| 摘要 |
<p>An article sorting and retrieval system for use in warehouses and distribution centers wherein articles are stored in vertical racks (11, 12, 13) with open-sided storage bins (18). The system includes a linearly extensible lower conveyor (20) assembly adapted to transport items parallel to the rows of storage bins (18) and a vertically movable upper conveyor assembly (100) located above and parallel to the lower conveyor assembly (20) and adapted to convey articles in a direction opposite to that of the lower assembly (20) and to be raised and lowered between an upper position and a lower position as desired so as to service all of the bins (18) in each of the rows of bins. Another conveyor assembly (80) is provided for conveying articles vertically between one end of the lower conveyor assembly (20) and one end of the upper conveyor assembly (100) and for reversing the direction of travel of the articles during that vertical movement. Also, a lateral transfer means (130) is provided in association with the upper conveyor assembly (100) for selectively moving articles from the upper conveyor assembly (100) to and from any one of the adjacent storage bins (18).</p> |
