FR2809094A1 - Standard size bar coded cases for various types, shape and size documents placed in an automatic placement, storage and distribution cabinet, an extractor/release mechanism feeds the selected case to a user output - Google Patents

Abstract

Each case (2) includes a strap wall and two back walls which form a closed volume. Each case has optical read bar codes or any other type of identifier. Strap walls (28) are fitted with an assembly designed to form with these walls sensibly identical contours and perimeters but with greater depths. One of the walls of a case can be removed from the strap wall. One of the case base walls is hinged on the trap wall so as to form an opening cover. Automatic cabinet fitted with: (a) a power section including actuators, pre-actuators and sensors; a control section, managed by a program; a section which ensures dialogue between users and the control section; the cabinet includes a case storage rack that has a case support (7) designed to be driven in a reversible way by a drive, between two case input output positions on the case support; an extractor/release mechanism allows in a first variable input/output position, the forward and return movement of cases between a drawer and case support; the extractor/release mechanism permits, in a second fixed input/output position , the forward and return displacement of cases between the case support and a case output for the user.

Description

<B> <U> SHUTTERS FOR CABINETS </ U> </ B> AUTOMATIC <B> <U> DE </ U> </ B> STORAGE, <B> <U> CABINETS INCLUDING SUCH </ U> </ U> The invention relates to the technical field of automatic storage systems for storing to be dispensed on demand, and to put back into operation. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Automatically place products.

These storage systems and ensure different function compared to vending machines, the delivered products are not put back in place in these distributors.

Examples of automatic storage systems as defined above can be found in the following documents - published international patent applications numbers 86I07291, 88 <B> 1 </ B> 03506, 90I07161, 90I07182, 91104930, 92I02438, 92l04713, 93I15001 , 93I16475, 94I12978, 94112979, 94112980, 94121, 96 <B> 1 </ B> 08429, 97I29484, 97I37564, 97 <B> 1 </ B> 37910, 98I21127, 98 <B> 1 </ B> 59258, 99 <B> 1 </ B> 10256, 99I26245, 99 <B> 1 </ B> 26248, 99135646, 99147436, 99 <B> 1 </ B> 53490, 99I53491; - European patent applications published under numbers 0 018 437, 0 184 527.0 203 687, 0 238 900, 0 252 675, 0 351 727, 0 361 378, 0 377 474, 0 431 823, 0 492 471, 0 492 472, 0 535 640, 0 535 921, 0 537 923, 0 542 482, 0 566 351, 0 574 845, 0 578 918, 0 583 098, 0 596 661, 0 610 962, 0 620 552, 0 621 215 , 0 622 796, 0 623 924, 0 623 925, 0 627 738, 0 638 898, 0 638 899, 0 640 966, 0 694 917, 0 697 695, 0 709 169, 0 712 125, 0 725 398, 0 734,975, 788,100, 793,226, 793,227, 805,444, 847,944, 0,924,145, 0,935,246, 0,935,247, 0,942,415, 0,950,623; French patent applications published under the numbers 2,378,474, 2,393,748, 2,506,184, 2,509,271, 2,547,799, 2,548,882, 2,562,305, 2,574,381, 2,592,012 and 2,596,739, respectively. 613,411, 2,630,492, 2,638,144, 2,638,371, 2,669,312, 2,669,313, 2,686,327, 2,732,141.

The vast majority of automatic storage systems known in the prior art, and in particular most of those described in the documents listed above, relate to the handling of objects of substantially identical and standardized shapes and dimensions.

These objects include audio cassettes, video cassettes, slides, CD-ROMs, video discs, computer diskettes, memory cartridges and other standard information carriers for optical, magnetic, magneto-optical reading.

The applications targeted for the storage systems of such objects are in particular - distributors of video cassettes for rent; - domestic or professional appliances for the programmable loading of information carriers into a machine: CD-ROM readings, audio-video cassette loaders; - central computer stores, data banks and computer servers; - Input / output management systems for audio-libraries and video libraries with automated inventory management.

There is also known a second type of automatic storage systems, allowing the storage, provision, and possibly automatic replacement of valuables.

The applications targeted for these storage systems of the second type are in particular those of vaults for banks or jewelery stores, or the automatic locks for valuables.

For these storage systems of valuables, reference may be made, for example, to documents FR-2,732,141, FR-2,669,313, FR-A-2,630,492, A-2,613,411.

