Apparatus and method for transporting articles

An apparatus for transporting articles, the apparatus comprising:

• a tower lifter configured to transport the article;
• an interface member configured to receive the article from the tower lifter and store the article or transport the article to another position,
• wherein the tower lifter comprises:
• a frame configured to move in the vertical direction;
• a robot arm connected to the frame;
• a first transport mounting portion connected to the robot arm and configured to support a first-class article from below;
• and
• a second transport mounting portion connected to the robot arm, disposed over the first transport mounting portion and configured to support a second-class article different from the first-class article from below,
• wherein, when viewed in the vertical direction, the first transport mounting portion and the second transport mounting portion are installed to overlap with each other,
• the first transport mounting portion and the second transport mounting portion operate simultaneously according to the operation of the robot arm, and
• the interface member comprises a second support configured to load the first-class article and a third support configured to load the second-class article, and the third support is disposed over the second support.

A method for transporting articles, the method comprising:

• providing an apparatus for transporting articles, wherein the apparatus comprises:
• a frame;
• a first transport mounting portion connected to the frame and configured to support a first-class article from below;
• a second transport mounting portion connected to the frame, disposed over the first transport mounting portion and configured to support the first-class article from below;
• and a third transport mounting portion connected to the frame, disposed over the second transport mounting portion and configured to support a second-class article different from the first-class article from below, and further comprises:
• a tower lift configured to simultaneously operate the first transport mounting portion and the second transport mounting portion;
• and an interface member including a first support, a second support configured to load the first-class article and a third support configured to load the second-class article, wherein the third support is disposed over the second support;
• performing an in-out operation to support the first-class article from below and settle the first-class article on the first support by the first transport mounting portion;
• and
• performing the in-out operation to support the second-class article different from the first-class article from below and settle the second-class article on the third support by the third transport mounting portion.