Multi-level container storage system and high bay container storage

Abstract

This document discloses a multi-level container storage system (100) including a storage module (30) with racks (15) for storing containers (5), and a high-bay container storage (200). At least two tracks (17, 17B) are arranged at a first distance (DIS1) from each other in a vertical direction (Z). The system (100) includes a container handling device (10) capable of moving at least one container (5) in three directions. The container handling device (20) includes a stacker crane (11) with carrier supports (12) for the carrier device (20) of the container handling device (10). The carrier device (20) is provided with a handling mechanism (25) for grasping, lifting, lowering and releasing at least one container (5) and is arranged to be moved along one of the tracks (17, 17B) of the rack (15) respectively outside and inside the stacker crane (11) and inside and outside the storage module (30), the handling mechanism (25) being arranged to move the at least one container (5) by at most a first distance (DIS1).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates generally to container storage, and particularly, but not exclusively, to multi-level container storage systems and high-bay container storage or warehouses including such storage systems. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in container terminals and container ships, it is known to stack containers on top of each other. In this case, removing one of the containers that is not the top container is difficult because the top container must be moved first. Furthermore, it can be complicated when removing a container from a stack surrounded by other stacks. It is further known to utilize container storage where containers can be stored at several levels, such as in several shelves arranged vertically at several levels. In known attempts, removal of the containers by the cranes of the system is slow. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-level container storage system and a high bay container storage.It is another object of the present invention to provide a multi-level container storage system and a high bay container storage that provides space efficient storage of containers with fast and accurate storage and retrieval capabilities. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The object of the present invention is achieved by a multi-level container storage system and a high bay container storage as defined by the respective independent claims.

[0005] According to a first aspect, a multi-level container storage system is provided, comprising a storage module comprising vertical and first horizontal racks for storing containers, each of the racks comprising a support for supporting at least one container and at least two first tracks arranged vertically at a first distance from each other and extending in a second horizontal direction, the second horizontal direction being perpendicular to the first horizontal direction, at least one of the racks being adapted to receive a plurality of containers stackable on top of each other.

[0006] The multi-level container storage system further comprises a container handling device capable of moving at least one container in a vertical direction, a first horizontal direction, and a second horizontal direction.

[0007] The container handling apparatus comprises a stacker crane with a carrier support for a carrier device of the container handling apparatus, arranged to be moved in a first horizontal direction and capable of moving the carrier support vertically, and a carrier device with a handling mechanism for gripping, lifting, lowering and releasing at least one container, arranged to be moved outside and inside the stacker crane and inside and outside the storage module, respectively, along one of the tracks of the rack for storing and removing the at least one container from the storage module, the handling mechanism being arranged to move the at least one container vertically by at most a first distance, or optionally by at most half the first distance, when lowering and / or lifting the container. In some embodiments, the handling mechanism may be arranged to move the at least one container by at most a distance in the range of 100-300 millimeters, preferably in the range of 100-200 millimeters.

[0008] In some embodiments, the maximum range of motion of the container in the vertical direction provided by the handling mechanism may be less than 50 percent of the first distance, or even less than 20 or 15 percent of the first distance.

[0009] Alternatively or additionally, the dimension of the carrier device in the vertical direction may be in the range of 100-300 millimeters, and thus the first distance is preferably approximately the height of the container to be stored plus said dimension of the carrier device, optionally approximately the maximum range of movement of the container in the vertical direction.

[0010] The rack may be dimensioned to store one or more containers having a length of, for example, about 6.1 meters, about 12.2 meters, about 14.6 meters, or about 16.2 meters.

[0011] Additionally, at least one of the racks may be arranged to store at least two containers consecutively in a second horizontal direction.

[0012] In addition, the multi-level container storage system may include an additional storage module disposed on an opposite side of the stacker crane in a second horizontal direction. In various embodiments, the carrier device may be further disposed to be moved along one of the first tracks of the rack of the additional storage module to the outside and inside of the stacker crane and to the inside and outside of the additional storage module, respectively.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the carrier device may be arranged to move the at least one container in and out of the storage module in a longitudinal direction of the at least one container.