In this second type of storage system, valuables are stored in identical boxes stored in a vault inaccessible to users. The movements of these boxes are controlled to allow access to their content by users, through a counter. such storage systems limit access to the vault, but the privacy and security required when a user wants to change the contents of a cabinet do not fit well - risk of inaccurate access to a cabinet not belonging to the user; - lack of monitoring and maintenance.

 so that these systems of automatic storage of valuables have not known significant business opportunities.

A few rare storage systems of the prior art are presented as also allowing the storage, distribution and automatic refitting of books.

For this third type of storage systems, reference may be made, for example, to EP-A-184 527.

The rarity of these storage systems can be explained in particular by the great diversity of formats and weights of structures to be taken into account.

To the knowledge of the present inventors, there is to date no automatic compact storage system for storing, dispensing on demand, and automatically repositioning products shapes, dimensions, mechanical strength and varied weight, such as unrelated or connected but thin documents, or documents with a certain flexibility such as magazines, periodicals, newspapers, plans, working files.

The practical realization of such systems poses indeed difficult problems.

The inventors have found that there is a need for such compact storage systems, easy and safe to use.

A first object of the invention is to provide a storage system of the above type, applicable to a wide variety of paper document formats, and also used for the automated management of mixed information stocks subsequently called sources, including printed materials such as audio and visual documents. A second object of the invention is to provide a storage system of the above type allowing controlled access to the sources, and a tracing of these accesses.

A third object of the invention is to provide a storage system of the above type which, while remaining very compact, very easily adapts to large variations in the source volume to manage.

A fourth object of the invention is to provide a storage system of the above type which is suitable for managing both archives and frequently consulted sources.

For these purposes, the invention relates, in a first aspect, to shuttles intended to be placed in an automatic storage cabinet for storing, distributing on demand, and automatically replacing products, said shuttles each comprising at least one belt wall and two bottom walls capable of defining a substantially closed volume, these shuttles being provided with optical reading identification means such as barcodes or any other equivalent identification means, the belt walls being provided with means of assembly together, so as to form belt walls with substantially identical contours and perimeters but greater depths, the shuttles thus being of adjustable widths.

According to various embodiments, these shuttles have the following characters, possibly combined - at least one of their bottom walls removably mounted on their belt wall; - At least one of their bottom walls is hinged on their belt wall, so as to form opening hood shuttles; - The two bottom walls are mounted hinged on their belt wall; - The two bottom walls are removably mounted on their belt wall; - The mutual assembly means of the belt walls are temporary, that is to say reversible, said connecting means being selected from the group consisting of tongue and groove joints, false-tongue, with live joints and journals, tenon and mortise, with dovetail; said assembly means comprise connection pieces snapped onto the belt walls; - Shuttle belt walls are substantially rectangular and are provided with external guide projections, on at least two of their opposite sides; - The shuttles are made of injected or molded polymer material. In certain embodiments, the shuttles are provided with internal housings or means for wedging particular objects, for example snap-fastening; - Internal means of retention such as binder rings, Parisian fasteners or any other equivalent means for temporarily linking paper documents.

The invention relates, in a second aspect, automatic storage cabinets, for storing, distributing on demand, and automatically repositioning products contained in shuttles as presented above, these cabinets being provided with - d a power section comprising actuators, actuators and detectors; a control part, managed by a programmable logic controller, or for any other management means; - a relationship party to ensure the dialogue between users and the control part; cabinets including. at least one shuttle rack storage rack. a shuttle carrier adapted to be reversibly driven, by means of displacement, between at least two positions entreelsput shuttles on the shuttle holder; extraction / release means making it possible, in a first variable input / output position, to move the shuttles back and forth between the radius and the shuttle carrier, extraction / release means enabling, in a second fixed input position, / exit, the movement of shuttle shuttles between shuttles and shuttles for the user.

Said cabinets have, according to various embodiments, the following characters, possibly combined - forward and return shuttle movement between the shuttle-carrier post made available through a household opening rack in the rack racks; they comprise substantially rigid and solid walls, less walls forming a maintenance door, the station making available the shuttles being arranged in line with a controlled opening window; said relationship portion comprises a programmable machine to which peripheral devices such as keyboard, screen, printer, as well as a reader identification codes supported by the shuttles are connected; the pre-actuators, actuators and detectors of the power section respectively comprise contactors, geared motors for driving the shuttle holder, and fine limit switches of the shuttle holder.

In one embodiment, the shuttles are provided with guiding protrusions in translation in grooves arranged on the shelves of the cabinet. According to a particular embodiment, said grooves are substantially identical in shape and dimensions, equidistant and parallel, each radius thus comprising on the upper face, a first series of grooves with openings at the top and at the bottom, a second series of grooves with openings towards the bottom.

