Abstract:
The invention is about an Intelligent Filing System that locates the wanted file in an unordered archive. This is achieved by a wireless receiver placed on each file. The receiver has Light Emitting Diode (LED) or small speaker which is activated when the request is transmitted by a transmitter via Radio Frequency (RF) or Infra Red (IR). The LED's flash (or the speaker starts beeping) and a number would appear on the receivers Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel. The received number indicates number of the department requesting that file. Upon the receipt of the signal, the receiver has the option to send a confirmation message to the transmitter confirming the receipt of the message. This idea may also be implented in the warehouses for spare parts, for books in the library or on any large number of distinct items that need to be retrieved.
Abstract:
The invention concerns warehouse storage shelving with support rails (11, 12) designed to support storage carriers (10) loaded with stored goods (9). The width (b) of the storage surface of the storage carriers (10) is less than the least distance (B) between the two rails in each pair of support rails (11, 12) so that a stored article (9) can extend in height over several storage places each formed by a pair of support rails. In order to optimize the use of space, the storage places are monitored by a computer which controls a loading and retrieval device (8) in such a way that the height ((Delta)H) of the stored articles (9) is matched to the height (DH) of the available storage space, repositioning articles (9) as and when necessary.
Abstract:
A support beam (40, 100, 130, 150, 180, 210, 250, 270, 300) for a storage rack has a tubular profile, which defines a ledge opening (106, 136, 156, 198, 228, 262) upwardly and inwardly, and which defines a generally flat, indicia-receiving surface (80, 170, 210, 240, 410, 266, 320) facing outwardly and either downwardly or upwardly at an angle from about 20 degrees to about 70 degrees relative to a vertical plane. Alternatively, the tubular profile may define two such surfaces (144, 146) defining an obtuse angle relative to each other, namely an upper surface at an angle from about 20 degrees to about 45 degrees relative thereto and a lower surface at an angle from about 45 degrees to about 70 degrees relative thereto, or a generally arcuate, indicia-receiving surface (120) having a suitable measurement. The indicia-receiving surface enables a person (P) who is standing, or who is sitting on a lift truck, to have a generally perpendicular line of sight to such surface. The support beam (40, 100, 130, 150, 180, 210, 250, 270, 300) may also be used in combination with a properly positioned fire extinguishing device (330) to extinguish a fire in a supported load. When the fire extinguisher is activated, the fluid (332) that is discharged impinges off the indicia-receiving surface, which may be inclined or curved, and onto the load.
Abstract:
A storage facility is provided for integration with a material distribution facility that includes a storage carousel (2) for receiving and storing containers (13) adapted to carry material goods. The carousel (2) includes a multiplicity of connecting rack arrays (10) arranged in side-by-side fashion. Each of the rack arrays (10) includes a plurality of vertically spaced container racks (12) for supporting selected containers, with the container racks from various rack arrays being arranged in a plurality of tiers. The carousel (2) is adapted to rotate about a continuous track. Insertion and extraction assemblies (6, 8) are provided for each carousel tier that are adapted to load and unload containers from the various racks (12) while the carousel (2) remains in continuous motion. A novel lift arrangement (4) is provided for carrying containers between a conveyor network and the various inserter and extractor assemblies. In an alternative aspect of the invention, a novel control system for a storage facility is described as well.
Abstract:
An automated work center for use in materials handling operations is disclosed . The work center includes a randomly accessible vertically moving temporary storage queue (11) for receiving containers (25) that hold material goods. A fixed loading ramp (20) is arranged to receive containers (20) from an external system and to load the received containers onto the storage queue (11). A work area (5) having a plurality of rotatable work tables (7) provides and gives the operator access to the containers. A delivery system (14) transfers containers between the storage queue (11) and the work tables (7) and a takeaway system (16) transfers containers between the work area and the conveyor network. An automated control system (17) coordinates the delivery of containers between the temporary storage queue (11) and the work area (5). A consolidation queue (18) having a multiplicity of vertically spaced shelves may be disposed opposite the work tables (7) to facilitate the consolidation of ordered goods.
Abstract:
An integrated warehousing system for storing and retrieving goods as well as preparing the goods for their ultimate disposition is disclosed. The warehousing system includes numerous modular components that may be added to or subtracted from the system to accommodate a particular warehousing need. Inventoried goods placed in containers are stored on a rotational storage carousel (10). A plurality of work stations (22) each having an associated temporary storage queue (16) are integrated with the carousel to facilitate high volume handling operations. Containers (25) delivered from the storage carousel (10) are brought to the temporary queue (16) where they are held until an operator is prepared to work with the goods stored therein. The container is then delivered to a work area (13) where the operator performs the desired task. The containers (25) may then be delivered either to another appropriate work station or back to the storage carousel.
Abstract:
Food is prepared for storage in a deep freeze cabinet (10) by placing portions of a first variety of meat in respective plastics bags having the same colour, placing portions of a second variety of meat in respective plastics bags having the same colour as one another, but differing from the colour of the first bags, the colour for each variety of meat being selected in accordance with a predetermined code represented on a chart (19).