US 12,234,093 B2
Method and apparatus for sorting or retrieving items
Robert R. DeWitt, Marlton, NJ (US); Peter M. Chezik, Sicklerville, NJ (US); Joseph Valinsky, Turnersville, NJ (US); S. N. Kartik, Lawrenceville, NJ (US); and Ola Stahl, Cape May, NJ (US)
Assigned to OPEX Corporation, Moorestown, NJ (US)
Filed by OPEX Corporation, Moorestown, NJ (US)
Filed on Oct. 11, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/378,888.
Application 18/378,888 is a continuation of application No. 17/852,430, filed on Jun. 29, 2022, abandoned.
Application 17/852,430 is a continuation of application No. 17/532,649, filed on Nov. 22, 2021, granted, now 11,820,597.
Application 17/532,649 is a continuation of application No. 16/904,352, filed on Jun. 17, 2020, granted, now 11,214,438, issued on Jan. 4, 2022.
Application 16/904,352 is a continuation of application No. 16/058,578, filed on Aug. 8, 2018, granted, now 10,703,566, issued on Jul. 7, 2020.
Application 16/058,578 is a continuation of application No. 15/700,663, filed on Sep. 11, 2017, granted, now 10,071,857, issued on Sep. 11, 2018.
Application 15/700,663 is a continuation of application No. 15/096,433, filed on Apr. 12, 2016, granted, now 9,815,625, issued on Nov. 14, 2017.
Application 15/096,433 is a continuation of application No. 13/859,598, filed on Apr. 9, 2013, granted, now 9,334,116, issued on May 10, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/622,000, filed on Apr. 9, 2012.
Prior Publication US 2024/0109723 A1, Apr. 4, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B65G 1/137 (2006.01); B65G 1/04 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 1/1373 (2013.01) [B65G 1/04 (2013.01); B65G 1/0421 (2013.01); B65G 1/0492 (2013.01); B65G 1/137 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
11. An automated storage and retrieval system, comprising:
a first rack of storage locations configured to receive one or more containers;
a second rack of storage locations spaced apart from the first rack to form an aisle between the first rack and the second rack wherein the storage locations in the second rack are configured to receive one or more containers;
a plurality of vehicles operable within the aisle to deliver containers to the storage locations and retrieve containers from the storage locations wherein each vehicle comprises:
one or more wheels for driving the vehicle vertically and horizontally;
a rechargeable power storage element for powering operation of the vehicle; and
a transfer mechanism configured to transfer the containers between the storage locations and the vehicle;
moving a first of the vehicles vertically to align with a first of the storage locations;
a workstation located adjacent the end of the aisle;
a central processor configured to execute instructions for:
transferring a first container from the first storage location onto a first of the vehicles;
moving the first vehicle with the first container within the aisle to workstation;
stopping the first vehicle at the workstation so that an operator can retrieve an item from the first container;
moving the first vehicle within the aisle away from the workstation after the step of retrieving the item;
aligning the first vehicle with a second of the storage locations of the first or second rack; and
transferring the first container from the first vehicle into the second storage location.