According to various embodiments, possibly combined - the shuttle holder is in the form of a substantially rectangular frame containing a bar code reader and electromagnets; - The shuttle carrier is supported by a carriage slidably mounted on a two-shaft column, the drive of the carriage being obtained by a screw substantially parallel to the shafts, or any other equivalent means; the cabinet comprises two spoke spans supporting shuttle shuttles being provided with a device allowing it to pivot so that it can extract and reintroduce any shuttle into its housing.

The invention relates, in a third aspect, to a method of using such cabinets.

According to one embodiment, the shuttles are not maintained on the shelves in a mapped position, the shuttle door, equipped with a barcode reader or equivalent, read each of the codes carried by shuttles contained in the cabinet, until with detection of the shuttle containing the document desired by the user.

In another embodiment, the shuttles being maintained in fixed position mapped once and for all, the shuttle door, equipped with a bar code reader or equivalent, read the bar code of the shuttle to contain the desired document, verifying that the shuttle disposed in the mapped position is that desired.

Alternatively, the shuttles being placed in a mapped but variable position, the shuttle holder is brought to the last referenced position for the shuttle to contain the desired document, and a reading of the codes supported by this shuttle is performed.

The method comprises the following steps, possibly combined - an inventory verification step, comprising an automatic reading of each of the codes placed on the shuttles, and the updating of a correspondence matrix between the positions of the shuttles and these codes. bars; when the shuttle to contain the desired document is located, a step of extracting the shuttle from its housing using an electromagnet acting on a magnetic chip disposed on a shuttle face, the shuttle then being introduced into the shuttle holder and forwarded look of the post of provision; - a regular stage of statistics of the movements of entries, as well as a stage of reorganization of the shuttles, placing the most requested shuttles in close positions of the station of availability, so as to reduce the time of maneuver of the shuttle carrier.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments, a description which will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which - Figure 1 is a schematic overview of an installation according to the invention, in embodiment; - Figure 2 is a front view of a storage cabinet, according to one embodiment, the cabinet being in the open position; FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of an embodiment of shuttle storage racks; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a shuttle in an open position, in one embodiment; - Figure 5 is a perspective view of a connecting piece between shuttle frames; FIG. 6 is a perspective view, similar to that of FIG. 4, of a shuttle of double thickness; - Figure 7 is a perspective view of a large articulated face for a shuttle as shown in Figure 4; - The figure is a perspective view, similar to those of Figures 4 and 6, a shuttle of triple thickness; - Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of shuttle movement means; - Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view of a storage cabinet, in one embodiment; - Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view of shuttle extraction means.

Referring first to Figure 1 which is a schematic view of the assembly of an installation according to the invention, in one embodiment. This installation comprises at least one storage cabinet 1, containing shuttle bins 2 (hereinafter simply called shuttles).

Eight shuttles appear for memory in Figure 1. It is understood however that the cabinet 1 containing the shuttles can define a substantially closed volume, the shuttles appear in Figure 1 by transparency through the walls of the cabinet.

The eight shuttles shown in FIG. 1 are of substantially identical height h, and of different widths. More precisely, among the eight shuttles shown in FIG. 4 are of width 11, two are of widths 12 substantially double h, and two are of widths 13 substantially triple of 11. The reasons this provision will appear later.

Although only eight shuttles appear in Figure 1, it is understood that the cabinet 1 can contain a large number of these shuttles, of the order of several tens for example for a relatively compact cabinet 1.

As an indication, a cabinet 1 containing four substantially identical 2 shuttles 2, on two spans of five levels each can be of following dimensions: height = 2200mm, depth P = 1140mm, width L = 1200mm. The shuttle arrangement to achieve such compactness will be described more fully later.

The cabinet 1 will be described assuming it resting on a horizontal surface S, containing the so-called longitudinal direction D1 and the so-called transverse direction D2.

As will be clear to those skilled in the art, the operation of the installation will not be disturbed if the direction D1 is not horizontal. At the extreme, the direction may be substantially vertical without the operation of the cabinet is questioned.

The description below will also involve a direction D3, taken vertically, this direction D3 forming a direct trihedron with directions D1 and D2. In the embodiment shown, the cabinet 1 is provided, on its so-called front face 3, with a controlled opening window 4.

Also shown schematically in FIG. 1, by transparency through the walls of the cabinet - means of horizontal displacement 5 the vertical displacement means 6 of a shuttle holder 7; - rack 8, participant as it will appear later, at the entrance and exit of the shuttles; a device 9 for automatically introducing and extracting the shuttles contained in the shuttle door 7.

