System for delivering storage containers

An automated storage and retrieval system, comprising:

• a rail system comprising 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 comprising a plurality of adjacent grid cells, each comprising a grid opening defined by a pair of neighboring rails of the first set of rails and a pair of neighboring rails of the second set of rails;
• a storage grid having a framework structure configured to store a plurality of storage containers in stacks in vertical storage columns, which are provided between upright members, wherein each storage column is located vertically below a grid opening beneath the rail system;
• at least one remotely operated vehicle for handling a storage container, the at least one remotely operated vehicle being configured to move on the rail system above the storage columns;
• and
• at least one system for delivering storage containers, comprising:
• a carrier framework that is integrated into a cargo compartment of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle has a vehicle opening above the carrier framework for vertically moving the storage container therethrough into or out of the carrier framework, and
• a transfer platform,
• wherein the carrier framework is a spatial framework configured to store a plurality of storage containers to be delivered in a plurality of individual storage spaces forming a carrier grid having vertical carrier columns,
• wherein the carrier framework comprises at least one access device configured to selectively present the individual storage containers received by and stored in the carrier framework to a user outside the carrier framework or outside the vehicle into which the carrier framework is integrated,
• wherein the transfer platform is connectable to or integratable into the framework structure of the storage grid of the automated storage and retrieval system to form a cantilever structure at the storage grid, beneath which the carrier framework or the vehicle, into which the carrier framework is integrated, is placeable,
• wherein the transfer platform has a transfer grid having a plurality of transfer grid cells, for receiving the storage container from or for sending the storage container into the framework structure of the storage grid,
• wherein the transfer grid cells are open at their bottom,
• wherein the carrier grid and the transfer grid correlate in their horizontal cell arrangement and cell size, such that, when the carrier columns are arranged beneath the transfer grid cells, storage containers can be lowered from the transfer platform into the carrier framework, and
• wherein the transfer platform is connected to or integrated into the framework structure.

A method for delivering a storage container, comprising:

• arranging a vehicle, which comprises a cargo compartment having a carrier framework, at a transfer platform, which is connected to a framework of a storage grid of an automated storage and retrieval system, wherein the carrier framework is integrated into the vehicle and wherein the vehicle has a vehicle opening above the carrier framework for vertically moving a storage container therethrough into or out of the carrier framework,
• retrieving at least one storage container from the storage grid by a remotely operated vehicle operating on the automated storage and retrieval system,
• moving the at least one storage container to the transfer platform, and
• moving the at least one storage container from the transfer platform into the carrier framework by means of the remotely operated vehicle,
• wherein the carrier framework comprises at least one access device configured to selectively present the at least one storage container from outside the carrier framework or from outside the vehicle into which the carrier framework is integrated.

A method for transforming a warehouse having a grid-based automated storage and retrieval system into an end customer delivery arrangement, comprising:

• providing a system for delivering storage containers, comprising:
• a carrier framework that is integrated into a cargo compartment of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle has a vehicle opening above the carrier framework for vertically moving a storage container therethrough into or out of the carrier framework, and
• a transfer platform,
• wherein the carrier framework is a spatial framework configured to store a plurality of storage containers to be delivered in a plurality of individual storage spaces forming a carrier grid having vertical carrier columns,
• wherein the carrier framework comprises at least one access device configured to selectively present the individual storage containers received by and stored in the carrier framework to a user outside the carrier framework or outside a vehicle into which the carrier framework is integrated,
• wherein the transfer platform is connectable to or integratable into a framework structure of a storage grid of an automated storage and retrieval system to form a cantilever structure at the storage grid, beneath which the carrier framework or a vehicle, into which the carrier framework is integrated, is placeable,
• wherein the transfer platform has a transfer grid having a plurality of transfer grid cells, for receiving the storage container from or for sending the storage container into the framework structure of the storage grid,
• wherein the transfer grid cells are open at their bottom, and
• wherein the carrier grid and the transfer grid correlate in their horizontal cell arrangement and cell size, such that, when the carrier columns are arranged beneath the transfer grid cells, the storage containers can be lowered from the transfer platform into the carrier framework, and
• connecting the transfer platform of the system to a framework structure of the automated storage and retrieval system.