Stackable inventory storage module having helical drive

A method of processing inventory, the method comprising:

• identifying a desired storage container from a plurality of storage containers supported by a storage module, the storage module having a plurality of conveyor segments that define a movement path that has a closed shape, and each storage container configured to store at least one inventory item therein;
• translating the storage containers around the movement path until the desired storage container is presented at a desired one of first and second module ends of the storage module;
• and
• causing an inventory item to be retrieved from, or stowed into, the desired storage container,
• wherein the translating step comprises:
• rotating a cylindrical outer surface of a roller of an actuator of the storage module about a central axis to thereby cause a helical track disposed around the cylindrical outer surface to rotate;
• and
• causing at least one track follower of the actuator to ride along at least one guide surface of the helical track such that the at least one track follower causes storage containers to move along the movement path along an axial direction that is substantially parallel to the central axis, wherein the axial direction is aligned with a longitudinal direction that extends between the first and second module ends, and the translating step comprises causing the at least one track follower to move the storage containers along the longitudinal direction along at least one of first and second conveyor segments of the plurality of conveyor segments that extend between the first and second module ends;
• and
• causing at least one actuator of a vertical lift of the storage module to move the storage containers along the movement path along a vertical direction between the first and second conveyor segments.

A method of processing inventory, the method comprising:

• identifying a desired storage container from a plurality of storage containers supported by a storage module, the storage module having a plurality of conveyor segments that define a movement path that has a closed shape, and each storage container configured to store at least one inventory item therein;
• translating the storage containers around the movement path until the desired storage container is presented at a desired one of first and second module ends of the storage module;
• and
• causing an inventory item to be retrieved from, or stowed into, the desired storage container,
• wherein the translating step comprises:
• rotating a cylindrical outer surface of a roller of an actuator of the storage module about a central axis to thereby cause a helical track disposed around the cylindrical outer surface to rotate;
• and
• causing at least one track follower of the actuator to ride along at least one guide surface of the helical track such that the at least one track follower causes storage containers to move along the movement path along an axial direction that is substantially parallel to the central axis, wherein the axial direction is aligned with a vertical direction, and the at least one track follower causes the storage containers to move along the movement path along the vertical direction between first and second conveyor segments of the plurality of conveyor segments that are configured to carry storage containers along a longitudinal direction between the first and second module ends.