The installation further comprises - a system for lateral displacement of the shuttle holder 7, according to the direction; - shuttle player, these two elements are not apparent in Figure 1.

FIG. 1 shows the following complementary elements of the installation - computer 10, comprising a keyboard 11 and a display screen 12; printer 13; interface 14 between the computer 10 and the cabinet 1; - shuttle bus 15.

By computer is meant here a programmable machine comprising a central unit to which are connected the keyboard 11 and the screen 12. The term computer also concerns here, for simplicity, the terminals connected in server to a computer center.

In one embodiment, the interface is an industrial programmable controller, ie an electronic assembly comprising the control part of the storage cabinet 1. This industrial programmable controller manages and ensures the control of actuators , from a program from the computer; - receives information from detectors; - issues commands to pre-actuators.

As will become apparent later in this description, in one embodiment, pre-actuators and actuators respectively comprise contactors and geared motors for driving the shuttle holder 7, detectors comprising end-of-travel sensors of the shuttle carrier. 7. The printer 13, the shuttle reader 15 and the interface 14 are connected to the computer by cables 16. In the principle embodiment of the figure, the cables 16 are external and the computer 10 and its peripherals 13 , 14 are physically distinct. In other embodiments, the computer assembly 10 / printer 13 / interface 14 / reader 15 is substantially one-piece, optionally integrated with the volume of the cabinet 1.

In the embodiment of Figure 1, a cabinet 1 is connected, via a cable 17, to the interface 14. This cable connection may be, if necessary, replaced a connection on carrier waves.

Several cabinets 1 can be connected, via a multiplexer, to one or more computers, these computers being or not directly connected between via a network.

Referring now to Figure 2 which is a schematic view of a cabinet as shown in Figure 1, after opening of its front face 3. This opening may be provided for example for maintenance operations. The front face 3 of the cabinet 1 can for example be mounted on hinges. The front face 3 may comprise a fixed frame and a plurality of movable leaves and thus define a door-type door panels, accordion door, sectional door, swing door, or even sliding or guillotine.

The type of door implemented will be chosen based in particular on the space available for its opening.

The front face 3, like the other faces of the cabinet, may be substantially opaque or have at least one window, to control the operation of the installation. As it appears in FIG. 2, the cabinet 1 comprises at least one substantially vertical span, comprising a number of racks arranged in superimposed radii.

In the embodiment shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2, forty racks are thus defined, including the rack 8 presented previously. These racks are limited high and low part by substantially parallel spokes 18 of identical and equidistant thicknesses.

Between each spoke 18 are housed shuttle 2, mounted sliding in translation in the direction D2, corresponding to the depth of the cabinet 1.

The first row of racks 19a-19h is limited in the upper part by the upper wall 20 of the cabinet 1, the horizontal displacement means 5 of the shuttle door 7 extending in the lower part of the cabinet. It is understood however that this arrangement could be reversed, the horizontal displacement means extending in the upper part of the cabinet and the lower lower row 23a-23h of racks resting on the bottom wall of the cabinet.

side walls of the cabinet also borders a column 19a-23a racks. In the embodiment shown, this side wall is the left wall, when the cabinet is seen on its front face, the vertical movement means of the shuttle holder extending in the right part of the cabinet 1. It is understood, however, that the racks could be arranged clad on the right side wall of the cabinet, the vertical movement means of the shuttles then being arranged on the left side of the cabinet.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the mounting of the shuttles on the spokes 18.

In this embodiment, the spokes 18 are provided with grooves 24 substantially identical, equidistant, parallel to the direction D2. More precisely, each spoke 18 is provided - on the upper face 18a, with a first series of grooves 24 with openings upwards; - In lower face 18b, a second series of grooves with openings downwards.

All the grooves of the rays of a span are arranged in substantially parallel planes. In other words, any groove disposed on the upper face of a first radius is disposed - in line with and facing a groove disposed on the lower face of a second radius placed above said first radius; - in line with a groove disposed in the lower face of said first radius.

In an embodiment of FIG. 3, these grooves 24 have a transverse profile U with a flat bottom. In other embodiments, shown, grooves are U-shaped curved bottom, or V, pseudo pseudo V. The pseudo U expression is used here in reference form approximating a U, but whose sides do not are not substantially parallel.

In a embodiment shown, the grooves 24 open on the two rear faces of the spokes 18, so that the shuttles 2 can be introduced removed from the spokes forwards or backwards in the direction D2.

