Back store fulfillment stsyem and method

Abstract

A storage and retrieval system for order filling of goods items including a multilevel storage array including an array of storage shelves configured to hold thereon containers of goods items, and transport area arranged to communicably connect storage shelves of the array to each other, the transport area including picking aisles and a transfer deck; an autonomous guided vehicle located on each level of the array and configured to traverse the transfer deck and aisles and transport containers accessed to and from storage locations on the storage shelves for at least one goods items order picking station; a putwall of more than one levels of picked goods items container conveying storage rows distributed along each level, wherein the putwall communicates with the picking station so that each conveying storage row receives, picked goods items containers in a row, corresponding to a single order.

Description

BACK STORE FULFILLMENT STSYEM AND METHODCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a non-provisional of and claims the benefit of United States provisional patent application number 63 / 701,248 filed on September 30, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated here by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND1. Field

[0002] The exemplary embodiments generally relate to storage and retrieval system and, more particularly, to vertical sequencing of items in the storage and retrieval system.2. Brief Description of Related DevelopmentsGenerally, a back of store fulfillment center picks orders for customers by sourcing items from a number of supply totes, and placing them into order totes that will be delivered to a customer. Once prepared, the order totes must be buffered until the customer arrives for pickup. Customers tend to arrive in waves, so buffered order totes must be accessible quickly and in high volumes. Storage density and labor efficiency are also important.A related problem for a back of store fulfilment center is that many items are contained within the sorting system, but others must be picked directly from store shelfs. The items picked from the store must be matched with items picked from the sorting system for the same order. Additionally, traditionally items are picked from the store one order at a time, which is very labor intensive because the picker may traverse the entire store for every order.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] The foregoing aspects and other features of the disclosed embodiment are explained in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0004] FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of a storage and retrieval system in accordance with aspects of the disclosed embodiment;

[0005] FIG. IB is a schematic illustration of a pallet load having stochastic distribution in accordance with aspects of the disclosed embodiment;

[0006] FIGS. 1C and ID are schematic illustrations of portions of the storage and retrieval system in accordance with aspects of the disclosed embodiment;

[0007] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a transport vehicle in accordance with aspects of the disclosed embodiment;

[0008] FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D are schematic illustrations of portions of the storage and retrieval system in accordance with aspects of the disclosed embodiment;

[0009] FIGS. 4A-4C are schematic illustrations of portions of the storage and retrieval system in accordance with aspects of the disclosed embodiment;

[0010] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a portion of the storage and retrieval system in accordance with aspects of the disclosed embodiment;

[0011] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a portion of the storage and retrieval system in accordance with aspects of the disclosed embodiment;

[0012] FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a portion of the storage and retrieval system in accordance with aspects of the disclosed embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a portion of the storage and retrieval system in accordance with aspects of the disclosed embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 9A and 9B are graphical illustration of a batch sequence of the storage and retrieval system in accordance with aspects of the disclosed embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 10A and 10B are flow diagrams of exemplary product order fulfdlment method in accordance with aspects of the disclosed embodiment; and

[0016] FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of a portion of the storage and retrieval system in accordance with aspects of the disclosed embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Although the aspects of the disclosed embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that the aspects of the disclosed embodiment can be embodied in many forms. In addition, any suitable size, shape or type of elements or materials could be used.

[0018] FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of a storage and retrieval system 100 including a multilevel container storage array 190 in accordance with aspects of the disclosed embodiment. Generally, each level 130L of the multi-level container storage array 190 includes a level transport area 191 and a storage area 130. Each level transport area 191 may be separate and distinct from the level transport area 191 at each other level 130L of the multi-level container storage array 190. Each storage area 130 includes an array RMA (Fig. 1C) of storage shelves 130S configured to hold thereon supply containers CU of at least one goods item. The transport area 191 is substantially continuous and arranged to communicably connect the storage shelves 13 OS of the array RMA to each other. The transport area 191 includes picking aisles 130A and a container transfer deck 130B connecting the picking aisles 130A.

[0019] The multi-level container storage array 190 is coupled to and feeds an output section 160UT (including an output pick station 160EP and putwall 160CB for delivering completed order totes OT (Fig. 5) to customers) as will be described herein. In one aspect of the exemplary embodiment, the storage and retrieval system 100 may be configured to generally include an in- feed section 160IN, the multi-level container storage array 190, and the output section 160UT (where, order totes OT are stored on more than one levels of picked goods items container conveying storage rows 160CBl-n distributed along each level that are connected to a back of store for pickup by customers as described herein). As may be realized, in one aspect of the disclosed embodiment the system 100 operating, for example, as a back of store fulfillment facility may serve to receive uniform or stochastically distributed pallet loads of good items, breakdownor disassociate the pallet goods from the pallet loads into supply containers CU handled by the system, retrieve and sort the different goods items sought by each customer order into corresponding groups, and transport and assemble the corresponding groups of goods items into what may be referred to as order totes OT (Fig. 5). Each level of the putwall 160CB communicates with the at least one goods items order picking station 160EP so that each conveying storage row 160CBl-n receives, picked goods items containers (order totes OT) in a row, corresponding to a single (common) order, from the goods items order picking station 160EP.

[0020] The in-feed section may generally be capable of resolving the pallet loads to supply containers CU, and transporting the supply containers CU via suitable transport, for input to the storage area 130. The output section 160UT assembles the appropriate group of ordered totes OT, that may contain different goods with different SKUs, dimensions, etc. at the output pick station 160EP (such as to fill a customer order) and stores or buffers the order totes OT (Fig. 5) at the putwall 160CB for dynamic / batch customer pickup as will be described herein. Each customer order (i.e., different ordered goods items) is transported from the storage area 130 in supply totes CU along a common output transfer deck 300 to the output section 160UT as will be described herein. Goods items are picked from the different supply containers CU and placed in one or more order tote(s) OT by an operator 1500 (Fig. 5), or any suitable automation, fulfilling one or more customer orders. The order totes OT are transferred for storage at the putwall 160CB where the order is buffered until customer pickup. As illustrated in FIG. 4A and described herein, in one aspect, the putwall 160CB is joined to the common output transfer deck 300 on one side 130BD2 of the common output transfer deck 300, while the other side 130BD1 of the common output transfer deck 300 includes at least one operator pick stations 160EP distributed along the common output transfer deck 300 so that at least one part of the transfer deck is interposed between the operator pick stations 160EP and the putwall 160CB. As seen in Fig. 6 and described further herein, the putwall 160CB includes an array of container conveying storage row 160CBl-n for buffering completed order totes OT for customer pickup. The array of container conveying storage row 160CBl-n are configured to sort and discriminate each order tote OT (whether filled with picked goods items from supply containers CU and / or store picked (stochastic distribution) and buffered for pickup at a single putwall 160CB location or row for each common order.. The order totes are di stributed to the container conveying storage row 160CB 1 -n in order to buffer the orders totes OT within the footprint of the sortation system and provide a large capacity for order totesU27P017243-WO(PCT) and increase efficiency of uneven demand on pickup times. FIG. 6 illustrates the putwall 160CB according to the present embodiment for supplying completed order totes OT, in which an array of container conveying storage row 160CBl-n are arranged next to each other along the common output transfer deck 300. Ordered goods are provided in order totes OT, which are supplied from storage to the array of container conveying storage row 160CBl-n.

