Patent ID: 8092140
Filing Date: 2012-01-10
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
1. A container storage and retrieval system including: a first storage zone storing containers of product in frames, each frame including a plurality of stacks of containers; a second storage zone storing containers of product in rows of stacks; a first automated retrieval system arranged and configured to retrieve selected stacks of containers from the second storage zone by moving complete stacks from the second storage zone to a conveyor without separating the complete stacks into partial stacks, and to replenish the second storage zone with at least one frame of containers from the first zone, wherein the at least one frame moves along the conveyor between the first storage zone and the second storage zone; a third storage zone storing containers in partial stacks or stacks; a second automated retrieval system arranged and configured to stack partial stacks together and to retrieve selected partial stacks or stacks of containers, and to replenish the third storage zone with at least one stack of containers from the second storage zone without separating the at least one stack into partial stacks; and an order accumulation zone arranged and configured to collate orders wherein an order includes a required number of complete frames received from the first storage zone, a required number of complete stacks received from the second storage zone, wherein the complete stacks are not separated into partial stacks and the required number of complete stacks retrieved from the second zone is less than the number of stacks in a frame, and a required number of stacks or partial stacks received from the third zone.