Facility for storing items along parallel channels

Claim 1

A storage facility, comprising a structure having a plurality of vertically superimposed levels; first means on each level for directing items along a plurality of substantially parallel first paths exclusively in a first direction, the first paths of each level being arranged side-by-side horizontally and constituting a first group of storage channels for the items; second means on each level for directing items along a plurality of second paths substantially parallel to the first paths exclusively in the first direction, the second paths of each level being arranged side-by-side horizontally and constituting a second group of storage channels for the items; third means on each level for directing items along a third path substantially parallel to the respective first and second paths exclusively in a second direction counter to the respective first direction, the third path of each level being disposed between the respective first and second groups in horizontal direction; and means for feeding the items to and removing the items from the paths, the first, second and third paths of each level having neighboring first ends and neighboring second ends, and said feeding and removing means including reversible first transporting means for directing items on each level movable substantially horizontally adjacent to the respective first ends transversely of the respective paths, reversible second transporting means for directing items on each level movable substantially horizontally adjacent to the respective second ends transversely of the respective paths, and elevator means for moving the items up-and-down between levels and for supplying items to and removing items from the first and/or second transporting means on each level, the first transporting means of each level being movable along a predetermined path which extends by each of the first, second and third paths of the respective level, and the path of each of said first transporting means having an end defining a third end, the second transporting means of each level being movable along another predetermined path which extends by each of the first, second and third paths of the respective level, and the path of each of said second transporting means having an end defining a fourth end, said elevator means including an elevator adjacent to said third ends or said fourth ends.