[0021] While the aspects of the disclosed embodiment are described herein with respect to the storage and retrieval system 100, it should be understood that the aspects of the disclosed embodiment are equally applicable to any suitable material handling center(s) including, but not limited to, warehouses, distribution centers, cross-docking facilities, back of store fulfillment stores / facilities, packaging facilities, shipping facilities, or other suitable facility or combination of facilities for performing one or more functions of material or inventory handling. In accordance with aspects of the disclosed embodiment the storage and retrieval system 100 may operate in a back of store fulfillment facility to, for example, fulfill orders received from customers of goods items (for simplicity and ease of explanation the term “goods items” or the synonymous terms “good(s)” and “item(s)” are generally used herein for referring to both individual goods and pickfaces, where a pickface is formed of multiple goods that are moved as a unit) such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 10,822,168 issued on Nov. 3, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. It is noted that the goods items, for example, include units of goods (e.g. case of soup cans, boxes of cereal, etc.), individual goods that are adapted to be taken off of or placed in a supply tote CU. It is noted that when, for example, bundles or pallets of goods items arrive at the storage and retrieval system 100 the content of each pallet may be uniform (e.g. each pallet holds a predetermined number of the same item — one pallet holds soup and another pallet holds cereal) and order totes OT (Fig. 5) leaving the storage and retrieval system may contain any suitable number and combination of different goods items that are provided to, for example the output pick station 160EP for forming the order tote OT. The storage and retrieval system 100 described herein may be applied to any environment in which goods items are stored and retrieved.

[0022] Also referring to FIG. IB, it is noted that when, for example, incoming bundles or pallets PAL (e.g. from manufacturers or suppliers of goods items arrive at the storage and retrieval system 100 for replenishment of the storage and retrieval system 100), the goods items of each pallet maybe uniform (e.g. each pallet holds a predetermined number of the same item — one pallet holds soup and another pallet holds cereal). As may be realized, the goods items of such pallet load may be substantially similar or in other words, homogenous cases (e.g. similar dimensions), and may have the same SKU (otherwise, as noted before the pallets may be “rainbow” pallets having layers formed of homogeneous cases). In other aspects, the goods items combined onto a single pallet may have different dimensions and / or different SKU's.

[0023] In accordance with aspects of the disclosed embodiment, referring again to FIG. 1A, the storage and retrieval system 100 includes the in-feed section 160IN (which includes, for example, depalletizers 160PA and / or conveyors 160CA for depalletizing items into supply totes CU and transporting the supply totes CU to lift modules 150A for entry into storage) and the output section 160UT (which includes, for example, operator pick stations 160EP and putwall 160CB for assembling and storing order totes OT for customer pickup). The storage and retrieval system 100 further includes input and output vertical lift modules 150A, 150B (generally referred to as lift modules 150 — it is noted that while input and output lift modules are shown, a single lift module may be used to both input and remove supply totes CU from the storage structure), the storage area 130, and a number of autonomous guided container transport vehicle 110 (referred to herein as “bots”). It is noted that the depalletizers 160PA may be configured to remove goods items from pallets to be stored in supply totes CU so that the in-feed section 160IN can transport the supply totes CU to the lift modules 150 for input into the storage area 130. The supply totes CU are stored in the storage and retrieval system in a stochastic distribution of type similar to that described in US Patent Application No. 18 / 323,758 filed on May 25, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

[0024] Referring now to FIGS. 1A, 1C, and ID, at least the storage area 130 (including one or more of picking aisles 130A, storage spaces 130S and transfer deck 130B of each different storage structure level 130L) and bots 110 may be collectively referred to herein as the multi-level container storage array 190. Each level 130L of the multi-level container storage array 190 has a corresponding level transport area 191 (which includes, e.g., the bots 110, the picking aisles 130A, storage spaces 1308, and transfer deck I 30B of the respective level 130L), of stochastically distributed supply totes CU, that may be separate and distinct from the level transport area 191 corresponding to each other level 130L of the multi-level container storage array 190. The storagearea 130 may include multiple storage rack modules RM, configured in a high-density three- dimensional rack array RMA (Fig. ID), that are accessible by storage or deck levels 130L. Each storage level 130L includes supply tote storage / handoff spaces 13 OS (referred to herein as storage spaces or shelves 130S) formed by the rack modules RM. The storage spaces 130S formed by the rack modules, in one aspect, include shelves that are disposed along storage or picking aisles 130A (that are connected to the transfer deck 130B) which, e.g., extend linearly through the rack module array RMA and provide bot 110 access to the storage spaces 130S and transfer deck(s) 130B. In other aspects, the storage spaces 13 OS formed by the rack modules may include slots, receptacle, stalls, cribs, cordoned areas, hooks, racks, or other suitable locations with a configuration that allows the bots to pick and place supply totes CU to and from the storage spaces. As may be realized the bots 110 travel on a respective storage level 130L along the picking aisles 130A and the transfer deck 13 OB for transferring supply totes CU between any of the storage spaces 13 OS of the storage area 130 (e.g. on the level which the bot 110 is located) and any one of the lift modules 150, operator pick stations 160EP, and putwall 160CB as will be described herein. The transfer decks 130B are arranged at different levels (corresponding to each level 130L of the storage and retrieval system 100) that may be stacked one over the other or horizontally offset, such as having one transfer deck 130B at one end or side of the storage rack array RMA or at several ends or sides of the storage rack array RMA as described in, for example, U.S. Patent No. 10,822,168 issued on Nov. 3, 2020 the disclosure of which was previously incorporated herein by reference. In other aspects, the storage area 130 may not have transfer decks on one or more of the levels 130L, where the picking aisles may extend so that the bots 110 have access to one or more lifts disposed on a side of the picking aisle in a manner similar to that described in, for example, U.S. Patent No. 8,974,168 issued on Mar. 10, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The rack module array RMA of the storage area 130 includes vertical support members 1212 and horizontal support members / rails 1200. Rails 1200S may be mounted to one or more of the vertical and horizontal support members 1212, 1200 in, for example, picking aisles 130A and be configured so that the bots 110 ride along the rails 1200S through the picking aisles 130A.

