Platform unit and storage system including the same.

A storage system for handling items, comprising:

• a plurality of platform units provided substantially adjacent and substantially coplanar relative to each other;
• and
• a control system;
• each platform unit including
• a base;
• a plurality of elongated conveyor components mounted to the base substantially parallel to each other and defining a first direction extending longitudinally relative to the conveyor components, the conveyor components being operative for selectively moving the items parallel to the base along the first direction, each conveyor component being also rotatable about a component rotation axis extending longitudinally relative thereto;
• wherein the conveyor components are further operative for selectively moving the items parallel to the base along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction when the conveyor components rotate about the component rotation axes;
• wherein the control system is operative for selectively activating the conveyor components to move the items in the first and second directions on each of the platform units;
• whereby the items can be selectively moved between the platform units by moving the items between adjacent ones of the platform units using the conveyor components.