In other embodiments, not shown, the grooves open only on one of the front or rear faces of the spokes.

The shuttles 2 are of parallelepipedal envelope, and comprise, on two opposite sides, projections 25 of shapes and dimensions such that the shuttles 2 can slide in the racks defined by the spokes, being guided by grooves 24.

Thus it has been said with reference to Figure 1, the shuttles 2 can be of different widths. This arrangement will now be presented in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8.

In Figure 4 is shown in perspective a shuttle 2, width II. This shuttle comprises two large faces or bottom walls 26,27 substantially flat and identical, articulated on a rectangular frame or belt wall 28. Each large face 26,27 is provided, on two first opposite sides, a short projection 29 , 30 permitting, where appropriate, a snap of this face 26,27 on the corresponding sides of the frame 28.

The frame 28 comprises - a first side 31, said rear side, on which the large faces 26, are mounted articulated; a second side 32, said front side, substantially parallel first coast and on which are provided finger passages 33 facilitating the opening the shuttle 2; - A third 34 and a fourth side 35 each supporting, on the outer face, a projection 25 complementary to the grooves 24 of the spokes 18.

On either side of these protrusions 25, the third and fourth sides have a notch 36,37,38,39 recessed angle rabbet for receiving projections 29,30 of the large faces 26,27.

Where appropriate, the front and rear sides are substantially identical. The internal faces of the four shuttle sides are substantially flat.

The large faces 26, 27 may be substantially solid opaque, or even translucent, semi-transparent, or have a window less.

The large faces 26,27 like the four sides of the frame 28 may comprise, at least on their visible outer face, indications coded or not relating to the contents of the shuttle 2.

The mounting of the large faces 26,27 on the frame 28 may be substantially definitive, for some shuttles.

In an advantageous embodiment, this assembly is reversible. Thus, as represented in FIGS. 5 to 8, at least one of the large faces 26, 27 of a shuttle as shown in FIG. 4 can be replaced by a connecting piece 40, allowing the assembly of two frames 28.

This connecting piece 40 is of rectangular outline and has symmetry plane Sy set.

This connecting piece comprises - first two sides 41, 42 substantially planar and perpendicular to the plane Sy; - two second sides 43,44 substantially planar and perpendicular to the plane Sy.

In one embodiment, the four sides 41-44 of the piece 40 limit an inner wall substantially disposed along the Sy plane, the piece 40 then forming wall separation inside the shuttle.

In other embodiments, the four sides 41-44 of the part 40 define an open frame, the piece 40 then serving as a connection between frames 28 to increase the width of the shuttles 2.

The first two sides 41, 42 of the connecting piece 40 each carry two pairs of projections 46 for mounting in holes formed on the front and rear sides of the frames. When a connecting piece is put in place between two frames 28, its sides 41,42 are housed, between two projections 25, in the rabbets 36-39 frames.

The so-called double shuttle is thus obtained with a width of 12 substantially twice the width Il. The sides 41,42 of the connecting piece 40, housed in the rabbets 36-39 of the frames 28, do not interfere with the sliding movement of this double shuttle in the spokes 18, this movement being guided by the four projections 25 of the two frames 28 assembled.

Of course, more than two frames 28 can be assembled together in the manner presented above. FIG. 8 illustrates a triple shuttle obtained by assembling three frames 28, using two connecting pieces 40. This triple shuttle is of a width 13 substantially triple that of the shuttle of FIG. 4.

In order to strengthen the assembly of the connecting pieces 40 on the frames 28, it is provided, in one embodiment, that these connecting pieces 40 comprise projections 47 which are housed in the finger passages 33 of the assembled frames 28. Referring now to Figures 9 and 10 which illustrate an embodiment of the means of horizontal and vertical movement of the shuttles.

The shuttle holder 7 is in the form of a substantially rectangular frame containing a bar code reader 48 and electromagnets the function of these elements 48,49 being detailed later.

The shuttle holder 7 is supported by a carriage 50 slidably mounted on a two-shaft column 51. The drive of the carriage is made by chain, belt, or any other equivalent means. In the embodiment shown, this drive is provided by a screw substantially parallel to the shafts 51.

The shaft assembly 51 / screw 52 is movably mounted in translation relative to three slide tubes 53,54. More specifically, the shafts 51 screws 52 are mounted - for their first low end part, on a platform 55 slidably mounted on two substantially parallel lower slide tubes 54; for their second extreme high part, on a slideway 56 mounted on an upper slide tube 53 substantially parallel to the two lower slide tubes 54.