[0025] As may be realized, bots 110 traversing a picking aisle 130A, at a corresponding storage level 130L, have access (e.g. for picking and placing supply totes CU) to each storage space 130S. In one aspect, not illustrated, there may be one or more intermediate shelf rails vertically spaced (e g. in the Z direction) from one another (and from rails 1200S) to form multiple stacked storagespaces. The storage areas 130S of a corresponding storage level 130L define open and undeterministic two dimensional storage surfaces (e.g. having a supply tote support plane CUSP as shown in FIG. 1C) that facilitates a stochastic distribution of supply totes CU.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 2, the autonomous guided container bots 110 includes two drive wheels 202A, 202B located on opposite sides of the bot 110 at end l lOEl (e.g. first longitudinal end) of the bot 110 for supporting the bot 110 on a suitable drive surface however, in other aspects any suitable number of drive wheels are provided on the bot 110. In one aspect each drive wheel 202A, 202B is coupled substantially directly to a respective motor 202MA, 202MB such that the drive wheel 202A, 202B is coupled to an output of the motor 202MA, 202MB without a speed reduction unit disposed therebetween (e.g. so that each motor 202MA, 202MB and the respective drive wheel 202A, 202B form a reductionless drive). Each drive wheel 202A, 202B is independently controlled so that the bot 110 may be steered through a differential rotation of the drive wheels 202A, 202B (e.g. differential torque steering) while in other aspects the rotation of the drive wheels 202 may be coupled so as to rotate at substantially the same speed. Any suitable steering wheels 201 are mounted to the frame on opposite sides of the bot 110 at end 110E2 (e.g. second longitudinal end) of the bot 110 for supporting the bot 110 on the drive surface. In one aspect the wheels 201 are caster wheels that freely rotate allowing the bot 110 to pivot through differential rotation of the drive wheels 202 for non-holonomically changing a travel direction of the bot 110. In other aspects the wheels 201 are steerable wheels, such as for example articulated wheel steering, that turn under control of, for example, a bot controller HOC (which is configured to effect control of the bot 110 as described herein) for changing a travel direction of the bot 110. In other aspects the bot 110 includes any suitable wheel arrangement (e.g. a three wheel configuration, a four wheel configuration, etc.). In one aspect the bot 110 includes one or more guide wheels 110GW located at, for example, one or more corners of the frame 110F. The guide wheels 110GW may interface with the storage structure 130, such as guide rails 1200S (Fig. ID) within the picking aisles I30A, guide rails (not shown) on the transfer deck I 30B and / or at interface or transfer stations for interfacing with the lift modules 150 for guiding the bot 110 and / or positioning the bot 110 a predetermined distance from a location to / from which one or more supply totes CU are placed and / or picked up as described in, for example, United States Patent No. 9,561 ,905 issued on February 7, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In other aspects, location of the bot 110 at the predetermined distance from aU27P017243-WO(PCT) location to / from which one or more supply totes CU are placed and / or picked up is effected in any suitable manner such as with sonar / sonic sensors 1 IOS, index or line following sensor, GPS sensors, inductive sensors, capacitive sensors, infrared sensors, computer vision sensors, etc. of the container bot 110 or any combination thereof. The bots 110 may be any suitable independently operable autonomous transport vehicles that carry and transfer supply totes along the X and Y transport axes throughout the storage and retrieval system 100. In one aspect the bots 110 are automated, independent (e.g. free riding) autonomous transport vehicles. Suitable examples of bots can be found in, for exemplary purposes only, US Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 558,415 filed February 27, 2024; U.S. Patent No. 10,822,168 issued on Nov. 3, 2020; U.S. Patent No. 8,425,173 issued on Apr. 23, 2013; U.S. Patent No. 9,561,905 issued on Feb. 7, 2017; U.S. Patent No. 8,965,619 issued on Feb. 24, 2015; U.S. Patent No. 8,696,010 issued on Apr. 15, 2014; U.S. Patent No. 9,187,244 issued on Nov. 17, 2015; U.S. Patent No. 11,078,017 issued on August 3, 2021; U.S. Patent No. 9,499,338 issued on Nov. 22, 2106; U.S. Patent No. 10,894,663 issued on Jan. 19, 2021; and U.S. Patent No. 9,850,079 issued on Dec. 26, 2017, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. Other suitable examples of bots, e.g., for use on deterministic transfer decks, can be found in U.S. Patent No. 4,459,078 issued on Jul. 10, 1984; U.S. Patent No. 5,370,492 issued on Dec. 6, 1994; and U.S. Patent No. 8,974,168 issued on Mar. 10, 2015; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 107,135 filed on Jan. 23, 2015, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Each storage level 130L may also include charging stations 130C for charging an on-board power supply of the bots 110 on that storage level 130E such as described in, for example, U.S. Patent No. 9,082,112 issued on Jul. 14, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0027] Referring now to FIGS, 3A-3D, the lift modules 150 and the respective lift axis (whether inbound or outbound) may be shown as reciprocating lifts in the figures; however, in other aspects the lift modules 150 may be any suitable vertically configured item handling device(s) such as, for example, an elevator (e.g., reciprocating lift), escalator, conveyor belt, unmanned aerial vehicle (e.g., a drone, quadcopter, multi-copter, etc.), and / or crane / hoist. One or more supply totes CU from one or more transfer deck levels are picked (e.g., each transfer deck level corresponding to a storage structure level 130E) and transported to an operator pick station 160EP of the output section 160UT.U27P017243-WO(PCT)