[0014] In various preferred embodiments, the handling mechanism may be rigid, such as ropeless. Thus, in many embodiments, the carrier device is not a crane that utilizes hoist ropes, wire ropes, and / or chains, etc., to lower and raise the container. Thus, in various embodiments, the lowering and raising of the container is precise and rapid, since the container may not move when lowered or raised, or may move only a small amount, such as a few millimeters up to a centimeter or two, in the other direction.

[0015] In various embodiments, the first distance may be at least the height of the container or may exceed that height, such as up to twice that height.

[0016] In various embodiments, the support and the vertically lowest track can be positioned to have a second distance between them, the second distance being at least the height of the container or greater than that height, such as up to twice that height.

[0017] Additionally, the stacker crane may be positioned to be moved in a first horizontal direction along a second track extending in the first horizontal direction.

[0018] Alternatively or additionally, the stacker crane may be arranged to move the carrier support vertically along a vertical beam of the stacker crane, for example by means of a hoisting rope. Thus, there may be hoisting ropes arranged to extend on the sides and / or inside the beam for moving the carrier support vertically. There may also be pulleys for the hoisting ropes arranged at one or both ends of the beam.

[0019] The multi-level container storage system may further comprise a loading / unloading facility. Furthermore, the container handling equipment may be further arranged to be moved into the loading / unloading facility to remove the containers from the loading / unloading facility. For example, a second truck may extend into the loading / unloading facility to move the container handling equipment into and out of the loading / unloading facility.

[0020] According to a second aspect, there is provided a high bay container storage comprising at least one multi-level container storage system according to the first aspect and at least one architectural element, such as a foundation, a roof and / or a wall, at least partially surrounding the at least one multi-level container storage system.

[0021] Additionally, the high bay container storage may comprise a plurality of the above multi-level container storage systems.

[0022] The present invention provides a multi-level container storage system and high bay container storage that offers advantages over known solutions in that it provides space efficient storage of containers with fast and accurate storage and retrieval capabilities.

[0023] Various other advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art based on the following detailed description.

[0024] The term "plurality" may refer to any positive integer beginning with two (2), i.e., at least two.

[0025] Terms such as "first," "second," and the like are used herein to distinguish one element from another, and do not dictate any special priority or ordering therebetween, unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0026] The exemplary embodiments presented herein should not be construed as limiting the applicability of the appended claims. The verb "comprises" is used herein as an open limitation that does not exclude the presence of unrecited features. The features recited according to the claims are freely combinable with each other unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0027] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims, but the invention itself, both as to its structure and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0028] Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings.

[0029] [Figure 1A] 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of high bay container storage according to one embodiment. [Figure 1B] 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of high bay container storage according to one embodiment. [Figure 1C] 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of high bay container storage according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of high bay container storage according to one embodiment. [Figure 3A] 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of high bay container storage according to one embodiment. [Figure 3B] 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of high bay container storage according to one embodiment. [Figure 4A] 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a container handling apparatus according to some embodiments; [Figure 4B] 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a container handling apparatus according to some embodiments; [Figure 5A] 1 is a schematic diagram of a container handling apparatus according to one embodiment; [Figure 5B] 1 is a schematic diagram of a container handling apparatus according to one embodiment; [Figure 6A] 1 illustrates a schematic of a container handling apparatus according to one embodiment; [Figure 6B] 1 illustrates a schematic of a container handling apparatus according to one embodiment; [Figure 7] 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a multi-level container storage system according to some embodiments. [Figure 8] 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a rack of a multi-level container storage system according to one embodiment. [Figure 9A] 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a container handling apparatus according to some embodiments; [Figure 9B] 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a container handling apparatus according to some embodiments; [Figure 10A] 5 illustrates several operational stages of a container handling apparatus according to one embodiment; [Figure 10B] 5 illustrates several operational stages of a container handling apparatus according to one embodiment; [Figure 10C] 5 illustrates several operational stages of a container handling apparatus according to one embodiment; [Figure 10D] 5 illustrates several operational stages of a container handling apparatus according to one embodiment; [Figure 11A] 5 illustrates several operational stages of a container handling apparatus according to one embodiment; [Figure 11B] 5 illustrates several operational stages of a container handling apparatus according to one embodiment; [Figure 11C] 5 illustrates several operational stages of a container handling apparatus according to one embodiment; [Figure 11D] 5 illustrates several operational stages of a container handling apparatus according to one embodiment; [Figure 11E] 5 illustrates several operational stages of a container handling apparatus according to one embodiment; [Figure 11F] 5 illustrates several operational stages of a container handling apparatus according to one embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] 1A-1C show schematic diagrams of a high bay container storage 200 according to one embodiment. The high bay container storage 200 according to various embodiments is intended to be used to store containers 5, such as intermodal, shipping, cargo, ISO, sea, or ocean containers.

