Method and a device for storage and retrieval of grocery goods

A modular device for storing, and managing grocery orders loaded in crates, the modular device having an adjustable capacity determined by a number and type of modules in the device, wherein the device comprises:

• a multitude of storage modules, configured to be seamlessly attached to each other in horizontal and/or vertical direction;
• a multitude of conveyor modules, configured to be seamlessly attached to one another in horizontal direction, and assembled underneath the multitude of storage modules;
• at least one lift module seamlessly attached to at least one storage module, and comprising at least one lift vertically connecting a conveyor module and at least one of the multitude of storage modules;
• at least one customer console for retrieval of grocery orders;
• at least one associate console for inserting crates loaded with grocery orders, and
• at least one shuttle device;
• wherein
• each storage module comprises two shelving rows with a multitude of storage levels, each storage level configured to store a multitude of crates, and an aisle in between the two shelving rows,
• each storage level comprising a horizontal rail facing to the aisle and being positioned at a same level as the horizontal rail on the shelving row on opposite side of the aisle to form a pair of shuttle rails to support the shuttle-device and extending through the horizontally attached storage modules and the at least one lift module;
• each conveyor module comprising at least one conveyor line comprising a multitude of conveyor cells or a multitude of self-moving independent platforms, each conveyor cell or independent platform configured to hold a single crate at a time and having at least one sensor to recognize positioning of the single crate;
• the at least one lift module comprising at least one lift configured to move crates in vertical direction between a conveyor cell or a self-moving independent platform in a conveyor module located directly underneath the lift module and the at least one storage module to which the lift module is attached;
• the at least one shuttle-device configured to move horizontally on one storage level along the aisle and being supported by the horizontal rails of two opposite shelving rows, and having telescopic arms configured to extend to two opposite directions, and when the shuttle-device is in a storage module the telescopic arms are configured to reach toward the shelving rows on opposite sides of the aisle to pick or deposit a crate, and when the shuttle is in a lift module the telescopic arms are configured to reach to the at least one lift to pick or deposit a crate;
• the at least one customer console and the at least one associate console are preferably located at opposite ends of the modular device, wherein the associate console has at least one opening providing access to a loading platform extending from at least one conveyor module and having connection with at least one conveyor cell configured to move crates to at least one conveyor line or to the at least one self-moving platform in the conveyor module, thus enabling continuous insertion of crates into the modular device,
• and at least one controller configured to control the at least one lift, the at least one conveyor line or independently moving platform, and the at least one shuttle-device.