[0028] In one aspect, the lifts 150 (e.g., both the inbound and outbound lifts 150A, 150B) have a vertical mast 4002 along which a slide 4001 travels under the motive force of any suitable drive unit 4002D (e.g. connected to, for example, control server 120) configured to lift and lower the slide (and the one or more pick heads 4000A mounted thereto as well as any supply totes CU disposed on the one or more pick head 4000A). The lifts 150 include one or more pick head 4000A mounted to the slide 4001 so that as the slide moves vertically the one or more pick head 4000A moves vertically with the slide 4001. In the aspect illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3D, the one or more pick head 4000A includes one or more tines or fingers 4273 mounted to a base member 4272. The base member 4272 is movably mounted to one or more rail 4360S of frame 4200 which in turn is mounted to the slide 4001. Any suitable drive unit 4005, such as a belt drive, chain drive, screw drive, gear drive, etc. (which is substantially similar in form but may not be similar in capacity to drive 4002D as the drive 4005 may be smaller than drive 4002D) is mounted to the frame 4200 and coupled to the base member 4272 for driving the base member 4272 (with the finger(s)) in the direction of arrow 4050. While a single pick head 4000A is illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3D, in other aspects, there may be two or more independently pick head portions on a common lift 150 as described in U.S. Patent No. 9,856,083 issued on Jan. 2, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In addition, while the one or more pick head 4000A is illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3D as being disposed on a single side of vertical mast 4002, in other aspects, a pick head 4000 (substantially similar to the one or more of pick head 4000A) may extend from an opposite side of the vertical mast 4002 than the one or more pick head 4000A. The pick head 4000 may be mounted to the same slide 4001 as the one or more pick head 4000A so as to move vertically along the vertical mast 4002 as a unit with the one or more pick head 4000A. In other aspects, the pick head 4000 may be mounted to a separate and distinct slide 4001 A so that the pick heads 4000 and 4000A can each move individually vertically along the vertical mast 4002 independent of (e.g., separate from) each other. The opposingly extended pick heads may be employed where there are transfer stations TS (or buffer stations BS) disposed on opposite sides of the vertical mast 4002.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 3C, the lifts 150 (at least the outbound lifts 150B) are arranged adjacent one another (e.g., side by side substantially in a row) so as to form the lifting transport system 500 with the more than one independent lift axis 150Xl -150Xn arrayed in at least one direction. In other aspects, as illustrated in FIG. 3D, the lifts 150 (at least the outbound lifts) are arranged in atwo dimensional array of more than one independent lift axis so as to form the lifting transport system 500. Each row 599R1, 599R2 (two rows are shown for exemplary purposes but it should be understood that there may be any suitable number of rows) may include any suitable number of lifts 150Xl-150Xn, 150AXl-150AXn and there may be any suitable number of columns 599Cl-599Cn. As may be realized, at least a transport path for bots 110 (indicated by the level 130L in FIG. 3D) and different infeed stations 556 may be provided for each row 599R1, 599R2 of lifts 150. There may also be a traverse 550 corresponding to each row 599R1, 599R2 of lifts 150, where the traverse 550 of the different rows 599R1, 599R2 may merge into a common output transfer deck 300. In other aspects, the traverse 550 of the different rows 599R1, 599R2 may not merge into a common output. An infeed interface 555 communicably couples the multi-level container storage array 190 with each of the more than one independent lift axis 15OXl-15OXn. The infeed interface 555 includes different infeed stations 556 (FIG. 3C) distributed at each level transport area 191 for each of the more than one independent lift axis 15OXl-15OXn (and / or 150AXl-150AXn) so that each of the more than one independent lift axis 15OXl-15OXn (and / or 150AXl-150AXn) has a different corresponding infeed station 556 at each level transport area 191 through which supply totes CU feed from the multi-level container storage array 190 to each of the more than one independent lift axis 15OXl-15OXn (and / or 150AXl-150AXn).

[0030] Each of the independent lift axes 150X1 -150Xn (it is noted that (lift axes 150AXl-150AXn are substantially similar to lift axes 150Xl-150Xn and any description of lift axes 150Xl-150Xn equally applies to lift axes 15OAXl-15OAXn) are communicably coupled to each level transport area 191 (a portion of which is illustrated in FIG. 3C), through the infeed interface 555, so as to provide for exchange of at least one supply tote CU between each level transport area 191 and each independent lift axis 150Xl-150Xn. For example, each independent lift axis 150Xl-150Xn is communicably coupled to each level transport axis X and Y of the array of level transport axes corresponding to each level transport area 191. The communicable coupling between the independent lift axes 15OXl-15OXn and each level transport area 191 also provides for supply totes CU being transferred from at least one level transport system infeed (e.g., such as the infeed interface 555 (e.g., which includes a respective transfer station TS or respective buffer station BS) between an inbound lift 150A and a respective one of the levels 130L) to each of the more than one independent lift axis 150X1 -150Xn so that supply totes CU are output by the independent lift axis 150Xl-150Xn from the multi-level container storage array 190.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 3 A, 3B, 3C, 4A, and 4B, as described above, in one aspect the interface stations TS are passive stations and as such, the load transfer device LHD of the lifts 150 have one or more active transfer arm or pick head 4000A. In one aspect the inbound lift modules 150A and the outbound lift modules 150B may have different types of pick heads while in other aspects the inbound lift modules 150A and the outbound lift modules 150B have the same type of pick head as described in, for example, U.S. Patent No. 9,856,083 issued on Jan. 2, 2018, the disclosure of which was previously incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In one aspect, the one or more pick head 4000A of the lifts 150 may, at least in part, define the transport axis Y, while in other aspects, the Y direction movement of the one or more pick head 4000A may be separate and distinct from the transport axis Y.

[0032] Referring now to Figs. 1A, 3D, and 4A-4C, in one aspect of the disclosed embodiment, the common output transfer deck 300 is substantially open and configured for the undeterministic traversal of bots 110 along multiple travel lanes (e.g. along an X transport axis with respect to the bot frame of reference REF illustrated in FIG. 2) across and along the common output transfer deck 300. As noted above, the transfer deck(s) BOB at each storage level 130L communicate with each of the picking aisles 130A on the respective storage level 130L. Bots 110 bi-directionally traverse between the transfer deck(s) BOB and picking aisles BOA on each respective storage level 130L so as to travel along the picking aisles (e.g. along the X transport axis with respect to the bot frame of reference REF illustrated in FIG. 2) and access the storage spaces BOS disposed in the rack shelves alongside each of the picking aisles BOA (e.g. bots 110 may access, along anY transport axis (with respect to the bot frame of reference REF illustrated in FIG. 2), storage spaces BOS distributed on both sides of each aisle such that the bot 110 may have a different facing when traversing each picking aisle BOA. As may be realized, throughput outbound from the storage array in the horizontal plane corresponding to a predetermined storage or deck level 130L is effected by and manifest in the combined or integrated throughput along both the X andY transport axes. As noted above, the common output transfer deck 300 provides bot 110 access to each of the operator pick stations 160EP and putwall 160CB and where the bots 110 effect supply tote CU transfer between the operator pick stations 160EP / putwall 160CB and the storage spaces BOS.