[0031] FIG. 1A shows a schematic diagram of a high-bay container storage 200 in a perspective view, FIG. 1B from above or below, and FIG. 1C in a cross-sectional view from one side. The high-bay container storage 200 comprises at least one architectural element, such as a roof 201 and / or a wall 202, at least partially surrounding at least one multi-level container storage system 100 included in the high-bay container storage 200. In FIGS. 1A-1C, only structures for supporting the roof 201 and the wall 202 are shown. Furthermore, the high-bay container storage 200 preferably comprises a foundation 203. In FIG. 1A, the high-bay container storage 200 is shown to include six multi-level container storage systems 100, each of which comprises at least one storage module, comprising racks 15 for storing containers 5, and container handling devices 10 for moving the containers 5 in and out of the racks 15.

[0032] In some embodiments, the high bay container storage 200 may include a loading / unloading facility 50, and the container handling equipment 10 is further arranged to be moved into the loading / unloading facility 50 for removing the container 5 from the loading / unloading facility 50. Additionally, the container handling equipment 10 may be arranged to be moved along a second track extending into the loading / unloading facility 50.

[0033] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a high-bay container storage 200 according to an embodiment. The high-bay container storage 200 of FIG. 2 may be essentially similar to that shown in FIG. 1A-1C. In FIG. 2, the container handling apparatus 10 is loaded with two containers 5, such as 20-foot containers. In addition, FIG. 2 shows a second track 22, which may include two parallel rails extending on the surface of the foundation 203. The second track 22 preferably extends in a first horizontal direction X. The storage module 30 according to various embodiments includes racks 15 in a vertical direction Z and a second horizontal direction Y for storing the containers 5. Thus, the container handling apparatus 10 is arranged to move the containers 5 in and out of the racks 15 of the storage module 30.

[0034] In various embodiments, the multi-level container storage system 100 may additionally comprise a further storage module 35 arranged opposite the stacker crane 11 in the second horizontal direction Y. Furthermore, the container handling apparatus 10 may preferably further be arranged to move the containers 5 in and out of the racks 15 of the further storage module 35. As can be understood based on Figures 1A-2, the further storage module 35 may be substantially similar with respect to the storage module 30, but this is not required.

[0035] 3A and 3B show a schematic representation of a high-bay container storage 200 according to an embodiment. FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of the storage 200. The high-bay container storage 200 comprises at least one multi-level container storage system 100. The at least one multi-level container storage system 100 comprises a storage module 30 and, optionally, a further storage module 35 comprising racks 15 in a vertical direction Z and a first horizontal direction X for storing containers 5. Each of the racks 15 comprises a support for supporting at least one container 5 and at least two first tracks (not shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B ) arranged at a first distance from each other in the vertical direction Z and extending in a second horizontal direction Y. Furthermore, at least one, or some, or even each of the racks 15 is adapted to receive a plurality of containers 5 that are stackable on top of each other. Furthermore, at least one multi-level container storage system 100 comprises a container handling apparatus 10 capable of moving at least one container 5 in a vertical direction Z, a first horizontal direction X, and a second horizontal direction Y. In a preferred embodiment, the container handling apparatus 10 is arranged such that it is capable of moving at least one container 5 in the vertical direction Z and the first horizontal direction X simultaneously.

[0036] The container handling apparatus 10 comprises a stacker crane 11, which comprises a carrier support 12 for a carrier device 20 of the container handling apparatus 10 and is arranged to be moved in a first horizontal direction X and which can move the carrier support 12 in a vertical direction Z, preferably simultaneously. There may be hoisting ropes for moving the carrier support 12 in the vertical direction Z, arranged to extend on the sides and / or inside the beam. There may also be pulleys for the hoisting ropes arranged at one or both ends of the beam.

