US 2020/0048004 A1 · MATERIAL HANDLING SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

A material handling system and method of arranging articles, includes storing articles in an automated storage and retrieval system having a rack system with multiple levels, some of the multiple levels defining storage shelves and an aisle between storage shelves at the level. Articles are stored to and retrieved from the storage shelve at opposite sides of an aisle with a plurality of shuttles, each at the aisle at one of the levels. Elevation of an article is changed to one of the levels with a first of a plurality of article lifts supported by the rack system for storage by one of the shuttles. Elevation of an article that is retrieved by one of said shuttles at one of the levels is changed with the first of a plurality of article lifts. Articles are retrieved from the first of the article lifts in a first sequence of articles with a sequencer. The sequencer includes at least a second of the article lifts, a third of the article lifts, and a conveying surface supported by the rack system. Elevation of articles is changed to the conveying surface with the second of the article lifts and elevation of articles is changed from the conveying surface in the second sequence of articles with the third of the article lifts.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A material handling system, comprising:

an automated storage and retrieval system comprising a rack system having multiple levels, some of said multiple levels defining storage shelves and an aisle between storage shelves at least said level;
a plurality of shuttles, each at said aisle at one of said levels and adapted to store articles to and retrieve articles from the storage shelves at opposite lateral sides said aisle;
a plurality of article lifts supported at said rack system;
at least a first of said article lifts adapted to change elevation of an article to one of said levels for storage of the article by one of said shuttles and to change elevation of an article retrieved by one of said shuttles at one of said levels;
a sequencer adapted to arrange articles received from said first of said article lifts from a first sequence of articles to a second sequence of articles, said sequencer comprising at least a second of said article lifts, a third of said article lifts and a conveying surface supported by said rack system, said second of said article lifts adapted to change elevation of articles to said conveying surface in the first sequence of articles and said third of said articles lifts adapted to change elevation of articles from said conveying surface in the second sequence of articles.

2 more elements

A method of arranging articles, said method comprising:

storing articles in an automated storage and retrieval system comprising a rack system having multiple levels, some of said multiple levels defining storage shelves and an aisle between storage shelves at least said level;
storing articles to and retrieving articles from the storage shelve at opposite sides of an aisle with a plurality of shuttles, each at said aisle at one of said levels;
changing elevation of an article to one of said levels with a first of a plurality of article lifts supported by said rack system for storage by one of said shuttles and changing elevation of an article retrieved by one of said shuttles at one of said levels with said first of a plurality of article lifts;
receiving articles from said first of said article lifts in a first sequence of articles with a sequencer, said sequencer comprising at least a second of said article lifts, a third of said article lifts and a conveying surface supported by said rack system, including changing elevation of articles to said conveying surface with said second of said article lifts and changing elevation of articles from said conveying surface in the second sequence of articles with said third of said article lifts.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Material handling system and method

Life of this patent

Material handling system and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20