[0033] In other aspects, of the disclosed embodiments, the common output transfer deck 300 may be deterministic, in a manner substantially similar to that of the picking aisles. For example, the common output transfer deck 300 may include any suitable number of guide features, such as rails, guides, tracks, etc., which form one or more travel paths HSTP1, HSTP2 for the bots 110 and providing access to the operator pick stations 160EP and putwall 160CB (e.g., along the X transport axis with respect to the bot frame of reference REF illustrated in FIG. 2) across and along the common output transfer deck 300. The bots 110 may be suitably configured to transition between rails 1200S of the deterministic picking aisle BOA (e.g., along the Y transport axis with respect to the bot frame of reference REF illustrated in FIG. 2) and a deterministic travel path HSTP1, HSTP2 in any suitable manner. For example, the bots 110 may include sets of substantially orthogonal wheels as described in, for example, U.S. Patent No. 5,370,492, issued on Dec. 6, 1994 and / or U.S. Patent No. 6,389,981, issued on May 21, 2002, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. In still other aspects, the bots 110 may include separable traversal unit(s) that roll on and roll off of a bot main frame. For example, the bot main frame traverses the one of the deterministic picking aisle 130A and the deterministic travel path(s) HSTP1, HSTP2 of the common output transfer deck 300 (e.g., along one of the X and Y axes) and the separable unit traverses another of the deterministic picking aisle 130A and the deterministic travel path(s) HSTP1, HSTP2 of the common output transfer deck 300 (e.g., along another of the X and Y axes). Suitable examples of autonomous transports having a main frame and a separable traversal unit can be found in, for example, U.S. Patent No. 4,459,078, issued Jul. 10, 1984, the disclosure of which was previously incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0034] In one aspect, the common output transfer deck 300 have an undeterministic transport surface on which the bots 110 travel where the undeterministic transport surface 130BS has more than one juxtaposed travel lane (e.g., high-speed bot travel paths HSTP). As may be realized, the juxtaposed travel lanes are juxtaposed along a common undeterministic (or deterministic as shown in FIG. 4C) transport surface 130BS between opposing sides 130BD1, 130BD2 of the common output transfer deck 300. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, in one aspect the putwall 160CB is joined to the common output transfer deck 300 on one side 130BD2 of the common output transfer deck 300, while the other side 130BD1 of the common output transfer deck 300 includes the operator pick stations 160EP distributed along the common output transfer deck 300 so that at least one partof the transfer deck is interposed between the operator pick stations 160EP and the putwall 160CB. One or more operator pick stations 160EP are arranged along the other side 130BD1 of the common output transfer deck 300 so that the operator pick stations 160EP communicate with the bots 110 from the common output transfer deck 300 and with the putwall 160CB accessed by the bots 110 from the common output transfer deck 300 so that supply totes CU are transferred between the bots 110 and the operator pick stations 160EP and between the operator pick stations 160EP and the putwall 160CB.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 2 and, 4A, as noted above, the bot 110 includes a transfer arm 110PA that effects the picking and placement of supply totes CU from the stacked storage spaces 130S, interface stations TS and peripheral buffer stations BS, BSD. The common output transfer deck 300 includes one or more supply tote interface / handoff stations TS where supply totes CU are transferred between the bots 110 on the common output transfer deck 300 and one or more of the lifts 150, operator pick station 160EP, and putwall 160CB. The interface stations TS are located at each side of the common output transfer deck 300, so that the common output transfer deck 300 is interposed between the operator pick station 160EP and putwall 160CB. As noted above, each bot 110 on each picking level 130L has access to each storage location 1308, each picking aisle 130A and each lift 150 on the respective storage level 130L, as such each bot 110 also has access to each interface station TS on the respective level 130L and on the common output transfer deck 300. In one aspect the interface stations TS are offset from high speed bot travel paths HSTP along the common output transfer deck 300 so that bot 110 access to the interface stations TS is undeterministic to bot speed on the high speed travel paths HSTP. As such, each bot 110 can move a supply tote CU from every interface station TS to every storage space 1308 corresponding to the deck level and vice versa.

[0036] In one aspect, the interface stations TS are configured for a passive transfer (e.g. handoff) of supply totes CU. In other aspects the interface stations TS may include transfer arms (substantially similar to the bot 110 transfer arm 110PA shown in FIG. 2, although Z direction movement may be omitted when the transfer arm is incorporated into the interface station TS shelves) for picking and placing supply totes CU from one or more of the bot 110. Suitable examples of an interface station with an active transfer arm are described in, for example, U.S.Patent No. 9,694,975 issued on Jul. 4, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

[0037] Still referring to FIG. 4 A in one aspect the interface stations TS are arranged along the common output transfer deck 300 in a manner akin to parking spaces on the side of a road such that the hots 110 “parallel park” at a predetermined interface station TS for transferring supply totes CU to and from the interface station TS. In one aspect, a transfer orientation of the hots 110 (e g. when parallel parked) at an interface station TS is the same orientation as when the bot 110 is travelling along the high speed bot transport path HSTP (e.g. the interface station is substantially parallel with a bot travel direction of the transfer deck and / or a side of the transfer deck). Bot 110 interface with the peripheral buffer stations BS also occurs by parallel parking so that a transfer orientation of the bots 110 (e.g. when parallel parked) at a peripheral buffer station BS is the same orientation as when the bot 110 is travelling along the high speed bot transport path HSTP.

[0038] Referring to Figs. 4A and 5, the one or more operator pick station 160EP is communicably connected to the interface station TS located on the common output transfer deck 300. Picked supply totes CU arrive from the bots 110 and are transferred to the interface station TS. From the interface station TS, the supply totes CU is delivered to the operator pick station 160EP via conveyors, bots, etc. The operator pick station 160EP includes an area within which, for example, an operator 1500 works, i.e., picks goods items arriving from supply totes CU on the bot 110 on the common output transfer deck 300 and places the goods items in an order tote OT specific to a customer order. It is noted that this transferring process can occur manually by an operator 1500 or automatically with, for example, a robotic arm. The supply totes CU may be transferred from the interface station TS to the operator 1500 in any suitable manner, such as, via conveyors, chutes, bots, etc. In one aspect, the one or more operator pick station 160EP is located on the lowermost plane of the system 100 (i.e., a ground floor). It is noted that the operator pick station 160EP could also be arranged on another plane above or below the lowermost plane, such as, a raised or lowered platform. Moreover, several operator pick stations 160EP could be arranged next to one another, or stacked above one another. Upon filling of the order tote (i.e., competition of the order), the order tote OT is transferred from the operator pick station 160EP back to a bot 110 on the common output transfer deck 300 picks the order tote OT. From the interface section TS on the common output transfer deck 300, the bot 110 to transfer the order tote OT to the putwall 160CB, where thecommon output transfer deck 300 is interposed between the operator pick station 160EP and the putwall 160CB. Suitable examples of operator pick stations are described in US Patent No. 10,994,930, issued May 4, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

[0039] As noted above, referring to FIGS. 6-9, the putwall 160CB includes an array of container conveying storage row 160CB l-n for providing both a fill area (for common orders) for operators picking items stored within the store (i.e., items that are not stored within the storage array) and buffering completed order totes OT (of a common order) for customer pickup. The putwall 160CB is configured for supplying multiple completed order totes OT to multiple customers, in an efficient manner. The order totes OT may be a combination of goods picked from the storage array and goods picked from the store. The order totes OT are distributed to the array of container conveying storage row 160CBl-n in order to buffer the orders totes OT within the footprint of the sortation system and provide a large capacity for multiple order totes. It is noted that a customer order may include one or more order totes OT that are commonly stored together on a respective convey or(s) 160CBl-n.