[0037] The carrier device 20 comprises a handling mechanism for gripping, lifting and lowering and releasing at least one container 5. The carrier device 20 is arranged to be moved respectively outside and inside the stacker crane 11 and inside and outside the storage module 30, i.e. the carrier device 20 is arranged to be removable with respect to the carrier support 12. The movement of the carrier device 20 is arranged along one of the first tracks of the rack 15 for storing and removing the at least one container 5 in and from the storage module 30 (and optionally the further storage module 35), the handling mechanism being arranged to move the at least one container by at most a first distance.

[0038] In Fig. 3A the carrier device 20 is carrying two containers 5, such as 20 foot containers. In some embodiments there may be only one container 5, such as a 40 foot container. The carrier device 20, and in particular its handling mechanism, may be arranged to be able to carry either one longer container, such as a 40 foot container, or two shorter containers, such as 20 foot containers. The carrier device 20 is in Fig. 3A on a stacker crane 11, i.e. engaged with a carrier support 12, such as its track or rail portion.

[0039] In Fig. 3B, the carrier device 20 has been removed from the carrier support 12 in order to move the container 5 into a rack 15 of a further storage module 35. The carrier device 20 is therefore moving along a first track (not visible in Figs. 3A and 3B) of said rack 15.

[0040] FIG. 3B further shows an optional container support 24 of the stacker crane 11. This may also apply to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1A-3A, 4A-7, and 9A-9B. The container support 24 may be utilized to store a container 5 thereon, or in some embodiments, even two or even three containers 5 on top of each other, even if there is no carrier device 20 currently positioned on the stacker crane 11. Thus, additionally, the stacker crane 11 may be arranged to move a container 5 even if no carrier device 20 is positioned. In these embodiments, the carrier device 20 may preferably be fully removable with respect to the stacker crane 11, as described below in connection with FIGS. 6A and 6B.

[0041] 1 to 3B, at least one, or some, or even each of the racks 15 may be arranged to store at least two containers 5 consecutively in the second horizontal direction Y. Furthermore, the carrier device 20 is preferably arranged to be able to move along the first track of the rack 15, and thus to move the containers 5 such that the containers 5 may be stored consecutively in the rack 15.

[0042] Figures 4A and 4B show schematic diagrams of a container handling apparatus 10 according to some embodiments. Figure 4A shows a container handling apparatus 10 in which the carrier device 20 is adapted to carry one container 5. Figure 4B shows a container handling apparatus 10 in which the carrier device 20 is arranged to carry two containers 5. However, as will be explained below, the carrier device 20 according to various embodiments may be arranged to be able to carry either one longer container 5, or one or two shorter containers 5.

[0043] In various embodiments as shown in Figures 2-4B, the stacker crane 11 may be arranged to move the carrier support 12 in a vertical direction Z along a vertical beam 19 of the stacker crane 11. Thus, the stacker crane 11 may be arranged to move along a second track 22 extending at a first, or lower end, of the vertical beam 19. Optionally, there may be a further second track extending at a second, or upper end, of the vertical beam 19. Thus, each vertical beam 19 may be supported by at least two different points, preferably at its bottom and top end.

[0044] Furthermore, the stacker crane 11 preferably comprises a motion control device 18. The motion control device 18 may be located, for example, near a lower end of the stacker crane 11. The motion control device 18 may comprise at least one motor arranged to move the stacker crane 11 along the second track 22. Furthermore, the motion control device 18 may also be configured to move the carrier support 12 in the vertical direction Z. The motion control device 18 may comprise a stacker crane controller for controlling the operation of the stacker crane 11, although the stacker crane controller may alternatively or additionally be located elsewhere than in the motion control device 18.

