System and method for controlling the movement of containers in an automated storage and retrieval system

A method for controlling movement of containers in an automated storage and retrieval system comprising a framework structure forming a three-dimensional storage grid structure for storing storage containers for storing items, where the framework structure forms vertical storage columns each having a horizontal area defined by a size of an access opening of the vertical storage columns and where the framework structure comprises a rail system arranged above the vertical storage columns, the rail system comprising a plurality of rails extending in an X-direction and a plurality of rails extending in a Y-direction to form a grid, the plurality of rails defining a perimeter of each access opening on top of each storage column, the rail system providing available routes in the X-direction or the Y-direction for container handling vehicles handling and transferring the storage containers to and from the vertical storage columns, and a central computer system, the storage grid structure further comprising a port column which comprises a port where the container handling vehicles can drop off and/or pick up the storage containers so that the storage containers can be transported to an access station for picking, wherein the method comprises:

• using one of the container handling vehicles to pick up a first storage container from a temperature controlled or atmospherically controlled zone in the automated storage and retrieval system;
• transporting the first storage container from the temperature controlled or atmospherically controlled zone for picking;
• setting a timer running to monitor an elapsed time;
• comparing the elapsed time to a predetermined threshold;
• and
• when the elapsed time exceeds the predetermined threshold, retrieving the first storage container and transporting the first storage container back into the temperature controlled or atmospherically controlled zone.

An automated storage and retrieval system comprising a framework structure forming a three-dimensional storage grid structure for storing storage containers for storing items, where the storage grid structure forms vertical storage columns each having a horizontal area defined by a size of an access opening of the vertical storage columns and where the framework structure comprises a rail system arranged above the vertical storage columns, the rail system comprising a plurality of rails extending in an X-direction and a Y-direction to form a grid, the plurality of rails defining a perimeter of each access opening on top of each storage column, the rail system providing available routes in the X-direction or the Y-direction for container handling vehicles handling and transferring the storage containers to and from the vertical storage columns, the storage grid structure comprises an atmospherically-controlled zone in which a temperature and/or atmospheric content is controlled, the storage grid structure further comprising a port column which comprises a port where container handling vehicles can drop off and/or pick up the storage containers so that they can be transported to an access station for picking and a central computer system for controlling an operation of the automated storage and retrieval system, wherein the central computer is configured to:

• send a first container handling vehicle of the container handling vehicles to retrieve a first storage container from the atmospherically controlled zone in the automated storage and retrieval system to transport the first storage container to the port for picking;
• set a timer running to monitor an elapsed time;
• compare the elapsed time to a predetermined threshold;
• and
• when the elapsed time exceeds the predetermined threshold, send a second container handling vehicle of the container handling vehicles to retrieve the first storage container from the port and transport the first storage container back into the atmospherically controlled zone.