[0040] In one aspect, the array of container conveying storage row 160CBl-n are configured as continuous racks with sloping conveyors from an inlet side 600 of the container conveying storage row 160CBl-n (i.e., where the bots 110 drop the order tote OT from the transfer deck 300) to an outlet side 610 (each picked goods items container conveying storage row has a single output corresponding to the storage row, the output defines a single (common) pickup location of each container corresponding to the single (common) order). In the example shown, the array of container conveying storage row 160CBl-n are illustrated as roller conveyors with multiple rows of rollers on which the order totes OT automatically roll down by gravity in the direction of the outlet side 610. The order totes OT automatically roll down until a first order tote OT reaches a stop at the end of the container conveying storage row 160CBl-n or until an order tote OT reaches a previously placed order tote OT. It is noted that other types of conveyors such as slides, chutes, etc. may be used or a combination of multiple types of conveyors. The length A of the container conveying storage row 160CBl-n is such that each conveyor 160CBl-n can contain several order totes OT with a known length behind and against / abutting each other. For example, the container conveying storage row 160CBl-n may contain about 7 order totes OT. In other aspects, theconveyor 160CBl-n can contain more or less order totes OT. In other aspects, the order totes OT may not be identical in shape or size.

[0041] As noted above, the order totes OT move downwards automatically by gravity until they reach a stop in front of the first tote on the outlet side 610 or a previously placed order tote OT. As noted, the array of container conveying storage row 160CB l-n are provided with sloping container conveying storage row 160CBl-n which slope from the aforementioned inlet side 600 to the front or outlet side 610 of the container conveying storage row 160CBl-n, along which order totes OT can be taken by the customers on the store floor. The array of container conveying storage row 160CB1 may include any number of side by side rows communicably coupled to the common transfer deck 300 and any suitable number of stacked conveyors (for example illustrated in Fig. 6 as 4 stacked conveyors but may be more or less than 4). When one or more order totes OT are removed by a customer the next order totes OT in line are automatically rolled down to the aforementioned stop, so that a new order totes OT is presented at the outlet side 610. This removal of one or more order totes OT creates space at the back (near the inlet side 600) for additional order tote OT. The array of container conveying storage row 160CB 1-n provides multiple benefits for the storage and retrieval system 100, such as dense buffering of completed order totes within the footprint of the sortation system, large buffer capacity for order totes, smoothing out the uneven demand on pickup times, immediate availability of completed orders, efficient use of tote moves within the sortation system (saving cycles of storing and then retrieving the tote again a short time later)

[0042] Referring to Fig. 8, the array of container conveying storage row 160CBl-n is configured as a putwall. The array of container conveying storage row 160CBl-n forms a wall of totes within the store for manual pickers 1501 to batch pick goods in the store and add the goods to the corresponding order totes OT in the corresponding array of container conveying storage row 160CB 1-n. The putwall discriminates and sorts each picked goods order tote OT to common order, enabling (for multiple disparate orders) store batch picking, which is much more labor efficient than picking by order. Items picked in store can be matched up with items picked within the sortation system without requiring action by the sortation system resulting in additional savings in system throughput requirements and cost. These order lanes form the putwall of totes along the bottom edge of one site of the storage array structure 130. This positioning of the putwall providesfor a more efficient manual picking process, where order totes OT can be used as a “putwall” to enable the batch picking process. Rather than picking one order at time from the entire store, pickers can pick items for many orders at once, all within one section of the store. Once store picking is complete, workers will take the items to the putwall, and the system will guide them to place each item into its corresponding order lane.

[0043] In another aspect, referring to FIG. 4B, at least the interface stations TS are located on an extension portion or pier 13 OPR that extends from the common output transfer deck 300. In one aspect, the pier 130PR is similar to the picking aisles where the bot 110 travels along rails 1200S affixed to horizontal support members 1200 (in a manner substantially similar to that described above). In other aspects, the travel surface of the pier 130PR may be substantially similar to that of the common output transfer deck 300. Each pier 130PR is located at the side of the common output transfer deck 300, such as a side that is opposite the picking aisles 130A and rack modules RMA, so that the common output transfer deck 300 is interposed between the picking aisles and each pier 13 OPR. The pier(s) 13 OPR extends from the transfer deck at a non-zero angle relative to at least a portion of the high-speed bot transport path HSTP. In other aspects, the pier(s) 130PR extend from any suitable portion of the common output transfer deck 300 including the ends 130BE1, 130BE2 of the common output transfer deck 300. The operator pick station 160EP and putwall 160CB are positioned on different sides of the pier 130PR so that the pier 130PR is interposed between the operator pick station 160EP and putwall 160CB. In some aspect, the putwall 160CB may be on both sides of the pier 130PR or one side of the pier 130PR.

[0044] The output section 160UT, bots 110, lift modules 150 and other suitable features of the storage and retrieval system 100 are controlled in any suitable manner such as by, for example, one or more central system control computers or computing environment (e.g. referred to as a “control server”) 120 through, for example, any suitable network 180. The control server 120 may be any suitable computing environment that includes a server computer or any other system providing computing capability. In other aspects, the control server 120 may employ a plurality of computing devices that may be arranged, for example, in one or more server banks or computer banks or other arrangements. Such computing devices may be located in a single installation or may be distributed among one or more geographical locations. For example, the control server 120 may include a plurality of computing devices that together form a hosted computing resource, agrid computing resource and / or any other distributed computing arrangement. In some aspects, the control server 120 forms an elastic computing resource where the allotted processing, network, and storage capacities (or other computing resources) may change over time. In one aspect the network 180 is a wired network, a wireless network or a combination of wireless and wired networks using any suitable type and / or number of communication protocols. Examples of the network 180 include, but are not limited to, the Internet, intranets, extranets, wide area networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), satellite networks, cable networks, Ethernet networks or any other suitable network configuration.

[0045] In one aspect, the control server 120 includes a collection of substantially concurrently running programs (e.g. system management software) for substantially automatic control of the storage and retrieval system 100. The collection of substantially concurrently running programs, for example, being configured to manage the storage and retrieval system 100 including, for exemplary purposes only, controlling, scheduling, and monitoring the activities of all active system components, managing inventory (e.g. which supply totes CU are input and removed, the order in which the goods are removed and where the supply totes CU are stored), and interfacing with a store management system 2500. In one aspect, the control server 120 may include, or have communicably coupled thereto, a number of component controllers 120Sl-120Sn that receive commands from the control server 120 for managing operation of one or more components of the storage and retrieval system 100.

[0046] For each conveyor 160CBl-n of the array of container conveying storage row 160CBl-n, the number of order totes OT still present is determined by the control server 120. The control server 120 can determine if there is additional room for additional totes or if a conveyor 160CB1- n is free (i.e., a customer picked up an order) so that the conveyor 160CBl-n can be replenished with a new order. The control server 120 may be configured to determine a distance from the last order tote OT on a respective conveyor 160CBl-n to the inlet side 600 of the rack, and determine, on the basis of the distance, the known length of the totes, and the known length of the conveyor 160CBl-n, the number of order totes OT still present on a respective conveyor 160CBl-n, which is transmitted to the control server 120, to control the supply of order totes OT.