[0045] Figures 5A and 5B show a schematic representation of a container handling apparatus 10 according to an embodiment. Figures 5A and 5B show the container handling apparatus 10 in a perspective view. As can be seen in Figures 5A and 5B marked with double-headed arrows, the container handling apparatus 10 is arranged to move at least one container 5, in this case two containers 5, in three substantially orthogonal directions, namely a vertical Z direction, a first horizontal X direction and a second horizontal Y direction. The container 5 can be moved in the first horizontal direction X by moving the stacker crane 11, for example along the second track 22 and optionally along a further second track 23 as shown in Figures 5A and 5B, by rollers or wheels or alternatively by other means, such as by having tires. Furthermore, the stacker crane 11 may be arranged to move the carrier support 12 in the vertical direction Z in order to move the container 5. Finally, the carrier device 20 is preferably arranged to move in the second horizontal direction Y relative to the stacker crane 11.

[0046] 6A and 6B show a schematic of a container handling apparatus 10 according to one embodiment. The container handling apparatus 10 is substantially similar to that shown in FIGS. 4A-5B and will be described in connection therewith, but FIGS. 6A and 6B further show that the carrier device 20 may be completely removed from the carrier support 12 of the stacker crane 11, so that the carrier device 20 is not supported by the carrier support 12 at all, but is supported by a first track of the rack 15 of the storage module 30. However, it should be understood that even if the carrier device 20 is completely removed from the carrier support 12, there may still be electrical and / or communication connections, such as for controlling the operation of the carrier device 20, extending between the stacker crane 11 and the carrier device 20. FIGS. 6A and 6B clearly show this complete removal. However, in various embodiments, the carrier device 20 may be completely removable in the sense that the communication connections, if any, are wireless and power is provided by an energy storage, such as one or more batteries (banks) on the carrier device 20. Alternatively or in addition, power may be provided to operate the carrier device 20, such as by connecting it to its first track 17, 17B, via contacts in the rack 15. Thus, the carrier device 20 may be controlled independently of the stacker crane 10. The stacker crane 10 may, for example, move the first carrier device 20 to a position where it enters the storage module 30, and then move out of that position to retrieve the second carrier device 20.

[0047] FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of a multi-level container storage system 100 according to some embodiments. The reference number 5 is only given for some containers 5. As can be seen in FIG. 7, a storage module 30 comprises racks 15 in a vertical direction Z and a first horizontal direction X for storing containers 5. Although the storage module 30 is shown to comprise only four racks 15, the storage module 30 may comprise each of the racks 15 in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 shows an example of a simultaneous movement of a container 5 in a vertical direction Z and a first horizontal direction X by a container handling device 10, with an arrow having its starting point at the container 5 in the stacker crane 11. The arrow can thus show the actual path of said container 5, which is more or less a direct displacement with the shortest possible distance between the current position of the container 5 and its storage position in the destination rack 15.

[0048] Each of the racks 15 comprises a support 16 for supporting at least one container 5 and at least two first tracks 17 arranged at a first distance DIS1 from each other in the vertical direction Z and extending in a second horizontal direction Y. In various embodiments, the first distance DIS1 may be at least the height of the container 5 or more. Furthermore, the support 16 and the first track 17 that is the lowest in the vertical direction Z may be arranged to have a second distance DIS2 between them, the second distance DIS2 being at least the height of the container 5 or more. As can be seen, the racks 15 are adapted to receive a plurality of containers 5 that are stackable on top of each other, i.e. one rack 15 may be utilized to store two or more containers 5. The lowest container 5 in the rack 15 is supported by the support 16. On the left side of FIG. 7, one of the racks 15 is shown enlarged so that the first tracks 17 can be easily seen. The first tracks 17 may be, for example, rails. In some embodiments, the first track 17 may substantially correspond to a track or rail portion of the carrier support 12, but this is not required.

[0049] According to some embodiments, FIG. 7 shows that the racks 15 of the storage modules 30 may have the same or different dimensions, such as height, relative to each other (see the bottom rack 15 housing two containers 5 compared to the second-lowest rack 15 housing three containers 5).

