Skid handling system for flow through storage

A skid handling system for flow through storage comprising:

• a)a flow through storage bin having a skate roller conveyor canted downward toward one end of the bin and operable to convey a skid toward the one end;
• b)a rack attached to said storage bin and adapted to receive and support an empty skid;
• c)a skid conveyor belt operatively attached to said storage bin and having spaced skid conveyor prongs extending perpendicularly from the belt, said belt positioned so that when the belt conveys, the skid conveyor prongs are positioned adjacent the skid and move the skid along the rack for proper storage;
• d)a skid conveyor drive interface mechanically engaging said skid conveyor to power said skid conveyor;
• e)a lifting mechanism attached to said storage bin and positioned at the one end and having a spring loaded lift member generating a lift force and said spring loaded lift member adapted to depress when a sufficient downward force is applied to said lift member overcoming the lift force;
• and
• f)an indexing member operative with respect to the lift mechanism and adapted to elevate at a position between a front skid and a skid immediately rear of said front skid when the lift force is overcome depressing said lift member, wherein a space is maintained between the two skids, and adapted to lower when no sufficient downward force is applied to depress said lift member.

A method of lifting and indexing skids for use in flow through storage bins:

• a)indexing with an indexing member a first skid immediately rear the indexing member as the first skid is being conveyed toward the indexing member on a conveyor;
• b)lifting an empty skid immediately forward the indexing member with a lift mechanism operable to generate a lift force sufficient to lift an empty skid;
• c)removing s aid empty skid for storing with a mobile remote vehicle and releasing the first skid from the indexing member responsive to removing said empty skid and conveying said first skid over the lift member, depressing said lift member;
• and
• d)indexing with the indexing member a second skid immediately rear the indexing member responsive to depressing said lift member.

A method of handling skids in a flow through storage system comprising:

• a)providing a flow through storage bin having a conveyor and conveying skids on said conveyor;
• b)receiving an empty skid from said conveyor and supporting the empty skid with a rack attached to said storage bin;
• c)moving the skid along the rack with a skid conveyor belt operatively attached to said storage bin and having spaced skid conveyor prongs extending perpendicular from the belt so that when the belt conveys, the skid conveyor prongs are positioned adjacent the skid;
• and
• d)driving the skid conveyor with a skid conveyor drive interface mechanically engaging said conveyor.

A method of handling skids in a flow through storage system comprising:

• a)indexing with an indexing member a first skid immediately rear the indexing member as the skid is being conveyed toward the indexing member on a conveyor;
• b)lifting an empty skid immediately forward the indexing member with a lift member operable to generate a lift force sufficient to lift an empty skid;
• c)removing said empty skid for storing with a mobile remote vehicle releasing the first skid from the indexing member and conveying said first skid over the lift member, depressing said lift member;
• d)receiving and supporting said empty skid with a rack attached to said storage bin;
• e)moving the skid along the rack with a skid conveyor belt operatively attached to said storage bin and having spaced skid conveyor prongs extending perpendicular from the belt so that when the belt conveys, the skid conveyor prongs are positioned adjacent the skid;
• f)driving the skid conveyor with a skid conveyor drive interface mechanically engaging said conveyor.