Multi-shelf picking system and workstation for an automated storage and retrieval system

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a picking system for a workstation of an automated storage and retrieval system, and in particular a picking system with multiple shelf in the pick port of the workstation with improved functionalities for processing storage bins in the workstation and improving efficiency.

Description

MULTI-SHELF PICKING SYSTEM AND WORKSTATION FOR AN AUTOMATED STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEMCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and benefit from United States Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 655,745, filed on June 4, 2024, and United States Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 770,040, filed on March 11 , 2025, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to a picking system for a workstation of an automated storage and retrieval system, and in particular a picking system with multiple shelf in the pick port of the workstation with improved functionalities for processing storage bins in the workstation and improving efficiency.BACKGROUND

[0003] Workstations, also referred to as picking stations or access stations, are an important component of automated storage and retrieval systems in automated warehousing and other applications.

[0004] Conventional workstations suffer from deficiencies that impact the efficiency and operability of automated storage and retrieval systems. For example, certain systems employ robotic storage / retrieval vehicles (RSRVs) and are configured in a way that the RSRV must go under the workstation with the payload (e.g. storage bin) on top. This often requires the workstation to be quite tall and not particularly ergonomic in design. Also, automated storage and retrieval systems requiring the RSRVs to deliver the payload directly to the user at the pick point of the workstation sometimes suffer from lower throughput than would be desired since the RSRV must move out of the delivery position before another payload can be in a position for presentation to a user.

[0005] Another common deficiency in existing workstations is the lack of ergonomic design and inability to efficiently provide dual functionality, e.g. in delivering goods for completing orders and assembling orders within a single picking system of a workstation. The first situation can give rise to a health concerns for the user. The second concern impacts processing timesin completing orders. Tilted shelves in workstations having high efficiency in throughput is not adequately addressed in existing system, particularly in workstations that interact directly with RSRVs.

[0006] A need therefore exists for improved picking systems that have ergonomic design, and are capable of high-throughput processing of storage bins for both the delivery of goods to the workstation and assembly of orders.SUMMARY

[0007] The present disclosure provides an improved processing system for a workstation to be used in an automated storage and retrieval system. The picking system disclosed herein is a multi-shelf design having unique configurations and functionalities to provide high-throughput, ergonomic arrangement for processing storage bins containing goods for orders.

[0008] In an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a picking system for delivery and processing of storage bins within a workstation of an automated storage and retrieval system, the picking system: a tilted shelf for receiving and resting thereon one or more storage bins, the tilted shelf comprising opposing rails oriented in a longitudinal direction within the workstation for resting thereon the one or more storage bins; a tilted shuttle having at least a first position and a second position, each position capable of receiving and transporting thereon at least one of the one or more storage bins, the tilted shuttle movably positioned in longitudinal orientation between the opposing rails of the tilted shelf and operable between an elevated bin transport configuration and a lowered bin release configuration, wherein: when in the lowered bin release configuration, the tilted shuttle is lowered away from a bottom surface of the one or more storage bins resting on the tilted shelf and is capable of moving longitudinally within the workstation without moving the one or more storage bins; and when in the elevated bin transport configuration, the tilted shuttle is raised to contact the bottom surface of the one or more storage bins and is capable of moving the one or more storage bins through the workstation as the tilted shuttle moves longitudinally within the workstation; wherein each of the first position and the second position of the tilted shuttle comprise an actuating platform capable of moving between a tilted orientation and a horizontal orientation, the tilted orientation substantially aligned with or resting upon a top surface of the tilted shelf and the horizontal orientation placing the actuating platform substantially horizontal; a lower shelf positioned below and more forward in theworkstation toward a user than the upper tilted shelf, the lower shelf capable of presenting at least one goods receiving receptacle to a pick port of the workstation; a first bin lifting device positioned at or near one end of the tilted shelf, the first bin lifting device capable of lifting one of the storage bins off a delivery device and placing the storage bin onto the actuating platform at the first position of the tilted shuttle when the actuating platform is in the horizontal orientation; and a second bin lifting device positioned at or near an opposite end of the tilted shelf; the second bin lifting device capable of lifting the storage bin off the second position of the tilted shuttle when the actuating platform is in the horizontal orientation, and delivering the storage bin to a receiving device, wherein at least a portion of the tilted shelf is positioned in the pick port and is tilted towards the user for presenting at least one of the one or more storage bins to the user in the pick port of the workstation.

[0009] In an embodiment of the picking systems disclosed herein, substantially the entire length of the opposing rails of the tilted shelf are located at the pick port of the workstation for presenting the one or more storage bins thereon to the user.

[0010] In an embodiment of the picking systems disclosed herein, the tilted shelf is of sufficient length to receive and have rested thereon two storage bins at the same time.

[0011] In an embodiment of the picking systems disclosed herein, a forwardmost rail of the opposing rails, closest to the user, comprises a lip to prevent the one or more storage bins from sliding off the tilted shelf.

[0012] In an embodiment of the picking systems disclosed herein, the tilted shuttle comprises a third position, the third position located between the first position and second position, and not having the actuating platform.

[0013] In an embodiment of the picking systems disclosed herein, the tilted shuttle is longitudinally moveable between a storage bin input position and a storage bin output position, wherein: when in the input position, the second position and the third position of the tilted shuttle are positioned between the opposing rails of the tilted shelf and the first position is aligned to receive a storage bin from the first bin lifting device; and when in the output position, the first position and the third position of the tilted shuttle are positioned between the opposing rails of the tilted shelf and the second position is aligned to deliver a storage bin to the second lifting device r in longitudinal orientation between the opposing rails of the tilted shelf.

[0014] In an embodiment of the picking systems disclosed herein, in operation: a) the tilted shuttle moves to the bin input position in the lowered bin release configuration; b) the tilted shuttle moves from the lowered bin release configuration to the elevated bin transport configuration; c) the actuating platform at the first position of the tilted shuttle moves from the tilted orientation to the horizontal orientation to receive one of the storage bins from the first bin lifting device as a received bin; d) the actuating platform at the first position of the tilted shuttle moves from the horizontal orientation to the tilted orientation; e) the tilted shuttle moves longitudinally to transport the received bin to above the opposing rails of the tilted shelf, at the same time moving, if present, a previously received bin to a downstream position above the opposing rails and another previously received bin to the bin output position; f) the actuating platform at the second position of the tilted shuttle moves from the tilted orientation to the horizontal orientation to lift up the another previously received bin for pick up by the second bin lifting device; g) the tilted shuttle moves from the elevated bin transport configuration to the lowered bin release configuration to rest the received storage bin, and if present the previously received storage bin, onto the opposing rails of the tilted shelf at the pick port; and h) optionally repeating steps (a) to (g) any number of times to process storage bins through the picking system.