[0047] FIG. 11 illustrates a simplified floor plan illustrative of a back of store fulfillment facility1100 based on the present embodiment. The facility 1100 is divided into two sections, a store section 1 101 where customers and good items pickers select goods items from shelves 1 108, and an order-fulfillment section 1102. The order fulfillment section 1102 includes the storage structure 130, in-feed section 160IN, output section 160UT, lifts 150, transfer decks 130B, picking aisles 130A, etc. as described above. Goods items arrive at the store on pallets shipped from, e.g., a distribution center and are processed at the -feed section 160 IN as described above. Goods items are transferred from the pallet to supply totes CU and picked up by bots 110. The supply totes CU are transported into the storage structure 130 and stored on a storage shelf. Upon receipt of a customer order to fill, the bots 1 10 retrieve the corresponding supply totes CU with goods items corresponding to the order from the storage structure 130. The supply totes CU are transported to the order-assembly stations 160EP where the ordered items are removed from the supply totes CU and placed into an order tote OT. The supply totes CU are then returned to the storage structure 130 or buffered for secondary customer orders. The goods items pickers 1501 in the store section1101 pick goods items in the product-display area 1108. These picked items are brought to the putwall 160CB where the picker 1501 places the picked items into order totes OT corresponding to the common order for the corresponding customer. The picker may utilize any suitable devices having video monitors, graphical user interfaces, smart devices such as phones and tablets, paper instructions, etc to determine which goods items belong to which order tote.

[0048] Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 10A an exemplary product order fulfillment method will be described. The multi-level container storage array 190 is provided in a storage area 130 (FIG. 10, Block 1000), where, as described above, each level 130L thereof has a corresponding independent level transport area 191, of supply totes CU, separate and distinct from the level transport area 191 corresponding to each other level 130L of the multi-level container storage array 190. The bots 110 are provided to transport storage goods from the storage area 130 to an operator pick station for filling an order tote (FIG. 10, Block 1001). A transfer deck 300 is interposed between the operator pick stations 160EP and the putwall 160CB over which the bot 110 transfers the completed order tote with the controller effecting operation of the bot 110 (FIG. 10, Block 1002). The completed order tote OT is buffered at the putwall 160CB until the customer picks up the order (FIG. 10, Block 1003).

[0049] Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 10B an exemplary product order fulfillment method will be described. The putwall 160CB is provided to buffer order totes OT for customer pickup. The order totes are placed in a corresponding row of the putwall 160CB for buffering (Fig. 10B, Block 1004) by the bots 110 after picked goods from the storage array of a corresponding common (single) are gathered for the order tote OT. A manual picker in the store substantially simultaneously is picking goods from the store (that may be associated with a buffering order tote). The picked store goods are placed in the order tote OT of a corresponding common (single) order in the buffered corresponding container in the putwall (Fig. 10B, Block 1005). The ordered filled totes are registered (Fig. 10B, Block 1006) and the Ordered totes are removed (for each container corresponding to order) from the putwall output by the customer (Fig. 10B, Block 1007).

[0050] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed embodiment a storage and retrieval system for order filling of goods items is provided. The storage and retrieval system including a multilevel container storage array, each level of which has a transport area and a storage area, the storage area including an array of storage shelves configured to hold thereon containers of at least one of the goods items, and the transport area being substantially continuous and arranged to communi cably connect storage shelves of the array of storage shelves to each other, the transport area including picking aisles and a container transfer deck connecting the picking aisles, an autonomous guided container transport vehicle, distinct from the container transfer deck, located on each level of the multilevel storage array and configured to traverse the container transfer deck and picking aisles on each level and transport containers accessed to and from container storage locations on each of the storage shelves on each level of the multilevel storage array for at least one goods items order picking station, a putwall of more than one levels of picked goods items container conveying storage rows distributed along each level, wherein each level of the putwall communicates with the at least one goods items order picking station so that each conveying storage row receives, picked goods items containers in a row, corresponding to a single (common) order, from the goods items order picking station, and a controller configured to effect operation of the autonomous guided container transport vehicle between the at least one goods items order picking station, one or more of the container storage locations, and each picked goods items container conveying storage row of the putwall, wherein each picked goods items container conveying storage row has a single output corresponding to the storage row, the output defines a single (common) pickup location of each container corresponding to the single (common) order.

[0051] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed embodiment each picked goods items container conveying storage row of the putwall buffers each of the picked goods items containers corresponding to the single (common) order in a single (common) row.

[0052] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed embodiment each conveying storage row is formed of inclined rollers, so that containers move automatically along the inclined rollers of the storage row to the output.

[0053] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed embodiment the controller is configured so that the auto guided container transport vehicle buffers each picked goods items containers, in single (common) file, in the picked goods items container conveying storage row corresponding to the single (common) order.

[0054] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed embodiment the storage and retrieval system further includes at least one container lift (separate and distinct from the auto guided container transport vehicle) disposed to transport containers between the container storage locations and the goods items order picking station, and the at least one container lift is disposed between the order picking station and the putwall.

[0055] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed embodiment a method for order filling of goods items from a storage and retrieval system is provided. The method including providing a multilevel container storage array, each level of which has a transport area and a storage area, the storage area including an array of storage shelves configured to hold thereon containers of at least one of the goods items, and the transport area being substantially continuous and arranged to communicably connect storage shelves of the array of storage shelves to each other, the transport area including picking aisles and a container transfer deck connecting the picking aisles, providing an autonomous guided container transport vehicle, distinct from the container transfer deck, located on each level of the multilevel storage array and configured to traverse the container transfer deck and picking aisles on each level and transport containers accessed to and from container storage locations on each of the storage shelves on each level of the multilevel storage array for at least one goods items order picking station, receiving, with a putwall of more than one levels of picked goods items container conveying storage rows distributed along each level, picked goods items containers in a row, corresponding to a single(common) order, from the goods items order picking station wherein each level of the putwall communicates with the at least one goods items order picking station, and effecting operation, with a controller, of the autonomous guided container transport vehicle between the at least one goods items order picking station, one or more of the container storage locations, and each picked goods items container conveying storage row of the putwall, wherein each picked goods items container conveying storage row has a single output corresponding to the storage row, the output defines a single (common) pickup location of each container corresponding to the single (common) order.

[0056] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed embodiment each picked goods items container conveying storage row of the putwall buffers each of the picked goods items containers corresponding to the single (common) order in a single (common) row.

[0057] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed embodiment each conveying storage row is formed of inclined rollers, so that containers move automatically along the inclined rollers of the storage row to the output.

[0058] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed embodiment the controller is configured so that the auto guided container transport vehicle buffers each picked goods items containers, in single (common) file, in the picked goods items container conveying storage row corresponding to the single (common) order.