[0050] FIG. 8 shows a schematic representation of a rack 15 of a multi-level container storage system 10 according to an embodiment. In this case, the rack 15 comprises at least two sets of tracks, namely a first track 17 and a further first track 17B, which may preferably be of a similar type, if not identical, track. The first tracks 17 have a first distance DIS1 between them and may be utilized to store three containers 5, in this case having a first height. However, the same rack 15, including the further first tracks 17B and the first distance DIS1 between them, may alternatively be utilized to store two containers 5, in this case having a second height. Thus, the first distance DIS1 is defined between two consecutive tracks of the same set of tracks. The containers 5 with the second height are higher than the containers 5 with the first height. Thus, the rack 15 may be selectively utilized to store two types of containers 5, which types are at least related to the height of the containers 5.

[0051] 9A and 9B show a schematic representation of a container handling apparatus 10 according to some embodiments. In FIG. 9A, the container handling apparatus 10 is substantially similar to the one described above in relation to and shown in, for example, FIGS. 5A-7. However, FIG. 9B shows a container handling apparatus 10 in which the carrier support 12 is adapted to support two carrier devices 20. Said two carrier devices 20 may be independently movable and controllable. However, in some other embodiments, there may be only one carrier device 20 arranged to carry at least two containers 5 in parallel in a first horizontal direction X. Thus, the rack 15 may need to be adapted based on the dimensions and type of the carrier device 20.

[0052] Figures 10A-10D show several stages of operation of the container handling apparatus 10, in particular its carrier device 20, according to one embodiment. In Figure 10A, the carrier device 20 is arranged in a position above the top container 5 in the rack 15. The carrier device 20 has therefore been moved to that position along the corresponding first track 17, which in this case is the third track from the bottom. Figure 10B shows the operation of the handling mechanism 25 when it is arranged to lower towards the container 5. The handling mechanism 25 has been lowered towards the container 5 to a position where it can be grasped.

[0053] In various embodiments, the handling mechanism 25 may be lowered by utilizing a rigid mechanism, such as being ropeless. The rigid lowering and raising mechanism may be implemented, for example, by one or several gears and toothed bars or gear tracks. According to another embodiment, alternatively or in addition, a scissor lift type mechanism may be utilized to provide the movement for lowering and raising the handling mechanism. The rigid nature of the handling mechanism 25 is associated with not utilizing, for example, hoisting ropes, etc., which would cause the container 5 to swing during its movement, when utilizing a crane lift with, for example, hoisting ropes, etc. Ropes or belts, etc., negatively affect the precision and speed of the system and also require more space due to pulleys, etc.

[0054] FIG. 10C shows the operation of the handling mechanism 25 when positioned to grip a container 5. The handling mechanism 25 is in the correct position for gripping and may be positioned to grip the container 5 from its gripping point, such as by utilizing a spreader type device or the like. In some embodiments, the handling mechanism 25 may comprise a container twist lock, including a rotating element or the like, for gripping the container 5. FIG. 10D shows the operation of the handling mechanism 25 when positioned to lift a container 5. The handling mechanism 25 has been lifted back towards the carrier device 20. FIG. 10D further shows how a gap 29 is provided between the container 5 being handled and the container below, or the support 16 as the case may be. The gap 29 allows the container 5 to be moved away from the rack 15. This process can be reversed to move the container 5 into the rack 15, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0055] 11A-11F show several stages of operation of the container handling apparatus 10, in particular its carrier device 20, according to an embodiment. The carrier device 20 according to the embodiment comprises a handling mechanism 25 capable of selectively handling one longer container 5, such as 40 feet, or one or two shorter containers 5, such as 20 feet. As noted in FIGS. 11A-11F, in addition to the parts of the handling mechanism 25 at the ends of the carrier device 20, there may be further components in the middle of the carrier device 20 as shown, for handling the shorter containers 5. Otherwise, the stages of operation are similar to those shown in FIGS. 10A-10D. In FIG. 11A, the carrier device 20 is placed in a position above the top container 5 in the rack 15. In FIGS. 11B and 11C, the handling mechanism 25 is lowered towards the container 5 to a position where it can be grasped. The lowering and raising may be achieved by means similar to those described herein above with respect to FIGS. 10A-10D. In Fig. 11D, the handling mechanism 25 is in the correct position for gripping and may be positioned to grip the container 5 from its gripping point, such as by utilizing a spreader type device, twist locks, etc. In Figs. 11E and 11F, the handling mechanism 25 has been raised back towards the carrier device 20. Figs. 11E and 11F further show how a gap 29 is provided between the container 5 being handled and the container 5 below, or the support 16 as the case may be. The gap 29 allows the container 5 to be moved away from the rack 15. This process may be reversed to move the container 5 into the rack 15, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A multi-level container storage system (100), comprising: a storage module (30) comprising vertical (Z) and first horizontal (X) racks (15) for storing containers (5), each of said racks (15) comprising a support (16) for supporting at least one container (5) and at least two first tracks (17, 17B) arranged at a first distance (DIS1) from each other in said vertical direction (Z) and extending in a second horizontal direction (Y), said second horizontal direction (Y) being perpendicular to said first horizontal direction (X), at least one of said racks (15) being adapted to receive a plurality of containers (5) stackable on top of each other; and a container handling device (10) capable of moving at least one container (5) in the vertical direction (Z), the first horizontal direction (X) and the second horizontal direction (Y), the container handling device (10) comprising: a stacker crane (11) comprising a carrier support (12) for a carrier device (20) of said container handling apparatus (10), arranged to be moved in said first horizontal direction (X) and capable of moving said carrier support (12) in said vertical direction (Z); a carrier device (20) comprising a handling mechanism (25) for gripping, lifting, lowering and releasing at least one container (5), wherein the carrier device (20) is arranged to be moved along one of the tracks (17, 17B) of a rack (15) to the outside and inside of the stacker crane (11) and the inside and outside of the storage module (30), respectively, for storing at least one container (5) in and retrieving it from the storage module (30), and wherein the handling mechanism (25) is arranged to move the at least one container (5) in the vertical direction (Z) by at most the first distance (DIS1) when lowering or raising the container (5).