[0015] In an embodiment of the picking systems disclosed herein, one or both of the first bin lifting device and the second bin lifting device is a gantry.

[0016] In an embodiment of the picking systems disclosed herein, one or both of the first bin lifting device and the second bin lifting device is an apparatus comprising: a first vertically oriented post having a first lift arm slidably connected thereto, the first lift arm capable of being moved vertically on the first vertically oriented post; a second vertically oriented post having a second lift arm slidably connected thereto, the second lift arm capable of being moved vertically on the second vertically oriented post; a slider beam mounted at or near one end to the first lift arm and at or near the opposite end to the second lift arm; a bin grab member slidably mounted to the slider beam.

[0017] In an embodiment of the picking systems disclosed herein, the at least one of the first bin lifting device and the second bin lifting device is capable delivering / receiving storage bins from both the tilted shuttle and the lower shelf.

[0018] In an embodiment, the picking systems disclosed herein further comprise one or more additional bin lifting devices on one or both sides of the tilted shelf.

[0019] In an embodiment of the picking systems disclosed herein, the first bin lifting device and the second bin lifting device are for delivering / receiving storage bins from the tilted shuttle, and the one or more additional bin lifting devices is / are for delivering / receiving storage bins from the lower shelf.

[0020] In an embodiment, the picking systems disclosed herein further comprise one or more high frequency storage bin parking spots adjacent to a rearwardmost rail of the opposing rails of the tilted shelf.

[0021] In an embodiment of the picking systems disclosed herein, one of the one or more storage bins is placed in one of the high frequency parking spots by: moving the actuating platform at the first or second position to the horizontal orientation when the respective first or second position is longitudinally positioned at the tilted shelf; and activating a transfer motion to move the storage bin off the actuating platform into the high frequency parking spot.

[0022] In an embodiment of the picking systems disclosed herein, a high frequency storage bin is moved from one of the high frequency parking spots to the pick port by: activating the transfer motion to move the a high frequency storage bin out of the high frequency parking spot and onto the horizontally oriented actuating platform at the first or second position of the tilted shuttle longitudinally positioned at the tilted shelf; and lowering the actuating platform from the horizontal orientation to the tilted orientation to present the high frequency storage bin at the pick port to the user.

[0023] In an embodiment of the picking systems disclosed herein, the transfer motion is by driven rollers capable of moving in both a clockwise and counter clockwise rotation.

[0024] In an embodiment, the picking systems disclosed herein further comprise an additional lower shelf positioned rearward of the lower shelf away from the user at the pick port, and inaccessible to the user due to storage bins on the lower shelf blocking access.

[0025] In an embodiment of the picking systems disclosed herein, the additional lower shelf is for parking one or more of the high frequency storage bins.

[0026] In an embodiment of the picking systems disclosed herein, the high frequency storage bins are delivered to the additional lower shelf by one of the bin lifting devices.

[0027] In an embodiment of the picking systems disclosed herein, the lower shelf and / or the additional lower shelf is a conveyer belt or roller conveyer.

[0028] In an embodiment of the picking systems disclosed herein, the one or more storage bins delivered to the tilted shelf contain goods for fulfilling one or more orders, and the goods receiving receptacles on the lower shelf are for receiving the goods and assembling the one or more orders.

[0029] In an embodiment of the picking systems disclosed herein, the goods receiving receptacles are of the same size and shape as the storage bins.

[0030] In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a workstation comprising the picking system as disclosed herein.

[0031] In an embodiment, the workstations disclosed herein have a flat horizontally oriented top surface.

[0032] In an embodiment of the picking systems disclosed herein, the tilted shelf presents two storage bins to the pick port at one time, and the lower shelf presents two goods receiving receptacles to the pick port at the same time.

[0033] Other aspects and embodiments of the disclosure are evident in view of the detailed description provided herein.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] These and other features of the present disclosure will become more apparent in the following detailed description in which reference is made to the appended drawing. The appended drawing illustrates one or more embodiments of the present disclosure by way of example only and is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a workstation according to the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 2 is a front view of the workstation of FIG. 1.

[0037] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a workstation according to the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 4 illustrates an elevated view of an exemplary picking system according to the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the picking system of FIG. 4.

[0040] FIG. 6 is a top view perspective view of the picking system of FIG. 4.

[0041] FIG. 7 is another perspective view of the picking system of FIG. 4.

[0042] FIG. 8 illustrates the workstation of FIG. 3 having a picking system of FIG. 4 contained therein.

[0043] FIG. 9 illustrates an elevated view of another exemplary picking system according to the present disclosure.

[0044] FIG. 10 is a top view perspective view of the picking system of FIG. 9.

[0045] FIG. 11 is a dismantled / disembodied front view of another exemplary picking system according to the present disclosure.

[0046] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the picking system of FIG. 11.

[0047] FIG. 13 is a side view of the picking system of FIG. 11.

[0048] FIG. 14 is a top view of the picking system of FIG. 11.

[0049] FIG. 15 is a side perspective view of another embodiment of a picking system of the present disclosure, having an ultraviolet (UV) light emission device associated therewith.

[0050] FIG. 16 is a top view of the picking system of FIG. 15 further showing the UV light emission device associated therewith.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosurebelongs. Although any methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present disclosure, the suitable methods and materials are described below.

[0052] The present disclosure relates to a workstation for use in association with an automated storage and retrieval system, and in particular in association with an automated warehouse. The workstations of the present disclosure employ a unique and advantageous picking system that permits ergonomic delivery of goods to the user and high-throughput of storage bins through the workstation in a multi-shelf arrangement.

[0053] As used herein, the term “storage bin” refers to the object that is processed through the workstation. In an embodiment, the storage bin is a square or rectangle shape having an open top. However, other types and configurations of storage bins may be used with routine modification. The storage bin may be empty when delivered to the workstation (e.g. a goods receiving receptacle) or may contain items to be presented and processed by a user. For ease of description herein, the term “storage bin” is used to describe the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. However, depending on context, the reference to storage container should be taken to more broadly refer to any payload.