[0059] In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed embodiment the method further includes at least one container lift (separate and distinct from the auto guided container transport vehicle) disposed to transport containers between the container storage locations and the goods items order picking station, and the at least one container lift is disposed between the order picking station and the putwall.

[0060] It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the aspects of the disclosed embodiment. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the aspects of the disclosed embodiment. Accordingly, the aspects of the disclosed embodiment are intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances that fall within the scope of the appended claims. Further, the mere fact that different features are recited in mutually different dependent or independent claims does not indicate that acombination of these features cannot be advantageously used, such a combination remaining within the scope of the aspects of the invention.

[0061] What is claimed is:

Claims

CLAIMS1. A storage and retrieval system for order filling of goods items, the storage and retrieval system comprising: a multilevel container storage array, each level of which has a transport area and a storage area, the storage area including an array of storage shelves configured to hold thereon containers of at least one of the goods items, and the transport area being substantially continuous and arranged to communicably connect storage shelves of the array of storage shelves to each other, the transport area including picking aisles and a container transfer deck connecting the picking aisles; an autonomous guided container transport vehicle, distinct from the container transfer deck, located on each level of the multilevel storage array and configured to traverse the container transfer deck and picking aisles on each level and transport containers accessed to and from container storage locations on each of the storage shelves on each level of the multilevel storage array for at least one goods items order picking station; a putwall of more than one levels of picked goods items container conveying storage rows distributed along each level, wherein each level of the putwall communicates with the at least one goods items order picking station so that each conveying storage row receives, picked goods items containers in a row, corresponding to a single order, from the goods items order picking station; and a controller configured to effect operation of the autonomous guided container transport vehicle between the at least one goods items order picking station, one or more of the container storage locations, and each picked goods items container conveying storage row of the putwall; wherein each picked goods items container conveying storage row has a single output corresponding to the storage row, the output defines a single pickup location of each container corresponding to the single order.

2. The storage and retrieval system of claim 1, wherein each picked goods items container conveying storage row of the putwall buffers each of the picked goods items containers corresponding to the single order in a single row.

3. The storage and retrieval system of claim 1, wherein each conveying storage row is formed of inclined rollers, so that the picked goods items containers move automatically along the inclined rollers of the storage row to the output.

4. The storage and retrieval system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured so that the autonomous guided container transport vehicle buffers each picked goods items containers, in single file, in the picked goods items container conveying storage row corresponding to the single order.

5. The storage and retrieval system of claim 1, further comprising at least one container lift disposed to transport containers between the container storage locations and the goods items order picking station, and the at least one container lift is disposed between the order picking station and the putwall.

6. The storage and retrieval system of claim 5, wherein the container lift is separate and distinct from the autonomous guided container transport vehicle.

7. The storage and retrieval system of claim 1, wherein the items container conveying storage rows are gravity fed roller conveyors.

8. A method for order filling of goods items from a storage and retrieval system, the method comprising: providing a multilevel container storage array, each level of which has a transport area and a storage area, the storage area including an array of storage shelves configured to hold thereon containers of at least one of the goods items, and the transport area being substantially continuous and arranged to communicably connect storage shelves of the array of storage shelves to each other, the transport area including picking aisles and a container transfer deck connecting the picking aisles;providing an autonomous guided container transport vehicle, distinct from the container transfer deck, located on each level of the multilevel storage array and configured to traverse the container transfer deck and picking aisles on each level and transport containers accessed to and from container storage locations on each of the storage shelves on each level of the multilevel storage array for at least one goods items order picking station; receiving, with a putwall of more than one levels of picked goods items container conveying storage rows distributed along each level, picked goods items containers in a row, corresponding to a single order, from the goods items order picking station wherein each level of the putwall communicates with the at least one goods items order picking station; and effecting operation, with a controller, of the autonomous guided container transport vehicle between the at least one goods items order picking station, one or more of the container storage locations, and each picked goods items container conveying storage row of the putwall; wherein each picked goods items container conveying storage row has a single output corresponding to the storage row, the output defines a single pickup location of each container corresponding to the single order.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein each picked goods items container conveying storage row of the putwall buffers each of the picked goods items containers corresponding to the single order in a single row.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein each conveying storage row is formed of inclined rollers, so that the picked goods items containers move automatically along the inclined rollers of the storage row to the output.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the controller is configured so that the autonomous guided container transport vehicle buffers each picked goods items containers, in single file, in the picked goods items container conveying storage row corresponding to the single order.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising at least one container lift disposed to transport containers between the container storage locations and the goods items order picking station, and the at least one container lift is disposed between the order picking station and the putwall.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the container lift is separate and distinct from the autonomous guided container transport vehicle.

14. A storage and retrieval system for order filling of goods items, the storage and retrieval system comprising: a multilevel container storage array, each level of which has a transport area and a storage area, the storage area including an array of storage shelves configured to hold thereon containers of at least one of the goods items, and the transport area being substantially continuous and arranged to communicably connect storage shelves of the array of storage shelves to each other, the transport area including picking aisles and a container transfer deck connecting the picking aisles; an autonomous guided container transport vehicle, distinct from the container transfer deck, located on each level of the multilevel storage array and configured to traverse the container transfer deck and picking aisles on each level and transport containers accessed to and from container storage locations on each of the storage shelves on each level of the multilevel storage array for at least one goods items order picking station; a putwall of more than one levels of picked goods items container conveying storage rows distributed along each level, wherein each level of the putwall communicates with the at least one goods items order picking station; and a controller configured to effect operation of the autonomous guided container transport vehicle between the at least one goods items order picking station, one or more of the container storage locations, and each picked goods items container conveying storage row of the putwall so as to discriminate and sort picked goods item containers, for common orders of multiple disparate orders, into a corresponding row of the goods items container conveying storage rows;wherein each picked goods items container conveying storage row has a single output corresponding to the storage row, the output defines a common pickup location of each container corresponding to each common order.

15. The storage and retrieval system of claim 14, wherein each picked goods items container conveying storage row of the putwall buffers each of the picked goods items containers corresponding to each common order in a single row.

16. The storage and retrieval system of claim 14, wherein each conveying storage row is formed of inclined rollers, so that the picked goods items containers move automatically along the inclined rollers of the storage row to the output.

17. The storage and retrieval system of claim 14, wherein the controller is configured so that the autonomous guided container transport vehicle buffers each picked goods items containers, in single file, in the picked goods items container conveying storage row corresponding to each common order.

18. The storage and retrieval system of claim 14, further comprising at least one container lift disposed to transport containers between the container storage locations and the goods items order picking station, and the at least one container lift is disposed between the order picking station and the putwall.

19. The storage and retrieval system of claim 18, wherein the container lift is separate and distinct from the autonomous guided container transport vehicle.

20. The storage and retrieval system of claim 14, wherein the items container conveying storage rows are gravity fed roller conveyors.

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