A first geared motor 57, mounted on the platform 55, causes the rotation of the screw 52 and the movement back and forth of the carriage 50 in the direction D1. A second geared motor 58, integral with the platform drives a toothed wheel 59 against a rack 60 secured to the frame of the cabinet 1 and substantially parallel to the slide tubes 54.

Axis supports 61 integral with the slide tubes 53, 54 form limit stops for the platform 55 and slideway 56. These axis supports are rigidly assembled on the frame of the cabinet 1.

 this arrangement, the second geared motor 58 is able to drive back and forth the entire platform 55 / slide 56, in the direction D2. The detection of limit switches for the platform 55 or the carriage 50 can be carried out by mechanical roller sensors, magnetic sensors or inductive or capacitive proximity sensors.

The information from these sensors is sent to the control part of the automatic storage system, which returns them to pre-actuators according to the program set by the computer 10. Pre-actuators include, for example, contactors for geared motors 57,58 .

The cabinet 1 may comprise, as shown in Figure 10, two trailing bays between which the carriage 50 is driven. The carriage 50 is then provided with a device for pivoting the shuttle holder 7, so as to extract and reintroduce any shuttle in its housing.

The shuttles 2 can be of different widths, the shuttle holder 7 has an opening substantially equal to or greater than the maximum width provided for the shuttles.

In the embodiments shown, this maximum width is three times the width defined before.

The extraction of shuttles 2 out of their radius is carried out as follows, in embodiment of the invention.

In the first step, the user selects, via the computer 10, one or more documents that he wants to have. These documents can be of any type: text and / or image and / or sound. Where appropriate, these source documents may be partially or totally stored in a computer memory accessible by the computer, the user still wishing to have the original hardware support for said source, for example for proof.

Many human activities require the preservation of original documents, in addition to copies, possibly stored on computer media. These activities include, for example, those related to contracts or litigation in public or private affairs; intelligence activities, the preservation of rare, old or fragile documents, or sensitive documents.

If necessary, a security system, such as a computer key, will allow or not access to the document for the user.

A trace of each access request is kept in the central memory of the computer, and a regular state of access requests, denied no, can be established for the purpose of checking.

If access to the document is authorized, the computer sends a control signal to the cabinet containing the document, for the search of the shuttle containing this document. For example, a correspondence matrix is stored in the central memory of the computer, this matrix associating a code, for example, a barcode associated with a shuttle, for each document contained in the cabinet, or a command order movements shuttle carrier.

A shuttle can thus contain a single document, or more than one document, and carry one or more barcodes or equivalent optical magnetic reading devices.

In a first embodiment, the shuttles are not maintained in a mapped position, the shuttle door, equipped with a barcode reader or equivalent, read each of the codes carried by the shuttles contained in the cabinet, until with detection of the shuttle containing the document desired by the user.

In a second embodiment, the shuttles are maintained in a fixed position mapped once and for all, shuttle door, equipped with a bar code reader or equivalent to read barcode of the shuttle to contain the desired document, verifying that the shuttle disposed in the mapped position is that desired.

In a third type of embodiment, the shuttles are placed in a mapped but variable position. In this type of embodiment, the shuttle holder is brought to the last position referenced for the shuttle to contain the desired document, and a reading of the code or codes supported by this shuttle is performed. In each of three embodiments mentioned above, an inventory check can be regularly performed. This inventory may include an automatic reading step of each of the barcodes arranged shuttles, and the update of a correspondence matrix between positions of the shuttles and these barcodes.

When the shuttle to contain the desired document is located, it is extracted from the slot. This extraction can be performed using an electromagnet acting on a magnetic chip 62 disposed on one side of the shuttle. The shuttle is then introduced into the shuttle-carrier and conveyed opposite aperture opening 4.

In a particular embodiment, this window 4 is placed opposite a housing held free on the spokes of a bay. This arrangement makes it possible to guide the shuttle during its extraction from the shuttle holder 7. An arm may thus push the shuttle 2 out of the shuttle door 7, as shown in FIG. 11.

If necessary the opening of the window 4 may be subject to the entry of a PIN.

To increase safety, the weight of the shuttles can be measured during each movement. An X-ray inspection can also be performed. Any modification of the weight or any detection of a new body introduced into the shuttle may be recorded if appropriate, and associated with the name of the user who has made the entry / exit movement of the shuttle.

To further enhance security, it may be expected that the opening of some shuttles is detectable, the contents of the shuttle being for example stained when opening the shuttle, or seals to be broken, or a closure.

