The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 13, 2001
Filed:
Sep. 22, 1999
Sumio Harukawa, Tokyo, JP;
Masao Toyama, Tokyo, JP;
Yukiharu Tokisato, Tokyo, JP;
Takenori Hirakawa, Tokyo, JP;
Atsuhiko Iijima, Tokyo, JP;
Hirata Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
In order to provide an automated warehouse having high space utilization efficiency, high floor area utilization efficiency, and high loading/unloading efficiency and a method of managing the warehouse, a transfer unit is placed above a stocking area, a holding unit of the transfer unit can move three-dimensionally, and an elevating unit of the transfer unit, which holds a stock object and raises/lowers it, raises/lowers a stock object without making it roll. This transfer unit holds a stock object in a loading area, and transfers the loaded stock object over stock objects stored in the stocking area. The transfer unit then lowers this stock object from above and stacks it flat or on another stock object. When an object is to be unloaded, the transfer unit holds the stock object from above and transfers it to an unloading area through the air.