[0054] Reference will be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, wherein numerals refer to like components, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings that further show exemplary embodiments, without limitation.

[0055] An embodiment of a workstation 10 of the present disclosure is shown in FIGs. 1-3. In the embodiment as shown, the workstation comprises a tilted shelf 12 with a longitudinally oriented shuttle 14 containing one set of storage bins 16 and two lower shelves 18 each containing a goods receiving receptacle 20 (i.e. in the shape of a storage bin in the embodiment shown). The storage bins 16 and the goods receiving receptacles 20 are presented to a user within a pick port 22 of the workstation. Aside from the pick port 22 and the backside of the workstation 10, the workstation 10 typically has an enclosed structure defined by an enclosed housing 24. The enclosed housing may for example be comprised of a top work surface, front panels, and side panels. In some embodiments, the pick port 22 may be surrounded by doors (not shown) to prevent access or contact between the user and the storage bins as they move in the pick port 22. The back compartment typically is open, for example to permit access to the back of the workstation 10 for delivery of storage bins, for example fromrobotic storage / retrieval vehicles (RSRVs) that travel upon a track (not shown). Typically, but not always, the back compartment 20 would be positioned against the wall of three-dimensional gridded storage structure, such as those disclosed in any of international patent publication numbers WO2016 / 172793, WO2019 / 232613, WO2019 / 232651 , WO2019 / 232652, W02020 / 178692, W02020 / 183427, WO2020 / 229973, W02020 / 250166, WO2021 / 038437, and WO2021 / 108899, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0056] Turning to FIGs. 4-7, there is shown an embodiment of a picking system 30 of the present disclosure for delivery and processing of storage bins 16 within a workstation 10 of an automated storage and retrieval system. In these embodiments, there is shown a first bin lifting device 32a and a second bin lifting device 32b for delivering and retrieving storage bins 16 to and from the shuttle 14, and additional bin lifting devices 32c for delivering and retrieving goods receiving receptacles 20 to and from conveyers 34 that transport the goods receiving receptacles 20 to and from the lower shelves 18. In other embodiments described herein, the first bin lifting device 32a and a second bin lifting device 32b also function to deliver and retrieve the goods receiving receptacles 20 to / from the lower shelf 18 (see FIGs. 9-14).

[0057] In an embodiment, the picking system 30 comprises a tilted shelf 12 for receiving and resting thereon one or more storage bins 16, the tilted shelf 12 comprising opposing rails (12a, 12b) oriented in a longitudinal direction within the workstation 10 for resting thereon the one or more storage bins 16. In an embodiment, the function of the tilted shelf 12 is to present the storage bins 16 to a user at the pick port 22 of the workstation 10. In an embodiment, the tilted shelf 12 is only as long as the opening access to the pick port 22 of the workstation 10. In other embodiments, the tilted shelf 12 may also extend into an enclosed portion of the workstation 10. The storage bins 16 can be rested upon the opposing rails (12a, 12b) of the tilted shelf 12 and remain stationary and presented to the user while other components of the picking system 30 continue to operate, thereby improving efficiency. In another embodiment therefore, the tilted shelf 12 provides a resting spot for storage bins 16 while the shuttle 14 operating underneath can be lowered and move longitudinally to retrieve another storage bin for processing.

[0058] The opposing rails (12a, 12b) of the tilted shelf 12 are of sufficient distance apart from each other to allow the shuttle 14 to operate therebetween, but close enough together that each rail can contact and support a storage bin 16 at the same time and allow the storage bin 16 to be rested thereon. In an embodiment, the length of the opposing rails (12a, 12b) issubstantially the same size as the pick port 22 such that the opposing rails (12a, 12b) run the entire span of the pick port 22. In other embodiments, each of the opposing rails (12a, 12b) may be longer or shorter. In an embodiment, the tilted shelf 14 is of sufficient length to receive and have rested thereon two storage bins at the same time. In an embodiment, a forwardmost rail 12a of the opposing rails (12a, 12b), closest to the user, comprises a lip to prevent the one or more storage bins 16 from sliding off the tilted shelf 14.

[0059] Positioned longitudinally between the opposing rails (12a, 12b) of the tilted shelf is a shuttle 14. In an embodiment, the shuttle 14 may be substantially horizontal and comprise actuating members 36 for tilting storage bins 16 on the shuttle 14 into the tilted orientation of the tilted shelf 12. More preferably, the shuttle 14 is a tilted shuttle and the actuating members 36 lift the storage bins 16 to place the bottom of the storage bin 16 on a substantially horizontal plane (see e.g. FIG. 13 where one actuating member 36a is in the tilted orientation and the other actuating member 36b is in the horizontal orientation). This latter embodiment of a tilted shuttle 14 is described more frequently throughout this disclosure, but it is equally contemplated that the shuttle 14 may be substantially horizontal and the actuating members 36 tilt storage bins into the tilted orientation (see e.g. FIG. 7). Thus, in an embodiment, the picking system 30 comprises a tilted shuttle 14.

[0060] As described in more detail later herein, the function of the shuttle 14 is to move storage bins 16 through the workstation 10, allowing the storage bins 16 to be rested upon the tilted shelf 12 for presentation to a user at a pick port 22 of the workstation. This is accomplished by two different types of movements by the shuttle 14: (1) an up / down movement of the shuttle 14 to lift the storage bins 16 off the opposing rails (12a, 12b) of the tilted shelf 12 in an elevated bin transport configuration and to drop the storage bins 16 onto the opposing rails (12a, 12b) of the tilted shelf 12 in a lowered bin release configuration, and (2) longitudinal movement to move the storage bins 16 through the workstation 10, where longitudinal movement when the shuttle 14 is in the elevated bin transport configuration moves the storage bins 16 with the shuttle 14 and longitudinal movement when the shuttle 14 is in the it is in lowered bin release configuration does not move the storage bins 16.

[0061] Thus, when in the lowered bin release configuration, the shuttle 14 is lowered away from a bottom surface of the one or more storage bins 16 resting on the tilted shelf 14 and is capable of moving longitudinally within the workstation without moving the one or more storage bins. In contrast, when in the elevated bin transport configuration, the shuttle 14 israised to contact the bottom surface of the one or more storage bins 16 and is capable of moving the one or more storage bins through the workstation 10 as the shuttle 14 moves longitudinally within the workstation.