When the user has finished with the documents contained in the shuttle, he asks the computer to reintroduce the shuttle into the cabinet.

This reintroduction can be conditioned by the control of the contents of the shuttle, another person, auditor. For example, to allow this reintroduction, this second person will have to enter a code on the keyboard 11, this code associating the bar code of the shuttle to reintroduce and a confidential code specific to the person verifier. The reintroduction operation of the shuttle is stored in the central memory of the computer.

The computer system forming an interface between the user and the cabinets, a trace of the movements made can be preserved, thus filtering the entrances and exits of shuttles in the cabinets.

The structure of the cabinet that has just been presented is compact and modular. To increase the storage capacity, several cabinet modules can be contiguous, the main parts to be modified is the 53.54 slide tubes.

The entrances and exits of the shuttles can be carried out on the same wicket, or in two different wickets, in particular when the cabinets comprise two spans.

The statistics of the movements of entry / exit makes it possible to place the most requested shuttles in close positions of the counters of entry / exit, so as to reduce the time of work of the shuttle-carrier.

If necessary, messages can be sent to people holding shuttles for a time greater than a predetermined value.

These messages can be reminder letters, e-mail messages or others.

The realization of adjustable width shuttles can be carried out cheaply, by use of injected or molded polymer material.

The operations of entry and exit shuttles perpendicular storage shelves, through a location 8 left free for this purpose, contribute to the realization of a very compact storage cabinet.

Claims (1)

