponding station and at least one of the traveling vehicles, and a shelf assigning unit assigning, to each of the stations, one or more of the shelves to which the station has priority of use over the rest of the stations.

Abstract: A lengthy article transferring apparatus transfers lengthy articles between the apparatus and target locations for the transfer. A lifting driving device lifts and drives a platform and a transferring device mounted thereon by winding a cord-like member. A controller controls actuation of the lifting driving device and the transferring device. A lifted position detector monitors the position of the platform. The controller performs the transferring operation to actuate the transferring device when end portions of the platform are received and supported by receivers provided at the target locations for the transfer, and performs a lifted position adjustment procedure controlling actuation of the lifting driving device based upon information detected by the lifted position detector during the transferring procedure to absorb variation in the position of the platform caused by a shift in the load acting on the platform as the article is transported in the article transferring direction.

Abstract: In a substrate processing apparatus, a storage device, an indexer block, a processing block and an interface block are arranged to line up in this order. The storage device includes a plurality of openers on which a carrier storing a plurality of substrates can be placed. The carrier is carried in the storage device. In the storage device, the carrier is transported among the plurality of openers by a transport device. The transport device includes first and second hands configured to be able to hold the carrier and move in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction. The second hand is provided below the first hand.

Abstract: A transport vehicle that reduces shaking of a transport article includes a travelling unit, a transport unit, a fall prevention member, and a shaking reduction member. The travelling unit travels along a rail provided on a ceiling. The transport unit transports a transport article. The fall prevention member is rotatably supported such that it can rotate between a fall prevention position and a retracted position. The fall prevention member is, at the fall prevention position, below the transport article. A pushing portion of the shaking reduction member pushes against a side surface of the transport article with a pushing surface thereof in conjunction with the rotating of the fall prevention member from the retracted position to the fall prevention position. A lever portion of the shaking reduction member has one end supporting the pushing portion and the other end rotatably supported in a manner coaxial with the fall prevention member.

Abstract: A robotic device movable in a vertical direction between rails arranged in multiple rows at various levels with respect to ground. The robotic device has a frame, wheels coupled to the frame for moving the frame along the rails, and a movable platform provided on the frame. The platform is configured for moving the frame in a vertical direction between first rails and second rails arranged above the first rails, and for placing onto the robotic device first and second loads arranged at different levels with respect to the ground.

Abstract: An overhead transport vehicle comprises a travelling unit that travels on a rail, a conveying unit that moves and conveys an article and a swing inhibiting member that moves between a pushing position and a retracting position. The swing inhibiting members includes a pushing member that pushes a side surface of the article, lever members that support the pushing member at a first end side and are pivotally supported by the conveying unit at a second end side, and a biasing member that biases the pushing member toward the article. The pushing member includes a main body member pivotally supported by the lever members, slide members slidably supported by a main body member, and elastic bodies arranged between the main body member and the slide member that slide elastically the slide member.

Abstract: A robotic device movable in first, second and third mutually perpendicular directions along rails arranged in multiple rows, where the rails in a row are arranged along the first and second mutually perpendicular directions, and the multiple rows are arranged along the third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions. The robotic device has a frame, wheels coupled to the frame for moving the frame along the rails in the first and second directions, and support handles for lifting the frame in the third direction from first rails arranged in a first row of the rails to second rails arranged in a second row of the rails. The support handles are configured for providing engagement with the second rails so as to lift the robotic device in the third direction from the first rails to the second rails.

Abstract: The in-building storage apparatus includes a guide rail mounted in a storage space in which articles are stored, and making slidal movement in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which main rails extend, a platform car including a travelling section for running on the guide rail, and a lifting/lowering section which lifts or lowers an article, suspenders each of which suspends an article at such a height that the platform car can pass therebelow, and a control unit having functions of causing the guide rail to make slidal movement, causing the platform car to move along the guide rail, causing the lifting/lowering section to lift or lower for taking a target article out of the suspenders, and causing a target article to be suspended by the suspenders.