[0062] Another operational feature of the shuttle 14 is performed by the actuating members 36. The tilted shelf 12 of the disclosed picking system is tilted for ergonomic presentation of the storage bins 16 to the user. However, as described herein, the bin lifting devices 32 deliver and retrieve storage bins 16 to and from the system in a horizontal orientation. Therefore, the shuttle 14 comprises actuating members 36 to alternate between a tilted orientation for delivery of the storage bin 16 to the tilted shelf and a horizontal orientation for receiving and delivering the storage bins 16 to and from the bin lifting devices 32.

[0063] In an embodiment, the tilted shelf 14 comprises a single position for presentation of a storage bin 16 to a user at the pick port 22. In such embodiment, the shuttle 14 will typically only have a first position and a second position, both of the positions having actuating members 36.

[0064] In other embodiments, as shown in FIGs. 1-15, the tilted shelf 14 comprises two positions for presentation of two storage bins 16 to a user at the same time at the pick port 22. In such embodiment, the shuttle 14 will typically have a first position and a second position at each end of the shuttle 14 with a third position in between the first and second positions. In embodiments in which the shuttle 14 is tilted, both of the first and second positions will have actuating members 36, but the third position will not. In contrast, in embodiments in which the shuttle 14 is horizontal, all three positions will have actuating members.

[0065] In an embodiment, the picking system 30 disclosed herein comprises at least one lower shelf 18. The lower shelf 18 may be of various different shapes and configurations. In an embodiment, the lower shelf 18 is a conveyer belt or roller conveyer, whereby the lower shelf 18 is stationary and the goods receiving receptacles 20 move on the shelf. In another embodiment, the lower shelf 18 is a moveable horizontal shuttle shelf, whereby the lower shelf 18 moves to transport the goods receiving receptacles 20.

[0066] In an embodiment, at least one of the lower shelves 18 is positioned below and more forward in the workstation 10 toward a user than the tilted shelf 12. An exemplary function of the lower shelf is to provide a zone where orders are assembled. Thus, a user can pick goodsfrom storage bins 16 on the tilted shelf 12 and place the goods into goods receiving receptacles 20 on the lower shelf or shelves 18.

[0067] Various configurations are contemplated for the lower shelf 18 or lower shelves 18. For example, in one embodiment there are multiple lower shelves 18 and each lower shelf 18 is delivered goods receiving receptacles 20 by different conveyers 34. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, there may be two lower shelves 18, where goods receiving receptacles 20 are transported to and from each by a different conveyer. In the configuration in FIG. 4, a front conveyer transports goods receiving receptacles 20 to and from the leftmost lower shelf 18 from the side and a back conveyer transports goods receiving receptacles 20 to and from the rightmost lower shelf 18 from the back. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, each conveyer 34 is served by a different one of the additional bin lifting devices 32c to receive and deliver the goods receiving receptacles 20 onto and off of the conveyers 34.

[0068] The picking systems of the present disclosure comprise bin lifting devices 32 for delivering and receiving storage bins 16 to and from the shuttle 14 and for delivering goods receiving receptacles 20 to and from the lower shelf 18 or lower shelves 18. In an embodiment, such as already described, different bin lifting devices 32 are used for delivering and receiving storage bins 16 to and from the shuttle 14 than are used for delivering goods receiving receptacles 20 to and from the lower shelf 18 or lower shelves 18 (see FIGs 4-7). In another embodiment, at least one of the bin lifting devices 32 for delivering and receiving storage bins 16 to and from the shuttle 14 is likewise used for delivering goods receiving receptacles 20 to and from the lower shelf 18 or lower shelves 18 (see FIGs 9-14).

[0069] Irrespective of the configuration, the picking systems 30 herein include at least a first bin lifting device 32a positioned at or near one end of the tilted shelf 12 and a second bin lifting device 32b positioned at or near an opposite end of the tilted shelf 12. The first bin lifting device 32a is capable of lifting one of the storage bins 16 off a delivery device 38 (e.g. robotic storage / retrieval vehicle) and placing the storage bin 16 onto an actuating platform 36 at a first position of the shuttle 14 when the actuating platform 36 is in the horizontal orientation. The second bin lifting device 32b is capable of lifting the storage bin 16 off the second position of the shuttle 14 when the actuating platform 36 is in the horizontal orientation and delivering the storage bin to a receiving device (e.g. the same or different robotic storage / retrieval vehicle). When the shuttle 14 is a tilted shuttle, the actuating platforms 36 are tilted away from the tilted shuttle 14 to provide the horizontal surface for loading and unloading the storage bins 16. Whenthe shuttle 14 is not tilted, the actuating platforms 36 lie flat on or within the shuttle 14 to provide the horizontal surface for loading and unloading the storage bins 16.

[0070] As already described, in the embodiment of FIGs. 4-7 there are additional bin lifting devices 32c for transporting goods receiving receptacles 20 onto and off of the conveyers that serve the lower shelf 18 or lower shelves 18. In an alternate configuration shown in FIGs. 9-10, one of the first or second bin lifting devices 32a / 32b may be used to transport goods receiving receptacles 20 onto and off of the conveyers that serve the lower shelf 18 or lower shelves 18 (e.g. the second bin lifting device 32b in FIG. 9). Depending on the configuration and height of the first bin lifting device 32a, it may be necessary for the shuttle 14 to be moved away from the first bin lifting device 32a, such as shown in FIG. 9 in order for the first bin lifting device 32a to lower and deliver or retrieve a goods receiving receptacle 20 from the conveyers 34 that serve the lower shelf 18 or lower shelves 18. However, alternate designs of the bin lifting devices 32 (not shown) could be used that would not require the shuttle 14 to be moved out of the way.

[0071] In an embodiment, the shuttle 14 is longitudinally moveable between a storage bin input position and a storage bin output position, wherein: when in the input position, the second position and the third position of the shuttle 14 are positioned between the opposing rails (12a, 12b) of the tilted shelf 14 and the first position is aligned to receive a storage bin 16 from the first bin lifting device 32a; and when in the output position, the first position and the third position of the tilted shuttle are positioned between the opposing rails (12a, 12b) of the tilted shelf 14 and the second position is aligned to deliver a storage bin 16 to the second lifting device 32b. The input position is shown, for example, in FIGs. 4-7 and 9-10.

[0072] FIG. 8 is an image showing the embodiment of the picking system 30 of FIGs. 4- 7 enclosed within a workstation 10. A portion of the workstation 10 has been made transport for ease in viewing the picking system 30 contained within.