<B> <U> CLAIMS </ U> </ B> </ B> 1. Shuttles intended to be placed in an automatic storage cabinet for storing, distributing on demand, and automatically repositioning products, said shuttles comprising each less a belt wall (28) and two bottom walls (26,27) able to define a substantially closed volume, these shuttles (2) being provided with optical reading identification means such as barcodes or any other means d equivalent identification, CHARACTERIZED that the belt walls (28) are provided with means of assembly together, so as to form belt walls (28) having substantially identical outlines and perimeters but greater depths, the shuttles being as well as modular widths. 2. Shuttles according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of their bottom walls (26,27) is removably mounted on their belt wall (28). 3. Shuttles according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of their bottom walls (26,27) is articulated on their belt wall (28), so as to form opening hood shuttles . 4. Shuttles according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the two bottom walls (26,27) are hingedly mounted on their belt wall (28). 5. Shuttles according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the two bottom walls (26,27) are removably mounted on their belt wall (28). 6. Shuttles according to any one of claims 1 to 5, <B> characterized </ B> in that the mutual assembly means belt walls (28) are temporary, that is to say reversible. Shuttles according to claim 6, wherein said connecting means are selected from the group consisting of tongue-and-groove, tongue-and-groove, joint-joint and trunnion, tenon and tongue-and-groove joints. mortise, dovetail. 8. Shuttles according to claim 7, characterized in that the assembly means comprise connecting parts snapped onto the belt walls. Shuttles according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that their belt walls (28) are substantially rectangular and are provided with external guide projections (25) on at least two of their opposite sides. Shuttles according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that they are made of injected or molded polymer material. 1. Automatic storage cabinet, to store, distribute on demand, and automatically replace products contained in shuttles (2) as presented in any one of claims 1 to 10, this cabinet (1) being provided with a power part comprising actuators, pre-actuators and detectors; - a control part, managed by a programmable controller; - a relationship party to ensure the dialogue between users and the control part; this cabinet (1) comprising at least one storage rack (18) shuttle (2) and being <B> characterized </ B> in that it comprises a shuttle door (7) adapted to be driven in a manner reversible, by means of displacement (57,58,59,60), between at least two entry positions output shuttle (2) on the shuttle carrier (7), extraction meansiberation allowing, in a first position variable input / output, the movement back and forth shuttles (2) between radius (18) and shuttle-carrier (7), these extraction meanslliberation allowing, in a second fixed position of betweenelsortie, the displacement go and return of shuttles (2) between shuttle carrier (7) and delivery station (4) shuttles (2) for the user. 12. Automatic cabinet according to claim 11, characterized in that the forward and backward movement of the shuttles (2) between shuttle carrier (7) and positioning station (4) is effected through an opening in a rack cabinet shelves. 13. Automatic cabinet according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises substantially rigid and solid walls, at least one of the walls forming a maintenance door, the station for the provision of shuttles (2). being arranged at the right of a controlled opening window 14. Automatic cabinet according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that said relation part comprises a programmable machine (10) to which peripherals such as keyboard are connected ( 11), screen (12), printer (13), and a reader (15) identification codes supported by the shuttles (2). 15. Automatic cabinet according to claim 14, characterized in that the pre-actuators, actuators, and detectors of the power unit respectively comprise contactors, geared motors (57, 58) for driving the motor. shuttle holder (7), and shuttle door fine limit sensors. 16. Automatic cabinet according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the shuttles (2) are provided with projections (25) for guiding in translation in grooves (24) arranged on the shelves 8) of the cabinet 17. An automatic cabinet according to claim 16, characterized by the fact that said grooves (24) are substantially identical in shape and size, equidistant and parallel, each radius thus comprising - in upper face (18a), a first series of upwardly opening grooves - on the lower face (18b), a second series of downwardly opening grooves. any groove disposed on the upper face of a first radius being disposed - vertically and facing a groove disposed on the lower second radius face placed above said first radius; - in line with a groove disposed in the lower face of said first radius. 18. Automatic cabinet according to any one of claims 11 to 17, characterized in that the shuttle holder (7) is in the form of a substantially rectangular frame containing a bar code reader or other and electromagnets. 19. Automatic cabinet according to any one of claims 11 to 18, characterized in that the shuttle holder (7) is supported by a carriage (50) slidably mounted on a column (51) with two shafts, the driving the carriage (50) by means of a screw (52) substantially parallel to the shafts, or any other equivalent means. 20. Automatic cabinet according to claim 19, characterized in that the shafts and the screw (52) are mounted - for their first low end part, on a platform (55) slidably mounted on two lower slide tubes (54) substantially parallel; - For their second extreme high part, on a slide (56) mounted on an upper slide tube (53) substantially parallel to the two lower slide tubes (54). Automatic cabinet according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the first gear motor (57), mounted on the platform (55), causes the screw (52) to rotate. and the reciprocating carriage (50), a second geared motor (58), integral with the platform (55), driving a toothed wheel (59) against a rack (60) integral with the frame of the cabinet (1) and substantially parallel to the slide tubes (53,54). 22. Automatic cabinet according to claim 21, characterized in that axis supports (61) integral with the slide tubes (53, 54) form end stops for the platform (55). and the slide (56), these shaft supports (61) being rigidly connected to the frame of the cabinet (1). 23. Automatic cabinet according to any one of claims 11 to 22, <B> characterized </ B> in that it comprises two bays (18) supporting shuttles (2), the shuttle holder (7) being provided with a device for pivoting to 180, so as to extract and reintroduce any shuttle (2) in its housing. 24. A method of using a cabinet as presented in any one of claims 11 to 23, characterized in that the shuttles (2) being held on the spokes (18) in position mapped, the shuttle holder (7), equipped with a barcode reader or equivalent, read each of the codes carried by the shuttles contained in the cabinet (1), until detection of the shuttle (2) containing document desired by the user. 25. A method of using a cabinet as presented in any one of claims 11 to 23, <B> characterized in that the shuttles (2) being held in a fixed position mapped for all times, the shuttle carrier (7), equipped with a barcode reader or equivalent, reads the barcode of the shuttle (2) to contain the desired document, verifying that the shuttle (2) disposed in the mapped position is that desired. 26. A method of using a cabinet as presented in any one of claims 11 to 23, characterized in that the shuttles (2) being placed in a mapped but variable position, the shuttle holder (7) is brought to the last referenced position for the shuttle (2) to contain the desired document, and a reading of the code or codes supported by this shuttle is performed. 27. A method of using a cabinet according to any one of claims 24 to 26, characterized in that it comprises an inventory verification step, comprising an automatic reading of each of the codes arranged on the shuttles, and the update of a matrix of correspondence between the positions of the shuttles and these barcodes. 28. A method of using a cabinet according to any one of claims 24 to 27, characterized in that, when the shuttle (2) to contain the desired document is located, it is extracted of its housing by means of an electromagnet acting on a magnetic pad (62) disposed on one side of the shuttle, the shuttle (2) then being introduced into the shuttle carrier (7) conveyed opposite the setting station. provision (4). 29. A method of using a cabinet according to any one of claims 24 to 28, characterized in that it comprises a regular step of statistical establishment of the input / output movements, and a reorganization step shuttles, placing the most requested shuttles in positions close to the delivery station, thus reducing the maneuvering times of the shuttle carrier. A method of using a cabinet according to any one of claims 24 to 29 characterized in that it comprises a message setting step, for people holding shuttles for a time greater than a predetermined value.