US Patent 10940998 Automated storage and retrieval system

A method and apparatus are provided for storing or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a path to/from the destination areas that are positioned along the path. The destination areas are configured such that the destination areas have a depth to accommodate a plurality of containers in a horizontal line one behind another. The containers may be releasable interconnected so that retrieving one of the interconnected containers displaces one or more connected containers.