[0073] As compared to the embodiment shown in FIGs. 4-7, the embodiment of the picking system 30 shown in FIGs. 9-10 does not include the additional bin lifting devices 32c. Otherwise, this embodiment operates in the same manner. As will be appreciated, the workstation 10 for the picking system 30 of FIGs. 9-10 may be smaller than that of FIG. 8.

[0074] As compared to the embodiment shown in FIGs. 4-7, the embodiment of the picking system 30 shown in FIGs. 11-14 comprises a shuttle 14 that is tilted, a lower shelf 14that is a horizontal shuttle shelf, and only first and second bin lifting devices 32a / 32b. As will be appreciated, the lower shelf 18 could likewise be a roller conveyer by extending the length of the lower shelf 18 out under the first bin lifting device 32a. The drawings of FIGs. 11-14 are disembodied, but it will be appreciated how components interconnect based on the drawings under FIGs. 4-7 and 9-10

[0075] In operation, the picking systems 30 of the present disclosure generally involve: (a) The shuttle 14 moving to the bin input position in the lowered bin release configuration. In this configuration, the shuttle 14 is not in contact with the bottom surface of the storage bins 16, so any storage bins 16 already on the tilted shelf 12 remain stationary and do not move. In the bin output position, a portion of the shuttle 14 is aligned underneath the bin lifting device 32a in order to receive a storage bin 16 therefrom, (b) The shuttle 14 moves from the lowered bin release configuration to the elevated bin transport configuration. In doing so, the shuttle 14 comes in contact with the bottom surface of any storage bins 16 already on the tilted shelf 14. (c) The actuating platform 36 at the first position of the shuttle 14 moves (if necessary) from the tilted orientation to the horizontal orientation, ready to receive one of the storage bins from the first bin lifting device 32a as a received bin. Movement of the actuating platform 36 is only needed if a tilted shuttle 14 is used. If the shuttle 14 has a horizontal orientation, the actuating platform would already be in the horizontal orientation, (d) The actuating platform 36 at the first position of the shuttle moves 14 from the horizontal orientation to the tilted orientation. This occurs irrespective of whether the shuttle 14 is tilted or not. If the shuttle 14 is tilted, it is a lowering action of the actuating platform 36 at the front. If the shuttle has a horizontal orientation, it is a raising action of the actuating platform 36 at the back, (e) The shuttle 14 moves longitudinally to transport the received bin to above the opposing rails (12a, 12b) of the tilted shelf 12, at the same time moving, if present, a previously received bin to a downstream position above the opposing rails (12a, 12b) and another previously received bin, if present, to the bin output position. In essence, any storage bin 16 that was previously resting on the opposing rails (12a, 12b) when the shuttle was lowered in step (a) is lifted back onto the shuttle when it raises in step (b) and is thus moved with the shuttle in step (e). (f) The actuating platform 36 at the second position of the shuttle 14 moves from the tilted orientation to the horizontal orientation to position the another previously received bin for pick up by the second bin lifting device 32b. Movement of the actuating platform 36 is only a lifting action if a tilted shuttle 14 is used. If the shuttle 14 has a horizontal orientation, the actuating platform 36 is lowered in the back to achieve the horizontal orientation, (g) The shuttle 14 moves from the elevated bin transport configurationto the lowered bin release configuration to rest the received storage bin 16, and if present the previously received storage bin, onto the opposing rails (12a, 12b) of the tilted shelf 12 at the pick port 22. This action rests the storage bins 16 on the tilted shelf 12 and presents them to a user at the pick port 22. (h) Optionally repeating steps (a) to (g) any number of times to process storage bins 16 through the picking system 30. Notably, steps (b) and (c) could be performed in alternate order. Notably, steps (f) and (g) could be performed in alternate order.

[0076] The bin lifting devices 32 can be of any suitable configuration to perform the described function. In an embodiment of the picking systems 30 disclosed herein, one or both of the first bin lifting device 32a and the second bin lifting device 32b is a gantry.

[0077] In an embodiment of the picking systems 30 disclosed herein, one or both of the first bin lifting device 32a and the second bin lifting device 32b is an apparatus comprising: a first vertically oriented post 40 having a first lift arm 42 slidably connected thereto, the first lift arm 42 capable of being moved vertically on the first vertically oriented post 40; a second vertically oriented post 44 having a second lift arm 46 slidably connected thereto, the second lift arm 46 capable of being moved vertically on the second vertically oriented post 44; a slider beam 48 mounted at or near one end to the first lift arm 42 and at or near the opposite end to the second lift arm 46; a bin grab member 50 slidably mounted to the slider beam.

[0078] As described, in an embodiment of the picking systems 30 disclosed herein, the at least one of the first bin lifting device 32a and the second bin lifting device 32bis capable delivering / receiving storage bins from both the shuttle 14 and the lower shelf 18. In another embodiment, the picking systems 30 disclosed herein further comprise one or more additional bin lifting devices 32c on one or both sides of the tilted shelf 12. As also described, in another embodiment of the picking systems 30 disclosed herein, the first bin lifting device 32a and the second bin lifting device 32b are for delivering / receiving storage bins from the shuttle 14, and the one or more additional bin lifting devices 32c is / are for delivering / receiving storage bins from the lower shelf 18.

[0079] In an embodiment, the picking systems 30 disclosed herein further comprise one or more high frequency storage bin parking spots 52 adjacent to a rearwardmost rail 12b of the opposing rails (12a, 12b) of the tilted shelf 12. The high frequency storage bin parking spots 52 may for example be a shelf or a roller conveyer. The high frequency storage bin parking spots 52 may be used for positioning storage bins 16 with frequently required goods in a quick accesslocation. Since the storage bins 16 in the high frequency storage bin parking spots 52 are adjacent the tilted shelf 12, they can be access by lifting the actuating platform 36 of a tilted shuttle 14 from the tilted orientation to the horizontal orientation, and then by some operation moving the storage bin in the high frequency storage bin parking spot 52 onto the actuating platform 36 to then lower it into tilted position. In an embodiment, the actuating platform 36 has a lip on its forward side to prevent the storage bin from sliding off when the actuating platform 36 is moved to its tilted orientation.

[0080] Thus, in an embodiment of the picking systems 30 disclosed herein, one of the one or more storage bins 16 is placed in one of the high frequency parking spots 52 by: moving the actuating platform 36 at the first or second position to the horizontal orientation when the respective first or second position is longitudinally positioned at the tilted shelf 12; and activating a transfer motion to move the storage bin off the actuating platform 36 into the high frequency parking spot 52.