Abstract: A robot includes an arm member, a rotary actuator that swings the arm member, a hand member provided at an end of the arm member, a joint member that connects the arm member and the hand member to each other such that the arm member and the hand member are rotatable with respect to each other, a linear actuator that supports and linearly moves the rotary actuator, and a controller that operates the rotary actuator and the linear actuator in association with each other to linearly move the hand member in a forward-backward direction.

Abstract: A method and equipment to stack palletless and as to their size variable packages (1) on warehouse rack (15) and to retrieve them from the rack and to control the logistics of packages, in which the warehouse rack is furnished with an automatic packages stacking and retrieving robot, and in which the control of warehouse data and logistics takes place by a data system. Equipment (5) receives package (1), for instance, onto conveyor belt (2), equipment (5) carries out weighing of package (1), determination for the necessary space requirement, reading of remote code connected to package (1), as RFID code (20) in order to choose the rack space determined for it on basis of previous functions, and package (1) is retrieved from the rack steered either by the order of the user or of the data system, and the data from above mentioned stacking and retrieving functions are transmitted to the data system.

Abstract: A storage apparatus includes: a storage member provided with a pair of first rail members, extending along a horizontal direction, on both side faces thereof; a storage rack; a carrying mechanism to carry the storage member placed thereon in the horizontal direction to a storage location of the storage rack; and a pair of walls, provided so as to be opposed to the side faces of the storage member, respectively, having a pair of second rail members, extending in the horizontal direction, provided on side faces thereof opposed to the pair of first rail members, respectively, in a state where the storage member is stored in the storage rack, the storage member being guided to the storage rack with the pair of first rail members being supported by the pair of second rail members, when the carrying mechanism is moved in the horizontal direction toward the storage rack.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system of enabling automated receiving/retrieving of stocks of cargo for storing purposes. The system uses at least one service level and one or more storage levels. The service level is operated and organized in such a way that it is able to receive, interchange cargo, and extract cargo simultaneously and batch way. The system is redundant and allows continued operation even if some of its components malfunction. The service area comprising (a) a plurality of pallets for conveying said cargo; (b) a matrix of blocks of predetermined shape upon which said cargo and said pallets located; (c) at least one elevator block for transporting said pallet to different areas of said system; (d) at least one box; (e) at least two buffer for allowing transport of said pallets in at least two orthogonal directions in each of said areas.

Abstract: A robotic automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) mixed pallet build system includes a rack that includes two or more verticals levels upon which items are stored. The mixed pallet build system further includes a three-dimensional robotic AS/RS that includes a carriage, robot arm, vertical lift, and horizontal propulsion system. The items from the rack are loaded upon the carriage to create a pallet. The carriage has a length that is shorter than the length of the rack. The robot arm is configured to stack the items from the racks onto the pallet. The vertical lift is configured to move the carriage vertically between the vertical levels of the racks. The horizontal propulsion system is configured to move the carriage horizontally along the rack so that the carriage is able to service the entire length of the rack. The three-dimensional robotic AS/RS also includes a stretch wrapper that progressively secures the layers of items on the pallet to prevent the items from falling off the pallet.

Abstract: Storing and retrieving articles in and from rack warehouses which are filled and emptied, wherein articles are stored on load supports at storage locations of at least one rack of rack warehouse comprises moving a storage and retrieval device, which is movable in a longitudinal direction of the rack and has a lifting table movable in height, to a receiving point of the rack; receiving a load support, which is loaded with an article, from the rack on a load suspension device of the storage and retrieval device; separating article from the received load support on the lifting table by means of a separation station; moving storage and retrieval device to hand-over point, where storage and retrieval device is coupled in a transverse direction of the rack to article conveyor extending in longitudinal direction of rack; and delivering separated article from lifting table to the article conveyor.