2. 2. A multi-level container storage system (100) as described in claim 1, wherein at least one of the racks (15) is arranged to store at least two containers (5) consecutively in the second horizontal direction (Y).

3. 3. A multi-level container storage system (100) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, comprising a further storage module (35) arranged on the opposite side of the stacker crane (11) in the second horizontal direction (Y).

4. A multi-level container storage system (100) as described in claim 3, further arranged so that the carrier device (20) is moved along one of the first tracks (17, 17B) of the rack (15) of the further storage module (35) respectively to the outside and inside of the stacker crane (11) and to the inside and outside of the further storage module (35).

5. A multi-level container storage system (100) as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the carrier device (20) is arranged to move at least one container (5) inside and outside the storage module (30) in the longitudinal direction of the at least one container (5).

6. The multi-level container storage system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the handling mechanism (25) is rigid and ropeless.

7. A multilevel container storage system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said first distance (DIS1) is at least equal to or exceeds the height of a container (5).

8. A multilevel container storage system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the support (16) and the lowest first track (17, 17B) are arranged to have a second distance (DIS2) between the support (16) and the lowest first track (17, 17B) in the vertical direction (Z), the second distance (DIS2) being at least equal to or greater than the height of a container (5).

9. A multi-level container storage system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the handling mechanism (25) is arranged to move at least one container (5) at most half the first distance (DIS1).

10. A multi-level container storage system (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the stacker crane (11) is arranged to be moved in the first horizontal direction (X) along a second track (22) extending in the first horizontal direction (X).

11. A multi-level container storage system (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the stacker crane (11) is arranged to move the carrier support (12) in the vertical direction (Z) along a vertical beam (19) of the stacker crane (11).

12. A multi-level container storage system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising a loading / unloading facility (50), the container handling device (10) being arranged to be moved into the loading / unloading facility (50) in order to remove a container (5) from the loading / unloading facility (50).

13. The multi-level container storage system (100) of claim 12, wherein a second truck (22) extends within the loading / unloading facility (50).

14. A multi-level container storage system (100) as described in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the rack (15) is dimensioned to store one or more containers (5) having a length of approximately 6.1 meters, approximately 12.2 meters, approximately 14.6 meters, or approximately 16.2 meters.

15. A high bay container storage (200) comprising at least one multi-level container storage system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, and at least one architectural element, such as a foundation (203), a roof (201) and / or a wall (202), at least partially surrounding the at least one multi-level container storage system (100).

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