[0081] In an embodiment of the picking systems 30 disclosed herein, a high frequency storage bin 54 is moved from one of the high frequency parking spots 52 to the pick port by: activating a transfer motion to move the a high frequency storage bin 54 out of the high frequency parking spot 52 and onto the horizontally oriented actuating platform 36 at the first or second position of the shuttle 14 longitudinally positioned at the tilted shelf; and lowering the actuating platform 36 from the horizontal orientation to the tilted orientation to present the high frequency storage bin 54 at the pick port 22 to the user.

[0082] The transfer motion may be any suitable means of moving a storage bin from one location to another. In an embodiment, both the high frequency parking spot 52 and the actuating platform comprise rollers or belts (e.g. driven rollers or belts). In an embodiment of the picking systems 30 disclosed herein, the transfer motion is by driven rollers capable of moving in both a clockwise and counter clockwise rotation.

[0083] In an embodiment, the picking systems 30 disclosed herein further comprise an additional lower shelf 58 positioned rearward of the lower shelf 18 away from the user at the pick port, and inaccessible to the user due to storage bins on the lower shelf blocking access. In an embodiment, the additional lower shelf 58 is for parking one or more of the high frequency storage bins 54. In an embodiment, the high frequency storage bins 54 may be delivered to the additional lower shelf 58 by one of the bin lifting devices, such as via a conveyer belt or rollerconveyer. In an embodiment, the high frequency storage bins 54 may be moved to the tilted shelf 14 by moving them on the conveyer belt or roller conveyer, lifting them with the bin lifting device 32, and placing them on the shuttle 14.

[0084] In another embodiment, the additional lower shelf 58 is for storing bins containing orders that are not yet completed. A goods receiving receptacle 20 on the lower shelf 18 could be transferred onto the additional lower shelf 58 while a user waits for additional goods for the order to arrive. This may improve efficiency since the goods receiving receptacle 20 with the partially completed order would not be blocking positions on the lower shelf 18 for other orders to be assembled.

[0085] In an embodiment of the picking systems 30 disclosed herein, the one or more storage bins 16 delivered to the tilted shelf 12 contain goods for fulfilling one or more orders, and the goods receiving receptacles 20 on the lower shelf are for receiving the goods and assembling the one or more orders. In an embodiment of the picking systems 30 disclosed herein, the goods receiving receptacles 20 are of the same size and shape as the storage bins 16. In an embodiment of the picking systems 30 disclosed herein, the goods receiving receptacles 20 are of a different size and / or shape than the storage bins 16.

[0086] Turning to FIGs. 15 and 16, there is shown an embodiment of a picking system 30 of the present disclosure that further comprises an ultraviolet (UV) light emission device 56. The UV light emission device 56 may be of any suitable shape or configuration for association with the picking system 30 to expose the storage bins 16 and / or goods receiving receptacles 20 to UV light. The UV light emission device 56 may emit any wavelength of UV light suitable for sterilization and / or sanitization of surfaces. In an embodiment, the UV light is in the UV-C band of between about 200 to 280 nm. In an embodiment, the UV light is between about 230 to 270 nm. In an embodiment, the UV light is about 200 nm, about 205 nm, about 210 nm, about 215 nm, about 220 nm, about 225 nm, about 230 nm, about 235 nm, about 240 nm, about 245 nm, about 250 nm, about 255 nm, about 260 nm, about 265 nm, about 270 nm, about 275 nm, or about 280 nm. In an embodiment, the UV light is about 254 nm.

[0087] In an embodiment, such as shown in FIG. 15, the UV light emission device 56 is positioned at the back and in an aligned configuration with the first bin lifting device 32a. With reference to the first bin lifting device 32a, it can be seen in FIG. 15 that one end of the slider beam 48 terminates adjacent to the UV light emission device 56. When the bin grab member 50slides along slider beam 48 of the first bin lifting device 32a towards the UV light emission device 56, the portion of the bin grab member 50 that engages with the storage bin 16 and / or goods receiving receptacles 20 becomes positioned under the UV light emission device 56, but above the storage bin 16 (not shown) or goods receiving receptacle 20 (not shown). This position for the bin grab member 50 is shown in FIG. 15 for the bin grab member 50 on the second bin lifting device 32b. In the embodiment of FIG. 15, there is no UV light emission device 56 aligned with the second bin lifting device 32b, but it can be seen how the bin grab member 50 is able to slide under the UV light emission device 56 aligned with the first bin lifting device 32a.

[0088] As will be appreciated, although FIG. 15 does not show a UV light emission device 56 aligned at the back side of the second bin lifting device 32b, it is possible and contemplated herein that a second UV light emission device 56 could be included and aligned with the second bin lifting device 32b. In another embodiment, there may be a UV light emission device 56 associated with the second bin lifting device 32b, but not the first bin lifting device 32a (i.e. an opposite configuration to that shown in FIG. 15). In another embodiment, such as for the picking system of FIGs. 4-7 that include additional bin lifting devices 32c, there may be a UV light emission device 56 aligned at the back side of one or more of the additional bin lifting devices 32c. The skilled person will appreciate that any number of UV light emission devices 56 may be included and may be in functional alignment with any one or more of the first bin lifting device 32a, the second bin lifting device 32b, or an additional bin lifting devices 32c.

[0089] In an embodiment, the UV light emission device 56 is capable of being moved between different bin lifting devices. For example, one or more UV light emission device 56 may be located at the back side or the picking system 30 and may be capable of being moved, e.g. through automation, from an aligned position adjacent an end of a slider beam 48 of one bin lifting device to aligned position adjacent an end of a slider beam 48 of a different bin lifting device. For example, the UV light emission device 56 may sit atop of or hang from a UV rail system running longitudinally along the backside of the picking system 30.

[0090] In an embodiment, the UV light emission device 56 may be used to sanitize storage bins 16 and / or goods receiving receptacles 20 as they arrive at and / or leave from the picking system 30, whether they are empty or contain storage or inventory items. In an embodiment, the UV light emission device 56 is positioned to sanitize storage bins 16 and / or goods receiving receptacles 20 as they arrive at the picking system 30 (i.e. before the storagebins 16 are transferred to the shuttle 14 and / or goods receiving receptacles 20 are transferred to the lower shelve 18, or any conveyer 34 associated therewith). In an embodiment, the UV light emission device 56 is positioned to sanitize storage bins 16 and / or goods receiving receptacles 20 as they leave from the picking system 30 (i.e. after the storage bins 16 are transferred off of the shuttle 14 and / or the goods receiving receptacles 20 are transferred off the lower shelve 18, or any conveyer 34 associated therewith).

