Storage container for automated storage and retrieval system

Abstract

A storage container for storing product items in an automated storage and retrieval system includes a base; two first parallel side walls; two second parallel side walls perpendicular to the two first parallel side walls; a top opening; and two side openings, to allow one or more items to be unloaded from the storage container or loaded into the storage container through one of the side openings at an unloading station or at a loading station. The storage container is provided with a restraint which is arranged to restrain movement of the one or more items from exiting through one of the side openings during transportation of the storage container to the unloading or loading station. The restraint includes an elevatable floor movably connected to the storage container between: a lower position, arranged to restrain movement of the one or more items from exiting through one of the side openings during transportation of the storage container to the unloading or loading station; and an upper position, arranged not to restrain movement of one or more items from exiting through one of the side openings at the unloading or loading station. The elevatable floor includes apertures and the storage container includes friction increasing members positioned in the apertures. In the lower position, the elevatable floor is vertically aligned with, or lower than the friction increasing members. In the upper position, the elevatable floor is higher than the friction increasing members.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A storage container for storing product items in an automated storage and retrieval system, wherein the storage container comprises:
 a base;   two first parallel side walls;   two second parallel side walls perpendicular to the two first parallel side walls;   a top opening; and   two side openings, to allow one or more items to be unloaded from the storage container or loaded into the storage container through one of the side openings at an unloading station or at a loading station;   wherein the storage container is provided with a restraint which is arranged to restrain movement of the one or more items from exiting through one of the side openings during transportation of the storage container to the unloading or loading station;   wherein the restraint comprises an elevatable floor movably connected to the storage container between:
 a lower position, arranged to restrain movement of the one or more items from exiting through one of the side openings during transportation of the storage container to the unloading or loading station; and 
 an upper position, arranged not to restrain movement of one or more items from exiting through one of the side openings at the unloading or loading station, and 
   wherein the elevatable floor comprises apertures and the storage container comprises friction increasing members positioned in the apertures, where;
 in the lower position, the elevatable floor is vertically aligned with, or lower than the friction increasing members; 
 in the upper position, the elevatable floor is higher than the friction increasing members. 
   
     
     
         2 . The storage container according to  claim 1 , where the restraint comprises a lip protruding upwardly from the base at a lower edge of one of the side openings. 
     
     
         3 . The storage container according to  claim 2 , where the lip is continuous, intermittent or broken. 
     
     
         4 . The storage container according to  claim 2 , where the lip is movably connected to the base, and where the lip is configured to be in one of the following positions:
 an elevated position arranged to restrain movement of the one or more items from exiting through one of the side openings during transportation of the storage container to the unloading or loading station;   a lowered position arranged not to restrain movement of one or more items at the unloading or loading station.   
     
     
         5 . The storage container according to  claim 2 , wherein the lip is inclined or curved in a direction perpendicular to the first parallel side walls to allow product items to be pushed over the upwardly protruding member at the unloading or loading station. 
     
     
         6 . The storage container according to  claim 1 , where the restraint comprises a friction increasing material for increasing friction between the one or more product items and an upper surface of the base. 
     
     
         7 . The storage container according to  claim 1 , where the restraint comprises a profile provided in an upper surface of the base. 
     
     
         8 . The storage container according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 in the lower position, the elevatable floor is lower than the upwardly protruding lip;   in the upper position, the elevatable floor is vertically aligned with, or higher than the upwardly protruding lip.   
     
     
         9 . The storage container according to  claim 8 , wherein the elevatable floor is movably connected to the base of the storage container by means of a plurality of legs, wherein the plurality of legs is accessible from below the storage container. 
     
     
         10 . The storage container according to  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of legs comprises a stop for limiting the vertical movement of the elevatable floor in relation to the base. 
     
     
         11 . The storage container according to  claim 1 , where the storage container is made of moulded plastic. 
     
     
         12 . The storage container according to  claim 1 , where the storage container comprises an array of moulded ribs, allowing the load of the product items carried by the base to be transferred into the side walls and further to the top of the side walls. 
     
     
         13 . The storage container according to  claim 1 , where the storage container comprises an upper vehicle connection interface. 
     
     
         14 . The storage container according to  claim 1 , where the storage container comprises lower and upper stacking interfaces for allowing the storage container to be stacked in a stack together with other storage containers.