[0091] Advantageously, the incorporation of the UV light emission device 56 as a component of the picking system 30 as described herein allows for efficient cleaning and sanitization of storage bins 26, goods receiving receptacles 20, and / or the contents therein, which may be a requirement in regards to food safety applications of the picking systems 30 herein. Although the RSRV is not shown in FIGs. 15 and 16, it will be appreciated that the UV light emission devices 56 function in coordination with the RSRV in that the RSRV delivers the storage bins 16 and / or goods receiving receptacles 20 directly to the UV light emission devices 56. This is advantageous in providing efficiency and reducing costs of having specialized handlers and / or equipment to deliver and conduct sterilization of storage bins 16, goods receiving receptacles 20, and the contents therein.

[0092] Although the UV light emission device 56 has been shown as a component of the picking system 30 in FIGs. 15 and 16, it is contemplated herein that the UV light emission device 56 may also be located elsewhere in the automated storage and retrieval system, whereby advantageously the storage bins 16 and / or goods receiving receptacles 20 are delivered to the UV light emission device 56 by the travel upon an RSRV. For example, in an embodiment, the RSRVs transport storage bins 16 and / or goods receiving receptacles 20 to an alley of track with one or more sequential UV light emission devices 56 positioned above the track and configured to emit UV light onto and into the storage bins 16 and / or goods receiving receptacles 20. This alley could be enroute between a storage structure in which the storage bins 16 and / or goods receiving receptacles 20 are stored and the picking system 30. Alternatively, the alley may be between different picking systems 30 or positioned along a route of return of the storage bins 16 and / or goods receiving receptacles 20 to the storage structure. In another embodiment, the UV light emission device 56 are a component of a workstation housing the picking system 30 or a component of a devoted sterilization workstation. At the sterilization workstation, there may be no picking of payload items, but rather the sole purpose of delivery of the storage bins 16 and / or goods receiving receptacles 20 to the sterilization workstation may be for sterilization / sanitation. Irrespective of location and configuration, the storage bin 16 and / orgoods receiving receptacle 20 is delivered to the UV light emission device 56 atop an RSRV, which improves efficiency and reduces complexity of sterilization of storage bins 16, goods receiving receptacles 20, and / or the contents therein.

[0093] In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a workstation 10 comprising the picking system 30 as disclosed herein.

[0094] In an embodiment, the workstations 10 disclosed herein have a flat horizontally oriented top surface 60.

[0095] In an embodiment of the workstations 10 disclosed herein, the tilted shelf 12 presents two storage bins 16 to the pick port 22 at one time, and the lower shelf 18 presents two goods receiving receptacles 20 to the pick port 22 at the same time.

[0096] In the present disclosure, all terms referred to in singular form are meant to encompass plural forms of the same. Likewise, all terms referred to in plural form are meant to encompass singular forms of the same. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains.

[0097] As used herein, the term “about” refers to an approximately + / -10 % variation from a given value. It is to be understood that such a variation is always included in any given value provided herein, whether or not it is specifically referred to.

[0098] It should be understood that the compositions and methods are described in terms of "comprising," "containing," or "including" various components or steps, the compositions and methods can also "consist essentially of or "consist of the various components and steps. Moreover, the indefinite articles "a" or "an," as used in the claims, are defined herein to mean one or more than one of the element that it introduces.

[0099] For the sake of brevity, only certain ranges are explicitly disclosed herein. However, ranges from any lower limit may be combined with any upper limit to recite a range not explicitly recited, as well as, ranges from any lower limit may be combined with any other lower limit to recite a range not explicitly recited, in the same way, ranges from any upper limit may be combined with any other upper limit to recite a range not explicitly recited. Additionally, whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any included range falling within the range are specifically disclosed. In particular, every rangeof values (of the form, "from about a to about b," or, equivalently, "from approximately a to b," or, equivalently, "from approximately a-b") disclosed herein is to be understood to set forth every number and range encompassed within the broader range of values even if not explicitly recited. Thus, every point or individual value may serve as its own lower or upper limit combined with any other point or individual value or any other lower or upper limit, to recite a range not explicitly recited.

[0100] Therefore, the present disclosure is well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those that are inherent therein. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the present disclosure may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Although individual embodiments are dis-cussed, the disclosure covers all combinations of all those embodiments. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee. It is therefore evident that the particular illustrative embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. If there is any conflict in the usages of a word or term in this specification and one or more patent(s) or other documents that may be referred to herein, the definitions that are consistent with this specification should be adopted.

[0101] Many obvious variations of the embodiments set out herein will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art in light of the present disclosure. Such obvious variations are within the full intended scope of the appended claims.

Claims

Claims:

1. A picking system for delivery and processing of storage bins within a workstation of an automated storage and retrieval system, the picking system: a tilted shelf for receiving and resting thereon one or more storage bins, the tilted shelf comprising opposing rails oriented in a longitudinal direction within the workstation for resting thereon the one or more storage bins; a tilted shuttle having at least a first position and a second position, each position capable of receiving and transporting thereon at least one of the one or more storage bins, the tilted shuttle movably positioned in longitudinal orientation between the opposing rails of the tilted shelf and operable between an elevated bin transport configuration and a lowered bin release configuration, wherein: when in the lowered bin release configuration, the tilted shuttle is lowered away from a bottom surface of the one or more storage bins resting on the tilted shelf and is capable of moving longitudinally within the workstation without moving the one or more storage bins; and when in the elevated bin transport configuration, the tilted shuttle is raised to contact the bottom surface of the one or more storage bins and is capable of moving the one or more storage bins through the workstation as the tilted shuttle moves longitudinally within the workstation; wherein each of the first position and the second position of the tilted shuttle comprise an actuating platform capable of moving between a tilted orientation and a horizontal orientation, the tilted orientation substantially aligned with or resting upon a top surface of the tilted shelf and the horizontal orientation placing the actuating platform substantially horizontal; a lower shelf positioned below and more forward in the workstation toward a user than the upper tilted shelf, the lower shelf capable of presenting at least one goods receiving receptacle to a pick port of the workstation; a first bin lifting device positioned at or near one end of the tilted shelf, the first bin lifting device capable of lifting one of the storage bins off a delivery device and placing the storage bin onto the actuating platform at the first position of the tilted shuttle when the actuating platform is in the horizontal orientation; anda second bin lifting device positioned at or near an opposite end of the tilted shelf; the second bin lifting device capable of lifting the storage bin off the second position of the tilted shuttle when the actuating platform is in the horizontal orientation, and delivering the storage bin to a receiving device, wherein at least a portion of the tilted shelf is positioned in the pick port and is tilted towards the user for presenting at least one of the one or more storage bins to the user in the pick port of the workstation.

2. The picking system of claim 1 , wherein substantially the entire length of the opposing rails of the tilted shelf are located at the pick port of the workstation for presenting the one or more storage bins thereon to the user.

3. The picking system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the tilted shelf is of sufficient length to receive and have rested thereon two storage bins at the same time.

4. The picking system of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a forwardmost rail of the opposing rails, closest to the user, comprises a lip to prevent the one or more storage bins from sliding off the tilted shelf.

5. The picking system of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the tilted shuttle comprises a third position, the third position located between the first position and second position, and not having the actuating platform.

6. The picking system of claim 5, wherein the tilted shuttle is longitudinally moveable between a storage bin input position and a storage bin output position, wherein: when in the input position, the second position and the third position of the tilted shuttle are positioned between the opposing rails of the tilted shelf and the first position is aligned to receive a storage bin from the first bin lifting device; and when in the output position, the first position and the third position of the tilted shuttle are positioned between the opposing rails of the tilted shelf and the second position is aligned to deliver a storage bin to the second lifting device r in longitudinal orientation between the opposing rails of the tilted shelf.

7. The picking system of claim 6, wherein in operation: a) the tilted shuttle moves to the bin input position in the lowered bin release configuration; b) the tilted shuttle moves from the lowered bin release configuration to the elevated bin transport configuration; c) the actuating platform at the first position of the tilted shuttle moves from the tilted orientation to the horizontal orientation to receive one of the storage bins from the first bin lifting device as a received bin; d) the actuating platform at the first position of the tilted shuttle moves from the horizontal orientation to the tilted orientation; e) the tilted shuttle moves longitudinally to transport the received bin to above the opposing rails of the tilted shelf, at the same time moving, if present, a previously received bin to a downstream position above the opposing rails and another previously received bin to the bin output position; f) the actuating platform at the second position of the tilted shuttle moves from the tilted orientation to the horizontal orientation to lift up the another previously received bin for pick up by the second bin lifting device; g) the tilted shuttle moves from the elevated bin transport configuration to the lowered bin release configuration to rest the received storage bin, and if present the previously received storage bin, onto the opposing rails of the tilted shelf at the pick port; and h) optionally repeating steps (a) to (g) any number of times to process storage bins through the picking system.

8. The picking system of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein one or both of the first bin lifting device and the second bin lifting device is a gantry.

9. The picking system of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein one or both of the first bin lifting device and the second bin lifting device is an apparatus comprising: a first vertically oriented post having a first lift arm slidably connected thereto, the first lift arm capable of being moved vertically on the first vertically oriented post;a second vertically oriented post having a second lift arm slidably connected thereto, the second lift arm capable of being moved vertically on the second vertically oriented post; a slider beam mounted at or near one end to the first lift arm and at or near the opposite end to the second lift arm; a bin grab member slidably mounted to the slider beam.

10. The picking system of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the at least one of the first bin lifting device and the second bin lifting device is capable delivering / receiving storage bins from both the tilted shuttle and the lower shelf.11 . The picking system of any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising one or more additional bin lifting devices on one or both sides of the tilted shelf.

12. The picking system of claim 11 , wherein the first bin lifting device and the second bin lifting device are for delivering / receiving storage bins from the tilted shuttle, and the one or more additional bin lifting devices is / are for delivering / receiving storage bins from the lower shelf.

13. The picking system of any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising one or more high frequency storage bin parking spots adjacent to a rearwardmost rail of the opposing rails of the tilted shelf.

14. The picking system of claim 13, wherein one of the one or more storage bins is placed in one of the high frequency parking spots by:- moving the actuating platform at the first or second position to the horizontal orientation when the respective first or second position is longitudinally positioned at the tilted shelf; and- activating a transfer motion to move the storage bin off the actuating platform into the high frequency parking spot.

15. The picking system of claim 14, wherein a high frequency storage bin is moved from one of the high frequency parking spots to the pick port by:- activating the transfer motion to move the a high frequency storage bin out of the high frequency parking spot and onto the horizontally oriented actuating platform at the first or second position of the tilted shuttle longitudinally positioned at the tilted shelf; and- lowering the actuating platform from the horizontal orientation to the tilted orientation to present the high frequency storage bin at the pick port to the user.

16. The picking system of claim 14 or 15, wherein the transfer motion is by driven rollers capable of moving in both a clockwise and counter clockwise rotation.

17. The picking system of any on of claims 13 to 16, further comprising an additional lower shelf positioned rearward of the lower shelf away from the user at the pick port, and inaccessible to the user due to storage bins on the lower shelf blocking access.

18. The picking system of claim 18, wherein the additional lower shelf is for parking one or more of the high frequency storage bins.

19. The picking system of claim 17 or 18, wherein the high frequency storage bins are delivered to the additional lower shelf by one of the bin lifting devices.

20. The picking system of any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the lower shelf and / or the additional lower shelf is a conveyer belt or roller conveyer.21 . The picking system of any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the one or more storage bins delivered to the tilted shelf contain goods for fulfilling one or more orders, and the goods receiving receptacles on the lower shelf are for receiving the goods and assembling the one or more orders.

22. The picking system of any one of claims 1 to 21 , wherein the goods receiving receptacles are of the same size and shape as the storage bins.

23. The picking system of any one of claims 1 to 22, which further comprises one or more ultraviolet (UV) light emission devices.

24. The picking system of claim 23, wherein the UV light emission device is positioned adjacent a backside end of the first bin lifting device, the second bin lifting device, or both.

25. A workstation comprising the picking system of any one of claims 1 to 24.

26. The workstation of claim 25, having a flat horizontally oriented top surface.

27. The workstation of claim 25 or 26, wherein the tilted shelf presents two storage bins to the pick port at one time, and the lower shelf presents two goods receiving receptacles to the pick port at the same time.

Images